Magic Knight Rayearth is a popular fantasy manga and anime series created by Clamp. The story follows three teenage girls, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, who are transported to the magical world of Cephiro. They are chosen to become the legendary Magic Knights and are tasked with saving Cephiro from impending doom. The main idea of Magic Knight Rayearth is the journey of these three ordinary girls who possess extraordinary powers and must learn to harness them in order to fulfill their destiny. Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are initially confused and scared by their new surroundings, but as the series progresses, they gain confidence and develop a deep bond with each other. They also encounter various allies and enemies along the way, including the powerful high priestess Emeraude and the enigmatic magician, Clef.
"Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are strangers brought together by fate when they meet during a seemingly normal field trip to Tokyo Tower. Accompanied by a great flash of light, they hear a mysterious woman's plea to save "Cephiro," and the junior high heroines are suddenly swept away by a giant flying fish. Afterwards, they arrive in an unknown land, where they encounter a man called Master Mage Clef.
The formerly lively and peaceful land has been in disarray ever since High Priest Zagato imprisoned the princess, who acted as Cephiro s pillar of stability. Clef informs the girls that they were summoned by Princess Emeraude to fulfill their destinies as Magic Knights, restoring peace and balance in Cephiro.
They also encounter various allies and enemies along the way, including the powerful high priestess Emeraude and the enigmatic magician, Clef. The series explores themes of friendship, courage, and the power of belief. Each girl possesses a unique element of magic - Hikaru controls fire, Umi controls water, and Fuu controls wind.
Magic Knight Rayearth and its English dub: highly influential and still worth watching
Magic Knight Rayearth was an anime that aired back in the mid 1990s. I only heard of it fairly recently after seeing it cited as an influence, both on some newer anime and even on a few western shows. It was a fairly unique show for its time, for the fact that it blended multiple genres/sub-genres together, and also went against the conventions of its target demographic.
Magic Knight Rayearth was a shojo series, ostensibly aimed at young girls. Despite this, it had a heavy emphasis on fighting/action, and also had dark themes, and had other elements not associated with the "shojo" series of the time. It was part magical girl show, part mecha anime, and part "isekai". Three girls are transported to another world to save it from destruction, are given magic powers, and eventually attain robots (sort of) to fight with. Without spoiling it, I'll just say that the plot can go in some unexpected directions, and can get darker later on.
As for the english dub, it admittedly starts off a little rough. It is a 90s dub. But I felt it got better as it went along. By season 2, most of the voice actors were doing a good job, even if not quite up to modern standards.
One last thing. TMS, the company that produced the series, has apparently been putting the show up on youtube for free legally. The english version, even. They are currently in the middle of uploading it, and putting up one episode per week (just like if it was new). Here's a link to the first episode: https://youtu.be/eutBzS30qhM
I should note that the opening is in japanese, as is typical for dubs. However, the show was once aired with an english version of the opening. I don't know if there is a legal version of the dub with the english opening still available anywhere. Nonetheless, here is the (first) separate opening if anyone is interested: https://youtu.be/9HWMIsqPNNc
The opening is sung by Sandy Fox, who also voices one of the characters in the show.
So, do people remember this show? As I said, I only watched it recently. Are there any other new viewers, or old ones? How do people feel the show holds up? I feel that its still worth watching. But I would like to see what others think.
Magic Knight Rayearth 「魔法騎士 レイアース」 is a Japanese manga series created by CLAMP, an all-female manga artist team consisting of Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona. Appearing as a serial in the manga magazine Nakayoshi from November 1993 to February 1995, the chapters of Magic Knight Rayearth were collected into three bound volumes by Kodansha, and published from July 1994 to March 1995.
They must use their individual strengths and work together to overcome challenges and enemies. Magic Knight Rayearth is known for its intricate plot and compelling characters. The series delves into the personal growth and emotional struggles of each character, as they face their own fears and insecurities. The girls also question the nature of their existence and the sacrifices they must make in order to fulfill their mission. Magic Knight Rayearth has gained a loyal fanbase over the years and is considered a classic in the fantasy genre. Its engaging storyline, vibrant artwork, and memorable characters have captivated audiences around the world. Overall, Magic Knight Rayearth is a tale of adventure, friendship, and self-discovery that continues to inspire and entertain readers and viewers alike..
Reviews for "The Influence of the Magic Knight Rayearth Series on Other Magical Girl Anime"
1. John - 2/5 - I personally didn't enjoy the Magic Knight Rayearth series. I found the plot to be confusing and the characters to be one-dimensional. The action scenes were lackluster and didn't have the impact I was expecting. Overall, I felt like the story dragged on and didn't offer anything new or exciting. I wouldn't recommend this series to others who are looking for a captivating fantasy anime.
2. Emily - 1/5 - Magic Knight Rayearth was a disappointment for me. The animation quality was subpar, and it felt outdated compared to other anime series. The characters were uninteresting and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging fantasy adventure, but this series fell flat for me.
3. Alex - 2/5 - I couldn't get into the Magic Knight Rayearth series. The storyline felt disjointed and confusing, and I struggled to follow along. The pacing was off, with slow moments dragging on and rushed developments that left me feeling unsatisfied. The character development was lacking, and I didn't feel invested in their journeys. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Sarah - 2.5/5 - Magic Knight Rayearth didn't live up to my expectations. While the art style was visually pleasing, the story failed to captivate me. The plot felt convoluted and hard to follow, and the characters didn't have enough depth to make me care about their journey. The action scenes were repetitive and lacked excitement. While there were some enjoyable moments, overall, I found this series to be mediocre in comparison to other fantasy anime.