Global Series: Jiang Yanggu vs. Mu Yanling

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Happy Thursday MTG peeps,

We wanted to take a look back at the Valentine's Day Mini–Announcement Day, posted by Blake Rasmussen to pick up on a product announcement which was folded into the article.  Specifically, Global Series: Jiang Yanggu vs. Mu Yanling, aka "GS1".  Here is the original text -

Finally, we're trying something a little new with a pair of Chinese-market-specific Planeswalker Decks featuring new Planeswalkers created particularly for China. Now, don't worry, you'll have an opportunity to get a similar English version of the same product created for international audiences. Both will release on June 22, 2018.

Wizards of the Coast had brought together a team of Chinese artists, writers, and folklorists to craft a brand-new branch of Magic story and play, rooted in Chinese aesthetics and mythology, culminating in two  60-card decks that feature two new Planeswalkers Jiang Yanggu and Mu Yangling, their themes and story.  For an MSRP of $30, here is what you get -

• Two 60-card decks, with 2 foil Planeswalker cards
• One foil double-sided token
• Informational insert

Magic: the Gathering fans speculation to date have focused on themes and stories in line with that provided within Portal Three Kingdoms, released in the Spring of 1999.  This set was designed specifically for the Asian market in mind and focused on the historical tumultuous period of conflict of Wei, Wu, and Shu kingdoms near the end of the Han Dynasty in 184 AD.  Real events such as the Yellow-Scarf Rebellion and Battle of Red Cliffs as well as a host of characters such as Cao Cao, Lord of Wei, Liu Bei, Lord of Shu, and Sun Quan, Lord of Wu, were adapted to cards.

Our personal speculation is that although there may be a nod to Portal Three Kingdoms, we do not expect any reprints (Imperial Recruiter, Imperial Seal, Borrowing 100,000 Arrows, etc.), but would rather see popular myths and stories adapted to the set.  Some fokelore we speculate that may see representation in this set :

•  Sun Wukong - the Monkey King ! Should such a card see print, consider us head over heels with our socks knocked off.

• Moonfolk - not the Kamigawa block, but perhaps something along the line of an immortal Hou Yi and his evil student Feng Meng.

• Nian - A monster with mountain walk or island walk.

• Dragons (a full cycle), Lions (Rui Shi), and a white serpent from Hangzhou.

• A full cycle of 12 Zodiac creatures.

Looking very much forward to the start of previews for Jiang Yanggu vs. Mu Yanling, and even more to any storyline Wizards of the Coast hopefully will have.
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