The studio behind the first three seasons of Attack on Titan has produced a new trailer for Magic The Gathering's latest set, Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.
WIT Studio's three-and-a-half-minute long trailer shows many of the main story beats from Neon Dynasty, which is set in the cyberpunk, Japanese-inspired world of Kamigawa. True to WIT's reputation, it's gorgeously animated, showing newcomer Kaito join forces with the Wanderer and Tamiyo to fight off against Tezzeret and the Phyrexian Praetor Jin-Gitaxias.
This trailer, which was posted to the official MTG Youtube channel, is full of references to Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty which those who've not read the story might miss. It manages to condense basically the entire story down into under four minutes, right from Kaito finding the injured Kami Kyodai after the emperor's disappearance to the climactic battle with Jin-Gitaxias. The one thing it doesn't show is the heart-wrenching epilogue, which is probably for the best. Nobody would be able to emotionally handle seeing that being animated.
It was a collaboration between Wizards of the Coast's Japanese office, WIT Studio, and music video producer Maxilla. WIT Studio, of course, is best known for the first three seasons of Attack on Titan, before it handed over the reins to Studio MAPPA for the finale. Since then, it's also produced other successful anime like Vinland Saga and the absolutely incredible Ranking of Kings.
This isn't the only influence anime and manga have had on Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty. There are a huge amount of Japanese artists who have contributed to the set's alternate art, which reimagines creatures from across Kamigawa in an anime art style. There are lots of famous names involved, too, such as Fist of the North Star creator Tetsuo Hara and Yoji Shinkawa, artist for the Metal Gear games.
There was even a full manga, and a very odd promo featuring Hatsune Miku. She doesn't appear in the set at all, it's just a music video with a Kamigawa setting, but it's still cool to see Miku flying around the plane while throwing Magic cards everywhere.
Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty launched digitally last week, and Is set for a tabletop release this Friday (February 18). If you fancy something a bit less anime, there is also a stunning CG trailer.