Over the last week, we’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about MTG’s next Premier set, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. We got an early look at the set’s poster and some of the box art, and then just a few days later, some leaks appeared that seemed to show cards from Neon Dynasty.
Today, Wizards of the Coast has revealed their first official previews of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty since the set was first announced back during the Magic Showcase 2021. In the morning, they released the official trailer for the set, a brief video that you can check out over on YouTube:
Along with the trailer, a new web fiction story was posted on Wizards’ site with lore about the Kamigawa plane during the setting of Neon Dynasty.
Later in the afternoon, Wizards’ PR man Blake Rasmussen hosted his regular Weekly MTG stream over on Twitch with narrative designer Grace Fong and head of design Mark Rosewater. In the stream, they revealed a few more details about Neon Dynasty, including a handful of preview cards! In this article, we’ll provide you with a rundown on all of the most important information from the stream. If you’d like to watch the whole video for yourself, it’s available as a VOD on the Magic Twitch channel.
In a broad sense, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty is based around the theme of technology versus tradition, and in addition to the high-tech cyberpunk-themed cards, there will also be cards that are more stylistically in line with the original Kamigawa block.
Mark Rosewater said that as there were a number of problems with the design of the original Kamigawa sets, there’s “not a lot of mechanics brought back,” although he quickly added “I’m not saying none.” The ninjutsu mechanic has been used more recently in both Commander products and Modern Horizons 2, so it’s possible ninjutsu could be on the table – especially since the return of the Ninja creature type has been confirmed through today’s announcement.
Speaking of which, we’ve got tons of art, gorgeous full-art basic lands, and even a few early spoilers to take a look at from Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Let’s get into it!
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Set Symbol
The set symbol for Neon Dynasty was revealed in the stream, and interestingly, it seems to match with the symbol that was visible on one of the leaked cards. On its own, the symbol isn’t irrefutable proof that the image is authentic, but it’s certainly a point in its favor.
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Product Packaging
While we got to see some of this art from the Amazon leaks earlier in the week, we now have a high-resolution image showing all of the products other than the two commander decks that will be revealed in the future.
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Art Previews
Wizards also showed off a few art pieces from the set. Two of the artworks include the names of the cards that they will represent, while the other is the “key artwork” from the set. The key art piece depicts the five Kami dragons, who have apparently been reincarnated into the modern world of Kamigawa.
Three Card Previews!
One of the most exciting aspects of today’s sneak peek is the three early card previews that have been revealed. In addition to the regular versions of the cards, Wizards also showed off the special Ninja Frame that will be applied to some cards along with extended, borderless, and another frame treatment that’s being called “Soft Glow.” Check it out for yourself below:
Kaito Shizuki
- Card Name: Kaito Shizuki
- Mana Cost: {1}{U}{B}
- Card Type: Legendary Planeswalker – Kaito
- Rarity: Mythic
- Card Text:
At the beginning of your end step, if Kaito Shizuki entered the battlefield this turn, he phases out.
{+1}: Draw a card. Then discard a card unless you attacked this turn.
{-2}: Create a 1/1 blue Ninja creature token with “This creature can’t be blocked.”
{-7}: You get an emblem with “Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, search your library for a blue or black creatures card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle.” - Starting Loyalty: 3
Atsushi, the Blazing Sky
- Card Name: Atsushi, the Blazing Sky
- Mana Cost: {2}{R}{R}
- Card Type: Legendary Creature – Dragon Spirit
- Rarity: Mythic
- Card Text:
Flying, trample
When Atsushi, the Blazing Sky dies, choose one –
• Exile the top two cards of your library. Until the end of your next turn, you may play those cards.
• Create three Treasure tokens. - Power/Toughness: 4/4
Hidetsugu, Devouring Chaos
- Card Name: Hidetsugu, Devouring Chaos
- Mana Cost: {3}{B}
- Card Type: Legendary Creature – Ogre Demon
- Rarity: Rare
- Card Text:
{B}, Sacrifice a creature: Scry 2.
{2}{R}, {T}: Exile the top card of your library. You may play that card this turn. When you exile a nonland card this way, Hidetsugu, Devouring Chaos deals damage equal to the exiled card’s mana value to any target. - Power/Toughness: 4/4
New “Neon Ink” Foiling on a Lottery Card
Along with the spoilers, it was also revealed that the demon card Hidetsugu, Devouring Chaos will have four additional special versions that are specific to the card. The treatment is being called “Neon Ink,” and according to Wizards, it’s designed to appear as though the cards are glowing neon.
The Neon Ink Hidetsugu comes in four different colors – the blue, green and red cards will be available as lottery cards that appear in “less than one percent” of Neon Dynasty collector boosters. Blue will be the most common of the variants to appear in packs, with green being rarer and red being the most rare.
The yellow version of the card will be available as a WPN premium store promo. These four treatments are only going to be applied to Hidetsugu – no other cards will appear with the Neon Ink style.
Ukiyo-e Full-Art Basic Lands
Last but by no means least, Wizards revealed a total of ten new full-art basic lands that will be appearing in booster packs – two for each color. The art styles are based on the traditional Japanese painting style Ukiyo-e, and they represent Neon Dynasty’s theme of tradition and nature versus technology and progress in the two different variations for each land type.
That’s All for Now!
That covers just about everything from our first look into Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Wizards of the Coast did also provide us with some key dates where we’ll be receiving more information about the set:
We’ve got a ways to go before more official announcements are made concerning the February set, but in the meantime, we’ll be on the lookout for anything else that comes to surface regarding Neon Dynasty or any other upcoming products.
