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Characters in The Knights of the Zodiac

Author: Tyler B Updated: September 21, 2023
5.9K

The Knights of the Zodiac characters, the heroes of Masami Kurumada‘s Saint Seiya, are mystical warriors called Saints (or Knights) who fight to protect the goddess Athena and the Earth from various evil forces. Each Saint wears a powerful armor called a “Cloth,” inspired by a constellation and charged with the power of the cosmos. The original manga ran in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1986 to 1990, with the anime adaptation airing from 1986 to 1989.

The Zodiac Knights: Character Development and Storytelling

The series has spawned spin-offs, prequels, sequels, and even a CGI movie, all built on an engaging storyline, memorable characters, and a fusion of Greek and Norse mythology with modern action and drama. Here are the Saints (and the goddess) at the heart of it.

13
Seiya, the Pegasus Knight

Seiya The Pegasus Knight Who Soars High

You can’t discuss the Knights of the Zodiac without Seiya, the Pegasus Knight. This ambitious, fearless warrior charges into battle with the tenacity of a wild stallion, and his burning passion and unwavering determination set the stage for every adventure. Seiya is no stranger to adversity, he weathers the storm and proves his mettle in the darkest moments, and his unyielding spirit inspires his comrades and the very cosmos he protects.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Pegasus (Bronze Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Pegasus Meteor Fist, Pegasus Comet Fist, Pegasus Spinning Shock

12
Shiryu, the Dragon Knight

Shiryu The Dragon Knight with Unbreakable Will

Shiryu stands tall as the embodiment of wisdom and strength. The Dragon Knight wields the mighty Dragon Shield and channels the power of the Rising Dragon, a force that could level mountains. His calm demeanor often contrasts with Seiya’s raging inferno, but make no mistake, this indomitable warrior packs a punch when push comes to shove. His journey is a testament to resilience, sacrificing his own well-being for the greater good, and his loyalty and ironclad will inspire generations of Knights to come.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Dragon (Bronze Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Rozan Rising Dragon, Hundred Dragons of Lushan, Excalibur

11
Hyoga, the Cygnus Knight

Hyoga The Cygnus Knight Who Breaks the Ice

Enter Hyoga, the Cygnus Knight, a master of ice and a force to be reckoned with. This cool-headed combatant keeps his emotions in check, much like the frozen landscapes he hails from, but beneath the icy facade lies a burning desire to protect his loved ones. With the chilling power of his Diamond Dust and Aurora Thunder Attack, Hyoga sends shivers down his enemies’ spines, standing strong as the snowstorms rage, a true testament to the power of the Cygnus constellation.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Cygnus (Bronze Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Diamond Dust, Aurora Thunder Attack, Freezing Ring

10
Shun, the Andromeda Knight

Shun The Andromeda Knight with a Gentle Heart

Shun, the Andromeda Knight, has a gentle nature that belies his immense power. His kindness and compassion shine as brightly as the stars, a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness. Equipped with the Nebula Chain, he can unleash a dazzling array of attacks, but it’s not just his power that stands out. Despite impossible odds, Shun’s unwavering commitment to peace and love sets him apart, teaching us that the greatest weapon a Knight can wield is the power of the heart.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Andromeda (Bronze Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Nebula Chain, Andromeda Nebula, Nebula Storm, Rolling Defense

9
Ikki, the Phoenix Knight

Ikki The Phoenix Knight Who Rises From the Ashes

Ikki, the enigmatic Phoenix Knight, has a story woven with tragedy and redemption. Once an antagonist, this brooding warrior ultimately joins forces with his fellow Knights, proving that light can touch even the darkest hearts. His indomitable spirit and sheer willpower let him rise from the ashes time and again, much like the mythical creature he embodies, and when he unleashes the devastating Phoenix Fist, his enemies feel the full heat of his burning resolve.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Phoenix (Bronze Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Flaming Wings of the Phoenix, Phoenix Ghostly Fist, teleportation

8
Athena, the Goddess

Athena The Goddess Who Guards the Cosmos

No tale of the Knights of the Zodiac is complete without Athena, the guiding light for our heroes. As the embodiment of wisdom, courage, and compassion, her divine presence is a constant source of inspiration and strength, and her unwavering commitment to protecting the world from evil resonates with the Knights, driving them to fight for justice and peace. Her celestial powers and strategic brilliance make her a formidable force in the cosmic battle against darkness.

