Saint Seiya (圣闘士星矢), also known as Knights of the Zodiac, is an anime and manga series about a group of five mystical warriors called the "Saints" (or "Knights") who have adopted various constellations as their totems of power.They are given the task to protect Saori Kido (Sienna in the TV dub and the English manga), the reincarnation of Athena (the goddess of wisdom and war), and to fight against evil forces. It is based on the manga series of the same title by Masami Kurumada. The animation series by Toei Animation first premiered on Japan's TV Asahi on October 11, 1986.The series is currently being aired in North America on Cartoon Network every Saturday night as an edited-for-TV version called Knights of the Zodiac. An unedited subtitled and dubbed version is being released by ADV Films. VIZ Media's Shonen Jump titles the manga Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac for American audiences and it uses the English anime names.The series was able to make so much success in certain parts of the world that it gained the status of "cult". In Brazil, for example (where it is known as Os Cavaleiros do Zodíaco), the debut of the series in 1994 was responsible for changing the face of animation in the country, making people effectively enjoy Japanese animation for the first time. This was also true in other countries of Latin America, especially Mexico and Argentina, although Japanese animation had slowly been shown in both nations in the previous decade, with shows like Robotech and Mazinger Z. Both anime and manga were introduced into Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan (named 圣斗士星矢) around the year 1990, and started the ardors of Japanese manga and animation among those areas.Saint Seiya began to be known in the west as Knights of the Zodiac after it became successful in France, where it was given the name of Les Chevaliers du Zodiaque. That was also the first country where the series was shown, besides Japan itself. In Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, it is named as Los Caballeros del Zodiaco, and in Italy it is known as I Cavalieri dello Zodiaco.It may be said that Saint Seiya has special contributions in the development of Japanese manga and anime culture. It is the most early and important origin for dōjinshi, which has grown into a significant peripheral subculture of manga and anime. Dōjinshi groups now have large amount of members in East Asia, South America and West Europe.

Athena's Saints of the 88 Constellations*Athena has 88 saints to protect the peace of this world, and herself!*Each saint represent a constellation.Bronze Saints (protagonists)*Saints are divided into three levels. - Highest level is the Gold saint (represnt 12 zodiac),each guard a temple in the Greek Sanctuary.- follow by Silver saints- lowest level is the Bronze saints

Other than the 5 main characters:Other Bronze SaintsJabu / Jab (Saint of Unicorn/Monoceros) Ichi (Saint of Hydra) Nachi (Saint of Wolf) Geki (Saint of Bear) Ban (Saint of Lionet) Juné (Saint of Chameleon)

Silver SaintsMisty (Saint of Lizard/Lacerta**) Capella (Saint of Auriga) Babel (Saint of Centaurus) Named after the ancient city Babel, known for its the biblical story the Tower of Babel. Dante (Saint of Cerberus) Named after Florentine poet Dante Alighieri. Jamian (Saint of Crow) Asterion (Saint of Hound) Named after Asterion, husband of Europa. Moses (Saint of Cetus) Named after the biblical religious leader Moses, known for his persecution of polytheists. Algol (Saint of Perseus) Named after the star Algol ("Demon Star"), known for its varying brightness. Dio (Saint of Fly) Sirius (Saint of Canis Major) Named after the double star Sirius, also the name of the dog of Orion. Algethi (Saint of Hercules) Shiva (Saint of Peacock, disciple of Shaka, Gold Saint of Virgo)*** Named after the Hindu God Shiva. Agora (Saint of Lotus, disciple of Shaka, Gold Saint of Virgo)*** Daidalos (Saint of Cepheus) Named after the Greek mythical inventor Daidalos, known for the Labyrinth of Crete and his aerial escape from Crete and the tragic death of his son Ikaros. Shina (Saint of Ophiuchus) Marin (Saint of Eagle) Tremy (Saint of Sagitta) Arachne (Saint of Tarantula)*** Named after renowned mythical weaver Arachne. After a weaving duel with Athena (which many authors imply Arachne won) she was rebuked by the goddess for her shameles choice of subjects. After she hanged herself of shame, Athena resurrected her as a spider. Crystal (Saint of Crystal)*** Orpheus (Saint of Lyra, he appears only in the manga, during the Hades saga) Named after the Greek mythical musician Orpheus. After his wife Eurydice died he went to Hades to reclaim her, but lost her again because he failed to abide by Hades' condition.

