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First, Saintia Sho is a good series, very accurate and absolutely recommended for fans of the classic series. However, this applies to the MANGA, not to this anime adaptation, horrible, skimpy and twisted by Toei.

The anime of Sho is not the manga of Chimaki Kuori, it takes the bases and some characters, but diverges in many aspects, and also tries to give a conclusion to the war, when the story in the manga goes on for much longer.

All this to say that, whether you liked this anime or not (in my opinion worse than Omega), do not exclude the manga of Sho, because it is ... a different thing, a meticulously edited work, which I recommend to classic fans of the series.

Now I start. There could be spoilers.


STORY: 4

First of all, to make you understand, in 10 episodes Toei "has adapted" (so to speak) about 8 volumes of the manga. From this you can imagine the cuts, as well as the changes, a disaster.

The story is broadly the same, but in fact there were several differences or omissions with respect to the manga. Where to start ...

The first volume was cut in different parts, the confrontation with Phonos changed (in the manga Milo confronted him), the first meeting between Eris (like Kyoko) and Athena was cut, as many parts were omitted in the Galaxian Wars phase , including the clash between Erda and Deathmask (important for both characters). 12 slightly different houses, Eris striking Atena with the golden apple, invented, omitted the appearances of several new dryads, and greatly altered the clashes with Rigel, Eris and "EvilSaga", won by the saints to give an ending in the anime , while in the manga they have not won one, and the story continues.

Do we want to mention the most absurd moments, totally filler, invented by Toei, not present in the manga?

The resurrection of the 3 silver saints, defeated in zero seconds by the 3 girls? (badly copied from the Hades Sanctuary) Shoko who sees the memories of the past and attends the 12 houses at the same time? As good as it was to see the flashback (manga only) of Aiolos and Saga, the scene is meaningless. Athena struck by the golden apple and in a coma, immediately after the 12 houses, to do the same thing again and be original? NO COMMENT. The participation of Erda and Xiaoling? Needless. EvilSaga who dominates the fight with Aiolia all the time, but does not kill him and he wins at random? Absurd filler. Eris who can't kill 5 girls, and Shoko who confronts and exorcises her, so by chance, defeating her? NO SENSE!


Do we want to raise another problem? The CONTINUITY.

Kuori's manga is FAITHFUL to the original manga, just in a manic way (although the recent Origin has put it out of continuity).

This was the problem of Sho anime from the start. I mean, the original manga and the classic anime have two different continuities (having numerous differences), the Sho anime should have followed the manga line (since the Sho manga story is based on the manga, not the anime), despite being already inconsistent using the colors of the anime.

Toei, as usual, has messed up, a chaotic mixture, inconsistent with everything. Between narrative changes and various inconsistencies (we want to talk about the Hyoga bandage at 12 houses, or Ikki that remains at the end, when in the manga is wiped out?), The story is out of any continuity.

Sho anime is not consistent with the classic anime (as the 12 houses are different, and soon after Asgard follows). It is not consistent with the original manga (for Origin, for the colors of the characters, and other changes). It is not even consistent with the Sho manga (as the story differs and ends, in fact after the 12 houses).


VERY BAD ADAPTATION from the manga, and ZERO CONTINUITY with everything. All this for editorial choices, because more than 10 episodes didn't want to do. What a disappointment.

There will be something good if the story is painful. Characters? Not that they had much time. The clashes? Even those, if not 1-2, the rest is anonymous (or horrible, as in the case of the final with Eris).


ART: 5

When you thought Omega and SoG were ugly, but after seeing Sho and his animations, you realize that they weren't so bad.

There is good and bad.

The static drawings, and the close-ups of the characters, in particular of the gold saints, are very well made, beautiful.

https://i.imgur.com/aYJMcLR.jpg

Yeah, for the close-ups, perhaps here we have THE BEST OF SS, after the classic.

The problem is the animations, very bad, especially at the beginning, unwatchable. Not to mention the often fluctuating quality, even in important moments. For example, at the 12 houses, very well done, then the part of Saga's suicide, a fail. Or the episode 8, the worst.

https://i.imgur.com/M9Kn3tz.jpg

And so you wonder how such a drastic drop is possible.


SOUND: 6

Normal. Some good music has it, even if nothing memorable.


CHARACTERS: 6

As already mentioned, Sho, in addition to taking on the classic characters, would have unpublished and good characters, but the anime, between the changes and the little time that dedicates them, fails.

Classics: some have a quick appearance, others are central. Essentially, the most important would be Saori Kido and the gold saints that survived the 12 houses. Beyond that Saga and Deathmask, but the second one has been omitted.

Athena in Sho's manga is ... excellent, more compassionate, active and similar to the goddess of war. But the anime of Sho cuts his best moments up to there, and besides (for the great originality) he makes her hit by the golden apple and end up in a coma again, like good useless. Thanks, Toei.

