What Happens in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty?

[@MagicArcanum]

Hey friends! Thanks for watching my video. I just wanted to say a few things now that you're all here: 1. Wow, y'all crushed that 8k goal for LIKES in just four days! My previous best-liked video only had 7,900 after over a year, so I thought this would take a bit longer to reach. Thanks for proving me wrong! I will get started on "Who is Kaito?" and should have that ready for you in a couple of weeks...but that better get 10k likes! 2. Growing up, it was a coin-flip if someone was going to call me Ryan, or Bryan. I got used to it. I realized it was never an intentional mistake, and even though it was annoying at times, I didn't take it personally. I realized the important part was that everyone knew who we were talking about (sorry to all the Bryans out there for stealing your drink at Starbucks, though.) With that said, I do apologize for not getting "Kyodai" correct, and will strive to be more accurate in the future. 3. With that said, the first few comments calling me out on my pronunciation were plenty. Every additional one feels like a dog-pile, and to be honest, I was scared to attempt any sort of Kamigawa video for fear of exactly this. I knew that I wouldn't get all the names perfect, and I suspected that people consuming my (free!) content wouldn't be sympathetic. So while I appreciate each and every point of engagement with my fans, I ask that you please check prior comments before bringing up something - especially if that thing is a 'negative.' I'm fine with criticism and feedback, I just don't need to lay in bed at night unable to sleep because I'm dreading reading KZbin comments the next morning. Thanks for understanding, and thanks again for watching "What Happens in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty." It was a fun video to make and hopefully raises the bar for future episodes. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a deal to uphold!

[@GozMaster]

don't sweat it man. nerds are the worst types of critics. we jump on the silliest of things to prove we're not inferior in some way. ignore them and keep doing the great work. I for one can't really stomach the childish writing level of WoTC's launches, but still want to know whats happening. So I appreciate the effort and accuracy (regardless of pronunciations) you put into these so Nerds (like me) can let you tell us the story in a better way. thanks again man. and PS think we might be related. IRL I have the same last name. so who knows. :p

[@Bashman20]

love your channel, I just got back to magic and since they no longer sell fatpacks with books I feel this is the best way to communicate the story!

[@Morte_n]

@@GozMaster I think the problem with the pronunciation is that it's off, like really off... Kyodai is spoken Kyo-da-i, or some other youtuber pronuncing it Ka-ma-ga-wa the name of the plane, it is a bit like a something small like a mosquito annoying you. It won't hurt or anything but it's kinda like that itch you can't scratch. I for my part don't point out wrong pronunciation to feel better but to help others improve. :)

[@squalobolo3505]

dude ur content is gold for us!

[@byronn.585]

A dear friend of mine once told me, “Language is for communication. We speak to be understood, not always to be correct.”Point being, you got the idea across and you were understood. Pronunciation is secondary to communicating effectively, and you did a great job with the video! Thanks for the (free!) content lol!

[@ChemistGeometric]

Honestly, Jin Gitaxis needs to sell, like, a single Mirran artifact to the futurists and his bank account is set to do whatever the hell he wants to do.

[@snorlax42]

And to buy whatever pants he wants to buy! 😤

[@lordtrollage2819]

Memnarch’s corpse, hell, even Mirrodin’s dirt

[@kakerlake4468]

@@snorlax42 he already got the drip

[@killerjoke2945]

He pays thugs with cupcakes. The way the story was written it could as well reveal Jin Gitaxis the preator of baking. Plus, anyone would kill for cupcakes.

[@jaspershepherdsmith9047]

He don't care about bank accounts tho

[@aidennoir597]

To be fair, it's been established since her introduction that the Wanderer's unstable planeswalking allows her to do feats other walkers cannot. When the beacon was down during War of the Spark she was zipping in and out of the plane as a means of short range teleportation, which would have exhausted any other walker.

[@andrewgreenwood9068]

I am interested in how other characters will react to tamiyo. Especially narset and ajani who were part of her book club

[@jaxwarp8373]

I'm more concerned for how her *son* will react

[@blackmagiccommander]

@@jaxwarp8373 he pledges to train and get strong and try and help find his mother. He's going to look for a way to travel the multiverse. (Possible neo weatherlight hint?!)

[@jaxwarp8373]

@@blackmagiccommander that would be awesome, I love Nezumi, and will take any reason for more of them

[@chayadol]

@@jaxwarp8373 I realty want her son to get his spark and we'll get the first ever rat planewalker.

[@KBgamer2010]

@Mullerornis So um About that, Erebos actually gave Elspeth Permission to leave the Underworld for Bringing down Heliod's corrupted Ego, So technically....She's out there again travelling the multiverse, who knows? she may even show up in the next huge battle against the Phyrexians as a an end to her character arc

[@VexylObby]

PERFECT timing on this video. Just catching up on the lore. Sometimes people don't have time to read the online stories. And the anime trailer really brought this game to life. I feel like we need more than just stories and cards now.

[@KokoLoko-km9ep]

Animation mini series of the story events would be great, if not like a full animation on the "main story"

[@AngelusNielson]

They're working on a cartoon, actually. Netflix, natch.

