The Japan Premiere of TV anime Magic Knight Rayearth (魔法騎士レイアース) was held on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, Screen 7 in Tokyo, drawing approximately 500 fans ahead of the series’ broadcast debut on October 7. Episodes 1 and 2 were screened exclusively at the event, and character visuals for the three Mashin (魔神) were unveiled for the first time.

Taking the stage — introduced by MC Matsuzawa Negi — were Sakura Ayane (Shidou Hikaru), Okubo Rumi (Ryuuzaki Umi), Takahashi Rie (Houoji Fu), Hayami Saori (Emeraude), and Ono Yuki (Zagato), who were greeted with thunderous applause.

Opening Greetings

The introductions set a playful tone from the start. Sakura Ayane opened with her signature self-introduction style — name, birthday, star sign, and blood type — and the rest of the cast followed suit. Ono Yuki, playing the antagonist Zagato, simply said “Ono Yuki as Zagato (laughs),” drawing laughter from the crowd.

Pre-Broadcast Feelings

Asked about their feelings ahead of the broadcast, Sakura Ayane spoke about the weight of the project: “I’ve always been a huge CLAMP fan. I thought deeply about the meaning of reimagining this story in the Reiwa era — at the very moment the original manga reached its conclusion — and the entire cast and staff approached production with a great deal of love. This is the first time audiences in Japan will see it, so I’m incredibly nervous.”

Okubo Rumi, who grew up watching the original Heisei-era anime, said she felt a sense of unreality at first about playing Umi, but that recording sessions with the full cast made it feel real. She also noted how meaningful it was to share the stage with Hayami Saori and Ono Yuki for the first time at a Rayearth event. Takahashi Rie said she was so nervous she wanted the screening to start as soon as possible, while Hayami Saori described Emeraude as a pivotal figure whose inner world will gradually be revealed. Ono Yuki, attending a Rayearth event for the first time, joked that Zagato is “basically a walking spoiler,” but expressed genuine pride in standing on stage as someone who loves the work.

Recording Challenges

Reflecting on the Episode 1 recording session, Sakura Ayane revealed: “Everyone — cast and staff alike — felt the weight of carrying the Rayearth name. You have to think carefully about the characters’ lives beyond what’s shown on screen, and then let go of that tension when you perform. Switching between those two modes was really difficult, and I genuinely struggled during the early recording sessions.”

Okubo Rumi noted that the Episode 1 session was unusually thorough, going through test, rehearsal, and full takes multiple times — a sign, she felt, that the staff wanted to keep refining the performance right up to the end.

Character Highlights

Sakura Ayane described Hikaru as someone who embodies love, and said the central theme of the series is how she responds to situations that can’t simply be divided into good and evil as she works to save Cephiro. Okubo Rumi said the challenge with Umi was balancing her cool, composed exterior with the bluntness of a 14-year-old — and being careful not to show too much of Umi’s eventual growth too early in the story. Takahashi Rie spoke warmly about Fu’s gentle, at-her-own-pace perspective, calling her “a truly wonderful character I’ve come to love.”

Hayami Saori said she tried to carry Emeraude’s inner feelings in her voice, describing the character as someone with an overwhelmingly powerful heart. Ono Yuki got another laugh by saying the one thing he could safely tease without spoilers was “Zagato’s shoulder width.”

“What Do You Believe In?”

In a segment inspired by Cephiro’s theme that “belief becomes power,” each cast member was asked what they personally believe in. Takahashi Rie said she believes in the power of loving something — that passion drives improvement and resilience. Okubo Rumi said she believes in herself, recalling that she entered the audition with the conviction that no one loved Rayearth more than she did. Sakura Ayane said she believes in CLAMP’s works, praising their ability to speak to readers differently at different stages of life and to offer solace even in dark moments.

Hayami Saori reflected on how hearing her fellow cast members and receiving encouragement from the staff during recording made her want to trust in everyone around her, adding: “This really is a series built on belief.” Ono Yuki quoted his personal motto — “Do your best and leave the rest to fate” — and said everything he could give is already in the footage; now it was time to see how it reaches the audience.

New Mashin Designs and Original Manga News

Okubo Rumi reacted with visible excitement to the newly revealed Mashin visuals, noting that the designs differ from both the original manga and the Heisei anime: “I wanted to honour the Heisei version, but I was equally curious about what new things could be done — so seeing this design made me very happy.”

The event also announced several pieces of news related to the original manga: reprints of CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION Magic Knight Rayearth and the 復刻版 Magic Knight Rayearth 原画集 (restored art book), as well as the launch of a revival serialisation of Magic Knight Rayearth in the shōjo manga magazine Nakayoshi.

Closing Words

Closing the stage event on behalf of the cast, Sakura Ayane said: “I hope the feelings of these characters — reimagined for this era — reach as many people as possible. Whatever emotions you feel after watching tonight, whether positive or negative, they are all precious feelings that belong to you. Please take good care of them.” The stage event concluded to great applause, after which Episodes 1 and 2 were screened for the audience.

Broadcast & Streaming Information

• Broadcast: From Wednesday, October 7, 2026, every Wednesday at 23:45 on TV Asahi nationwide (2-cour run, some regions excluded)
• Streaming: Sequential distribution after TV broadcast on AnimeFesta, Animehodai, ABEMA, FOD, J:COM STREAM, d Anime Store, d Anime Store Niconico, d Anime Store for Prime Video, d Anime Store for LINE Manga, DMM TV, TELASA, Niconico, HAPPY! Doga, Bandai Channel, Videx, Hulu, Prime Video, milplus, U-NEXT, Lemino, and others (start dates may vary by service)

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