The 1994 TV anime Magic Knight Rayearth (魔法騎士レイアース) — all 49 episodes — is available for unlimited streaming (見放題) in Japan on four platforms: U-NEXT, DMM TV, dAnime Store, and Hulu. This guide covers the 1994 version only, not the new 2026 anime series.

Top Pick: U-NEXT

U-NEXT stands out as the most recommended option. New subscribers get a 31-day free trial plus 500 yen in bonus points at sign-up. The platform also carries the upcoming 2026 remake, making it easy to watch both versions side by side. After the trial, the monthly fee is 2,189 yen (tax included), with 1,200 points awarded each month to continuing subscribers.

Unlimited Streaming Services at a Glance

• U-NEXT — ¥2,189/month | 31-day free trial | 500-yen bonus points on sign-up
• DMM TV — ¥550/month | 14-day free trial | 550 bonus points on sign-up
• dAnime Store — ¥660/month | First month free | Anime-only service
• Hulu — ¥1,320/month | No free trial

DMM TV

At just ¥550 a month, DMM TV is the most affordable way to revisit 1990s anime classics. The 14-day trial and 550 bonus points make it easy to try before committing.

dAnime Store

An anime-dedicated service at ¥660/month with a free first month. Note that billing runs from the 1st to the last day of each calendar month regardless of when you sign up or cancel.

Hulu

Hulu offers a broad mix of domestic and international dramas, films, and anime at ¥1,320/month, though there is no free trial period.

Rental Options

Amazon Prime Video offers individual episode rentals at ¥110 per episode (HD). The series is not included in the standard Prime membership, but subscribing to the add-on channels “dAnime Store for Prime Video” or “Anime Times” (both at additional cost) also grants access. Amazon Prime itself costs ¥600/month with a 30-day free trial. TELASA also carries the 1994 version as a rental.

The series is currently unavailable on Netflix, Disney+, ABEMA, FOD, and Lemino.

Story & Highlights

Magic Knight Rayearth follows three middle-school girls — Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji — who are summoned from Tokyo Tower to the magical world of Cephiro by Princess Emeraude. Granted magic powers and giant mechanical spirits called Mashin, the trio must rescue the princess from the high priest Zagato and protect Cephiro.

The series is split into two arcs: Arc 1 (episodes 1–20) and Arc 2 (episodes 21–49), in which the girls return to Cephiro and face threats from three rival nations — Autozam, Chizeta, and Fahren.

One of the series’ defining traits is its blend of shōjo storytelling with large-scale mecha battles — a striking combination for a title serialized in the girls’ magazine Nakayoshi. The first opening theme, “Yuzurenai Negai” by Naomi Tamura, sold over one million copies and earned her a spot on the NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. The anime’s final arc features an original ending that diverges from the manga.

Main Cast

• Hikaru Shidou — Hekiru Shiina
• Umi Ryuuzaki — Konami Yoshida (now: Konanmi Yoshida)
• Fuu Hououji — Hiroko Kasahara
• Emeraude / Eagle — Megumi Ogata
• Zagato / Lantis — Juurouta Kosugi
• Mokona / Primera — Yuri Shiratori
• Clef — Nozomu Sasaki
• Presea — Emi Shinohara
• Ferio — Takumi Yamazaki
• Alcyone — Yuri Amano
• Ascot — Minami Takayama
• Innova — Ryotaro Okiayu

Production Details

• Original work: CLAMP (serialized in Kodansha’s Nakayoshi)
• Broadcast: Yomiuri TV / Nippon TV — October 17, 1994 to November 27, 1995
• Episodes: 49 (Arc 1: 20 eps; Arc 2: 29 eps)
• Director: Toshihiro Hirano (now: Toshitaka Hirano)
• Character Design: Atsuko Ishida
• Music: Hayato Matsuo
• Studio: Tokyo Movie Shinsha
• Opening Themes: “Yuzurenai Negai” (Naomi Tamura); “Kirai ni Narenai” (Ayumi Nakamura); “Hikari to Kage wo Dakishimeta Mama” (Naomi Tamura)
• Ending Themes: “Ashita e no Yūki” (Keiko Yoshinari); “La La By ~Yasashiku Dakasete~” (Minako Honda); “Itsuka Kagayaku” (Keiko Yoshinari)

FAQ

How does the 1994 version differ from the 2026 version?

The 1994 anime aired on Yomiuri TV/Nippon TV across 49 episodes. The 2026 version is a brand-new production airing on TV Asahi from October 2026, with a different cast and production studio.

Can I watch it for free?

DMM TV offers a 14-day free trial, U-NEXT a 31-day trial, and dAnime Store a free first month. A limited YouTube free-streaming event held between 2022 and 2023 has since ended.

Is it on Netflix?

The 1994 version is not currently available on Netflix.

Is it free on Amazon Prime Video?

No — it is not included in the standard Prime membership and must be rented at ¥110 per episode (HD), or accessed via a paid add-on channel.