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Hikaru Shidou

Hikaru Shidou (獅堂 光, Shidou Hikaru) is one of the three main protagonists of Magic Knight Rayearth and the Magic Knight who represents the fire element.

She is known for her fiery spirit, boundless optimism, and unwavering determination, embodying the warmth and strength of her elemental power.

No matter how painful it is, I will keep moving forward! Because I promised to protect everyone!
Hikaru Shidou

Appearance

Hikaru is a very short girl with light red braided hair and fiery red eyes that reflect her passionate and determined nature. Despite her small stature, she exudes a strong presence filled with energy and courage.

She is seen wearing three distinct outfits throughout the series. Her school uniform consists of a red long-sleeved blouse with a collar and a white ribbon, paired with a black skirt lined with red at the bottom and a white petticoat. After being summoned to Cephiro, she dons white armor adorned with rubies. When her armor reaches its final form, she wears a short red, white, and gold armor-like dress, completed with a flowing red cape and a matching tiara-like headpiece.

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Personality

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are strangers brought together by fate when they meet during a seemingly normal field trip to Tokyo Tower.

Hikaru Shidou is a pure hearted, honest, and straightforward girl whose cheerful spirit often shines brighter than her small stature. Though she is quite short and frequently mistaken for an elementary student rather than the junior high school girl she truly is, Hikaru’s boundless energy and athleticism allow her to excel physically, especially in jumping. Trained in kendo from a young age, she wields a sword with impressive skill. Her first weapon was a simple sword, later replaced by one forged from Escudo, a special blade that bursts into flames when touched by anyone other than herself. Despite her innocent and simple nature, Hikaru stands out as the bravest, strongest, and most mature among the Magic Knights.

The youngest in her family, Hikaru grew up in a household that ran a kendo dojo, where she learned discipline and resilience. She has three older brothers, Satoru, Masaru, and Kakeru, who dote on her endlessly, which explains her tomboyish personality and competitive nature. Little is mentioned about her parents, but in one manga omake, it is humorously revealed that her father left on a training journey after she defeated him in a kendo match at the age of five. This playful story highlights Hikaru’s natural talent and her spirited, determined attitude even as a child.

Among the three Magic Knights summoned by Princess Emeraude, Hikaru possesses the strongest heart. She is often the one who lifts the spirits of her companions, encouraging Umi Ryuuzaki and Fuu Hououji to stay hopeful even in the face of despair. Her determination and optimism make her the first to accept the duties of a Magic Knight without hesitation. Though she can be headstrong and a little childish, her sincerity and enthusiasm inspire those around her. In the anime adaptation, Hikaru’s emotional depth is further explored as she struggles deeply with guilt over Princess Emeraude’s death, showing her compassionate yet fragile side.

Sultan Abdulmejid (left) with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Emperor Napoleon III of France

Hikaru and Mokona

In the anime adaptation, Hikaru’s emotional depth is further explored as she struggles deeply with guilt over Princess Emeraude’s death. The loss weighs heavily on her conscience, showing the compassionate yet fragile side of her personality. Despite her inner turmoil, she continues to move forward, guided by her belief in friendship, courage, and love. Her strength lies not only in her fighting ability but also in her emotional resilience and ability to forgive herself.

Hikaru also has an unusual gift, the ability to understand the language of animals and communicate with Cephiro’s creatures. This ability strengthens her bond with the magical world and its inhabitants, allowing her to form close friendships with beings like Mokona and Clef’s pet Fyula. Her empathy and kindness extend to all living things, reflecting her belief in the value of life and connection.

In battle, Umi embodies the nature of water, calm, cold, and controlled. Her pride as a warrior drives her to fight with unwavering resolve, never backing down even when faced with overwhelming odds, such as her battles against Tatra and Tarta of Chizeta. Her loyalty and determination make her a formidable ally and opponent alike. Yet, despite her strength and composure, Umi’s greatest weakness lies in her fear of being left alone, a vulnerability that reminds others of the gentle heart beneath her fierce exterior.

Abilities and Skills

  • “Flame Arrow” (Honoo 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. Particularly in the anime.
  • “Crimson Lightning/Ruby 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.

Trivia

    • In some language adaptations, her name was changed to Lucy and/or Luce, which means "Light".
    • Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters Fortune Fairy En and Fortune Lady Fire may have been inspired by Hikaru.
    • Hikaru's Japanese voice actress, Hekiru Shiina, is known for voicing The Doorway Girl from Miyuki-chan in Wonderland, another anime adaptation of one of CLAMP's manga.
    • Hikaru's English voice actress, Julie Maddalena, is known for voicing Meiling Li from Cardcaptor Sakura Movie 2: The Sealed Card, another anime adaptation of one of CLAMP's manga.
    • Due to how the Japanese school year works, starting in April and ending on March 31st the next year, Hikaru is actually the oldest of the Magic Knights as that would be the only way for Umi Ryuuzaki, who was born on March 3rd, to be in the same grade as both Hikaru and Fuu Hououji.