Magic Knight Rayearth is about three eight-grade girls from Tokyo being summoned to save another world, Cephiro. Drawn by a talented group of ladies, CLAMP, who also created Angelic Layer, Chobits, Card Captor Sakura, X, RG Veda, Clover, Wish, and CLAMP School Detectives, Magic Knight Rayearth has many similar themes, such as the use of magic, love, and friendship. Shidou Hikaru, Ryuuzaki Umi, and Houoji Fuu were vising the Tokyo Tower when they saw a bright light and heard the voice of Emeraude Hime bidding them to save Cephiro. They were immediately teleported to the skies of Cephiro and brought to Madoushi (Master Sorceror) Clef.

From Clef, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu learn that Cephiro is in danger because the Pillar, Emeraude Hime has been captured by Shinkan (Priest) Zagato. They, who were summoned by Emeraude to save Cephiro, are the Legendary Magic Knights. Clef gives them armor and tells them to go to the Woods of Silence to find Soushi (Creator) Presea, who will make weapons for them. After that, they must awaken the Legendary Mashin, who have protected Cephiro since the beginning of time.

On their quest, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu meet Ferio, who we find out later to be Emeraude's younger brother. He helps them out throughout their journey. However, Zagato provides much resistance. His helpers, Masoushi (Sorceror) Alcyone, Shoukanshi (Summoner) Ascot, Genwakushi (Illusionist) Caldina, Kentoushi (Swordsman) Lafarga, and Innova were one after another dispatched against the Magic Knights and failed. The Mashin are awakened and the pending battle with Zagato begins.

However, there is no fairy tale ending. What secret of Cephiro do Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu discover while they fight Zagato? How do they really save Cephiro? The first season of Magic Knight Rayearth comes to a lightening quick conclusion that provides a surprising conclusion to all the suspense. The second season also provides the same suspense and adventure. Why are Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu summoned to Cephiro again? Now what do they have to save Cephiro from? And who is the mysterious girl Nova who looks exactly like Hikaru? What about the three invading countries, Autozam, Fahren, and Chizeta? Are they the true enemies of Cephiro... or is it Debonair? Zagato's younger brother, Lantis returns to Cephiro from Autozam, but for what purpose? The ending to the second season is just as exciting as the first. But the OVA, Rayearth has a deeper and more mysterious plot. The story behind this anime is just as good as the artwork done by CLAMP.

This anime series is complete with 49 episodes and an OAV series.