Heading into the 2018 season, there was plenty of attention surrounding the Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card and autograph lineup.
He was one of the most hyped players to arrive in the majors in some time. Ohtani also arrived with a large fanbase thanks to his years as a superstar in Japan beforehand. So collectors in Japan were already very familiar with Shohei Ohtani cards.

Now it’s time for major league cards.
By the time his rookie season with the Los Angeles Angels came to a close, collectors had a lot of Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards, inserts and autographs to choose from.
Here is where you will find a detailed Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card breakdown as well as highlights of other cards.
Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card Guide and Where to Find Them
The Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards are listed alphabetically. The ones in this section are limited to those with the ‘RC’ designation in the Beckett Baseball Card Database and Price Guide. Inserts and parallels are not included.
2018 Bowman Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #49
The regular Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card in 2018 Bowman Baseball is a fairly straightforward affair. It’s simple, doesn’t draw attention to itself and is readily available. So in the big picture, it’s going to be one of the more affordable choices out there. The parallels bring some color and added scarcity. But the big interest in the set comes from the Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani autograph that’s found in packs. It’s an insert and not a traditional RC, but that hasn’t stopped it from going for thousands early on and even tens of thousands for some of the rarest Refractors. The one-of-one Superfractor Autograph fueled a lot of buzz throughout the hobby and beyond. It was found in June by a California collector.
Parallels: Sky Blue (/499), Purple (/250), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Gold (/50), Orange (/25), Red (/5), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #1
An affordable Shohei Ohtani RC, this one is found in the hobby-only 2018 Bowman Chrome. It has the Chrome shine and a good amount of parallels but the product is more focused on autographs and prospects. So it’s somewhat on the overlooked side. The card also has a variation with Ohtani pictured carrying an equipment bag.
Parallels: Refractors (/499), Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Superfractors (1/1)
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2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #34
The 2018 Bowman Platinum Shohei Ohtani is one of the Angels star’s wilder looking Rookie Cards. Besides the colorful graphics dancing in the background, the card comes printed on foil. It’s not a scarce card but the product was an exclusive to Walmart. Like many of Ohtani’s 2018 cards, there’s a variation short print where he’s pictured carrying a bag.
Parallels: Ice, Sky Blue, Purple (/299), Blue (/150), Green (/99), Orange (/25), Red (/10), Foilfractor (1/1)
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2018 Bowman’s Best Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #1
2018 Bowman’s Best closed out the baseball card season. Coming on the heels of Bowman Draft, it’s probably not surprising that Best is somewhat overlooked as many prospectors are moving on to the latest draft picks. But for those who like chromium and the Bowman name, there’s more color and design elements than Bowman Chrome. There’s still a parallel rainbow, too, but it’s not as large.
Parallels: Refractors, Atomic Refractors, Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/10), Superfractors (1/1)
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2018 Classics Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards #7, 13
Found in the anthology-style 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Timeless Tribute (/199), Timeless Tribute Gold (/99), Timeless Tribute Red (/25), Timeless Tribute Purple (/10), Timeless Tribute Green (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Timeless Tribute Platinum (1/1)
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2018 Diamond Kings Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards #73 and 76
2018 Diamond Kings has a pair of Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards in the base set, one with him pitching and the other with him batting. Neither is a short print or part of a subset so both get the RC tag and are held on equal footing as far as value goes. Diamond Kings takes an artistic approach with both the images and the canvas-style stock the cards are printed on.
In addition to a full slate of parallels, both cards have four different variations in the set. And those have parallels too.
Parallels: Artist Proof Red, Blue Frame, Red Frame, Artist Proof Gold (/99), Gray Frame (/99), Brown Frame (/49), Artist Proof Blue (/25), Green Frame (/5), Artist Proof Masterpiece (1/1), Black Frame (1/1)
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2018 Donruss Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #281
You’re not going to pull the 2018 Donruss Shohei Ohtani Rated Rookie from packs you find at the store. That’s because it’s exclusive to wrapper redemption packs. Packs were available in exchange for 24 empty wrappers, the equivalent to a hobby box. So it wasn’t hard, although supplies were somewhat limited. In each pack was three cards, one Ohtani, one Gleyber Torres and one Ronald Acuna. While there are no parallels, a variation is available with Ohtani’s name written in Japanese.
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2018 Donruss Optic Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #56
The 2018 Donruss Optic Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card puts an Optichrome spin on the regular Donruss design. It’s a different image and a completely different mix of parallels. There’s also a variation with Ohtani running.
