And we’re back for more Japanese art cards for Jumpstart 2022! Some of the artists are fresh faces to Magic: The Gathering, whilst others are returning from previous sets. This set as a whole looks hefty, but we’re here to take a closer look at the artists joining us (or re-joining) for Japanese-style art, giving us a good start with where to check them out and follow them.
As far as I can tell, only some of these cards have alternate-art versions (only five in total). I held off posting for a while in case more were going to have two versions, but that doesn’t appear to the the case. For the other cards, I’ve left image comparisons from former sets. Let’s jump right in!
If possible, the links will lead to the artists’ Pixiv or Twitter accounts. All images are copyright Wizards of the Coast. Some artists are actually of other nationalities, but they were all likely sourced from the Japanese art agency Kogado.
Arlinn, Voice of the Pack
War of the Spark art by Ryan Pancoast; Jumpstart 2022 art by Hisashi Momose (百瀬寿).
Hisashi Momose is returning to Magic: the Gathering after creating illustrations for three previous sets: War of the Spark, Strixhaven and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Their artwork features on the Japanese artwork versions of the following cards (the former three are only available in Japanese language):
- Vivien, Champion of the Wilds (野獣の擁護者、ビビアン)
- Saheeli, Sublime Artificer (崇高な工匠、サヒーリ)
- Chaos Warp (混沌のねじれ)
- Moonsnare Specialist
- The Wandering Emperor
The artist is also responsible for the art of Jumpstart 2022’s Emancipation Angel and Peacewalker Colossus.
Arrest
Return to Ravnica art by Greg Staples; Jumpstart 2022 art by Canata Katana (刀 彼方).
Canata Katana is returning to Magic: the Gathering after illustrating Eater of Virtue for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. Their name has been swapped to Western name order for the Jumpstart 2022 card.
This illustrator has worked on a variety of other card games, such as Cardfight!! Vanguard and Z/X Zillions of Enemy X. They have also illustrated various light novels, including EVE: Sekai no Owari no Aoi Hana (EVEー世界の終わりの青い花ー), recently published by HJ Bunko.
They are also responsible for the alternate art of Stitcher’s Supplier.
Balan, Wandering Knight
Commander 2017 art by Svetlin Velinov; Jumpstart 2022 art by Mai Okuma (大熊まい).
Mai Okuma is known for illustration work on various games, including art of Robin in Fire Emblem Heroes, and light novel series, such as Fushi no Kami: Rebuilding Civilization Starts With a Village, published in English by J-Novel Club.
Caustic Caterpillar
Magic Origins art by Jack Wang; Jumpstart 2022 art by Ai Nanahira (七片 藍).
Ai Nanamira is another returning artist to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Jin-Gitaxias, Progress Tyrant.
The artist is is known for their work on Dreadnought TCG, Z/X Zillions of Enemy X, Monster Collection TCG, Square Enix’s Guardian Cross and Cardfight!! Vanguard.
Coldsteel Heart
Double Masters 2022 art by Mark Romanoski; Jumpstart 2022 art by I☆LA (I☆LA).
The artist has already provided illustrations for other trading card games, such Cardfight!! Vanguard and Fire Emblem Cipher and WIXOSS.
I☆LA is also responsible for the art of Whirler Rogue.
Colossal Majesty
Core Set 2019 art by Randy Vargas; Jumpstart 2022 art by Tetsu Kurosawa (クロサワテツ).
Tetsu Kurosawa is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate artwork for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Tribute to Horobi/Echo of Death’s Wail.
The artist is also responsible for the art for Diabolic Edict.
Diabolic Edict
Modern Horizons art by Franz Vohwinkel; Jumpstart 2022 art by Tetsu Kurosawa (クロサワテツ).
The artist is also responsible for the art for Colossal Majesty.
Dragon Fodder
Original art by Volkan Baga; alternate art by Yoshiya (ヨシヤ).
Yoshiya is returning to Magic: the Gathering after previously creating artwork for Kamigawa: Neo Dynasty. Yoshiya was responsible for the Japanese alternate versions of Kairi, the Swirling Sky (incorrectly attributed to Zounose), Nashi, Moon Sage’s Scion and Reckoner Bankbuster.
The artist has also worked on trading card games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard.
