Saint Seiya(Original Manga)

    Shonen Jump is the manga magazine that published other famous mangas like Orange Road, City Hunter, Dragonball,  and etc. With an unique style to his own, Masami Kurumada created successful mangas there, namely, Ring ni Kakero[リングにかけろ:Ringu ni Kakero: Hang in the Ring] and Fuma no Kojiro[風魔の小次郎: Fuuma no Kojiro: Kojiro of the Wind Demons] but it was the failed manga, Otokozaka[男坂: The Steeper of Man] that pushed "Saint Seiya" to come about.
    Frustrated and angry by the failure, Masami was determined to make his next manga a hit. He was inspired by watching the movie, The Karate Kid, The manga was to be titled, Rin of the Galaxy[銀河のリン:Ginga no Rin: Rin of the Milky Way]. After reading information about the Leonid, he changed the title character's name from to Rin to Seiya[聖矢: Sacred Arrow]. After further thought, he changed the name once again to Seiya[星矢: Star Arrow].
    As with many mangas, when a certain time have past, the manga would be republished in Comic Book form[単行本: Tankoubon]. Starting from Sept. 1986, Saint Seiya started to be republished in the Jump Comics series. There are 28 Volumes total. The Comic Books have been reprinted many times over the years.
    There was no new manga produced by Masami after the end of the original manga but because in 1995 of the success of B't X, attention was payed to the original manga, resulting in the publishing of a new edition, the Collector's Edition. An artbook titled, Burning Blood was published in 1996.
    Because of the success of Ring ni Kakero 2[リングにかけろ2] in 2001, attention was payed again to the original manga and 2nd edition of the manga, the Pocket Edition, an Encyclopedia, 5 Digest magazines and 2 novels were published. To give news of Seiya projects, a 3rd edition of the manga, the First Remix Edition was released.
    In 2004, another artbook was published called, Sora[宙: Chuu: Space, Air], one of many projects for the 30th anniversary of Masami as a mangaka.
    Between 2005-2008, Masami focused on working on the Hades Chapter OVA. From 2005 to 2006, a 4th edition of the original manga was published called, the Complete Edition[完全版:Kanzen Ban]. This edition published lots of the material that was not seen since the publication of the magazine serialization.
    Between 2007-2008, a 5th Edition of the original manga was published, the Second Remix Edition, giving news of the Hades Chaper - Elysion OVA. Unlike the previous Remix, this time the whole original manga was re-printed.
    From 2010 to 2011, a 6th edition of the original manga has been published, the Third Remix Edition.

Story

Chapter I:  The Sanctuary[聖域編: Seiiki Hen]

Jump Issue: 1986, #1,2 - 1988, #14
Volume: 1-13

Galaxian Wars Arc[銀河戦争編: Ginga Sensou Hen: Milky Way Wars Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #1,2 - 1986, #22
Volume: 1-3

    100 orphans has been sent all around the world to train to become Saints and return with a Cloth. A boy by the name of Seiya wins the Pegasus Cloth in Sanctuary, Greece, and returns to Japan. He wants to reunite with his big sister, Seika, but finds out she is missing. Saori Kido, the leader of the Graude Foundation makes a deal with Seiya. If he enters the battle of the Bronze[青銅: Seidou] Saints, Galaxian Wars and wins the Gold Cloth, the Foundation would use all its resources to help him find his sister. However, the Galaixan Wars are interrupted by Shun's big brother, Ikki. Leading Black Saints, they steal the Gold Cloth. Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun are able to take back 4 pieces.

Black Saints Arc[暗黒聖闘士編: Ankoku Sei Toushi Hen : Dark Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #23 - 1986, #40
Volume: 4-5

    Shiryu goes to Jamir to find Mu to fix the two dead Pegasus and Dragon Cloths. Mu demands that Shiryu give half of his own blood to help fix the Cloths. Seeing Shiryu's sacrifice for friendship, Mu and his pupil Kiki help fix the two Cloths. After a series of battles between the Bronze and Black Four[暗黒四天王: Ankoku Shi Tennou: Dark Four Emperors.], and with the help of Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun, Seiya is finally able to defeat Ikki. it is then that Ikki reveals to Seiya a horrible truth. Right then, Silver Saint, Lizard Misty causes a earthquake to bury the Bronze.

