Anime Magic Knights Rayearth Episode 1 The Birth of the Legendary Magic Knights! Opening Yuzurenai Negai Ending Asu heno Yuuki Version watched Commercially Subtitled Summary by Kylara (E-mail)
In the black darkness of space, bubbles are floating upwards. In the center of the darkness is a bright bubble of light, which is encased in a large, beautiful flower. Inside the bubble sits a beautiful, young blonde girl who is weeping silently and praying at the same time. She wears an aquamarine tiara on her head, and is dressed like a princess. Speaking out loud, she says, "Help... save this world... legendary Magic Knights!" As she says that, a beam of golden light shoots upward from her forehead, far out of the blackness.
[ Title screen - The Birth of the Legendary Magic Knights! ]
At Tokyo Tower, some girls are talking about how annoying it is to have to go to TOKYO TOWER for their school field trip; after all, they're not in elementary school anymore! Doesn't Hikaru think so, too? When they turn to Hikaru, they see her happily looking outside with a telescope, talking about how high they're up, and how happy she is that her school chose a fantastic place like this for their field trip. Her friends sweatdrop. Hikaru has long pink hair in a braid, and wears a red school uniform with a gray skirt. All of a sudden, Hikaru screams, and her friends ask what's wrong. SD (Super-Deformed) Hikaru points at the SD telescope and says that it ran out of money. While desperately searching for more money, a pretty brunette/blondish girl in a green school uniform and glasses hands Hikaru some change, and says that she had a nice time watching Hikaru enjoy her school field trip. The girl walks away. (She speaks very formally and respectfully.) Hikaru's friends says that the uniform the girl was wearing is a famous private school that seems to have a lot of geniuses.
Hikaru jumps up and says that she's going to thank her (she was too star struck to do it before). Running off, she almost runs into a passing group of girls that were blocking her way, all wearing blue school uniforms. Leading them is a gorgeous girl with long, thigh-length blue hair. Hikaru's friends, watching her, laugh about how Hikaru was too short to get through. The other girl realizes that the school of people Hikaru ran into is a white-collar, all-girls private junior high that a lot of important politicians and the like send their daughters to. Her friend wonders if today is the day that important schools have field trips at Tokyo Tower today. Looking at the blue-haired girl in front, they notice that she's simply gorgeous, like a model. The girl tosses her hair away from her neck, and her blue eyes meet with Hikaru's red eyes and the previous girl's green eyes.
As they look at each other in surprise, a bright light shines suddenly through the tower, and the inhabitants scream their heads off. All of a sudden, the princess from the beginning shines above them, and says, "Save this world of Cephiro, legendary Magic Knights!" The three girls see her, and suddenly, the floor beneath them turns into - nothing! In the middle of the air, the girls fall through, screaming, in SD form. They then land on a giant flying fish! All three girls are extremely confused - the land beneath them has mountains, an ocean, a floating castle in the sky, and a volcano! [Editor's note: What's with the exclamation points...]
Someplace else, in a dark cavern, a mirror shows an image of the fish. Watching are two men; one is dressed in simple white, and is on his knees, bowing, while the other man is very tall, wearing heavy armor and a dramatic looking cape. He also has a headpiece on. The man in white looks a bit like an elf. The second man says that she used the last of her power to summon the legendary Magic Knights from another world. The man in white says that he never thought the legend would become a reality, but the other man laughs and asks him why he's worried. A legend is a legend, not reality, and those kids can never become Magic Knights, much less save Princess Emeraude. But, of course, it is foolish to just laugh it off as a legend. The man in white agrees.
Flying over a cliff, the flying fish dumps the three SD girls onto it. The blue-haired girl is sort of freaking out, while all three girls agree that this isn't Tokyo. The blue-haired girl exclaims that she has a very important fencing tournament in one week! What are they going to do? Hikaru and the other girl sweatdrop, and then Hikaru stands up. With cat ears on her head, she says that they should - introduce themselves! The blue-haired girls asks her with a grimace if that's really a good idea at this time. The third girl says that she thinks it's a wonderful idea, and says that since they're the only three who were transported here from Tokyo Tower, they should help each other in this strange land. Hikaru says that's a good reason! The blue-haired girl says, "I understand," in an exasperated voice, and then with white roses in the background introduces herself as Ryuuzaki Umi, eighth grade. The other girl, with white daisies in the background, says she's Hououji Fuu, also eighth grade. They both do it very elegantly, while Hikaru pops in (sunflowers), saying, "Shidou Hikaru! Fourteen years old!" Eighth grade!" The other two girls pop into SD form; they can't believe it! They both thought she was in elementary school - eleven years old!
All of a sudden, the flying fish from earlier scares the heck out of SD Umi and SD Fuu. SD Umi hides behind a tree, while SD Hikaru pets the fish and says he's really tame. Umi remarks that the fish being tame really isn't helping their present situation. Running up to it (still SD), she asks it, "Can you take us back to Tokyo? I know you can, because you brought us here!" All of a sudden, a male voice calls, "Creature Recall!" And over SD Umi, Fuu, and Hikaru's heads, the fish is sucked away behind them.
