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Magic Knight Rayearth

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Magic Knight Rayearth
GenreShōjo, Comedy, Mecha,
Manga
Written byCLAMP
Published byTemplate:States Tokyopop
Manga
Magic Knight Rayearth II
Written byCLAMP
Published byJapan Kodansha

Brazil Editora JBC
France Pika Édition
Italy Editions Star

United States Tokyopop
Anime
Directed byToshihiro Hirano
StudioTokyo Movie Shinsha
Anime
Magic Knight Rayearth 2 (English)
Directed byToshihiro Hirano
StudioTokyo Movie Shinsha
Anime
Rayearth
Directed byKeitaro Motonaga, Toshiki Hirano
StudioKodansha

Magic Knight Rayearth (魔法騎士（マジックナイト）レイアース, Mahō Kishi (Majikku Naito) Reiāsu) is a magical girl manga, anime, and console game series by CLAMP, whose credits also include Cardcaptor Sakura, Angelic Layer, and Chobits. Originally a manga, it was adapted into a television anime with two series totaling forty-nine episodes, and later into a three-part OVA series unrelated to both the original television anime and manga (although using the same character designs and names, and some other similarities). (The "Magic Knight" phrase used in the series title and the characters' roles is written with the same kanji as "mahō kishi," but CLAMP dictated that it is not pronounced the same way with phonetic characters known as furigana.)

The manga was originally serialised in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine and has been released in the United States in English by TOKYOPOP (initially named Mixx) in six volumes. The English manga was at first issued in a flipped left to right format, but was re-released in the original right to left format. Both the television anime and the OVA series were brought over to the U.S. as well, as was the Magic Knight Rayearth game for the Sega Saturn, which follows the plot of the first anime series loosely. The Super Famicom title was only released in Japan (though there are now fan-translations of it). The Super Famicom game is also well-known for being more faithful to the original story compared to the Sega Saturn game. The two games however are very different to each other. The Sega Saturn game plays more like an Action Adventure along the lines of Secret of Mana and Zelda whearas the Super Famicom plays more like a traditional RPG (eg: the Final Fantasy series). There are also five other, less known video games based on the series: a Sega Pico title called Magic Knight Tanjou, two short RPGs for Game Boy, plus another RPG and a Princess Maker-style raising sim for Sega Game Gear, all of which were Japan exclusives as well.

Template:Spoiler

Plot summary

The main characters of Rayearth, Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, and Mokona, each represent a member of CLAMP. Nearly all other characters and several locations in the story have automobile-related names. The story is divided into two distinct arcs (one per series). The first begins as three girls from separate schools, all on field trips to Tokyo Tower, are blinded by a flash of light and hear a voice calling for the "Legendary Magic Knights" to save Cephiro. In the manga, the characters are sucked through the floor while in the anime and game, the floor then disappears from under them. The characters fall through the sky into another world, known as Cephiro, also Zephyr. They meet a sorcerer, Master Mage Clef, who gives them magic and explains to them the peril that this world of Cephiro is in. Here, will has the ability to change reality for better or for worse. The dark fears in people's hearts become monsters, while a well-intended wish can do miracles. One person, the Pillar, whose will is stronger than anyone else's, is responsible for maintaining through his or her prayers the well-being of Cephiro. However, the current pillar, Princess Emeraude, has been captured by her high priest, Zagato. The three girls are charged with the rescue of the Princess by collecting the three "rune-gods" ("Ma-shin," a multiple wordplay on Japanese kanji and the English word "machine") of Cephiro, and given a bizarre creature named Mokona to guide them on their journey. This is the basis for the first story arc. The second is based on the events that occur near the end of the original series, dealing with the aftermath of the first season's climax.