~`~~~~~~~~~~~If anyone wants to read a bit more about the GOLD saints, I have a seperate PAGE* if you have any questions. ASK!~ ``~~~~~~~~~

Poseidon's MarinasThetis (Marina of Mermaid) Baian (Northern Pacific Marina General of the Sea Horse) Io (Southern Pacific Marina General of Scylla) Krishna (Indian Marina General of Krisaor) Kassa (Antarctic Marina General of Lymnades) Isaac (Arctic Marina General of Kraken) (Issac is the training partner of Cygnus Hyoga, while he was trainning to get the Cygnus Bronze Cloth) Sorrento (Southern Atlantic Marina General of Siren) ~~Kanon (Northern Atlantic Marina General of the Sea Dragon) (Kanon is the twin brother of Gemini Saga)

Other notable protagonistsSaori Kido (城戸沙织 Kido Saori) a.k.a. Athena / Princess Sienna: The leader of Bronze, Silver and Gold Saints, reincarnation of the Goddess of War and Wisdom Athena. Tatsumi: Saori's bodyguard and right-hand man. Was in charge of training the orphans who went on to become Bronze Saints, and as such most of them are resentful towards him (now that they are stronger than he could possibly be, he's rather scared of them). Mitsumasa Kido / Lord Nobu : Grandfather of Saori. He gathered the kids to become Knights. Miho: Seiya's friend. Works at an orphanage. Ancient Master (Dohko): Shiryū's master. He is also the Libra Saint. Shunrei: Lives in Rozan (China) with Dohko and cares deeply for Shiryū.

Notable antagonistsSaga: Gold Knight of Gemini, plagued by a multiple personality disorder that led his evil half to kill and impersonate the previous Pope of the Sanctuary. Not all bad although he led the campaign against Athena as a spectre, his true intention was to protect Athena. Hilda: Odin's representative on Earth and ruler of Asgard, she is possessed by the Nibelung Ring (controlled by Poseidon in the anime) and sets her sights on world domination in the name of Odin. Julian Solo (Poseidon): International sea trade magnate, God of the Seas. Kanon: Saga's twin brother who induced him to evil. Was trapped in a water prision by Saga, kept alive by Athena's cosmo. Then he has stumbled upon the seal of Poseidon releasing him free. He manipulated Julian Solo (Poseidon) to do his bidding and become one of Poseidon's generals to take over and wipe out the Earth. In the Hades Chapter he redeems himself with the help of Athena's grace and love. Becomes the new Gemini saint. Sacrifices himself in a battle with Radamanthys. Hades: God of the Underworld Pandora: Hades's sister, who commands the first wave of Spectres to attack the Sanctuary in the name of her brother. Radamanthys: One of the "judges"/ Generals to Hades. Most featured villian in the Hades Chapter. Very powerful, proud and arrogant warrior. His move is called the Greatest Caution. Apollo: Athena's older Brother, Apollo. Seen in the Heaven Saga. Apollo is the god of light, not to be mistaken with Helios (god of the sun). One of the most powerful gods, he's said to have powers far beyond Athena's and Artemis'. Artemis: older sister to Athena and younger to Apollo. Was the main villain in the Heaven Saga. She plans to destroy humans because they defy the gods. Artemis is goddess of the Moon.

Athena's ClothsCharacteristics: Athena's Cloths were fashioned by a lost tribe of smiths, and was actually the second group of armours created (as far as it is presently known). They were created to protect Athena's Saints in her first confrontation with Poseidon. Each of Athena's Cloths represents a constellation. Also, Athena represents justice and righteousness, and as such, if the person wearing Cloths in her name acts in a severely undignified manner, their Cloth will abandon them.Bronze Cloths: Granted to the Bronze Saints, the lowest order of Athena's Saints. They are of various colours, and are the weakest of all Cloths. They freeze at minus 150ºC. Silver Cloths: Granted to the Silver Saints, the middle order of Athena's Saints. They are usually very conservatively coloured, appearing in tones of gray for the most part. Many Silver Cloths have similar designs when worn by the Saints. They freeze at minus 200ºC. Gold Cloths: Granted to the Gold Saints, the highest order of Athena's Saints, said to be the most powerful group of warriors of all the different factions among gods. They represent the Zodiac constellations. Distinctive features include the fact that they protect most of the body (unlike many Silver and most Bronze Cloths), and that they are practically indestructible. They freeze at the absolute zero (−273.15 °C).

* Why so many people hate Athena? She spoils her 5 Bronze saints (the 5 Cockroach)saints die.She saves the Bronze saints many times.To me, I think she cares about Seiya A LOT~During the battle against the Gold Saints in the Sanctuary, 6 of the 12 Gold saints died. Yet, all 5 Cockroach had survived!Some people said that Athena is ugly, personally I think she's ok. * I don't hate her as much anymore, since she saved Kanon's life, when Kanon was locked up in the Watery jail....But I will NOT FORGIVE her for Gemini Saga's death and Aquarius Camus's death!

Athena / Saori Kido

Athena

The original article came from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Seiya#Poseidon.27s_Marinas