Turning around, they see it being sucked into the stone on a staff. A very short boy (looks about eleven) is holding the staff, dressed in elaborate white robes. He wears an aquamarine head piece on his head, which has white hair. He says that there is no way for them to return to their world, and introduces himself as Master Mage Clef. He says that he is here to guide them, for there is no way for them to return until they have saved this land of Cephiro.
In a huge cavern filled with dark crystals, the caped man in black as well as the man in white are standing on a platform in the middle of a dark pool of water. The walls around them have waterfalls falling around them, and large, dark shelves are visible behind them, with shadows sitting on them. The man in white announces that the Magic Knights have been summoned. All around the waterfalls, people's voices exclaim their disbelief. The voices range from a little boy's to a grown woman's. One of the woman's voices says, "That is Princess Emeraude for you - to be able to use that much power even under imprisonment." Another female voice asks, "Are there three like in the legend?" while a boy's voice asks, "Are they going to revive the Rune-God?" The man in white tells them to be silent, for Lord Zagato is going to speak.
The man in black armor, Zagato, says that the three of legend are yet children, and there is no chance that the Rune-God will be revived. But, they are currently with Master Mage Clef. The boy's voice replies from the waterfall that they're with that obnoxious guy. The second woman's voice, who speaks with an Osaka accent (in Cephiro!) says that's a bit of a problem. Zagato then says the name Alcyone, and the woman who spoke first stands up behind the waterfall. The water breaks around her, revealing a young woman who looks positively evil, wearing a very showy outfit. She has a short staff with her. Zagato says that weeds must be pulled out early. She replies, "As you wish."
Back on the cliff, Clef's voice says that this land is Cephiro, and that these girls were summoned here to save this land by Princess Emeraude. SD Umi suddenly attacks SD Clef, pulling on his cape, and says that who is he to tell them this? He's younger than them! He yells back at her to let him go, and suddenly bashes her on the head with his staff. Coughing, he mutters something about what Princess Emeraude was thinking by summoning these children. All of a sudden, a spike comes up from the ground, and the monster attached to it is about to attack SD Umi, but Clef calls upon Lightning, and blasts the monster into dust. The girls are shocked, while Clef says that Cephiro didn't always use to be like this. People, creatures, and spirits used to live happily together, but after High Priest Zagato imprisoned the Princess, Cephiro turned into a land where monsters roamed among the confusion. Clef says that only they, the Magic Knights, can save this land. Hikaru is very impressed, but Umi has crossed her arms over her chest. She says that if this is all true, the people of Cephiro have quite a problem on their hands, but that it doesn't concern them. The people of Cephiro should solve their own problems! Clef then vehemently says that no, the people of Cephiro cannot do this, or they wouldn't have called the Magic Knights. Many magicians and swordsmen have already fought Zagato, but have lost.
Hikaru jumps in with, "I'll do it! I'll be a Magic Knight and fight to save Cephiro!" Umi scolds her, saying that does Hikaru really think she can make such an important decision so lightly? Hikaru says she can't ignore it when there are people in trouble, and Umi tells Fuu to help her convince Hikaru otherwise. Clef interrupts, saying that there is no choice for them. They cannot go home to Tokyo until Cephiro is saved. Umi freaks out, talking about her important fencing tournament in one week. Clef than sadly talks about how Princess Emeraude is the Pillar of this world, and how in this land of will, Cephiro, she supported the laws and people of this world with her prayers. In Cephiro, strength of will is all. The power of a heart that believes is everything. The princess's wish brought them here, and until that wish is fulfilled, they cannot return. The wish is for Cephiro to be saved, and to do that, they must become Magic Knights.
He then asks them if they know any magic, and Umi replies no, of course not! If they did, would they BE HERE RIGHT NOW? (Hikaru has sprouted cat ears again.) Clef sweatdrops, and says they don't even know magic? And he'll have to do something about their equipment. Slamming his staff into the ground, he exclaims, "Bestow Magic!" A flash of light bursts around the girls, and a transformation starts! All three girls are naked; flames surround Hikaru, water around Umi, and what appears to be wind around Fuu. Their school uniforms get a unique little kick; Hikaru gets knee-high white boots with red stones at the top, along with some very basic armor and one shoulder pad, with a glove on her right hand and a wrist protector on the other. Umi has boots similar, but they go above her knees, while Fuu's are just regular boots. Hikaru is thrilled, while Umi is a bit shocked, along with Fuu. He says that he tried to choose magic for them, but it seems the magic chose them.
Hikaru runs toward Clef, and asks him if she can use magic now. He replies she can, and to repeat after her. Umi whispers to Fuu if this is some little play, while Clef glares at her. Putting two fingers to her head, Clef asks Hikaru if she can feel the power she has inside of her, something she has never felt before. She answers that she can; she feels a heat inside her heart. A red light glows on her chest. She says that a phrase comes to mind, while Clef says that is her magic. Above them in the sky, the birds fly away from the forest. Clef says that one of Zagato's minions have arrived. The girls watch lightning in the sky strike below them. Away in a cavern, Zagato is watching the scene in his mirror. Clef, back on the cliff, summons an eagle-ish creature. He commands them to get on the creature, and sends them off. He says he'll hold the minion off, and Umi and Fuu struggle to hold SD Hikaru back from fighting with Clef. He says that if they want to help him, they'll become Magic Knights as soon as possible and save Cephiro. Clef also says that Presea is waiting for them in the Forest of Silence, and they should get weapons from her, and Mokona.