For the others, Milo is the golden protagonist, EvilSaga as an enemy, enough space also has Aiolia. The others not.

Saintias and inedited: In this first part, essentially only Shoko, and sister Kyoko, have some kind of development. Katya and Mii have just a hint. Xiao and Erda weren't even that (since the part of Cassiopeia was omitted).

Mayura as the manga, the other minor role.

Enemies: Eris here is altered, compared to the manga, in the usual cliché of the arrogant god (while in the manga it becomes devious, strategic, and even more human, after it merges with Kyoko). Ate, Phonos and Emony have even less prominence than the manga. The only good is Rigel.

And, as already mentioned, the debuts of characters like Mania, Dysnomia, Aeson, and other successive dryads are missing (since the war in the anime ends there).


ENJOYMENT: 5

It's nice to see the close-ups of characters well-made, Milo almost the protagonist, some scenes from the 12 houses, and perhaps the clash with EvilSaga, but in general the series is DISAPPOINTING in several respects.

I will be repetitive, but I repeat: READ THE MANGA, it's another thing.


The only good thing, given Toei's narrative freedoms and the hurry to end the war with Eris, are the final final seconds of episode 10, with "the appearance of a certain character", which would be a great possibility, for one of the most dreamed wars in SS by fans. We only hope with more episodes for decent development, and better graphics quality, if it should be done.

Soul of Gold, a series that in my opinion is quite undervalued. It's not the original anime, but it's pretty clear that it's hard to get back on those levels, especially with Toei. SoG is not great, it was clearly made to sell new action figures, but among the Saint Seiya anime of the last... 10 years, it is probably the best (excluding the animated adaptation of The Lost Canvas, which was done by another study, TMS).

Of course, when I saw it for the first time, simultaneously with the worldwide broadcasting, I was a little disappointed, certainly the story could have been better developed ... with more than 13 episodes, but on the whole it is enjoyable, if you were looking for seeing "the 12 classic gold saints in action". Definitely better than Omega or the recent anime of Saintia Sho (a tremendous adaptation).


STORY: 7

The originality of SoG would probably deserve a 4, or less. Essentially we have a recycling of the Asgard saga, mixed with the 12 houses, and the divine armors, to sell new action figures.

In addition to this, SoG also has several CONSISTENCY problems. Being an anime, and taking up Asgard (remember, filler saga of the original anime), the continuity should be that of the classic anime. But Toei mixes things up, talking about Saga as a pope candidate, or showing Taurus armor scene during Poseidon, both scenes of the manga only. But it is not the first time, even the adaptation of the Hades saga (or even more recently the Saintia Sho) presented similar problems.

The main problem with SoG is that it is simply IMPOSSIBLE, temporally speaking. The whole story takes place "ideally" between the sacrifice on the wailing wall and the battle of the bronzes in the elixium, and in the meantime 10 days pass on Earth and the Eclipse is still in progress. Absolutely absurd, given that the battle (in the original anime) lasts minutes, at most hours, and we also see characters on Earth praying for Athena's victory (certainly not for 10 days). More wanting the golden armors that, after having disappeared for days, they return to the exact same position before going to the protagonists, and that, having become divines in SoG, they could have passed without the help of Poseidon. Yeah...

In short, like miquel, as a coherence, SoG is a DISASTER.


Well, now that I've said all the bad things, let's move on to the good ones.

The story is simple, to defeat the enemy and his subordinates, for the sake of the Earth, the usual. So why do I give him 7 in spite of everything? Well, because the intent of the story is "to make gold saints shine", and in its development, albeit limited (more episodes would have been needed), it succeeds. But I will talk more about this in the next parts.


ART: 7

The design tries to keep up with the style of the late Araki, and it does quite well. With ups and downs every now and then, not always at very high quality, but acceptable. The blu-ray version helped a little.


SOUND: 9

It has good music, he deserves credit for this. Listen for example to "Brawny Fighter" or "Seinaru Tatakai".


CHARACTERS: 8

This is the main part.

Essentially, the characters are divided into 2 categories, the 12 gold saints, and the inedited ones of Asgard.


For gold saints, it depends on the character. Some keep the line of the original series, like Mu, Saga and Shaka, always cool and important. The same for Aiolia, but being placed as the protagonist, it has more scene than the others.

Others remain in line as characterization, but have the opportunity to have more scene (for example Aiolos and Dohko, heroic but with little space, or Aldebaran, often denigrated).

Some have changed a little, like the Shura and Deathmask cases. The Capricorn has room for a personal redemption with Aiolia (which deviates completely from the original Shura), while Cancer well ... is completely different from the wicked one he was, for better or worse I don't know.

Camus here is the same, but forced into his role. While poor Milo is not much opportunity to shine. Finally, Aphrodite, which here is A GOD!

