Sanga of the Thunder [1st Edition] #MRD-025

Sanga of the Thunder [1st Edition] #MRD-025 collector guide

About Sanga of the Thunder

Sanga of the Thunder is an Effect Monster, printed as MRD-025 in Metal Raiders (2002) as a Super Rare. It is a Level 7 LIGHT Thunder monster with 2,600 ATK and 2,200 DEF. At its Level it needs two Tributes to Normal Summon. Its ATK is the 5th highest of the 122 monsters in the set. Metal Raiders was the second English booster set. It added Summoned Skull, Gate Guardian, Mirror Force and Change of Heart, and many of its cards shaped how the early game was played. Ungraded, this printing ranks 26th of the 508 Metal Raiders cards we track. The top card is Gate Guardian at €301.65.

Character and collecting appeal

Sanga of the Thunder is one of the three guardians that form Gate Guardian, used by the Paradox Brothers in the anime. Collectors often look for all three in the same printing, together with Gate Guardian. It has a Quick Effect, so it can also be used during the opponent's turn. Gate Guardian mentions Sanga of the Thunder in its text, which keeps it relevant.

Version and identification

This guide covers the 1st Edition printing. The words "1st Edition" are printed below the artwork on the left; copies without them are the Unlimited printing and usually sell for less. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read MRD-025. The code MRD-025, without a language letter, marks the original North American printing. European English copies have an E in the code, such as MRD-E025, and are priced separately. It is the Super Rare version. Super Rares have holographic artwork and a plain name. Metal Raiders has 3 other printings of Sanga of the Thunder: MRD-025 (€2.66), MRD-E025 (€4.50) and MRD-E025 1st Edition (€7.06). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €32.99, a PSA 9 for €120.05 and a PSA 10 for €411.62. Our monthly prices for it go back to September 2021. Over the last 12 months ungraded copies are up 17%, and up 50% in the last month. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €62.42 in November 2021, 47% above today. PSA 10 copies have moved up 3% over the same 12 months. Of the 4 printings of Sanga of the Thunder we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Metal Raiders MRD-025 at €2.66. 1st Edition copies sell for about 12.4× the Unlimited printing (€32.99 against €2.66).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 12.5× the ungraded price and 3.4× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. On cards from the early 2000s, the dark brown backs show every scuff and white edge, so top grades are scarce.

Investment potential

In its favour: steady demand, with ungraded prices up 17% in a year; a price well below its November 2021 peak, which some collectors see as room to recover; it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game; an active market (114 recent completed sales), so it is easy to sell. Card prices can fall as well as rise, so this is not financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €32.99 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €120.05. Ask the seller to show the code MRD-025, the "1st Edition" text and the Super Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. Cards from 2002 often show white wear on the back edges and corners, so ask for photos of the back before you buy.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.