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Saint Seiya[聖闘士星矢: Sei Toushi Seiya: Sacred Fighter Seiya] is the title of the manga created by Masami Kurumada and the anime produced by Toei Animation, however, since the Original Era[1985-1992], the title has been used on various products and merchandising related to this manga/anime.

With fans from all around the world pushing the Revival[1995-2002], the title "Saint Seiya 聖闘士星矢" has become the name of the franchise. With the dawn of the New Era[2002-Present], the franchise have spawned spin-off and follow-up mangas/animes, CDs, video games, novels, DVDs and various products not just solely for the Japanese market.

Contents

Original Era[1985-1992]

Manga[漫画]

The original manga was serialized in Shonen Jump Weekly[週刊少年ジャンプ: Shuukan Shounen Janpu: Weekly Magazine Boy Jump] published by Shueisha[集英社] from Dec. of 1985 to Nov. 1990. The conclusion[完結編: Kanketu Hen: Conclusion Chapter] issue, however, was printed in V Jump[ブイ ジャンプ: Bui Janpu] in the same month.

Shonen Jump is the manga magazine that published other famous mangas like Orange Road, City Hunter, Dragonball, and etc. With an unique style to his own, Masami Kurumada created successful mangas there, namely, Ring ni Kakero[リングにかけろ:Ringu ni Kakero: Hang in the Ring] and Fuma no Kojiro[風魔の小次郎: Fuuma no Kojiro: Kojiro of the Wind Demons] but it was the failed manga, Otokozaka[男坂: The Steeper of Man] that pushed "Saints Seiya" to come about.

Frustrated and angry by the failure, Masami was determined to make his next manga a hit. He was inspired by watching the movie, The Karate Kid , The manga was to be titled, Rin of the Galaxy[銀河のリン:Ginga no Rin: Rin of the Milky Way]. After reading information about the Leonid, he changed the title character's name from to Rin to Seiya[聖矢: Sacred Arrow]. After further thought, he changed the name once again to Seiya[星矢: Star Arrow].

The story follows the main character, Seiya, who belongs to group of warriors known as Saints[聖闘士:Seitoushi]. They wear the armor called, Cloths[聖衣: Seii: Sacred Cloth] built based on the constellations. They use a power from the universe called, Cosmo[小宇宙: Shouuchuu: Microcosm]. There are 3 main chapters to the manga, The Sanctuary, The Posiedon and The Hades.

As with many mangas, when a certain time have pasted, the manga would be republished in Comic Book form[単行本: Tankoubon]. Starting from Sept. 1986, Saint Seiya started to be republished in the Jump Comics series. There are 28 Volumes total. The Comic Books have been reprinted many times over the years. (There are other Editions printed in the Revival and New Era). Shueisha also released 3 Drama cassette tapes and one Cosmo Special[コスモ　スペシャル: Kosumo Supesharu] to complement the manga.

Publishing

Chapter I: The Sanctuary[聖域編: Seiiki Hen]

Jump Issue: 1986, #1,2 - 1988, #14; Volume: 1-13

Galaxian Wars Arc[銀河戦争編: Ginga Sensou Hen: Milky Way Wars Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #1,2 - 1986, #22; Volume: 1-3
100 orphans has been sent all around the world to train to become Saints and return with a Cloth. A boy by the name of Seiya wins the Pegasus Cloth in Sanctuary, Greece, and returns to Japan. He wants to reunite with his big sister, Seika, but finds out she is missing. Saori Kido, the leader the Graude Foundation makes a deal with Seiya. If he enters the battle of the Bronze[青銅: Seidou] Saints, Galaxian Wars and wins the Gold Cloth, the Foundation would use all its resources to help him find his sister. However, the Galaixan Wars are interrupted by Shun's big brother, Ikki. Leading Black Saints, they steal the Gold Cloth, however, Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun are able to take back 4 pieces.
Black Saints Arc[暗黒聖闘士編: Ankoku Sei Toushi Hen : Dark Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #23 - 1986, #40; Volume: 4-5
Shiryu goes to Jamir to find Mu to fix the two dead Pegasus and Dragon Cloths. Mu demands that Shiryu give half of his own blood to help fix the Cloths. Seeing Shiryu's sacrifice for friendship, Mu and his pupil Kiki help fix the two Cloths. After a series of battles between the Bronze and Black Four[暗黒四天王: Ankoku Shi Tennou: Dark Four Emperors.], and with the help of Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun, Seiya is finally able to defeat Ikki. it is then that Ikki reveals to Seiya a horrible truth. Right then, Silver Saint, Lizard Misty causes a earthquake to bury the Bronze.
Silver Saints Arc[白銀聖闘士編: Hakugin Sei Toushi Hen : Silver Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #41 - 1987, #7; Volume: 5-7
Silver Saints has come as hitmen to kill the Bronze for using the Cloths for selfish reasons. Mu and Kiki used their teleportation skills to help Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun and the Black Saints to escape. Mu tricks the Silver Saints into thinking they've killed Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun, but in fact, they killed Black Dragon, Swan, and Andromeda. One by one the Bronze Saints are able to defeat the Silver Saints. When the Bronze returns to see Saori, she reveals she is actually the incarnation of Athena[女神の化身: Megami no Keshin: Incarnation of the Goddess] and their true mission is to fight to protect this world. The Bronze don't believe her. After a more series of battles with the Silver Saints, at the end of the arc, Shiryu ends up blind.
Memorial Story, Shaka[特別読切　Shaka: Tokubetu Yomikiri Shaka: Special One-Issue Manga Shaka]
Jump Issue: 1987, #13; Volume: 5
To celebrate Shonen Jump Weekly reaching 950 issues, Shueisha ordered a One-issue manga from Masami. At this point in time, Jump was starting to serialize Gold Saints Chapter, Masami felt it was time to show Ikki's past and have a Gold Saint appear. The manga was incorprated into Vol. 5 as a flash back. The plot of the manga is where Ikki has earned the right to get his Phoenix Cloth from the Black Saints territory on Death Queen Island. He defeats all the Black Saints easily including the Don[首領: Shuryou: Leader] Jango. When Ikki finally wears his Cloth, Shaka comes and defeats him. Shaka sees actually Ikki has never turned evil but hides his good side inside him. Shaka erases his memory of their fight and leaves. The Black Saints recoginze that Ikki is the strongest among them and Ikki becomes the New Don. It is then Ikki decides it is time to return to Japan and disrupt the Galaxian Wars.
12 Palaces Arc[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen: 12 Palaces Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1987, #13 - 1988 #14; Volume: 7-13
The Sanctuary Pope sents Gold Saint Leo Aiolia to kill the Bronze. However, Saori reveals the truth of what really happened 13 yeras ago to him. It was Aiolia's big brother, Aiolos, who saved her from the evil Pope. With the help of the Will of Aiolos, Aiolia finally realizes the truth and returns.
When Saori and the Bronze finally reaches Sanctuary, Saori is attacked by Sagitta Trammy, firing a Golden Arrow into her chest. The Bronze only have 12 hours to save her. After a series of fierce battles, the Pope reveals who he really is, Gemini Saga! With the help of his brothers and Athena's Shield, Seiya saves Athena and forces an evil aura out of Saga's body. At the end of the arc, Saga kills himself right in front of Saori at Athena Temple.
The Cygnus Story, Natassia of the Ice Country[特別読切　氷の国のナターシャ:Tokubetu Yomikiri Koori no Kuni no Nata-sha]

Jump Issue: 1988 #13; Volume: 13

To celebrate Shonen Jump Weekly reaching 1000 issues, Shueisha ordered a One-issue manga from Masami. The Cygnus Story is an outside manga. It does not really fit into the timeline of the manga but the events can happen after Sanctuary Chapter. This story serves as an inspiration for Movie 2 of the Anime. The story centers on Hyoga who has gone to meet a group of fighters called, Blue Warriurs[氷闘士: Koori Toushi: Ice Fighters], lead by Alexer. They want to invade into the lower lands and rule. Imprisoned in their homeland, Blue Grad[ブルー　グラード: Buru- Gura-do], Hyoga meets Alexer's younger sister, Natassia. Alexer kills his father for not supporting his desires. Angered by this, Hyoga fights him but the fight is interrupted by Natassia's suicide attempt. The Cygnus Saint chooses not to kill Alexer so he would repent for what he has done and there's one more reason: the name of Hyoga's mother is Natassia.
Chapter II: The Poseidon[海王ポセイドン編:Kaiou Poseidon Hen: Sea King Poseidon Chapter]

Jump Issue: 1988, #15 - 1989 #9; Volume: 14-18

Poseidon has awakened and his Spirit lives inside the body of Julian Solo, the son of the Sea Merchant King[海商王:Kaishou Ou]. His warriors wear the armor called, Scale[鱗衣:　Rini: Scale Cloth], and they are called, Marina[海闘士: Kai Toushi: Sea Fighter]. Poseidon uses his power to innundated the world by tidal waves and floods, killing many. Athena decides to confront Poseidon in his Undersea Temple[海底神殿: Kaitei Shinden] to stop the inundation, but instead she is held prisoner inside a giant pillar called, Main Breadwinner. With the help of the Gold Saints' Blood and the Libra Wepaons, the Bronze defeats the 7 Generals[海将軍: Kai Shougun: Sea General] and destroys their pillars. Near the end of the battle, it is revealed that Gemini Kanon, Saga's little brother was the one who was pulling the strings for this war to happen. At the end of the arc, using Athena's Jar, Saori seals the spirit of Poseidon.
Great Holy War History[大聖戦史: Dai Seisen Shi]
The Great Holy War History was an article printed in Cosmo Special which was published on Aug. 10th in 1988(Mid Posiedon Chapter). It is an account of past Holy Wars and the relation they have to the concept called, Hypermyth[超神話: Chou Shinwa: Super Myth.] The history is separated into 6 eras, telling clues and histories of the universe, and how Athena's Saints and Cloths came about, and what happened in the resulting Holy Wars.[1] Because the article contain many background information and hints that hit directly to the core future chapters, many fans have speculated that Masami Kurumada wrote the article himself, if not at least gave critical ideas to its writing.(In the Revival Era, the article was edited and added to, when it was published again for Monthly Magazine Comic Extra-Large, Saint Seiya Digest Chapter, Pegasus Gliding Chapter[月刊コミック特盛聖闘士星矢総集編天馬星座（ペガサス）飛翔編: Gekkan Komikku Tokumori Seitoushi Seiya Shoushuuhen Tenmaza(Pegasasu) Hishou Hen])
Chapter III: The Hades[冥王編: Meiou Hen: Underworld King Chapter]