[@ethanuys6903]

Where can I read the online stories?

[@xicufwm]

well, there was also the manga WotC released. But that was pretty bad, in my opinion

[@fernandogonzalez6228]

Love how all the phyrexians are evolving and you can see personalities in them, whith vorinclex being the killing machine, jin being the brains and elish norn more like a keeper of the acord, but even though they are different they all want to make phyrexia bigger

[@rubenrelvamoniz]

Except perhaps urabrask, he doesnt care about what the others do he wants to do his own thing. Including protecting mirran people

[@henrique7052]

They're willing to make Phyrexia great again. But seriously tho I think they will be the next "War of the Spark" treat going foward. It would be cool!

[@ThisAintAStupidName]

@@rubenrelvamoniz Urabrask is an oddball for sure, since he is aligned with the color of mana that represents emotion, passion, and individual expression. I really look forward to what they do with him :)

[@fernandogonzalez6228]

@@rubenrelvamoniz i feel that urbrask doesnt want to do what his brothers do, but he is scared snd he knows 5hat all other 4 preators are waaay stronger

[@cuttlefish6839]

@@fernandogonzalez6228 it's also kinda funny that he was the only preator to not have influence in the creation of atraxa hence his color not being represented

[@kyoken8691]

The biggest ramification of Kamigawa Neon Dynasty is Tamiyo's compleation because for the longest time planeswalkers were the only known entities to be completely immune to phyrexian taint aside from Melira. In fact Venser giving Karn his planeswalker spark was what allowed him to break free from the phyresis coursing through him. Planeswalkers being immune to phyrexian taint is one of the best tools that allowed them the power to fight properly against the corruption, and now that they have lost that advantage, Phyrexia is even more dangerous than ever. edit: To add to this it took the combined efforts of multiple old-walkers, millenia long eugenics programs to produce the perfect anti-phyrexia soldiers, the creation of tolarian academy to further magical research and the creation of a full set of extremely powerful artifacts (some like the Titans, world ending) plus what would have probably been the single largest source of white mana ever to defeat Phyrexia and completely erase Yawgmoth from existence. Modern planeswalkers are sorely outgunned by the new Phyrexians, and their one saving grace is now gone.

[@faerie7dragon]

This is what makes Phyrexians such terrifying foes, you can never count them out, they make impossible things happen in the name of progress. I think they will have to rally forces and strike at them before they become too powerful, but we will see where the story goes. It is so good to have them back, as actually dangerous villains!

[@NBGO]

I think lore purists are overreacting to this. It CLEARLY takes time and effort to compleat a walker, and by Jin himself, AFAIK. They didn't LOSE that immunity, but the stakes are raised in the fact that if they're caught they could be transformed.

[@Smaul002]

Tbh, I don't think it's permanent. It has to be some kind of psudo-compleation. The mechanic of the card itself kind of alludes to the compleation not being stable in some way (lose loyalty for paying with phyrexian mana)

[@cuttlefish6839]

@@Smaul002 while I get what you mean that mechanic seems more like gameplay balance than flavor.

[@nomeacuerdo]

Am I the only one that sees Tamiyo walking back to Innistrad with a will to retrieve whatever she stored back there on the moon?

[@WarriorZ676]

I feel like all new planes need to be introduced on 2 or 3 set blocks. We both need to acclimatize/learn about the new plane, and see the story/events and how they are affecting the plane, and that cannot be done well in just a single set. And Kamigawa being so different than the original block definitely feels like a new plane altogether.

[@MagicArcanum]

Agreed.

[@Morte_n]

Totally agree on this! The set is cramped full of references and stuff, so much that it got no time to really develope on any of those elements. Everyrhing feels more like a sidenote than really beeing highlighted.

[@wrayfinlay8104]

Absolutely for new planes 2 sets for older planes just one, we're just popping in for a visit to see what's up. We defently didn't need 2 sets for Innistrad this time around

[@brotquel1592]

To me, mono-block never worked. On the game side, we don't have the time nor nearly enough cards to appreciate the new mechanics, on the story side, everything is too rushed, the world-building is lacking and less and less legendary creatures manage to appear! Look at Kaldheim! How many gods ended up appearing in the story? Alrund and Cosima are basically the only ones that even get to speak! Stryxhaven? We managed to talk to a single dragon and, if I do remember correctly, not a single professor or star student. Guess what was the only block with a well developed storyline? Innistrad, having two set!

[@Krunschy]

Exactly. In my opinion this was most noticeable when they introduced Kaldheim with all of its 10 subplanes (or w/e they were called). I don't think anyone can recall any of those, let alone knows that these existed in the first place. So much worldbuilding and so little space to explore it...

[@RoboJay-jq3cu]

On Kaito's impatience despite being blue: the way I understand it, having certain colors in your identity doesnt mean you'll always act in accordance, and if you have two colors it may be even more so. I think in this instance, Kaito's selfishness (his black aspect) overwrote his patience (a blue aspect).

[@EmblemEnhancer]

also it'd be extremely boring if there were only 5 personality types and every time you meet a colored character you'd know exactly how they'd behave. That does not make for a realistic or interesting story!

