I initially thought that MKR was the typical shoujo anime. I think it was because its main characters initially smacked of Sailormoon, for Umi was aloof and elegant like Sailormars, Fuu was quiet and smart like Sailormercury and Hikaru was basically unremarkable if not for her unusual kindness — just like Sailormoon. But as the characters gained depth and got into relationships as the show went on, I began to appreciate the Magic Knights and their comrades better. One thing’s for sure — the story gives all of the characters (whether protagonist or antagonist) ample space to mature and develop — unlike other anime whose formulaic, repetitive storylines force stagnancy on its characters. Truly, these characters are human. You will find yourself eventually liking all of the characters because of this dynamism; you’ll find yourself immersed in the story as you witness each of them undergo changes of heart and mind.

Additionally, I love Magic Knight Rayearth for its stunning visuals! I’ve never seen such gilded, gorgeous mecha, and I love the exoticism of the series’ character designs and costumes. There’s simply no mistaking that CLAMP flair for detail, because even the backdrops are breathtaking. The bottom line is that this is not your typical shoujo anime. The characters have depth, are human and veer away interestingly from the usual anime archetypes; the conflict is more real and the art is simply spectacular!

Individual Rating: 10; Story & Plot: 8; Characters: 8; Sounds: 8

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 26th, 2001 at 2:06 pm and is filed under Magic Knight Rayearth, Anime. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.