Reviews

Magic Knight Rayearth I, Vol. 3 by CLAMP

epithet's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

jane_inkheart's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

While I enjoyed the story line of how the knights had to grow into their powers, the finale was a bit of a letdown. Having the princess be fully driven by a destructive love felt out of place and since there was no reason given as to how and why she could fall in love with Zagato it made her feel like a wasted character. Also what is up with the child turning into a grown woman but both of them being in love and sharing the same thoughs and feelings in that regard but not in how they perceived the knights?

heavensdark's review against another edition

adventurous challenging sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

saramarie08's review against another edition

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The final volume in part 1 of this series, and it's quite a whirlwind! This entire story seems like it happens over the course of one day, and moves extremely quickly. In this volume, our heroines find all three Rune Gods and have to prove themselves worthy of their power. Each one has a showdown with another Zagato minion, and has to outsmart them as well as out-fight them. Through it all, the adorable Mokona guides them to every temple and conveniently hides during every battle. Then, it's time for the final showdown with Zagato, and a twist ending you most likely will not see coming!

While there are three more books after this, volume 3 is the end of the 1st arc of the story, so there is a bit of finality to it. I get a little nostalgic after reading this volume, and I'm always saddened that there isn't more to this arc. Part 2 is a decent story, but it's not nearly as strong as Part 1.

​My favorite character in this series has to be Mokona, followed closely by Hikaru. As the main character, you're supposed to like Hikaru, but how can you not find this little guy adorable?? Mokona has served as the guide and pack mule for our trio. He store everything you'd need for any sort of trip in the jewel in his head. house and all their provisions is all in Mokona's jewel. ​Mokona and Umi also have a love-hate relationship. She hates that Mokona disappears just when the going-gets-tough, and she's determined to figure out where he goes and why he's so fluffy.

This series is full of fun moments, whether it's Umi chasing Mokona, Hikaru drawn with fox ears when she's overly innocent or clueless, or Presia fantasizing about the punishments she'll doll out to those messing up her study. There are also some really great conversations that come about with some of the villains, particularly in this volume, that give this story a different spin on the trope of good-guy-vs-bad-guy.

This is a beautiful series, not overly long at 6 volumes total, but it can be difficult to find outside of this 25th Anniversary collector's edition (which is pretty pricy!). Until it gets a reprint in a standard volume, this might be a series that sits on a To-Purchase pile for a while.

Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 5-12

damarisr's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

booksandcoffeerequired's review against another edition

4.0

I highly recommend this manga to fans of the genre, either newbies or readers of many manga series. It's a great magical girl series that is quick and fun, but also teaches some great lessons, and has wonderful art. (CLAMP always do ^_^). The whole series was an enjoyable read, and I liked both the characters and world building. Can't wait to get my hands on the second part. Overall, 4.5/5 stars for the series.

thatdecembergirl's review against another edition

4.0

The last book in the first "cour" of Magic Knight warriors. The plot twist is always nice, no matter how many times I revisit this awesome series. Again, in hindsight, many things seem rushed and too sudden because of page number restriction, but MKR, both in the idea itself and its aesthetic execution, is always worth more than lukewarm three stars. My longtime favorite.

onetrooluff's review against another edition

3.0

This was one of the earlier manga series I read. I like the characters and the concept of the story. The artwork is beautiful, but drives me crazy sometimes - it's way too busy to be done in black & white. You can hardly tell what's going on sometimes.

amazingluna's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional lighthearted

4.0

novelyon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0