Saint Seiya: The Movie
Encyclopedia
, retitled on its home video release, is the first in a series of anime
films produced by Toei Animation
based on the manga Saint Seiya
by Masami Kurumada
. The movie premiered on July 18, 1987 at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival, where it was shown as part of a quadruple feature along with Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle and the movie versions of Hikari Sentai Maskman
and Choujinki Metalder
.
A new character called Eri is revealed to be Miho's workmate and a second caretaker at the orphanage. She starts having feelings for Hyōga, and, one night, they are sitting outside watching the stars when they suddenly see a falling star. As Eri makes a wish, it is stolen by Eris, the Greek goddess of Discord, who uses it to revive herself.
Things worsen when Eris takes possession of Eri's body and kidnaps the goddess Athena to Eris' own Sanctuary. Eris plans to gain control of the world by sucking all the energy out of Athena with the golden apple to seize her body, and revives dead Saints of the past to fight for her, dubbing them Ghost Saints, and also Ghost Five.
The protagonists receive the news about the kidnapping and set off towards Eris' sanctuary. As they enter it, they fight various battles with the Ghost Saints, who end up being killed again. In the end, after a struggle with the last and most powerful of the "Ghost Five", Orion Jäger, Seiya is helped by the spirit of the deceased Sagittarius Aiolos, who sends the Sagittarius Gold Cloth to his aid.
As Jäger is defeated, Eris is the only one left standing between the Earth's salvation and destruction. Seiya takes the Sagittarius bow and aims at the golden apple, but hesitates for fear that the arrow might hit Athena. Athena herself encourages Seiya to shoot the arrow, which he does, to Eris' dismay, releasing Eri from the evil goddess's control.
With the goddess of Discord returned to the realm of the dead, the Saints escape the crumbling sanctuary, and, along with the released Eri and Saori, walk towards a more peaceful world.
made plans for a theatrical feature. Kurumada, the author of Saint Seiya, participated in the production. In three months, he created and designed the five new Saints that appeared in the movie, whose appearances were based on his sketches. Ghost Saint Scutum Jan's constellation name was originally "Shield" but was changed to the Japanese form of the Scutum constellation: Tateza. In Japan, the film was named Saint Seiya: The Movie, but in some countries it received the name "The Legend of the Golden Apple", or another similar title. The series author, Masami Kurumada, suggested the name of "Jashin Eris" for its DVD release. The five Ghost Saints used to be Silver Saints in life, which was confirmed with a question mark in the pamphlet of the movie Saint Seiya: The Heaven Chapter ~Overture~.
The soundtrack was composed by Seiji Yokoyama
and released in the Saint Seiya Original Soundtrack II CD.
In 2011 the movie was adapted into a musical for the Japanese audience, which premiered on the 5 May, 2011. The musical will be released on DVD on 21 November, 2011, as well as its soundtrack on 19 October, 2011.
In Greek mythology, when Eris
was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis due to her troublemaking nature, she tossed a golden apple on the ground in front of Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. The apple was inscribed "to the most beautiful goddess", which sparked a contest between the three goddesses and eventually led to Trojan War.
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
films produced by Toei Animation
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
based on the manga Saint Seiya
Saint Seiya
, also known as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or simply Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada and serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1986 to 1991, and adapted into an anime TV series by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989.The story follows...
by Masami Kurumada
Masami Kurumada
is a Japanese manga artist and writer, known for specializing in fighting manga featuring bishōnen and/or mahō shōnen. He is famous as the creator/author of popular manga, such as Ring ni Kakero, Fūma no Kojirō, Saint Seiya and B't X. His male protagonists are a reflection of the classical and...
. The movie premiered on July 18, 1987 at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival, where it was shown as part of a quadruple feature along with Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle and the movie versions of Hikari Sentai Maskman
Hikari Sentai Maskman
is Toei's eleventh entry of the Super Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Maskman.-Plot:...
and Choujinki Metalder
Choujinki Metalder
is the sixth and shortest entry of the Metal Hero Series, running from March 16, 1987, to January 17, 1988, for only 39 episodes. The action footage of Metalder was adaptated for the first two seasons of VR Troopers...