Jump Issue: 1989, #10 - 1990 #49; V Jump Issue: #1, Dec. 12th; Volume: 19-28

12 Palaces Arc[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen: 12 Palaces Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1989, #10 - 1989 #45; Volume: 19-22
Hades have resurrected deceased Silver and Golds Saints to attack Sanctuary from within, even Previous Pope Aries Sion are amongst them. They wear the armor called, Surplice[冥衣: Meii: Under Cloth: Clothes of the Dead.] which is the proof of the warriors of Hades, called, Specter[冥闘士: Mei Toushi: Under Fighter]. Finally leaving Five Old Peaks, Roshi confronts Sion, his old friend, at Aries Palace. With the help of Athena's Misopetha-Menos, Roshi is able to return to his 18 year body as the Libra Saint, Dohko. After a series of battles between the Saints and against the Specters, the most shocking scene in the manga plays out: Athena is willing to be killed!! At the end of the arc, Sion as Pope once again reveals the true reason of their return and Athena's true intentions of killing herself.
Underworld Arc[冥界編: Meikai Hen: Underworld Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1989 #46-1990 #49; V Jump Issue: #1, Dec. 12th; Volume: 23-28
Seiya and Shun has reached the Underworld alive. With the help of Silver Saint, Lyra Orphee, the three Saints reach Judecca to defeat Hades once and for all. However in an event completely unforeseen, the Spirit of Hades possesses Shun! He has becomed Hades's current incarnation!! With this drastic situation, Ikki finally appears and tries to free Shun but he fails. Hades takes full possession of him, however, by using her own hot blood, Athena drives the Spirit of Hades out of Andromeda Saint. Hades escapes to Elysion and Athena gives chase. By the sacrifice of 12 living and deceased Gold Saints, the Bronze are able to travel to Elysion. With the help of Athena's Blood and their own Cosmo power, the Bronze are able to defeat Gods of Death and Sleep. At the end of the arc, Athena and Bronze are finally able to defeat Hades but Seiya falls.

Audio Drama

During this era, Shueisha released 3 cassette tapes containing audio drama(radio drama style) that is based on the manga. The characters were voiced by the Anime voice actors. A lot of the scenes not in anime are featured in the these dramas.

The first tape, Under Any kind of Star[いかなる星の下に: Ikanaru Hoshi no Shita ni] was released on Aug. 24th, 1988. Before the drama begins, Kurumada himself explains the concept of Cosmo, Seven Senses and Seiya explains the myth of the Saints.

The drama begins with Seiya winning the Pegasus Cloth and focuses more on the Black Chapter events and Seiya vs. Misty fight. The last parts of the drama have Saori revealing she is the incarnation of Athena. The boys and Athena discusses what it means to be born under a destiny of stars. The tape ends with the voice actors discussing the work and their characters.

In the same year, 2 More tapes were released on Aug. 29th, that focuses on the events of 12 Palaces Chapter. Gold 12 Palaces Front Chapter[黄金十二宮前編: Ougon Jyuunikyuu Zenpen] focuses on the first 6 Palaces and Gold 12 Palaces Back Chapter[黄金十二宮後編: Ougon Jyuunikyuu Kouhen] focuses on the last 6 Palaces and the Saga fight.

Elements in the drama that are different or not in the anime:

  • In the manga, a priest tells some tourists that the Myth of Saints does not exist in Greek Mythology. This is not in the anime. In the drama, Seiya is the one that talks about this.
  • In the manga, the word "Black" for Black Saints had the Katakana ブラック: Burakku and the kanij 暗黒: Ankoku which means Dark. In the anime, they only used the kanji, Dark. In this drama, they only use the Katakana, Black.
  • Ikki's skill, Phoenix Illusion Punch:鳳凰幻魔拳: Hoou Genma Ken are voiced out by all kanjis, in the anime, they changed the kanji Hoou to katakana フェニックス:Fuenikkusu.
  • Hyoga uses the Russian skills names, in the anime, they changed it to English.
  • Black Swans sends his right eyeball to Ikki, in the anime, he sends the Swan head from his head-gear.
  • Black Dragon Twins scenes are all there, in the anime, there is only one Dark Dragon.
  • Ikki reveals who is the father of all the orphans, in the anime, this was not animated.
  • Mu is featured in the drama, in the anime, Mu's intervention was not animated.
  • The boys talking about their father, in the anime, this was not animated.
  • Athena reveals to the boys she is Athena, in the anime, Tatsumi is the one that does that.
  • Camus's monologue after he puts Hyoga in Freezing Coffin stays true to the manga, in the anime, dialogues were changed because of the Crystal Saint character.
  • Shun's flashback with young Ikki discussing the issue of wars, in the anime, this was not animated.
  • The Saga fight is longer and you get to hear Ikki and Saga talk about their Evil Skills, Phoenix Illusion Punch and Juggler Devil Punch[幻朧魔皇拳: Genrou Maou Ken: Magical Faint Evil King Punch] and you get to hear Saga launch Galaxian Explosion two times.

Anime[アニメ]

The TV Series aired in Japan every Saturday at 7:00pm-7:30pm from Oct. 11th, 1986 to April 1st, 1989 on TV Asahi Network[テレビ朝日系: Terebi Asahi Kei]. Along with the TV Series, movies were also produced by Toei Animation[2].

Back in the 80s, Katuji Murakami was the one in charge of toy development at Bandai[バンダイ]. He was made aware of the manga when one of the Department Heads[3], Masaya Sasano told him about how his son is a fan of the manga. Bandai had talks with Toei Animation about being one of the sponsors of the anime based on the manga. In June of 1986, at Toei Animation, Yoshibumi Hatano took on the role as producer and started developmenting the anime for TV.

Kouzou Morishita was hired as the Series Director. Shingo Araki was hired to be Conceptual Drawing Director and along with Michi Himeno[4], they were hired to be Character Designers.[5] Takao Koyama was hired to be the Series Organiser. He along with Yoshiyuki Suga wrote most of the scripts for the show. Seiji Yokoyama was hired as Music Director. Masayoshi Kawata was the producer for TV Asahi.

Although the general plot was the same as the manga, the anime did not follow straight-forwardly from it. Because the anime needed to allow the manga to have some breathing room away from the anime, so, original episodes and original arcs were produced to be made as time fillers. The TV staff would create these original characters and stories. The show writers also wrote 3 Outside stories to complement the TV series. They were published in the 3 Anime Specials[アニメ　スペシャル: Anime Supesharu] which are companion guides to the series.

The TV series all together had 114 episodes separated into 3 Chapters, The Sancuary Chapter, The Asgard Chapter[6], and The Poseidon Chapter. When the episodes were released on VHS tapes, for Sanctuary Chapter, Toei Animation took out some original episodes for a separate release, in order to watch all 73 Episodes, you have to buy the 12 Sanctuary Chapter[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen] tapes and the 3 Sanctuary Extra Chapter[十二宮番外編: Jyuunikyuu Bangai Hen] tapes. The Asgard Chapter was released on 7 tapes and Poseidon Chapter was released on 3 Tapes. (In 2002-2003, the whole series was finally re-released on DVD.)

There were 4 movies produced but in a fashion that mostly don't really fit in the TV timeline but certain movies happen after certain events. The 4 Movies were released on 4 VHS tapes and later 4 LDs.(In 2004, the 4 movies were re-released in one DVD box set.)

TV Series

Sanctuary Chapter[聖域十二宮編: Seiiki　Jyuunikyuu Hen: Sanctuary 12 Palaces Chapter]

Episodes: 1-73; Aired Date: 1986 10/11 - 1988 4/16;

VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 1-12, Sanctuary Extra Chapter 1-3; DVD: Pegasus, Dragon, Andromeda, Cygnus Box

