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

Mitsuhiro Arita, a renowned artist celebrated for his iconic Pokémon Trading Card Game illustrations (including the coveted Charizard), is now lending his artistic talent to Magic: The Gathering. A new Secret Lair drop showcases four cards featuring Arita's distinctive style, offering a captivating first glimpse into his latest work.

View the gallery below to see all four cards from Arita's Secret Lair:

While not Arita's first foray into Magic: The Gathering (he previously contributed a borderless Lumra, Bellow of the Woods), this Secret Lair marks a significant expansion, featuring four cards simultaneously. This is a notable leap from his previous single-card contribution.

The selection includes cards with diverse playability across various formats. The legendary Lightning Bolt is a staple in nearly every format, while Murktide Regent has proven a powerful force in Modern and Legacy since its Modern Horizons 2 debut. Light-Paws enjoys widespread popularity as a Commander, and Shorikai is a favorite in Vintage Cubes and ranks among the top 20 most popular Commanders according to EDHRec.

Wizards of the Coast's product description highlights Arita's extensive experience: "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, priced at $29.99 (non-foil) and $39.99 (foil). Sales begin Monday, February 10, at 9 am PT, and are limited to available stock. Given the quick sell-out history of Secret Lairs since Wizards of the Coast shifted from a print-to-order system, interested buyers are encouraged to act swiftly.

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