Kaito Shizuki MTG Card


Kaito Shizuki offers steady card advantage and board presence with his token-generating ability. His flexibility to cast spells with flash enhances dynamic, responsive playstyles. However, specific mana requirements and discard costs can limit his utility in some decks.
Card setsReleased in 10 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost3
RarityMythic
TypeLegendary Planeswalker — Kaito
Loyalty 3

Text of card

At the beginning of your end step, if Kaito Shizuki entered the battlefield this turn, he phases out.
+1: Draw a card. Then discard a card unless you attacked this turn.
-2: Create a 1/1 blue Ninja creature token with "This creature can't be blocked."
-7: You get an emblem with "Whenever a creature you control deals combat damage to a player, search your library for a blue or black creature card, put it onto the battlefield, then shuffle."


Cards like Kaito Shizuki

In the realm of Magic: The Gathering, Kaito Shizuki stands out as a versatile planeswalker card that offers a blend of utility and threat. A card that mirrors its ability to create a distraction while setting up for future turns is Jace, Cunning Castaway. Both cards allow you to create illusions, with Kaito Shizuki generating a Ninja token and Jace, a set of Illusion tokens. However, Kaito Shizuki offers more direct board interaction with its -2 ability allowing for the unblocking of a creature, while Jace lacks this directness.

Another card that shares similarities with Kaito Shizuki is Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor. Kasmina offers protection to your spells, which can be likened to the evasiveness Kaito Shizuki provides via his Ninja. Nonetheless, Kasmina leans more toward spell-slinging strategies, whereas Kaito is more popular among players who favor aggressive tactics.

When we compare these planeswalkers, it’s clear that Kaito Shizuki holds a unique position among his peers. His balanced nature of immediate board impact and the ability to set up strategic plays for subsequent turns makes him a card that can be effectively utilized in various MTG deck constructions.

Jace, Cunning Castaway - MTG Card versions
Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor - MTG Card versions
Jace, Cunning Castaway - MTG Card versions
Kasmina, Enigmatic Mentor - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Kaito Shizuki by color, type and mana cost

Ashiok, Dream Render - MTG Card versions
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver - MTG Card versions
Ashiok, Dream Render - MTG Card versions
Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Kaito Shizuki. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
RoguesRogues PioneerRoguesPioneer Challenge 32 2024-04-04
Dimir NinjasDimir Ninjas StandardDimir NinjasTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 29, 2024
Esper MidrangeEsper Midrange StandardEsper MidrangeThe Mythic Store Last Chance Qualifier Cycle #6
Dimir ReanimatorDimir Reanimator StandardDimir ReanimatorPro Tour Thunder Junction
Esper ReanimatorEsper Reanimator StandardEsper LegendsPro Tour Thunder Junction
Dimir MidrangeDimir Midrange StandardDimir MidrangeStandard League 2024-04-15
Dimir DrawsDimir Draws StandardDimir DrawsTraditional Standard Ranked Decklists: April 15, 2024
Dimir MillDimir Mill ExplorerThe Pizza Box Open: Explorer
Sultai ComboSultai Combo GladiatorGladiator Proving Grounds: Week 15 2024
Dimir RoguesDimir Rogues PioneerRoguesTop 8 - Pioneer Deckmaster Games League Season 5 - Finals Single-elimination Playoff - Ribeirão Preto/SP - Brazil

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Kaito Shizuki grants consistent card advantage by creating a 1/1 Ninja token with menace on entering and at your upkeep, potentially transforming into a card if it hits your opponent.

Resource Acceleration: Although Kaito Shizuki doesn’t directly produce mana, his ability to consistently create tokens can indirectly accelerate resources by offering additional blockers or attackers without spending cards from hand.

Instant Speed: Kaito Shizuki’s second loyalty ability allows you to cast noncreature spells as though they had flash, giving you the flexibility to play at instant speed and keep up the momentum against opponents.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Playing Kaito Shizuki often involves a significant decision: the need to discard another card to leverage its full spectrum of abilities. This can put players in a tough spot, particularly if their hand is already running thin or each card is deemed valuable for upcoming turns.