.
Plot
The film is independent from the canon and chronology established by Kurumada in his manga. In the movie plot, Seiya already has awakened to the Seven Senses, thus the movie can be situated after the Twelve Temples arc in the chronology. It starts off with Seiya, Hyōga, and Shun visiting the Star Children Academy, where they save one of the children from being run over by a car.A new character called Eri is revealed to be Miho's workmate and a second caretaker at the orphanage. She starts having feelings for Hyōga, and, one night, they are sitting outside watching the stars when they suddenly see a falling star. As Eri makes a wish, it is stolen by Eris, the Greek goddess of Discord, who uses it to revive herself.
Things worsen when Eris takes possession of Eri's body and kidnaps the goddess Athena to Eris' own Sanctuary. Eris plans to gain control of the world by sucking all the energy out of Athena with the golden apple to seize her body, and revives dead Saints of the past to fight for her, dubbing them Ghost Saints, and also Ghost Five.
The protagonists receive the news about the kidnapping and set off towards Eris' sanctuary. As they enter it, they fight various battles with the Ghost Saints, who end up being killed again. In the end, after a struggle with the last and most powerful of the "Ghost Five", Orion Jäger, Seiya is helped by the spirit of the deceased Sagittarius Aiolos, who sends the Sagittarius Gold Cloth to his aid.
As Jäger is defeated, Eris is the only one left standing between the Earth's salvation and destruction. Seiya takes the Sagittarius bow and aims at the golden apple, but hesitates for fear that the arrow might hit Athena. Athena herself encourages Seiya to shoot the arrow, which he does, to Eris' dismay, releasing Eri from the evil goddess's control.
With the goddess of Discord returned to the realm of the dead, the Saints escape the crumbling sanctuary, and, along with the released Eri and Saori, walk towards a more peaceful world.
Production
With the success in Japan of Masami Kurumada's Saint Seiya manga and its anime adaptation, ToeiToei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
made plans for a theatrical feature. Kurumada, the author of Saint Seiya, participated in the production. In three months, he created and designed the five new Saints that appeared in the movie, whose appearances were based on his sketches. Ghost Saint Scutum Jan's constellation name was originally "Shield" but was changed to the Japanese form of the Scutum constellation: Tateza. In Japan, the film was named Saint Seiya: The Movie, but in some countries it received the name "The Legend of the Golden Apple", or another similar title. The series author, Masami Kurumada, suggested the name of "Jashin Eris" for its DVD release. The five Ghost Saints used to be Silver Saints in life, which was confirmed with a question mark in the pamphlet of the movie Saint Seiya: The Heaven Chapter ~Overture~.
The soundtrack was composed by Seiji Yokoyama
Seiji Yokoyama
is a prolific Japanese incidental music composer from Hiroshima who is best known for his work on the Saint Seiya series. He is a graduate student of Kunitachi College of Music....
and released in the Saint Seiya Original Soundtrack II CD.
In 2011 the movie was adapted into a musical for the Japanese audience, which premiered on the 5 May, 2011. The musical will be released on DVD on 21 November, 2011, as well as its soundtrack on 19 October, 2011.
New characters
- Eris: Goddess of Discord
- Eris tempted Eri with a golden apple to possess and use her as a tool to bring chaos into this world. After capturing Saori Kido (Athena), she places a golden apple in front of Saori's chest to drain her power and life force to the point where Eris would no longer need Eri's body. She then proceeds with her plan to take over the world. It had been foretold that, if Athena were to die, all of the dead Saints with grief in their hearts would be revived to finish Earth's destruction.
- Seiyū: Toshiko FujitaToshiko Fujitais a Japanese seiyū. She currently works at Aoni Production.-Roles:*Bonobono in the first Bonobono film*Cross in Ginga Nagareboshi Gin*Corazón Muto in Allison & Lillia...
