Disney Lorcana has always felt like a game built on intention, but that became especially clear at the Disney Lorcana Challenge Season 2. Beyond the competition, the decks, and the spectacle, there was a strong sense of community and care running through the entire event. I was lucky enough to attend on the Sunday, soaking in the atmosphere, watching matches unfold, and having conversations that reminded me why this game has resonated so deeply with so many different players.
You can find my full event coverage of Disney Lorcana Challenge Season 2 here, where I dive into the scale of the tournament, the crowd, and the moments that made the weekend feel genuinely special.
During the event, I also had the chance to sit down with Naomi Kim, International Product and Brand Manager at Ravensburger, for a relaxed and thoughtful conversation about Disney Lorcana. We talked about everything from favourite characters and chaotic playtesting decks, to art direction, community inclusivity, and what it means to build a trading card game that balances competitive depth with approachability. What followed was less a formal interview and more a genuine discussion about creativity, collaboration, and why Lorcana continues to feel different.
Dez: Let’s start with a fun question to break the ice. If you could have any Disney Lorcana character host this interview instead of me, who would you pick and why?
Naomi Kim: Oh wow, that’s a tough one! But I’d have to choose Stitch. I just love the chaos he brings; things would be unpredictable and fun for sure.
Dez: I totally get that! Stitch is so iconic, you put him on anything, and I’ll want it. And Winterspell has all those experiments from the Stitch TV Series, which I love.
Naomi Kim: I was thrilled to see how excited everyone was for Stitch’s return. Sometimes you wonder, is it too much, Stitch? But honestly, for fans, it’s never enough!
Dez: Absolutely. That crazy little guy is the best. The recent movie nailed it; Lilo was perfectly cast.
Naomi Kim: She really was. Seeing her interviews, she’s so naturally Lilo, it didn’t even feel like acting.
Dez: Switching gears: which Disney Lorcana card would you most want to hang on your wall at home?
Naomi Kim: That’s an easy one, Belle, Accomplished Mystic. It’s my favourite card and artwork, and I could stare at it all day. She’s my phone wallpaper, my laptop wallpaper, if I could, I’d put that art everywhere!
Dez: That was a quick answer!
Naomi Kim: It does change sometimes because I see all the art as we develop it, and there are always new, amazing pieces. But Belle has been a constant favourite for me.
Dez: Funny story, my housemate and I have lived together for about 12 years, and I’ve reviewed games almost as long. She’s never wanted to play anything, but when Disney Lorcana arrived, she wanted to help open packs! She even asked to play. That says a lot about this game, and she has a copy of that card in her top draw.
If you could be made into a Disney Lorcana card, what colours would you be?
Naomi Kim: Interesting question! I don’t think I’d be dual ink. It’s tough to choose… What about you?
Dez: I’d be emerald. I like a little discard, and I always splash emerald for a bit of fun and a touch of annoyance.
Naomi Kim: So you like a little chaos! For me, it’s changed over time. I used to say amethyst, but now I’m leaning more toward amber.
Dez: Having reviewed board games and TCGs for over a decade, I’ve seen some hilarious moments in playtesting. Do you have any memorable playtest or office game night stories with the Lorcana team?
Naomi Kim: Absolutely! We sometimes build the most ridiculous decks just for fun. Someone once made a dual ink HeiHei deck, every card in your hand becomes ink, so we called it the “chicken shift” deck (and yes, I said shift!). When it works, it’s wild. Another time, someone played an Emerald/Steel deck with Diablo, and the effect let them draw and ink cards endlessly. At one point, Ryan, one of the head designers, had about 26 cards in his hand! We were just playing for chaos and laughs, not chasing the meta; that’s where some of the best moments come from.
Dez: Disney Lorcana has some stunning art from incredible artists like Matt Chapman. What’s the collaboration process like, ensuring each piece stays true to the character but still lets the artist’s style shine?
Naomi Kim: Artists go through a clear and strict screening process to become a Ravensburger artist for Lorcana. We have a defined house style, our modern storybook art style, but we want artists to bring their own flavour to the work. You can see their individual take in the strokes and lines, and we try to preserve as much of that as possible. Of course, we make sure characters stay on model, and there are several internal reviews before Disney does their own review and provides feedback. Highlighting the artists is essential, especially now with all the discussion around AI. We’re committed to never using AI creatively for Lorcana, the art is something we want to protect and respect.
Dez: You can really tell that some pieces are just magical, like the one with the gust of wind that captured movement so beautifully. It felt alive.
Naomi Kim: That’s the goal! Beyond hidden Mickeys and fun details, the background elements, like snowflakes or tiny footprints, add so much. We see the art digitally first, so we can really appreciate those details before it’s scaled down for the card. That attention to detail and passion are crucial because players and fans really feel it.
