Sosuke's Summons

Sosuke's Summons was originally released in the 2004 expansion Betrayers of Kamigawa, the second set in the Kamigawa block. The card reflects the block's focus on Japanese mythology and the spirit-world themes that defined the game's shift toward top-down flavor design during this period. The card was later featured on 'The List', a rotating selection of cards from Magic's history that appear in Set Boosters, allowing players to rediscover older designs in a contemporary context.

The artwork was created by illustrator Ben Thompson, who sought to capture the ethereal, ghostly nature of the Kamigawa spirits. The design reflects the tribal synergy mechanics of the era, specifically rewarding players for focusing on the Snake creature type. Upon its debut, the card was viewed as a niche piece for tribal decks, prized for its ability to provide board presence by recurring Snakes from the graveyard to the hand.