Characters

Main article: Characters in Magic Knight Rayearth
  • Hikaru Shidou - The protagonist of the series and the Magic Knight with fire powers.
  • Umi Ryuuzaki - The second protagonist of the series and the Magic Knight with water powers.
  • Fuu Hououji - The third protagonist of the series and the Magic Knight with wind powers.
  • Clef - A master mage who first told the Magic Knights their mission.
  • Mokona- A white creature with an assortment of powers.
  • Alcyone - One of Zagato's minions, who used to be Clef's pupil.
  • Ascot - One of Zagato's minions, who later turned to the Magic Knight's side.
  • Caldina - A dancer, who used to be one of Zagato's minions, but is now siding with the Magic Knights.
  • Lafarga - A swordsman who was brainwashed by Zagato, but is now siding with the Magic Knights.
  • Inouva - An anime-only villain, who is Zagato's minion.
  • Emeraude - Used to be the Pillar of Cephiro, but is killed by the Magic Knights, so she could be free to think of only Zagato.
  • Ferio - The prince of Cephiro, love interest to Fuu.
  • Presea - A blacksmith who made the Magic Knights' weapons.
  • Zagato - The villain of the first part of the series.
  • The Three Mashin (Rune Gods) - The Magic Knights use these to help fight their enemies.
  • Eagle Vision - A villain of the second part of the series.
  • Geo Metro - Eagle's subcommmander of his ship, the NSX.
  • Zazu Torque - Eagle's mechanic on his ship, the NSX.
  • Lady Aska of Fahren - A villain of the second part of the series.
  • Sanyun - Aska's helper.
  • Shang Yung - Aska' adviser.
  • Tarta - A villain of the second part of the series.
  • Tatra - A villain of the second part of the series.
  • Nova - An anime-only villain of the second season.
  • Debonair - An anime-only villain of the second season.
  • Lantis - A magic swordsman.
  • Primera - A fairy who is infatuated with Lantis.
  • Sierra - Presea's twin sister.

Openings and Endings

Three opening themes were used in the series and one in the OVA RayEarth:

Episodes #1-20

  • Kanji: 「ゆずれない願い」
  • Romanization: "Yuzurenai Negai"
  • Translation: "Unyielding Wish"
    • Artist: Naomi Tamura

Episodes #21-42/ II#1-21

  • Kanji: 「キライになれない」
  • Romanization: "Kirai ni Narenai"
  • Translation: "I Can't Hate You"
    • Artist: Ayumi Nakamura

Episodes #43-49/ II#22-28

  • Kanji:「光と影を抱きしめたまま」
  • Romanization: "Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama"
  • Translation: "Still Embracing Light and Darkness"
    • Artist: Naomi Tamura

Episodes #29-31/ III#1-3

  • Kanji/Romanization/Translation: "All You Need is Love"
    • Artist: Naomi Tamura

In the English DVD release, Episodes 21 to 42 also used "Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama".

Three ending themes were used:

Episodes #1-20

  • Kanji:「明日への勇気」
  • Romanization: "Ashita e no Yuuki"
  • Translation: "The Courage Leading to Tomorrow"
    • Artist: Keiko Yoshinari

Episodes #21-42/ II#1-21

  • Kanji:「ら・ら・ば・い～優しく抱かせて～」
  • Romanization: "Rarabai ~ Yasashiku Dakasete ~"
  • Translation: "Lullaby - Softly, Tenderly -"
    • Artist: Minako Honda

Episodes #43-49/ II#22-28

  • Kanji:「いつか輝く」
  • Romanization: "Itsuka Kagayaku"
  • Translation: "Someday Shining"
    • Artist: Keiko Yoshinari

The English DVD release used "Rarabai ~ Yashiku Dakasete ~" for episodes 43 to 49.

Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle

Although some Magic Knight Rayearth characters are featured in CLAMP's ongoing crossover Tsubasa: Reservoir Chronicle, curiously most of the main characters (such as Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, Clef, etc) are not featured (Compared to the other CLAMP series, which had their main characters featured, mostly, in minor or major role). As of Chapter 136, the characters Eagle, Lantis and Geo have made an appearance in the world of "Infinity" as top members of the local mafia.

OVA

A three-part OVA was released in Japan a few years after the end of the manga and the TV series. The OVA was named simply "Rayearth" and its story was quite different from the original. The characters are all the same, but the relationships, places, and events changed radically. Here we find that Hikaru, Umi and Fuu are already friends who go to the same school and are shortly to leave for college. Suddenly, a strange "elf" (which turns out to be Mokona, the strange mascot-creature from the original manga and anime) appears in front of them. At the same time, strange monsters and wizards start to appear in the city of Tokyo. One of them is Clef, who tries to guide the three girls in order to let them become the "Magic Knights", awake their "Mashins" and fight against the evil wizards from Cephiro, who are trying to invade the human world.

Manga

Magic Knight Rayearth and Magic Knight Rayearth II was published by Kodansha between November 1993 and April 1996 and consists of six volumes, three volumes in each series. ISBNs are for the most recent release:

Magic Knight Rayearth

  • Volume 1: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334642-0; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-082-0
  • Volume 2: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334643-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-083-9
  • Volume 3: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334644-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-084-7

Magic Knight Rayearth II

  • Volume 1: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334659-5; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-266-1
  • Volume 2: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334660-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-267-X
  • Volume 3: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334661-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-268-8
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