Kaito Shizuki
| Kaito Shizuki | |
|---|---|
|
[[File:{{#setmainimage:Kaito Shizuki.jpg}}|250px]] | |
| Details | |
| Race | Human Planeswalker |
| Birthplace | Kamigawa |
| Lifetime | ~4537 - |
| Colors | |
Currently:   | |
Kaito is a human cyber Ninja and Planeswalker from Kamigawa.[1][2][3] He made his debut in Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.
Appearance and characteristics
Kaito is a young man of twenty-four years with shaven hair, usually dressed in black and dark blue clothes.[4] He is trained as a samurai by the kitsune Light-Paws and Swift-Arm. He wears a device strapped along his chin and cheek that allows him to interface with the kami Himoto in the form of a drone or a tanuki mask. Kaito is now a master ninja who augments his skills as an infiltrator with innate telekinetic powers.[5] Kaito is a skilled pickpocket, fighter, and telekinetic, and has access to blue and black mana.[6] His sword can change form, if needed.
Kaito Shizuki pursues a personal agenda of technological progress on his homeworld of Kamigawa, determined to make the plane a better place for himself and his family. Kaito is a risk-taker at heart, and despite his childhood friendship with Kamigawa's emperor, he has no qualms about breaking rules or flouting authority to accomplish his goals.[3]
History
Origins
Kaito and his twin sister Eiko's parents had an accident at the Towashi lab where they worked, in which they were both exposed to radiation. Their father attempted to heal their mother with unapproved black market med-tech, but was arrested by Imperials and died in prison shortly before his wife. Kaito and Eiko grew up as orphans in the Imperial Palace, learning together under Light-Paws for five years before he became the sparring partner of the young emperor, whom he quickly befriended.[5] He was given an origami crane drone by the moonfolk Futurist Katsumasa.
Neon Dynasty
When Kaito was fourteen, the emperor (Wanderer) disappeared after being attacked by the planeswalker Tezzeret in the temple of Kyodai. Because the other Imperials didn't believe what he had seen, Kaito left the castle and joined the Hyozan Reckoners to search for answers on his own.[4]
After spending a year with the Reckoners, Kaito was sent on a mission to steal the work of the futurist Tameshi, who had created a mechanized origami tanuki robot to interface with a kami; Himoto, the Kami of the Spark. Kaito's planeswalker spark ignited when he came into contact with the kami, who now lives in Tameshi's robot. Tameshi and the nascent planeswalker became best friends, and worked together as mentor and pupil under the Futurists for nine years until Kaito learned that his friend had betrayed both him and their organization to work for the Phyrexian praetor Jin-Gitaxias.[6] After reuniting with the Wanderer on Kamigawa, he and the moonfolk Planeswalker Tamiyo fought Jin-Gitaxias and Tezzeret to keep the returned emperor and their plane safe. After the Asari Uprisers had been beaten and the Phyrexians returned to New Phyrexia, Kaito planeswalked away to continue his search for the missing emperor and her unstable spark.[7]
Against the Phyrexians
Kaito and the Wanderer joined the Gatewatch and other assembled planeswalkers to support the Mirrans' efforts against Elesh Norn on New Phyrexia.[8] When they planeswalked to New Phyrexia, Kaito was incapicitated by Norn's defense barrier and almost died in the sands of the Glorious Facade.[9] After being rescued by The Wanderer, he travelled with Tyvar and Nahiri to Mirrex. The Wanderer couldn't accompany them, because the barrier prevented her from anchoring on New Phyrexia.
Meeting up with Koth and several others, they agreed to carry on with the plan to deactivate Realmbreaker with the Sylex.[10] The team of planeswalkers descended with Melira to the Dross Pits, where Elspeth provided them with Halo to counteract the effects of the Necrogen. However, Jace inexplicably reacted adversely to the potent elixir and collapsed.[11] After recovering, Jace's mind was focused on Vraska, whom he perceived to be in need of help. Abandoning the group, he set out to find her. Because he carried the Sylex, the complete group set out after him.
Finding Vraska in Sheoldred's Coliseum, they found she was heavily wounded and already infected with Phyresis. Too late to save her, Jace chose to stay behind with her and relive their happy moments on Ravnica in his mind. Lingering too long, Vraska succumbed to the Phyrexian influence and infected Jace in turn. The others tried to escape but where quickly overwhelmed by the black Phyrexians. Nahiri, who was also infected, decided to sacrifice herself for the greater good. With a mighty magical blast, she exploded the Coliseum and dropped it with all remaining planeswalkers on the Fair Basilica. Nearer to their goal, the infected Jace rejoined them and volunteered to bring the Sylex to the Seedcore.[11]
Trivia
- Kaito is the primary protagonist of the teaser, cinematic, and animated trailers for Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty.[12][13][14]
Artifacts acquired
- He carries a device strapped along his chin and cheek that allows him to interface with the kami Himoto in the form of a drone or a tanuki mask.
