Solana Marketplace Tokenizes Rare 1997 One Piece Magazine Issue

Phygitals, a Solana‑based marketplace for vaulted physical collectibles, has sealed and tokenized a 1997 issue of Shonen Jump that featured the debut of Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece manga. The token represents one of only 118 graded copies worldwide and is now tradable on‑chain.

Background on the Magazine Issue

The One Piece debut appeared in Shonen Jump No. 34 (1997). Most copies were treated as disposable newsprint, and only a few survived in graded condition. Grading firms report just 118 copies have been officially graded, making the issue extremely scarce.

Tokenization Process

Phygitals placed the graded slab in vault custody and minted a digital pack on the Solana blockchain. The token points directly to the authenticated physical item, eliminating the need for buyers to rely on photos or third‑party verification. Holders may request shipment of the physical magazine at any time, at which point the digital token is retired.

Market Context

Tokenizing real‑world assets (RWAs) has grown, with the RWA market cap reaching $71 billion this month. Solana highlighted the launch on its official account, describing it as the first tokenized manga in history. The move follows broader efforts by the Solana Foundation, including a partnership with SBI in Japan to develop yen‑based on‑chain markets.

Implications for Collectibles

The model mirrors earlier tokenized trading‑card projects, where physical items back digital tokens. Critics note that the token’s value depends on the custodian’s ability to keep the item safe and honor redemption requests. Liquidity for such niche collectibles remains unproven, but the anime fandom’s size suggests potential demand.