Three schools have a field trip to Tokyo Tower. A girl from each school is chosen. The girls Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, are transported to a magical world called Cephiro. Soon after arriving they are greeted by Master Mage Clef. He is the one who summoned them. They have been chosen to become Legendary Magic Knights and save Cephiro. They must seek out and find three legendary Rune Gods to help them.
They are not thrilled with this but told that only Princess Emeraude, the Pillar of Cephiro can return them home. But she has been kidnapped by High Priest Zagato. Clef gives them magic and armor. Their armor and magic will grow as they learn more about themselves and their powers. They are told that the princess is imperative to the survival of Cephiro.
The Pillar of Cephiro must constantly pray in order to maintain the balance of the land. Without it the world will fall into ruin. If the girls ever wish to their world they must fight monsters and Zagato's henchman, find the Rune Gods and rescue the princess. They also meet lots of friends during this journey.

Season 2 finds the girls trying to adjust to life back home. But that's easier said than done. They all especially Hikaru are finding it hard they still feel guilty about the death of Princess Emeraude. They return to Tokyo Tower where they wish they could return to Cephiro and do something good. Suddenly a light appears and they soon find themselves in a vastly different Cephiro than the one they left. They are told that now that the pillar is gone the world is dying. The castle's magic is currently one of the few safe havens for the people. Monsters are multiplying as the land is becoming more and more desolate.
They are told that three other countries, Chizeta, Fahren, and Autozam are trying to invade Cephiro and take over the Pillar system for their own purposes. The girls must stop these invaders.
Hikaru is soon haunted by a girl named Nova who looks a lot like her. She works for an even more powerful evil named evil Lady Debonair, who believes she is the rightful Pillar. There is a thrown room with a crown and only the rightful pillar can enter the room. Eagle from Autozam enters the room but so does Hikaru who tried to stop him from entering. So this means one of the two is to be the future pillar but which one?

By: mew1mokuba

Rayearth is a wonderful manga for fans of the shoujo and fantasy genres. Yet, unlike many shoujo stories, Rayearth is more about action than romance, so it's a great story when you're tired of hearing "Tamahome... Miaka..." for the 9572nd time. Its short length, especially as the series is split into two distinct story arcs, makes it a quick read without needed a lot of commitment of time and money. The story mostly benefits from this short length as there is no room for long filler that stretches your patience. It is an appealing story with the classic Heros' Quest premise, with the classic CLAMP dark twists, set in the beautiful, lush environment of Cephiro.