Ask John: Is The Rayearth OAV Series Different From The TV?

Question:
I hear that there is a Magic Knight Rayearth OAV series on video that is a little different from the one you have for sell. Is this true?

Answer:
Actually, the Rayearth OAVs are quite a bit different than the TV series. While the TV series is titled Magic Knight Rayearth, the OAV series is titled, simply Rayearth. The three OAVs are an entirely self-contained, new continuity story with no relation to the TV series. While most of the major TV series characters are present in the OAVs, some of their characterizations and roles are very different than their television versions. The OAVs also feature exceptional, theatrical quality art and animation quality and photo-realistic backgrounds on par with the X movie. The OAV series was initially released as three 45 minute episodes, then later complied into a single feature length home-video “director’s cut” movie in Japan. Manga currently owns the domestic translation and distribution rights to these OAVs. While their original intention was to release them in conjunction with Media Blaster’s release of the TV series, Manga has seemingly delayed their release of the OAVs until an as yet unannounced future date.