Exclusive: Legendary Pokemon TCG Artist Returns to Magic: The Gathering

Mitsuhiro Arita, a renowned artist known for his iconic illustrations in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, including the coveted Charizard card, has now turned his artistic talents to a different realm with a new Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop. This exciting collaboration marks a significant moment for fans, as we get an exclusive first look at all four cards featured in this set.

Explore the gallery below to see all the cards in Arita's Secret Lair:

While Arita is no stranger to Magic: The Gathering, having previously contributed a single, borderless art version of Lumra, Bellow of the Woods in last year's Bloomburrow set, this drop represents a substantial increase in his involvement, showcasing four new cards shortly after his last contribution.

These cards are not just visually appealing but also functionally significant across various formats. The iconic Lightning Bolt is a staple in almost every format where it's legal, while Murktide Regent has made a significant impact in both Modern and Legacy since its introduction in Modern Horizons 2 in 2021. Additionally, Light-Paws has gained popularity as a Commander, and Shorikai has found its niche in Vintage Cubes, currently ranking as the 20th most popular Commander according to EDHRec.

Wizards of the Coast highlights this drop on their store page, stating: "With nearly 30 years of experience creating beloved art for trading card games, Mitsuhiro Arita’s work has become some of the most recognizable in the world. His first collaboration with Magic: The Gathering was on a borderless Lumra, Bellow of the Woods released in 2024’s Bloomburrow, which quickly became a fan-favorite. In this Secret Lair Drop, the legendary artist returns to showcase his iconic creature design across four remarkable cards."

As with all Secret Lair drops, this set will be available for purchase on the Secret Lair website, offered in non-foil for $29.99 and foil for $39.99. Both versions will be available while supplies last, starting on Monday, February 10 at 9am PT. It's worth noting that Secret Lairs often sell out quickly, a point of contention within the community since Wizards of the Coast transitioned from a timed print-to-order system last year. If you're eager to add these cards to your collection, be sure to act fast when they go live.

For those interested in more Magic: The Gathering content, you can delve into the upcoming death race set, Aetherdrift, launching next week, explore past Secret Lair reveals like Chucky and Monty Python, or learn about Wizards of the Coast's strategies for ensuring the long-term success of Magic: The Gathering.