Black Illusion Ritual [1st Edition] #MRL-E051

Black Illusion Ritual [1st Edition] #MRL-E051 collector guide

About Black Illusion Ritual

Black Illusion Ritual is a Ritual Spell Card, printed as MRL-E051 in Magic Ruler (2002) as a Super Rare. Magic Ruler was the third English booster set and brought Pegasus's Toon cards into the game. Magic Cards were later renamed Spell Cards and the set was reprinted as Spell Ruler, so Magic Ruler copies are the original printing. Ungraded, this printing ranks 32nd of the 321 Magic Ruler cards we track. The top card is Blue-Eyes Toon Dragon at €223.11.

Character and collecting appeal

Black Illusion Ritual is the Ritual Spell for Relinquished, Pegasus J. Crawford's monster in the anime. Its text names Relinquished, so collectors often look for them together. Relinquished mentions Black Illusion Ritual in its text, which keeps it relevant.

Version and identification

This guide covers the 1st Edition printing. The words "1st Edition" are printed below the artwork on the left; copies without them are the Unlimited printing and usually sell for less. Check the code printed below the artwork on the right: it should read MRL-E051. The E in MRL-E051 marks the European English printing. The North American printing uses a code without the letter, sometimes with a different card number, and has its own prices. It is the Super Rare version. Super Rares have holographic artwork and a plain name. Magic Ruler has 3 other printings of Black Illusion Ritual: MRL-051 (€2.57), MRL-051 1st Edition (€9.13) and MRL-E051 (€4.76). Each has its own price, so match the code, edition and rarity exactly.

Price history

Today an ungraded copy of this printing sells for about €12.67, a PSA 9 for €54.55 and a PSA 10 for €573.34. Our monthly prices for it go back to May 2026. Its highest monthly ungraded value was €16.82 in May 2026, 25% above today. Of the 4 printings of Black Illusion Ritual we track, this is the most valuable ungraded. The cheapest is Magic Ruler MRL-051 at €2.57. 1st Edition copies sell for about 2.7× the Unlimited printing (€12.67 against €4.76).

Grading and population

A PSA 10 sells for 45.3× the ungraded price and 10.5× a PSA 9. That gap is big enough that grading a sharp, well-centred copy can pay for itself. On cards from the early 2000s, the dark brown backs show every scuff and white edge, so top grades are scarce.

Investment potential

In its favour: it comes from the 1st Edition run of an early English set, which will never be printed again; lasting fame from the anime or the competitive game. Against it: thin trading, so selling quickly can mean accepting a lower price. Treat this as background, not a prediction or financial advice.

Before you buy

Expect to pay around €12.67 for a clean ungraded copy; played copies sell for less, and a PSA 9 costs about €54.55. Ask the seller to show the code MRL-E051, the "1st Edition" text and the Super Rare finish clearly in the photos, as listing titles often mix up printings. At this price fakes are worth checking for: genuine cards have a small holographic seal (the Eye of Anubis) in the bottom-right corner, and the font, colours and card back should match a copy you know is genuine. Look up the certificate number of any graded copy on the grading company's website. Cards from 2002 often show white wear on the back edges and corners, so ask for photos of the back before you buy.

Card details and image from YGOPRODeck. Yu-Gi-Oh! is a trademark of Konami; Search Cards is not affiliated with Konami.