Parallels: Holo, Bronze, Pink, Purple, Red and Yellow, Shock, White Sparkles, Aqua (/299), Orange (/199), Blue (/149), Red (/99), Carolina Blue (/50), Black (/25), Gold (/10), Cracked Ice (/7), Green (/5), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Finest Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #100
The 2018 Finest Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card isn’t a complicated card. Nor should it be overly expense. But it is shiny. For those who like a little more pop, Finest also comes with a more vibrant design than comparable sets like Bowman Chrome. The chase for his base card is likely to come more with the rarer Refractor parallels. Ohtani also has an autograph — including a Superfractor — in the product that carries a similar design and on-card signature.
Parallels: Refractors, Purple Refractors (/250), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Gold Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Superfractors (1/1)
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2018 Immaculate Collection Shohei Ohtani RC Auto Patch #37 /99
Not quite National Treasures or Dynasty, the 2018 Immaculate Collection Shohei Ohtani still has some impressive attributes like an on-card autograph and patch piece. By not being on the same level as some of the ultra-premium sets, that means it’s more affordable as well, which opens it up to a wider range of collectors.
Parallels: Gold (/49), Button (/10), Blue (/5), Brand Logo (1/1), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Tag (1/1)
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2018 Limited Shohei Ohtani RC #18
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Silver (/199), Gold (/99), Ruby (/25), Purple (/10), Emerald (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Sapphire (1/1)
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2018 Panini Chronicles Shohei Ohtani RC #1, 30
2018 Panini Chronicles is driven by its anthology approach that includes more than a dozen brands all getting mini sets of sorts. But there’s also a Chronicles standalone portion. For Ohtani, it means two different Rookie Cards neither of which is harder to find than the other. The cards take a storytelling approach to its design, bolstering headlines over stats.
Parallels: Press Proof (/299), Teal (/199), Holo Gold (/99), Blue (/49), Pink (/25), Artist’s Proof (/10), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Panini Contenders Optic Shohei Ohtani RC #9
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Holo, Hyper (/299), Ruby Wave (/199), Blue Ice (/149), Purple Mojo (/99), Green (/50), Pink (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Panini Cornerstones Shohei Ohtani RC #35
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Quartz (/49), Granite (/25), Marble (/10), Onyx (1/1)
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2018 Panini Crusade Shohei Ohtani RC #14
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Holo, Hyper (/299), Ruby Wave (/199), Blue Ice (/149), Purple Mojo (/99), Green (/50), Pink (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Panini Flawless Shohei Ohtani RC #3 /20
There’s a reason Flawless comes packaged in a briefcase. Tipping the high-end scales, the 2018 Panini Flawless Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card might not have an autograph or a patch that takes up the entire front of the card. But it does have a diamond and a tiny print run of just 20 copies.
Parallels: Pink (/3), Black (1/1)
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2018 Panini Illusions Shohei Ohtani RC #12
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Trophy Collection Blue (/99), Trophy Collection Red (/25), Trophy Collection Gold (/10), Trophy Collection Black (1/1)
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2018 Panini National Treasures Shohei Ohtani RC #48
National Treasures is one of Panini’s biggest brands when it comes to super-premium sports cards. Similar to basketball and football, this often means autographed jumbo patch cards for rookies. The 2018 National Treasures Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card is no different. The signature is on-card and the print run is limited to 99 copies.
Parallels: Gold (/49), Holo Gold (/25), Holo Silver (/10), Brand Logo (1/1), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Tag (1/1)
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2018 Panini Phoenix Shohei Ohtani RC #20
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Prizm, Aqua (/299), Orange (/199), Blue (/149), Red (/99), Carolina Blue (/50), Black (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Panini Prizm Shohei Ohtani RC #23
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Holo, Hyper (/299), Ruby Wave (/199), Blue Ice (/149), Purple Mojo (/99), Green (/50), Pink (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Panini Revolution Shohei Ohtani RC #6
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Galactic, Cosmic (/99), Sunburst (/49), Cubic (/25), Lava (1/1)
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2018 Panini Spectra Shohei Ohtani RC #35, 76
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Neon Blue (/99), Neon Pink (/75), Neon Green (/49), Green Mosaic (/25), Gold Pulsar (/10), Neon Orange (/5), Nebula (1/1)
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2018 Panini Status Shohei Ohtani RC #1
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Blue (/99), Red (/25), Gold (/10), Black (1/1)
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2018 Prestige Shohei Ohtani RC #3, 28
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Holo Silver (/199), Gold (/99), Red (/25), Purple (/10), Green (/5), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Rookies and Stars Shohei Ohtani RC #1
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Holo Silver (/199), Gold (/99), Red (/25), Purple (/10), Green (/5), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Score Shohei Ohtani RC #11, 16
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Press Proof (/299), Teal (/199), Gold Zone (/99), Blue (/49), Pink (/25), Artist’s Proof (/10), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Select Shohei Ohtani RC #3
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Prizm, Aqua (/299), Orange (/199), Blue (/149), Red (/99), Carolina Blue (/50), Black (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Stadium Club Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #138
2018 Stadium Club focuses on photography. Let’s face it, there’s isn’t a lot that’s action-packed about a microphone, a podium and a press conference. And as far as photo selection goes, it’s similar to what was used for Ohtani’s Opening Day Rookie Card and his debut Topps Now card. Chances are, when the set entered its production phase, there wasn’t a lot to choose from. There is a slightly more action-oriented pitching version of the card that’s among Stadium Club’s variations.
