Over 30 years since the original anime premiered in Japan, Magic Knight Rayearth is returning with an all-new adaptation to entice fans new and old this October. The new series, animated at Sung Hoo Park‘s E&H production and in collaboration with the original anime’s producer TMS Entertainment, is directed by Yui Miura, who hopes to tap into the charm that can only be found in classic anime series.

In this interview, we discuss the current trend of adapting older series featuring the isekai plot device (before the term was widely coined) and how older series focus on growth over wish fulfillment.

Magic Knight Rayearth is a beloved series in Japan, the United States, and abroad. What first attracted you to working on this project?

Yui Miura: As we were optimizing our production structure, the timing and all the necessary circumstances aligned almost miraculously. I was fortunate to be approached about this project at exactly the right moment, and we’re truly grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.

While “isekai” stories have become increasingly popular in the last decade, even in the ’90s, there were many stories where female protagonists get transported to a magical world. What do you think makes Magic Knight Rayearth different from modern isekai? What makes these female-led stories interesting for modern audiences?

MIURA: The biggest difference is that Magic Knight Rayearth is a story about growth and the sacrifices that come with it, rather than one about cheat abilities.

In many modern isekai series, protagonists either begin with—or quickly obtain— cheat abilities that allow them to effortlessly overwhelm their opponents. Much of the appeal lies in the wish-fulfillment of watching an unstoppable hero dominate every battle.

By contrast, Hikaru, Umi, and Fū are simply three ordinary junior high school girls who are suddenly summoned to the isekai (fantasy) world of Cefiro. They take up swords, suffer injuries, shed tears, and gradually awaken both their magical powers and inner strength as they overcome their fears and insecurities. This journey of personal growth is one of the defining charms of 1990s isekai fantasy.

Even today, many stories aimed at female audiences center on romance. In the first arc of Magic Knight Rayearth, however, what drives Hikaru, Umi, and Fū is not romantic feelings for boys, but the powerful bond they share and their promise to make it back to Tokyo together. Their genuine sisterhood—built on mutual respect and supporting one another through their weaknesses—is something I believe modern audiences who appreciate independent relationships can deeply relate to.

In the latter half of the story, they don’t simply carry out the mission they’ve been given. They begin questioning what principles should govern this world and ultimately make the choice that will determine its fate. Rather than waiting for someone else to save them, they take control of their own destiny. I believe this image of strong women choosing their own path embodies exactly the kind of empowerment that resonates with today’s anime fans.

Do you have any history with the original Magic Knight Rayearth anime or manga? Are there any CLAMP stories that are your favorite?

MIURA: It’s embarrassing to admit, but until I was approached about this project, I had never read any of CLAMP‘s works. Magic Knight Rayearth was my first introduction to their work.

When it came time to revisit the character designs with Satomi Watabe-san, what was the approach? Did you want to maintain a retro, shojo-feel, or update certain elements for this new version?

MIURA: Keeping faithful to the original manga as our top priority, I asked her to create strong visuals that would still resonate with modern audiences.

Is there a moment from the manga that you were most looking forward to adapting for the anime series?

MIURA: The ending of the first arc. I hope you’ll look forward to it!

When it came time to cast Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, what kind of voice were you looking for in each character, and what made Sakura-san, Takahashi-san, and Okubo-san the right fit for their roles?

MIURA: When casting, we were careful to be as faithful as possible to the characters as they were portrayed in the original manga. Interestingly, the entire staff naturally found themselves saying, “This is the one!” for each role.

Can fans of the series expect the new anime to follow the previous anime’s story, the manga’s story, or something entirely different?

MIURA: We based the story on the original manga while incorporating additional episodes that further enrich the audience’s understanding of the original work.

Were you able to use any new technology techniques for this new series’ special effects animation (such as magic spells) and the Legendary Rune Gods?

MIURA: We’re using VFX techniques that simply weren’t possible back in the 1990s. At the same time, we’ve been careful to preserve the atmosphere of the original work.

What’s one message or feeling you hope viewers take away from this version of Magic Knight Rayearth?

MIURA: Many modern isekai stories are set in worlds that closely resemble RPGs, where game-like systems—such as status screens and guilds—provide the framework that keeps the story moving.

At first glance, Magic Knight Rayearth also seems to follow the classic RPG formula, with Clef telling the protagonists to become Magic Knights and save the world. However, at the heart of the story—particularly in the conclusion of the first arc—the audience is confronted with a profoundly bitter truth: the cruelty of fighting to preserve the very system that governs the world. I hope viewers will experience and appreciate the depth of this almost mythic drama.