Knights of the Zodiac
Saint Seiya CGI · Toei Animation × Netflix · 36 episodes · 2019–2024
Overview
Knights of the Zodiac is a CGI animated series produced by Toei Animation and Toei Animation USA, released on Netflix on July 19, 2019. It offers a modernized reimagining of Masami Kurumada's original manga, set in a contemporary context with redesigned characters and a reworked narrative aimed at an international audience.
The story follows Seiya, a teenager of Japanese heritage raised in the United States, recruited by Alman Kiddo to become a Bronze Saint in service of the goddess Athena. At the same time, Seiya searches for his elder sister Patricia, who mysteriously disappeared — a narrative thread that replaces the search for Seika from the original series.
Seasons & Episodes
Released on Netflix. Seiya discovers his destiny as a Bronze Saint and faces his first adversaries in a reimagined Galactic Wars.
Released on Netflix. The threat around Athena intensifies. The Black Saints and first confrontations at the Sanctuary.
Released on Crunchyroll. The assault on the Sanctuary begins — Seiya and his allies face the Gold Saints across the 12 Houses.
Released on Crunchyroll. The conclusion of the Sanctuary saga. The final battle for Athena and the fate of the world.
Differences from the Original Series
The series takes several narrative liberties compared to Kurumada's work. The setting is transposed to a contemporary Western context, and many characters have their identities altered: Saori Kido becomes Sienna, Ikki is renamed Nero, and the search for Seiya's sister takes center stage where the original focused more on cosmic battles.
The 3D CGI animation has been the subject of much criticism from long-time fans, who argue it lacks the fluidity and expressiveness of the original 1986 hand-drawn series. Nevertheless, the series found its audience, particularly among new viewers discovering the Saint Seiya universe for the first time.
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