Manga Review: Magic Knight Rayearth Vol.3

                                              Magic Knight Rayearth Vol.3 Review

In this volume the Hikaru, Umi and Fuu look for the meshins the magic knights will need to defeat Zagato and free Princess Emeraude. Umi is the first to find her meshin which was found under the sea and in the form of the dragon and was named Ceres. Ceres says that Umi will have to prove the strength of her heart before it will be her's, Umi proves the strength of her heart by protecting her friends from Ascot's monsters and by making Ascot see that if the monsters are really his friends he shouldn't make them fight for Zagato's cause. Ceres then goes into her armor after it transformed again but before that Umi sees that it's true form is a giant robot.

Then Fuu is able to find her mashin on the floating mountain, it's original form is a bird and it's called Windom. Windom tells Fuu that she must also prove the strength of her heart. Fuu proves the strength of her heart with how she is willing to die for her friends if need be and by overcoming Caldina's spell. She's also able to inspire Caldina(who only works for Zagato because he pays well) quite a bit with her speech about friendship. Fuu's armor also transform and Windom goes into her armor after showing it's true form of a  giant robot.

Hikaru is then able to find her mashin in a volcano who's original form seems to be a wolf and is named Rayearth, Rayearth tells her to prove the strength of her hurt. Hikaru is able to prove the strength of her heart by protecting her friends at the expense of her own well being and by being able to free Dal Rafaga from the mind control that Zagato put him under. Then all three of the girls armor transforms again and they are put in the robot form of their meshins and are off to defeat Zagato.

Hikaru, Umi and Fuu are able to combined their powers and defeat Zagato who had built his own mashin, with his last words Zagato wishes for Princess Emeraude's freedom. The girls then goes inside the castle to free Princess Emeraude only to find out that Princess Emeraude looks much older than she had when she originally appeared to them and to their surprise she's extremely upset about Zagato's death. Princess Emeraude then tries to kill Hikaru, Umi and Fuu who are still very confused by these turn of events only to have the younger version of Emeraude appear and explained that the reason for Cefiro troubles is because Princess Emeraude(who as the pillar of Cefiro is only aloud to pray for peace of Cefiro) fell in love with Zagato and she summoned the legendary Magic Knights because only those from another world could kill her. Hikaru, Umi and Fuu are forced to kill Princess Emeraude because if they don't she'll destroy all of Cefiro .The volume (and first half of the series)concludes with the three girls being transport back to Tokyo tower and hugging each other and crying.

While I overall loved the volume and the first half of the series as a whole, I find the end to be very sad and it makes me glad that I know there's a second half of the series. I liked that Clamp took the risk of not having the bad guy be who you thought they were but I feel heart broken for what Hikaru, Umi and Fuu had to do. I still love the series characters, plot and artwork. Please tell me your thoughts on this volume or series.