Specific Mana Cost: Kaito Shizuki’s activation isn’t just a matter of accumulating enough mana. The specific need for both blue and black mana can pose deck-building restrictions and alignment issues, particularly for those who aren’t running a focused dimir (blue-black) strategy or have a mana base that can’t consistently provide the right colors when needed.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With Kaito Shizuki’s mana cost sitting at the higher end for its effect types, players often compare its utility and impact against other options available. It may come off as costly, especially in faster-paced games where efficiency is key to victory and other cards could provide similar or better benefits for less mana investment.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Kaito Shizuki offers flexibility in gameplay, seamlessly fitting into ninja decks or any strategy that benefits from unblockable creatures and additional card draw.

Combo Potential: This planeswalker’s abilities synergize with proliferate mechanics and can escalate the effectiveness of counters and creature abilities, creating potent board presences.

Meta-Relevance: Given his capacity to disrupt opponents with his -2 ability and generate card advantage, Kaito Shizuki proves to be a noteworthy addition in a landscape punctuated by planeswalker-centric control decks.


How to beat

The Kaito Shizuki card presents a dynamic challenge in the world of Magic: The Gathering. To effectively navigate against this Planeswalker, players should aim to limit their opponent’s ninja and rogue strategies. With Kaito Shizuki’s ability to grant these creature types unblockability, it’s critical to manage the battlefield by using removal spells or abilities that can target Kaito before his loyalty abilities become overwhelming. Ensnaring Kaito in combat or deploying effects that disregard his unblockability can also tilt the odds in your favor.

Another tactic is to focus on stripping your opponent’s hand of cards, thereby reducing the efficiency of Kaito’s card advantage. Employing direct damage spells can also be effective, as they can remove Kaito Shizuki from the field before his abilities impact the game significantly. Lastly, including cards that negate Planeswalker abilities or swiftly deal with threats can minimize the impact of Kaito’s presence on the gameboard, ensuring that this formidable Planeswalker does not dictate the pace of the match.

Understanding Kaito’s synergies and countering them with precision can offer MTG players a solid strategic advantage, turning the tide in what might initially seem like an unfavorable matchup.


BurnMana Recommendations

Dive into the strategic depth of MTG with the cunning prowess of Kaito Shizuki. Harnessing the ability to create a ninja token each turn, this card exemplifies the art of consistency and gradual advantage. The card’s unique flash ability for noncreature spells opens the door for surprise maneuvers, ensuring you’re always a step ahead. With Kaito Shizuki, you craft a game plan that’s as elusive as it is effective, integrating well into ninja-themed decks or various blue and black strategies. Elevate your collection and explore the possibilities Kaito Shizuki brings to the table. Learn more about optimizing your deck with this dynamic planeswalker and outwit your opponents in every duel.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Kaito Shizuki MTG card by a specific set like Magic Online Promos and The List, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Kaito Shizuki and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Kaito Shizuki Magic the Gathering card was released in 5 different sets between 2022-02-18 and 2022-02-18. Illustrated by 3 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12002-06-24Magic Online PromosPRM 980932015NormalBlackTetsuo Hara
22020-09-26The ListPLST NEO-2262015NormalBlackYongjae Choi
32022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3052015NormalBorderlessTetsuo Hara
42022-02-18Neon Dynasty Art SeriesANEO 702015Art seriesBorderless
52022-02-18Neon Dynasty Art SeriesANEO 712015Art seriesBorderless
62022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 3502015NormalBlackHagiya Kaoru
72022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 4242015NormalBlackHagiya Kaoru
82022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon DynastyNEO 2262015NormalBlackYongjae Choi
92022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 226p2015NormalBlackYongjae Choi
102022-02-18Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty PromosPNEO 226s2015NormalBlackYongjae Choi

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Kaito Shizuki has restrictions

FormatLegality
StandardLegal
HistoricbrawlLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
OathbreakerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
CommanderLegal
ModernLegal
FutureLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
BrawlLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Kaito Shizuki card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2022-02-18 As Kaito Shizuki phases out, Auras attached to him also phase out at the same time. Those Auras will phase in at the same time Kaito does, and they'll phase in still attached to Kaito.
2022-02-18 Permanents phase back in during their controller's untap step, immediately before that player untaps their permanents. Kaito phases back in with the same number of loyalty counters that he phased out with.
2022-02-18 Phased out permanents are treated as though they don't exist. They can't be the target of spells or abilities, their static abilities have no effect on the game, their triggered abilities can't trigger, they can't attack or block, and so on.
2022-02-18 Phasing out doesn't cause permanents to leave or re-enter the battlefield, so no “leaves the battlefield” or “enters the battlefield” abilities will trigger, and Kaito's first ability won't trigger again at the end of a turn in which he phased in.