Rayearth

Rating:
Summary: Masterful Animation Abounds
Review: As the story of Umi, Hikaru, and Fuu progresses, the plots surrounding each of the girls are explored with more depth. We learn more about what motivates each of the chosen and why they choose to fight they way they do.

Throughout the second volume, the animation continues to be superb. The dark, earthly tones, and sharp lines mesh extremelley well with the somber mood and haunting background music to give this series an almost gothic feel.

The artful animation and presentation of characters makes this original to video series one any Rayearth fan, or anime fan for that matter, would love to watch - over and over again.

Rating:
Summary: A re-modified Rayearth tale...
Review: First of all, the Rayearth OAV/OVA's ARE NOT related to the actual series. This is just a different story with the Rayearth characters, heence the title 'Rayearth' instead of 'Magic Knight Rayearth.'
While MKR, like almost every other anime series, is rated 13+, i would probably rate the OAV's something like for ages 15+, since there is more blood, and the battles are more violent, and overall it's just "darker" than the normal anime. Fortunately for most viewers, the amount of blood flow isn't quite enough to make the average human (whether they watch anime or not) feel the urge to regurgitate. (If you're the sort of person who actually enjoys watching highly violent shonen anime, I suggest you take a look at the Rurouni Kenshin OAV's, which are EXTREMELY bloody- and I'm not the only person who thinks that.)
There are quite a few minor kinks changed in the OAV. The three girls know each other and are best friends in the same school. Hikaru is the captain of the gymnastics team, Umi plays tennis, and Fuu is skilled with the piano. Also, Hikaru's machin is Lexus, and I think Rayearth is supposed to be the combined power of the three mashin or something.
The OAV's artwork is first-rate, with lots of detail and more appealing characters, but it was all over in 3 episodes, so everything is kind of rushed... The characters that formerly looked childlike are re-drawn to look older (such as Clef and Emeraude).Also, the mashin stuff was, um, altered a bit.
Overall, it's a very pretty OAV to watch, but it's not something that I enjoyed immensely, probably because I saw it with Chinese subtitles, and I'm very poor with reading Chinese characters. I just didn't think it was anything really special. Of course, others might disagree, so you should obtain numerous opinions before deciding whether or no to buy the Rayearth OAV/OVA.

Rating:
Summary: Where is this coming from? And where is it going?
Review: I am so glad I only spent 7 bux on this crap! but I should have kept my best buy gift card for something else. Though it looks cool, the stroy line is lacking and the only thing similar to the manga (what it was based on) were the charecter names. Their personalities suck as well!

Rating:
Summary: Is it over yet?
Review: I bought it, watched it and hated it. Why? There's really no reason why you would like to continue watch it. I haven't seen the series (yet) an I think it will take some time before I do. The story is... well what is the story really? I don't recomend this DVD at all as you never get a grip about what's happening. For example. Someone appears, and if you haven't seen the series, you won't know who it is. Try to find something else, the series looks intressting. When it comes to graphics and sound, it's good. That's not a reason enough to buy it. Please don't make the same misstake as I did.

Rating:
Summary: Dark Rayearth
Review: I know many people hated this version of the series, but the bad rep is undeserved. It is a very dark version of the fabulous series of Magic Knight Rayearth. This is best seen if you have already watched at least the first season. The artwork is fantastic, the story line is unique, Clef is best in this version of the show. If you do not like variations of a good thing, or if the dark, depressing colors are not your style, or if you hated X the Movie (by Clamp), skip this OVA. If you'd like to see a new take on a Clamp favorite, then this is a must see!

Rating:
Summary: A video no MKR Fan can resist seeing!
Review: I loved the entire MKR series, so i just had to see the three OAVs. This of course is the first volume out of three. They continue where the other has left off. The three volumes are actually like three parters. If you choose to check out this video let me warn you about a few things though. First off, OAV is nothing like the manga or anime. It's a completely different story line. This first volume focues more so on Hikaru and her getting her ovum jewel.

The three girls: Fuu, Umi, and Hikaru are best friends attending school but none of them are magic knights. The girls are about to graduate from school and part their separate ways. Each are going to go to different high schools in different parts of Japan, so the likelihood of seeing each other again is very slim. Hikaru is majorly distressed by this and decides to make a wish to the cherry blossom fairy(Mokona). This is where all the action begins... The mage Clef shows up in Tokyo, seeking the aide of the three girls to stop the evil Prince Eagle from merging the dying world of Cephiro with Tokyo. (See what i mean when i say different storyline).

As soon as the movie begins you'll notice major differences when you compare it too the anime series. The animation colors are not as bright and brilliant, they're a bit more subdued. This adds to a darker feel to the OAV. The music also is a lot different then in the series. Don't expect any of those TRA-LA-LA melodies. The girls are also a bit older and more mature acting. Same goes for the voice acting. Their not as squeaky and high pitched. Almost all the characters are in the movie, but their roles and personalities are somewhat changed. Expect to see a return of the childlike bratty Ascot, a much more menancing Ferio, Alycone is still a witch, and Eagle is just plain mean. Oh and hey, Emeraude is alive!