[@kaisburg2450]

Also, also, the color blue while slower than red, doesn’t equate one-to-one to patience. The color blue can be desperate and unpatient especially when out of answers. See Thirst for Knowledge and Thirs for Meaning.

[@himboghost629]

His third colour is Anime protagonist

[@ThatJakers]

I suppose its a good thing there were so few side stories in the War of the Spark lore, its almost the perfect alibi. If ever we don't want to waste time expositing how two established walkers know one another, they can just say, "oh we worked on a group project on Ravnica, ... awhile ago." Its the perfect "a wizard did it" catch all for the lore, and the wizard was also an evil elder dragon.

[@MissingNovice]

The thing I'd like to know is why Kaito DIDN'T go to Ravnica. He was a walker at the time, he would have felt the Interplanar Beacon... was his promise to Eiko just so great that he resisted and stayed on Kamigawa during that whole debacle? I have similar questions about Garruk and Will/Rowan given that the beacon pulled people whos sparks werent ignited yet like Teyo - you'd think if Eldrane did take place chronologically after WAR, Will and Rowan would remember that day they felt this wierd nagging pull constantly...

[@MrZer093]

They did put a throwaway line about Garruk. Nicol Bolas specifically made it so Garruk didn’t get the pull because he was still hunting planeswalkers and he didn’t want anyone dead before he could harvest their sparks. Funny enough this means Eldraine takes place after as that was when Garruk’s curse got removed in a convenient fashion so the twins wouldn’t have felt the pull. There’s also a plausible explanation that Oko being of immense mental fortitude managed to resist the pull. In fact, going over in my mind, this might be the first planeswalker where there isn’t a plausible way that he wasn’t in War of the Spark (all either had their sparks ignited after or were stuck like Elspeth). Did his spark ignite only recently? Seems weird.

[@MissingNovice]

@@MrZer093 I didn't know the thing with Garruk! Will and Rowan still would have felt the pull though. They just wouldn't have been able to follow it. Teyo felt the pull despite not having an ignited spark, and the pull distracted him so much he nearly died in a diamond storm, which ignited it. Which actually makes me wonder if Ral could scale the Interplanar Beacon to essentially detect un-sparked planeswalkers, honestly.

[@mcedeias7788]

@@MissingNovice I think it has something to do with the distance between planes. I guess that Gobakhan (Teyos home plane) is nearer to Ravnica than Kamigawa and Eldraine, thus why Teyo felt the pull, and Kaito didn't. But that's only my thoughts.

[@Aldrnari956]

@@MissingNovice isn’t Kaito’s spark actually tied to the Kami in his mask? He doesn’t actually have a real spark, it’s a kind of synthetic spark born off the fusion of Kami and technology in his pet/mask/merchandizing opportunity for WotC. It’s plausible that if he wasn’t wearing his planeswalking mask during the war, he may never have felt the pull. It could actually be canon that he slept through the whole thing.

[@KnightsofGaming2016]

Ryan: talks about not knowing what The Reality Chip is supposed to actually do in story and card representation The Reality Chip: Reality can be whatever I want it to be

[@MagicArcanum]

Ya got me there

[@KnightsofGaming2016]

@@MagicArcanum could Wizards be teasing an eventual Avengers crossover? 🤔

[@DarthHao]

The hardest choices require the strongest wills

[@matthewludivico1714]

Reality is scryed and cheated by chips, warlocks, and druids now.

[@acooldog4959]

i really appreciate how you show the cards in screen as you narrate it really helps to solidify the story for me especially after looking at all the cards already from drafting. makes it way easier to follow for me

[@ty_sylicus]

I REALLY miss two set blocks! Why can't we have more of them? Moving so quickly to and from, while only lightly exploring, each world is so frustrating!

[@curumu_yt]

It's like we are the wandering emperor

[@TheMenarch]

single set "blocks" have really ruined the flow of the game. The stories are now rushed, new mechanics don't get time to make an impact, and its hard to remember what sets just came out or what ones are coming up.

[@orangegalen]

Yeah, that's kinda the reason I've stopped buying MTG sets, since we're off to the next one with new mechanics and a new story. Eldraine/Kaldheim could've been epic if more time was devoted to them, but nope, instead we're hopping back to Zendikar/Innistrad AGAIN. Ikora what?

[@danielvanzuydam]

I agree 100 percent. Mtg lore was way better when blocks and expansions are a thing. I really wish this set had an expansion because it's my favorite set of all time.

[@benpearson49]

Never should have moved away from 3 set blocks in my opinion. A beginning, a middle and an end. Really basic storytelling.

[@KuroAcedia]

Hey Ryan! Just wanted to say I really enjoy how you're not just recounting the story but actually comment on and critique some of the flaws and inconsistencies. I think like this the video gets infinitely more interesting than if you were just doing a summary and nothing else. Also, kind regards from Europe!

[@TrikkyJenkins]

Kaito is the character-definition of playing flash spells in your main phase. Change my mind.

[@plain6677]

Thank you so much! Without you I would know nothing about the story of Magic sets.

[@MagicArcanum]

Happy to help!