Dragon Mage
Core Set 2020 art by Matthew D. Wilson; Jumpstart 2022 art by M. Matsumoto (マツモトミツアキ).
M. Matsumoto (full name Mitsuaki Matsumoto) is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating the alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Coiling Stalker.
The artist is known for their illustrations on a wide variety of games, such as Lord of Vermilion, Last Chronicle, Ange Vierge, Duel Masters and WIXOSS (the trading card game).
Drannith Stinger
Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths art by Denman Rooke; Jumpstart 2022 art by Daisuke Tatsuma (辰馬大助).
Daisuke Tatsuma has previously worked on the smartphone game Obey Me!, along with providing illustrations for the light novel Hanashi ga Chigau to Iwaretemo, Imasara Mou Shirimasen yo (話が違うと言われても、今更もう知りませんよ), published under Kodansha’s K Lanove Books label.
The illustrator is also responsible for the art of Thrill of Possibility.
Eidolon of Rhetoric
Journey into Nyx art by Ryan Yee; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yakotakos (やこたこす).
Yakotakos has illustrated for a wide range of apps and trading card games, including Phantom of the Kill, Vampire Blood, Dragon Tactics and more, as well as contributing to various comic anthologies, such as the Official Monster Hunter 4-Koma anthologies.
Elvish Rejuvenator
Kaldheim Commander art by Winona Nelson; Jumpstart 2022 art by Shiramine (白峰).
Shiramine is the manga artist behind the Tales of Zestiria manga, published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment, and Fate/Grand Order: Mortalis:Stella, published in English by Kodansha USA. The artist had also worked on a variety of games, including Fate/Grand Order, Z/X Zillions of Enemy X, Bungo to Alchemist and Gemini Seed.
Emancipation Angel
Jumpstart art by Scott Chou; Jumpstart 2022 art by Hisashi Momose (百瀬寿).
Hisashi Momose is also responsible for the art of Arlinn, Voice of the Pack and Peacewalker Colossus.
Feast on the Fallen
Magic 2015 Core Set art by Dave Kendall; Jumpstart 2022 art by Zizero (ジゼロ).
Zizero has provided illustrations for many a game, including Identity V, ZENONZARD, WAR OF BRAINS and Blazing Odyssey (ブレイジングオデッセイ).
The artist is also responsible for the art of Plaguecrafter.
Flicker of Fate
Theros Beyond Death art by Tomasz Jedruszek; Jumpstart 2022 art by sila (sila).
sila has a long, long list of games under their belt, including Sid Story, World Unification Chronicle and Age of Ishtaria, to name a few. They also work on plenty of bright covers for Korean webnovels, many of which you can check out over on Twitter.
The artist is also responsible for the art of Spellstutter Sprite.
Hydra’s Growth
Theros Beyond Death art by Bayard Wu; Jumpstart 2022 art by Inuchiyo Meimaru (瞑丸イヌチヨ).
Inuchiyo Meimaru is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate artwork for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Asari Captain, Reinforced Ronin and Surgehacker Mech. They have previous worked on trading card games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard and Future Card Buddyfight.
The artist is also responsible for the art of King of the Pride.
Karn Liberated
Ultimate Masters art by Jason Chan; Jumpstart 2022 art by DAI-XT (ダイエクスト).
DAI-XT is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Ogre-Head Helm and Soul Transfer.
In the English-speaking world, the artist is known as a later illustrator for the light novel series Black Summoner (volumes 8 onwards), published by J-Novel Club. They have also provided illustrations for Fate/Grand Order.
Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor
War of the Spark art by Magali Vill; Jumpstart 2022 art by Ayuko (在由子).
Ayuko is also responsible for the art of Khalni Heart Expedition and Preordain.
Sadly, this is one of the few illustrators I can’t locate a direct link or examples of work history for.
Khalni Heart Expedition
Commander Legends art by Jason Chan; Jumpstart 2022 art by Ayuko (在由子).
Ayuko is also responsible for the art of Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor and Preordain.
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
Modern Masters art by Steven Belledin; Jumpstart 2022 art by Kenta Ishikawa (石川健太).
Kenta Ishikawa is returning to Magic: the Gathering after having created alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Ao, the Dawn Sky and Selfless Samurai.
They have worked on a variety of other trading card games, including Cardfight!! Vanguard, Duel Masters and Shadowverse.