In general, apart from a couple, SoG achieves the goal of "making gold saints shine".


The real problem stay with the Asgardians.

We see again Hilda and her sister, and let's make the conscienza si Lifia, which is okay. Then we have Andreas, the main enemy, who turns out to be the god Loki, a decent antagonist, not bad.

But the new God Warriors are the disappointment. Of course, there is little time to develop them, with only 13 episodes, but they are lacking under different points. In addition to needing different bonuses (or handicaps for the enemies) to compete with the gold saint, they lack charisma. Frodi and Balder are the only ones that can be saved, Utgard had perhaps the charm of the mystery, Sigmund and Surt were forcibly framed, the other 2 are forgettable.

But compared to the original God Warriors, which all shone for charisma and very sad backgrounds, really, there is not the slightest comparison.


ENJOYMENT: 9

If you put aside the commercial fund of the series and the problems of continuity, looking at SoG only for the gold saints, the series is enjoyable.

Especially to see in action certain characters seen little in the classic series (like Aiolos and Dohko), to have a "redemption" for others (be it moral, like Deathmask and Shura, or for role, like Aldebaran and Aphrodite), or simply see what I consider the value of SoG, that is a collaboration, an actually teamwork in fight, between the saints

It is certainly not the best spin-off of SS, not even the worst, it can be seen, without too many pretensions for 13 episodes.

EDITED REWIEW (the manga ended with chapter 118)

*contain SPOILERS*

I think many fans approach this series hoping for a continuation of Episode G, where there was a war with the titans, and where the author left some things unfinished and an open ending with Pontos.

Well, the first disappointment is this, it is not the continuation of EG, Assassin lends itself as a totally disconnected story. The setting is in modern times, about twenty years after the classic facts, we find Capricorn Shura and Leo Aiolia, who have traveled through time with a mission. History appears to be very chaotic, and evolves continuously, often changing intentions.

The other ... problem, that I will mention it below in more detail, is the lack of development. Although, in these days the author's new series "Episode G Requiem" has begun, which I hope will reconnect to Assassin and complete it. If he does, I will edit this review again, otherwise GA will have been a useless manga.


STORY: 6 (potential 9-10)

As mentioned above, the story is confusing, chaotic, the author has introduced many mysteries, explained a few so far, and changed his mind several times.

In Ep GA the concepts of time travel and the multiverse are introduced. Shura and Aiolia arrive in the present future, XXI century (it is not specified when, but there are tablets, smartphones, skyscrapers ... so I think at least 20 years after the classic series, in 1990).

The initial idea is that of a tournament of swordsmen, called Gladiators, who appear to challenge Shura, the owner of Excalibur. Figures like Lancelot, Roland, and others make their debut.

However, this idea is then discarded and forgotten a bit. Towards chapter 50, the main enemy appears, namely Sagittarius Aiolos, but of another universe. Aiolos here is evil, and has become the Pope, at the head of another Sanctuary and other Gold Saints (including some already known), and aims to supplant the Sanctuary of the normal world, threatening the peace of the Earth. So, while continuing with individual battles, the story seems to turn towards a civil war, between two Sanctuaries of different worlds, each with 12 Gold Saints, a Pope and its Athena.

Not to mention, as every series of Saint Seiya that points on the Gold Saints, the FANSERVICE is very high, in this series more than others.

But all that glitters is not gold. The author puts many (interesting) things on the field, the premise of the civil war, intriguing flashbacks, the return of Seiya, 3 goddesses Atena, Olympic gods such as Hades, Poseidon and Zeus on the field, and much more. The premises are truly INTRIGUING, but ... the series ends at chapter 118 (with the deaths and disapperances of Shura and Aiolia), without explaining and developing anything. And this is the point, LACK OF DEVELOPMENT!

A lot of characters, from the classic to the unedited ones, are presented, but in the end, outside the protagonist (Shura), they have at most one short battle each, some not even this, since precisely the war and all the premises proposed by the author are not developed, due to the hurried closure of the series. I hope Episode G Requiem resume this scenario and develop it, otherwise, Assassin will have been a USELESS PRESENTATION.


ART: 9

The manga is full-color.

In the first part it is very uncertain. Okada still had to define the design and coloring well, so he did several tests, some good, some horrible (for example the gold cloth of Shun). Significant improvements are beginning to be made towards the 30 chapters, after which it gradually evolves to reach excellent levels. An example:

https://i.imgur.com/5AxTNTK.jpg

This is a real GOLDEN armor! The graphics and coloring settle on this level. And in general, the character of the characters has improved, compared to Ep G (where they were all very thin).


CHARACTERS: 10

As mentioned above, the fanservice is high.

We see all 12 classic Gold Saints, obviously in different versions from the original ones (as Okada had already done the same with Ep G). Some are more mature, older (some being back sooner than others), more experienced, with limitations, or simply, others are lined up against the normal world, and are enemies (paradoxically they are the ones who were more loyal to Saori).

