Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In ancient times, a group of young men devoted their lives to protecting Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War. These men were capable of fighting without weapons—a swing of their fist alone was powerful enough to rip the very sky apart and shatter the earth beneath them. These brave heroes became known as Saints, as they could summon up the power of the Cosmos from within themselves. Now, in present day, a new generation of Saints is about to come forth. The young and spirited Seiya is fighting a tough battle for the Sacred Armor of Pegasus, and he isn't about to let anyone get in the way of him and his prize. Six years of hard work and training pay off with his victory and new title as one of Athena's Saints. But Seiya's endeavor doesn't end there. In fact, plenty of perils and dangerous enemies face him and the rest of the Saints throughout the series. What new quests await the heroes of the epic Saint Seiya saga?
Audience Consensus
Saint Seiya is a beloved classic for many, particularly those who grew up with it, praised for its epic music, distinctive armor designs, and mythological themes. However, it is also divisive, with critics pointing to repetitive fight structures, inconsistent animation, and plot conveniences that diminish the narrative tension and overall quality for modern viewers.
Strengths
- The musical score is consistently praised as epic and fitting, with standout opening themes and instrumental tracks.
- Character designs, particularly the intricate and visually appealing armors (cloths), are frequently highlighted as a major strength.
- The integration of Greek mythology and astrological concepts provides a unique and engaging narrative framework.
- Many reviewers highlight the strong themes of friendship, loyalty, and courage.
- Despite its age, the animation is considered decent for its time, with beautiful character and background art.
- The Asgard filler arc is often singled out as a surprisingly well-written and impactful addition, even praised as one of the best filler arcs.
- The series is recognized as a foundational influence on later shonen anime.
- The character archetypes, while sometimes stereotypical, are well-defined and contribute to strong team dynamics.
- The concept of 'Cosmos' as an internal energy source is seen as a unique and well-integrated power system.
Weaknesses
- Pacing issues, particularly in longer arcs like the Sanctuary Arc, with repetitive fight structures and slow progression.
- A significant amount of filler content, especially in the early parts of the series, which can detract from the main plot.
- The prevalence of 'deus ex machina' resolutions and plot armor leads to a lack of tension in fights, with characters often surviving seemingly fatal situations.
- Animation quality is inconsistent, with some episodes suffering from low frame rates, jerkiness, and reused footage.
- The plot is often described as simple, straightforward, and sometimes monodimensional.
- Some viewers find the main characters' motivations and personalities to be underdeveloped or stereotypical.
- The localization and dubbing, particularly for the US market, are often cited as poor and detrimental to the series' reception.
- The Steel Saints filler characters are widely disliked and seen as negating the series' core concepts.