Mitsuhiro Arita is a name synonymous with the world of card games, particularly renowned for his artwork on countless cards during the original release of the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Among his works, his portrayal of the ever-popular Charizard stands out as particularly sought-after. However, Arita is now venturing into a different realm of fantasy with a new series inspired by dragons, thanks to a recent Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair drop. We bring you an exclusive first look at all four cards from this collection.
This isn’t the first time Arita has contributed to Magic: The Gathering, though his previous involvement included just one borderless piece, Lumra, Bellow of the Woods, from last year’s Bloomburrow set. To have four new cards emerge simultaneously marks a significant leap forward for the artist.
These inclusions are noteworthy not only for their artistic merit but also for their utility across various formats. The classic Lightning Bolt remains a staple in nearly every format where it’s permitted. Murktide Regent, introduced in Modern Horizons 2 in 2021, has consistently proven its strength in both Modern and Legacy. Additionally, Light-Paws is a cherished Commander choice, while Shorikai enjoys popularity in Vintage Cubes and ranks as the 20th most-played Commander overall, according to EDHRec.
Wizards of the Coast highlights this drop on its store page, emphasizing Arita’s longstanding contribution to trading card game art. His debut collaboration with Magic: The Gathering, the borderless Lumra, Bellow of the Woods from Bloomburrow, swiftly became a fan favorite. Now, returning with four remarkable cards, Arita showcases his prowess in iconic creature design.
As typical with Secret Lair releases, these cards will be available on the Secret Lair website in non-foil ($29.99) and foil ($39.99) editions, with quantities limited until sold out starting Monday, February 10 at 9 AM PT. Given the rapid sellouts that often accompany Secret Lairs following Wizards of the Coast’s shift away from the timed print-to-order model last year, enthusiasts are advised to act promptly upon release.
For further updates on Magic: The Gathering, stay tuned for insights into the upcoming Aetherdrift set, explore past Secret Lairs such as Chucky and Monty Python, or delve into Wizards of the Coast’s strategies for ensuring the game’s enduring success.
