It has been revealed that Yuki Kaji, Emiri Kato, and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka will be joining the cast of the new TV anime adaptation of "Magic Knight Magic Knight Rayearth ," a popular manga by the manga creation group "CLAMP." Kaji will play Clef, the highest-ranking Guru in Cephiro; Kato will play Presea, the Creator of Cephiro who creates and gives weapons to the Magic Knights; and Matsuoka will play Ferio, a mysterious swordsman whom the Magic Knights encounter in the Silent Forest. It was also announced that the TV anime will air on TV Asahi's anime block "IMAnimation W" every Wednesday at 11:45 PM starting October 7th.
The second key visual has been released, depicting Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji bravely facing a harsh fate to save another world, along with the magic gods Rayearth, Ceres, and Fuu Hououji. The main PV, featuring dynamic and beautiful action scenes of the magic knights in the other world, has also been released on YouTube.
Yuki Kaji, who plays Clef, commented, "I have vivid memories of this work being very popular among the girls in my class when I was in elementary school. Back then, I couldn't read or watch it because of the embarrassment typical of adolescent boys (laughs), but I got to experience the work through this role and wholeheartedly understand its popularity. It has a unique originality, yet it has a universal appeal that transcends time and is loved. It's a bible and a starting point. CLAMP's worldview is truly amazing! I will play Clef with respect so that we can pass the baton of ' Magic Knight Rayearth' to a new generation. Please look forward to the broadcast!"
Kato, who plays Presea, said, "I still can't believe that the day has come when I get to voice Presea. I've been watching the series since I was a child, and I've also played the games, so it's a really memorable series for me. Among all the characters, Presea is my favorite, and the way she warmly supports Hikari, Umi, and Fuu makes her my admired older sister. When I auditioned for the role, I rewatched the anime series, hoping to get even a little closer to my beloved Presea. I hope that fans will also be able to feel the warmth of Presea."
Matsuoka, who plays Ferio, commented, "I'm so happy that I get to appear in Rayearth, a series I've known since I was little! When I got the audition, I was surprised and thought, 'No way!? Rayearth!?' I will do my best to portray Ferio in my own way, while respecting the world of the series. Please look forward to Magic Knight Rayearth ! (Personally, I'm a Presea fan!)"
The new anime will be directed by Sunghoo Park and produced by E&H production, an animation studio led by director Hikaru Shidou, who worked on the first season of the TV anime " Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Jujutsu Kaisen 0 : The Movie." The cast includes Ayane Sakura , Rumi Rie Takahashi as Umi Ryuuzaki , Saori Hayami as Fuu Hououji , Saori Hayami as Emeraude , Yuki Ono as Zagato, and Mika Kikuchi as Mokona. This will be the first new anime in approximately 29 years since the OVA (Original Video Animation) "Magic Knight Rayearth," released in 1997, and the first TV anime series to be broadcast in approximately 31 years since the previous series aired from 1994 to 1995.
"Magic Knight Rayearth " is a legendary fantasy adventure manga by CLAMP that was serialized in the shojo manga magazine "Nakayoshi" (Kodansha) from 1993 to 1995. The story follows three girls, Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki , and Fuu Hououji, who are suddenly summoned to the other world of Cephiro by Princess Emeraude while on a field trip to Tokyo Fuu Hououji. To rescue the captured princess, they become legendary magic knights...
◇Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Yui Miura▽Assistant Director: Takayuki Sano▽Series Composition: Shigeru Murakoshi▽Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Satomi Watanabe▽Demon Design/Demon Mechanic Director: Yuki Mutaguchi▽Art Director: Kazumaru Ando▽Color Design: Chiho Nakamura▽3D Supervisor: Tomohiko Suga▽Director of Photography: Hitoshi Tamura▽Editing: Keisuke Yanagi, ACE▽Sound Director: Shuhei Abe▽Music: Yuki Kajiura, Takumi Ozawa, Shiho Terada▽Music Production: TMS Music▽Creative Producer: Sunghoo Park ▽Planning and Production: UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS▽Animation Production: E&H production
◇Cast (titles omitted)
Hikaru Shidou: Ayane Sakura; Umi Ryuuzaki : Rumi Rie Takahashi ; Fuu Fuu Hououji : Saori Hayami ; Emeraude : Yuki Ono; Zagato: Mika Kikuchi; Mokona: Mika Kikuchi; Clef: Yuki Kaji; Presea: Emiri Kato; Ferio: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