Galaxian Wars Arc[銀河戦争編: Ginga Sensou Hen: Milky Way Wars Chapter]
Episodes: 1-8; Aired Date: 1986 10/11 - 1986 12/6
VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 1-2; DVD: Pegasus Box
The main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • Seiya and Marin appearing at Acropolis and the tourist scenes were not animated.
  • Ikki was the one that was appointed to kill the Bronze, in the manga the job went to Hyoga.
  • Anime only: Ikki wearing the Gold Cloth.
  • The anime had its own original designs for the Bronze Cloths and stayed the same until the end of Sanctuary Chapter.
Dark Saints Arc[暗黒聖闘士編: Ankoku Sei Toushi Hen : Dark Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Episodes: 9-15; Aired Date: 1986 12/13 - 1987 1/31
VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 2-3; DVD: Pegasus Box
The main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • In the manga, Pegasus and Dragon Cloths upgrades to version 2.
  • There's only one Dark Dragon, in the manga, there were twins.
  • In the manga, all the 100 Orphans are blood related because they have the same father. In the anime, they are unrelated. The scene where Ikki tells Seiya who their father is, was never animated.
  • In the anime, Esmeralda is the daughter of Guilty, in the manga, she is just a slave girl sold to work at Death Queen Island.
  • After Dark Chapter, the anime went into original episodes, so the Silver Saints don't appear.
Struggle for Gold Cloth Arc[黄金聖衣争奪編: Ougon Seii Soudatu Hen][7]
Episodes: 16-22; Aired Date: 1987 2/7 - 1987 3/21
VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 3, Sanctuary Extra Chapter Up(上) Ep. 17-20, Middle(中) Ep. 21-22; DVD: Pegasus Box
The Pope has suddenly died and Ares has become the new Pope. Ares only recognizes the Greek race and no other. He commands his own Private[私兵: Shihei] Saints to retrieve all the Gold Cloth pieces. Except for the head piece, the rest of the Gold Cloth parts are taken into Sanctuary. Docrates, Geist and the Ghost[幽霊: Yuurei: Apparition] Saints attempt to take the head piece from the Bronze but they fail. With the brainwashing of Hyoga's Master, Crystal Saint[水晶聖闘士:Suishou Seitoushi], Hyoga had to confront his own master. At the end of the arc, Ikki returns to fend off Gigas and Fiery Saint[炎熱聖闘士: Ennetu Seitoushi].
The other main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • In the manga, Guilty was not brainwashed by Pope Ares. Why Guilty have such a violent character is unknown and he is also not the former Phoenix Saint.[8]
  • Anime only: Seiya vs Shaina fight.
  • In the manga, Hyoga's master is Aquarius Camus.
  • In the manga, The Gold Cloth are all taken back by the Bronze.
  • Phaeton is an anime original character.
Silver Saints Arc[白銀聖闘士編: Hakugin Sei Toushi Hen : Silver Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Episodes: 23-35; Aired Date: 1987 3/28 - 1987 6/27
VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 4-5, Sanctuary Extra Chapter Middle(中) Ep. 26, 32, Down(下) Ep. 33-34; DVD: Pegasus, Dragon Box[9]
The main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • Ikki joins Seiya and the boys for a party. In the manga, Ikki only appears to fight.
  • Steel Saints are anime original characters.
  • In the manga, Babel is easily defeated by Hyoga
  • The involvement of Mu is not animated.
  • Anime only: Seiya vs Shaina fight.
  • Spartan is an anime original character.
  • Argor turns Shun and Seiya to stone, in the manga, it is Shun and Hyoga.
  • Dark 3[暗黒スリー: Anokoku Suri-: Dark Three] are anime original characters.
  • The involvement of Shaka in Death Queen Island is not animated.
  • DQI was not sunk in the manga.
  • Tarantula Arakne is an anime original character.
  • In the Anime, the Gold Cloth travels to a lake and turns into its true form.[10] In the manga, however, The Gold Cloth was reshaped as an antique 13 years ago and when it finally came out of its own box again when Aiolia appears, it returns to its true form. Who reshaped the Cloth is unclear.
12 Palaces Arc[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen: 12 Palaces Chapter]
Episodes: 36-73; Aired Date: 1987 7/4 - 1988 4/16
VHS: Sanctuary Chapter 6-12, Sanctuary Extra Chapter Down(下) Ep. 54-55;
DVD: Dragon, Andromeda, Cygnus Box
The main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • The Gold Saints themselves don't know who or what constellations the other Gold Saints are. This is anime only(and foolish if you think about it.)
  • Leda and Spica are anime original characters.
  • In the manga, Pegasus Cloth upgrades to version 3.
  • In the anime, Shun's master is Cepheus Albiore, in the manga, his master is Cepheus Daidaros. Cloth design is also different.
  • In the anime, Aphrodite aided Milo secretly, so Milo can kill Albiore easily, in the manga, Aphrodite killed Daidaros alone and left.
  • Anime only: Milo destroying Andromeda Island and defeating the Saints there.
  • In the anime, Camus sinks Natassia's ship while he and Hyoga was in Libra Temple, in the manga, Camus sunk it before Hyoga goes to Sanctuary.
  • Because in the anime, Hyoga's Master is Crystal Saint and Crystal Saint's Master is Camus, many scenes and dialogue of Hyoga's training were changed to reflect Crystal Saint's role.
  • Peacock Shiva and Lotus Agora are anime original characters.
  • Anime only: the Bronze have an adventure in Sagittarius Palace.
  • Anime only: all Aiolos vs. Shura flashback scenes.
  • In anime, there's more fighting after Athena is saved, in the manga, all fighting stops after Athena is saved. The actual fights are also very different.
  • In the anime, Saga kills Ares and his body is left on Star Hill. Saga kills the Pope around time of Galaxian Wars(The location of body of the Pope is unknown). In the manga there is no Ares character, Pope Sion is killed on Star Hill and his body is left there.
Asgard Chapter[アスガルド編: Asugarudo Hen]

Episodes: 74-99; Aired Date: 1988 4/23 - 1988 11/12

VHS: Asgard Series 1-7; DVD: Cygnus Box, Phoenix Box

Before the end of Sanctuary Chapter, Poseidon puts a Nibelung Ring on Hilda, the Earth Representative[地上代行者: Chijyou Daikousha] of Odin. Instead of doing her duty for Odin, she awakens the 7(8 really) armors, called, God Robe[神闘衣: Shin Tou I: God Fight Cloth] for her warriors, called, God Warrior[神闘士: Shin Toushi: God Fighter]. Athena instead takes Hilda's duty to perserve the ice caps from melting so the world won't be flooded. The Bronze must defeat all 7 Gold Warriors take their Odin Sapphires in the God Robes and awaken the Balmung Sword. With this Sword(from Odin Robe), they can release Hilda from the curse of the Ring. At the end of the arc, Hilda regains her freedom but Saori is abducted by Posiedon!! (The differences that resulted from adding this extra chapter is discussed below.)
Poseidon Chapter[ポセイドン編: Poseidon Hen][11]

Episodes: 100-114; Aired Date: 1988 11/19 - 1989 4/1

VHS: Poseidon Series 1-3; DVD: Phoenix Box

The main differences between the Anime and manga are:
  • In the manga, Julian's birthday party is after Sanctuary Chapter, in the anime, it is a flashback, so the exact timeframe is unknown.
  • In Asgard Chapter, blood was needed to restore the Bronze Cloths, 5 Gold Saints had to give to 5 Cloths: Aiolia->Pegasus, Mu->Dragon, Milo->Cygnus, Aldebaran->Andromeda and Shaka->Phoenix. In the manga, however, while the boys was still in a coma from the 12 Palace fight, 4 Gold Saints gave to 4 Cloths: Aiolia->Pegasus, Roshi->Dragon, Milo->Cygnus, and Shaka->Andromeda.
  • In the anime, Zeta Star Mizar Syd tried to kill Athena but was stop by the Bronze, in the manga, Aiolia stopped an abduction attempt by a Marina.
  • In the anime, Syd and Bud defeated Aldebaran. In the manga, Solent fought Aldebaran protecting the Bronze in a coma state.
  • In the anime, it gave an impression Sorrento died with Siegfried. In the manga, it gave an impression Solent killed Aldebaran.
  • In the manga, Phoenix Cloth never turned Gold Bronze.[12]
  • In the anime, when Poseidon threw his Halbred to attack Athena, Seiya protected her, in the manga it was Kanon.[13]
  • The last scene in the manga with Solent and Julian is not animated.
  • In the anime, after the war, Thethys lives as a mermaid, in the manga, it's gives an impression Tetis dies as a fish.

Movies

Saint Seiya the Movie[聖闘士星矢　劇場版: Seitoushi Seiya Gekijyou Ban: Sacred Fighter Seiya Movie Version]

Production

Movie 1 was released on July 18th, 1987, a 45 min. movie as a part of Toei Manga Maturi[東映まんがまつり] along with 1 other Anime movie and 2 Robot Team[戦隊: Sentai: Battle Team] movies. At the time, the title of the movie was just "Saint Seiya[聖闘士星矢]." (For the DVD release it was Masami'ｓ idea to give a subtitle to the movie, 'Evil God Eris[邪神エリス:Jashin Erisu].' Masami designed the possible Silver Cloths and characters. The script was written by Yoshiyuki Suga. Character Design by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno. The producers were Yoshibumi Hatano and Masayoshi Kawata. The director was Kouzou Morishita. Seiji Yokoyama wrote the soundtrack. This movie can happen after Sanctuary Chapter.

Plot

Comet Lepreus[彗星レパルス: Suisei Reparusu][14] has returned and it delivers a Golden Apple to descend to the ground. A girl by the name of Elly[エリイ: Erii] finds it and ends up possessed by the Spirit of Eris imprisioned there by Athena. The Goddess of Discord resurrects the desceased Saints as Ghost[亡霊: Bourei] Saints. She also abducts Athena so she can use the Golden Apple to suck out her energy to resurrect fully. The Bronze have to defeat the Ghost Five and save Athena before Eris resurrects all the dead Saints bringing about disaster and disorder to the world!!

Points of interest

  • the imprisonment idea is used again and again in the manga and Gigantomachia novels.
  • Eris resurrects Saints that could be former Silver Saints is a precursor to Hades Chapter where Silver Saints are resurrected to confront the Bronze.
  • Eris possesses Elly because they have the same constellation is a precursor to Hades Chapter where Hades possesses Shun. His modern birthday is the same as Shun.
  • Lyra Saint appears both in this movie and Hades Chapter.
The Heated War of the Gods[神々の熱き戦い: Kamigami no Atuki Tatakai]

Production

Movie 2 was released on March 12th, 1988 as part of Toei Manga Maturi[東映まんがまつり], a 45 min. movie along with 2 anime movies and one Kamen Rider movie. Masami designed the characters for the movie. The script was written by Yoshiyuki Suga. Character Design by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno. The director of this movie was Shigeyasu Yamauchi. Seiji Yokoyama wrote the soundtrack. This movie can happen after Sanctuary Chapter.

Plot

An Asegard[15] warrior is saved by Hyoga. The Cygnus Saint goes to investigates what is happening in Asegard but ends up missing. Saori and the boys travel there to find Hyoga but Saori's Will ends up trapped in another dimension by the Founder[教主: Kyoushu: Founder of a Religion] Derbal. He wants to rule over Sanctuary and then the world. After a series of battles with the God Warriors(One of them hides a secret idenity.) With the help of Frey, the Bronze are able to defeat Derbal and free Athena.

