Yesterday was a big day for the upcoming of the Magic Knight Rayearth TV anime remake: the global premiere happened at Anime Expo in Los Angeles with the screening of the first two episodes and a panel with the voice actresses of Fuu Hououji and Princess Emeraud as guests.

A new stunning key visual was released to the general public:

As pointed out by my dear friend Shidouhikaru15, this key visual mixes original art from the manga (the cover of artbook 2, one of my favorites ever!) and other ilustrations from the original anime.

The main PV was announced, and on it we learn that the series will premiere on October 7, 2026!

Moreover, three additional cast members were announced:

Clef: Yuuki Kaji 
Presea: Emiri Katou
Ferio: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

Below are comments from each cast member:

Yuuki Kaji

I have vivid memories of this series being a massive hit among the girls in my class when I was in elementary school. Back then, the embarrassment typical of a boy hitting puberty kept me from reading or watching it (haha), but having the opportunity to experience the work now that I’m involved in it, I completely understand why it was so popular. It possesses a truly unique originality while also holding a universal appeal that has endured through the years. It is a touchstone, a foundational work. The world-building by CLAMP is simply amazing!

I will pour my respect into the role of Clef as I help pass the baton of Magic Knight Rayearth on to a new generation. Please look forward to the broadcast!

Emiri Kato

I am Emiri Kato, and I have been cast as the voice of Presea.

I still find it hard to believe that the day has actually come for me to voice Presea.

This series holds a very special place in my heart; I watched the show and played the games throughout my childhood. Presea was one of my absolute favorite characters: an older-sister figure I admired for the warm, supportive way she stood by Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu.

When auditioning for the role, I re-watched the anime series because I wanted to get as close as possible to the Presea I love so much.

I hope that all the fans will be able to feel that warmth that defines Presea.

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka

I’m Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, and I’ll be playing the role of Ferio.

I am truly delighted to be appearing in Rayearth—a series I’ve known for so long!

When I got the audition, I was shocked—thinking, “No way! Rayearth!?”

I intend to give it my all to deliver my own take on Ferio while honoring the world of the series.

I hope you’ll look forward to Magic Knight Rayearth! (Personally, I’m Team Presea!)

Source: Magic Knight Rayearth TV Anime official website

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So, let’s talk about the main PV and my opinions about it!

I’m not overly excited about this anime. I know it’s a little sad and it makes me feel a little sad because this is a CLAMP anime after all, but I’m still not sure about some of the character designs (especially Umi! — always Umi), some action scenes look stiff, the music is not the type that I like and there is something about the coloring that doesn’t please me.

I know I sometimes come hard with CLAMP anime adaptations, it’s just that their style is so unique that it’s really hard to convey to anime, I guess.

It definitely doesn’t look as bad as Tokyo Babylon 2021 would have—for sure it doesn’t! But I guess after watching the Witch Hat Atelier TV anime and seeing that it is possible to make a stunning, almost flawless TV anime, I was hoping for the same from a CLAMP anime. Unfortunately, this isn’t it.

And don’t get me wrong, I am not comparing it to the classic anime (which had its flaws too), I’m honestly looking at this remake separately. It’s decent, but with Rayearth, decent isn’t enough, I wanted stunning.

I will say though that the one thing I really enjoyed was Sakura Ayane’s “Honoo no Ya” at the end of the PV — that was really good! I think she will be great as Hikaru.