Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu from the MKR OVAs

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Magic Knight Rayearth
by CLAMP

Magic Knight Rayearth, or MKR for short, is the story of three girls sucked into an alternate universe by the wish of an imprisoned princess. Yeah, it is a familiar tale, but with several of the heart-string-pulling twists that are CLAMP's hallmark.

While on a field trip to Tokyo Tower, three different girls, from three different schools, are summoned to the magical world of Cephiro by Princess Esmeraude. They find themselves falling through the air, past floating mountains, volcanoes, and a vast ocean. Landing on the back of a flying beast, they are taken safely to a cliff overlooking the rest of the land. Here they meet Master Magician Clef.

The three girls are:

  • Shidou Hikaru, a very genki red-haired girl who looks several years younger than her true age, is good at kendo, and loves her dog Hikari.
  • Ryuuzaki Umi, a tall, thin, model-like girl who attends a very exclusive girls school, fences, and is devoted to her parents
  • Houji Fuu, an exceptionally smart, gentle, and polite girl who attends a school for really smart people

Clef, a very old, yet short and young-looking guy, fills the girls in on the necessary details. Cephiro, the land they are in, is supported by the prayers of one person alone — the Pillar, Princess Emeraude. She has been taken prisoner by the High Priest Zagato, and the world is beginning to crumble. The Pillar has summoned the girls to become Magic Knights and rescue Cephiro. They are each to be given mighty weapons, and must awaken the mashin (Machine) in order to do this.

Though at first unwilling to help, the girls come around when they learn that they cannot go home unless they are able to free the Princess. Before Clef can give them all the information they will need, they are attacked by Alcione (a sorceress and minion of Zagato) and must flee.

Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu embark on their quest half-heartedly, but during the course of their journey, become not only fast friends, but remarkable warriors. They meet Presea, a Master Crafts-woman, and her quirky assistant Mokona. Mokona, looking for all the world like a demeted pokemon with a red jewel in his forhead, becomes the girls' guide through the dangers of Cephiro.


Strictly Shoujo MKR Information


Strictly Shoujo Notes on Magic Knight Rayearth:

Though MKR seems to be really funny at first, it becomes very serious in parts, often taking the reader or viewer by surprise. Advice: don't read the manga faster than you watch the TV series (or OVA's) unless you hate surprises. The ending of the first series, though necessary in hindsight, will definately take you by surprise (and not really the good kind, either).