The Knights of the Zodiac
Exactly September 1, 1994, an animation classic was released that without thinking would mark the lives or rather generations of all fans of the genre. The Knights of the Zodiac, what weighs?, well, we are introduced to 4 members with totally different characteristics, Seiya, Shun, Hyoga, Shiryu and Ikki something from the 90s, yes I say more than incredible years those were. Known in countries as The 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 continued until 1991 and was later adapted into an anime by Toei Animation. 1986 to 1989.
Here in Brazil, the series was aired on Rede Manchete (saudades) between 1994 and 1997, where it was rerun on the pay channel Cartoon Network from 2003 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” with their sacred symbols based on the different constellations that protect each of the warriors. The Knights' mission is to defend the reincarnation of the Greek goddess Athena in her battle against other Olympian gods who intend to dominate the Earth. (an interesting story from a heroic point of view).
ABOUT THE SERIES PLOT:
The story of the Knights of the Zodiac 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 Saints. After awakening the power of the Saints, a spiritual essence that originated with the Big Bang (called Cosmos), Seiya quickly becomes the Pegasus Saint and returns to Japan to find his older sister.
SAGAS:
The series originally had three sagas, Sanctuary with episodes from 1 to 73, Asgard, exclusive to the anime, which runs from episode 74 to 99, and Poseidon which closed from episodes 100 to 114. Years later, in 2002, the OVAs were released which It would lead to the next manga saga 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 Aries Grandmaster Shion 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 Knights, having 31 OVAs in total.
MEMORABLE OPENINGS:
Shown by the headline Knights of the Zodiac had its first opening here in Brazil. The song that came from France gained its Portuguese version, which gave rise to the song Força Astral. It was broadcast during the first episodes, a curiosity that the scenes used for this opening were from Abel's film, a feature film that would arrive in the coming years.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQgUSvMQztU” width=”560″ height=”315″]
The second opening became popular among children and young people at 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. Her 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 the manga. This was the first special Knights of the Zodiac story. The short tells the story of the Goddess Éris who incarnates in the young Eiri and kidnaps Saori Kido to take her powers, using her golden snitch. The Bronze Knights go to Eris' 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, blurring some of the Greek mythology that had been more frequently addressed until then. Among the old films in the series, it was the only one that did not have its title changed in the Brazilian version. Initially it was released on VHS in Brazil, later it was 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 had great success in both Japan and Brazil, being the second highest grossing film, surpassed only by Prologue from 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 Fine Battle, is the fourth film in the anime series The 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 with the title “A Batalha Final”. It was later re-released on DVD with a new dub and with 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 Knights of the Zodiac series. The film was shown on February 14, 2004 and officially released on November 2, 2006 in Brazil. 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 chronology of the anime. It was produced by Toei Animation after the success of the Hades saga in the Sanctuary phase, and in celebration of Masami Kurumada's thirty-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 The Knights of the Zodiac: The Legend of the Sanctuary, is the sixth film in The Knights of the Zodiac, and the first film in an entirely new series in CG. The film premiered on June 21, 2014 in Japan. In Brazil, it will be released by distributor Diamond Films on September 11 in around 300 cinemas across the country.
The film's story revolves around Saori Kido, a young woman who discovers she has a mysterious power. Alongside the young bronze knights Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun and Ikki, Saori must go to the Sanctuary to reclaim her place as Athena, the protective 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 knights and Saori must pass through the 12 Houses protected by the incredible golden knights. 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, prizes 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.