King of the Pride
Modern Horizons art by Jonathan Kuo; Jumpstart 2022 art by Inuchiyo Meimaru (瞑丸イヌチヨ).
The artist is also responsible for the art of Hydra’s Growth.
Lord of the Accursed
Amonkhet art by Grzegorz Rutkowski; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yuichi Murakami (村上ゆいち).
You may recognize this illustrator from various trading card games (Cardfight!! Vanguard, WIXOSS and Z/X Zillions of Enemy X, to name a few) as well as light novel series, such as Grand Sumo Villainess, which is newly streaming in English on the J-Novel Club website. Their experience on light novels is so vast that I hope we see more of the series in English one day.
Yuichi Murakami is also responsible for the alternate art of Tragic Slip.
Magnifying Glass
Commander 2018 art by Dan Scott; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yukihito Maruo (マルオユキヒロ).
Yukihito Maruo is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate artwork for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Kyodai, Soul of Kamigawa and Nezumi Prowler.
They have previous provided illustrations for games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard, Future Card Buddyfight and Battle Spirits.
Merrow Reejerey
Duel Decks: Merfolk vs. Goblins art by Greg Staples; Jumpstart 2022 art by Penguu (ぺんぐぅ).
Penguu has worked on a lot of commission work as a freelance illustrator, including for various Tommy Walker play-by-web games (very vaguely, tabletop games that can also be played via browser, that may include commissioned artwork of player characters) Jaegar Sixth and Chain Paradox.
Mirror Image
Core Set 2019 art by Randy Vargas; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yuchi Yuki (結暉ゆち).
Yuchi Yuki is also responsible for the art of Tree of Perdition.
Oathsworn Vampire
Rivals of Ixalan art by Greg Opalinski; Jumpstart 2022 art by Border (ボーダー).
Border is known for their work on light novels such as Bride of the Barrier Master, published in English by Yen Press, and Kusuri no Mamono no Kaiko Riyuu (薬の魔物の解雇理由, from volume 2 onwards), published by TO Books.
Ogre Slumlord
Adventures in the Forgotten Realms Commander art by Trevor Claxton; Jumpstart 2022 art by woonak (ウナック).
woonak has worked on heaps of games, including Idola: Fantasy Star Saga, Sid Story and Knights Chronicle, as well as the light novel Loop Chuu no Shiitagerare Reijou datta Watashi, Konse wa Saikyou Seijo na Ue ni Dekiai Mode Mitai desu (ループ中の虐げられ令嬢だった私、今世は最強聖女なうえに溺愛モードみたいです) published by Kadokawa Beans Bunko.
Peacewalker Colossus
Aether Revolt art by Vincent Proce; Jumpstart 2022 art by Hisashi Momose (百瀬寿).
Hisashi Momose is also responsible for the art of Emancipation Angel and Arlinn, Voice of the Pack.
Plaguecrafter
Commander 2019 art by Anna Steinbauer; Jumpstart 2022 art by Zizero (ジゼロ).
Zizero is also responsible for the art of Feast on the Fallen.
Preordain
Commander Legends art by Svetlin Velinov; Jumpstart 2022 art by Ayuko (在由子).
Ayuko is also responsible for the art of Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor.
Ram Through
Ikoria: Lair of Behemoths art by Zoltan Boros; Jumpstart 2022 art by Moopic (Moopic).
Moopic is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating the alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Cloudsteel Kirin.
The artist is known for their work across a variety of other trading card games, such as Teikoku Senki, Cardfight!! Vanguard and Duel Masters.
Rapacious Dragon
Core Set 2020 art by Johan Grenier; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yumi Ozuno (オズノユミ).
Ozuno Yumi has created illustrations for many books, including children’s books, light novel series, and more.
This is one of the artists that I sadly can’t find a direct link to.
Rigging Runner
Ixalan art by Simon Dominic; Jumpstart 2022 art by MIDQN (緑QN).
MIDQN has previously created artwork for the WIXOSS trading card game and Duel Masters.
Sage’s Reverie
Commander 2018 art by Jason Rainville; Jumpstart 2022 art by Hiromu (洋歩).
Hiromu has previously provided illustration for mobile games such as Tenkuu no Amnesia (天空のアムネジア) and Gyakushu no Fantasica (逆襲のファンタジカ), as well as providing anime-style illustrations for Japanese textbooks.
