Anime MTG Cards: What Are They and How to Get Them

Last updated on February 28, 2024

Smothering Tithe | Illustration by Daisuke Tatsuma

As a long-time anime watcher, I have a fondness for anime-inspired art. It’s just fun, and it seems Wizards of the Coast agrees because they’ve made many cards with anime-inspired art in recent years.

These anime alt-arts are just one of the ways Wizards has been working to increase the collectability of Magic. Almost every set has alternate frames with unique styles and art for the marque cards, and the bonus sheets also get multiple art variations. The anime ones especially align with my interests, but where can my fellow weebs find such art? Let’s find out!

What Are Anime MTG Cards?

Rhystic Study | Illustration by Fuzichoco

Anime MTG cards are cards with alternate art inspired by the artistic styles of anime. There are no official anime crossovers with Universes Beyond, but these cards have a distinctly anime style. Unlike Japanese-exclusive arts, like those seen in the Mystical Archive, sets with anime-inspired cards can be opened in multiple languages.

Where Can You Get Anime MTG Cards?

There are several products with anime alternate art. There’s a smattering of Secret Lairs with anime art, as well as the Junji Ito Secret Lairs that showcases the artist’s unique manga style.

Two standard expansion sets with anime alt arts include Kamigawa: Neon Dynastyand Wilds of Eldraine, specifically WOE’s Enchanting Tales bonus sheet.

For NEO, there are anime alt arts of many cards in the set at multiple rarities you can open in any booster pack. These anime alt arts can be opened in foil and non-foil.

For WOE, 20 of the 62 enchanting tales—15 mythic rares and 5 rares—received anime alternate arts. Any booster pack, including Draft, Set, and Collector boosters, can contain an anime alt art; while every pack of WOE contains an Enchanting Tales card, only 2.8% of boosters have the anime alt arts. In addition to foil and non-foil printings, some of WOE’s alt arts have the confetti foil treatment.

Anime cards can also be opened in Jumpstart 2022. Every pack of Jumpstart 2022 contains one non-foil anime card.

Are Anime Cards Valuable?

The value of an anime card often depends on the playability of the card itself and scarcity, but they tend to be a little more valuable. The highlight is the anime art confetti foil cards from the Enchanting Tales bonus sheet; the most prized cards of the bunch, Rhystic Study and Smothering Tithe, are listed with a price of several hundred dollars on TCGplayer and the base anime versions are still worth more than the normal Enchanting Tales editions.

The Jumpstart anime cards vary in value; some, like Coldsteel Heart, are worth a few times more than standard versions (the anime Heart has a median price of $3 on TCGplayer, while the others are about $1) while other cards, like Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor, are worth about the same as the original printing.

Are Anime Cards Legal?

Yes! An alternate art Magic card is legal for tournament play if it has a black border and isn’t damaged so that it marks the sleeve it's in. All anime cards, including foils, are legal for tournament play.

Anime Cards Vs. Japanese Exclusive Arts

The primary difference between anime cards and Japanese exclusive cards, like those found in the Mystical Archive, is availability.

Japanese exclusive cards are only found in Japanese packs and are only printed in Japanese; this is true of the Mystical Archive cards and the alt art planeswalkers from War of the Spark.

Anime cards are available much more freely in booster packs of multiple languages and printed in English, though Japanese-language anime art cards are in Japanese booster packs.

While the anime art cards have art influenced by Japanese media, they aren’t exclusive to Japanese products.

How to Get Anime MTG Cards

There are two ways to get anime cards: opening products containing them or purchasing singles directly. While your local game store is often a great resource for both, there are some online retailers you can use as well.

Amazon

Amazon is often your best bet at finding cheap sealed products, including boosters and boxes for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty, Jumpstart 2022, and Wilds of Eldraine.

TCGplayer

TCGplayer is one of the most trusted trading card marketplaces on the internet and a fantastic option to purchase singles from multiple vendors. Because the marketplace is available to many vendors, cards are often more competitively priced than other places.

Card Kingdom

Card Kingdom is another alternative for singles. CK has been in the Magic business for years. Their prices are often a little higher than TCGplayer, but buying from a single vendor often helps cut shipping fees and ensures you get all your cards in one package instead of a dozen envelopes spread out across weeks.

Wrap Up

Coldsteel Heart | Illustration by I☆LA

We live in a golden age of collectible Magic products, even if it’s one that seems bloated at times. With every set offering multiple versions of most cards alongside unique border treatments, there’s bound to be an art that speaks specifically to each individual.

For me, the anime arts hit home, marrying two of my greatest passions in one. What are your favorite alternate arts? Do you bling out your decks, or keep things simple? Let me know in the comments or on the Draftsim Discord!

Stay safe, and thanks for reading!

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