Knights of the Zodiac
Exactly on September 1, 1994, an animation classic was released that would undoubtedly mark the lives, or rather generations, of all fans of the genre. Knights of the Zodiac, what's to say? Well, we are introduced to four members with completely different characteristics: Seiya, Shun, Hyoga, Shiryu, and Ikki, something from the 90s. Yes, I'll say more than that, those were incredible years. Known in the countries as Knights of the Zodiac, it was a Japanese manga series, written and illustrated by master Masami Kurumada, which was published in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1986 and ran until 1991, and was later adapted for anime by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989.
Here in Brazil, the series was discontinued on Rede Manchete (missing it) between 1994 and 1997, where it was re-aired on the paid channel Cartoon Network from 2003 onwards and on Band on open television since 2004, both with a new dubbing version.
THE STORY:
We are introduced to five mystical warriors called "Knights," each with their sacred symbols based on the various constellations that protect each of them. The Knights' mission is to defend the reincarnation of the Greek goddess Athena in her battle against other Olympian gods who seek to dominate the Earth. (An interesting story from a heroic perspective.)
ABOUT THE PLOT OF THE SERIES:
The story of the Knights of the Zodiac series revolves around an orphan named Seiya, who was forced to travel to the Sanctuary in Greece to obtain the Bronze Cloth of Pegasus, a garment worn by the 88 warriors of the Greek goddess Athena, known as Knights. After awakening the power of the Knights, a spiritual essence that originated with the Big Bang (called the Cosmos), Seiya quickly becomes the Knight of Pegasus and returns to Japan to find his older sister.
SAGAS:
The series originally had three sagas: Sanctuary, with episodes 1 to 73; Asgard, exclusive to the anime, which runs from episodes 74 to 99; and Poseidon, which concluded with episodes 100 to 114. Years later, in 2002, the OVAs that would lead to the next saga of the manga were released, showing the rise of Hades, god of the underworld and Athena's greatest enemy, after freeing himself from his prison. He revives the Gold Saints and Grandmaster Shion of Aries and sends them to the Sanctuary to kill Athena. The remaining Gold Saints manage to repel the attack, but Saori commits suicide. She does this to gain access to the underworld and face Hades with the help of her Saints, having 31 OVAs in total.
MEMORABLE OPENINGS:
Shown by the headline, Knights of the Zodiac had its first opening here in Brazil. The song, originally from France, was translated into Portuguese, which gave rise to the song "Força Astral" (Astral Force). It was broadcast during the first episodes. Interestingly, the scenes used for this opening were from Abel's film, a feature film that would be released in the following years.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQgUSvMQztU” width=”560″ height=”315″]
The second opening became popular among children and young people of the time.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdC99igXrg” width=”560″ height=”315″]
FILMS:
The Holy Warrior is the first Knights of the Zodiac film. Its original title is Saint Seiya: Jashin Eris (lit. Saint Seiya: Eris, the Goddess of Evil). It was released independently in 1987, not following the chronology of the anime or manga. This was the first special story of the Knights of the Zodiac. The short tells the story of the Goddess Eris, who incarnates in the young Eiri and kidnaps Saori Kido to take her powers, using her Golden Apple. The Bronze Saints go to Eris's sanctuary to rescue her.
Check out the trailer:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKHIvRB2fC4″ width=”560″ height=”315″]
The Great Battle of the Gods is the second film in the Knights of the Zodiac series, released in 1988. It was one of the most popular films in the series and served as the basis for the creation of the Asgard Saga in the anime. It was inspired by Norse mythology, somewhat shifting away from the Greek mythology that had been more prevalent until then. Among the older films in the series, it was the only one whose title remained unchanged in the Brazilian version. It was initially released on VHS in Brazil, but was later redubbed and released on DVD.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDW_0tsfQ6s” width=”560″ height=”315″]
The Legend of the Defenders of Athena was the third film in the TV series, Knights of the Zodiac, released in 1988.
The film was a great success both in Japan and in Brazil, being the second highest grossing film, surpassed only by Prologue of Heaven.
Check out the trailer:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSRQT2oKzfw” width=”560″ height=”315″]
The Warriors of Armageddon , or Knights of the Zodiac – The Final Battle, is the fourth film in the anime series Knights of the Zodiac. This time, the story leaves aside its usual mythological contexts to revolve around Christianity. It was the most controversial film in the series, so much so that one of the scenes was cut because it showed a Bible being burned. It was released in Brazil on VHS under the title "The Final Battle." It was later re-released on DVD with new dubbing and under the title "The Warriors of Armageddon."
Check out the trailer:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN7rgB826VY” width=”560″ height=”315″]
Heaven's Prologue is the fifth film in the Saint Seiya series. The film premiered on February 14, 2004, and was officially released in Brazil on November 2, 2006. The official DVD was released on September 24, 2004, in Japan, and in Brazil in 2007. Unlike the first four films in the series, this one follows the anime's chronology. It was produced by Toei Animation following the success of the Hades Sanctuary saga and in celebration of Masami Kurumada's 30-year career.
Trailer:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNkNE6iuvyc” width=”560″ height=”315″]
Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary (聖闘士星矢 Legend of Sanctuary?), known in Portuguese-speaking countries as Knights of the Zodiac: Legend of Sanctuary, is the sixth film in the Knights of the Zodiac series, and the first film in a new, fully CG series. The film premiered on June 21, 2014, in Japan. In Brazil, it will be released by Diamond Films on September 11 in approximately 300 theaters nationwide.
The film's story revolves around Saori Kido, a young woman who discovers she possesses a mysterious power. Alongside the young Bronze Saints Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun, and Ikki, Saori must travel to the Sanctuary to reclaim her place as Athena, the protector goddess of the Earth. However, to reach the room of the Grand Master, the one who tried to kill her as a baby, the Bronze Saints and Saori must pass through the 12 Houses protected by the incredible Gold Saints. Masami Kurumada, the original author of the franchise, served as executive producer on the film.
Check out the trailer:
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyiQaPhwRVA” width=”560″ height=”315″]
We know that there were several games, awards and other things that were left out of this article, but without a doubt they marked 20 years of a new era of CDZ here in Brazil.
