Doomsday | Illustration by Junji Ito
Secret Lairs have provided a fascinating outlet for Magic cards. They offer unparalleled artistic freedom; a Secret Lair card doesn’t need to look like a regular Magic spell, allowing artists to stretch their creative wings. While some art raises questions about legibility and its importance, many arts are stunning.
One strength of the Secret Lairformat is the ability to capitalize on specific themes. These could be based on the cards or give WotC the chance to highlight a specific artist. One of the most iconic creators to get a spotlight is horror manga artist Junji Ito, who illustrated a four-card Secret Lair with exclusive art.
But where can you find such fantastic cards? Let’s find out.
What Are Junji Ito Magic Cards?
Plaguecrafter | Illustration by Junji Ito
Junji Ito Magic cards came in a Secret Lair release with exclusive art by Junji Ito. The set included four cards.
Junji Ito is an artist renowned for his horror manga, most notably Lovesickness, which won the Eisner Award, and Uzumaki. His unsettling, realistic art and intricate linework are among the trademarks of his style. All four cards in the Secret Lair are black, which fits his horrifying, unsettling aesthetic.
Junji Ito was also commissioned to illustrate the Borderless Manga version of Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines from Phyrexia: All Will Be One.
Where Can You Get Junji Ito Magic Cards?
The original Secret Lair is out of print, so you can no longer order the set directly from Wizards. However, there are plenty of other places where you can find the cards!
Card Kingdom
Card Kingdom is an excellent source to purchase single cards from the Junji Ito Secret Lair. They’ve served the Magic community well for years. It’s easy to pick these up along with other cards for various decks.
TCGplayer
You can also purchase the singles from TCGplayer. TCGplayer has an open market, so its prices are often lower than Card Kingdom’s. Many local game stores have digital storefronts through TCGplayer.
Amazon
Amazon doesn’t sell singles, but some third-party sellers offer sealed Junji Ito Secret Lairs. It’s worth noting these are far more expensive than the original drops, and it’s cheaper to pick up a copy of each individual card. That said, some collectors may value having the sealed product.
Junji Ito Card Gallery
Are Junji Ito Cards Valuable?
The prices of Magic cards are always subject to fluctuation, but the Junji Ito cards are currently valuable. They’re often worth more than their counterparts in regular sets. This is for two reasons. Firstly, there are fewer copies since the Secret Lair had a limited print run. Secondly, Junji Ito is a renowned artist, making these cards more than simple game pieces but desirable collectibles. The standalone Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines runs nearly $50 at the time of writing.
Are Junji Ito Cards Legal?
Yes! All Secret Lair arts, including the Junji Ito ones, are legal for play in sanctioned tournaments as long as they are not marked or otherwise distinguishable from the other cards in your deck. All five cards are legal in Commander and Legacy; all save Doomsday are legal in Modern.
Wrap Up
Carrion Feeder | Illustration by Junji Ito
While some Secret Lair arts are contentious for how little they look like Magic cards and what that means for legibility, the brand has brought a variety of incredible art we never would have gotten without it. These cards drawn by Junji Ito certainly rank among the best.
What’s your favorite Secret Lair? What other artists would you like to get a drop? Let me know in the comments below or on the Draftsim Discord!
Stay safe and keep creepy!
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