Rayearth

The Rayearth OAV series is one of the best works CLAMP has produced. People familiar with the TV series will find delight in seeing their favorite characters presented in new ways, but the series demands very little knowledge of the TV series, making it easy for almost anyone to watch. Shidou Hikaru, Ryuuzaki Umi, and Houoji Fuu are longtime friends who fear their separation after graduating from school. But, new forces are coming into Tokyo, threatening the populace and throwing the three girls into the battle. The animation is typical CLAMP (read: beautiful), but better than the TV series. The plot is darker than the comparatively bubbly TV series, but I found it more enjoyable this way. The characters are an assortment of faithful to the series and newly created personalities, but are still as captivating as always.