Mahou Kishi Rayearth Japan Premiere: Sakura Ayane, Ookubo Rumi, Takahashi Rie, Hayami Saori, Ono Yuuki Discuss Dubbing and Debut

Mahou Kishi Rayearth Japan Premiere Draws 500 Fans

The Japan Premiere for the TV anime Mahou Kishi Rayearth was held on October 3, 2026, at TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. The event brought together Sakura Ayane (Shidou Hikaru), Ookubo Rumi (Ryuuzaki Umi), Takahashi Rie (Hououji Fuu), Hayami Saori (Emeraude), and Ono Yuuki (Zagato). Ahead of the October 7 broadcast debut, the first two episodes were screened, and the character visuals for the three Mashin were shown for the first time. The cast shared their pre-broadcast feelings and highlights from the work.

The event took place in Screen 7 of TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, where about 500 fans gathered. MC Matsuzawa Neki introduced the cast, and the venue erupted in applause as Sakura Ayane, Ookubo Rumi, Takahashi Rie, Hayami Saori, and Ono Yuuki appeared on stage.

Cast Introductions

During the opening greetings, Sakura used her familiar introduction: "I’m Sakura Ayane, born January 29, Aquarius, blood type B, who plays Shidou Hikaru." Ookubo followed in the same style: "I’m Ookubo Rumi, born September 27, Libra, blood type A, who plays Ryuuzaki Umi." Takahashi continued: "I’m Takahashi Rie, born February 27, Pisces, blood type A, who plays Hououji Fuu." Hayami added: "I’m Hayami Saori, May 21, Gemini, blood type AB, who plays Emeraude." Finally, Ono said, "I’m Ono Yuuki, playing Zagato (laughs)," which filled the venue with laughter.

Pre-Broadcast Feelings

When asked about their current feelings and points for viewers to enjoy ahead of next week’s broadcast, Sakura said she had long been a big CLAMP fan. She spoke about the meaning of reimagining the work in the Reiwa era, jokingly calling it "Reiwa-ース" (laughs), and about re-adapting it as an anime around the time the original manga concluded. She said the staff and cast have approached production with love. Since this will be the first time Japanese audiences see it, she is very nervous.

Ookubo-san noted that she belongs to the generation that watched the Heisei-era "Heiwa-ース" (laughs), so she had some vague feelings about playing Umi. However, after entering dubbing and performing with everyone, it began to feel real. She is nervous again before the broadcast (laughs), but added that standing on a Rayearth stage with Ono-san and Hayami-san for the first time is truly reassuring.

Takahashi said that some people are waiting for everyone’s impressions, so she hopes viewers will take home the feelings that arise inside them. She also joked, "I’m nervous, so can’t we just air it already!? (laughs)"

Hayami, who plays Emeraude, the princess of the other world who holds a key to the story, commented that Emeraude is a very important presence who creates the opportunity for the three to become Rayearth. Her inner self will be revealed more and more, so there is a lot to look forward to.

Ono, attending a Mahou Kishi Rayearth event for the first time, said, "Zagato is kind of a spoiler character (laughs). I wondered whether I, as someone who opposes the main cast, should stand here, but I am honored to be on this stage as a fan of the work and as a member of the team."

Dubbing Episode 1

When the conversation turned to the Episode 1 dubbing session, Sakura recalled that during recording, everyone including the staff faced the responsibility of carrying Rayearth with tension. They had to think carefully about the lives of characters not depicted in the anime while also relaxing their shoulders. Switching between those modes was difficult, and she struggled early in the dubbing process. Ookubo said that it is rare to do test, last test, and actual recording three times, and she felt during the Episode 1 session that the staff and cast still wanted to keep polishing the work.