Spear Spewer
Ravnica Allegiance art by Carl Critchlow; Jumpstart 2022 art by Ryuichi Sakuma (佐久間竜一).
Ryuichi Sakuma has previously worked on cards for Cardfight!! Vanguard, along with completing other illustration-related work for Kogado, like background illustrations.
Spectral Sailor
Core Set 2020 art by Cristi Balanescu; Jumpstart 2022 art by Fuzichoco (藤ちょこ).
Fuzichoco is returning to Magic: the Gathering after having created the Japanese alternate art for War of the Spark’s Tamiyo, Collector of Tales and Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s alternate-art Farewell.
The artist is also well known for the illustration of light novel series such as She Professed Herself Pupil of the Wiseman, published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment, Chronicle of Barsac (バルサック戦記), Story Tower Three (三つの塔の物語) and more. Their illustrations have also featured in a variety of games, including Last Chronicle, Fire Emblem Heroes and Soul Reverse Zero.
Spellstutter Sprite
Modern Masters art by Rebecca Guay; Jumpstart 2022 art by sila (sila).
The artist is also responsible for the art of Flicker of Fate.
Stitcher’s Supplier
Original art by Chris Seaman; alternate art by Canata Katana (刀 彼方).
Canata Katana is also responsible for the art of Arrest.
Thermo-Alchemist
Original art by Raymond Swanland; alternate art by azu-taro (azuタロウ).
azu-taro has previously worked on illustrations for Evertale, Fire Emblem Heroes, Warship Girls and more.
Thrashing Brontodon
Core Set 2021 art by Jakub Kasper; Jumpstart 2022 art by Kemonomichi (獣道).
Kemonomichi is returning to Magic: The Gathering after creating alternate art for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty’s Kami of Transcience and Nezumi Bladeblesser. They have previously provided illustrations for games such as Cardfight!! Vanguard, Z/X Zillions of Enemy X and Duel Masters.
The artist is also responsible for the art of World Breaker.
Thrill of Possibility
Throne of Eldraine art by Steve Argyle; Jumpstart 2022 art by Daisuke Tatsuma (辰馬大助).
The artist is also responsible for the art of Drannith Stinger.
Tragic Slip
Original art by Christopher Moeller; alternate art by Yuichi Murakami (村上ゆいち).
Yuichi Murakami is also responsible for the art of Lord of the Accursed.
Tree of Perdition
Eldritch Moon art by Jung Park; Jumpstart 2022 art by Yuchi Yuki (結暉ゆち).
Yuchi Yuki is also responsible for the art of Mirror Image.
Valorous Stance
Original art by Victor Adame Minguez; alternate art by Susumu Kuroi (黒井ススム).
Susumu Kuroi is returning to Magic: the Gathering after having illustrated Jugan Defends the Temple/Remnant of the Rising Star for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.
This illustrator has worked on a variety of trading card games, along with illustrations for light novels, such as Apparently, Disillusioned Adventurers Will Save the World, published in English by Yen Press. The light novel series will soon receive an anime with Susumu Kuroi’s original character designs.
Whirler Rogue
Magic Origins art by Winona Nelson; alternate art by I☆LA (I☆LA).
I☆LA is also responsible for the art of Coldsteel Heart.
World Breaker
Oath of the Gatewatch art by Jaime Jones; alternate art by Kemonomichi (獣道).
The artist is also responsible for the art of Thrashing Brontodon.
So there we have it! As you can tell, the art is a mixed bag, with anime-girl pirates and semi-realistic illustrations that could be mistaken for regular Western cards. Feedback towards the set has been just as mixed, as you might imagine from an audience of both staunch MTG purists and multifaceted geeks who get to see two of their interests intercept. That said, there’s no need for such a fuss when a variation of artworks exist for every card shown.
For those looking to collect these versions, can you see yourself creating a full-anime deck or merely mixing and matching where you choose? Personally, I’m a fan of specific artists, so only see myself picking up one or two cards for the folder. Even so, I’ll be looking forward to whatever comes next!
Not enough? How about a check back to the Japanese art of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty or checking out the Japanese planeswalkers of War of the Spark?
writegeek.co.uk 
Leave a comment