Rating: 
Summary: CLAMP at their best.
Review: Every review I see starts out with how great the artwork is. And it is-- Makona Apapa (head artist of CLAMP) is one of the most brilliant and talented artists living in the world today. However, its the plot that makes Magic Knight Rayearth one of the best mangas ever written. The story begins, as with much of CLAMP's work, as a parody. The characters even make reference to the RPG style plot, complete with "level ups", a kidnapped Princess, and magical powers. This, however, is merely the canvas for a beautiful story about friendship, determination, hope, and love. The story builds into the third novel, where the original plotline is concluded in one of the most brilliantly written plot twists ever I have ever encountered. Everything you expect flies out the window, but at the same time sets the stage for the second half the of the story. Book four continues, moving the story in a new direction. This, beyond much of the other manga out there, is a story worth reading. Only a few greats can truly bring the "novel" back into the phrase graphic novel, and CLAMP is most certainly one of them.
Rating: 
Summary: "Please save Cephiro, girls from another world!"
Review: The most popular manga by the phenominal female team CLAMP, Magic Knight Rayearth is the story of three 14 year old girls who get drawn into the land of Cephiro by the power of it's Pillar - literally, the person who supports the land's peace with their will - princess Emeraude. Emeraude has been kidnapped, and it's up to Hikaru, Fuu and Umi to save her and keep Cephiro from crumbling. To do so, they have to fight their way past the minions of Zagato, a rogue priest and Emeraude's kidnapper with sword, spell and something called the Mashin.... Can the girls rescue the princess and save Cephiro? What the heck are the Mashin anyway? And just when will Umi calm down? All these answers and more in the wonderful Magic Knight Rayearth! That's the first three book story arc. The second involves a fight between a handful of nations outside Cephiro and the Magic Knights over who gets to be the new Pillar of Cephiro. Another hard fight for the Knights, and a strange secret about who or what Mokona actually is comes to light... Obligatory synopsis aside, though, I am a little disappointed with one thing - and only one - about this particular edition of MKR. The translators are out to lunch. Some character names are spelled wrong, Fuu's speech should be far more formal than it is (she uses a very formal Japanese dialect that doesn't even have contractions), and some of the word choices are a little weird. Even so, this is still well worth the read, and I suggest you pick it up as soon as possible!
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend this series!
Review: Yet another masterpiece from CLAMP! Rayearth has fabulous artwork, an interesting plot, adorable characters, and enough comedy to even it all out. A completely satisfying buy with an exotic touch, Rayearth is perfect for manga lovers everywhere! You won't be sorry!
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful art, good world, but need first two
Review: (This review is for vol. 1) All of the other reviews, plus the previews, give good synopses of the book itself so I'll just go into my review of it. The first manga is, as is often the case, the "introductory"-sort of volume; everyone is introduced, we get general characteristics of the main characters, etc. Therefore you really don't get into the meat of the story in volume 1. I do have to say that I liked, no LOVED, the artwork; a few people here said Clamp went too far with its big-eyed, over-cute characters but I really love this artwork! As it's my first Clamp manga, I have to say I could get into this kind of artwork. :) I think my biggest gripe with the story as a whole is that it's a slightly overused plotline. Three girls from different schools (all with prep school uniforms) happen to go on a field trip to Tokyo Tower and are sucked into the world by the protector of the fantasy world Cephiro. It reminds me a bit of Dungeons and Dragons, and is an overused plot device. The girls themselves, all approximately 14, are Sailor Moon-like characters, really ditzy and young. Unfortunately, as I've only read this the first volume (vol 2 is on it's way; I've heard good things about it and want to give it a try) I have no way of knowing how the storyline progresses beyond this book. But I would suggest that, if you have the funds, you buy the first two volumes together so you can get more out of it. I found that I really enjoyed the budding friendship/possible-romance by two of the characters (it's too early to tell), and want to read more about it, but as this just introduced them, and with very little action... Overall, great artwork, overused plot device (the whole "another world" thing) - why then did I give it 4 stars? Because, despite all this, I've found myself rereading it ever since I got it. It's actually pretty good, but I can't wait to get the next manga because hopefully I'll be able to get into the world a bit more. :-)