Character Highlights and Performance Approach

Asked about highlights of the work and points to watch in their characters, Sakura said that Hikaru, who seems to embody love, responds to events that cannot be explained by simple good and evil, and how she saves Cephiro is a major theme of the series. Ookubo explained that Umi has a cool beauty appearance, but also a straight-talking, childlike side fitting for a 14-year-old. Balancing that was difficult. Because Ookubo has read the manga many times and knows Umi’s fully grown self, she was conscious of not showing that full growth in Episode 1, instead letting viewers enjoy the gap between Umi’s appearance and inner self as a charm. Takahashi said she valued Fuu’s my-pace perspective and soft gaze, and that Fuu’s gentle way of seeing things became a gift to her. She added, "She is a really wonderful girl, and I love her."

Emeraude, Zagato, and What They Believe In

Hayami said she performed while valuing Emeraude’s feelings and the heart she holds dear, putting them into her voice. She described Emeraude’s charm as having strong and large emotions that flow into the heart even without conscious effort. Ono drew laughter by saying, "The thing I can just barely say to watch right now is Zagato’s shoulder width (laughs)."

In line with the theme "a believing heart becomes power" and the other world of Cephiro, the cast were asked what they themselves believe in. Takahashi said, "’Like’ is a huge power. Because you like something, you want to get better, do your best, and hold on. Both positive and negative things are all canceled out by ‘like.’" Ookubo answered, "Myself." At the audition, she went in with the strong feeling that she would not lose to anyone in the voice acting industry in her love for Rayearth. Believing in herself is what brought her to this place. Sakura said, "CLAMP works." She explained that each work contains words that resonate after becoming an adult, things that were necessary as a child, and not only positivity but also salvation for negative things. She feels everything is packed into CLAMP works. Hayami said that hearing everyone’s voices during dubbing and receiving staff members’ words made her want to believe in everyone. Rather than walking alone, she believed that everyone was working together to improve the work through trial and error, and she pushed forward. She added that it is truly a work made by a believing heart. Ono shared his motto, "Do all you can and wait for heaven’s will." He said he has placed everything he could do into the footage, and now it is about how it reaches everyone at this moment.

New Mashin Visuals and Latest Original Manga News

Looking at the visuals on the screen, Ookubo excitedly said that the designs differ from both the original manga and the Heisei-era anime. She wanted to cherish the Heisei version, but at the same time thought about what new things could be done, so she was very happy to see this as one form of the new project.

As latest news related to the original manga, the event introduced the reprints of "CLAMP PREMIUM COLLECTION Mahou Kishi Rayearth" and "Fukkoku-ban Mahou Kishi Rayearth Gengashuu," as well as the start of a reprint serialization of Mahou Kishi Rayearth in the shoujo manga magazine Nakayoshi.

Closing Remarks and Screenings

At the end of the event, Sakura gave a closing greeting on behalf of the cast. "I hope that Rayearth, reimagined in this era, and the feelings of these characters reach many people. Whatever emotions you feel after watching, whether positive or negative, they are all your important feelings, so I would be happy if you take them home carefully." The stage greeting ended to great success. Afterward, Episode 1 and Episode 2 were screened at the venue.

Event Overview

TV Anime Mahou Kishi Rayearth Overview

Broadcast Information

From October 7, 2026 (Wed.), every Wednesday at 11:45 PM, the series begins on TV Asahi’s national network "IMAnimation W" slot for two consecutive cours. *Some regions excluded.

Streaming Information

After the TV broadcast ends, the anime is scheduled to stream sequentially on AnimeFesta, Anime Houdai, ABEMA, FOD, J:COM STREAM, J:COM STREAM unlimited, d Anime Store, d Anime Store Nico Nico branch, d Anime Store for Prime Video, d Anime Store for LINE Manga, DMM TV, TELASA (unlimited plan), TELASA (rental), Nico Nico, HAPPY! Douga (smartphone only), Bandai Channel, Videx, Hulu, Prime Video, Prime Video (rental), milplus, milplus unlimited pack premium, U-NEXT, and Lemino. *Streaming start dates may vary by service.

©CLAMP・ST／Kodansha・TMS・TV Asahi