In Greek mythology, when Eris
Eris (mythology)
Eris is the Greek goddess of strife and discord, her name being translated into Latin as Discordia. Her Greek opposite is Harmonia, whose Latin counterpart is Concordia. Homer equated her with the war-goddess Enyo, whose Roman counterpart is Bellona...
was not invited to the wedding of Peleus and Thetis due to her troublemaking nature, she tossed a golden apple on the ground in front of Hera, Athena and Aphrodite. The apple was inscribed "to the most beautiful goddess", which sparked a contest between the three goddesses and eventually led to Trojan War.
- Eri Aizawa
- Eri (絵梨衣) is a volunteer at the Star Children Academy where Seiya, his sister Seika, and Miho grew up. Her wish on a falling star was stolen by Eris. The goddess took control over Eri's body until Eris could be completely revived into this world again. Eri and Hyōga felt a close connection when they first met.
- Seiyū: Mayumi ShōMayumi Shois a Japanese seiyū. She formely works at Aoni Production and is currently working at Kekke Corporation. She is married to fellow seiyū Keiichi Nanba.-Notable voice roles:*Ikuko Otonashi in Maison Ikkoku*Chi-Chi in Dragon Ball and early Dragon Ball Z...
Ghost Saints "Ghost Five"
- Khristós (Ghost Saint of Southern CrossCruxCrux is the smallest of the 88 modern constellations, but is one of the most distinctive. Its name is Latin for cross, and it is dominated by a cross-shaped asterism that is commonly known as the Southern Cross.-Visibility:...
)
- Techniques: Southern Cross Thunder Bolt
- Seiyū: Ryuusei Nakao
- Khristós died some time before Athena was kidnapped. Hyōga recognizes him as the Southern Cross Saint, as he himself is the one of the Northern Cross. Feeling restless and tormented by his death as he lay in his grave, Khristós put aside his Saint title and joined Eris, who revived him with a new body. When he gets an advantage over Cygnus Hyōga, Khristós is betrayed by Eris, who sees this as a good opportunity. She throws a spear into Khristós' back, which pierces through his heart, killing him and injuring Hyōga at the same time.
- Named after the greek word for ChristChristChrist is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
, the anointed one, who was nailed to a cross.
- Maya (Ghost Saint of SagittaSagittaSagitta is a constellation. Its name is Latin for "arrow", and it should not be confused with the larger constellation Sagittarius, the archer. Although ancient, it is insignificant, for it has no star brighter than the 4th magnitude and is the third smallest of all constellations...
)
- Technique: Hunting Arrow Express
- Seiyū: Michitaka KobayashiMichitaka Kobayashiis a Japanese voice actor. For a time, he was known as . He currently works for Aoni Production.-Television animation:*Atashin'chi *Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin *Legend of the Galactic Heroes *Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman...
- Another Saint revived by Eris into a new body. His personality is similar to Pegasus Seiya's, but Maya would fight to the death if it meant winning. He proves this when he faces Seiya, to first talk, and then attack with all his strength. He is no match for Seiya, but one of the arrows from his Hunting Arrow Express attack makes it through Seiya's defenses. Seiya removes the arrow with ease and tries to get Maya to tell him where Saori is, but leaves when Maya does not respond. Maya says in his last breath that the arrow is actually poisonous, and only one shot is enough to remove the five senses.
- Named after MayaMaya (illusion)Maya , in Indian religions, has multiple meanings, usually quoted as "illusion", centered on the fact that we do not experience the environment itself but rather a projection of it, created by us. Maya is the principal deity that manifests, perpetuates and governs the illusion and dream of duality...
, the Indian deity of illusion and the Japanese word for Magic ArrowArrowAn arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
.
- Jäger (Ghost Saint of OrionOrion (constellation)Orion, often referred to as The Hunter, is a prominent constellation located on the celestial equator and visible throughout the world. It is one of the most conspicuous, and most recognizable constellations in the night sky...
)
- Techniques: Megaton Meteo Crash
- Seiyū: Yū MizushimaYu Mizushimais a Japanese voice actor. He is the Japanese voice-over for Sammo Hung, and is the Japanese voice of Wakko.-Notable roles:* .hack//Intermezzo as Male Heavyblade* Black Cat as Doctor * Black Jack* Black Magic M-66 as Leakey...