Points of interest

  • The movie serves as base points for the writers to build the Asgard Chapter plot, characters, and God Robes.
  • Midgard revealing himself as Hyoga to Shiryu is a precursor of Poseidon Chapter where Kraken General reveals himself to be Issac, Hyoga's friend.
  • The brainwashing of Hyoga is a precursor to the Gigantomachia novel character, Mei, when he is brainwashed by Typhon's will.
The Legend of Crimson Boys[真紅の少年伝説: Shinku no Shounen Densetu]

Production

Movie 3, a 75 min. feature, was released on July 23rd, 1988, along with one other anime movie. Kouzou Morishita was appointed producer. Masami Kurumada came up with the original ideas. The script was written by Yoshiyuki Suga. Character Design by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno. The director was Shigeyasu Yamauchi. Seiji Yokoyama wrote the soundtrack. This movie can happen after Poseidon Chapter, however in the Heaven Chapter Pamphlet, it says this movie can be considered a Sequel following 12 Palaces Battle[十二宮の戦いの後日談: Jyuunikyuu no tatakai no gojitudan] and Shiryu is not blind.[16]

Plot

Zeus's son, Phoebus Abel has returned with Corona[コロナ: Korona] Saints. He has resurrected the deceased Gold Saints as well! Abel will use his power to bring about the destruction of man and give back the control of the land to the Gods. Surprisingly, Athena agrees with this and follows Abel to his Corona Temple[太陽神殿: Taiyou Shinden: Sun Temple]. In truth, Athena was only waiting for the right chance to kill Abel but she ends up killed instead. The Bronze boys travels to Corona Temple to save Athena whose Spirit is slowly walking to the opening of hell. The boys must fight former enemies they defeated, the most powerful Corona Saints and Abel to save Athena!!

Points of interest

  • The title of the movie was just "Saint Seiya[聖闘士星矢]", the subtitle was actually not shown in the movie.[17]
  • The idea of Abel being Athena's big brother is a precursor to Gigantomachi Novel, where Mei is the step-big brother to Saori.
  • The Coma Cloth with strings is a precursor to Gigantomachi Novel, where there is also a Coma Cloth with strings.
  • The idea of Abel being erased from history is precursor to the Gigantomachia novel idea where the actual fight with Typhon and Gigas was not worth writing in history because the truth of what they really are.
  • For the anime, this is the first time you see Saga use Galaxian Explosion.
  • Abel resurrects the Gold Saints is a precursor to Hades Chapter where Hades resurrects the Gold Saints.
  • Athena abandoning Seiya and the boys is a precursor to Hades Chapter where Athena won't allow the boys to return to Sanctuary and fight.
  • Saga's, Shura's, Camus's character of not really following Abel is a precursor to Hades Chapter where the three are only acting like they are loyal servants of Hades.[18]
  • Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga wears the Gold Cloths is a precursor to Poseidon Chapter where they wear the Gold Cloths, too.
Warriors of the Last Holy War[最終聖戦の戦士たち: Saishuu Seisen no Senshi Tachi]

Production

Movie 4 was released on Mar. 18th, 1989, a 45 min. movie as part of Toei Manga Maturi[東映まんがまつり]　along with 2 other Anime movies and 1 Robot Team[戦隊: Sentai: Battle Team] movie. Masayuki Akehi was appointed the director. Because Shingo Araki was too busy with the TV series work, the Character Designer was Seibaku Naoi. Yoshiyuki Suga wrote the script. Seiji Yokoyama wrote the soundtrack. This movie can happen after Poseidon Chapter and Movie 3, but Poseidon's Spirit actually never went to hell. He was sealed in Athena's Jar.[19] Shiryu is not blind again.[20]

Plot

Because the Cosmos of Eris, Abel and Poseidon, Lucifer has resurrected with his Devil Angels[聖魔天使: Sei Ma Tenshi: Sacred Demon Angels]. The 3 Gods bring diasters and killings to the whole world. Athena is willing to sacrifice herself if Lucifer makes them stop, but the boys will never let that happen! In fact, Athena's blood will help the 3 Gods give birth to a 3 new bodies and give Lucifer a stronger Cosmo, making him invincible! With the help of the 12 Gold Cosmos, Lucifer is defeated and Eris, Abel and Poseidon are dragged along to hell with him.

Points of interest

  • Athena willing to sacrifice herself is a precursor to Hades Chapter where she is willing to die(or the impression of it).
  • Athena's blood being sucked to hell is a precursor to the Gigantomachia Novel where the Saints' Blood and Cosmo are sucked and used to resurrect Typhon.
  • The 12 Gold Cosmos gathers is a precursor to Hades Chapter where the 12 Gold Cloths are gathered to break the Wailing Wall[嘆きの壁: Nageki no Kabe].
  • Seiya says to Lucifer in the end, "Disappear to far way beyond time"　is a precursor of both Gigantomachia characters, Typhon and Mei. Typhon uses the power, Prison of Delayed Time[滞る時の監獄: Todokooru Toki no Kangoku] to seal off his own Gigas warriors to resurrect later. And, Mei uses his Coma Cloth to seal Typhon so he would not wake until another time.

Outside Story[番外編 ストーリー:　Bangaihen Suto-ri]

Published inside the 3 Anime Speicals[アニメ　スペシャル], each have an outside story that complements the TV series. One of them don't really fit in the TV timeline but two of them explains some unclear events in the show. The stories were written by the show writers.

Nebula Chain, Bond of Brothers[星雲鎖　兄弟の絆: Seiun Kusari Kyoudai no Kizuna: Star Cloud Chain Bonds of Brothers]
This story was printed in Anime Special 1 which was published on July 13th, 1988. It was written by Takao Koyama and have illustrations by Nobuyoshi Sasakado. It doesn't fit in the series timeline but it happens after Ikki is buried by Docrates. The story centers on Shun who is wondering where his brother is. He has nowhere to stay so Saori allows him to stay in Kido Mansion. That night Dark Saints comes and attack him but they are not just any Dark Saints. They have been trained by Pope Ares and have a power like Gold Saints. Ikki finally appears to save Shun and reveals they were the Dark Saints he knew on Death Queen Island. Ikki defeats them and retrieves back a memento from Shun and Ikki's mother.[21]
Saga! Prelude of Desire[サガ！　野望の序曲: Saga! Yabou no Jyokyoku]
This story was printed in Anime Special 2 which was published on Nov. 9th, 1988. It was written by Takao Koyama and have illustrations by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno. This story is a prequel story. 1 year before Athena descends to Athena Temple, Shura returns and meets his old friend, Aiolos. That night, the Pope is attacked by an assassin wearing Scale[鱗衣]! It is during this battle that Shura's arm finally gives birth to the skill, Excalibur[聖剣: Seiken: Sacred Sword]. He uses the skill to fend the assassin off. Later that night, the Pope's little brother, the Silver Saint Ares[22], notices that Saga has the wounds made by Excailbur. Saga kills him for knowing, and from then on, he pretends to be Ares waiting for the right time to kill the Pope and Athena. The story ends with the scene of Shura hunting Aiolos.
Athena! Her Great Love[女神！　大いなる愛: Megami! Ooinaru Ai: Goddess! Great Love]
This story was printed in Anime Special 3 which was published on Apr. 19th, 1989. The story was written by Yoshiyuki Suga and have illustrations by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno. This is an inquel story between Sanctuary Chapter and Asgard Chapter. Sanctuary is celebrating the Advent of Athena, however, Athena is very worried about Seiya and starts to have feelings for him. Mysterious warriors comes to attack the Bronze boys while they are still recovering at Athena's Spring. Ikki and Shaka fends them off. The story ends with the scene of Syd fighting with Seiya and Athena finally understands what it means to love as Athena.

Music

Original Soundtracks & Concept Album

As discussed above, Seiji Yokoyama was the music director for the music of the TV series and the movies but he also wrote music for Hades Chapter which at that time was not animated yet. Poseidon Chapter for instance had only 15 episodes, normally a veteran like Seiji would not write music for such a small series but because he loved working on Saint Seiya, he continued. During this era, there were 8 Original Soundtracks[音楽集: Ongaku Shuu: Music Collection] and one concept album released. All the music Seiji wrote were performed by Andromeda Harmonic Orchestra. A lot of the music that was recorded for the movies were re-used during the TV series.

For the TV series and movies, there were 7 recording sessions total for all the music. The first session was recorded on Sept. 16-17, 1986, for Galaxian Wars, Dark, Struggle for Gold Cloth and Silver Chapters. Most of the music can be found in Soundtrack I. Some of music can be found in Soundtrack III.

The second session was recorded on May 25-26, 1987, for Movie 1 and Gold Chapter soundtracks. The two scores were recorded one after another. Most the music can be found in Soundtrack II, III. Some of music can be found in Soundtrack IV.

The next 4 sessions were all recorded in the same year, 1988. The third session was recorded on Feb. 24th for Movie 2 soundtrack. The fourth session was recorded on Mar. 31st for Asgard Series music. July 1st was the fifth session for Movie 3 soundtrack and the sixth session was on Oct. 13th for Poseidon soundtrack. Most of the music for Movie 2, Movie 3, Asgard Series and Poseidon Series can be found in Soundtracks IV, V, VI, and VII, respectively. Some of the Asgard and Movie 3 music can be found in Soundtrack VIII.

For movie 4, the music was recorded on the last session on Feb 20, 1989. Most of the music can be found in Soundtrack VIII.

The Hades Album[冥王ハデース編:Meiou Hadde-su Hen: Underworld King Hades Chapter] at this era was a concept album[イメージ　アルバム: Ime-ji Arubamu: Image Album]. Although at the time they did receive news that the Hades OVA might happen, on the last song, Masami said good bye to Seiya. The whole Album was recorded on Oct. 12-13, 1990. (In the New Era, the music was used for Hades OVA. For the Eternal Edition, this is the only album that gets the title "Image Soundtrack Album." A soundtrack for an anime you can hear 12 years before its production!!)

Songs

While the TV series was airing, Nippon Colombia[23] released 5 singles and 3 Song Albums titled, Hits[ヒット曲集: Hitto Kyokushuu: Hit music collection] . Some of the songs besides the Opening Song and Ending songs was used in the episodes.

The TV series had 2 OP Songs and 2 ED Songs. For Episodes 1-73, the OP was Pegasus Fantasy[ペガサス幻想: Pegasasu Gensou] and the ED was Blue Forever[永遠ブルー: Eien Buru-: Forever Blue]. Both songs were produced by band, MAKE-UP. The two songs can be found in Hits I.

