Legendary Pokemon TCG Artist Debuts in Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Set
By Chris Guest
Renowned Pokémon TCG illustrator Mitsuhiro Arita is set to make his Magic: The Gathering debut this August with the release of upcoming set Bloomburrow (MTG’s 101st expansion).
Known for his iconic work on the Pokémon Base Set Charizard and Pikachu cards, Arita will introduce his first MTG illustration with the borderless showcase variant of Lumra, Bellow of the Woods.
Mitsuhiro Arita is one of the most important Pokemon TCG artists of all time
Base Set Charizard is among the famous pieces of cardboard ever released in the history of card games, and it ranks highly in the list of the most valuable Charizard cards of all time as part of one of the most valuable Pokemon TCG sets of all time.
While Ken Sugimori is the designer and creator of the original 151 Pokemon, it was Arita alongside him who helped create small-scale illustrations that matched the tone and style of the TCG when Base Set debuted all the way back in 1998.
With his first-ever MTG card, Arita, who has created over 700 unique Pokémon cards and contributed to various other TCGs, captures the essence of the MTG universe with his depiction of the legendary Elemental Bear Lumra. The artwork is a striking departure from his usual style yet fits seamlessly within the Magic multiverse.
According to a recent Wizards of the Coast preview of Bloomburrow, Lumra’s borderless showcase variant is Arita’s sole illustration for this set. However, references to “calamity beasts” suggest a potential cycle of legendary Elemental animals, possibly hinting at more of Arita's work in MTG’s future.
Beyond his work on TCGs, Arita has drawn promotional materials for Final Fantasy 11 and did concept designs for the theatrical release, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc.
Mark your calendars for Bloomburrow’s release on August 2, and experience Arita’s captivating entry into the world of Magic: The Gathering.