For many of you who expect to see the romance between your favorite couples, sadly there's none of that in any of the 3 volumes.

The plot, itself, is a bit muddled and not as fully developed as in the series. One thing I didn't like was the lack of the hand-to-hand swordplay that i've come to love seeing (no swords, weapons, or magic spells). The girls strictly use their rune gods, which are no longer robotic looking. Their more like animal spirits that interwine with the girls. The video ends leaving you hanging, wondering whether or not Hikaru survives a battle with Alcyone in her rune god. Summing it all up, I, personally, enjoyed this little twist to the MKR series. It was different but i have to say i still prefer the anime.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful in every aspect.
Review: If you look around the case/box/what-have-you before viewing the DVD, you'll find yourself nearly bombarded by quotes of praise from magazines and, if I'm not mistaken, anime critics. What they say can be summed up as follows: Watch it. It's good.

I agree.

Not related to the MKR series and, as properly stated on the back cover, BASED on the manga by CLAMP, the story follows Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu on one of the days before their graduation from junior high school. The girls had once made a wish under a cherry tree in which, according to legend, there lived a fairy who granted wishes. This fairy is Mokona, and ones it (the dub has made it a sort of point, both here and in MKR, that Mokona is a he) descends from the branches, the wish -- referred to as Hikaru's wish -- begins to come true.

Unlike MKR, there are no pauses for humor because there is no time for it. Cephiro's Spirit Beast Tamers arrive on Earth for the "divine test", a concept that's rather hard to grasp. (But the desire to learn what everything is is just one of the hooks of this gripping story.) Drama soars high, and with a soundtrack like the one here, you can't NOT be captivated. The mecha battles are stunning. The animation is spectacular, much better than in MKR and MKR 2. This OAV/OVA/what-have-you is incredible, and I simply must state once more how amazing the animation is. The colors, the music, characters, the light, the story -- they all weave into one epic tale. It's breathtaking.

I watched the dub first (with the subtitles), having liked the MKR dub so much. I don't speak Japanese, but the dub script and the subtitles hardly contradict each other. The dub voice artists aren't the ones from MKR/MKR 2 (sadly, since now Ascot sounds a little un-cute and it's much harder to tell the girls apart), but it's tolerable. I enjoyed it. However, the complaints I have pertain to the English dub.

Why Alcyone was given a possessed-type double voice is beyond me, since is NOT present in the original Japanese track. Also, I find it annoying that the dub voice actors (and, quite possibly, the directors) seem to think it utterly necessary that ALL mouth movements MUST be filled in with a vocal. Dub!Fuu's, "Ah, Sinos!" makes me cringe. We understand that in order to yell something you must *breathe in*. And be prepared for name changes. Umi is now "Umi Ryuzaku" and Fuu becomes "Fu (one u) Hooji" (yes, WHO-gee). Hikaru, whose last name used to be pronounced "Shi-DOU" is now pronounced "SHI-dou". (Note: If you look at the "Cephiro Chronicles" bit, everything is spelled correctly. Ironic, yes?)

Those were minor points that don't really cut into the story. It may or may not make you cry, but, if nothing else, you WILL be impressed. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: This rocks!
Review: Not being related at all the the TV series, this can be watched without any knowledge of Rayearth previously, and boy, you don't want to miss it.

With awesome action scenes, and WONDERFUL soundtrack, top-notch animation, powerful story, and a very very pleasing DVD presentation, this is one you shouldn't miss.

The story shocked me at how great it was. I didn't like the TV show as much, but I still enjoyed this, and I think even the casual anime fan, or even non, will enjoy this.

This awesome, 3 part OAV shouldn't be missed. Check it out!

Rating:
Summary: Great OAV
Review: Ok, well I've only seen the first and third episode(with Chinese subtitles) but I can tell you this is really awesome. I love the anime series and the OAV is just as good, it might have been better if it was longer. The art has been fixed, and looks amazing, and the background music is wonderful. One of the things that confused me, however, was that Clef and Eagle look rather alike in this. But it's just one of those times when they look the same at first but as you watch it they become completely different, so that is not too bad. They kind of changed Lantis's look and now he looks like Tamahome(from Fushigi Yuugi) which is rather annoying, and what happens in the third episode is even more so, but the great series itself makes up for it(I guess.) If you're the kind of person who likes violence and blood, you'll love the battles and the beginning of the third episode(my favorite part!).

Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting Rayearth
Review: The 3rd part bugs me because someone else draws it! It dosent look so good unless I got a diffrent verstion and I dont think thats the case the voices are the same I think they do sound a little weird but the story line in this one is way diffrent and I wish I never got it because I was hoping for something good but it really made me sad that it was drawn by someone else but its up to you what you get.