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by Kenneth Jin-ho Cho
The mainstay story of CLAMP's MAGIC KNIGHT
RAYEARTH, having spawned two television series, joins
the OVA market with a new three volume series. Promising the
higher quality of production an OVA series normally entails, new
and updated character designs, and a somewhat skewed storyline
set in an alternate universe, the simply-titled RAYEARTH OVA series hopes to continue the
adventures of Fuu, Umi and Hikaru, the three Magic Knights of
Rayearth.
When entering the OVA market with an existing anime television
title, there are two choices that producers can follow: either
offer new side stories within the existing timeline, as FUSHIGI
YUUGI has done earlier this year, or develop a new
story within an alternative universe, as the abortive MACROSS
II series attempted to do without much fanfare. The
creators of RAYEARTH have opted to
produce a story loosely based on the original but set in an
alternative universe.
Defamiliarizing an existing story and cast in hopes that fans
will still eagerly purchase the OVAs with impatient want is a
tricky method; however, RAYEARTH seems to
provide, if not a "new" story, at least gorgeous new character
designs and top-notch animation. The three protagonists of
RAYEARTH: Hououji Fuu, Ryuuzaki Umi and
Shidou Hikaru, are all upcoming graduates of a missionary junior
high school near Roppongi, and they all sport slightly new makeovers and school
uniforms. Pleasant surprises are in store for the bishounen
fans of the RAYEARTH saga; the male casts
like Eagle, Lantis, Ferio, and a completely different Clef all
seem to have come straight from the recent X movietall,
thin and breathtakingly handsome.
The story of RAYEARTH could almost mirror
X as well. At the behest of Princess
Emeraude (seemingly stuck in a lucid, dream-like state much like
Monou Kotori of X), the castle of Cefiro
is being transported to modern day Tokyo (right above Tokyo
Tower, naturally) and threatens to destroy both Tokyo and Earth
(who would have thought!). Only three girls (think Dragons of
Heaven), whose hearts are filled with such love and desire for
one another, are bestowed the power to save Tokyo and Earth by
the Fairy of the Cherry Tree: Mokona! In their way stands the
legions of Lord Zagato (Alcione could be the Seer Kanoe's active
twin sister) and from there action, adventure, intrigue and
deceit ensue. "To save this Earth, we'll safeguard our
dreams."
Comparisons aside, RAYEARTH offers an
entertaining story that will keep audiences interested.
Hikaru's struggle to resolve her fears of being separated from
her friends Fuu and Umi after graduation serves as the basis for
the RAYEARTH series. Other interesting
facets of RAYEARTH are the re-designed
Mashin mecha that the Magic Knights employ and the, uh,
interesting pilot/mecha interface. Sans clothing, these
sequences (especially the second volume) seem to be
targeting a male audience (service, service!) when MAGIC KNIGHT RAYEARTH fans have usually been
overwhelmingly female.
Slated for only three volumes with two already in release, the
saga of RAYEARTH is jarringly short for
the scale and importance the story takes on. The first two
volumes are exciting and full of suspense. However, this
reviewer can only hope that the third and final release will end
appropriately with closure and satisfaction, unlike the
disappointing third volume of the first FUSHIGI
YUUGI OVA series. The RAYEARTH OVA
series scores a double success in that original RAYEARTH fans will still want to seek out the
OVA series while those entirely new to RAYEARTH will not really be hampered with the
need to "catch up" to the old television series beforehand.
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RAYEARTH OVA
Copyright © 1997 CLAMP / Polygram
/ Shueisha, PolyGram, TMS
Volume 1 POLV-3181, 25 July 1997, ¥6800
Volume 2 POLV-3182, 26 Sept 1997, ¥6800
Each volume 45 min CLV
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