For Episodes 74-114, the OP was Soldier Dream[聖闘士神話 ソルジャー　ドリム: Seitoushi Shinwa Soruja- Dorimu: Sacred Fighter Mythology Soldier Dream]. The ED was Blue Dream[夢旅人: Yume Tabibito: Dream Traveler]. Both songs were sung by Hironobu Kageyama. The two songs can be found in Hits III.

The Hades Chapter concept Album also didn't just have the music for the Hades manga, but 2 songs which many fans consider possible Opening and Ending songs for Hades manga.

The Songs used in TV Series, the first 3 Songs can be found in Hits I, and the last 3 in Hits II:

  • Can't Say Good Bye, used in Ep. 13, Shiryu vs. Black Dragon.
  • Beautiful Child, used in Ep. 16, Boys at rest before attack by Docrates.
  • Final Soldier, used in Ep. 20, Seiya vs. Shiana.
  • Lullaby, used in Ep. 30, Saori about to kiss Seiya.
  • Nebula Chain, used in 46, Shun vs. Gemini Saint.
  • Diamond Dust, used in Ep. 108, Crystal Saint trains Hyoga and Issac.

Hits II featured theme songs for each of the characters:

  • Golden Heart for Seiya, the song is about wanting his big sister Seika to know he exists.
  • Dragon Blood for Shiryu, the song is about not backing down no matter what you face.
  • Diamond Dust for Hyoga, the song is about Hyoga's Mama and the destiny of the Swan.
  • Nebula Chain for Shun, the song is about the bonds of the brotherhood between Shun and Ikki
  • You're Phoenix for Ikki, the song is about DQI and Esmeralda.
  • Lullaby for Athena, the song is about Athena singing to the boys to rest.
CDV, Arrangement, Memorial

A CDV is like a LD but smaller. The Saint Seiya CDV was released on Nov. 21st, 1987. It had audio and video portions. The audio were the 4 songs: Pegasus Fantasy, Friends in the Sky, We're Fearless Warriors and Blue Forever. The video was the music video of Lullaby.

Piano Fantasia is an piano arrangement album released on Feb. 21st, 1989. The music is an arrangement of soundtrack music and songs. The music sources were Promise in Protection Star, Polaris Hilda, Undersea Temple, Save Goddess! and Athena's Theme. The song sources were Time, Nebula Chain, Pegasus Fantasy, Blue Dream and Soldier Dream. Haruki Mino was the one who performed on the album.

Memorial CD Box was released on Mar. 21st, 1991 as a memorial album but also featured new material. Disk one and two had a selection of music from the Soundtracks. Disk 3 had a collection of the Hit songs. Disk 4 and 5 had new material: famous scenes[名場面: Meibamen] of the TV series were recorded and presented as Drama tracks.

Disk 5 also had other material, a verison of Pegasus Fantasy sung by the original voice actor of Seiya, Tooru Furuya. Previously not released music from the recording sessions were put into one big track called, Bridge Collection[ブリッジ　コレクション: Burijji Korekushon]. A collection of the Sound effects from the show was put in one track called, SE Collection, and finally, the last tracks were half karaoke versions of 2 OP and 2 ED songs.

Audio Drama

On Nov. 1st, 1987, Galaxian Wars Dream Battle Chapter[銀河戦争　夢の対決編: Ginga Sensou Yume no Taiketu hen] was released. The drama are:

  • Seiya vs. Shun(the victor of the battle not featured)
  • Shiryu vs. Hyoga(the victor of the battle not featured)
  • Leo Palace battle, Seiya vs. Aiolia.

In Memoral Box Disk 4-5, famous scenes recorded from the TV series were presented as drama. Some of the background music was replaced with other music. The drama are:

  • Prologue of the Saints
  • Seiya vs. Shiryu, Seiya detecting Shiryu's weakness.
  • Seiya vs. Ikki, Seiya able to defeat Ikki because of his friends
  • Aiolia not believing Saori is Athena. The Will of Aiolos wakes him up from his stupidity.
  • Mu talks about the Seven Senses. The beginning of Taurus Palace battle.
  • Death Mask makes Shunrei falls and angers Shiryu.
  • Ikki explodes with Shaka. Shun cries.
  • Hyoga comes back because of Shun's Cosmo and encourages Seiya and Shiryu. Hyoga vs. Milo, Antares scene.
  • Shiryu vs. Shura, Shiryu tells Shura why they are fighting so hard. Shura realizes the truth.
  • Hyoga vs. Camus. Final blows and Hyoga says good bye to Shun, Seiya, and his grand-master.
  • Shun vs. Aphrodite, Final blows and Shun says goodbye to Seiya.
  • Saga talks about what is the real evil and he is the savior. Ikki appears to save Seiya. Ikki vs Saga.
  • Saori tells Saga if the world is without love and justice, it is not worth existing. Saga attacks Athena but at the same time hits himself with Athena's Cane. Last scene in Sanctuary Chapter.
  • Siegfied gives his Odin Sapphire to Seiya and dies with Sorrento.
  • Odin lets Seiya wear his Robe and Seiya uses the Balmug Sword to cut the Nibelung Ring. Hilda is free and returns to her duty and prays again for Odin and Asgard.
  • Ikki leaves Kanon. Sorrento talks about Athena's love. With help from the other 4 boys, Seiya breaks Main Breadwinner.
  • Last scenes in Poseidon Chapter.

5 drama tracks can be found in Hades Chapter album titled, Interludes[間奏曲: Kansoukyoku], voiced by TV Anime voice actors of Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki and Saga. The Drama are:

  • Seiya talks about Hades as the true enemy. Shiryu talks to Shunrei about Roshi leaving Five Old Peaks and he has to leave, too. Hyoga's talk about leaving Siberia again to his Mama and how he was guided by his Master and friend, Issac.
  • Saga telling Camus and Shura in Twin Sala why they are here in the 12 Palaces again. In Hades Castle, Saga says good bye to the boys. Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun says they won't forget the existance of the Gold Saints.
  • Shun in Juddeca possessed by Hades telling Ikki, it is okay for Ikki to kill him.
  • Seiya's monologue right before the 12 Gold Saints break the Wailing Wall.
  • The Seiya talk right before he get his God Cloth. Hyoga talks about not giving up. Shiryu talks they were able to come to Elysion so they can create a miracle. Shun talks about burning the Cosmo without limit. Ikki talks about defeating Hypnos and Thanatos. Finally, Seiya talks about the God Cloth giving them miracles and the last power.

Merchandise

Saint Cloth Series[聖闘士聖衣大系: Seitoushi Seii Taikei: Sacred Fighter Sacred Cloth Series]

As discussed above, Bandai[バンダイ] wanted to be one of the sponsors of the anime. When Shingo and Michi first designed the Cloths, they stayed true to the manga design but they also tried different coloring schemes. After conversing with Bandai, they changed the design. The helmet idea actually came from designers who worked on Mobile Suit Gundam[機動戦士ガンダム: Kidousenshi Gandamu].

The development of the toy line started in Oct. 1986. The basic idea is to create a toy line for boys, a doll that can change their costumes, but the costumes are actually armor, made out of die-cast. The code name for the series was "Super Alloy Saint Seiya[超合金 聖闘士星矢:Chougoukin Seitoushi Seiya]".

The first toys produced were Bronze Cloths: Pegasus Seiya, Dragon Shiryu, Cygnus Hyoga, Andromeda Shun and Phoenix Ikki.[24] Sales in the beginning was actually not good. For 3 months, the toys were not selling that well. At one point, Bandai thought about closing the line when the anime reached the end of Silver Chapter. But finally in the fourth month, the TV ratings rose and so did the sales of the toys!

The first mail-in campaign[25] was held from Jan. 20 to Jun. 9th, 1987. The item was the Gold Cloth(Sagittarius Fake form). There were 10,000 items. Bandai then considered making the Black Cloths: Pegasus, Dragon, Swan, Andromeda, Phoenix as products but because they thought that bad guys won't sell as much, they made them Limited Editions. However, they regretted the descision because they sold so well and it pushed the idea of selling Gold Cloths. The second mail-in campaign was held from Jul. 7th to Nov. 3rd, 1987. The items were the 5 Cloth Boxes. There were 8500 items. (Later these products were transfered to Saint Paradise Toy line.)

Steel Saints: Sky Cloth Shou, Land Cloth Daichi, Marine Cloth Ushio were also sold but it was the Gold Cloth toys that made the sales break records: Aries Mu, Taurus Aldebaran, Gemini Saint[26], Leo Aiolia, Virgo Shaka, Libra Dohko[27], Scorpion Milo, Sagittarius Aiolos[28], Capricorn Shura[29], Pisces Aphrodite. Bandai needed so much of the raw materials to make the Cloth plates[メッキ:mekki], they had to search the whole country. The third mail-in campaign was held from Nov. 23rd, 1987 to Mar. 7th, 1988. The items was Pope Ares with throne. On Jan., 1988, to commemorate breaking 5 millions figures sold, the 5 Bronze Cloths Gold Version was sold.

The next products sold were New Bronze Cloths[30] and the only Silver Cloth, Eagle Marin.[31]. The reason why the New Bronze went back to a more manga design was Masami's idea to stay true to the fact that the main heros use their bodies to fight. With his help, the New Bronze sold very well.[32] The fourth mail-in campaign was held from Apr. 30th to Aug. 31st, 1988. The item was Odin Robe(only has the Robe, no figure inside.) There were 12,600 items.

The next products were the God Robes: Alpha Siegfried, Zeta Syd, Beta Hagen, Epsilon Fenrir, Eta Meeme, Delta Alberich, Gemma Thor. Zeta Bud was sold as a Limited Edition. Finally the last products were the Scale. Initially, Masami had an idea to use a blue color for them in the manga but aftering conversing with Bandai or Toei, he decided on gold, Bandai decided on orange and gold; Toei decided on orange.

Poseidon, Mermaid Tethys, Siren Sorrento, Sea Dragon Kanon[33], Sea Horse Baian, Scylla Io, Chrysaor Krishna, Lynmades Kaysa, Kraken Issac were released.[34] The fifth and last mail-in campaign was held from Oct. 1st, 1988 to Jan. 31st, 1989. The items were New Bronze Cloths Black Version. There were 10,000 items.

