Magic: The Gathering (1995–2003)
This collection represents a definitive historical record of Magic: The Gathering as it was first released to the Chinese-speaking world. It spans from the very first Chinese printing in 1995 to the important year of 2003, which marked the start of a ten-year break for Traditional Chinese sets. This assembly shows great patience, linguistic accuracy, and a deep passion for the history of the game.
The Goal: perfect completion in two languages
The main feature of this collection is that it is complete in two languages. While many collectors focus on only one region, this project successfully connects two different writing systems:
- Simplified Chinese: Representing the sets released for Mainland China.
- Traditional Chinese: Representing the sets released for Taiwan and Hong Kong.
During this era, every single card from every set has been carefully found in both languages. This makes a total of 46 complete sets, showing exactly how Magic evolved during the late 90s and early 2000s.
| Year | Set | Code | Traditional | Simplified | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border | 4BB | ✓ | ✓ | View Set |
| 1997 | Visions | VIS | ✓ | — | View Set |
| 1997 | Fifth Edition | 5ED | ✓ | ✓ | View Set |
| 1997 | Portal | POR | ✓ | ✓ | View Set |
| 1997 | Weatherlight | WTH | ✓ | — | View Set |
| 1997 | Tempest | TMP | ✓ | — | View Set |
| 1998 | Stronghold | STH | ✓ | — | View Set |
| 1998 | Exodus | EXO | ✓ | — | View Set |
| 1998 | Urza’s Saga | USG | ✓ | ✓ | View Set |
| 1999 | Urza’s Legacy | ULG | ✓ | — | Coming soon |
| 1999 | Classic Sixth Edition | 6ED | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 1999 | Portal Three Kingdoms | PTK | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 1999 | Urza’s Destiny | UDS | ✓ | — | Coming soon |
| 1999 | Mercadian Masques | MMQ | ✓ | — | Coming soon |
| 2000 | Nemesis | NEM | ✓ | — | Coming soon |
| 2000 | Prophecy | PCY | ✓ | — | Coming soon |
| 2000 | Invasion | INV | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2001 | Planeshift | PLS | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2001 | Seventh Edition | 7ED | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2001 | Apocalypse | APC | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2001 | Odyssey | ODY | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2002 | Torment | TOR | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2002 | Judgment | JUD | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2002 | Onslaught | ONS | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2003 | Legions | LGN | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2003 | Scourge | SCG | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2003 | Eighth Edition | 8ED | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
| 2003 | Mirrodin | MRD | ✓ | ✓ | Coming soon |
A search lasting over ten years
Building these sets required more than just money; it required the eyes of an expert. Searching the global market to find the difference between Simplified and Traditional Chinese cards was difficult. Because international sellers often confuse the two, this became a search that lasted for ten years.
Rare than Limited Edition Alpha and Summer Magic
Inside this journey of 46 sets, a specific group of Simplified Chinese releases is in a category of its own. The Simplified Chinese versions of Fifth Edition, Urza’s Saga, and the original Portal are not just hard to find; they are legendary. Looking at how many copies still exist today, these sets are likely rarer than the famous Limited Edition Alpha and as hard to find as the rare Summer Magic (Edgar).
In the mid-to-late 90s, the distribution of cards in Mainland China was very disorganized and there were few players, so only a small number of cards survived. For serious collectors, these sets are the “Holy Grail” of Chinese Magic. They are the “ghost sets” of the East, and they are often missing even from the best collections in the world because they are almost impossible to buy.
Historical records of Chinese MTG
Inside these 46 sets are some of the rarest printings in the history of the game. Many of these cards had very small print runs, and some Traditional Chinese sets are famous for being very hard to finish. Finding copies of these early cards today is almost impossible, which makes this collection one of the only ones like it in the world.
From the first black-bordered cards of 1995 to the final Traditional Chinese cards of 2003, this is a complete record of a time that has disappeared.
Putting these 46 complete sets together is more than just collecting; it is a way to document history. Finding every single card in both Simplified and Traditional Chinese between 1995 and 2003 was a unique challenge that required great patience . it serves as a witness to a time when Magic was just beginning to speak to the world.