Topps  NOW® Drops Opal Chrome Featuring Shohei Ohtani

Topps NOW® Unlocks Historic Parallel with Ohtani’s Record-Breaking Performance

In Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS, Shohei Ohtani delivered perhaps the greatest individual performance in the history of postseason baseball. Known simply as “The Ohtani Game,” a 5-1 Dodgers win sent the defending champs back to the World Series on the back of three Shohei Ohtani home runs and ten Shohei Ohtani strikeouts. It was a moment built for Topps NOW®.

Unsurprisingly, the dual-image card capturing Ohtani’s masterpiece was in high demand and eventually surpassed the 250,000-print run mark. In doing so, the card that commemorates a game for the ages will feature Opal Chrome parallels. This is the first time a Topps NOW® card will receive these unique parallels. In celebration of this landmark moment in The Hobby, RIPPED sat down with the MLB Topps NOW® team to learn more about the card and what goes into making collectibles that capture history in the making.

In Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS, Shohei Ohtani delivered one of postseason baseball’s most unforgettable performances—three home runs and ten strikeouts in a single game. To commemorate this moment, Topps NOW introduces the Opal Chrome Parallel, the first of its kind in the product’s history.

2025 Topps NOW® Card 884 Shohei Ohtani

Topps NOW® and the Postseason

Shohei Ohtani is no stranger to MLB Topps NOW®, and many of his cards have proved plenty popular, but it was easy to see this was going to be a special one. Topps NOW® Senior Project Manager Pat O’Sullivan explained, “Playing in the Postseason, with a chance to send your team to the World Series – making an impact on the outcome of the game like only Ohtani can.”

The stakes help make the moments, and moments define Topps  NOW®. “Moments that capture the attention of the baseball world – whether it’s organic like a no-hitter or walk-off home run or anticipated like the passing of the major milestone, that tell the story of the season,” said O’Sullivan.

The nature of Ohtani’s performance, which was dominant and historic throughout, had the MLB Topps NOW® team sensing a big card was coming. “It was fun. There’s a nightly group chat that covers all the action – we’re calling out the home runs and the strikeout total climbing up each inning – truly one of the greatest games in baseball history.”

2025 Topps NOW® Card 884 Shohei Ohtani Opal Chrome

Designing the Opal Chrome

In this case, the card itself reached a major milestone, with a print run of 253,309, meaning the unprecedented release of Opal Chrome parallels to chase. Art Director Thomas Regan said, “We tried many parallels, but none felt like ours. That’s why we chose Opal Chrome. The mesmerizing color and patterns grabbed our attention. A high-quality opal gemstone is hard to find, and these Chrome cards are just as exceptional. They’re packed with vibrant colors that shine from every angle.”

In addition to the new parallel, the card image was paramount in bringing this all together. “It was a team effort,” continued Regan. “Editorial curated the best selections of Ohtani at the plate and on the mound, and the design team laid out the card to make sure the images would create an attractive card.”

Collector Buzz and Community Impact

Topps NOW® cards are unique in that collectors drive demand immediately after release, and community interest directly impacts the parallel structure and, subsequently, the rarity and scarcity of the chase cards in the release. O’Sullivan said, “The addition of Chrome parallels, up to Opal Chrome, provides additional value on exceptionally popular moments.”

In addition to the historic release of Opal Chrome Parallel cards, MLB Topps  NOW® released relic offerings, including a 1-of-1 Auto Relic. Sullivan revealed, “We were able to acquire a baseball thrown by Ohtani during this game – so we created a baseball-relic parallel numbered to five and an autographed-relic card, with a stat line inscription of ’10Ks, 3HRs 10/17/25′ on the 1-of-1 version.” These intriguing relics, along with the rare inclusion of Opal Chrome Parallels, make this Ohtani moment a chase that will continue long after his third home run ball disappeared into the Los Angeles night.

Topps NOW Opal Chrome FAQs

• What is the Topps NOW Opal Chrome Parallel?
  • It’s a new chrome variation with an opalescent finish, first introduced to commemorate Shohei Ohtani’s heroics in Game 4 of the 2025 NLCS.
• How many Opal Chrome cards exist?
  • The Opal Chrome Parallel is divided into /50, /25, /20, and /5 parallels.
• Why is Ohtani’s Topps NOW card significant?
  • It marks the first time a Topps NOW card surpassed the 250,000 print-run mark and honors one of the greatest postseason performances in MLB history.
• Are there autograph or relic versions?
  • Yes, a special 1-of-1 Auto Relic features a baseball thrown by Ohtani during the 2025 NLCS, authenticated and numbered.

Key Facts:

• First-ever Opal Chrome Parallel in Topps NOW history
• Celebrates Shohei Ohtani’s 3-HR, 10-K NLCS performance
• Print run exceeded 250,000 — a program record
• Features 1-of-1 Auto Relic versions with game-used memorabilia
• Highlights Topps’ ongoing innovation in collector storytelling

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