As he watches them fly away, a unicorn with a flaming mane and tail lands some distance in front of him. Alcyone is on top of the unicorn. She says that it's been a long time. Clef replies that she's been siding with Zagato, and he's very disappointed in her, his student, Alcyone. Alcyone replies that she is grateful to him for giving her such wonderful magic - like this! Holding up her staff, she says, "Icicle Onslaught." A storm of icicles appear behind her, and attack Clef. He blocks them with a magic barrier circle from his staff. Alcyone replies that she expected nothing less from her master, the highest-ranked magician of Cephiro. He replies that he taught her magic so she could be at Princess Emeraude's side and protect her, not be a threat to Cephiro. She laughs, saying he's still strict, but that she does not have time for idle chatter. She summons a monster made of the same flame on the horse; it looks like a two-headed wolf. Riding away, she says that there is no way for her to win if she actually fights him. "My mission is the eradication of the baby Magic Knights." As she rides away, Clef yells for her to wait, but he has to blast the monster with lightning. He thinks to himself that if they fall to Alcyone, there will be no chance for them to awaken the Rune-God and save Cephiro. Incredibly worried, he also thinks that Alcyone is nothing compared to the true enemy of the Magic Knights.
Standing on a cliff far behind Clef, Zagato is watching. Smiling, he raises his right hand. Clef, suddenly sensing him, turns around, only to be blasted by Zagato's magic. A stone Clef falls to the ground below. Zagato says out loud to himself that it is impressive that Clef sensed his presence before he was blasted - very right of the Master Mage Clef. However, Clef cannot help Princess Emeraude as he is now. Zagato laughs, and then vanishes off of the cliff.
Flying in the air, Hikaru is very worried about Clef. Fuu says that it's alright, he was a very powerful magician. Umi says, "Then what about THAT?!" and points at the approaching fire unicorn with Alcyone on its back. Alcyone raises her staff and says, "Ice spear attack!" As they are barraged by ice spears, Umi says that Clef was supposed to hold it off? All talk and no action! Hikaru wants to go back and help Clef if they can, but Fuu says no, if they want to help Clef-san, then they must not do that! He asked them not to; do they remember? Umi and Fuu smile at Hikaru, while the creature that they are on skillfully dodges the spears. Alcyone says that is impressive of the Master Mage's creatures, but that this is the end. Instead of coming from her, the spears fall from straight above, and the creature is frozen in place. (Not literally.)
Riding in front of them in mid-air, Alcyone says, "Nice to meet you, eggs from another world that would have hatched into Magic Knights. I just met you, so I apologize, but I have to kill you." Umi says that they just can't die like this, while Hikaru thinks that if she dies... she reflects over Clef's words, of how only the Magic Knights can save Cephiro, and that they are these Magic Knights. Standing up, she raises her left hand, which glows red with fire, surrounding her. Alcyone says it's interesting that she knows a little trick, but suddenly, Hikaru yells, "Fire arrow!" and blasts Alcyone with fire. After screaming, Alcyone vanishes, along with the horse. Hikaru falls down from exhaustion.
On the bird, Fuu says that she assumes that's the magic Clef was talking about? Umi then cuts in, saying that maybe they can ask this strange bird if it can take them back to Tokyo? The strange bird's head shakes nervously, but Hikaru and Fuu both say that they disagree. Umi asks why she disagrees with her now. Fuu says that although she doesn't completely believe Clef's story either, the part about the Magic Knights seems true because their attacker confirmed it. Umi is about to say something, but Fuu says that there's really nothing wrong with following Clef-san's instructions one at a time. Besides, it's bad to wander around in a dangerous place with no direction. Umi says that what if it's all one fat lie? Hikaru doesn't think that's possible, while Fuu says that lies will eventually be revealed - and does she have a better idea? Umi says she doesn't know which way to go even if they wanted to follow Clef's orders, but Hikaru says that this bird probably knows. The bird nods yes. Fuu asks Umi if she's just going to go off alone, while Hikaru says that she shouldn't. Umi says she guess she can't help it; she's more worried about leaving them alone! Fuu and Hikaru start to laugh.
Again, we are in that black abyss of space at the beginning of the episode. Inside the white light, Princess Emeraude is weeping, whispering, "Master Mage Clef..." Zagato's voice cuts in on her thoughts, saying that she summoned the legendary Magic Knights from another world. Emeraude says, "Zagato.." Looking up, she sees a projection (like a hologram) of Zagato standing there. He tells her to end her futile efforts; the Rune-God will not be revived, and the Magic Knights will never be. She asks him, why he, Zagato, a high priest, is doing all of this; doesn't he care what happens to Cephiro? With a gentle smile on his face, Zagato easily replies, "No." Emeraude's blue eyes widen.
The episode ends with Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu standing on the flying animal, while an image of a laughing Zagato looms over them.