Parallels: Black Foil, Black and White Orange Foil, Members Only, Photographer’s Proof, Red Foil, Rainbow Foil (/25), First Day Issue (10 copies), Gold Rainbow Foil (1/1)
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2018 Studio Shohei Ohtani RC #3
Found in 2018 Panini Chronicles.
Parallels: Blue (/99), Red (/25), Gold (/10), Kaleidoscope (1/1)
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2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #700
Found in 2018 Topps Series 2 packs, this represents Ohtani’s flagship Rookie Card. It’s not hard to come by and it’s not overly expensive. That said, the second series does appear to have a smaller print run than Series 1. Topps Baseball is the line that a lot of collectors look to, both active and casual in the hobby. There’s history. There’s continuity. Along with the regular version there are a couple of variation short prints. Retail factory sets have yet another version of the card as part of a series of five bonus Rookie Variations.
Parallels: All-Star Factory Set, Black and White Negative, Rainbow Foil, Gold (/2018), Factory Set Sparkle Foil (/190), Vintage Stock (/99), Independence Day (/76), Black (/67), Father’s Day Blue (/50), Mother’s Day Pink (/50), Clear (/10), Platinum (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Topps Allen & Ginter Shohei Ohtani RC #100
Inspired by the past but not directly riffing off of it, the 2018 Topps Allen & Ginter Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card comes from one of the hobby’s most popular lines. That means it’s readily available and at a reasonable price. Most of its parallels are done as mini cards, a nod to the brand’s original tobacco roots.
Parallels: Glossy Silver, Mini, Mini A and G Back, Mini Black Border, Mini Brooklyn Back (/25), Framed Mini Cloth (/10), Glossy (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Black (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Mini Framed Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Topps Allen & Ginter X Shohei Ohtani RC #100
As they’ve done for the past few years, 2018 Allen & Ginter X is the online-only version of the main set. That means the same general design and base set. It also means dark backgrounds that are a big contrast to the original white. This set sold out within a couple of days on the Topps website.
Parallels: Mini, Mini Red (/5), Mini Silver (1/1)
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2018 Topps Archives Shohei Ohtani RC #50
Adopting the 1959 Topps Baseball design, the 2018 Topps Archives Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card taps into the line’s nostalgia. It’s a no-frills card in its most basic version. That said, it has a couple of tricky parallels that don’t jump out right away. There’s also a variation short print with Ohtani holding a bat.
Parallels: No Signature, Venezuelan Gray Back, Purple (/175), Silver (/99), Blue (/25), Gold Foil (1/1)
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2018 Topps Archives Snapshots Shohei Ohtani RC #AS-SO
2018 Topps Archives Snapshots is another online-only product released through the Topps website. So it’s not the most common Ohtani RC out there but it’s not all that scarce. Even with an expected overall lower print run than traditional releases, the checklist is small.
Parallels: Black and White Image, Blue (/50), Gold (/10), Black (1/1)
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2018 Topps Big League Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #141
2018 Topps Big League marks the debut for the entry-level brand. That means a lower-than-average price point and wide availability. It also means a card that probably won’t be worth a lot compared to many of Ohtani’s other 2018 releases.
Parallels: Gold, Rainbow Foil (/100), Black and White (/50), Red Foil (1/1)
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2018 Topps Chrome Shohei Ohtani RC #150
2018 Topps Chrome offers a lot of flash but not a big price tag as far as the Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card portfolio goes. It puts a chromium spin on the flagship release. Refractor parallels are plentiful, bringing in rarer and colorful versions to chase.