Silver Saints Arc[白銀聖闘士編: Hakugin Sei Toushi Hen : Silver Sacred Fighter Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1986, #41 - 1987, #7
Volume: 5-7

    Silver Saints has come as hitmen to kill the Bronze for using the Cloths for selfish reasons. Mu and Kiki used their teleportation skills to help Seiya, Shiryu, Hyoga, Shun and the Black Saints to escape. Mu tricks the Silver Saints into thinking they've killed Shiryu, Hyoga and Shun, but in fact, they killed Black Dragon, Swan, and Andromeda. One by one the Bronze Saints are able to defeat the Silver Saints. When the Bronze returns to see Saori, she reveals she is actually the incarnation of Athena[女神の化身: Megami no Keshin: Incarnation of the Goddess] and their true mission is to fight to protect this world. The Bronze, however, don't believe her. After a more series of battles with the Silver Saints, at the end of the arc, Shiryu ends up blind.

Memorial Story, Shaka[特別読切　Shaka: Tokubetu Yomikiri Shaka: Special One-Issue Manga Shaka]
Jump Issue: 1987, #13
Volume: 5

    To celebrate Shonen Jump Weekly reaching 950 issues, Shueisha ordered a One-issue manga from Masami. At this point in time, Jump was starting to serialize Gold Saints Chapter, Masami felt it was time to show Ikki's past and have a Gold Saint appear. The manga was incorprated into Vol. 5 as a flash back. The plot of the manga is where Ikki has earned the right to get his Phoenix Cloth from the Black Saints territory on Death Queen Island. He defeats all the Black Saints easily including the Don[首領: Shuryou: Leader] Jango. When Ikki finally wears his Cloth, Shaka comes and defeats him. Shaka sees actually Ikki has never turned evil but hides his good side inside him. Shaka erases his memory of their fight and leaves. The Black Saints recognize that Ikki is the strongest among them and Ikki becomes the New Don. It is then Ikki decides it is time to return to Japan and disrupt the Galaxian Wars.

12 Palaces Arc[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen: 12 Palaces Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1987, #8 - 1988 #14
Volume: 7-13

    The Sanctuary Pope sents Gold Saint Leo Aiolia to kill the Bronze. However, Saori reveals the truth of what really happened 13 years ago to him. It was Aiolia's big brother, Aiolos, who saved her from the evil Pope. With the help of the Will of Aiolos, Aiolia finally realizes the truth and returns.
    When Saori and the Bronze finally reaches Sanctuary, Saori is attacked by Sagitta Trammy, firing a Golden Arrow into her chest. The Bronze only have 12 hours to save her. After a series of fierce battles, the Pope reveals who he really is, Gemini Saga! With the help of his brothers and Athena's Shield, Seiya saves Athena and forces an evil aura out of Saga's body. At the end of the arc, Saga kills himself right in front of Saori at Athena Temple.

The Cygnus Story, Natassia of the Ice Country[特別読切　氷の国のナターシャ:Tokubetu Yomikiri Koori no Kuni no Nata-sha]
Jump Issue: 1988 #13
Volume: 13

    To celebrate Shonen Jump Weekly reaching 1000 issues, Shueisha ordered a One-issue manga from Masami. The Cygnus Story is an outside manga. It does not really fit into the timeline of the manga but the events can happen after Sanctuary Chapter. This story serves as an inspiration for Movie 2 of the Anime. The story centers on Hyoga who has gone to meet a group of fighters called, Blue Warriurs[氷闘士: Koori Toushi: Ice Fighters], lead by Alexer. They want to invade into the lower lands and rule. Imprisoned in their homeland, Blue Grad[ブルー　グラード: Buru- Gura-do], Hyoga meets Alexer's younger sister, Natassia. Alexer kills his father for not supporting his desires. Angered, Hyoga fights him but the fight is interrupted by Natassia's suicide attempt. The Cygnus Saint chooses not to kill Alexer so he would repent for what he has done and there's one more reason: the name of Hyoga's mother is Natassia.