- Before meeting Himoto, Kaito carried an origami crane drone he received from Katsumasa.
Planes visited
Planeswalkers met
- Ajani Goldmane
- Angrath[15] (non-canon)
- Arlinn Kord[15] (non-canon)
- Chandra Nalaar[8]
- Elspeth Tirel[8]
- Garruk[15] (non-canon)
- Huatli[15] (non-canon)
- Jace Beleren[8]
- Kaya Cassir[8]
- Koth of the Hammer[10]
- Liliana Vess[15] (non-canon)
- Lukka[8]
- Nahiri[8]
- Nissa Revane[8]
- Ral Zarek[15] (non-canon)
- Rowan Kenrith[15] (non-canon)
- Saheeli Rai[8]
- Tamiyo[16]
- Teferi Akosa (non-mutually)[8]
- Tezzeret[5]
- Tibalt[15] (non-canon)
- Tyvar Kell[8]
- Vivien Reid[15] (non-canon)
- Vraska[8]
- The Wanderer[16]
- Will Kenrith[15] (non-canon)
- Wrenn[8]
Gallery
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Kaito in the Neon Dynasty world guide.
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Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Key art.
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Kaito and the Wanderer as children.
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Kaito and the Wanderer as adolescents.
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Kaito in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty animated trailer.
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For many years Kaito chased Tezzeret across The Multiverse looking for answers about the Emperor of Kamigawa's parade.
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Kaito wears Himoto as a tanuki mask.
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Kaito wears Himoto in the Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty cinematic trailer.
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Kaito and Himoto in Towashi.
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Kaito visits Eiko.
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Invading Jin-Gitaxias' lab in Kamigawa.
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Kaito and Tamiyo discover Jin-Gitaxias' kami experiments.
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Kaito and Tamiyo confront Jin-Gitaxias and Tezzeret.
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Kaito and Himoto discover the fate of Jin-Gitaxias' kami experiments.
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Kaito charges Jin-Gitaxias and Tezzeret.
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Kaito fights Jin-Gitaxias.
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The Wanderer saves Kaito from Jin-Gitaxias.
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Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Marketing Art.
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Magic: The Gathering Arena avatar.
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Concept art of Kaito and Himoto by Jehan Choo.
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Mechanics of Kaito's sword.
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Kaito, along with other planeswalkers and Mirrans survivors, launch a final assault on New Phyrexia.
Story appearances
In-game references
- Represented in:
- Associated cards:
- Depicted in:
- Brain Freeze (Secret Lair, #410)
- Bribery (Secret Lair, #411)
- Explosive Entry
- Idyllic Tutor (Secret Lair, #1020)
- Reality Heist
- Shadow of Doubt (Secret Lair, #414)
- Snap (Secret Lair, #412)
- Solve the Equation (Secret Lair, #1022)
- Spell Pierce (Neon Dynasty)
- Unmask (Secret Lair, #413)
- Veil of Summer (Secret Lair, #1024)
- When We Were Young
References
- ↑ Magic Showcase 2021 (live) (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (August 24, 2021).
- ↑ Jay Annelli (November 17, 2021). "What is the correct name of the Kamigawa planeswalker. Keito or Kaito?". Ask Jay. Tumblr.
- ↑ a b Ari Zirulnik, Grace Fong, Emily Teng, and Gerritt Turner (February 11, 2022). "The Legends of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Akemi Dawn Bowman (December 16, 2021). "Kaito Origin Stories: A Test of Loyalty & The Path Forward". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c Akemi Dawn Bowman (January 24, 2022). "Episode 1: A Stranger in Eiganjo". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Akemi Dawn Bowman (January 24, 2022). "Episode 2: Lies, Promises, and Neon Flames". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Akemi Dawn Bowman (January 27, 2022). "Episode 5: Threads of War". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Seanan McGuire (October 26, 2022). "The Brother's War - Chapter 5: Exodus". Magicthegathering.com.
- ↑ Seanan McGuire (January 13, 2023). "Assault on New Phyrexia - Episode 1: Uncontrolled Descent". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Seanan McGuire (January 13, 2023). "Assault on New Phyrexia - Episode 2: Unstable Foundations". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ a b Seanan McGuire (January 14, 2023). "Assault on New Phyrexia - Episode 3: Inconceivable Losses". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
- ↑ Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Official Teaser – Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (December 16, 2021).
- ↑ Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Official Cinematic – Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (February 10, 2022).
- ↑ Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty Official Animated Trailer - Magic: The Gathering (Video). Magic: The Gathering. YouTube (February 15, 2022).
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j k MacKay, Jed. (2022). Magic. Iss 19.
- ↑ a b Akemi Dawn Bowman (January 25, 2022). "Episode 3: An Unexpected Alliance". magicthegathering.com. Wizards of the Coast.
