Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) Confirms New Cast, Key Visual, PV, and October 7 Premiere Time

We walked into the Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) World Premiere panel at Anime Expo 2026 expecting nostalgia. We walked out with a date, new names, and that familiar feeling of: “Right, Cephiro is about to ruin our sleep schedule.”

The panel revealed additional cast, more staff, a second key visual (the one everyone kept pointing at), and a promotional video. And yes: we now have a very specific time to circle on the calendar.

When does Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) premiere?

We’re heading to TV Asahi on October 7 at 11:45 p.m., inside the "IMAnimation W" programming block. Late-night magic. Classic move.

So, question for us all: are we watching it live like brave heroes… or pretending we’ll sleep and then immediately failing?

The newly revealed cast (yes, we’re counting them like party members)

The panel added three more names to the roster. Here’s who’s joining the quest:

• Clef: Yuuki Kaji (Boku no Hero Academia)
• Presea: Emiri Katou (Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica)
• Ferio: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Sword Art Online)

We love when casting feels like assembling a dream team. Also, we love when our “one episode” plan turns into “it’s 2 a.m. in Madrid, what happened.”

Staff updates: the people powering the spell circle

Alongside the main reveal wave, we got a deeper look at who’s shaping the series behind the scenes. Highlights include:

• Assistant Director: Takayuki Sano (Bullet/Bullet episode director)
• Chief Animation Director: Satomi Watanabe (Aikatsu!)
• Mashin Design / Mechanical Director: Hiroki Mutaguchi (SSSS.Dynazenon mechanical animation director)
• Art Director: Kazumaru Andou (Kusanagi) (Gleipnir background art)
• Color Design: Chiho Nakamura (Loop 7-kaime no Akuyaku Reijou wa, Moto Tekikoku de Jiyuu Kimama na Hanayome Seikatsu wo Mankitsu suru)
• 3D Supervisor: Tomohiko Suga (Undead Girl Murder Farce CG director)
• Director of Photography: Hitoshi Tamura (Kiznaiver)
• Editing: Keisuke Yanagi (ACE) (Ranma ½ (2024))
• Sound Director: Shuuhei Abe (Isekai Nonbiri Nouka)
• Music Production: TMS Music

We’re also keeping an eye on the core leadership:

• Creative Producer: Seong-Hu Park (Jujutsu Kaisen director)
• Director: Yui Umemoto (Ninja Kamui) at E&H Production
• Series Composition: Shigeru Murakoshi (Apocalypse Hotel)
• Character Design: Satomi Watanabe (Aikatsu!)
• Music: Yuki Kajiura (Mahou Shoujo Madoka★Magica), Takumi Ozawa (Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka☆Magica Gaiden), Shiho Terada (Inazuma Eleven Go)
• Production: TMS Entertainment, Kodansha, TV Asahi

It’s a lot of names. It’s also the kind of list that makes us think: “Okay, this is being built to look and sound seriously polished.”

CLAMP’s original story: where this all began

Before the new PV and the new visual, we had the manga. CLAMP serialized Magic Knight Rayearth in Nakayoshi from November 1993 to February 1995. A sequel manga started the same month and ran until March 1996.

For English releases, the series saw multiple waves over the years: licensed by Tokyopop in 1997, later by Dark Horse Comics in 2009, and then by Kodansha USA in 2019 with two hard-cover box sets (three volumes each). Basically: if we wanted it on our shelves, the universe gave us options.

Anime Expo season energy (and why our watchlist is doomed)

Let’s be honest. Once a convention starts dropping PVs, our free time disappears. While we focus on Rayearth, the broader announcement mood is the same everywhere: new footage, new casts, and everyone collectively whispering, “Just one more trailer.”

We’re not saying our schedule is ruined. We’re saying it’s fully booked.

What do we do now?

• Add the date: October 7, 11:45 p.m.
• Revisit the manga (or finally start it, no judgment).
• Share the PV with that friend who still calls everything “Sailor Moon” (we all have one).

Now we want to hear from you: which new cast pick are you most curious about, and are we watching live or saving it for a safer, more responsible hour?