Knights of the Zodiac
On September 1st, 1994, a classic of animation was released that would undoubtedly mark the lives, or rather generations, of all fans of the genre. Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac), what does that mean? Well, we are introduced to four members with completely different characteristics: Seiya, Shun, Hyoga, Shiryu, and Ikki – something that was very popular in the 90s, and yes, I'll say more – what incredible years those were. Known in some countries as Saint Seiya, it was a Japanese manga series, written and illustrated by the master Masami Kurumada, which was published in the pages of Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1986 to 1991 and later adapted into an anime by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989.
Here in Brazil, the series was originally broadcast on the now-defunct Rede Manchete (we miss it!) between 1994 and 1997, and was later rebroadcast on the pay-TV channel Cartoon Network starting in 2003 and on Band on free-to-air television since 2004, both with a new dubbing version.
THE STORY:
We are introduced to a story featuring five mystical warriors called "Knights," each with their sacred armor based on various constellations that protect 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 point of view).
ABOUT THE SERIES' PLOT:
The story of the Saint Seiya series revolves around an orphan named Seiya, who was forced to go 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 Cosmos), Seiya quickly becomes the Pegasus Knight 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 episode 74 to 99; and Poseidon, which concludes with episodes 100 to 114. Years later, in 2002, OVAs were released that would cover the next saga of the manga, 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 the Grand Master 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 confront Hades with the help of her Saints, resulting in a total of 31 OVAs.
MEMORABLE OPENINGS:
Shown by the headline, Knights of the Zodiac had its first opening here in Brazil. The song, which came from France, got its Portuguese version that gave rise to the song "Força Astral" (Astral Force). It was broadcast during the first episodes; a curious fact is that the scenes used for this opening were from the Abel movie, 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 sequence became popular among children and young people at the time.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFdC99igXrg” width=”560″ height=”315″]
FILMS:
Saint Seiya : Jashin Eris is the first Saint Seiya movie. Its original name 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 Saint Seiya story. The short film 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 Saint Seiya 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 prominent until then. Among the older films in the series, it was the only one whose title was not changed in the Brazilian version. Initially released on VHS in Brazil, it 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 Saint Seiya TV series, released in 1988.
The film was a great success in both Japan and Brazil, becoming the second highest-grossing film, surpassed only by Heaven Chapter: Overture.
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 Saint Seiya anime series. This time, the story abandons 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 for showing a Bible being burned. It was released in Brazil on VHS under the title "The Final Battle". Later it was re-released on DVD with a new dub and 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 (Knights of the Zodiac) 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 2007 in Brazil. Unlike the first four films in the series, this one follows the anime's chronology. It was produced by Toei Animation after the success of the Hades Sanctuary arc 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 Saint Seiya film and the first film in a new series entirely in CG. The film premiered on June 21, 2014 in Japan. In Brazil, it will be released by the distributor Diamond Films on September 11 in approximately 300 cinemas across the country.
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 go to the Sanctuary to reclaim her place as Athena, the goddess protector of Earth. However, to reach the Grand Master's chamber—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 there were many games, awards, and other things that were left out of this article, but without a doubt, they marked 20 years of a new era for Saint Seiya here in Brazil.