The new set "Magic: The Gathering | The Hobbit" (hereinafter "The Hobbit") from the original strategic trading card game " Magic: The Gathering " (hereinafter "Magic") will be released on Friday, August 14, 2026.
To commemorate this release, a campaign is scheduled to take place around Akihabara Station in Tokyo, where cast members dressed in Hobbit-style costumes will hand out original wooden medals.
Reclaim the treasure from the evil dragon Smaug! An adventure with the wizard and the 13 dwarves
The latest set, “The Hobbit, ” is a prequel to “The Lord of the Rings,” which was a huge hit in Japan as well.
It tells the story of the young Hobbit Bilbo, who sets out on an epic adventure with the wizard Gandalf and 13 Dwarves to reclaim the Dwarf kingdom and its treasure, which were stolen by the evil dragon Smaug, as they head for the Lonely Mountain.
This is the second collaboration set for Magic, following the 2023 release “The Lord of the Rings: Legends of Middle-earth.”
A variety of charming special card designs inspired by the Hobbits
In the latest set, "The Hobbit," a variety of uniquely designed cards appear in the card packs.
Here are a few examples.
Headliner cards with a shimmering golden finish
The evil dragon “Smaug the Magnificent” appears in three design variations.
Among them, the Headliner card featuring Smaug in a shimmering gold finish— found in Collector Boosters—is a standout card of which only approximately 500 exist worldwide.
Book Cover Design and Dragon Tail Frame Design
The “Book Cover” design, inspired by the cover of the novel *The Hobbit*, exudes a superb fantasy atmosphere.
Furthermore, the “Dragon’s Treasure” design, framed by a dragon’s tail, also evokes the story of *The Hobbit*.
The box topper features an eye-catching classic design
Furthermore, each booster box includes one card called a “Box Topper.”
There are a total of 40 varieties of these newly illustrated Classic Artist cards.
Cast members in Hobbit-style costumes will be patrolling Akihabara! Say hello to them to receive a limited-edition wooden medal
As part of a promotion from August 8 (Sat) to 9 (Sun) from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, cast members in Hobbit-style costumes will be touring Akihabara; say hello to receive one limited-edition wooden medal (5 varieties total).
Additionally, the official Magic: The Gathering X account ( @mtgjp ) is running a campaign through Friday, August 14, where you can win a complete set of all 5 types of these wooden medals.
"The Hobbit" Prerelease Event
From Friday, August 7, 2026, to Thursday, August 13, 2026, "Hobbit" Prerelease events will be held at Magic-authorized stores.
A Prerelease Event is an event where players can get their hands on a new Magic set for the first time.
It is held in the “Sealed Deck” format, where players open packs on the spot, build decks, and play against each other.
The appeal lies in the fact that all players can play with the new cards right away, and anyone can easily participate.
Furthermore, during the Prerelease period, Magic-authorized stores will also offer early access to products, so this is your chance to get a head start.
Please check the official Magic website for a list of stores hosting Prerelease events.