Why the Ninja Turtles Magic: The Gathering Set Feels Limited
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Magic: The Gathering set should have been a big hit. TMNT has tons of backlog of characters, villains, allies, alternate timelines, and comic history to draw from. But some fans say the TMNT MTG crossover cards feel surprisingly limited in variety.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Wizards of the Coast ran out of ideas. It would seem that licensing and copyright restrictions have heavily influenced what can and cannot be included in the new set. Much to players dismay. So what characters can be used vs can’t be used? We’ll break that down for you.
Licensing Issues Limit TMNT Character Variety
One of the biggest examples fans keep bringing up is Usagi Yojimbo. While closely tied to the Ninja Turtles through multiple crossovers, the character is owned by creator Stan Sakai. So he’s out if they can’t reach an agreement with the copyright holder.
And Usagi isn’t the only character missing. Over the years, various TMNT comics, cartoons, and films introduced characters with split or unclear ownership. In those cases it would prove unimaginably hard to get everyone on board. Which unfortunately seems to be the case.
Why Core TMNT Characters Dominate the MTG Set
Another factor is simple brand recognition. Most Magic: The Gathering crossover releases prioritize instantly recognizable characters like:
- Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Raphael
- Splinter
- Shredder
- April O’Neil
- Casey Jones
The result? A set that feels safe and a turtle guaranteed in every pack.
Could Future TMNT Magic Sets Expand the Roster?
If the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles MTG collaboration performs well, they may be able to reach more deals with license holders and introduce them via booster pack. Or they can do a completely new release and call it the “expanded” edition.
For now, the TMNT Magic: The Gathering set feels a little lacking. Fans however will still buy these up as a collectible, but as far as playing goes it may run a little bland.
