Many proper names in the work (characters, objects, spells) come from car brands and models, as CLAMP considered names in katakana difficult to remember and preferred using names that sounded familiar.

The manga was serialized in Nakayoshi magazine from November 1993 to April 1996, and was adapted into anime between 1994 and 1995, then received an OVA adaptation in 1997.

Actor Nozomu Sasaki, the voice of Clef, joked in the video extras about his character's age (745 years) and the small comedic romance between Clef and Umi.

The 1994 TV series aired just as the Great Kobe earthquake (Hanshin-Awaji) occurred on January 17, 1995, one day after the airing of episode 11; despite the broadcasters' continuous coverage of the disaster, Yomiuri TV aired episode 12 normally the following week.

The name of the legendary mineral Shield (Esukūdo) used to forge the Magic Knights' weapons has a Suzuki mark engraved on it in its raw state.

The opening theme of the first arc, 'Yuzurenai Negai' performed by Naomi Tamura, sold over a million copies and allowed the singer to participate in NHK's 46th Kōhaku Uta Gassen in 1995.

According to producer Michihiko Suwa, the sale of merchandise and critical reception of the series were very good, but the audience rating (rating) was low.

The toy brand Sega produced merchandise for the series and even filmed commercials with real actresses (from the group Minami Aoyama Shōjo Kagekidan) playing Hikaru, Umi, and Fū in the flesh.