Parallels: Refractors, Negative Refractors, Pink Refractors, Prism Refractors, Sepia Refractors, Xfactors, Purple Refractors (/299), Blue Refractors (/150), Green Refractors (/99), Green Wave Refractors (/99), Blue Wave Refractors (/75), Gold Refractors (/50), Gold Wave Refractors (/50), Orange Refractors (/25), Red Refractors (/5), Red Wave Refractors (/5), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2018 Topps Chrome Update Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #HMT1
Topps made a couple of key changes to 2018 Chrome Update versus previous year. It was still a Target-exclusive. But rather than coming in a couple of bonus packs inside a blaster with regular Topps Update packs, these ones have only Chrome Update. On top of those were separate fat packs. The result is the perception that there’s a lot more of it that earlier years. Also, with Ohtani appearing in the main 2018 Topps Chrome set as well, it takes away some of this card’s allure.
Parallels: Pink Refractors, Refractors (/250), Gold Refractors (/50), Red Refractors (/25), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Superfractors (1/1)
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2018 Topps Clearly Authentic Shohei Ohtani RC Autograph #CAA-SO
The layout of the 2018 Topps Clearly Authentic Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card looks like a flagship card at first glance. But it’s very different. The autograph is the big inclusion, instantly making this a premium RC. Adding to its distinction is the fact that it’s printed on acetate rather than traditional stock. This card was originally inserted in boxes as a redemption.
Parallels: Black (/75), Red (/50), Blue (/25), Purple (/10), Orange (/5), Gold (1/1)
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2018 Topps Diamond Icons Shohei Ohtani RC Autograph #AC-SO
With just 25 copies, this was a tough Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card to begin with. Factor in the fact that 2018 Topps Diamond Icons is one of the most expensive baseball products ever released, it becomes understandable why this card is pricey. The on-card autograph certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
Parallels: Purple (/10), Red (/5), Gold (1/1)
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2018 Topps Dynasty Shohei Ohtani RC Auto Patch #AP-SO1 to AP-SO7 /10
Autograph patch cards numbered to 10 or. That’s the distinguishing feature of Topps Dynasty. Ohtani has seven different cards in the set. The layout on all are the same but the image is different. This allows for the extremely low numbers. But even when you combine them all together, there’s only 70 total Rookie Cards for the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year winner in the entire product.
Parallels: Blue (/5), Gold (1/1)
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2018 Topps Fire Shohei Ohtani RC #150
The big design elements immediately jump out on this card. And that’s intentional. It’s one of the signatures of the Topps Fire line. Created by graphic designer, Tyson Beck, the boldness makes it stand out. There’s also the fact that 2018 Topps Fire was released as a Target-exclusive. Despite this, it’s a fairly affordable and readily available card on the secondary market.
Parallels: Blue, Flame, Onyx, Orange (/299), Green (/199), Purple (/99), Magenta (/25), Inferno (1/1)
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2018 Topps Five Star Shohei Ohtani RC Autograph #FSA-SO
Included in packs as a redemption, the 2018 Topps Five Star Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card is an autograph. Therefore, it’s one of his more high-end cards to carry the RC tag. A few years earlier, Five Star was considered the most premium line in the Topps baseball portfolio, but there has been a shift as more premium lines have been introduced.
Parallels: Purple (/50), Blue (/25), Green (/15), Gold (/10), Orange (/5), Red (1/1)
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2018 Topps Gallery Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #116
Another Walmart-exclusive, the 2018 Topps Gallery Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card uses art as its inspiration. This does help make it different from a lot of his other cards and distinct. Fairly widely available despite being a store exclusive, it’s not his cheapest Rookie but it’s far from pricey.
Parallels: Artist’s Proof, Canvas, Private Issue (/250), Green (/99), Blue (/50), Orange (/25), Artist Originals (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red (1/1)
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2018 Topps Gold Label Shohei Ohtani RC #17
2018 Topps Gold Label takes a tiered approach to its base set. All 100 cards, including Ohtani, have three different versions: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3. While the designs are similar, the photos are different. So are the rarities. Class 1 is the most common so it’s considered the RC of the set for Ohtani.
Parallels: Black, Blue (/150), Red (/75), Gold (1/1)
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2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #89
2018 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball brings the second Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card to the table. It’s got an old-time look about it, albeit with a more modern approach to color. Not a short print, there are plenty out there. When it comes to parallels, there are several. However, some are a little more stealth than others and might require a slightly closer look. The product also has an Ohtani autograph.
Parallels: Bazooka Back, Green, GQ Logo Swap, Missing Blackplate, Missing Nameplate, Indigo (/250), Black and White (/50), Red (/10), Black (1/1)
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2018 Topps Heritage Shohei Ohtani RC #600
Like everything in 2018 Topps Heritage, this card adopts the look and general feel of 1969 Topps. This Shohei Ohtani card is found in 2018 Topps Heritage High Number packs and has several variations in addition to the base version. Ohtani also has a card in the earlier Heritage set. However, it’s a variation short print. While it’s worth significantly more, it’s more of an insert and not a traditional Rookie Card.