(In the Revival and New Era, reproductions of the Saint Cloth Series figures were made with varying levels of Q.C. depending where they were made and new products were produced by Bandai and Bandai Asia.) Beside the main figures, a Colosseum was produced and transparent Cloths were packed in with candy products produced by Fujiya[不二家].

The last sales figures disclosed was beyond 8 million figures sold. What was the actual number when the TV series ended is unknown. But they did plan 10 million commemoration figures, Black Steel Cloths. Prototypes were actually made. After the end of TV Series, there were plans to create figures for the manga but they only reach the design phase. They were Pegasus and Dragon God Cloths.

Model

Bandai
When the show was still on the air, Bandai released plastics models[プラモデル: Pura moderu] of the characters. Most of them are for display purposes only. Like Saint Cloth Series, you have two display settings, on the Saint or on the object. The Gold Saints comes with robes(most of them are plastic, some are a piece of cloth.) You need to built them and re-paint them, but if you prefer the original color already given, you don't have to paint it. For the full action and deluxe ones, you only need to built it and the Saint figure can move its parts. (In the Revival Era, reproductions of most of these models were released.) There were 32 of them:
  • 5 Twin Cloths: Black and Bronze. Not only can you put the Cloths on object and Saint form but it comes with an extra set of Black Cloths.
  • 12 Gold Cloths: The Gemini Model comes with an extra Pope Ares parts.
  • 5 New Cloths
  • Full Action Saint Pegasus: Only needs to be built and the figure can move its parts.
  • Full Action Saint Gemini: Only needs to be built and the figure can move its parts. It comes with an extra Pope Ares parts.
  • Full Action Saint Sagittarius: 1/12 size. Only needs to be built and the figure can move its parts.
  • Saint Sagittarius DX: 1/8 size. Only needs to be built and the figure can move its parts.
  • 5 Twin Cloths: Gold and Bronze. Not only can you put the Cloths on object and Saint form but it comes with an extra set of Gold Cloths.
  • Not For Sale, Saint Pegasus Gold Version: The original Bronze Cloth in Gold plating and the figure can move its parts.
Kaiyoudou[海洋堂]
After the TV series ended, the company Kaiyoudou released garage kits. The packages come with the raw parts and a stand. You need to sand the parts, refined them, paint them, glue them together.(There were shops that offered services to do all this for you for a premium fee.) There were 11 garage kits released:
  • Cloth Alternate: Aries, Cancer, Scorpion - Alternate forms of these 3 Cloths in object form.
  • Hades Chapter: Milo, Shura, Saga(with Golden Dagger), Shaka(with Beads), Saori(with Cane), Hyoga(Wearing Hades Bronze Cloth), Orphee(With his Harp) - in this Era, these were the only Hades products(besides SD figures).


Saint Paradise[セイントパラダイス: Seinto Paradaisu]

After the manga ended, from 1991-1992, Shueisha and Bandai focused more on the younger fans and started the project called Saint Paradise. It had multiple products:

  • Manga strips drawn by Takaya Yamada and edited by Masami.
  • 126 Carddass cards, some of the them are flashy.
  • PVC mini figures: Some of them had a Saint figure and an object figure together.
  • Colosseum for the PVC figures.
  • Saint-piece game: play to defeat the Pope.
  • Cloth Figures: 5 New Bronze figures that comes with Cloth Boxes(originally from Saint Cloth Series line).
  • Hand held game: a LSI game
  • Game Boy game: an RPG game(discussed below.)


Video Game

In this era there were 4 games released, the 2 Gold Legend Games, 1 Jump Hero game and 1 Saint Paradise game.(In the New Era, for the Wonderswan system, a new version of Gold Legend was released with better graphics and more user friendly design.)

Gold Legend[黄金伝説: Ougon Densetu]

Released on Aug. 10th, 1987, for the Famicon system. It is an RPG game with a little action. The game covers mostly Galaxian Wars Chapter up to Gold Chapter. You fight with some of the Gold Saints and a boss called Shadow Cloth[35]

In the game, you have a table of data where you can manipulate to make your fighter stronger. When you're moving around the area, there will be little pawns that trouble you. For fighting with the main enemies, there are 4 bars to charge to determine what attack you release and how powerful. You can interchange Saints if the game allows you. You also have an option of a Vs. Match if a friend of your's controls player two.

Gold Legend Conclusion[黄金伝説　完結編: Ougon Densetu Kanketu Hen]

Released on May. 30th, 1988, for the Famicon system. It is mostly an RPG game with some fighting action. The game focuses on the 12 Palalces Arc. This time you do get to fight Gemini Saga.

Before you can enter each Palace, you have to overcome the landscape and defeat pawns to store Sevensenses. The Sevensenses bar is used to replenish your Cosmo and Life bars that also determines how powerful your Skills are inside the Palace fight.

In the actual Palace fight, you can talk, fight, interchange Saints, or escape from the fight. Each Palace fight has a strategy that corresponds with the story of Saint Seiya, so you need to figure out what is the right thing to do.

Famicon Jump Hero Lives[ファミコンジャンプ 英雄列伝: Famikon Janpu Eiyuu Retuden]

Released on Feb. 15th, 1989 for the Famicon system. This game is to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Weekly Jump. It is an RPG game. It has all the characters that made Jump the legend that it is, just to name a few: Captain Tsubasa, Fist of the North Star, Orange Road, City Hunter, Ring ni Kakero, Wingman, Touch, Cat's Eye, Dragon Ball and, of course, Saint Seiya!!

This game centers around a boy who actually goes into Jump Weekly Magazine. The Jump World has been ruled by Dragon Ball's Picoro and the boy has to save the Jump World with help from the hero characters of Jump.

For the Saint Seiya parts, you move with Seiya and see Shiryu, Shun and fight with Camus, Shura, Death Mask, Aphrodite and Saga to save Saori. At the last stage where you have to fight with all the manga bosses, you fight with Saga again. At the end, all the heros will thank you.

Saint Paradise, The Most Powerful Warriors[セイントパラダイス 最強の戦士たち: Seinto Paradaisu Saikyou no Senshi Tachi]

Released on Nov. 13th, 1992 for the Game Boy system. It is an RPG game. This game covers mostly, Sanctuary and Poseidon Chapter.[36] The strategy of the game is for you to raise fighting levels by fighting pawns and Saints, finding cards and secrets.

This is a traditional RPG game. You don't really fight but just command your fighters to fight. The key to the game is talk with every one in the area and raise your levels. If your levels are not high enough, you can't win the fights with the important characters to move the story.

The other key is to find cards and open secrets. If you don't have the cards, or you can't open secret paths you won't able to find the enemy characters to fight, so you can't move the story.

During the actual fights, you get to choose from 6 commands: fight, Skill, defend, Carddas, status, order. To win most fights you just need the high enough levels but for some fighters you may need to do other things first, so you can can actually hurt them.

Up until this present time(2010), this is the only official video game that features the Marina and Poseidon.

Other Merchandise

Here is a list of other merchandise:

  • Heavy Metal Saint Cloth
  • Poster
  • Cell
  • Calendar
  • Magnet
  • Candy toy
  • Telephone card
  • Pegasus Ryuu Sei Ken(make sounds)
  • Laser Ryuu Sei Ken(Laser Tag)
  • Capsule toy(Figure only, Figure with Cloth/Robe/Scale, Cloth Box)
  • Paper pad[下敷:Shitajiki](plastic and cardboard)
  • Pamphlet
  • Cards(postcard, birthday card, candy cards, mini deck of cards, plastic, shinny)
  • Stickers(paper, puffy, pub plastic)
  • Cardboard
  • Jigsaw Puzzle
  • Majong
  • Board Games(Sanctuary, Asgard, Poseidon)
  • Notebook
  • Mini note pad
  • Pencase
  • Pencils
  • Eraser
  • Clock
  • Livery coats
  • Arm bands
  • Head band
  • Pendant
  • Ring
  • Battle Stage(Push buttons to make your Saints hit the other Saints)
  • Saint Box(PVC small figures)
  • Big soft doll
  • Cup
  • Saint Head gears
  • Mini-bag
  • Sandals
  • Karuta(Japanese style Playing Card)
  • Pool bag
  • Menko(slapping cards down to overturn opponent's cards)

Last Product

In 1992, the last Saint Seiya product produced was the Special Preimum Talking Live Saint Seiya Postcript ～ New Myth～ [聖闘士星矢後記～新たなる神話～: Seitoushi Seiya Kouki ～Aratanaru Shinwa～]. It was packed with 4 LDs of the 4 Movies and limited edition drawings of Masami Kurumada. This Gold CD Single was not to be sold alone. The Talking Live in the CD has the Voice actors of the main cast talking about Seiya and 6 phone messages by the main characters. One of the more funny products out there.[37] This is the last product of Saint Seiya in the Original Era.


Revival Era[1995-2002]

Manga[漫画]

There was no new manga produced by Masami in this era but because of the success of B't X, attention was payed to the manga again resulting in the publishing of a new edition of the manga. Because of the success of Ring ni Kakero 2[リングにかけろ2], attention was payed again to the manga and another edition of the manga, an Encyclopedia, 5 Digest magazines and 2 novels were published. To give news of Seiya projects, one more edition of the manga was released.