[@sabrina5778]

Thanks for another fantastic video! So fascinating as always 🤩 An advice from a native Japanese speaker on how to pronounce these cards! A is pronounced Ah (like in father) E is pronounced Eh (like in extra) I is pronounced E (like in eel) O is pronounced O (like in so) U is pronounced OO (kinda like in foot) Everything in Japanese is pronounced a set way! And a bit of extra advice! Double consonants require a pause in pronunciation (you almost hold your breath) and then pronounce the rest (i.e. with Isshin you pronounce the I, pause, then pronounce the rest (shin)). And lastly any letter followed by -yo or -yu (i.e. Ryo, Kyo, Ryu) is pronounced almost like one character. Kyodai is pronounced kyo-da-i (btw this word is not to be mistaken with kyōdai which is sibling; in this case Kyodai means gigantic)!

[@sabrina5778]

Hope this doesn't seem too nitpicky but I hope to anyone who's learning to speak Japanese that this is somewhat helpful! Now go have fun!!! 🕺

[@MagicArcanum]

Actually this is the most helpful and considerate version of this comment I've gotten yet, and I really appreciate it. Thank you!

[@sabrina5778]

@@MagicArcanum yay! so glad to hear 😊

[@mikotagayuna8494]

As a fellow native Japanese, I wanted to comment the same thing but I could not have said it better. Many of the names on this world have real meanings in an existing culture so I believe pronunciation is still important. Also, think kyodai as sibling also works as she is the spirit-sister of the Michiko Konda who was Kamigawa's first emperor.

[@maxwellsickles5087]

Another note on Kyodai's name: it's written neither with the kanji for "big" nor "sibling", but as 香醍. As far as I can tell, the kanji don't have a deeper meaning and are just kanji commonly used in names. But I imagine the choice to make it a homonym to those words was deliberate!

[@Wriley_Katcoff]

“Only 3 or so planeswalkers are in danger” … One year later…

[@nik700]

30:25 The Future Sight ability of the Chip might be related to the visions it gave to the Emperor. Also, I just put together that Tezzeret is the cause that Vorinclex appeared in Kaldheim, since the Planar Bridge only works with inorganic matter. And after the Bolas arc, it feels a little too repetitive that the "new" bad guys are also hunting artifacts from across the multiverse (Tyrite and now the Chip). Great video as always!

[@nik700]

​@Ninja Named Bob I agree with you and I'm ejoying the course of the story so far. I'm just not finding this first part of this new arc really much different than the beginning of the Bolas arc.

[@VolvoxSocks]

@Random Username Planeswalkers can travel through the planar bridge safely. Dack Fayden, Ob Nixilis, and Samut have all safely traveled through one. Karn has too, but he's already inorganic.

[@nik700]

@Random Username Tamiyo is a planeswalker, probably they forced her to planeswalk rather than use the bridge

[@baptisteplaquevent7957]

I guess the metal controlling abilities are shown on like "Metallic Rebuke", so it's not 100% out of nowhere, but reasonably slim I agree

[@i0nita]

I feel like they are setting up Nashi to become the character that MIGHT be able to reverse phyrexian compleation. They do mention he has an interest in cybernetics and now since his adoptive mom is compleated, maybe he becomes interested in trying to reverse the process to get him “mom” back? Idk thats just my “out of nowhere” theory of the day

[@MagicArcanum]

Ooooh, I like this idea!

[@matejkorpar1082]

Finally someone, who explains the whole stories of all those sets. I’m slowly getting lost in this maelstrom of stories. Keep up with that great work! Liked and subscribed!

[@thomashearne4670]

"populated, but not important" is the perfect way to describe it. It felt like the entire plane was basically a Potemkin village in the story. Great video dude, loved it!

[@davidbrasher3595]

I don't understand why The Wanderer and Kaito didn't set up a rendezvous point before she left. Like, "Meet me on Ravnica at the coffee shop on Tin Street." It seems that while the Wanderer randomly planeswalks if she isn't concentrating on staying put, there have been times in the story where she intentionally traveled to a particular plane. So I think she could go to Ravnica on purpose.

[@biggswigg2613]

Hot take and hear me out: the reality chip, by anchoring the emperor to Kamigawa, let her perform the exceedingly powerful planeswalking feats she does in the story. For example the cards Future Sight and Precognition Field allow you to play the top card of your library, so when it was attached to her it allowed her full access to planeswalk wherever she wanted within the plane (even places she had never personally been). She just has no experience planeswalking of her own volition before so she needed help.

[@Thickolas]

I'm sad for Tamiyo but I've always felt like she was pulling her punches in previous stories. If being compleated means she's willing to whip out all those scary scrolls then I bet she'd be as big an asset to Phyrexia as Tezzeret, probably even more, and I'm excited to see what that might mean. Maybe she can put Teferi in a moon somewhere and we can breathe for a set

[@yosefzanerva806]

Fun fact, Ninja didn't use Kunai or Shurikan as weapons, rather they would throw Shurikan in wood or insert the Kunai between rocks to create footholds that only they knew of. (Black steel is REALLY hard to spot in the dark, especially if not looking for it) This is from an actual Ninja, as apposed to a videogame, show, or movie.

[@Pyraxian1]

Loved the extra glitch effects on the cards in this one. :) Thanks for your work!!