Parallels: Mini (/100), Black Border (50 copies), 100th Anniversary (25 copies), Magenta Back (10 copies), Reverse Stock (5 copies)
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2018 Topps High Tek Shohei Ohtani RC #HT-SO
You’re going to be hard-pressed to find a wilder looking Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card than the one found in 2018 Topps High Tek. Printed on acetate with a busy foil background, it not only looks different but it feels different. If you want to go down the rabbit hole, there are several pattern variations that changeup the foil in the backgroun. And then on top of those, there are plenty of more traditional parallels.
Parallels: Galactic Diffractors, Magma Diffractors, Orbit Diffractors, Rainbow Foil Blue (/150), Magma Diffractors Green (/99), Rainbow Foil Green (/99), Magma Diffractors Black (/50), Orbit Diffractors Black (/50), Rainbow Foil Black (/50), Galactic Diffractors Orange (/25), Magma Diffractors Orange (/25), Orbit Diffractors Orange (/25), Rainbow Foil Orange (/25), Galactic Diffractors Red (/10), Magma Diffractors Red (/10), Orbit Diffractors Red (/10), Rainbow Foil Red (/10), Galactic Diffractors Gold (1/1), Gold SpecTEKular Diffractors (1/1), Magma Diffractors Gold (1/1), Orbit Diffractors Gold (1/1), Rainbow Foil Gold (1/1)
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2018 Topps Museum Collection Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #100
The 2018 Topps Museum Collection Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card has a lot of elegance surrounding it. And while it’s high-end in its construction and the product’s price point, it’s not numbered. It commands a premium over some of Ohtani’s other Rookies but not with the same ratio of what you’d average spending opening one pack or mini box at a time.
Parallels: Copper, Sapphire (/150), Amethyst (/99), Ruby (/50), Emerald (1/1)
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2018 Topps Opening Day Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #200
The first traditional Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card is likely to end up as one of the most affordable. 2018 Topps Opening Day Baseball is an entry-level release that comes with cheap packs and a no-frills base set. Usually in the modern era players make their MLB debut before appearing in a MLB base set. This is a notable exception, releasing a few weeks before the start of the 2018 season.
Parallels: Purple, Opening Day Edition (/2018), Opening Day 1/1 Edition (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Topps Transcendent Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #10 /83
Even without a signatures, there’s a lot of prestige behind the 2018 Topps Transcendent Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card. That’s what happens to cards from products that cost tens of thousands per box. Numbered to 83, the card channels the 1983 Topps Baseball design, albeit with something much more elevated than just “cardboard.”
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2018 Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card #HMW17
2018 Topps Walmart Holiday Snowflake puts a festive spin on the year’s flagship design, adding snow to the background. Available only at Walmart in special blasters, it’s not a high-end set and it’s not overly rare. However, like a lot of location-specific products, it gives the set a slight boost.
Parallels: Metallic, Metallic Gold (1/1)
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Early Shohei Ohtani Cards of Note
Looking for other early Shohei Ohtani cards? Here’s what came out before and around his MLB debut. This is not a complete list of cards. Rather, it’s some of the more popular or notable Shohei Ohtani cards. A full Shohei Ohtani checklist can be found in the Beckett Baseball Card Database and Price Guide.
2017 Bowman Mega Box Prospects Shohei Otani #BCP31
The first American Shohei Ohtani card showed up as something of a surprise. Then it seemed to have disappeared from shelves before reappearing once again. The 2017 Bowman Mega Box Shohei Ohtani (or Otani as the card has him) could only be found in special boxes at Target. These mixed five regular 2017 Bowman packs with a pair of exclusive Mega Box Chrome packs with their own patterned versions of the Prospect cards.
Part of the reason for the surprise was that Ohtani wasn’t among the 2017 Bowman Prospects. He was going to represent Japan at the World Baseball Classic but an injury kept him out of the tournament. A couple of international players did get Bowman cards in the main release. Ohtani was added only to the Bowman Mega Boxes. A similar Team Japan card was not in 2017 Bowman Chrome or Bowman Draft.
This card has proven to be extremely popular. Not only was it the first to market but the abnormal distribution added to it. Ohtani has international appeal. Japan does have hobby channels, but overseas collectors would have to look to the secondary market to get one of these.
Because it’s his first American card, some collectors treat this as a Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card. Others point to other Bowman Prospect cards and how they’re more like inserts. Either way, this has been a popular card since its release.
