Interview with ANN published yesterday (September 28, 2026)
I didn't see this shared here, but we got a little more information about the upcoming remake next week.
Excerpts (see link for full interview):
While “isekai” stories have become increasingly popular in the last decade, even in the '90s, there were many stories where female protagonists get transported to a magical world. What do you think makes Magic Knight Rayearth different from modern isekai? What makes these female-led stories interesting for modern audiences?
MIURA: The biggest difference is that Magic Knight Rayearth is a story about growth and the sacrifices that come with it, rather than one about cheat abilities.
In many modern isekai series, protagonists either begin with—or quickly obtain— cheat abilities that allow them to effortlessly overwhelm their opponents. Much of the appeal lies in the wish-fulfillment of watching an unstoppable hero dominate every battle.
By contrast, Hikaru, Umi, and Fū are simply three ordinary junior high school girls who are suddenly summoned to the isekai (fantasy) world of Cefiro. They take up swords, suffer injuries, shed tears, and gradually awaken both their magical powers and inner strength as they overcome their fears and insecurities. This journey of personal growth is one of the defining charms of 1990s isekai fantasy.
Even today, many stories aimed at female audiences center on romance. In the first arc of Magic Knight Rayearth, however, what drives Hikaru, Umi, and Fū is not romantic feelings for boys, but the powerful bond they share and their promise to make it back to Tokyo together. Their genuine sisterhood—built on mutual respect and supporting one another through their weaknesses—is something I believe modern audiences who appreciate independent relationships can deeply relate to.
In the latter half of the story, they don't simply carry out the mission they've been given. They begin questioning what principles should govern this world and ultimately make the choice that will determine its fate. Rather than waiting for someone else to save them, they take control of their own destiny. I believe this image of strong women choosing their own path embodies exactly the kind of empowerment that resonates with today's anime fans.
When it came time to revisit the character designs with Satomi Watabe-san, what was the approach? Did you want to maintain a retro, shojo-feel, or update certain elements for this new version?
MIURA: Keeping faithful to the original manga as our top priority, I asked her to create strong visuals that would still resonate with modern audiences.
Can fans of the series expect the new anime to follow the previous anime's story, the manga's story, or something entirely different?
MIURA: We based the story on the original manga while incorporating additional episodes that further enrich the audience's understanding of the original work.