SIGN OF THE
TIMES
Mega-Saga ‘Saint Seiya' Now ‘Knights of the Zodiac'
This Fall
Sometimes, size
does matter.
Even the most
casual anime fan is familiar with the long-running anime mega-sagas
such as Astro Boy , Dragon Ball Z
and Sailor Moon . But many haven't heard of the
equally popular Saint Seiya , which premiered in
Japan in 1986 and ran for a whopping114 episodes. Based on a manga by
Masami Kurmada that originally ran in Shonen Jump, Saint
Seiya is considered one of the great anime classics and is
a smash hit throughout most of Asia and South America-- but it hasn't
made it to the U.S. until now. Cartoon Network has acquired 40 episodes
of this series, and will air it under the title Knights of
the Zodiac during the Saturday Action Block.
“The success
that Knights of the Zodiac has had internationally is phenomenal,” says
Andy Heyward, CEO and chairman of licensor DIC Entertainment.
“Furthermore, there has never been a Japanese series that has been a
mega-hit in Asia , Europe and South America that has failed become a
mega-hit in the U.S. ”
Knights
of the Zodiac tells the story of the Bronze Knight Seiya,
who leads the Knights of Athena in battle against Phoenix and the
Knights of Aries. Seiya and his comrades must fight the most formidible
warriors in the galaxy to make their way up the chain of precious
metals to protect the golden armor of Sagittarius and return Athena,
the Goddess of Wisdom, to her rightful throne. Of course, it wouldn't
be good anime without tons of martial arts action, crazy plots, and
enemies who just won't stay dead.
Knights
premieres Saturday, August 30, at 7 p.m.
-- Caitlin
Moriarity
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