Parallels: Purple Refractors (/250), Green Refractors (/99), Orange Refractors (/25), Black Refractors (1/1)
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2017 Topps Now Off-Season Shohei Ohtani #OS-80
The first Shohei Ohtani card with him in an Angels uniform came as part of the print-on-demand 2017 Topps Now Off-Season set. Originally available on the card maker’s website for 24 hours, only the copies that were ordered were printed.
That ended up being 17,323 copies.
At the time, tt set a new record for a Topps Now card.
As one can imagine, there’s no shortage of them out there. It has also kept prices in line with what they were originally sold for as singles. Barring huge numbers from Ohtani, this looks to be a card that’s more about history that it is about value.
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2018 Donruss Whammy! Shohei Ohtani #W2
The 2018 Donruss Whammy! Shohei Ohtani isn’t your usual insert. It’s a throwback to those caricature shirts you’d find in the early ’90s. The illustrations make them unique and the spotted foil backdrop helps put it over the top that much more.
Another factor with this particular set is that they’re some of the toughest inserts in the product, adding rarity to the mix.
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2018 Topps Angels Team Set Shohei Ohtani #A-17
For those looking for a reasonably priced early Shohei Ohtani card, this might be one of the easier options. It’s part of the pre-packaged 2018 Topps Angels Team Set. These come in blister packs and are available at both retail and hobby. Normally at retail, the local teams are most plentiful. But with the interest in Shohei Ohtani cards, it’s possible it could see wider distribution. They’re also available to card shops.
It also offers a glimpse at what the eventual 2018 Topps Shohei Ohtani Rookie Card could look like. The team set cards adopt the flagship design, although the numbering on the back is different and sometimes the photos change.

2018 Topps Heritage Action Image Variation Shohei Ohtani #17
The first traditional, pack-inserted MLB Shohei Ohtani cards are in 2018 Topps Heritage. This card is a variation of the base set, an alternate card of sorts. Part of the Action Image Variation checklist, it’s only available in hobby packs. These aren’t the rarest variations in the product, however they’re still short prints versus regular base cards.
Ohtani is also one of 11 Angels players included on a 2018 Topps Heritage 1969 Poster boxloader. Each poster has 50 copies.
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2018 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs Shohei Ohtani #ROA-SO
Several Shohei Ohtani autographs are on the way. Topps, Panini and Leaf all have him slated for various products releasing in the early part of 2018. The first to arrive is in 2018 Topps Heritage as part of the Real One Autographs set.
Signed on-card, it’s based on the 1969 Topps Baseball design. Traditionally, Heritage’s Real One Autographs are popular for big names. Expect this one to take that to an extreme. The combination of Ohtani, his international appeal, Heritage’s built-in and passionate audience and the fact that it’s first should be an early-season perfect storm.
Parallels: Red (/69)
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2018 Topps Living Set Shohei Ohtani #7
The Topps Living Set is one that’s intended to go on indefinitely. We’re talking years. And a key part of it is that a player only appears once on the checklist unless they change teams. Available through the Topps website, the Topps Living Set Shohei Ohtani came early, in just the third week of the set’s existence. Sold for a week through the Topps website, its production run of 20,966 copies is based on the number ordered.
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2018 Topps Now Shohei Ohtani
It’s safe to say that there are probably going to be a lot of 2018 Topps Now Shohei Ohtani cards. These capture big moments within hours of them occurring. Available on the Topps website for just 24 hours, these are more print-on-demand cards.
Topps is doing some a little different with Ohtani. The plan is for all of his cards to have both English and Japanese versions. Each much be purchased individually.
Ohtani also has autographs in the line as well, the first two of which sold out very quickly.
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2018 Topps Now Road to Opening Day Shohei Ohtani
As Spring Training kicked off, Topps released a series of team sets focusing on the earliest parts of the season. Ohtani appears twice in the Angels team set, one on a solo card and a second alongside Mike Trout. Like other Topps Now sets, these team sets are printed to order after the sales window closes. They’re available on the Topps website for the duration of Spring Training.
The Angels also have an upgrade version of the team set that includes an autograph. Ohtani is one of four players available for Los Angeles. Although there’s no guarantee which signature you’ll get, those that order two Angels autograph sets are guaranteed to get either an Ohtani or a Trout autograph.
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2018 Topps Now Spring Training Shohei Ohtani
Following his first official MLB pitching appearance in Spring Training, Topps quickly got Ohtani into Topps Now (#ST-4). Similar to his signing card, it was available for just 24 hours. While the print run didn’t quite reach the same heights as the first one, it still sold 11,384 copies. This makes it another one of the most ordered Topps Now cards to date.
