Anime Fantasy

Netflix's CG Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya Remake Anime Premieres Next Summer

Netflix announced during its Anime Lineup Presentation event on Tuesday that Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya, its CG anime remake of Masami Kurumada's Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) manga, will debut next summer. Netflix noted that the release will be a "global launch." Netflix also revealed a new visual for the anime.

The anime's first 12-episode season will feature the story from the Galaxian Wars to Silver Saints arcs of the manga. Each episode will be about 30 minutes long. Netflix describes the anime's story:

Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya follows modern day adventures of young warriors called "Knights", who are sworn protectors of the reincarnated Greek goddess Athena. Each Knights wears a powerful armor based on their chosen zodiac constellation, and are called Knights of the Zodiac. They aid Athena in her battle against powerful Olympian gods who are bent on destroying the humankind.

Yoshiharu Ashino (Tweeny Witches, CROSS ANGE Rondo of Angel and Dragon) is directing the series at Toei Animation. Eugene Son (Duel Masters, B-Legend! Battle Bedaman script writer) is the story editor and head writer. Terumi Nishii (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable, Penguindrum) is designing the characters, and Takashi Okazaki (Afro Samurai manga creator, Summer Wars character designer) is designing the armor.

Kurumada published the original Saint Seiya manga from 1986 to 1990. The manga has inspired a number of television anime, original video anime projects, anime films, and spinoff manga. Netflix announced a new CG anime based on the original manga in August 2017, and the Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō spinoff manga also has an anime in the works that is slated to debut on December 10. A live-action Hollywood film has also been green-lit.

Viz Media published the original manga in English under the title Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac. Seven Seas Entertainment licensed the Saint Seiya: Saintia Shō manga. ADV Films released Toei Animation's anime adaptation with an English dub under the title Knights of the Zodiac, and later released it unedited under the title Saint Seiya. New Video Group later also released the series on DVD.

Sources: Press release, The Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web