Like other card games, the One Piece Trading Card Game has a ban list that is in a constant state of updates based on the current climate of the meta. Within One Piece TCG's history we have seen three leaders banned: Edward Newgate, Sakazuki, and Red/Purple Trafalgar Law. While Edward Newgate's ban was only in effect for what felt like a month, it was still a ban even if Bandai would eventually unban him.

On August 20th 2025, Bandai released one of the most unique ban announcements to date. There was a ton of speculation, based on past actions taken by Bandai, that Blue/Purple Monkey.D.Luffy (040) would be receiving the next leader ban hammer. That did not happen. Instead, Bandai decided to institute Banned Pairings for Blue/Purple Luffy.

Starting August 30th 2025, Monkey.D.Luffy (040) decks can no longer play Charlotte Katakuri (067) OR Charlotte Linlin (069). On top of this restriction made to the Leader, the following updates also go into effect: Sakazuki (041) and Cabaji (052) are unbanned, and Nami (040) is banned.

Sakazuki marks the second leader in OPTCG history to be unbanned, and Nami makes for the fourth leader to be banned. While Nami has not seen a lot of play in any recent big tournaments, Bandai continued to have to design Blue cards around her. There is reason to believe that Nami's ban was due to Bandai needing to restrict card design for future Blue cards and how that might impact future leaders in Blue.

On the other hand, you can easily say that a vital piece such as Kaya could have been banned instead of Nami so she could still be played. She could've been made a Banned Pairing like Monkey.D.Luffy (040) as well. Ultimately, this did not happen... but Nami (040) isn't the reason we're here right now.

Let's Talk about Sakazuki

If you were playing the OPTCG back in Awakening of the New Era, you will remember that the controlling Sakazuki took the game by storm. When this leader was released, cost reduction was his best form of removal, which was most common in Black. This was before Bandai created character cards, and multiple leaders, that either created reasons to avoid your opponents' removal or increase card cost on the board.

Usopp and Starter deck 14 Monkey .D. Luffy are both excellent examples of cost increase leaders that began to see pay because of Sakazuki, and leaders like Koby and Sabo have built in protection for their characters. Even so, Sakazuki being able to filter cards and his built-in cost reduction on a two-color leader (both of which specialize in removal) eventually made him overwhelming. So, Sakazuki got the ban hammer. And now, he returns. As beautiful as the day I - I mean WE - lost him.

The meta for One Piece Trading Card Game has changed drastically since Set 5 was released. We have leaders like what I previously mentioned. So... what should you expect to see when playing against Sakazuki?

I would always expect to see the following cards:

I would ALWAYS expect to see these when facing against Sakazuki.

Navy HQ, Kuzan, Tempest Kick, and Hina mainly serve as cost reduction to ensure Sakazuki can later remove your opponents' characters with either Rob Lucci, T Bone or Brook. Tsuru is mainly a +2000 counter, however in a pinch you can drop her to ensure further cost reduction where needed to ensure a threat on board is swiftly removed.

Rebecca? She's a blocker, and an excellent one that brings a Black back character to hand and puts a Black character of Cost 3 or less from your hand into play for free rested. Blocker, recursion, free play character: nothing but value form Rebecca. With the revival of Sakazuki, and new cards like Jozu, Tashigi, and some pieces coming out of Legacy of the Master clearly meant for Blue Kuzan leader, you can expect to see Sakazuki making another rise to the top.

Do you expect to see this leader at your local game store? Do you fear his unbaning? Either way, farewell until the seas allow us to cross paths once again, fellow seafarers!