Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold

I was initially negative about watching this, after reading the many negative reviews, but I was pleased to have watched it anyway, as a long time fan of one of the best shounen anime of all times, Saint Seiya.

This anime is essentially a spinoff featuring the Gold Saints of the original storyline. It's an excellent idea. The Gold saints were always badass characters, and I think it was always a secret wish to have them as heroes instead of the 5 bronze saints we got instead. So this story is essentially just an excuse to have the Gold Saints fight their own saga, and ... also give honor to the series in general.

I believe that the story was on par with something like the Asgard or Poseidon arc. In other words, a fairly cookie-cutter arc with good guys and villains, and a storyline just there for fights to happen. The story does retcon some things, and especially obvious is the fact that the Gold Saints seem a little cheapened compared to their glory days in Sanctuary. But then again, this was done already in the Hades arc. In addition, the personality of the saints is noticeably less "imposing" than they were in the sanctuary arc.

However, despite all this, the series is still pure enjoyment for the Saint Seiya fan. The original cast of actors is also there (except the ones in the afterlife, RIP), and although some sound very old, in this case its very enjoyable for obvious reasons (pure fanservice). We also have some saints which were just overlooked in previous sagas as evil (Cancer & Pisces) being redeemed here.

The art is on par with what had been seen in Hades arc, so acceptable modern style. The music is not on par with the beautiful original, but again also acceptable.

All in all, I would call this anime pure fanservice to the Saint Seiya fans of the Gold Saints. To be watched without serious thoughts about the impact on the canon storyline, and as a pure spinoff of the main series. Still, I found it enjoyable and give it a solid 7/10. I think this is on par with Asgard, Poseidon, and Hades arc. Nothing will ever equal the Sanctuary arc, and to many fans (including me), everything else is a spinoff. So watch this just as another spinoff arc.

Well, Third review.

Updated as of Final Episode~~

Soul of Gold might be not you wanted. But at least gives more exposure to the ensemble darkhorses of the classic series, the Gold Saints. Or well, some of them.

The Story is basically an excuse, the Saints being revived in Asgard as Einherjar, by the great God Odin. And the problem is that is too fast paced, with less than outstanding events and fights, and the final boss was disappointing from start to finish.

The art and animation isn't pretty neither, and some of the god clothes are plain ugly or boring, and the designs aren't very "innovative", and they're ... too exotic for my taste, even the characters were ugly or crazily draw!

I like the score, while doesn't compete with the Yokoyama's masterpiece score, is a pretty good one.

The characters get their moments too, and surprisingly, some of the least loved or basically seen once ones got more exposure, for example, Deathmask, Aioros and Aphrodite (Aside of Aioria, Shaka and Saga) are the best characters of the show, while minimal exposure, they got the best situations, the god warriors are also a bit more exposed, and their motives and connections are detailed somehow, were as the antagonist wasn't the best, and he was incredibly predictable from start to finish. The female protagonist was just too ridiculous too, I didn't like Lyfia's role, too of a pushover.

The anime is too short, and with that, comes with the disadvantage that the events happen with abrupt and too fast paced, making the show an entire mess.

I was about to give the show a plain ol' 5,while the show is an excuse itself, it got some of the least likable character more exposure.

This is my first review and after seen how awful this anime is and that inexcusable 7+ rate I felt that a review was needed to tell everyone the truth: THIS SHOW IS AWFUL!
Seriously, I can't understand how many people can be touched by the poisonous hand of nostalgia and give anything above 3 to Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold, so let's get started.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD (but you shouldn't care since the show is crap anyway)

Story 3/10: Although this show starts interesting with the mystery of how and why the Gold Saints were revived, you'll soon notice that this script is just an recycle from ... the Sanctuary chapter of the first Saint Seiya. They didn't bother to even make an average story. Don't expect ANYTHING new, really.

Art 2/10: It goes down with each episode you watch. If you don't believe me then just watch and pay attention especially with the long lasting static scenes (which happens pretty often after epi 5 or 6, can't remember well).

Sound 1/10: The story wasn't shit enough. No! Toei needed to make it extra shitty with the HORRIBLE voice acting. Almost all characters lack emotion when they're [s]talking[/s] screaming and the dialogues are extremely superficial and cliché. You can predict every word that any character will say. EVERY MOTHERF***ING WORD!
If it wasn't for the Soldier Dream song in the opening I would give a solid 0 to this.

Character 2/10: For anyone who watched the Hades saga (I won't even talk about the glorious Lost Canvas) this show will be a really disappointment. The Gold Saints are mostly dumb and lost, nothing compared with the respected warriors we saw in Hades.
Well, let's be honest: the new personality of Deathmask was a nice and refreshing change. On the other hand we have Milo, Aphrodite, Camus and some others doing stupid things or dying in stupid ways. I'll need 12 hands (one for each saint) to properly facepalm when this show finally ends.

Enjoyment 3/10: At first I was really enjoying this show but as I said before, it goes worse and worse after each episode. At the time of episode 8 I kept watching just to see the end of this shit. I came a long road to drop the bomb now.

Overall 2/10: If you're not a fan of Saint Seiya, stay away. If you're a fan, you should stay away too and spend your time with better anime.