Magic Knight Rayearth is a fantasy manga and anime series created by Clamp. It was originally serialized in Nakayoshi magazine from 1993 to 1996 and later adapted into an anime television series, consisting of two seasons, produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and aired from 1994 to 1995. The story follows three junior high school girls, Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji, who are transported to a magical world called Cephiro after being summoned by the princess, Princess Emeraude. In Cephiro, the girls discover that Princess Emeraude is being held captive by the high priest Zagato, who seeks to use her powers for his own gain. The girls are chosen to become the legendary Magic Knights, warriors with the ability to wield magic and piloting the giant robots called Rune Gods. Together, they must save Princess Emeraude and defeat Zagato to bring peace back to Cephiro.
Despite the supposed dead body, Wooley and Dudley goes back to start the wedding again but Wooley ends up fainting. Back in the room Jennifer knows her father is not dead and finds his smoke self hiding in a bottle of alcohol in which he is gladly partaking in. Jennifer grabs the gun and shoots the bottle to get her father to leave it. The sound of the gunshot jolts Wooley awake and he runs to check on the witch. Wedding delay number two.
Depending on your age, you may know him by his 1960s comedy albums, either of his tv shows The Bob Newhart Show 70s or Newhart 80s , the movie Elf or from his guest appearances on The Big Bang Theory. Being compared to Cary Grant as a screwball male lead is rough business for just about anyone, but Grant and Joel McCrea and William Powell bring out the humor in their situations by becoming stridently indignant, as if they can t believe that this latest jape has affected them , of all people; of course, this only gets funnier as they continue to act in much the same affronted way even after sixty or seventy minutes of silliness.
Together, they must save Princess Emeraude and defeat Zagato to bring peace back to Cephiro. Throughout their journey, the girls face numerous challenges and meet various allies and enemies. They learn to harness their magical abilities and develop strong friendships with each other.
I Married a Witch (1942)
It’s very cliché to say that a film is “ahead of its time,” but I can’t think of a better way to describe René Clair’s comedy, I Married a Witch. For a film that debuted in the early 1940s, it’s got a very different style of humor when compared to other comedies that came about during that era. When I think of films of the 1940s, I think of Casablanca, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Meet Me in St. Louis, so watching a film that is about a resurrected witch that preys on a soon-to-be-married man just feels so scandalous!
The film begins with a good old fashioned witch burning in Salem, Massachusetts. Jennifer (Veronica Lake) and her father are outed as witches by Jonathan Wooley (Fredric March), causing them both to be burned at the stake. Jennifer doesn’t let Jonathan’s crime go unpunished as she places a curse on his family that will cause all the Wooley men to have unsuccessful marriages. After a hilarious montage showing generations of Wooley men suffering from the curse, the film flips to a present day scene (1942). One of the descendants of Jonathan Wooley, Wallace Wooley (Fredric March…again) is having a party to celebrate his upcoming marriage to his fiancé, Estelle (Susan Hayward), as well as his candidacy for governor. During the grand event, lighting strikes a nearby tree where the ashes of Jennifer and her father were buried centuries ago. The lightning strike causes both witches to be resurrected in the form of clouds of smoke. As they’re floating around outside of the party, Jennifer realizes that Wallace is a descendant of Jonathan, and she decides to torment him by making him fall in love with her. She eventually gets a body, and the shenanigans begin. After she has several unsuccessful attempts at making Wallace fall in love with her, she conjures up a love potion because, well, that’s just what witches do. Her plan completely backfires when she accidentally drinks the potion, causing her to fall head over heels for Wallace. Needless to say, everything still works out as planned because Wallace does eventually fall in love with Jennifer. This movie isn’t called I Married a Witch for nothing.
Lake is absolutely hilarious in her role as Jennifer. She’s totally a Manic Pixie Dream Girl, but in the best way possible. Wallace is a stereotypical vanilla politician, and Jennifer is possibly the bubbliest witch in the history of cinema. Watching the two interact is so comical that after seeing this film numerous times, I still catch myself laughing out loud. But it’s Jennifer’s father, Daniel (portrayed by the hilarious Cecil Kellaway), that reigns supreme as the funniest character in the movie. He too eventually gets a body, but he spends a good part of the film as a cloud of smoke that finds himself trapped in various bottles of liquor. There are also several scenes where he is too drunk to perform spells, and he eventually loses his body and gets trapped in a liquor bottle for all eternity. This is why I will forever refer to him as the funniest, drunkest witch dad to ever grace the silver screen.
I Married a Witch is entertaining from beginning to end, and what I love most about this movie is that it is completely re-watchable. I’ve seen the film numerous times and it has yet to lose its charm.
Each of the girls represents one of the classical elements - Hikaru is the Knight of Fire, Umi is the Knight of Water, and Fuu is the Knight of Wind. They must work together and combine their powers to overcome their obstacles and fulfill their destiny as the Magic Knights. Magic Knight Rayearth is known for its captivating story, beautiful artwork, and strong female characters. It explores themes of friendship, courage, and the power of belief. The series has gained a significant following over the years and continues to be cherished by fans worldwide. In conclusion, Magic Knight Rayearth is a captivating fantasy series that follows the journey of three junior high school girls who are transported to a magical world and become the legendary Magic Knights. With its engaging story and memorable characters, it has become a beloved series among fans of fantasy and manga..
Reviews for "The fantasy world-building in Magic Knight Rayearth"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Magic Knight Rayearth" fantasy. The story was confusing and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with the characters or understand their motives. The artwork was also mediocre at best, with simplistic designs and dull colors. Overall, I found this fantasy to be underwhelming and unremarkable.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "Magic Knight Rayearth" fantasy was a complete letdown for me. The plot was predictable and full of tired cliches, offering no originality or surprises. Additionally, the characters fell flat, with little development or depth to make me care about their struggles. The art style was also unimpressive, featuring generic character designs and unimaginative backgrounds. I wouldn't recommend this fantasy to anyone looking for an engaging or unique experience.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Magic Knight Rayearth" fantasy to be rather boring and uneventful. The story progressed at a slow pace and failed to captivate my interest. The artwork, while decent, lacked the stunning visuals I expect from the genre. The characters were also forgettable, lacking strong personalities or memorable interactions. Overall, this fantasy just didn't leave a lasting impression on me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others seeking an exciting or immersive reading experience.