Then there are the old classic protagonists, Saori, Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun and Ikki, and also Kiki, now adults, and gold saints (as ND had predicted, but this does not mean that GA is canonical, is far from it).

Other classic characters also appear from time to time, with some single returns. Jabu, Ichi, Shaina, Marin, Tatsumi, June ... and also some old enemies, now allies, and some of ND.


And now the inedited characters. Well, I consider Darth Aiolos partially unedited, given that apart from the physical aspect, it has nothing to do with the normal Aiolos. He is a villain, destroyer and calculator, which Okada exalts beyond all limits.

The "gladiators" are more or less interesting. Lancelot, Paracelsus or Arthur, definitely. The rest, much less, including the goddesses Athena

Then there are minor irrelevant characters, such as faceless, or other avoidable ones, like "Hyoga's daughter".


ENJOYMENT: 7

Personally, the beginning is difficult to overcome, the first 20-30 chapters are not interesting, and terrible drawed. After that, the story becomes enjoyable.

Thanks to the chaotic world that Okada creates, many things are possible, many interesting ideas (the ruined past of the world of Aiolos), impossible scenarios (for example 3 generations of Aries), epic comparisons (a possible civil war between two Sanctuaries), and more. Always with lots of golden fanservice xD

So, as I say, you can enjoy a lot the gold fanservice here, and the high POTENTIAL that the story has, but, for the moment, it lacks of real devolpment, which is the thing that, at the end of the series, disappoints you tremendously.

Hope in Episode G Requiem.

From the trailer, the expectations towards this film were very high. A reboot of the 12 houses (one of the most popular sagas), with a crazy CG graphic. Potentially, it could have been a masterpiece. In practice, it was a failure.

The main problem was the development of the stories, in tight and badly managed times, as well as to some "narrative choices" for certain characters, which ruined them.


STORY: 3

With some differences, and a totally new and modern style, the story was already famous. Saori Kido, reincarnation of Athena, the 5 classic bronzes, and the saga of 12 houses, against the impostor pope, Gemini Saga.

The problem: ... development and times.

The focus of the film had to be the 12 houses, those epic battles, re-proposed here. Obviously, since the saga of the anime lasted 30 episodes, it wasn't possible to make us all fit into a movie, but it wasn't even acceptable to manage the 12 houses in about 30 minutes.

Yes, the first half hour of the film was set up as an introduction. The clashes of the 12 houses were managed in about another half hour, quickly and with little emphasis, some put off-panel, or wasting time with horrible gags (Aldebaran and Deathmask). The rest, for the final part, a horrible thing (albeit having a quote from the original manga and one from The Lost Canvas).

They had to devote more space to the battles at the 12 houses, that was the problem. The solutions were either to decrease the introduction, or a half hour more of films, managing the clashes adequately, would have been very useful.

Disappointment.


ART: 10

Although I didn't like all of the character designs, the graphic level is very high, the same for animations.

https://yamishikimoon.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/tumblr_ngnvwillz91qfkbfbo1_400.gif


SOUND: 7

Normal.


CHARACTERS: 5

There are some characters that have "improved" in some way, many normal, others really made ridiculous. But the general problem is always the short time.

For the protagonists not much changes, if not the addition of superfluous gags (more for Seiya and Shiryu). Saori, on the other hand, is a different girl, more active and better than the original.

The Gold Saints are more troublesome. I say:
- Mu is ok
- Aldebaran is a glutton
- Deathmask is HORRIBLE (his song piece, one of the worst things)
- Aiolia is insipid (and his fight goes off-panel)
- Shaka is better in a certain sense (in the original, he was an arrogant and blind to the truth, here is the opposite), but has no space
- Dohko does not appear
- Milo is a woman, but a great fighter (I like her)
- Aiolos appears little, but is better than the original, a true hero
- even Shura is better than the original, both as a warrior and because he uses the brain
- Camus is... I don't know what he is here...
- Aphrodite, treated in the most unworthy manner
- and finally, Saga... he has only the evil personality, until the clash with Seiya he is a good character, but in the end he is completely ruined


ENJOYMENT. 6

Great expectations, a lot of potential, unfortunately wasted, by bad management in too short a time. A shame.

The most noteworthy thing is high-level animation.

The first review of this manga, let's get it right.

Although it is a manga with protagonist girls, it is a work I particularly recommend to all Saint Seiya fans. This manga is a midquel, that is, the story fits together with the facts of the original manga, and sees a war against the goddess Eris.

The merit of this manga, in addition to excellent drawings, is the care with which it is made. The authoress has a phenomenal coherence, a profound respect for the original work, even greater than the creator himself, Masami Kurumada (who has little in the way of consistency). Kuori tries to make ... consistent joints, reproposes original tables with precise details (but with his style), and also takes on the classic characters, respecting their original characterization (unlike Okada who had to change them), but still managing to enrich them.

