The new Magic Knight Rayearth anime locked in three more cast members on June 5, filling out the villain side of CLAMP's 1993 magical-girl epic ahead of its October 2026 premiere on TV Asahi. Saori Hayami plays Emeraude, Yuki Ono is Zagato, and Mika Kikuchi voices Mokona — the trio sitting opposite the three established leads.
Quick answer
Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) is a new TV adaptation of CLAMP's 1993–1996 Nakayoshi manga, premiering October 2026 on TV Asahi's IMAnimation W block, Wednesdays at 11:45 p.m. JST. It is produced at E&H Production under UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS, directed by Yui Miura (directorial debut), with series composition by Shigeru Murakoshi, character designs by Satomi Watabe, and music from Yuki Kajiura, Takumi Ozawa and Shiho Terada. Ayane Sakura, Rumi Okubo and Rie Takahashi return as Hikaru, Umi and Fu. Per SenpaiRanks, Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) is tracked on the Fall 2026 ranking board, with its position set to climb as votes land once the series airs.
Who's in it
The June 5 wave confirmed the antagonists fans were waiting on. Saori Hayami takes Emeraude, Yuki Ono plays Zagato, and Mika Kikuchi — who voiced Mokona back in the Tsubasa Chronicle days — returns to the creature role. They join the three Magic Knights already cast: Ayane Sakura as Hikaru Shido, Rumi Okubo as Umi Ryuzaki, and Rie Takahashi as Fu Hoouji.
Behind the camera
E&H Production handles the series under the UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS banner. Yui Miura makes a series-directing debut here, working from scripts by Shigeru Murakoshi. Satomi Watabe adapts CLAMP's character designs, and the score pairs Yuki Kajiura — whose fingerprints are all over modern fantasy anime — with Takumi Ozawa and Shiho Terada.
Where it comes from
CLAMP serialized Magic Knight Rayearth in Kodansha's Nakayoshi from 1993 to 1996, spanning six volumes. The story drops three Tokyo schoolgirls into the world of Cephiro, where they're conscripted as the magic knights who must save a kidnapped princess. A 1994 TV anime and OVA followed; this 2026 version is a fresh take for a new generation.
The read
A CLAMP property with this much name recognition doesn't need to oversell itself, and the staff list reads accordingly — Kajiura's involvement alone signals the production is treating the music as a centerpiece. The world-premiere screening at Anime Expo on July 4, with Rie Takahashi and Saori Hayami attending, gives the West an early look before the October broadcast. If you're mapping out what's worth a slot, our Magic Knight Rayearth Anime Expo world-premiere report has the screening details, and the season-wide what to watch this summer hub tracks everything airing right now.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When does the Magic Knight Rayearth 2026 anime premiere?
A: October 2026 on TV Asahi's IMAnimation W block, Wednesdays at 11:45 p.m. JST.
Q: Which studio is making Magic Knight Rayearth (2026)?
A: E&H Production, under the UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS banner, with Yui Miura directing.
Q: Who voices the cast in the new Magic Knight Rayearth?
A: Ayane Sakura (Hikaru), Rumi Okubo (Umi) and Rie Takahashi (Fu) lead, with Saori Hayami as Emeraude, Yuki Ono as Zagato and Mika Kikuchi as Mokona.
Q: Is Magic Knight Rayearth based on a manga?
A: Yes — CLAMP's six-volume manga ran in Kodansha's Nakayoshi magazine from 1993 to 1996.
Q: Where can I rank Magic Knight Rayearth (2026)?
A: It's on the SenpaiRanks Fall 2026 ranking board, where you can rate it and watch its position move as votes come in.