Although the anime is more famous and more engaging, the manga boasts the advantage of a better linearity, and is more coherent (absurdly). Kurumada was not a master of details, he left many gaps in the plot, but we say that the anime, having changed certain parts, created additional ones.
So, if you read the Saint Seiya manga, you will find some parentheses, scenes, characters, etc... differents from the anime, and maybe a little clearer.
And if you want to read the other Saint Seiya manga spin-offs, it would be better to have read the original manga (more to grasp the references, because the basics are reiterated).
STORY: 8
In the world there are supermen, called Saints, who fight for Athena and defend the Earth from evil forces. These Saints wear armor, called Cloths, associated with the constellations of the zodiac, and use the Cosmos, a power that allows them to overcome their limits and use special attacks.
The devolpment is generally simple, the protagonists will have to fight against a series of enemies (generally for their own goddess, sometimes for personal reasons), risking their lives several times, going up as they progress. The base of a battle shonen, thrown in those days.
The story is structured in 3 main arches (Sanctuary, Poseidon and Hades), in addition to the first ones, more for introduction (Galaxian Wars and Black Saints).
The clashes are the strong point of the series, in addition to the characters.
ART: 6
The designs are simple, especially with regards to the characters, and in an old and somewhat two-dimensional style, but they are not poor, and have a particular touch. The armor, but above all the special shots, are well done.
CHARACTERS: 10
Except for the protagonists, the secondary characters have a relative background, but stand out for their strong character, which made them immortal over time, and much loved by fans, especially the 12 golden knights, icon of the series.
ENJOYMENT: 8
Is a good manga, one of those that must be read or seen by force (it would be like never having seen Dragon Ball). However, as already mentioned, although it is more linear and coherent (in the "consistency" of Kurumada) of the anime, the latter is decidedly more impactful and immortal.
My advice is to watch the anime of Saint Seiya. If you liked this, the manga is to be read, especially if you want to get into the universe of Saint Seiya with other stories. Because, although they are now almost all "alternative stories", the basis for them are the events of the ORIGINAL MANGA, not of the anime (except for the anime spin-offs).
