Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
Synopsis
A Holy War, from ancient mythology, where the Goddess Athena and Hades have fought against each other while defending the earth repeatedly over the span of 200 years. The story takes place in 18th century Europe, 243 years prior to the original "Saint Seiya" Three small children, Tenma, Alone, and Sasha have all shared a very happy childhood together. Tenma who is quite aggressive but upstanding has moved to Sanctuary to become a saint. It is there that he is reunited with Sasha who is the sister of Alone and learns that she is the reincarnation of Goddess Athena. Alone, who is kind, gentle and loves painting was chosen for the body of enemy King Hades. Tenma eventually becomes a saint of Pegasus and engages in a fierce battle with his best friend Alone, the King of Hades. Pegasus Tenma, King Hades, and the Goddess Athena and through the twist of their 3 fates merge together which unfolds a prologue to the original Saint Seiya. (Source: TMS Entertaiment)
Audience Consensus
Overall, "Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas" is well-received, especially by fans of the original series, with praise for its art, animation, and character development. Some find the story and characters bleak and the plot unoriginal, while others consider it a masterpiece that surpasses the original in some aspects. The series benefits from a strong emotional core and a well-executed narrative, though prior knowledge of the Saint Seiya universe is helpful.
Strengths
- Excellent animation and art style, particularly the character designs.
- Well-paced storytelling that elaborates on the original series' lore.
- Strong character development, even for minor characters.
- Engaging and emotional narrative with dramatic moments and meaningful deaths.
- Good sound design and fitting background music.
Weaknesses
- Some fighting scenes feel awkward.
- The opening song is not well-received by some viewers.
- The plot relies on familiar tropes, such as the 'friends turned enemies' dynamic.
- Some viewers find the characters and story bleak, with events happening without sufficient explanation.
- Relies on knowledge of the original Saint Seiya series for full appreciation; newcomers may be lost.