Rayearth

As her graduation comes closer, Hikaru, Umi and Fuu realize their lives are going to change abruptly in some weeks. They are going to move and maybe they won't be seeing teach other for a long time. They gather under a cherry three which is said to be enchanted and ask for their friendship to remain eternally strong.

Suddenly a magical rabbit-like being –Mokona- appears and unchains a series of terrible events first in Tokyo and then in the rest of the world. The decadent planet of Cephiro has arrived to Earth in order to accomplish the orders of their mysterious princess. While some of the strongest warriors of Cephiro appear, Clef (a priest from the magic kingdom who doesn't agree with the invasion) and Mokona choose the girls to go through a divine mission that will save their planet and their friendship awakening three warrior deities.

"Rayearth" is a three-chaptered mini-series which re-tells the story of the comic book "Magic Knight Rayearth" and its popular 1994 adaptation on TV. As it is usual in the works of CLAMP group, the standards of animation quality are really high (even for nowadays) with haughty backgrounds, graceful movements and stylized character design.

The plot might sound too apocalyptic for those who followed the previous adaptation, but in its darker, melancholic and compelling tone "Rayeath" gets viewer's attention easily. Its heroines are well depicted with emotional depth and many layers of personality, although some others may remain superficially treated. It's mainly a series about a tragic separation and a fight for the three girls to survive not only this huge battle but also for their friendship to remain the same.