Publishing

Collector's Edition[愛蔵版: Aizou Ban] and Pocket Edition[文庫版: Bunko Ban]

Starting from Nov. 1995, the Collector's Edition[38] was published and starting from Jan. 2001, the Pocket Edition was published. Both editions features new covers with some of the art newly drawn by Masami at the time. The divisions of chapters for both editions are the same:

  • The Sanctuary - Vol. 1-7
  • The Cygnus Story - Vol. 7
  • The Poseidon - Vol. 8-10
  • The Hades - Vol. 11-15
Burning Blood Artbook

To celebrate Masami's 23rd anniversary as a mangaka, an illustrated collection was published in Dec. 25th, 1996. It was a collaboration of the two publishing houses, Shueisha and Kadogawa Shoten[角川書店]. The mangas are:

  • B't X
  • Ring ni Kakero[リングにかけろ]
  • Fuma no Kojiro[風魔の小次郎]
  • Otokozaka[男坂]
  • Raimei no Zaji[雷鳴のZaji: Zaji of Thunder]
  • Saint Seiya
  • Myth of Blue Bird[青い鳥の神話: Aoi Tori no Shinwa]
  • Silent Knight Shou[翔]
  • Akaneiro no Kaze[あかね色のKaze: The Madder Red Wind]
  • True Samurai Spirits[真サムライ　スピリッツ: Shin Samurai Supririttu]
  • Evil Crusher Maya[エビル　クラッシャー　魔矢: Ebiru Kurassha- Maya]
Saint Seiya Encyclopedia[聖闘士星矢大全:Seitoushi Seiya Taizen]

In Aug. 22nd, 2001, an Encyclopedia edited by Masami himself was published for the manga. In the Original Era, in Cosmo Special and Jump Comics Vol. 13 and 28, there was Character Data printed but it wasn't complete. Finally all the data is contained in this publication. The Encyclopedia also contains descriptions of the chapters and the characters but also key-word definitions and newly drawn images.[39] There is also other info and columns.

Monthly Magazine Comic Extra-Large, Saint Seiya Digest Chapter[月刊コミック特盛聖闘士星矢総集編]

Between Nov. of 2001 and Mar. 2002, 5 digest magazines for the five main characters was published. Each magazine would republish the various fights related to each character and other information columns. The most interesting parts, however, is the Sion Q+A corner[教えてシオン様: Oshiete Sion Sama: Please Tell me Sion sama] where Pope Sion himself asked fans to mail in questions in the first magazine and in the next 4 magazines, he would answer some of those questions.

  • Pegasus Gliding Chapter[天馬星座(ペガサス)飛翔編: Tenmaza(Pegasasu) Hishou Hen] - the info column for this magazine was an edited and updated version of the Great Holy War History.
  • Dragon Rising Dragon Chapter[龍星座(ドラゴン)昇龍編: Ryuu Seiza(Doragon) Shouryuu Hen] - the info column for this magazine was an explanation of the Libra Cloth and weapons.
  • Cygnus Glide Dance Chapter[白鳥星座(キグナス)翔舞編: Hakuchou Seiza(Kigunasu) Shou Mai Hen] - the info column for this magaizne was a teaching corner for the Saints by their various masters.
  • Andromeda Constellation Big Bang Chapter[アンドロメダ星座大爆発(ビッグバン)編: Andoromeda Seiza Taibakuhatu(Biggu Ban)　Hen] - the info column for this magaizne was a timeline for the various events of the manga.[40]
  • Phoenix Sky Glide Chapter[鳳凰星座(フェニックス)天翔編: Houou Seiza(Fuenikkusu) Ten Shou Hen] - the info column for this magaizne was an explanation of the 4 worlds governed by Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Hades and their followers.
Gigantomachia Novels

Supervised by Masami and written by Tatsuya Hamazaki are 2 novels detailing the present era fight between the Gigas Giants and the Saints. Tatsuya used the sources the Great Holy War History and Encyclopedia to write his story. Tatsuya says his novels are not a parallel world story but another interpretation of the Saint Seiya world. The first novel was published in Aug. 28th, 2002 and the second novel was published in Dec. 21st, 2002.

Gigantomachia Mei Chapter[ギガントマキア　盟の章: Gigantomakia Mei no Shou]

The story begins with Silver Saint, Altar Nicole and Shun goes to see a play, "Oresteia" at the Acropolis in Athens. While the play was still in the second act, "Choephori", a mysterious man comes and kills the actors on stage and tries to attack Shun and Nicole. The man then with Gigas Giants wearing armors called, Adamas[金剛衣: Kongou I: Indestructable Cloth] goes to Sanctuary and abducts Bronze Saint, Sextants Yurij, and takes her to Sicily.
Nicole orders Mei who was one of the 100 orphans to guide Seiya and Shun to Sicily. After fighting with the Gigas Giants, joined by Hyoga, they enter under Mt Etna to the Underground Temple of the Gigas. Because of the binding field[結界: kekai] of Pregra[地炎: Chien: Earth Flame], the Cosmo and blood are sucked to help the resurrection of the Gigas God, Typhon!! The chapter ends with the revealation that Mei is to be the Coma(Hair Constellation) Saint!!

Gigantomachia Blood Chapter[ギガントマキア　血の章: Gigantomakia Chi no Shou]

Mei is revealed to be the true heir of Mitsumasa Kido and step-big brother to Saori. 6 years ago he was willing to be sent to Sicily and trained under Death Mask!! DM sent him to the Underground Temple and Mei was brain-washed by Typhon's Will and unsealed the Gigas Giants.
In the present time, the other Saints are sent around the world to find the Gigas. Typhon resurrects new Gigas Giants and uses Echidna to birth him a new body. Shun finds the Giants at Anadolu(Turkey) and gets beaten by them. The Giant Pallas kills Yurij at Sanctuary and confronted by Mei and Shiryu, he kills himself. Torn by the guilt of her death, Mei goes alone to Andadolu. Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga and Nicole follows after finding this out. Nicole is killed and the 3 Bronze fights the new Gigas Giants. Ikki appears and destroys the new Typhon body. The story ends with Mei sealing Typhon by the help of the stars and his own Coma Cloth.
The First Remix Edition

Between Sept. 9th 2002-Aug. 30, 2004, the first remix edition was published. There were 19 volumes total. Not only did they reprinted the manga but also gave news of products, OVA, DVDs of the Revival and New Era. They also featured the Conceptual Drawings from the original TV Series Anime, and, other columns.

The following are the chapter divisons:

  • Sanctuary 12 Palaces Chapter - Vol. 1-5
  • Hades 12 Palaces Chapter - Vol. 6-10. Parts of Jump Comics Vol. 7-8 was reprinted in Vol. 7. The Cygnus Story was reprinted in Vol. 8. Part of Jump Comics Vol. 5 was reprinted in Vol. 10
  • Poseidon Chapter - Vol. 11-15. They came with Gold Bronze Mini Figures(Bottle Cap figures) for each volume.
  • Bronze Saints Chapter - Vol. 16
  • Black Saints Chapter - Vol. 17
  • Silver Saints Chapter - Vol. 18-19. The Aiolia fight and the chapter dealing with the main characters traveling to Sanctuary was printed in the Vol. 19.

Audio Drama

Released in Jan. 21st, 1997 was the concept album, CD 1997 Boys' Tale[少年記: Shounen Ki], used to test the waters to see if there was enough market for a newly drawn manga or newly produced anime but all plans were canceled because of the Asian Economic Crisis.

This CD have new recorded songs but also a new drama track detailing what happened right after the Hades war. The script of the drama was written by TV Series writer, Yoshiyuki Suga. And most of the original voice actors returned to voice their characters, namely, Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, Athena, Miho, and Shunrei.

The drama track is called "Do Cvidanija -Time of Promise-". The drama itself doesn't have a real plot but feature memories of the past. There were little parts of the drama that actually contradicted what actually happened in the manga.[41]

The drama begins with Seiya is alive right after the Hades fight. The Saints separate and Hyoga says "Do Cvidanija..." Seiya returns to Star Child Orphanage. Miho and the kids will prepare a party for Seiya's return and Seiya promises he will come to the party. Shun visits Seiya and they go to a beach to talk about the past. Shun explains "Do Cvidanija" doesn't mean 'Good bye' but "Promise to meet again."

Hyoga dives again to see his Mama. Shiryu is saddened by the lost of his master. Shunrei worries about him. Right after Shiryu reverses the Rozan waterfall. A Cosmo stronger than Poseidon or Hades is felt by all. Seiya couldn't attend the party after all. The drama ends with all of them returning to Sanctuary(even Ikki!!) to meet Saori.

Contradictions with the manga:

  • In Galaxian Wars, Ikki never launched Phoenix Wing Glide[鳳翼天翔: Hou Yoku Ten Shou] on Shun(This didn't happen in Anime either.)
  • After the Poseidon War, Hyoga promised never to see his Mama again.

Anime[アニメ]

There was no new anime produced until the latter half of 2002 but because of the success of B't X, attention was payed to Saint Seiya. 4 Anime Comics, a Concept Album, a CD box set was released. Because of the success of Ring ni Kakero 2, attention was payed again to Saint Seiya again, a Complete Song Collection was released and the TV Series started to be released on DVD.

TV Series

DVD

Between Dec. of 2002 and Dec. of 2003, all 114 episodes was re-released on DVD. The booklets had lots of info, from Conceptual Drawings to toy and music products information. Each limited edition box came with a Saint Cloth Series figure of the 5 New Bronze Saints Gold ver. Pegasus Box contained episodes, 1-24. Dragon Box contained episodes, 25-48. Andromeda Box contained episodes, 49-72. Cygnus Box contained episodes, 73-96. And, Phoenix Box contained episodes, 97-114.

Movies

Anime Comics

The 4 anime comics presents the 4 movies in full color manga form with dialgoue and sound effects. There is also an info column, character and concept descriptions for each volume.

  • Saint Seiya[聖闘士星矢] - Published in Apr. 24th, 1995 was the Movie 1 Anime Comic. The info Column was an explanation of the Pegasus and Sagittarius Cloths.
  • The Heated War of the Gods[神々の熱き戦い] - Published in May 24th, 1995 was the Movie 2 Anime Comic. The info Column was an explanation of Finish Blows.
  • The Legend of Crimson Boys[真紅の少年伝説] - Published in Jun. 24th, 1995 was the Movie 3 Anime Comic. The info Column was an explanation of the ranks of Saints.
  • Warriors of the Last Holy War[最終聖戦の戦士たち] - Published in July 24th, 1995 was the Movie 4 Anime Comic. The info Column was character data of the 5 Main Bronze and 12 Gold Saints.

Music

1996 Concept Album&The Gold Collection

To answer Seiya fans devoted-support to Seiya, on Mar. 20th 1996, a concept album CD 1996 Song Collection was released. Not only does it have new versions of Pegasus Fantasy and Blue Forever but 8 new songs recorded. Make-up was the band that performed and wrote the songs. They were formed in 1983 but after working on Seiya songs and helping on the soundtracks, they broke up in 1986. This CD was their resurrection CD.

