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Bowman Baseball is going global in a bold way for its 2025 release, and it’s doing so with style, culture, and serious collector appeal.

Topps has unveiled a brand-new ultra-rare Kanji parallel set, launching with the release of 2025 Bowman Baseball on May 7. The cards feature anime-style illustrations of four Japanese baseball icons, with each player's name written in traditional Kanji script. It's a striking blend of sports and cultural homage, highlighting the growing international influence of both Major League Baseball and the trading card market.

The debut Kanji checklist includes Shohei Ohtani, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, and Roki Sasaki. All are household names in Japan, but Ohtani’s card is expected to dominate collector demand thanks to his global superstardom. Still, Roki Sasaki’s card may hold its own at the top, as it comes with the coveted “RC” logo—marking it as his official rookie card and likely sending his card value skyward.

Topps has taken a creative leap with this subset, incorporating Japanese anime visuals alongside the national writing system to create a product that feels fresh, authentic, and deeply collectible. The design isn't just eye-catching—it taps into cultural pride and nostalgia for fans across continents.

With MLB continuing its push for global reach, these Kanji cards are positioned to resonate not just with U.S.-based collectors, but with fans across Asia—especially in Japan and China, where appreciation for hometown talent runs deep. Names like Shota Imanaga, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Masataka Yoshida could easily slide into this subset in future releases if demand continues to surge. Even veterans like Yu Darvish, Kenta Maeda, and Koji Uehara could see renewed interest from collectors honoring their legacy.

Bowman Baseball 2025 is shaping up to be a celebration of the game’s future stars and international impact. Alongside the Kanji parallels, collectors can still chase key insert sets like Mega Futures, Rookie of the Year Favorites, and Very Important Prospects, plus the ever-popular prospect autos and image variations. But it’s the Kanji cards that might just become this year’s crown jewel—a true fusion of baseball, art, and global fandom.