Saint Seiya Soul of Gold

Saint Seiya: Soul of Gold was produced by Toei Animation as an original net animation series, released in 2015 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Masami Kurumada’s career. The project was conceived as a side story centered on the twelve Gold Saints, who were resurrected in the frozen lands of Asgard following their noble sacrifice during the Hades arc. The narrative serves as a bridge that explores the newfound independence and motivations of these iconic warriors after their previous service to Athena.

The character designs were overseen by Hideyuki Motohashi, who aimed to revitalize the classic aesthetic of the 1980s Saint Seiya series while incorporating modern animation techniques and updated armor designs. The series features the use of God Cloths, which were initially introduced in the film Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary. While the show was praised by dedicated fans for its focus on the popular Gold Saints and its expanded lore regarding the Asgardian setting, it also faced critical scrutiny regarding its pacing and the shift toward digital animation styles that differed significantly from the hand-drawn legacy of the original series.