Released on Dec. 20th 1997, was the CD Box set of songs and music choosen by Masami himself called The Gold Collection. He listened to the 16 albums and choose which tracks to put in the Box set. The booklet had great info where it provided all the information of the albums, singles and other music products. Postcards was included in the box.

Disk 1 and 2 contained best songs. Disk 3 contained Soundtrack I, II, III, IV music. Disk 4 contained V, VI, VII, VIII music. And, Disk 5 contained Piano Fantasia, Hades Album, CD 1997 music and drama tracks.

The Complete Song Collection

Released on Nov. 21st, 2002, was the 3 CD set of all the songs from previous Albums. Even the coupling song with the Movie 3 Theme Song Single, "Can't see Hurricane" and the Pegasus Fantasy sung by the original voice actor of Seiya are included. There are 48 songs total.

Merchandise

Even before 1999 when the Japanese companies would release new products of Saint Seiya and while the TV Series and manga was still continuing and even after the end of the TV series and manga, Saint Seiya was brought to other countries and the Saint Cloth Series toys were released again with different languages on the box. The levels of QC depended on the country where they were made. Fakes were also made and the original Japanese toys were starting to be very collectible. The following listings of products is only for the Revival Era, there were lots more products in the New Era even after the launch of Cloth Myth. It was actually these products that kept Saint Seiya alive with no new manga or anime.

Bandai

  • Saint Cloth Series Gold 12 Zodiac Gathering - to say goodbye to the 20th century, the figures are reproduced.
  • Plastic Models resale, reproduction - Twin Cloth(Normal+Black), New Cloth, Gold 12, Sagittarius DX.
  • Typing Ryuusei Ken - PC game for windows

Banpesto[バンプレスト]

  • Keyholder figures - Seiya(Bronze+Sagittarius+Odin), Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, Athena, Saga(Good+Bad), Mu, Siegfried, Poseidon.
  • Super Cloth figure
  • Cloth Up figure - New Bronze: Seiya, Hyoga, Shiryu, Shun, Ikki, Sagittarius Seiya
  • Action Saint - New Bronze: Seiya(Normal+Gold+Odin), Shun(Normal+Gold), Ikki(Normal+Gold), Shiryu(Normal+Gold), Hyoga(Normal+Gold)
  • Wear Real Cloth - New Bronze: Seiya(Normal+Gold), Shiryu(Normal+Gold), Hyoga
  • First HGIF - Bronze 5

Ootuka Kikaku[オオツカ企画]

  • Hyper Hero - New Cloth: Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, Ikki, and 5 New Bronze Gold version(limited).

Amada[天田]

  • First Trading Collection - 108 cards total = 90 Normal + 18 flashy
  • Movie Trading Collection I - 212 cards total = 90 Movie I + 90 Movie II + 28 Flashy , 4 Special
  • Movie Trading Collection II - 212 cards total = 144 Movie III + 36 Movie IV + 28 Flashy , 4 Special

Toei[東映]

  • 2002 Calender - 1 new image with old ones.
  • 2003 Calender - All new images of Bronze 5, Gold 12 and Saori

Notes & Trivia

  1. ↑ In Japan, the word 聖戦:Sei Sen or Holy War was used in Shinto context for propaganda in World War II. In Greek Myth the word 'Sacred War' was used to describe the Trojan War because the Gods had a hand in the war.
  2. ↑ Back in the 80's, Toei Animation was named in Japanese, 東映動画: Touei Douga, but now it is named, 東映アニメーション: Touei Anime-shon.
  3. ↑ In recent years, Masaya Sasano at one time became the President of Bandai.
  4. ↑ Shingo Araki is the main designer. Michi Himeno supports him.
  5. ↑ Movie 4 was the only work that had character design not done by Shingo and Michi.
  6. ↑ There are two other names for Asgard Chapter, Northern Europe Chapter[北欧編: Hokuou Hen] and Golden Ring Chapter[黄金指輪編: Ougon Yubiwa Hen]
  7. ↑ In Eternal Edition booklet, it called the original episodes, オリジナル編: Orijinaru hen: Original Chapter.
  8. ↑ The Great Holy War History reveals no one has worn the Phoenix Cloth before Ikki.
  9. ↑ In Dragon Box DVD booklet, episodes 32-35 is called 修行編: Shugyou　Hen: Training Chapter
  10. ↑ The anime never explained why this happened but since Mu is missing, the impression given is that Mu returned the Sagittarius Cloth to its true form.
  11. ↑ The chapter is also simply called 海王編: Sea King Chapter.
  12. ↑ For Cosmo Special folded poster, all 5 boys wear Gold Bronze Cloths.
  13. ↑ The change angered many fans.
  14. ↑ Lepreus in Greek Myth is the son of Caucon and Astydameia. He challanged Hercales to a triple contest and duel. Heracles clubbed him to death. The Lepreans who worship Demeter have always being subjects of the land, Elis. The land Lepreus was founded by Leprea, the daughter of Pyrgeus. The first dwellers in the land were afflicted with the disease, leprosy.
  15. ↑ Seiya actually spelled Asgard this way "Asegard".
  16. ↑ In the movie, Shiryu goes to the Opening of the Underworld. This could be a hint that Shiryu was able to see again in the manga when he finally did go in Underworld.
  17. ↑ The intention of this was never explained but the fact that this movie has a lot of ideas that were later used in the manga, could mean this movie hold a lot more keys to what the story of Saint Seiya is truly about.
  18. ↑ Death Mask and Aphrodite were very eager to serve under Abel. In the Hades manga, Sion says all the Gold Saints did not betray Athena. Some fans question that idea concerning DM and Aphrodite.
  19. ↑ Was this a small hint that Poseidon will be free again in the future? Or the movie staff didn't do good research? It is up the fans to decide.
  20. ↑ This could be a hint that in future Chapters Shiryu might find a way to see again or the circumstances of the situation allows him to see again.
  21. ↑ Although the memento is a cross in the story, this idea a precursor to the star pendant of Hades Chapter.
  22. ↑ The story don't reveal what constellation Ares has but in Saint Seiya Encyclopedia, it reveals that there is a Silver Altar Saint that can act as a decoy to the Pope.
  23. ↑ The company is now called, Columbia Music Entertainment.
  24. ↑ The first packaging had a window where you can see inside the figure later when people were well aware of the Saint Cloth Series line, they changed the packaging and removed the window.
  25. ↑ To have a chance to get a campaign toy, you have a buy Saint Cloth Series figures, cut out the application stamp located on the back of the box. Stick that stamp on an application that comes inside the box and mail it in for a drawing. Depending on the conditions, sometimes you need more than 1 stamp.
  26. ↑ The idenity of the Gemini was not known so the face is just a shadow face.
  27. ↑ The young face was based on the face in Asgard flashback scenes.
  28. ↑ Sagittarius Aiolos was the biggest hit item for boys in 1987.
  29. ↑ The helmet of the hear-gear is based on the anime but horns on the helmet and the horns on the shoulders are based on the manga.
  30. ↑ In Outside story 1, Shun and Ikki are wearing New Bronze Cloths.
  31. ↑ The face of Marin of the toy is based on the face of Seika.
  32. ↑ At that time, Bronze Pegasus Cloth sold the most and then Sagittarius Aiolos, and then the New Bronze Cloths.
  33. ↑ The anime production planned Kanon to have gray hair. A lot of the initial products reflected that but later the anime production changed their mind and went back to the blue hair like normal Saga.
  34. ↑ Chrysaor, Kraken and Lynmades were the last Scales released. Because Bandai was closing the toy line, the number of figures produced for those 3 figures were very low. That is why, they became very collectable, demanding high prices years later.
  35. ↑ The Shadow Cloth idea was created by a fan.
  36. ↑ Although there is no Asgard Chapter in the game, Seiya gets to wear the Odin Robe at Level 35.
  37. ↑ In Ikki's phone message, he actually said he'll come back in 10 years.
  38. ↑ The covers were semi-hard covers.
  39. ↑ The images are Cloth drawings in object form: Sculptor Tools, Cup and Altar Cloths, and, possible Kamui Image of Zeus.
  40. ↑ In this timeline, the first meeting of Pandora and Ikki was listed as 10 years ago. This is an error because 10 years ago, Shun is 3 years old, not an infant.
  41. ↑ Rather this is bad research or hints for the future, it is for fans to decide.

Further Reading and Reference Sources

  • Saint Seiya Manga (Various Editions)
  • Saint Seiya Anime (Various Editions)
  • Shonen Jump Weekly(Various Issues)
  • V Jump(Original 3 Issues)
  • CDs and their Booklets (Various Editions)
  • A-Club(Various magazines)
  • Anime Special 1-3
  • Cosmo Special
  • Movie Pamphlets
  • Gold Legend Guide Books
  • Saint Seiya Encyclopedia
  • DVD Booklets
  • Shueisha Remix Hades Sanctuary Book
  • Sora
  • Hikari
  • Saint Cloth Chronicle
  • Saint Seiya Novels
  • Anime Comics
  • Burning Blood Artbook

Links


The Legendary Youths

image:SeriesSummary.jpg

Saint Seiya was created by Masami Kurumada in 1986; the story of Athena's Saints, young men and women who fought for the goddess wearing armour known as Cloths, each one representing a different astral constellation.

The original manga series consisted of 28 volumes, over three chapters. Soon enough, an anime was produced based on the manga, totalling 114 episodes and five movies, but only covering the original arc and Poseidon arc (which flanked the controversial Asgard filler arc). Years after both the manga and anime series had ended, the manga's finale, The Hades, was picked up for production as a 31 episode OVA.

Currently, there are three manga series that act as alternative backstories to the original Saint Seiya storyline. These began around the same time as The Hades OVA, and as a result the first two focus heavily on Athena's rivalry with Hades, giving alternative tellings of the previous Holy War two centuries ago; Lost Canvas, and Next Dimension, the latter of which is written and drawn by Kurumada. Episode G on the other hand, tells the tale of the current generation of Gold Saints in their youth, and their battle with the Titans.

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