In addition, she also tried to solve the so-called "plot holes" left open by the original work. For example, the evil spirit that emerged from the body of Saga (of course, with Origin in 2019 came the canonical explanation, but for more than 30 years it was a mystery), or the redemption of Deathmask.

Overall the work is good, perhaps less epic than others (such as Episode G or Lost Canvas), more on normal levels, but as compared to the original work, it is excellence. And also in the field of quotation, to other works of SS, it is particularly rich.


TWO IMPORTANT THINGS, just to make you know, before you start.

1- obviously, being a spin-off strongly linked to the classic series, and with its characters, it should be read after seeing that one. And even better, after reading the ORIGINAL MANGA, as Sho relies on it.

Many will already know it, but the original manga and the historical anime present many differences, such as the ending of the 12 houses, and the link to the Poseidon saga. In the manga, the protagonist end up in a coma and spend a month of empty time, before Poseidon. And there the most of Sho's story take place (and that's why Seiya and the others aren't there to fight). In anime instead, things go differently, no coma and more, and there is the saga (filler) of Asgard.

2- if you've seen SHO ANIME first, and disappointed or discouraged you, forget it. Toei did a bad job, hurried and with different narrative changes, as well as inconsistent with any continuity (both that of the manga and of the classic anime). The manga is something else, don't exclude it because of this.



STORY: 8

Excellent consistency aside, the story itself is simple. The main character (Shoko) is destined to become the avatar of the goddess Eris, but her sister (Kyoko) sacrifices herself for her, taking her place. Shoko then decides to become a Saintia (personal handmaids of the goddess Athena, who do not have the obligation of the mask) to save her.

Of course, this is the premise of volume 1, then the story will evolve into a disputed war, against Eris and her dryads on one side, and on the other Athena, the 5 saintas, and the Gold Saints (who will, will be active and they will fight, not like in the original manga).

Only to specify the temporal setting, Saintia Sho, midquel, is set in 3 parts:

- the first 3 volumes take place just before the Galaxian Wars, the beginning of the original manga.
- the volumes 4-5 are transitional, tracing the facts from the Galaxian Wars to the 12 houses.
- from the sixth volume, the main story takes place in the month of empty time between the 12 houses and the saga of Poseidon


ART: 10

Excellent drawing from the start, and keeping better. And like I said, the revised manga tables from the original (but also Next Dimension and some SS movies) are really nice.

https://i.imgur.com/uF8UVgW.jpg


CHARACTERS: 9

There are classic characters like Saori Kido and the Gold Saints alive after the 12 houses, Scorpio Milo (who is the sixth protagonist), Leo Aiolia, Aries Mu, Virgo Shaka and Taurus Aldebaran, are active. Other historical characters make their appearance more or less briefly, the other Gold Saints, but also minor characters, like Marin and Shaina. There would be more, but it's spoiler.


For inedited characters, it depends. I would say 3 categories.

- the Saintias, the 5 protagonist girls. The authoress has tried to maintain a similarity with the classic protagonists. So Shoko is identical to Seiya (he also uses the same moves). Mii has a sense of duty similar to Shiryu. Katya is blonde, Russian and uses ice (like Hyoga). Xiao is the shy one but with potential, and pink dress, similar to Shun. Erda uses fire and is that badass (type Ikki). They are not bad, but they are valid only in advanced history, after the 8 volumes.

- the Silver Saints, the value of the work. Kuori presents us with 5 inedited silver knights, 3 of which are very strong (close to the gold level) and have an important role in history. We meet Mayura, the strongest woman in the Sanctuary, Rigel, a tragic knight, and Aeson, a mysterious type. The other 2, Georg and Juan, have a particular charisma, are more normal, but have little space for now.

- the Enemies. Eris is a very interesting character, who in history evolves thanks to Kyoko, becoming one of the best goddesses of the franchise. Also the other main antagonist (of which I don't name), is interesting, and a dream of many fans.

The subordinates are more or less interesting. Some stand out for a particular charisma, others are quite stereotyped, or become hateful. Certainly dryads don't shine too much, especially compared to saints, but they're not bad, and some have nice skills.


ENJOYMENT: 8

As I said before, the story is simple, but well-structured and cared for, as well as maniacally consistent with the original manga (although, due to the recent Saint Seiya Origin, Kurumada has put out of continuity also this series). Kuori has done an excellent job, and if you're a fan of Saint Seiya, you'll appreciate it.

However, as I said, the level is normal. The clashes are good, but they remain on normal levels, nothing too epic or too exaggerated, such as Episode G (where they fought with the titans) or the Lost Canvas (even here, high level enemies, sometimes gods).