  • 🛡️ Role: Goddess of wisdom, reincarnated as Saori Kido
  • ✨ Power: divine protection of Earth and the cosmos

7
Saga, the Gemini Knight

Saga The Gemini Knight with a Dual Nature

Saga, the Gemini Knight, truly captures the essence of duality. As a powerful adversary, he tests our heroes and pushes them to their limits, and his split personality reflects the two faces of the Gemini constellation: one side driven by ambition, the other by justice. His mastery of the fearsome Galaxian Explosion and the potent Genrō Maō Ken makes him a force to be reckoned with, and his story ultimately becomes one of redemption as he battles his inner demons and seeks forgiveness for his past.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Gemini (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Galaxian Explosion, Another Dimension, Genrō Maō Ken

6
Milo, the Scorpio Knight

Milo The Scorpio Knight with a Venomous Sting

Milo, the Scorpio Knight, is as lethal as the creature he represents. A highly skilled warrior and loyal servant of Athena, his devotion to duty is as unwavering as his reputation for ruthlessness. He delivers swift, precise blows with his deadly Scarlet Needle technique, leaving enemies reeling from its venomous sting. His sense of honor and commitment to justice can seem harsh, but Milo’s actions are always guided by his desire to protect Athena and the greater good.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Scorpio (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature move: Scarlet Needle

5
Aiolia, the Leo Knight

Aiolia The Leo Knight with a Roaring Spirit

Bold and fearless, Aiolia, the Leo Knight, embodies the spirit of the regal lion he represents. This courageous warrior is a beacon of strength and loyalty, consistently putting his life on the line to defend Athena and the world, and his commitment to justice is matched only by his prowess in battle, with his Lightning Plasma technique leaving opponents in awe. As a mentor and friend, his guidance is invaluable to his fellow Knights, a reminder that true courage means standing up for what you believe in.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Leo (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Lightning Bolt, Lightning Plasma

4
Shaka, the Virgo Knight

Shaka The Virgo Knight with Divine Insight

Enigmatic and wise, Shaka, the Virgo Knight, has a spiritual depth and divine insight that set him apart. Often called “The Man Closest to God,” his serene demeanor and profound wisdom make him a vital ally to Athena and her Knights, and his mastery of the Tenbu Hōrin technique, which seals an opponent’s senses, shows his unparalleled control over mind and body. Shaka’s journey teaches the importance of introspection, demonstrating that true power comes from understanding our strengths and weaknesses.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Virgo (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Tenbu Hōrin, Six Paths of Reincarnation, Demonic Surrender

3
Dohko, the Libra Knight

Dohko The Libra Knight Who Balances the Scales

Dohko, the wise and seasoned Libra Knight, brings experience and knowledge that prove crucial in guiding the younger generation. With a history spanning over two centuries, this ancient warrior has witnessed the rise and fall of countless battles, granting him unparalleled wisdom. Wielding the powerful Libra Gold Cloth, he balances the scales of justice with profound insight and strategic skill, and as a mentor to Shiryu, he imparts lessons on patience, discipline, and balance.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Libra (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Athena Exclamation, Divine Hundred Dragons of Rozan, Misopethamenos

2
Aldebaran, the Taurus Knight

Aldebaran The Taurus Knight Who Charges Forward

Aldebaran, the mighty Taurus Knight, has the unwavering determination and sheer physical strength to be an unstoppable force on the battlefield. With the power of the Great Horn technique, he charges forward like a raging bull, shattering any obstacle in his path. Despite his imposing stature and fierce demeanor, Aldebaran has a heart of gold and is always ready to lend a hand to a fellow Knight, his loyalty to Athena as steadfast as the earth itself.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Taurus (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature move: Great Horn

1
Camus, the Aquarius Knight

Camus The Aquarius Knight Who Masters the Flow

Camus, the enigmatic Aquarius Knight, has a mastery over ice and water that mirrors the depth of his emotions and convictions. As a mentor to Hyoga, he teaches the importance of understanding the true nature of one’s power and the responsibility that comes with it. With his formidable Freezing Wave and Aurora Execution techniques, Camus commands the very essence of water, and his calm, reflective nature is a reminder that even the most turbulent waters can be tamed by a steady hand.

