Saint Seiya "The Knights of the Zodiac" is a cult anime that marked an entire generation of fans, which had enormous success worldwide at the turn of the 80s and early 90s.
The animated series, produced by Toei Animation in 1986, is based on the famous manga of the same name by Masami Kurumada, and tells the adventures of a group of young warriors, the knights of Athena, who fight to protect the goddess and the Earth. The story of the anime is fascinating and has several elements of Greek and Nordic mythology and religions including Buddhism, Shintoism, etc.
The characterization of the many characters is one of the anime's strong points.
The knights (saint) designed and created by Masami Kurumada are all beautifully characterized, with strong and distinct personalities, which make them unique, and many of them are memorable characters.
The main characters are: Seiya of Pegasus, the protagonist, a good, impulsive and courageous boy who never gives up in the face of countless difficulties; Shiryu of the Dragon, a stoic and wise warrior, who fights for others; Hyoga of the Swan, a cold boy, who however hides a great pain in his heart; Shun of Andromeda, a kind and compassionate boy, who sacrifices himself for others; Ikki from Phoenix, a strong, rebellious and lonely boy, who hides a dark and sad past; Saori, a girl, reincarnation of Athena in the 20th century, torn between her human feelings and her duties as a goddess who protects humanity.
And then there are several secondary characters, including silver knights, golden knights, warriors of Asgard and marine generals, some of whom are wonderful antagonists both in terms of visuals and characterization.
Shingo Araki's character design is another very positive element of the anime, an effective, beautiful and very suitable design, which makes the anime immediately recognizable, which stands out from the mass of anime.
The armor of the knights and enemies are a real spectacle, with their bright colors and fascinating details. Some of the armor designs created by Masami Kurumada are amazing ideas.
The music of the anime is another memorable element, a pleasure for the ears. The background music is epic and engaging, and helps to create a very evocative atmosphere.
Another honorable mention are some duels present in the anime, unforgettable and of great charm.
In conclusion, "The Knights of the Zodiac" is an anime of great quality, obviously we must and must contextualize it in the period in which it was released, that is, in the mid-80s: contextualized in that period, it is one of the best anime ever of the late 80s, a true cult, which has managed to conquer audiences of all ages. The series is a true jewel of 80s Japanese animation that conquered the whole world of that period, and which in Italy (and not only) has remained unforgettable.
Rating: 10. I give it the best, because it is an absolute cult anime of the animation of the late 80s and early 90s.