Chapter II: The Poseidon[海王ポセイドン編:Kaiou Poseidon Hen: Sea King Poseidon Chapter]

Jump Issue: 1988, #15 - 1989 #9
Volume: 14-18

    Poseidon has awakened and his Spirit lives inside the body of Julian Solo, the son of the Sea Merchant King[海商王:Kaishou Ou]. His warriors wear the armor called, Scale[鱗衣: Rini: Scale Cloth], and they are called, Marina[海闘士: Kai Toushi: Sea Fighter].  Poseidon uses his power to inundate the world by tidal waves and floods, killing many. Athena decides to confront Poseidon in his Undersea Temple[海底神殿: Kaitei Shinden] to stop the inundation, but instead she is held prisoner inside a giant pillar called, Main Breadwinner. With the help of the Gold Saints' Blood and the Libra Weapons, the Bronze defeats the 7 Generals[海将軍: Kai Shougun: Sea General] and destroys their pillars. Near the end of the battle, it is revealed that Gemini Kanon, Saga's little brother was the one who was pulling the strings for this war to happen. At the end of the arc, using Athena's Jar, Saori seals the Spirit of Poseidon.

Chapter III: The Hades[冥王編: Meiou Hen: Underworld King Chapter]

Jump Issue: 1989, #10 - 1990 #49
V Jump Issue: #1, Dec. 12th.
Volume: 19-28

12 Palaces Arc[十二宮編: Jyuunikyuu Hen: 12 Palaces Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1989, #10 - 1989 #45
Volume: 19-22

    Hades has resurrected deceased Silver and Golds Saints to attack Sanctuary from within, even Previous Pope Aries Sion are amongst them. They wear the armor called, Surplice[冥衣: Meii: Under Cloth: Clothes of the Dead.] which is the proof of the warriors of Hades, called, Specter[冥闘士: Mei Toushi: Under Fighter]. Finally leaving Five Old Peaks, Roshi confronts Sion, his old friend, at Aries Palace. With the help of Athena's Misopetha-Menos, Roshi is able to return to his 18 year old body as the Libra Saint, Dohko. After a series of battles between the Saints and against the Specters, the most shocking scene in the manga plays out: Athena is willing to be killed!! At the end of the arc, Sion as Pope once again reveals the true reason of their return and Athena's true intentions of killing herself.

Underworld Arc[冥界編: Meikai Hen: Underworld Chapter]
Jump Issue: 1989 #46-1990 #49
V Jump Issue: #1, Dec. 12th.
Volume: 23-28

    Seiya and Shun has reached the Underworld alive. With the help of Silver Saint, Lyra Orphee, the three Saints reach Judecca to defeat Hades once and for all. However in an event completely unforeseen, the Spirit of Hades possesses Shun! He has becomed Hades's current incarnation!! With this drastic situation, Ikki finally appears and tries to free Shun but he fails. Hades takes full possession of him, however, by using her own hot blood, Athena drives the Spirit of Hades out of the Andromeda Saint. Hades escapes to Elysion and Athena gives chase. By the sacrifice of 12 living and deceased Gold Saints, the Bronze are able to travel to Elysion. With the help of Athena's Blood and their own Cosmo power, the Bronze are able to defeat the Gods of Death and Sleep. At the end of the arc, Athena and Bronze are finally able to defeat Hades but Seiya falls.

Great Holy War History[大聖戦史: Dai Seisen Shi]

    The Great Holy War History was an article printed in Cosmo Special which was published on Aug. 10th in 1988(Mid Posiedon Chapter). It is an account of past Holy Wars and the relation they have to the concept called, Hypermyth[超神話: Chou Shinwa: Super Myth.] The history is separated into 6 eras, telling clues and histories of the universe, and how Athena's Saints and Cloths came about, and what happened in the resulting Holy Wars.(1) Because the article contain many background information and hints that hit directly to the core future chapters, many fans have speculated that Masami Kurumada wrote the article himself, if not at least gave critical ideas to its writing.(In the Revival Era, the article was edited and added to, when it was published again for Monthly Magazine Comic Extra-Large, Saint Seiya Digest Chapter, Pegasus Gliding Chapter[月刊コミック特盛聖闘士星矢総集編天馬星座（ペガサス）飛翔編: Gekkan Komikku Tokumori Seitoushi Seiya Shoushuuhen Tenmaza(Pegasasu) Hishou Hen])

[To read the Great Holy War History in English  Click Here  Or Japanese Click Here]

Saint Seiya Encyclopedia[聖闘士星矢大全:Seitoushi Seiya Taizen]

    In Aug. 22nd, 2001, an Encyclopedia edited by Masami himself was published for the manga. In the Original Era, in Cosmo Special and Jump Comics Vol. 13 and 28, there was Character Data printed but it wasn't complete. Finally all the data is contained in this publication. The Encyclopedia also contains descriptions of the chapters and the characters but also key-word definitions and newly drawn images(2). There is also other info and columns.

[For translations of Encyclopedia Articles go here ]

Monthly Magazine Comic Extra-Large, Saint Seiya Digest Chapter[月刊コミック特盛聖闘士星矢総集編]

    Between Nov. of 2001 and Mar. 2002, 5 digest magazines for the five main characters was published. Each magazine would republish the various fights related to each character and other information columns. The most interesting parts, however, is the Sion Q+A corner[教えてシオン様: Oshiete Sion Sama: Please Tell me Sion sama] where Pope Sion himself asked fans to mail in questions in the first magazine and in the next 4 magazines, he would answer some of those questions.

[For translations of Encyclopedia Articles go here ]

Later Editions

Collector's Edition[愛蔵版: Aizou Ban] and Pocket Edition[文庫版: Bunko Ban]

    Starting from Nov. 1995, the Collector's Edition(4) was published and starting from Jan. 2001, the Pocket Edition was published. Both editions features new covers with some of the art newly drawn by Masami at the time. The divisions of chapters for both editions are the same:

[To check out the cover art go here]

The Remix Editions

The First Remix Edition

    Between Sept. 9th 2002-Aug. 30, 2004, the first remix edition was published. There were 19 volumes total. Not only did they reprinted the manga but also gave news of products, OVA, DVDs of the Revival and New Era. They also featured the Conceptual Drawings from the original TV Series Anime, and, other columns.

    The following are the chapter divisons:

Second and third Remix

    Published from Dec. 2007 to May 2008, to give news of Hades Chapter - Elysion OVA, the original manga was re-printed in a New Wide[新ワイド: Shin waido] format, where the number of pages in the volumes can go from 340-500!! Vol. 7 had a mini folded poster of Elysion OVA promo. And, from Sep. 2010 to Feb 2011 the original manga was re-printed in a Wide format, where the number of pages in the volumes can go from 276-500. The divisions of chapters are the same for both remixes:

Complete Edition[完全版:Kanzen Ban]

    Published from Feb. 2005 to Oct. 2006, for the 20th anniversary of Saint Seiya manga, as a gift to the fans, the original manga[原作: Gensaku: Original Work(Source)] was re-published in an edition where previous full color and 2 color monochrome pages printed in Weekly Jump Magazine were re-printed in its original color, instead of just black and white pages like Jump Comics Edition.(5)
    Odd numbered volumes included Weekly Jump covers inside. Even numbered volumes had folded posters of famous-scenes. Vol. 5 had 2 deleted pages restored. Cloth Diagrams of some of the leading and supporting characters were printed in full color. Starting from Vol 13 and on, chapter opener images in Weekly Magazine were re-printed. Some of those openers were not seen since the magazine publication.

Here are the chapter divisions:

Artbook

Burning Blood

    To celebrate Masami's 23rd anniversary as a mangaka, an illustrated collection was published in Dec. 25th, 1996. It was a collaboration of the two publishing houses, Shueisha and Kadogawa Shoten[角川書店]. The mangas are:

[To check out the images go here]

Sora[宙]

    One of many projects for the 30th anniversary of Masami as a mangaka was the Artbook, Sora. Published in Feb. 2004, it contains 43 illustrations picked by Masami himself, a reprinting of the chapter "Shaka! Man Closest to God" of the original manga in its original full color, an interview with Masami, a reprinting of Introduction manga of Overture movie and a Shueisha publication timeline with pictures and info starting from the serialization of the original manga at Weekly Jump until the publication of Sora itself..

Notes & Trivia

1. In Japan, the word 聖戦:Sei Sen or Holy War was used in Shinto context for propaganda in World War II. In Greek Myth the word 'Sacred War' was used to describe the Trojan War because the Gods had a hand in the war.
2. The images are Cloth drawings in object form: Sculptor Tools, Cup and Altar Cloths, and, possible Kamui Image of Zeus.
3. In this timeline, the first meeting of Pandora and Ikki was listed as 10 years ago. This is an error because 10 years ago, Shun is 3 years old, not an infant.
4. The covers were semi-hard covers.
5. 完全:Kanzen also means perfect but this edition is by no means perfect! It doesn't have all the deleted material and it doesn't have all the chapter opener images from Weekly Jump Magazine.
 

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