Hikaru Shidou

Infobox character
colour = #FF69B4
name = Hikaru Shidou


caption = "Hikaru Shidou with her Rune god, Rayearth."
first = Magic Knight Rayearth
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species = Human
gender = Female
age = 14
born =
death =
occupation = (In real world) Student, (In Cephiro) Magic Knight
title =
family = Masaru, Satoru and Kakeru
spouse =
children =
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creator = CLAMP nihongo|Hikaru Shidou|獅堂 光|"Shidō Hikaru" is a fictional character from the anime/manga series "Magic Knight Rayearth" created by Clamp. She is one of the three protagonists of the series and represents the element of Fire. In the "Rayearth" anime, she's voiced by Hekiru Shiina in Japan and Julie Maddalena in English. In the OVA, she has the same Japanese voice actress, but her English voice actress is Tara Sands instead. Hikaru's name means "The Light of Lion Shrine". Hikaru's design was actually used in another of Clamp's works, "Angelic Layer", where she became the base design of Misaki Suzuhara's Angel, who goes by the same name without the surname.

Manga

Rayearth I

Hikaru is first seen during her school field trip in Tokyo Tower. While her friends were rather annoyed when the school picked Tokyo Tower for the site of school trip, Hikaru ignored the fact and enjoyed watching through the telescope. When she ran out of time and was looking for another token, a girl from another school, Fuu Hououji, offered her some tokens. As Hikaru was about to thank her, she got into a crowd of girls from another school. Suddenly, she heard a voice urging her to rescue Cephiro and referring her as "Magic Knights". Soon after, she was transported to another world called Cephiro, along with Fuu and another girl, Umi Ryuuzaki.

After introductions, the girls met Master Mage Clef, who told them the plight of Cephiro, which spurred from High Priest Zagato "capturing" Princess Emeraude. Unaware of the real situation, Hikaru volunteered herself to become a Magic Knight, and wanted to save Cephiro. With that, Clef gave Hikaru the blessing of magic. The three Magic Knights then go through a series of events, which led to the three learning spells, obtaining weapons, and reviving the Rune-Gods of Cephiro. Along her journey, the three girls gradually became best friends. Eventually, they reached Zagato and killed him, but had to kill Princess Emeraude as well, as she had become filled this only fueled the anger of Emeraude and she attacked the Magic Knights. After learning Emeraude's true purpose of summoning the Knights, which was to kill her, Hikaru had to do what she was summoned for. She, along with Umi and Fuu, delivered the last, fatal blow to Emeraude, killing her. Although Emeraude was thankful to be reunited with her love, Zagato, the Magic Knights returned to Earth in sadness, wishing that there could be a less horrible solution.

Rayearth II

In the second part of the manga series, Hikaru was traumatized with her journey and caused to become silent, making her brothers worry. Later, she made another trip to Tokyo Tower where she was reunited with Umi and Fuu, who also wished that they could go back to Cephiro once more. Instantly, the girls were taken back to Cephiro, which was in a crumbling state due to the lack of a Pillar. Hikaru learnt another flight of Cephiro, being invaded with three nations, Autozam, Chizeta, and Fahren. Hikaru and her friends had to repel the invaders while looking for the new Pillar of Cephiro before it crumbled completely. During this time, Hikaru met Lantis, the younger brother of Zagato. Feeling guilty that she killed Zagato, she apologized, but Lantis didn't blame her. Instead, they started to develop a strong relation together. A triangle had formed between Hikaru, Lantis, and Eagle, but she made it clear that she loved the both of them and could not choose when Lantis asked her, "Is there someone you wish to marry?" She replied, "Lantis... and Eagle!" Later on, it was revealed that the Pillar of Cephiro was either Hikaru or Eagle Vision of Autozam, and they had to fight for the position. Hikaru won the battle, and as the new Pillar, made a wish to remove the Pillar system. Now Cephiro was free from the Pillar and Hikaru, Fuu, and Umi could return to Cephiro whenever they liked. In addition to this, Eagle, who was ill, was getting better because of Hikaru's will. It also turned out that Mokona had brought Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu to Cephiro.

Anime

eason 1

In the anime, the same events happened as it did in the manga with few additions (such as facing a monster disguised as an adorable pet whom Hikaru grew attached to it quickly and ended up killing it to protect her friends, causing her sword to evolve), but the biggest change was Hikaru's test to reviving her Rune-God. In the show, Zagato had stripped Hikaru from her armor and sword and fought her while holding Umi and Fuu hostages. Lafarga later returned to oppose Zagato, but Hikaru ended up protecting him as well. After enduring the attacks long enough, Rayearth acknowledged the power of her heart and granted her his power. With that, the armors and swords of the Magic Knights evolved to the final stage and they were ready to face Zagato.

eason 2

In season two, Hikaru had received dreams about a mysterious being claiming that it would take over and destroy everything, which added more onto Hikaru's stress. Later, after a series of events, involving Hikaru being captured by one invading country, Autozam, losing her sword to Nova, who was later discovered to be the materialized dark part of Hikaru's soul, and trying to defend Cephiro, it turned out that either she or Eagle were the Pillar of Cephiro. She, however, continued to defend the castle of Cephiro, but later learnt that Lantis was defeated and captured by Nova. Hikaru confided to Eagle, who was captured in Cephiro at the time, and he later helped her in saving Lantis. Close to the final battle, Clef told Hikaru the truth about Nova and Nova's foster mother Debonair, the same figure that has been haunting Hikaru in her dreams. Later, after Debonair had killed Eagle, she left Nova alone. At this moment, Hikaru approached her and told her she would accept her back. Nova then returned to Hikaru's body. Hikaru later joined Umi and Fuu to assault Debonair in her lair. Eventually they prevailed and tranquility was restored to Cephiro. Unlike the manga, the Eagle/Hikaru/Lantis triangle did not really develop. Hikaru did love Eagle (hinted that it was most likely platonic), but not as strongly as she did Lantis, and both professed their love for one another. It was also revealed that it was she who brought herself, Umi and Fuu to Cephiro all along. At the end of the last episode, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu are seen standing, looking out from the top of the Tokyo Tower, and Hikaru vows that they will return to Cephiro, once again.

OVA

In the OVA, Hikaru is already friends with Umi and Fuu and they go to the same school. The story begins with Hikaru remincscing on the past, as she stands near the cherry tree. She remembered that she made a wish with Umi and Fuu to be friends forever, since they believed that if a cherry blossom fairy heard them, it would grant them their wish. Just as she thought it was silly, Mokona, which she believes to be the fairy, jumps out with Hikaru following it.

Later, Hikaru receives her fire powers and Rayearth, whose name was changed to "Lexus". However, the combined Rune-Gods are called Rayearth. She then learns of her enemy, Eagle, who is trying to destroy earth for his sister, Princess Emerauld's, sake. She then begins to fight with Eagle's minions, with some help from Lantis. Later, she fights with Zagato's dead Rune-God, which Eagle had summoned to fight the Magic Knights. After defeating it, Eagle is about to summon another monster when his sister awakes from the dream he had placed her in. She then talks to Eagle, causing him to disappear.

Character

Hikaru is the youngest daughter of her normal family. She has three big brothers, Masaru, Satoru, and Kakeru, which contributed to her rather tomboyish personality. All of them ran a kendo dojo, which Hikaru excels in. She also has a pet dog named Hikari. Hikaru is a short 14-year-old girl with braided red hair with a headstrong, determination and a somewhat childish personality. She is also very innocent, which is often characterized by cat ears (and in some cases a tail as well). Despite these personality traits, Hikaru seems to be the leader between the Magic Knights.

It was mentioned somewhere in the manga that Hikaru's favorite subject is biology and she wanted to be a dog trainer. These are influenced with her love with animals and this also influenced her relationship with Mokona, whom gets along with her the best between the Knights. Her worst subject in school is actually singing, contrary to her seiyuu Hekiru Shiina, who has a singing career. In the manga, Hikaru often loses her energy when she hasn't eaten. Umi had said that "she always tries to carry the weight of the world by herself". Fuu had also mentioned that "Hikaru is really strong... but never seems happy".

pells

Hikaru specializes in Fire magic. Her magics include:

*"Flame Arrow" ("Hono no Yaa"): This is Hikaru's most used magic spell. Although the name suggests that it takes the form of an arrow, it's mostly depicted as an overall flame which attacks the enemy.
*"Ruby (red) Lightning" ("Akai Inazuma"): This is Hikaru's second spell, and arguably her most powerful. However, it is her least used spell. With this spell, Hikaru gathers lightning energy that takes the form of ruby coloured balls. Each ball of magic is able to do considerable amounts of damage. Hikaru is seen using this spell only once in the second season.

--Because Hikaru is attributed to Fire, her spells are used mainly for offense. Thus, even though she only has two spells, they could arguably be the most powerful attack spells out of the three Knights.