[@MagicArcanum]

So glad someone noticed! 😅

[@gatherformagic]

HOORAY!! I always look forward to story time with Magic Arcanum. A great way to start the day!

[@Merc1987]

Also I feel the Two Set visit could be used on nearly all of the recent new plains. Kaldhiem, Strixhaven, Kamigawa, Ikora and even Throne feel like there is so much potential, but it's all hurried along so fast. There may be returns, but there's no attachment! It all feels like "eh here's your new obligatory standard update" rather than "hey here's a cool story, and look, here's some cool cards showing said story!"

[@SkiaSymphonia]

Exactly! We had a two-set story for Innistrad that had not much of a story to tell. But all the new planes with a bunch of stuff going on gets crammed into one.

[@christopherb501]

Ikoria and Eldraine didn't necessitate a 2nd set, Strixhaven _maybe_ could do without, but Neon Dynasty and Kaldheim? With their scope? GODS YES we needed more!!

[@colyrne]

I just noticed (probably a coincidence) that Tamiyo, the first compleated PW, matched the colors of the praetors we know working on this new project, Jin Gitaxias and Vorinclex. As more praetors (probably) get involved, will we see more Compleat Walkers with increasing colors until we pass Atraxa and reach the ultimate WUBRG, or will most of the Compleat Walkers match their intended identities?

[@alanthieris4447]

Funny how they keep making references to the Agents of Artifice book. That village that was burned down by Baltrice, a planeswalker minion of Tezzeret back when he still led the Infinite Consortium (she never got a card). Jace was there too. The fire was because of a failed negotiation with the people of the village.

[@CryoDex]

First off, great video love the work you and your team do to bring these indepth yet simplified story retellings and explanations. That aside i believe during Kaito's first encounter in the Present portion of the story, Tezzerat makes acomment along the lines of: so you're the one who has been inquiring about me throughout the planes. It may have also something only stated during the manga, however I am at work whilst typing this and cannot currently cite this qoute.

[@haise6739]

Thank you a lot for helping me getting a good order for the story cards in the sets - I love to collect them and arrange them properly :D

[@DasMichelLp]

Loved your mustache minute. It hit the nail on the head. There was so much potential within the cards and the lore, much of which did not matter at all for the story

[@Flugzeugdreger]

Just imagine if you were around during the new phyrexia storyline and you were told "Just wait untill they start stealing divine powers from norse gods and high-tech microchips from ninjas"

[@MTGJosh]

Once again thankyou so much for reading all the material for us!

[@JaimeAGB-pt4xl]

The Aether Hub has a very interesting theory stating that the visit to "The Brother's War" is actually a time travel story in which the Phyrexians are attempting to change history

[@Adam_Voxx]

Tamiyo is my favorite planeswalker so im a little distraught seeing her end up like this but at the same time it does mean that she will continue to be a big part of the overall story...perhaps she may even be able to reverse or overcome her compleation

[@Asrugan]

Tezzeret’s arm is etherium, a liquid metal from Alara, and can reconfigure his own body with that not to mention any other goodies he got on Kaledesh, so his controlling metal sheets? Yeah, kinda fits.

[@treyconover4107]

They don't call him master of metal for nothing

[@joesullivan7940]

I read it all this time. I love your take. Content is king, but internal consistency makes empires.

[@connorfahrenwald3469]

Late to the party here as I'm catching up on the story after not playing for quite a while. I really miss blocks of two or three sets. Yes the switch to one-set-blocks makes the overall story progress faster, but I really enjoy the stories of induvial planes and this setup keeps rushing them. I think I would have really loved this set if I'd had a clue what was going on. Oh well.

[@GoodRogue]

I like your idea of how the plot should go a lot more. The shortcomings of the set's fiction somehow sting a lot harder now. Why even create this incredible, nuanced and stylish world only to present it in such a hasty, sketchy fashion?

[@koanos2448]

Money. Seriously, why invest in making a world when you can just pick a grab bag of elements, shove them into cards, and let the marketing department do the rest?

[@GoodRogue]

@@koanos2448 I would argue that this is wasted effort, then - because a more elaborate exploration of this universe - that is already made, mind you - would yield a product of higher quality, that would attract more customers and increase sales.

[@ty_sylicus]

It feels like we are just visiting these worlds, not actually *exploring* them.

[@charlesbarras4721]

Catching Tamiyo first and using her to undo the spell on Emrakul to possibly do more experiments has me hopeful and excited for a big reveal at some point.

[@MrTanno123]

A Phyrexian Emakul is disgusting

[@sertaki]

@@MrTanno123 Unlikely that they would be able to compleat an Eldrazi titan, but even without freeing her, they could probably figure out some horrible stuff with Tamiyo's help.

[@MrTanno123]

@@sertaki the last two titan died to a big fireball. Wouldn’t be out of the ordinary

[@sertaki]

@@MrTanno123 good point.

[@lilduffer]

YES! I was just looking on KZbin yesterday to see if anyone did a video on the new lore yet. Killin it again my man.