- Said to be one of the most powerful Silver Saints who served Athena with honor. After he was killed, he held a grudge over being forgotten, and the loneliness that comes with being dead. He did not hesitate to accept Eris' offer and was soon revived with a new body to fight for the destruction of the world. As he faced Phoenix Ikki, he found his foe's strength to be almost equal to his own. When Ikki explained the meaning of the friendship that the present Saints had, Jäger hesitated, but still continued to fight Ikki. Jäger was interrupted when Pegasus Seiya obtained the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, and, after having his strongest attack blocked by Seiya, was defeated. With his last words, he acknowledged Seiya and the others as true Saints.
- Named after the German word for hunter, as OrionOrion (mythology)Orion was a giant huntsman in Greek mythology whom Zeus placed among the stars as the constellation of Orion....
was a hunter.
- Jan (Ghost Saint of ScutumScutumScutum is a small constellation introduced in the seventeenth century. Its name is Latin for shield.-History:Scutum is the only constellation that owes its name to a non-classical historical figure...
)
- Techniques: Bone Crush Screw
- Seiyū: Keiichi NanbaKeiichi Nanbais a Japanese voice actor currently affiliated with Aoni Production. He is married to fellow voice actress Mayumi Shō.-Anime:* Sailor Moon series as Gurio Umino, Zoisite, Alan* Trigun as Hoppered the Gauntlet-Tokusatsu:...
- Jan is a Saint that apparently died in vain; this may well have been caused by his straightforward and jump-into-action personality. As he was restless in his grave, he gladly accepted Eris' offer, and was soon revived and given a new body. He faced off against Dragon Shiryū. As the Scutum Cloth has a stronger shield than the Dragon Cloth, he seemingly defeated Shiryū within one minute, but, underestimating the Dragon Saint's power, he was soon defeated as Shiryū unleashed all of his Cosmo into a single attack.
- Named after Jan III Sobieski, whom the Shield constellation was made for.
- Orpheus (Ghost Saint of LyraLyraLyra is a small constellation. It is one of the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd century astronomer Ptolemy, and remains one of the 88 modern constellations recognized by the International Astronomical Union. Its principal star, Vega — a corner of the Summer Triangle — is one of the brightest...
)
- Birthplace: Greece
- Techniques: Stringer Requiem
- Seiyū: Yūji MitsuyaYuji Mitsuyais a Japanese actor, voice actor, and sound supervisor from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture who is affiliated with Bring Up. He graduated from Meiji University....
- The legendary mythical person himself, as expressed by Andromeda Shun. After his failure to bring Eurydice back, he died with regrets. This led to him gladly taking Eris' offer and being revived in a new body. As he faced Shun, Orpheus seemed to be a calm and subtle person, but as the fight progressed, he showed his darker side. After ensnaring and almost killing Shun with his Stringer Requiem attack, Orpheus was cut short by Phoenix Ikki's arrival. Ikki attacked with his Hō'ō Genmaken, but since Orpheus had already suffered through hell, he brushed the attack off easily. Wasting no time, Orpheus attacked with his Stringer Requiem again, but this time Ikki unleashed his Hōyoku Tenshō attack and Orpheus was killed.
- Named after the Greek mythical musician OrpheusOrpheusOrpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music; his attempt to retrieve his wife from the underworld; and his death at the hands of those who...
.
See also
- Saint SeiyaSaint Seiya, also known as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or simply Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada and serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1986 to 1991, and adapted into an anime TV series by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989.The story follows...
- Masami KurumadaMasami Kurumadais a Japanese manga artist and writer, known for specializing in fighting manga featuring bishōnen and/or mahō shōnen. He is famous as the creator/author of popular manga, such as Ring ni Kakero, Fūma no Kojirō, Saint Seiya and B't X. His male protagonists are a reflection of the classical and...
- Saint Seiya (films)Saint Seiya (films)Due to high popularity in Japan and the rest of the world, several Saint Seiya films were released. Without having a direct relationship with the manga or anime story, four movies were released in theatres or TV between 1987 and 1989, when the original TV series was still airing.One more movie was...
- The Sketches made by Kurumada in a translated article from the Japanese magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump.