New Year, New Meta: Breaking Down the January 2026 OCG Banlist

The start of a new year always brings fresh changes to the competitive scene, and the January 2026 OCG Forbidden & Limited List is no exception. Several top decks took direct hits while staple cards were adjusted, setting the stage for a very different meta. Players are already talking about how these changes will shape their builds and strategies moving forward. Let’s recap what happened in the latest OCG Banlist!

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A. Banlist Recap

FORBIDDEN

● Newly Restricted [4 Cards]

Moon of the Closed Heaven 【Unlimited ⇒ Forbidden】

Splash Mage 【Unlimited ⇒ Forbidden】

Number 41: Bagooska the Terribly Tired Tapir 【Unlimited ⇒ Forbidden】

Maliss <Q> Red Ransom 【Unlimited ⇒ Forbidden】

LIMITED

● Newly Restricted & Increased Restriction [7 Cards]

Ice Ryzeal 【Unlimited ⇒ Limited】

Maxx “C” 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Limited】

Dracotail Mululu 【Unlimited ⇒ Limited】

Marshmao☆Yummy 【Unlimited ⇒ Limited】

Yummy★Snatchy 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Limited】

Pre-Preparation of Rites 【Unlimited ⇒ Limited】

Called by the Grave 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Limited】

Toadally Awesome 【Forbidden ⇒ Limited】

Metamorphosis 【Forbidden ⇒ Limited】

SEMI-LIMITED

Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring 【Unlimited ⇒ Semi-Limited】

Solemn Judgment 【Unlimited ⇒ Semi-Limited】

Dominus Impulse 【Unlimited ⇒ Semi-Limited】

Spright Starter 【Limited ⇒ Semi-Limited】

UNLIMITED 

Astrograph Magician 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Eclipse Wyvern 【Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Bystial Baldrake 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

EMERGENCY! 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Pot of Desires 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Purrely Sleepy Memory 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Pressured Planet Wraitsoth 【Semi-Limited ⇒ Unlimited】

Source: Official JP Site

C. Banlist Highlights

1. Maliss

Maliss has been one of the format’s most consistent decks, but this time it took heavy hits. Both Maliss Red Ransom (Forbidden) and Splash Mage (Forbidden) were removed, cutting into the deck’s consistency and swarming potential. While the core remains intact aside from Maliss Doormouse being Limited still, these changes undeniably reduce the deck’s firepower and make it harder to maintain its dominance.

2. Ryzeal

Ryzeal received a direct blow with Ice Ryzeal Limited, reducing its starter options, and Number 16: Bagooska Forbidden, stripping away a key defensive tool. This makes it tougher to stabilize after cards like Maxx “C” or Mulcharmy. The Onomat Ryzeal variant should still hold ground, but players will need to rethink their builds to compensate for the lost consistency.

3. Yummy

Yummy decks were hit hard, losing grind and recovery power with Yummy Snatchy and Marshmao Yummy each reduced to one copy. This weakens their mid-to-late game and leaves them more vulnerable to hand traps. Consistency takes a big dip here, making Yummy less reliable as a competitive choice.

4. Dracotail

Dracotail’s flexible starter, Dracotail Mululu, was Limited, slowing down its ability to kick off plays with minimal resources. Even so, Branded Dracotail variants remain strong contenders, showing that the archetype still has room to thrive despite the setback.

5. Maxx “C” and Called by the Grave

The OCG’s decision to limit Maxx “C” and Called by the Grave is game-changing. Maxx “C” has long been a momentum-shifting card, often deciding matches outright when resolved. Restricting it reduces its oppressive nature but still keeps it relevant. Meanwhile, Called by the Grave at one copy gives go-second players more chances to land their hand traps, balancing out the duel dynamics.

6. Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring and Dominus Impulse

Ash Blossom being semi-limited means consistency cards and draw effects have a better chance of resolving, shaking up how duelists plan their defenses. Dominus Impulse also moves to semi-limit, reducing its ability to counter summon-heavy strategies. Both changes open up the format for more diverse deckbuilding.

7. Moon of the Closed Heaven

The generic bridge to Fiendsmith is now Forbidden, removing an easy route to connect into the powerful LIGHT Fiend strategy. This limits Fiendsmith to decks that already run main deck LIGHT Fiend cards such as Magical Musket, Evil Twin, and even Elvennotes to some extent. With this change, there’s a chance the Fiendsmith engine could slowly return from limitation in the future. Who knows?

8. Mitsurugi

Mitsurugi received a slight consistency hit with Pre-Preparation of Rites reduced, lowering the chances of accessing the powerful Ame no Habakiri no Mitsurugi. With anticipation building for its wave 2 OCG support in the upcoming set, players are eager to see if new cards will push Mitsurugi’s standing even higher in the meta.

D. Final Thoughts

This January 2026 OCG Banlist feels like a step toward aligning formats, especially with Maxx “C” now at one copy — just a single adjustment away from matching the TCG. The hits to Maliss, Ryzeal, and Yummy will reshape the competitive landscape, while staple adjustments like Ash Blossom and Called by the Grave create new opportunities for creative deckbuilding. Overall, the outcome looks promising and it’s exciting to see which decks rise to the top in the coming meta.

Speaking of top decks, be sure to check TCG Corner to grab the cards you need — maybe even the missing piece of your next tier-one build. This has been ArcKnight from RespectYGO, wishing you a happy holidays and a strong start to the dueling year!