[@rennac3152]

Me: Works on 'Completed Planeswalker' art concepts. Planeswalker fans: “You think this is funny?!” Me: “In a cosmic multiverse sort of way, yeah”

[@JöDER-f9k]

I SEE 8K LIKES RYAN, YOU BETTER BE WORKING ON THAT BONUS VIDEO RYAN =D

[@JNDDS1]

Ryan - Tamiyo "using one of her binding scroll" for the phyrexians Me - Having flash-backs from eldritch moon's ending 0_0"

[@lauravturner]

Neon Dynasty must take place at one of the poles, considering how much night time there is compared to day time.

[@ShredAimlessly92]

This has been amazing to listen to. Please do one of these for the next set, I’d love to crack my box while listening to this! Going through all my pulls while you talk about it really helps being the story more alive.

[@thomascaldwell2567]

28:33 to be fair Kaito did not know Tezzeret name until later in the story and there has to be more than one person will a metal arm

[@Sticowish]

Thx for the story. I just realized that Tamiyo might have something of far greater danger then the forbidden scrolls. Knowledge of the whereabouts of a certain imprisoned eldrazi titan. Emrakul. Emrakul told Jace that she was incomplete and that Innistrad should welcome her not reject her. Well if Pherexian Oil can now affect planeswalkers with an active spark, what could Pherexia do with an imprisoned titan.

[@maxr7527]

Weird that Jin Gitaxias presence hasn't infected the plane like Vorinclex in Kaldheim or the oil on Mirrodin. Also, all planeswalker should try kill Tezzeret on sight wild that Tamiyo was ok with a tiral

[@Omegaroth666]

The worst part for me was when Tamiyo had to remind "Kaito"--who I believe is a ninja--about the element of surprise...

[@mcedeias7788]

Just today, I realized the complete story had been published, so I read it and wondered when you would make this video. What a nice coincidence.

[@Lynmaru_]

Despite the somewhat underwhelming execution I quite liked the new characters in this set. I hope they do more with them, specially with the emperor. Really like her design and I think her character has potential.

[@targetdreamer257]

I REALLY hope we get back to Lorwyn. I really enjoyed that plane

[@ryanadams0922]

Hey Magic Arcanum Thanks for pretty much being the cliff notes to the story its been really helpful to understand Magics Lore.

[@somerandomdude3729]

If a compleated Tamiyo is bad enough, remember that Ashiok is actively searching for the Phyrexians and an infected Tibalt running amok in the multiverse. Not to forget that Vorinclex got some "magical sap of immortality" after beating a literal goddess to a pulp.

[@rasmusandersen2835]

Magic just wouldn't be the same without magic arcanum. Great work.

[@heronfountain6215]

Some thoughts: I took a short break from MtG, but I think that new flaming background behind the spotlight cards on screen is absolutely rad, along with the transitions that I lack the words to properly describe. Have a like towards those eight thousand. My latest prediction is that the New Phyrexia cards will gain bonuses for how many poison counters their controller has, considering how Mirrodin is fully corrupted. I honestly think Kaito's smokebomb and the draconic mech that chases Kaito could have easily replaced the ninja's kunai and thundersteel mech cards from the set. Just replacing the kunai's damage ability with bouncing what it's equipped to, and the name and art of the mech would be enough. I appreciate that Wanderer's Intervention isn't enough to actually kill Jin-Gitaxias in story, but forces him to retreat, much like how you would pull back and protect him when your opponent casts it on him in play, with something like spell pierce, which he is noted to use in the flavor text. I think that Kaito vs Tezzeret is a really cool means of exploring two of the sides of the Blue/Black pairing. They both have Blue's affinity for technology, and Black's belief in doing whatever it takes to get the job done, but approach it in different ways. Kaito is single-minded and unwavering in his cause of getting back the emperor (Blue, an attribute also seen in Teferi and his desire to bring back his home), and willing to do whatever it takes to get her back (Black), opposes the central authority and think people should be able to have all the tech they need for themselves (Black again), and is generally not the most accepting of other's help (also Black). Also, getting caught up in the rush for the mission (usually mad science) without thinking of the consequences is a very Blue thing of him to do. Tezzeret is even more obsessed with tech (Blue), believes in acquiring all the knowledge he can (Blue), using any means no matter how cruel (Black), and follows the Phyrexians, who have most likely promised him some more power or knowledge in exchange for his service, which is a very Blue/Black kind of thing. I actually like how the two realms of Kamigawa merging isn't a massive plot point, it gives the sense there is more happening in this world than what's going on with our heroes. The emperor being able to use planeswalking to teleport with help makes sense, as she seems to planeswalk far more frequently, and concentrates far more closely on planeswalking than other planeswalkes. In comparison, most planeswalkers seem to stick to a small set of planes and not travel between worlds as often or pay too much attention to honing their skill with it. Considering how the black portion of New Phyrexia is the closest to the original one, I'm guessing that we'll be meeting up with Sheoldred trying to revive ancient war machines on Dominaria, or at least recover a few pieces of their design. I mean, one of the last times we visited Dominaria we got a card named "Phyrexian Scriptures," so it may be Elesh Norn considering how she tends to represent the religious side of New Phyrexia. I definitely predict Karn's appearance in Dominaria, potentially alongside the golgothian sylex mark 2. The final thing I notice is that Tamiyo isn't as outwardly mutilated or deformed as other Phyrexians. This means she could potentially trick or at least get the drop on the heroes. I'm picturing a scene where she makes her appearance in deep shadows and our heroes experience growing alarm before she steps into the light and the extent of her compleation is revealed.