Nova

An anime-only character, Nova is often considered as Hikaru's "dark half". Her personality fluctuates very quickly between being playful and innocent, looking for affection into sadistic and throwing death threats. Unlike Hikaru, she doesn't braid her hairs and let it loose. Her hair is of pink color and she has elven ears. She only appears in the second season and is voiced by Miki Itou in the Japanese version and Dorothy Elias-Fahn in the English version.

The moment Hikaru killed Emeraude, she left behind a portion of her heart's guilt in Cephiro. These guilts materialized into Nova and was left to wander alone in Cephiro looking for Hikaru. She was found by Debonair, who took Nova as her own daughter, raising her to aid her cause in destroying Cephiro. Nova was always told that Hikaru would be very happy if she died with the ones she loved the most (this apparent absurdity was justified by the fact that Emeraude was only allowed to reunite with Zagato after their deaths). Therefore, Nova develops the feelings that she hated everything Hikaru loved, even though she loved Hikaru and, on certain occasions, manifested the desire to be the only one Hikaru would play with and love.

During the first encounter against Hikaru, Nova broke her sword, disabling her capabilities as a Magic Knight. When Hikaru underwent a trial to repair the sword, she was warned by Presea's sister that the process could cost their lives and that she would have to fight against herself. Nova apparently represented the "Hikaru" that Hikaru would have to fight, as she interrupted and took a part in the trial, tempting Hikaru to throw away everything she had fought for so far. However, Hikaru rejected the temptation.

When fighting Nova, Lantis held his power back after being told by Master Mage Clef that destroying Nova would destroy as well a part of Hikaru's soul. That resulted in Nova dealing a crippling blow to him and capture him.

Eventually, when battling Hikaru again, this time helped by Eagle, Lantis, kept inside of Nova's machine, broke free. Debonair arrived soon after, but when Nova pleaded for help, she disowned her and tried to kill her together with the Magic Knights with a powerful blow. Nova, however, left her machine, Legaria (which was created with Debonair's power), before the blow destroyed it. Soon after, Hikaru approached Nova, aware of her origins. She befriended Nova and explained her that she didn't want to die, that she wanted to be happy and live with the ones she loved. Hikaru told Nova she wanted to learn to love herself again, even if she still feels regret and sadness, and that, if Nova returned to her, Hikaru would therefore love her too. Nova, then, decided to return to Hikaru, and the two became a single person again.

In battles, aside from being capable of casting any magics Hikaru could cast, Nova could use her power to create two lightning-powered swords. She could as well transfer herself and the persons around her to other dimensions, where the enemy's power could be reduced to its half. She has her own Rune-God called Regalia.

Relationships

In the manga, Hikaru loved everyone equally, as a part of her innocent personality. She, however, has a strong connection with Eagle and Lantis and sees them as her friends. She cares for them a lot and wants to make them happy. Lantis shows feelings for her, but Hikaru doesn't realize this. In the anime, Hikaru had interacted with the people of Autozam many times and made a friendly bond with Eagle Vision. She was also in love with Lantis, who returned her feelings.

Hikaru has a strong bond with Umi and Fuu and cares for them. She hates to see them hurt or sad and does whatever she can to make them happy. They feel the same about her and they support each other during times of trouble and distress. Hikaru has a deep love for animals, particularly for her pet dog, Hikari. This affection for animals causes her to have the best relationship with Mokona, since she sees him as a sort of creature,she even saved Mokona from being eaten by Umi Ryuzaki.

Appearances

Manga
*Magic Knight Rayearth"'
**Volume 1: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334642-0; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-082-0
**Volume 2: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334643-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-083-9
**Volume 3: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334644-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-084-7
*Magic Knight Rayearth II
**Volume 1: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334659-5; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-266-1
**Volume 2: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334660-9; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-267-X
**Volume 3: Japanese Edition: ISBN 4-06-334661-7; English Edition: ISBN 1-59182-268-8Anime
*Rayearth
*Rayearth 2 ("known as the second part of Rayearth in Japan")
*Rayearth Anime Art Book ("available only in Japan")
*Rayearth anime script book ("available only in Japan")

Other
*OVA
*Rayearth Art Book I
*Rayearth Art Book II
*Rayearth games

ee also

*Characters in Magic Knight Rayearth
*Magic Knight Rayearth
*Magic Knight Rayearth (Sega Saturn)
*Umi Ryuuzaki
*Fuu Hououji

External links

*ja icon [http://www.clamp-net.com/database/vgxry.html Clamp's Magic Knight Rayearth catalog page]
*ja icon [http://www.clamp-net.com Clamp's official website]