Who Is OP-18's Mystery Leader? Our One Piece Predictions Before the Reveal

Bandai has already revealed one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the One Piece Card Game's next main set, but it hasn't revealed the answer everyone actually wants.

The official description for OP-18 confirms the set will introduce a long-awaited character's first-ever Leader card, immediately sending collectors and players into prediction mode. Reddit threads, Discord servers, and local game stores are all asking the same question:

Who could it be?

Nobody outside Bandai knows for certain, but that doesn't mean we can't make some educated guesses. Looking at the current Leader lineup, character popularity, and Bandai's design history gives us a few names that stand out far more than the rest.

Quick Answer: Who Is OP-18's Mystery Leader?

Bandai has confirmed that OP-18 introduces a long-awaited character's first Leader card, but the character has not yet been revealed. Based on the current card pool, my strongest predictions are Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Kizaru, Dracule Mihawk, and Bartholomew Kuma, although Bandai could always surprise everyone with a completely unexpected choice.

TL;DR Our OP-18 Leader Predictions

What We Know So Far

Before we start guessing, let's separate the facts from the speculation.

Bandai has confirmed that OP-18 releases on November 20, 2026, introduces six new Leaders, includes three major themes, and features one entirely new theme. The product description also confirms that a "long-awaited character" will finally become a Leader.

Everything else in this article is simply an educated prediction based on publicly available information. These are not leaks or insider claims.

How I Made My Predictions

Popularity alone isn't enough to make this list.

Every character below has never received a standalone Leader card, has enough existing Character cards to support future strategies, and feels important enough to headline one of the biggest One Piece releases of the year.

10. Brook

Brook has quietly become one of the biggest missing Straw Hat Leaders. His existing cards already play with KO effects and recursion, making him an easy fit for a strategy that feels different from anything currently in the game.

9. Franky

Between his cyborg abilities, the Thousand Sunny, and years of fan support, Franky offers plenty of design space. He isn't my favorite prediction, but he certainly wouldn't feel out of place.

8. Usopp

A Usopp Leader could become one of the most creative decks in the game. Trick shots, Pop Greens, delayed effects, and clever interactions all fit his personality perfectly.

7. Enel

Enel remains one of the series' most memorable villains, yet he still lacks a Leader card. His abilities could easily translate into a strategy built around Life manipulation and explosive late-game turns.

6. Sengoku

The Marines continue receiving support across multiple sets, making Sengoku one of the most obvious omissions. As Fleet Admiral, he has both the popularity and importance to headline a major release.

5. Bartholomew Kuma

Few characters have become more popular over the past year than Kuma. Recent story developments have dramatically increased fan interest, making OP-18 an ideal time for Bandai to capitalize on that momentum.

4. Dracule Mihawk

It honestly feels strange that the world's strongest swordsman still doesn't have a standalone Leader. Between Cross Guild and his enormous popularity, Mihawk feels like one of the safest predictions on this list.

3. Kizaru

The original Admirals have all played major roles in the One Piece Card Game, yet Kizaru still hasn't stepped into the Leader spotlight. His Light-Light Fruit powers also offer some fascinating gameplay possibilities.

2. Tony Tony Chopper

If any Straw Hat feels overdue, it's Chopper. He's one of the faces of the franchise, loved by both longtime fans and new collectors, and Bandai has plenty of room to build mechanics around healing, Animals, or Drum Kingdom support.

1. Sanji

If I had to make one prediction today, Sanji would be my pick.

He's one of the most popular characters in the series, yet he still hasn't received a standalone Leader despite appearing on countless Character cards. A Sanji Leader focused on speed, combos, or even food-themed mechanics would immediately become one of the most talked-about reveals of spoiler season.

My Dark Horse Pick

Every spoiler season has one reveal that nobody expects.

If Bandai wants to completely shock the community, characters like Monkey D. Dragon, Imu, or Rocks D. Xebec could instantly become the biggest talking point of the entire set. I don't think they're the most likely candidates, but I certainly wouldn't rule them out.

So, Who Do I Think It Is?

If I had to make one prediction today, I'd put Sanji at the top of the list. He's one of the biggest names in One Piece, yet he's still waiting for his first standalone Leader card, and OP-18 feels like the perfect opportunity for Bandai to finally change that.

Of course, that's only one collector's opinion. Chopper, Kizaru, Mihawk, Kuma, and several other fan favorites all have compelling cases, which is exactly why this reveal has generated so much excitement before spoiler season has even begun.

The fun of an article like this isn't trying to "guess correctly." It's looking at the clues Bandai has given us, comparing notes with other collectors, and seeing how close we come once the official reveal finally arrives.

Until then, I'll stick with Sanji.

Who's your prediction? If you could choose one character to receive their first-ever Leader card in OP-18, who would it be?

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Bandai revealed OP-18's mystery Leader?

No. Bandai has confirmed that a long-awaited character will receive their first Leader card, but the character has not been revealed.

Does OP-18 have a release date?

Bandai has announced a release date of November 20, 2026.

Are these leaks?

No. These are personal predictions based on publicly available information and Bandai's official product description.

Why isn't Luffy or Zoro on the list?

The teaser specifically refers to a first Leader. Since characters like Luffy and Zoro already have Leader cards, they're much less likely to be the mystery reveal.