Saori Hayami Takes On Emeraude in New Magic Knight Rayearth Anime

Big news just dropped for the upcoming Magic Knight Rayearth (2026) anime: Saori Hayami, known for Demon Slayer, is stepping into the iconic role of Princess Emeraude. Fans of CLAMP's groundbreaking mahou shoujo series have waited years for this revival, and this casting is a major statement.

Joining her are Yuuki Ono (Beastars) as the enigmatic Zagato and Mika Kikuchi (Tsubasa Chronicle) as the adorable Mokona. These additions round out a stellar voice cast for the new adaptation, which already includes Naomi Ohzora, Akari Kito, and Miyu Tomita as the titular Magic Knights Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu.

The series, set to premiere in October 2026 on TV Asahi's "IMAnimation W" frame, hails from E&H Production with Yui Umemoto (Ninja Kamui) directing. Magic Knight Rayearth broke ground in the '90s by fusing magical girl tropes with epic fantasy and mecha action. Its return marks a significant moment for both long-time fans and a new generation.