A couple of days later, another card was made for Ohtani’s first Spring Training at bats (#ST-7). It sold 6,842 copies.
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Why would anyone want a photo-shopped image for a rookie card? The Topps Team Set and Heritage Auto cards are obviously photo-shopped. I realize Topps is just giving people what they want, a card of Ohtani in an Angels uniform. I hate to bring anybody back to reality, but a production card of Ohtani in full uniform is not a real picture, especially one depicting him in a game. I wonder how quickly I could search the internet and find the real image, from a game in Japan, used for the Team Set card. Photo-shopped images are cheap and cheesy. I have considered making a collection of photo-shopped cards, because there are a lot of them. I have never started one, because they are cheap and silly.
It took me less than 30 seconds to find the real image. The real image for the Angels Team Set card was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article. Cheap, just cheap.
@”Set Builder” — Air brushing has been used in the hobby for decades.
I have been collecting for 55 years, have over 9 million cards, and I believe that air brushing has its place in the hobby yesterday, and still today!
This guy is so far a major bust with prices on his cards taking a major dive in the past week. I’m so glad I dumped my one and only short print “rookie” card for a huge sum two weeks ago. Nothing like media hype based on unrealistic expectations. I’ll take my chances on real deals such as Mike Trout and Aaron Judge any day over wild speculation on overhyped “talent,” never mind the fake images and pointless parallels.
@chris — Yes, it has been a rough spring. Also contributing — he now has several cards, autographed and otherwise, so the shine of something new is wearing off quickly. Collect what you enjoy and it’s hard to go wrong. At the same time, isn’t writing someone off completely before they’ve had a chance to play an official game kind of the same thing as “media hype based on unrealistic expectations” but on the other extreme?
@Chris – lots of foresight in dumping a RC of the most hyped Asian player in years, before the season. He is off to a terrible start…
Hope you guys know most, if not all, of the precious Bowman Draft cards are photo-shopped.
Major Bust huh? Chris, are you still happy that you dumped that card now?
Great post. I like this post. Thanks for sharing this useful information.
Ohtani….mlb player of the month. Should have held on to the card Chris
Haha I bet Chris is still glad he dumped his rookie card in early March just because of a poor spring training…..
Ohtani card is so sweet and he is killing … where’s Chris ? I’d like to buy some cards from him :)
I have another card to add to this list – a parallel from 2018 Topps Opening Day. There are exclusive purple foil parallels at Meijer stores via 3-pack cardboard hangers. Possibly only at Meijer??? I have seen them there (only) for over a month now and 100% there are Ohtani purple foil RC parallels. I have 3 of them and Ebay has been selling them for a while – a few of which have sold between $200-300… I am guessing Topps had to hold back all of the Toys R Us Purples due to the store closings, re-packaged them with new “generic” non-Toys R Us packaging and gave them to Meijer stores. This probably took a few weeks which would explain why they started surfacing roughly a month after Opening Day officially released.
I don’t get it !!!!! his true rookie card is 2013 I know I have some and they say “Rookie” Just because he is now playing in America does not make him a rookie! If Cristiano Ronaldo started playing in America would that make him a Rookie? Also Leaf and Donruss don’t eaven have MLB license for cards, they get by showing no logos in pictures on card. All said 2013 is rookie card harder to come by because they didn’t flood the market, 5000 bowman chrome Shohie Ohtani produced not very rare.
@robert — His 2013 cards are from Japan and aren’t generally considered to be Rookie Cards in the MLB sense. That doesn’t discount them in any regard whatsoever, though. It was the same with Ichiro when he came over here. Personally, I tracked down Ichiro’s 1993 BBM card and it’s one of my favorites. If you’re collecting what you love, tags and labels shouldn’t matter much.
Bought first blaster today and got an Ohtani base and an Acuna chrome. Very pleased
Nevermind, 2018 Topps Opening Day Purple Foil Parallel Ohtani Rookies currently selling between $200-300 don’t exist. It’s just a rumor, those cards being sold must be photoshopped.
@Burt — They do exist. Did some research and they’re three per specially marked blister pack. Not sure if they’re exclusive to anywhere or not. Definitely don’t appear to be that common. I’ve notified the database team. Thanks for the heads up!
I stand by my commit earlier ,,,,, Qhtani in 2013 signed a professional contract to play baseball in Japan, till 2018 and comes to America and is now a rookie ? His rookie cards “Japan” are harder to get and a hole lot rarer and still bring a premium prices !
Robert you do realize that he’s not the first player to have played in Japan and then come to the United States to play correct. All other players that have played in different countries and then come to Major League Baseball are considered rookies the president was not set by Shohei Ohtani.
