Final Fantasy Isn’t the Only JRPG Series Worthy of a Magic: The Gathering Set

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Magic: The Gathering often welcomes collaborations. Through its Universes Beyond sets, it brings together numerous third-party intellectual properties, enriching the variety of cards available for players and inviting fans of these crossover series to give Magic: The Gathering a try for the first time.

Lately, “Magic: The Gathering” teamed up with “Final Fantasy” to produce four Commander decks inspired by various games in the series. While this isn’t the first time the trading card game has merged with a video game brand, it is the initial collaboration with a Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG). The introduction of these sets has significantly boosted “Magic: The Gathering”‘s player numbers, making it a valuable expansion. Nevertheless, another JRPG series could potentially be just as suitable.

Persona Deserves Its Own Magic: The Gathering Set

As a die-hard fan, I firmly believe that if Magic: The Gathering is considering partnering with another beloved JRPG franchise, Persona could be the ideal pick. The depth of its lore and abundance of captivating characters make it an attractive choice for crafting spellbinding cards. With Persona gaining mainstream popularity, this collaboration would undoubtedly broaden Magic’s player base, welcoming newcomers to experience the enchanting world of Magic: The Gathering. Given the ongoing release of new Persona games, the timing seems perfect to unveil this exciting crossover and create an unforgettable gaming experience for fans of both franchises.

In general, the Persona series primarily delves into the idea of self-identity, yet its Personas, bosses, and adversarial Shadows often draw from established folklore and literature as their basis. The integration of mythical creatures in the Persona design could seamlessly complement Magic: The Gathering cards, many of which are similarly influenced by these timeless tales.

In the “Persona” video game series, many characters are connected to Tarot cards, specifically the major arcana. The symbols of swords, cups, wands, and coins appear in “Persona 3” and “Persona 4 Golden’s” Shuffle Time feature. These elements carry a thematic significance across the series, reflecting the personalities of the “Persona” characters. It’s plausible that “Persona” could be adapted into a trading card game, and such an adaptation might feel quite fitting.

Persona Would Work Best With Commander Decks

If a set of “Persona” cards for “Magic: The Gathering” is developed, it’s highly likely that they will be launched as four unique Commander decks, similar to the “Final Fantasy” cards and other collaborations within the MTG Universe Beyond, such as “Fallout.” Given the recognizable characters, items, and abilities from the “Persona 3,” “4,” and “5” games, which are the most beloved in the series, each game might receive its own deck. The remaining earlier games and spin-offs could be included in the fourth deck.

The latest installments of the Persona series have each developed their own distinctive aesthetic. Each new game is visually different from its predecessor, creating a visual identity that’s readily identifiable to players. If we were to create four Commander decks, the art styles in each deck would maintain their individuality, yet harmoniously blend together within a player’s collection, effectively embodying the unique spirit of the games they symbolize.

Persona 5 Deck

In a hypothetical “Persona 5” card game setup, it’s clear that the Joker would be the star, representing a Legendary Creature. However, the rest of the party members from the game would also play significant roles in this deck. The cards corresponding to each player character would likely embody their main Persona’s abilities. As the Wild Card of “Persona 5”, the Joker might have the versatility to wield multiple other Persona cards.

Moreover, it’s essential not to overlook incorporating cards based on other “Persona 5” titles such as “Persona 5 Tactica” and the newly-released “Persona 5: The Phantom X”.

Persona 4 Deck

In the game “Persona 4,” the primary characters players track are frequently called the Investigation Team. To maintain this theme, several cards in this deck might feature keywords like Investigate, Surveil, and Search. Since “Persona 4 Golden” introduced Ultimate Personas for each party member, its Commander deck could acknowledge this by incorporating a distinct Transform condition for them.

Persona 3 Deck

In Persona 3, characters summon their entities, called Personas, using a tool called the Evoker. On the other hand, in Magic: The Gathering, some creature spells can be played at an alternative cost with the Evoke keyword, which means they’re sacrificed once they enter the battlefield. This feature could potentially give a Persona 3 deck an edge by allowing it to summon Persona cards in a way that sets it apart from other decks.

Miscellaneous Persona Deck

In this setup, the ultimate deck will gather cards that are influenced by the main series of “Revelations: Persona,” “Persona 2: Innocent Sin,” and “Eternal Punishment,” as well as spin-offs like “Persona Q” and “Persona 4 Arena.” Each game contributes unique characters and concepts to the franchise, warranting separate decks. However, due to their lower popularity compared to the original three, it’s more probable that they will be combined into a single deck, similar to the “Doctor Who” Blast from the Past Commander deck, which consolidates all incarnations up to The Eighth Doctor, with the most recent ones being found in other decks.

The Gathering” was successful within the Trading Card Game (TCG) format, hinting at potential crossover possibilities for other Role-Playing Games (RPGs), such as “Persona.” Since Sega, which owns Atlus, is releasing “Sonic the Hedgehog” Secret Lair cards, it’s not impossible to think that “Persona” might also get its own set of “Magic: The Gathering” cards. The success of “Final Fantasy” in expanding the appeal of “Magic: The Gathering” suggests that a collaboration between these two popular franchises could be highly beneficial, given the growing interest in the “Persona” series.

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2025-07-04 20:25