You can’t start this without yelling: “Give me your strength, Pegasus!“
And it is that ‘Knights of the Zodiac’ (‘Saint Seiya’) is one of the most iconic anime series of the 80s and 90s, and has given us many legendary moments. The original story centered around a group of Bronze Saints made up of Seiya, Ikki, his brother Shun, Shiryū and Hyôgawho swear to protect the reincarnation of Athena, Saori Kido… Although of course, to do their job well they have to face all kinds of creatures, other warriors and a multitude of gods.
Since the first series, there have been many sequels, spin-offs and several movies, as well as a good number of manga. Although attempts have been made to continue the plot in various ways, it must be said the official sequel is ‘Saint Seiya Next Dimension’a manga that own Masami Kurumada published since 2006 and that still has no anime.
If you want to catch up with ‘Knights of the Zodiac’, it must be said that it is not easy at all since much of the material is not available for streaming in Spain, although it can be found on Blu-ray or DVD. So without further ado, here goes a small guide to be able to see ‘Saint Seiya’ in chronological order to try not to miss anything.
‘Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas’
Although the original series is from the 80s, this series from the 2000s serves as a prequel by focusing on events that occurred 250 years before Seiya and the others entered the scene. Sure, it’s not considered “canon” at all right now, but it brings some backstory to the whole conflict with Hades.
This 26-episode anime focuses on a Holy War that took place in the 18th century, when the Knights of Athena clashed with Hades. Though Tenma, Alone and Sasha They were very good friends when they were little, things change when it is revealed that Sasha is the reincarnation of the goddess Athena and Alone that of Hades.
‘Knights of the Zodiac’ (‘Saint Seiya’)
The original series that began airing in 1986 and that unleashed the imagination of an entire generation. With 114 episodes, the anime covers various story arcs, introducing us to the protagonists, their first training as Knights of Bronze and their confrontations with the Knights of Silver and the Knights of Gold. Saga of Asgardfighting god warriors that was created especially for the anime.
The next arc focuses on the poseidon sagasince the Greek god has been reincarnated as a young man who has control over the oceans and wants to cover the entire Earth with water.
While the series was airing as well several films were released that can be seen independently without affecting the anime’s plot too much. ‘Saint Seiya The Reincarnation of Eris, Goddess of War’ premiered in 1987, ‘Saint Seiya The Great Battle of Gods’ and ‘Saint Seiya The Legend of the Scarlet Youth’ in 1988, and finally ‘Saint Seiya vs. Lucifer’ in 1989.
The Hades Saga
This part of the story was animated in the form of several series of OVAs (direct-to-video episodes) and picks up right where the classic anime series left off. If facing the Gold Knights and Poseidon himself hadn’t been exhausting enough, the next stop is Hades and his followers.
This saga consists of three parts: ‘Sanctuary’, with 13 episodes, ‘Inferno’, with 12, and ‘Elíseos’, with 6 chapters.
‘Saint Seiya: Opening of Heaven’
This 2004 movie was originally planned as an official sequel to the animealthough over time it has been buried because it was not too well received nor did the creator of the manga, Masami Kurumada, like it too much.
The plot places us after the battle with Hades and starts with a Seiya who recovers from his wounds… Until some warrior angels appear who serve Artemis and declare that Seiya and his companions have defied the gods and must die for it .
‘Saint Seiya Omega’
This anime series was released to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the franchise to wrap up the main story of Seiya and the original Bronze Knights. ‘Saint Seiya Omega’ is set 25 years after the end of the original 1980s series, with a new generation of Knights preparing to defend Athena.
Kouga, Rhyuhou, Souma, Haruto, Yuna and Aria are the new protagonists, and the first part of the series revolves around their confrontation with the god of War, Mars, who tried to kill Athena and Koga years ago.
‘Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold’
This 13-episode series is a kind of spin-off of the original series, although in this case the protagonists become the Gold Knights. The group had given their lives to protect Athena and help Seiya and her companions during the Hades Saga, but suddenly the twelve knights have been revived and reappear in Asgard.
‘Saint Seiya: Saintia Sho’
This spin-off 10 episodes is an alternate story that runs parallel to the classic ‘Saint Seiya’ series‘, although in this case it revolves around a new class of protectors of Athena known as Saintias and has a certain approach magic girls. The plot revolves around Showho must protect the Sanctuary of Athena from Eris, the goddess of Discord.
‘The Knights of the Zodiac: The Legend of the Sanctuary’
This 2014 film is presented as an alternative version of the first plots of the original series, in a very summarized way and with some minor changes. Again it focuses on the arch of the Sanctuary, where Seiya, Shirjû, Hyôga, Ikki and Shun must face the Gold Saints in order to find a cure for Athena.which has been poisoned with a magic arrow.
‘Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac’
This new Toei and Netflix series arose with the idea of launching a new adaptation of the classic series, although in this case with CGI animation and a more modern approach, since the plot takes place today. Once again, the series revolves around Seiyawho discovers that he is destined to become a Bronze Knight to protect the reincarnation of the goddess Athena on Earth.
There were also some alterations to the original material that purist fans did not like, including the inclusion of new characters and plots, although It seems that the second season has returned to the origins and will readapt the Saga of the Sanctuary.