The Lost Canvas Gaiden, are 16 volumes, which tell 14 stories, dedicated to each of the principal Gold Saints (Gemini and Aries have 2 volumes, as well as the Old Twins, Sage and Hakurei).

The merit of these 16 volumes is therefore to further enrich its main characters, with various missions in the past (or some, in the future) and new backgrounds, perhaps even on a level of powers and space (think for example of Virgo Asmita, who in the main story has not had the chance to face great enemies). All this obviously expands the universe of the Lost Canvas in general, ranging with other ... enemies and mythologies, showing new details about life and the training at the Sanctuary, we know more of the past centuries, presenting new characters, gold saint, masters, and others, also taking up already known ones, etc...

So, if you liked the main story of the Lost Canvas and its characters, these volumes are NOT TO BE MISSED.


I don't go into the details of the individual stories, some are simple, others are structured with well-developed narrative expedients, and are more directly linked to the main events (in general, volumes from 8 onwards are more elaborate, IMHO). All the main characters come out incredibly enriched.

The art of Teshirogi, already greatly improved during the writing of the Lost Canvas itself (just look at the initial drawings, those at 1/4, half, and at the end, to understand the maturation), here it still reaches new levels, better for the better. it is EXCELLENT, the TOP!

Like I said, if you liked the main story, the enjoyment will be great. Maybe not for all the stories, but for many yes.


For me, it would be hard even try to say which of the Gaiden is my favorite. Perhaps that of Shion, with Hasgard, Sysiphus, Asmita, El Cid and Manigoldo... but also the other ones xD

Omega, how much worse could happen in Saint Seiya. Even if yes, in fact (as a quality) it is not the only one.

Started during a general recovery of the spin-offs, mainly because there were the classic protagonists (now adults, being 25 years in the future) and, as always, some gold saints. It was better I hadn't done it, and trust me, if you're a fan of SS, it's a series you can very well avoid. And when even the Gold Saints suck (not all, but more than half yes), it's already a signal.

If the original series had crude and violent, sometimes tragic aspects, Omega can ... be considered a "censored version", adapted for younger children, putting childish elements or clichés in it from other series, such as schools, elemental powers, powers of friendship, etc ... with the usual "original" next generation. In short, you can think of it as a mix of the worst of Boruto and Fairy Tail, mixed with Saint Seiya.


STORY: 2

The series is divided into two seasons, with mainly two large sagas, against "Mars" (which is not the greek god Ares, but looks more like a Martian) and "Pallas".

Having said that Toei's premise was to make a story suitable for small children, with the usual unoriginal next generation, we have several changes in the first part of the presentation.
Remember the dangerous and exhausting workouts to become a saint and get armor? Too violent for Omega, let's have a school.
Remember the beautiful armor of the classic series, in the Pandora Boxes? Well, here they have become gems, rounded in design.
Then to be "very original", the blows have become based on elemental powers.

Not to mention the Omega, which is a NAKAMA POWER, a power of friendship not even hidden, the usual bullshit to make the protagonists win in a meaningless way. When it is used, making the circle of friendship or something else, also turning into new ridiculous armor, it is really HORRENDOUS, just as it is terrible to see enemies, super-powerful with respect to the protagonists, to be defeated by that crap.


Well, this series has no logic, except on rare occasions. But let's go into the story.

The first 27 episodes serve as an introduction to the characters, training and a saga of elemental temples, totally useless and boring.

The following ones, up to 51, are the real battle with Mars. But since Toei is original, what do you propose? A sanctuary of traitors, faithful to the enemy, Athena in danger and the new protagonists to save her in ... oh, a climb to the 12 houses, what a novelty. But a climb to the 12 houses towards the sky, towards the planet Mars, wow.

Some clashes are good, many are horrendous, also due to the Gold Saints, several are painful or managed really badly. Mars is a good character, the fight with him is fine, but what follows is horrible.


The second season is instead a war against Pallas and his servants, although in truth there will be a more powerful enemy behind. Meanwhile, the traitor gold saints who survived the 12 houses, sided with Athena. We say that the second half has merits, which make it more enjoyable than the first, but also enormous defects.

The merits are the active participation of the legendary bronzes (the historical protagonists), some death and an interesting secondary character, and the fact that this seems like a real war, with Athena (yes, Saori Kido) fighting. And the enemy behind it all, the god of time Saturn.

The defects are different. Several little charismatic characters, some horrible recycled (Tokisada and Paradox), but above all Omega, a world crap. Against Gallia, Hyperion, and Saturn itself, THE WORST SIGHT IN SAINT SEIYA. In addition to the return of the Steel Saints, the historical anime fillers, forgettable.

There are a couple of good moments, most connected to the old classic protagonists, but more truly horrible, even in this second part. All the fault of the next generation and the power of friendship, as always, the worst that exists in anime/manga.