Rating:
Summary: Magic Knight Rayearth
Review: If you like action, fantasy, and friendship, you'll like Magic Knight Rayearth. It's about 3 girls-Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu-who are transported from Tokyo to Cephiro to become the Legendary Magic Knights! On their quest to save Princess Emeraude for the clutches of the evil Zagato, they encounter many dangers. Also, the friendship between the 3 girls and their determination to become the Legendary Magic Knights of Cephiro and rescue Princess Emeraude grows. If you like action, this is great for you-as I said in my review of Fushigi Yugi. The action sequences can last for a pretty long time in these books. There were only 2 things I didn't like about this book and the whole series: 1) I thought that Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu whined and cried to much. At times, they went on and on about how they had to continue with their journey. It got a little annoying after awhile. 2) I didn't like the last few pages. I thought they were pointless to the story. Clamp is my favorite! I love their books and have started 4 series written by them! I would suggest any of the following that are written by them: Cardcaptor Sakura, Angelic Layer, and Clover. Have fun reading Magic Knight Rayearth!
Rating:
Summary: Magic Knight Rayearth Is A GREAT Manga.
Review: CLAMP's manga, Magic Knight Rayearth, is a wonderful book, (all three of them are!) with stunning artwork and a good plot. This is some high quality stuff. The story line revolves around three girls from Tokyo, summoned to a realm of magic known as Cephiro, where they are told that they are to awaken three ancient spirts, Celes, Windom, and Rayearth, and fight to save Cephiro from the evil Lord Zagato. JUST WAIT TIL YOU READ THE ENDING (in the third book) It's so amazing but i'm not gonna say anything more, just that i highly recommend this book, its one of the best Mixx Manga's out there. (but i also like Sailor Moon and Harlem Beat..) Oh and you can also get the movies here at Amazon too, i can't wait until i save up enough to order them!
Rating:
Summary: CLAMP's work at its best!
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite comic books, American or Japanese. Three Japanese schoolgirls, Umi, Fuu, and Hikaru are summoned from their Tokyo tower field trip and thrown headfirst into Cefiro, a world that only a fantasy RPG game could describe. Can they turn into the Legendary Magic Knights and save the magical Princess Emeraude before it's too late? This is a beautifly drawn manga and I hope more and more people will be able to see it!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a keeper.
Review: If you have yet to read Magic Knight Rayearth, you have no idea what you're missing. MKR is one of the best Anime/Manga series I've ever seen, read, or heard of. The illustrations are amazing - especially on the spells, CLAMP did an awesome job. The story's plot line is addicting, and you'll soon find yourself hooked. You won't be able to just read the first one - you'll find yourself needing to get 2-6, because you want to know what happens to Umi, Fuu, and Hikaru, or if Umi kills Mokona or not. Like I said, if you have yet to read MKR, you need to, because you have no idea what you're missing out on.
Rating:
Summary: Shoujo Manga
Review: My friend got me hooked on Magic Knight Rayearth by letting me borrow the first manga and I can say this, it's brilliant. The beginning does seem to drag on a bit, but all in all, it's a wonderful manga, but then, anything by Clamp is a good read. The beginning threw me off track for a sec but it's a beautifully written story and so far, one of the best i've read and i've read alot of manga in the short span of a year. I know i'm repeating myself but this is a beautifully written manga and I can't wait until I (finally) have the money to spend on the second and third manga books.
Rating:
Summary: Shoujo Shoujo Shoujo...
Review: Like the title says, this manga is definitely for little girls... The artwork is brilliant (nothing CLAMP makes isn't :P), but the storyline seems to drag on for a while. It does have humor, and the characters are all quite lovable. But if you have no patience, then I suppose this isn't quite the thing for you. :/
|