  • 🛡️ Cloth: Aquarius (Gold Saint)
  • ⚔️ Signature moves: Aurora Execution, Freezing Ring, Diamond Dust

Voice Cast

Here’s the voice cast for the 2023 CGI series, which anglicized several of the Saints’ names (so “Long,” “Magnus,” “Shaun,” “Nero,” and “Sienna Kido” are the same heroes you’ve met above under their original names):

  • Masakazu Morita / Bryson Baugus as Pegasus Seiya
  • Takahiro Sakurai / Blake Shepard as Dragon Long (Shiryu)
  • Hiroaki Miura / Patrick Poole as Cygnus Magnus (Hyoga)
  • Satomi Satō / Luci Christian as Andromeda Shaun (Shun)
  • Fumiko Orikasa / Emily Neves as Sienna Kido (Athena)
  • Katsuyuki Konishi / Adam Gibbs as Phoenix Nero (Ikki)

A Band of Brothers: The Saints of the Zodiac

What’s a great story without a memorable cast? In Saint Seiya, our heroes don armor called “Cloths,” each representing a different constellation and channeling the power of the cosmos. Whether it’s the valiant Pegasus Seiya, the steadfast Dragon Shiryu, or the enigmatic Phoenix Ikki, this band of brothers (and the occasional sister) fight together, laugh together, and sometimes even cry together. But don’t let their softer side fool you: when they’re defending the world and their beloved goddess, they mean business.

Mythology Meets Modernity: A Divine Mashup

Saint Seiya masterfully blends ancient mythology with modern action, forging a world where gods and mortals clash in epic battles. By integrating legends from various pantheons, like the Twelve Olympians and the Norse Norns, the series crafts a universe that feels both familiar and refreshingly distinct. As the Saints confront divine beings, their struggles and triumphs symbolize the timeless battle between good and evil, light and darkness.

Knights of the Zodiac

Large Ensemble of Characters

  • Pegasus Seiya: the protagonist, a Bronze Saint representing the Pegasus constellation.
  • Dragon Shiryu: a loyal, disciplined Bronze Saint representing the Dragon constellation.
  • Cygnus Hyoga: a calm, strategic Bronze Saint representing the Cygnus constellation.
  • Andromeda Shun: a compassionate, empathetic Bronze Saint representing the Andromeda constellation.
  • Phoenix Ikki: Shun’s older brother, a rebellious Bronze Saint representing the Phoenix constellation.
  • Athena (Saori Kido): the goddess of wisdom and justice, reincarnated to protect Earth from evil.
  • Mitsumasa Kido: Saori’s adopted grandfather, the man responsible for raising and training the Bronze Saints.
  • Pope Ares: the mysterious, powerful leader of the Sanctuary who initially opposes the Bronze Saints.
  • Gold Saints: the twelve strongest Saints, each representing a different Zodiac sign.

Some of the Gold Saints Include

  • Aries Mu
  • Taurus Aldebaran
  • Gemini Saga
  • Gemini Kanon
  • Cancer Deathmask
  • Leo Aiolia
  • Virgo Shaka
  • Libra Dohko
  • Scorpio Milo
  • Sagittarius Aiolos
  • Capricorn Shura
  • Aquarius Camus
  • Pisces Aphrodite

Other characters include various Silver and Bronze Saints, plus antagonists such as the Asgard Warriors, Poseidon and his Mariner Generals, Hades and his Specters, and more. The roster has kept growing across the spin-offs and sequels, so this list isn’t exhaustive, but it covers the main characters from the original series.

Knights of the Zodiac (2023) Official Trailer

That’s my rundown of the Knights of the Zodiac characters, from the five Bronze Saints to the Gold Saints and the goddess they protect. Who’s your favorite Saint? Let me know in the comments.

Tye B founded Cartoon Lists out of a refusal to let great cartoons be forgotten. He grew up on 90s Saturday-morning TV and never grew out of it
Tyler B

Tye B founded Cartoon Lists out of a refusal to let great cartoons be forgotten. He grew up on 90s Saturday-morning TV and never grew out of it — these days he splits his time between rewatching the classics and keeping up with modern anime. Here he ranks, reviews, and digs into the characters and stories that define pop culture.

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