[@Zexinninjamode]

I am so happy that I found your channel. I love your story recap and will be listening to every one!

[@bstachutheuneatable1727]

It's simple: being able to look at the top card of your library & potentially play that card is perfect gameplay reflection of what a McGuffin should do.

[@jessicamuro3329]

The title for this, my mind instantly thought it was going to say "What happens in kamigawa neon dynasty stays in kamigawa neon dynasty".

[@Granticus3000]

30:30 Usually Magic will equate drawing cards or scrying with learning or gaining knowledge. I think the Reality Chip letting you look at the top card of your library is supposed to be showing you visions like how it did for the Wanderer. And letting you play the top card is it enhancing your power a bit

[@MagicArcanum]

But it only works when 'reconfigured' onto a creature, and then gives you - the player - an extra ability. I could understand it attaching to a planeswalker somehow, or acting like the Chain Veil, and being an artifact that unlocked extra powers among planeswalkers.

[@askani21]

Check out the Kamigawa official soundtrack! The album is on KZbin, and it's awesome. Jonathan Young is on the production team. They also did an album for New Capenna, but nothing since. Not sure if Wizards will make other albums. Just go listen to it, it's absolutely beautiful.

[@briangoubeaux5360]

Makes me wonder when Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty would be converted into a splatbook for Dungeons and Dragons being that Wizards of the Coast attached D&D and Magic: The Gathering by the hip a few years ago.

[@joe.5103]

Man, this set really would have been perfect for a 3-block set. I wish they had more time to flesh out the story and stretch out the changing cards.

[@varsoonhks3211]

It's criminal this didn't feature any of the animated clips that Studio Wit did for the promotional music video for this set.

[@thiloschreiner6943]

For me, the lore is typical of an anime story that doesn't need a good rational plot, but teary eyes, wind in the characters hair and breathtaking sacrifices.

[@Shystichu]

11:52 - holy shi-- so thats who the wanderder was! I'm glad I decided to get back into magic and update on lore because I was wondering that back then.

[@KnightShadowXZ]

I don't know if this was said already but to explain how Tezzeret could trap Tamiyo in metal is because he could always do that. Tezzeret being able to freely manipulate metals is what separated him from regular artificers, he didn't need tools or heat to bend and shape metals it was just something he could do. His statement to control technology is probably because everything technological is still made from metal and he can impose his will into it and thus control it freely. My reference for this fact is from his origin planeswalker book "Test of Metal" For how Jin-Gitaxias could pay for hired goons could be as someone else said he just sold an artifact from New Phyrexia or I think he could have just used the metals that grow naturally on New Phyrexia for currency or he just used mind control to get them to work for him or a threat of some sort The thoughts on seeing the Phyrexians again, I think we'll see them two more times before we return to New Phyrexia. Elesh Norn, and Sheoldred still need to make their appearance before we conclude at New Phyrexia

[@danestohe315]

the reason why Kaito is a blue and black planeswalker, yet hastily does things, is because he always COUNTERS the plans that are set up and KILLS the hope of a surprise attack. much like the Dimir color combo, he DISCARDS all intelligence and rushes in.

[@DaveyDAKFAE]

Btw, Tezzeret can control metal, not just machines, canonically: see the flavortext of Tezzeret's Simulacrum "Tezzeret's command of living metal has nothing to do with intricate gearcraft or aether supplies."

[@Krunschy]

7:39 It just struck me how this makes sense after reading the flavor text on Skycloud Expanse (NEC). Otawara is an ever moving city in the clouds. If you're lucky it's right around the corner, but if you're not you gotta travel half the plane to get there.

[@MagicArcanum]

It might drift around a bit but I don't think it covers dozens of miles a day...

[@Krunschy]

@@MagicArcanum To me the description of moving already implies it's going rather fast, given its altitude. After all it's in the clouds and they do cover a lot of ground, even when they hardly appear to be moving. I do admit that this is rather speculative, but it's not like there's gonna be a definite answer as to how fast it's actually going anyways.

[@Paul24mny]

I tried looking for the video about Phyrexian planes walkers and the significance, but couldn’t find it. Love what you do by the way. Magic is fun, has great art, but also (usually) a great story, and you help break it down. Outside of spoilers, when a new set is dropping, I most look forward to your videos on the lore!

[@DerLhurgoyf]

5:30 8k likes achieved! Keep up the great work Ryan and Nicole..

[@GreenHavoc]

Once again thank you for doing the work so we can better enjoy! I really like your story tweak ideas to involve more of the Kamigawa factions/entities and having Jin selling etherium to futurists.

[@Lasor4]

Absolutely fantastic critiques and quips throughout your storytelling 😂 Top notch, Ryan and Nicole!

[@metroplexgrimlock7089]

So is Jin-Gitaxias legless, dragging himself with his giant metal hands waiting for Tezzeret to return him home. Or did he keep his legs, pacing around waiting for Tezzeret.