ART: 4

The style tries to break away from that of the late Araki, but it is not the best.

There are beautiful designs or animations from time to time, but also tremendous bass as a quality. Now this is the beginning:

https://www.animeclick.it/images/Anime_big/SaintSeiyaOmega/SaintSeiyaOmega3.jpg

But even at the end, against Hyperion or Saturn, deformed drawings appear.

Okay that's a TV series, of 97 episodes, but it was already the beginning of Toei's lack of care towards this franchise.


SOUND: 5

I don't remember many music, normal.


CHARACTERS: 3

Where to start. Excluding the classic characters (the 5 bronzes and Athena, plus other minors), we have.

The Next Generation: well, we are innovative, the usual miraculous Pegasus from stereotype (Koga), the son of one of the old protagonists (Ryuho), a hot head in search of revenge (Soma), a "miss I know everything" that does not wear the mask for equal genus (Yuna), a copy of Ikki to do the badass of the group (Eden) and a ninja (Haruto). Perhaps Eden, the others are painful.

The (Fake) Gold Saints: excluding Kiki (successor of Mu), Genbu (pupil of Dohko) and Seiya (sagittarius), loyal to Athena, the others are faithful traitors to Mars, at the beginning.

We have a bull smashes cute bones (Harbinger), a love / hate nymphomaniac muddy the sign of Gemini (Paradox), another pathetic cancer (Schiller), a lion without character (Mycene), a tasteless Virgo (Fudo), the scorpion more pathetic and weaker than ever (Sonia), an old arrogant of Capricorn (Ionia), an arrogant but very weak aquarium (Tokisada), and a Bart Simpson of darkness, and playboy, like fish (Amor).

Harbinger and Fudo are okay, in addition to the 3 above, the others are vomiting.

The Pallasites: removed a couple of traitors, direct servants of Saturn (Europa and another one, they are interesting), the only ones of thickness are the N1. Titan is good, even if it is like Seiya (adult). Aegon is normal. Gllia is a concentrate of arrogance and antipathy. Hyperion is arrogant, but strong, too bad that it is handled horribly, like Gallia.

The Gods: Mars is good, Apus is awful and only an ass**ll to give a power-up to Koga some times, Pallas is an Atena 2.0, Saturn is cliché, but interesting for his powers.


So, characters promoted?

Sagittarius Seiya, Libra Genbu (my favorite Libra), Phoenix Ikki, Cygnus Hyoga, Andromeda Shun, Mars, Europa and Titan.

Kiki, Harbinger and Fudo are normal. Shiryu here is disappointing.

All the others, from the anonymous to the forgettable, to the worst that has happened to Saint Seiya. A fail with the new characters.


ENJOYMENT: 2

As already mentioned several times before, if you are children under 10, it may be for you. If you like simple stories and where the logic in clashes does not exist because there is the power of friendship and love, like Fairy Tail, too. But if you are a true Saint Seiya fan, the historical series and the manga spin-offs, you can avoid hurting yourself.

The moments they deserve in this anime, in 97 episodes, can be counted in less than 2 hands. Time wasted.

Continuation of the first season, unfortunately without a third, so far.

As for the first 13 episodes, even in these there will be a high graphic quality, great characters and clashes (perhaps even better than the first part), between epic and dramatic drama of the Holy War of Lost Canvas, against the king of the underworld.


STORY: 10

As mentioned before, there is the continuation of the war, which will see some very important clashes, namely those against the twin gods, Hypnos and Thanathos, two bastions of Hades' army.

I don't go into details to avoid spoilers, but the development is epic, it deserves.
...
I only congratulate the TMS studio for some narrative additions. Also in the first season there were additions, like some flashbacks (I think that of Hasgard), and the same is true here. Some additions like flashbacks, for Yuzuriha, Yato, Manigoldo and El Cid, and even the old masters, enrich the characters even more.

The final part of the second season is slightly different from the manga, but details, not in meaning. The second season covers up to chapter 95 of the manga (concluded with 223).


ART: 10

Excellent, like the first one.


SOUND: 8

Perhaps less impressive, but good.


CHARACTERS: 10

Manigoldo, El Cid, Sage, Hakurei, Thanathos, Hypnos. Nothing else to add, except for the characters already presented in the first part, with new developments.


ENJOYMENT: 10

The continuation of the great war, again between epic battles, dramatic parentheses and sad sacrifices, among its great actors.

After the classic series, the best anime of Saint Seiya, also as video quality. If you are a fan of the knights of the zodiac, definitely for you. But even if you are not.

Some of my friends started the series without having seen the historical anime (or read the original manga). Certainly, you lose some references that only a fan of SS can grasp, but the story a detached structure, with of its own story and his own characters, and in the early stages explains the basics, so it is not strictly necessary to have seen the old series to start it.


STORY: 10

The story tells ... of 3 childhood friends, orphans, Tenma, Sasha and Alone, forced to separate, and that fate will pose as enemies, in the so-called holy war between the forces of the goddess Athena (the Saints) to defend the Earth, and the army of the underworld led by Hades (the Specters), which aims to conquer it.

In these first 13 episodes the first main characters will be presented, and we will have the actual beginning of the war.What you will see here will be what you will find later, that is a REAL WAR, between epic and dramatic moments, with clashes, sacrifices, meaingful deaths, and built personal stories, in a very good climax.

By heart, the first season covers up to chapter 54 of the manga (concluded with 223).


ART: 10

Like i said, the graphics here are excellent, the best after the historical series. This is due to the OVA format and the TMS study (not Toei) that spent a lot of care on it.


SOUND: 9

At first glance it may not seem like it, but it offers good soundtracks.


CHARACTERS: 10

Tenma (the main protagonist) is the standard shonen protagonist, in line with the others of SS. Alone (the main antagonist) is a controversial character, which will come as a surprise. Sasha (the other protagonist) is the best Athena of SS, forget about Saori from the original series (always kidnapped and to be saved).

Then there are the presentations and actions of the first gold saints, from the good Dohko and Shion, to others that will remain immediately etched in your hearts, such as Albafica, Asmita and Hasgard.

Some enemies will also have a good scene, including the powerful Minos and the violent Kagaho.


ENJOYMENT: 10

A moderate beginning, which will result in a war fought, with many losses on both sides, where epic and drama will not fail, already starting from this first part.

Manga written by Shiori Teshirogi, tells of the previous holy war against Hades, 243 years before the classical events. It's an excellent manga, perhaps the best of the spin-offs (although Okada is also skilled), if you loved the classic series, you'll enjoy it.

However, due to Next Dimension, written by the original author Masami Kurumada, which tells of the holy war in the same period, the series is considered an alternative universe. This thing obviously does not affect its quality, also because in the saintseiyauniverse, of "canon" with the original manga perhaps there is practically nothing, apart from ND (although Kurumada is not a master ... of coherence).


STORY: 10

The great merit of this manga is that it dedicates a whole series, 25 volumes and more than 220 chapters, to a war with Hades. This allows you to develop them well, in clashes, and in the characterization of saints and enemies. While with the original series, having been divided into 3 main narrative arcs, the space was little, and the management of the classic Hades bow... well, it was bad.

So what's here is finally something that can be called WAR! Not 2-3 isolated clashes, but a real war.

The other merits are:

- the central story between the 3 FRIENDS and protagonists, Tenma, Sasha and Alone, destined to be Pegasus, Athena and Hades, and clash. Really well built.

- the GOLD SAINTS, all charismatic characters, different from each other (although the author has copied the classic designs), active and heroic. Because rightly, being the 12 gold saints the elite of Athena's army, fighting is just logic. But not just them.

- the SPECTERS (& co), the author, in addition to reinforcing Hades' army as a level of power, by inserting various problematic enemies, also manages to present many of them with a characterization that is good, which is striking. Even minor figures find their own space.

- the FIGHTS, in general epic, and almost always logical.

- the DEATHS, many epic, many sad.

And consistency with the original work. Yes, despite being an alternative universe, Teshirogi did a good job, respecting the basic lines that the original manga provided on the past.


ART: 10

The initial art is simple, perhaps very simple, but good. It improves gradually, already in the middle of the story the author develops a fantastic design, really beautiful.

And after the main series, he made 16 other volumes as gaidens, which are a graphic pearl.


CHARACTERS: 10

As I said before, the story presents a large number of charismatic characters, and in general well deepened (or those that have had little scene, remedies with the LC gaidens, 16 volumes, dedicated to each gold saint).

Gold Saints all shine, they are exceptional, and they are also a ransom for certain signs that had had an ungrateful fate (like fish or cancer) in the original manga. Shion, Hasgard, Asmita, Manigoldo, Albafica, El Cid, Defteros, Sisyphus, Kardia, etc... and also others, veterans like Sage and Hakurei, two exceptional master strategists.

Specters, powerful and charismatic. The 3 judges, Minos, Rhadamanthys, Aiacos. Others like Kagaho, Yoma, Lune, Violate, Valentine, and other minor ones. Not to mention Pandora, and the twin gods.

Tenma is the classic protagonist, Sasha is the best goddess Athena of SS, Alone is an exceptional character and antagonist.


ENJOYMENT: 10

I do not think it necessary to add anything else to what has already been said above.

History, characters, development, fights, art ... you will find everything at good/excellent levels. And also a good epilogue (which is rare with shonen).

And if it were not enough, there is practically another manga, another 16 volumes, with individual stories dedicated to each gold saint in the series.

Of course, it's not perfect, something towards the end could definitely be improved.