Magic Knight Rayearth Interview: Sakura Ayane, Ookubo Rumi, Takahashi Rie Talk New Anime

CLAMP’s classic Magic Knight Rayearth is coming back in the Reiwa era as a new TV anime. The story follows three second-year middle school girls—Shidou Hikaru, Ryuuzaki Umi, and Hououji Fuu—who are summoned from a social studies field trip to Tokyo Tower into the other world of Cefiro. There, they must stand against fate as Magic Knights and save the world.

The new series premieres October 7, 2026, on TV Asahi’s nationwide network in the IMAnimation W slot, 30 years after the 1994 TV anime broadcast.

AnimeAnime interviewed the three voice actors behind the Magic Knights: Sakura Ayane as Hikaru, Ookubo Rumi as Umi, and Takahashi Rie as Fuu. They spoke about taking on a new anime version of a long-beloved work, how they approached the original manga and the Heisei-era anime, and what they valued while creating their roles. With respect for the Heisei version and a shared understanding not to make meaningless changes, the three faced the original work sincerely. Their laughter-filled exchanges reveal both the teamwork shaping the new Rayearth and their deep love for the series.

(From left) Ookubo Rumi, Sakura Ayane, Takahashi Rie.

Interview and text by Yoneda Kaori; photography by You Ishii.

Sakura Ayane’s Bright Red Outfit and the Start of the Trio’s Relationship

—The recording sessions were reportedly held with all three Magic Knights together. What moments stood out at the studio?

Takahashi: For me, it was memorable that each of us wore clothing in our character’s color while recording.

Sakura: That’s right. I was more nervous than ever for the first episode’s recording… To lift my spirits, I went to the studio wearing bright red, Hikaru’s image color. At first I thought, ‘Maybe I got a little too fired up,’ but from the next recording onward, the other two came in their character colors too. I was happy: ‘They wore it for me!’

Ookubo: Actually, I had prepared a lot of blue clothes too (laughs). But I had publicly said I loved Rayearth, and I also felt I didn’t want to show too much enthusiasm and end up spinning my wheels, so at first I held back.

When I saw Ayaneru come to the first episode in a bright red outfit, I felt, ‘This set is going to be led by Hikaru.’ I’m more the type to support than stand in front, so I wanted to work with Rie-chan to support Ayaneru and keep the set fun until the end.

—How did it feel to actually record in those outfits?

Sakura: I started from the outside with clothing, but the tension made my shoulders stiff, and I regretted not being able to bring out Hikaru’s innocence and natural charm as much as I wanted. The sound director told me that rather than fine details of distance or situation, ‘because it’s episode 1, first be bright and fun like Hikaru.’ I kept those words in mind while performing.

Ookubo: For Umi, at the audition I was told, ‘Don’t make her too unpleasant.’ I was so conscious of that that this time I was told she was ‘too friendly.’ In episode 1 I was still feeling her out, but as we moved through episodes 2 and 3, I began to grasp Umi’s essence little by little.

Takahashi: What stayed with me was that after the test for episode 1, we were told, ‘We’ll do a last test too.’ A last test—rastesu—is a final run-through held just before the actual recording, and some sets do it for adjustments. In that moment, it hit me: ‘We still haven’t reached the level where we can deliver this to everyone.’

I felt I had to break apart what I had prepared and face the role again. Looking back, I may have been trying to play ‘the role of Fuu’ rather than Fuu-chan herself.

Fuu also has many scenes where she speaks to Hikaru and Umi, so creating the right distance was memorable. The delicate atmosphere of a first meeting mattered, and we adjusted things carefully so she wouldn’t seem too familiar. Fuu is a girl with a strong core who can remain Fuu in any world, and because of that, I think I learned about the changes in the trio’s relationship as we recorded more together.

—How did you feel when you learned that these three members would play the Magic Knights?

Sakura: With Rumi-san, we had worked together on a regular program for a year when we were in our teens, and this was our first substantial reunion since then. So much time has passed, and I was nervous: ‘How will she see me now… Sakura Ayane in her 30s (laughs)?’ I also knew Rumi-san was a Rayearth fan, so I wondered how she would accept me as Hikaru. She’s a considerate person, and I wanted to accept what she honestly felt.

With Rie-san, we had worked together several times, but this was almost our first time as regular co-stars. I had the impression that she is serious, straightforward, and passionate about the work, so I looked forward to what kind of Fuu she would play. Also, the two of them are at the same agency, while I’m at a different one… so I had a slightly different nervousness: ‘Will I fit in well?’ (laughs)

Ookubo: When I saw the cast, I thought, ‘This matches my interpretation!’ (laughs). It felt like a very convincing casting choice that showed what kind of Rayearth the production side wants to create.

Ayaneru and I have worked together since our teens, and while we had opportunities to co-star, we had never been this deeply involved. But I had watched her remain active as an actor, and I trusted her, so I was purely excited: ‘What kind of Hikaru will she show?’ Umi’s emotions change depending on how Hikaru moves, so I was thrilled about their interactions too.

With Rie-chan, we’ve co-starred many times, and I’ve seen her play soft and serious roles. But Fuu is a slightly different character, so I looked forward to possibly seeing a new Rie-chan.

On the other hand, the person I was most anxious about was myself. Because I love the original so much, I couldn’t be objective. I genuinely thought, ‘Was I really the right choice?’ and ‘Won’t they say, actually it was different, before recording begins?’

Takahashi: You even sealed your goods away.

Ookubo: Yes. My manager said, ‘It could be a hint, so let’s put everything away,’ and I tearfully put all the goods I had into a box (laughs).

Takahashi: When I received the news that I passed, the first thing that came to mind before happiness was, ‘Who are my co-stars?’ Of course, I was truly happy to play Fuu-chan, and being asked to audition for Fuu was itself a big challenge in my career. But more than that, who I would play Fuu with was important to me.

When I heard the two names, I thought, ‘With these people, I can fight together.’ Because it’s a work with a lot of pressure, having seniors who can keep moving forward was truly reassuring. Ayane-san is the same age and easy to talk to, and Rumi-san is a senior at the same agency. With the two people I respect, I felt I could also face forward and do my best beside them. I still clearly remember that the moment I heard my co-stars’ names, I felt, ‘This is my place.’

Yoneda Kaori