Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival | Art by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mokhman/?hl=en">Alexander Mokhov</a>
The Magic: The Gathering fandom was still reacting to May 7's first Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY reveal when another one dropped on social media only a few hours later.
Coming off the heels of <a href="https://scryfall.com/card/fin/241/shantotto">Shantotto, the Radical Lady</a>, the details of which you can find here, the second legendary creature of the day appeared - Zenos yae Galvus/Shinryu, Transcendent Rival:
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150936" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150935" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-127-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a>
Yes, it's a dual-faced card. While Shantotto is a character featured in Final Fantasy XI, Zenos yae Galvus arrives to Magic via Final Fantasy XIV and its associated expansions. That particular game released to consoles and PC in August of 2013. Fitting perfectly into Commander games that utilize politics, the Burning Chains trigger on the card's Shinryu side will lead to plenty of humorous stories.
In addition to the basic art and frame, Wednesday also saw the reveal of an alternate treatment:
<a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150949" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a> <a href="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-150948" src="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg" alt="" width="215" height="300" srcset="https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1-215x300.jpg 215w, https://edhrecstatic.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fin-384-zenos-yae-galvus-1.jpg 672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 215px) 100vw, 215px" /></a>
With Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY heading to Standard on its release next month, that effect might not hold as much value in a one-vs.-one environment.
Magic: The Gathering — FINAL FANTASY is slated for release on June 13, 2025 and promises to be stuffed with iconic characters, events, and legends from the long-running video game series. The set will feature both Play and Collector Boosters and four preconstructed Commander Decks (in both base and Collector's Edition versions), as well as Bundles, Prerelease Kits, and Starter Kits.
How do Zenos/Shinryu's abilities fit the character? Are you suprised to see the character make an appearance in Magic form? Be sure to frequent EDHREC as deck techs featuring all the revealed characters start hitting the website in the coming weeks - with a deck tech centered around Zenos coming courtesy of <a href="https://edhrec.com/articles/author/michael-wheelan">Wheels</a>.

zenos

Final Fantasy First Look: Zenos yae Galvus