Zodiac Knights
Warriors of the stars who wear the cosmos as armor to defend justice.
The Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya is a Japanese original net animation (ONA) series produced by Toei Animation in collaboration with Netflix, based on the manga series Saint Seiya by Masami Kurumada. The series follows Seiya, a Japanese-American young teen, who is recruited by Mitsumasa Kido (or Alman Kido in some English adaptations) to become a fabled Bronze Saint (青銅聖闘士, Buronzu Seinto). The Bronze Saints fight prolific warriors in the quest of becoming Goddess Athena Warriors, while Seiya searches for his missing older sister Patricia.
- Affiliation
- Sanctuary / Athena's Order
- Hierarchy
- Gold, Silver, and Bronze Ranks
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The series was first revealed to be in the works in December 2016 at CCXP in Brazil. On August 2, 2017, Cinematoday.jp published an article revealing the project was a collaboration with Netflix to make a new adaptation of the manga and anime classic series. Yoshiharu Ashino was announced as the director, and Eugene Son among others as the writers. The first six episodes were released on Netflix on July 19, 2019, and loosely adapt the 'Galaxian Wars' and the 'Black Saints' arcs from the manga. Another six episodes that loosely adapt the 'Silver Saints' arc were released on January 23, 2020. A second season, titled Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya – Battle for Sanctuary (聖闘士星矢（セイントセイヤ）: ナイツ・オブ・ザ・ゾディアック 〜バトル・サンクチュアリ〜, Seinto Seiya: Naitsu obu za Zodiakku – Batoru Sankuchuari), was announced on June 29, 2022. It premiered on July 31, 2022. Crunchyroll licensed the sequel outside of Asia. Part 2 of the second season was announced on December 3, 2022 and premiered on April 1, 2023.
In Their Own Story
The show overall received mixed reviews. Initial backlash to the series began before it aired, when it was revealed that Shun, a male in the original manga and anime series, had been swapped to a female character. The writer of the series, Eugene Son, justified this change after thinking the Knights needed more female representation. He explained that while the original show had some excellent core concepts, the one thing that bothered him about it was that 'the Bronze Knights with Pegasus Seiya are all dudes'. However, this decision received backlash from fans of the original series for a multitude of reasons. One example includes the complete erasure of explanation for Shaina's mask. The gender swap of Shun, who was the only main male character of the original series who did not fit in the stereotype of the male hero - slightly effeminate, sensitive and opposed to fighting - was seen as special interest pandering by some and reinforcing gender stereotypes by others. The Review Geek rated the series 3.5 out of 10. Ready Steady Cut gave a 2.5 out of 5 rating and called the show 'dull and uninspiring'.
Reader's Guide
The series follows the Bronze Knights as they fight prolific warriors in the quest of becoming Goddess Athena Warriors, while Seiya at the same time is looking for his missing older sister Patricia. The first six episodes loosely adapt the 'Galaxian Wars' and the 'Black Knights' arcs from the manga. The next six episodes loosely adapt the 'Silver Knights' arc. The second season, Battle for Sanctuary, continues the story. The series is available on Netflix and Crunchyroll (outside of Asia).
Did You Know?
- The series was first revealed to be in the works in December 2016 at CCXP in Brazil.
- The first six episodes were released on Netflix on July 19, 2019.
- Shun, a male in the original manga and anime, was swapped to a female character in this adaptation.
- The second season, Battle for Sanctuary, premiered on July 31, 2022.
- Crunchyroll licensed the sequel outside of Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Zodiac Knights?
This faction consists of specialized combatants dedicated to shielding a deity from universal dangers and hostile forces. Membership is determined by how well a warrior aligns with the twelve zodiac signs.
What powers do the Zodiac Knights possess?
Warriors draw their abilities from star-based power stored within their protective suits, often referred to as Cloth. This cosmic energy enables them to fight for justice throughout different eras.
How is the group structured internally?
Members are categorized into three tiers called Gold, Silver, and Bronze depending on their combat capability. Higher rankings indicate a closer position to the divine leader they serve.
Who do the Zodiac Knights serve as guardians for?
The core mission involves safeguarding a specific deity located within the Sanctuary from malicious entities. They function as the primary shield against anything that seeks to harm her or the cosmos.
Are the Zodiac Knights still active in the current timeline?
The group continues to operate today as successors take up the mantle of the stars over time. New recruits ensure the protection remains constant regardless of how much time has passed.
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