Magic Knight Rayearth

- Revised February 2026

After Galient and Aura Battler Dunbine, my fantasy-mecha journey ends with Magic Knight Rayearth , the culmination of the genre. Among all the fantasy mecha series I’ve watched, Rayearth holds a very high position, even though the TV series doesn’t fully tap its potential.

The first part of Rayearth is the strongest, but the show could have benefited from a breather to create a more coherent second half. Trying to stretch 49 episodes into one continuous arc isn’t ideal if you’re aiming for a robust storyline. Still, Rayearth is very well-rounded, featuring most of the elements that make fantasy mecha compelling. The Rune Gods are some of the coolest designs in the genre, and the series has a strong sense of visual identity.

The only issue for me is the setting’s noblebright tone, especially in the second half  likely a result of its shōjo origins. Even so, it’s still not as heavy-handed as Escaflowne. Among the Magic Knights, Fuu Hououji is surprisingly my favorite, and her romance with Ferio could have been better developed in the latter half.

With this, I’m now mentally prepared for Super Robot Wars T if I ever get my hands on a copy. Despite the great designs, I still wonder why the Rayearth Rune Gods haven’t received any truly noteworthy toy releases. At least Rayearth, Selece, and Windam have a strong chance, especially since the Magic Knights recently got Figma figures.

Finally, if you’re looking for a solid entry point into fantasy mecha, Magic Knight Rayearth is unquestionably one of the best choices out there.