If you’re a fan of Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering (MTG), you’ve probably heard of Mitsuhiro Arita, a legendary artist known for his iconic work on the original Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Now, he’s making waves by designing his first-ever MTG card, bringing his unique style to a whole new audience.
Who is Mitsuhiro Arita?
Mitsuhiro Arita has been a key figure in the world of trading card games for many years. His artwork defined the original look of Pokémon cards, including beloved characters like Pikachu and Charizard.
With nearly 700 Pokémon cards to his name, Arita’s art has become a staple for fans around the globe. But his talents don’t stop there. Arita has also contributed to card games based on popular franchises like Monster Hunter and Shin Megami Tensei.
A New Adventure with Magic: The Gathering
With the release of MTG’s Bloomburrow set, Arita is stepping into a new realm, introducing his artistry to Magic fans for the first time. One of the standout cards from this set is “Lumra, Bellow of the Woods,” a powerful Calamity Beast with both game-changing mechanics and stunning artwork. Arita illustrated one of Lumra’s borderless variants, showcasing a style that might surprise those familiar with his Pokémon designs.
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Arita’s Experience with MTG
When asked about his experience working with Wizards of the Coast on Magic, Arita expressed his enjoyment of the high fantasy feel of the project. He appreciated the autonomy he was given as an artist, which allowed him to explore his creativity freely.
Arita was approached by Wizards of the Coast via email, through Kogado Studio, a company that handles art requests in Japan. He worked from rough sketches of Lumra drawn by another artist, Matt Stewart, but was able to add his own artistic flair to the final design.
A Unique Artistic Approach
Arita’s work on “Lumra, Bellow of the Woods” features a realistic style that sets it apart from his previous work. When asked about this shift, Arita explained that he wanted to create a piece that would make him proud to see in the MTG universe. He doesn’t stick to a consistent style, preferring instead to draw what he finds inspiring and exciting.
Arita’s portfolio includes work on various projects like the Culdcept games, the Berserk movie, and FINAL FANTASY, showcasing his ability to adapt to different styles and themes.
Looking Forward to Future Collaborations
Arita enjoyed his experience working on the Bloomburrow set and is open to collaborating with Wizards of the Coast again in the future. While some projects can be challenging due to time constraints, this one was a positive experience for him, and he’d love the opportunity to design more MTG cards.