[@NexusVFD]

I think its funny Kaitou somehow managed to avoid the War of the Spark

[@bofurlong8944]

I guess when you face down the most terrifying Eldrazi in the multiverse, some kid with a sword isn’t that intimidating

[@TaLlFrEaK7593]

The plot-points in these stories have me shaking and puking, but you made it more digestible, so thx

[@ShawnSansonetti]

With this level of entertainment I could listen to you analyze the ingredient list and nutritional facts in a box of cereal. I liked the visual touch for the story spotlight cards too!

[@greysonmiller9407]

I feel like the anime trailer is bringing more people into the story than Ive seen in a LONG time

[@MakeVarahHappen]

I like the idea of studying Kami to compleat Planeswalkers. Previously, Phyrexians couldn't be Planeswalkers because compleation removes your soul which the spark is attached to. Kamis though are all ethereal spirits that aren't of the physical world but still interact with it through their very existence. They embody concepts and ideas and as we see in the new set, can become enchantment or artifact creatures where they either bless physical beings or possess machinery. By studying the soul and how it affects the physical world you can find a way to compleat beings without desparking them. EDIT: also it shows really interesting new thinking because the first instance of Phyrexians ever took place during The Thrane, where Yawgmoth believed there is a specific gland in Dyfed that he could dissect to obtain the power of Planeswalkers. New Phyrexians are evolving and better understanding how beings outside of themselves operate.

[@lasersphinx5707]

Yeah the evolving lore is super interesting. It's crazy that Phyrexia is like this super advanced ancient alien world and Kamigawa for all its flashy futurism is seen just as another plane achieving technologies that Phyrexians probably figured out millenia ago. It's just that Kamigawa has different physical constants that make it so attractive to the Phyrexians (the possibility of kami, etc.). I wonder if certain Phyrexian tech breaks down when moved between planes. This would make full scale invasions super complex. I wonder if planes achieving futurism is relatively common, like do all worlds eventually achieve mastery of their plane? Are there planes of sufficiently advanced godlike cultures?

So I have some thoughts on this concerning the Phyrexians. 1: Planeswalkers are resistant to the effects of glistening oil, but are not immune. Being forcibly complaeted (or however you spell it) weakens their spark or their abilites (the reduced loyalty counters). 2: It would make sense if Tezzeret was forcibly given glistening oil, so he's pushed to help them my using the Planar Bridge to allow them in other planes much like Tibalt was infected by Vorenclex. He is a stronger planeswalker, so he may be more resilient to the effects.

[@welcometomylives]

Kaito is a really cool protagonist. He's just, like. Red/white. Maybe red/black? MAYBE red/black/blue, at most, but that's unlikely. He seems to be blue entirely because ninjas are blue black and it would be weird that you couldn't use the ninja planeswalker in a ninja commander deck.

[@ry7hym]

The Wanderer was one of my favourite planeswalkers from war of the spark. it was just so mysterious, a new planeswslker just appearing out of nowhere, getting her own side cards as well (the wanderer's strike) and she has had me wondering ever since. bizarre how so many sets later, everything comes back together now

[@ProdigalMadness]

Considering Tamiyo existed preMending, it's not surprising she can hold off a relatively new/unexperienced walker without much effort.

[@ghostHackd]

Perfectly summarized! I feel less lost now. Thank you a million times over

[@daviderde]

YESSS BABY!!! so stoked to watch today!!! I tried to read the stories but i prefer getting it straight from the gossip king himself - plus ur added commentary is great lol

[@lucasm9172]

Hey, happy to find you on your own channel after the radio silence from TCGplayer where you used to be. You need to link referenced videos in your description.

[@TysonBuilds]

You tell the story so well I can’t stop listening! Great video!

[@Fausto_4841]

Felt a little hollow for the reasons you said, but I'm more than happy with the cards we got. I play Yuriko in EDH and it feels like this set was built around my deck. Some of the weak points were having yuriko stolen, and just generally being low on mana, so they give us two ninjas to address those issues. One returns a creature or artifact when it ETB's and the other makes a treasure every time a ninja ( and I think rogues too, which are all the unblockable ninjutsu fodder) does combat damage to a player. Plus I pulled sakashima's student from the list!

[@GeeBeeOhThree]

If we can trust...anything from the War of the Spark novel, Planeswalking typically takes an amount of energy that prevents doing it back to back (we get this in Dack's inner monologue after the Immortal Sun gets shut off), the notable exception being the Wanderer. As such, planeswalking out of the fight is essentially a full run, and if Tezzeret decides to follow...well, now you're just fighting on a different plane and without your panic button.

[@panda_instinct]

Not sure about the Reality chip being a creature, but the ability to look and cast cards from the top of the library may be referencing how the emperor had visions when it was attached to her. Also, shoutout to the anime-style video that Wizards did, i think it tells a cool stand-alone story about the expansion even if it diverges a bit from the actual story.

[@gmikecstein]

YAY. you are like the messiah of MTG lore. taking it upon yourself for all of us

[@ry7hym]

never stop with the Star Wars references I love the content as always ;)