The Essentials
Name: Magic Knight Rayearth, Magic Knight Rayearth II
Genre:: Fantasy, Adventure
Tankoubon: 6 (3 in each set)
Serialized In: Nakayoshi
Released: November, 1993 - April, 1996
Story & Art: CLAMP
Published By (Japan): Kodansha
Published By (US): TokyoPop
Scores
Story: 8/10 (x 3 = 24 pts)
Art: 9/10 (x 3 = 28 pts)
Gut Score: 8/10 (x 4 = 32 pts)
Total: 84/100 (84%)
Review
Magic Knight Rayearth is one of CLAMP’s first manga series, and probably their first true breakthrough series. Three girls - Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are all visiting Tokyo Tower on school trips when they are suddenly transported to Cephiro - a completely different world. There, they are told that Princess Emeraude, who is imprisoned by the High Priest Zagato, has called for them - three girls from another world - to fulfil the legend of the Magic Knights.
In the first series, consisting of the first three volumes, the three must fight monsters and fight Zagato’s minions in order to save Princess Emeraude.
The the second half, the three, having been sent home after the first series, are mysteriously called back to Cephiro only to see what the consequences of their first trip have brought. This time they must defend Cephiro against invading forces from three of it’s neighbors, all of which want to become the new pillar of Cephiro.
Magic Knight Rayearth is a pretty quick read, since many of the pages are taken up by fighting, meaning a lot of SFX with little or no dialouge on some pages. The stories themselves are relatively short and sweet and probably would become overly redundent if it lasted much longer than it did without a broader storyline. The art is pretty good - the usual CLAMP quality, and the story is decent - I wasn’t overly excited by it, but it wasn’t boring either.
This manga is targeted more towrds teenage girls, though I think it can be enjoyed by others. TokyoPop has rated it Y (Youth Age 10+).
First Read: April - May 2006
Do I Own: Yes
Do I Recommend: Yes