Per the official rules of Major League Baseball
Determining rookie status:
“A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the Major Leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a Major League club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list).”
@robert Have you ever considered the fact that Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and numerous other former NFL players had rookie cards available when they were in the USFL and then also had rookie cards when they joined the NFL? Not to mention all of the NBA stars like Ricky Rubio, Dirk Nowitzki, and Arvedas Sabonis that previously played in Europe. Different leagues means different rookies for each league. It just makes sense.
I was just curious if anyone knows if these figurines are worth anything or not. Tje detail is very cool. Its actually incredible. I have nolan ryan
@mike – What figures are you referring to? This is an article about Shohei Ohtani cards.
I have to say this young man is not a bust. I played baseball on a very high level. And his approach to the ball is spot on he see pitches very well almost a comfort zone he has which is hard to teach. If he doesn’t make it as a pitcher he batting will carry him for years to come. DH is in his future. But I would like to see him in a position down the line. Maybe Pujols goes to DH and Ohtani to first.
Hello…I have an Ohtani card that is all clear plastic with writing so small I cannot read it…this card only has a # 32 in the back…it is a Topps card J cannot make out any other information…I would like to know its current market value …Thank You…
I looked at the link with all cards and none of them look like the one in my hand! What’s the info on this card? Red uniform, swinging black bat, both cheeks looked blowed up holding breath, says topps right hand top, bottom in red says ANGELS with blue background, yellow back black lettering name, A symbol in white circle and above it a small stamp 2020 35 th anniversary and all holographic the back is green with red lettering has both Japanese and US batting record! What’s the rare factor? It this hard to find? How many made and sold?? Worth today?? Thanks
Your best bet would be to use the search bar at the top of Beckett.com. A search of the year, card number and Ohtani should narrow it down.
Wow, Ryan . . . You’re a Saint for answering the vast majority of these questions.
As far as most of the “bold predictions” above, you are all sadly wrong. He looks pretty damn good these days lol. Most HR by a Japanese born player with 32 and its not even the all star break. That’s just mentioning today’s accomplishment. Complete stud hitter AND pitcher. He has been must see TV all season.
Most if these comments didn’t age well!
LOL FOR REAL !!!!
+1
“Most if these comments didn’t age well!”
lol…35 and counting as well as excellent pitching stats and a combined WAR around 7 and it isn’t even Aug. yet.
So funny to read these old comments now from 2018-2019 calling Ohtani a bust. Here at the close of the 2021 season I laughed myself silly. Thanks guys. I’m glad I hung on to all the cards of his and never let one go!
Its now 2022 and those giving Ohtani a lot of flack in this thread back in 2018 are probably pulling their foot from their mouth.
SHOHEI’S 1st RELEASED GRAIL ROOKIE CARD
I’m surprised there is no mention of Shohei’s First Released Baseball Card. PWCC has a generic guide also and they have no clue.
Shohei’s first released card was from BBM’s Sports Card Magazine Issue #97 with the 2013 BBM SCM#206 Card. It’s a Pitching Style Photo you see in the #42 cards with a yellow background. There is a base version and a version with a silver foil auto. These will get hard to find.
This article is focused on his MLB cards.
Clearly and my intentions were not to give you a hard time about it. I think there are interesting aspects to how the rarest cards are released and obtained in Japan. Some cards are early limited releases via BBMs Sports Card Magazine, there are parallel versions offered at stadium games or events and another company Calbee offers them in their chip bags which can make it difficult to find his card and for it to grade well. Japan still uses cards for selling or promoting which is rooted in the history of American baseball cards and that seems to have been lost here in the US. Anyhow hopefully you find an interest in researching and writing something in the future.
What about the 2018 Topps Complete Set Chrome Image Variation SP?
Chris comments didn’t age well
This thread has not aged well.
Looks like the overhyped Ohtani turned out to be the real deal.
I’m enjoying all his rookie cards I bought years ago and like everything about this amazing athlete!
Don’t give uon Ohtani, in fact next year he will be hotter than ever. This is when he wins the MVP and starts next year on another MVP year. Pitching is all fine and dandy but no one’s remembers Ruth as a pitcher and Shohei will be even better. But his hitting is where it’ll matter and he’s destined to be another a babe Ruth, maybe even better.
In articles like these, where you’re discussing & comparing cards, it would helpful if you could number the cards from least valuable (i.e., least expensive) to most valuable (at least in your opinion). I realize card values might not stay consistent, but with qualifiers as part of the article, the card info would be even more helpful. Thanks for considering.
The BBM card is the only true rookie card for Ohtani. In 25 Years that card will be north of $1 milly. I’m never wrong.