Dez: When I opened my first pack, it felt like Disney. The art draws you in, but what surprised me was that the game itself is solid. It’s more than just a recognisable IP, it stands on its own. That’s impressive.
Naomi Kim: There was scepticism when we announced a Disney TCG. People thought it’d just be for kids. But our game design team, with Ryan and Steve leading, really nailed the mechanics and systems. Our teams work together from the very beginning, so everything feels balanced and harmonious.
Dez: I admit, I was sceptical at first, too. But even my housemate, who hates TCGs, enjoys this game. The pre-constructed decks are great for just picking up and playing, they’re easy but engaging.
Naomi Kim: Exactly. They give everyone a taste, and the price point makes it easy to jump in. I love that Lorcana appeals to both competitive and casual players, and you can build all kinds of themed decks just for fun.
Dez: That’s the power of the Disney IP, it’s accessible to everyone. I love seeing all kinds of people playing together, from tattooed guys to people in princess dresses.
Naomi Kim: Seeing that mix is fantastic. TCG spaces are often male-dominated, so hearing that Lorcana feels welcoming, especially for women, is important to us. Sometimes, all it takes to get someone interested is showing them a card. At events, people are drawn in by the art before anything else. It’s exciting to see all the different ways people connect with Lorcana.
Dez: You oversee product vision and brand excellence. What does “brand excellence” feel like when designing a fan-driven TCG?
Naomi Kim: We want Lorcana to feel tailored to Disney fans, but we know our audience is broad. What makes Lorcana unique is the new world we’ve created, where Disney characters, sometimes in new forms, can interact in ways you wouldn’t expect. That lets us surprise and delight fans while staying true to the characters and themes. We want everything to fit naturally in the Lorcana world and to resonate with Disney fans. At events like the Festival of the Arts, people are drawn in by the look before they even know what the game is. Opening that first pack is the beginning of the journey.
Dez: It reminds me of the Wreck-It Ralph scene with all the Disney princesses together, mind-blowing for fans. Lorcana gives you that same spark, but now you’re in control, building decks and playing those characters together.
Naomi Kim: Exactly! You can bring together all your favorite characters, items, and locations. From a brand perspective, we want to keep creating those experiences and building a legacy. It’s been only two and a half years, but we’re already thinking decades ahead because there’s so much potential and excitement for the future.
Dez: That long-term vision really shows. Other TCGs sometimes rush out sets and disappear, but Lorcana feels like it’s built to last.
Naomi Kim: Thank you! That’s very much our intention, and we’re able to do it thanks to the support and investment from Ravensburger. We’re committed to the long haul.
Dez: How do you balance the appeal for hardcore fans versus new or casual players?
Naomi Kim: It’s something we talk about constantly. Our teams include people deeply invested in competitive play and others who understand casual formats. We always ask which characters make sense and how they fit together. Sometimes designers love deep-cut characters, but we need to balance that with accessibility for all players. Each set might lean more toward collectors or competitive players, but our goal is always to find the right mix so everyone feels included.
Dez: What does playtesting look like for Lorcana?
Naomi Kim: Playtesting is huge for us. There’s a dedicated room for game development, and every card, past and present, is constantly tested. The team discusses interactions in their own specialised way, and their expertise is impressive. Playtesting never stops, especially with formats like Infinity where everything has to work from the First Chapter onward. Balancing all those combinations is ongoing work.
Dez: You’ve been involved since the beginning. What’s been the biggest evolution in Lorcana’s identity?
Naomi Kim: The way we collaborate has evolved the most. Now, teams work together from the very start, and that’s improved everything. We learn from experience and community feedback, and we’re always focused on refining the experience and making it better for everyone who plays Lorcana.
Dez: That really comes through at events where you get to talk to players directly.
Naomi Kim: Exactly. Challenge events are a favourite for that reason.
Dez: Working with an international community, have any cultural or regional differences surprised you?
Naomi Kim: Japan is even more special than I expected, and Australia has been just as eye-opening. Talking with local players, stores, and vendors is invaluable; there’s no better feedback than hearing directly from the people building the Lorcana community.
Before wrapping up, I just want to extend a genuine thank you to Naomi Kim for taking the time to sit down and chat during an incredibly busy weekend. Her openness, enthusiasm, and thoughtfulness made this less of a formal interview and more of a meaningful conversation about creativity, community, and what makes Disney Lorcana special. Opportunities like this don’t come around often, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to hear her insights firsthand.
Thank you, Naomi, for your time, your honesty, and for helping give a deeper look into the heart of Lorcana.
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