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

Mitsuhiro Arita, a renowned artist celebrated for his iconic Pokémon Trading Card Game artwork, including the coveted Charizard, is bringing his unique style to Magic: The Gathering. A new Secret Lair drop showcases four cards featuring Arita's breathtaking artwork, offering a first glimpse into his distinctive dragon-themed creations.

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

This isn't Arita's first foray into Magic; he previously contributed a borderless art version of Lumra, Bellow of the Woods, from the 2024 Bloomburrow set. However, this Secret Lair represents a significant expansion, featuring four entirely new cards.

Furthermore, these cards boast considerable playability across various formats. The legendary Lightning Bolt remains a staple in nearly every legal format, while Murktide Regent continues to be a powerhouse in Modern and Legacy since its 2021 debut in Modern Horizons 2. Light-Paws enjoys widespread popularity as a Commander, and Shorikai is a favorite in Vintage Cubes and currently ranks among the top 20 most popular Commanders according to EDHRec.

Wizards of the Coast describes this drop on its store page as follows: "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."

This Secret Lair will be available on the Secret Lair website, starting Monday, February 10th at 9 am PT. Non-foil versions will cost $29.99, while foil versions are priced at $39.99. Both versions are available while supplies last. Given the recent shift away from a print-to-order system, these drops often sell out quickly, so interested buyers should act fast.

For more Magic news, learn about the upcoming Aetherdrift death race set, explore previously revealed Secret Lairs such as Chucky and Monty Python, or read about Wizards of the Coast's long-term strategy for the game.