Saint Seiya Omega (聖闘士星矢・オメガ Seinto Seiya Omega, stylized as Saint Seiya Ω is an ongoing anime series produced by Toei Animation. It is a spin-off inspired by the classic manga series Saint Seiya, which was created, written and illustrated by Japanese author Masami Kurumada. The series began airing on TV Asahi on April 1, 2012. It is being directed by Morio Hatano (his debut as series director), with animation character designs by illustrator and animator Yoshihiko Umakoshi, known for performing the same duties on Street Fighter Alpha: The Animation and Casshern Sins.
Omega also marks the return of Toei Animation as the studio in charge of animating a Saint Seiya property, since the adaptation to anime of the Hades arc from Kurumada's manga was completed in 2008. Likewise, TV Asahi retakes its duties as broadcaster of Omega, as with the original Saint Seiya anime adaptation.
Toei Animation describes it as an "original anime story", separate from the continuity of Kurumada's manga. Original Saint Seiya author Kurumada is not involved in the creative process of Omega, thus he is credited as the original creator of the series' concept.
The storyline of Omega takes place in the future era, 25 years after the Holy Wars of the 20th century narrated in the original manga and its anime adaptation. The goddess Athena is still on Earth after reincarnating to cleanse it of the agent of evil as she has done during millennia, accompanied by her Saints, fulfilling her duty of protecting peace on Earth, after her victories over antagonistic deities. Athena and a new generation of Saints prepare to face a new menace that lurks in this new era, in which Pegasus Seiya, the protagonist of Kurumada's manga, is revered as a Saint of legend.
The creative staff, including character designer Umakoshi and head writer Reiko Yoshida, previously worked under flagship Saint Seiya director Shigeyasu Yamauchi, either on the original Saint Seiya anime adaptation (director Morio Hatano was assistant director of its fifth film), or on his other works, such as Mushiking: Mori no Tami no Densetsu and Casshern Sins. They referred to Yamauchi as a strong influence in interviews.
As a installment separate from Kurumada's work, the series will introduce characters new to the Saint Seiya fictional universe, that will make use of elements already established within it. Some of them, such as the deities, exist in the original manga. Additionally, known elements from Saint Seiya, such as the Cloths, the armors worn by the Saints, bear their known constellations, but are presented in Omega with a new design that differs substantially from those in the original source material, and departing from it, the Cloths emerge out of jewels worn by the characters to envelop their bodies, which are known in Omega as ClothStones (クロストーン Kurosutōn?).
The Cosmo essence, one of the basic concepts of Saint Seiya, is expanded in Omega with the addition of specific elemental properties: Fire (火 Hi?), Wind (風 Kaze?), Thunder (雷 Kaminari?), Earth (地 Chi?), Water (水 Mizu?), Darkness (闇 Yami?) and Light (光 Hikari?).
The newly introduced characters were created specifically for the series by the staff, although some already known characters are taken directly from Kurumada's manga, where noted.
Athena's Saints
Pegasus Kōga
Pegasasu no Kōga (天馬星座の光牙?)
Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa , Satsuki Yukino (as child)
Techniques: Pegasus Meteor Punches, Pegasus Flash Fist
A 13 year-old boy, who is destined to become the Pegasus Bronze Saint in the future era. The main character in the series, trained since his early childhood to become a Saint, Kōga is rebellious but also compassionate. He is still unaware of the purpose of having become a Saint in an era of peace, and has yet to discover his destiny. He meets Seiya, who teaches him the importance of friendship. He commands the element of Light. His name means Light Fang in Japanese, and it is also alternatively romanized in official magazine articles as Kouga.
Pegasus Seiya
Pegasasu no Seiya (天馬星座の星矢?)
Voiced by: Tōru Furuya
Techniques: Pegasus Meteor Punches
The main character in Kurumada's manga and its anime adaptation, the Pegasus Bronze Saint of the 20th century. He is now regarded as a legendary Gold Saint in the millieu of Omega. Having defended Athena in the past from powerful enemies, Seiya continues his mission assisted by the Sagittarius Gold Cloth. His name means Star Arrow in Japanese.
Orion Eden
Orion-za no Eden (オリオン座のエデン?)
Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe
Techniques: Folgore Renaissance
An enigmatic young man, the Orion Saint in the future era. Eden is 15 years old. Mysterious and distant, Eden believes in the dominance of the strong and disregards the weak, putting his faith in his own strength. Unlike in Kurumada's mythos, in which the Orion Saint belongs to the Silver Saint ranks, in Omega, the Orion Saint is ranked as a Bronze Saint. He is later revealed to be Mars' son and Sonia's younger brother. Eden commands the element of Thunder.
Wolf Haruto
Urufu no Haruto (狼座の栄斗?)
Voiced by: Tatsuhisa Suzuki
Techniques: Crosswise Rock Demolisher, Seiryū's Flash Flood, Fuji Style - Sirius' Howling Demolisher, Fuji Style Metal Escape Art, Fuji Style Fire Escape Art, Fuji Style Earth Escape Art, Fuji Style Blazing Dance Turbulence , Fuji Style Shinobi Arts - Earth Escape Balsam, Fuji Style Shinobi Art - Nozuchi Killer
The young Bronze Saint of the Wolf constellation. Descendant of shinobi, a smart and knowledgeable 13 year-old boy. Stoic, Haruto aims to become a strong Saint. With a calm personality, he blends the shinobi arts with the ancient fighting style of the Saints. His name means Glorious Battler in Japanese.
Aquila Yuna
Akuira no Yuna (鷲座のユナ?)
Voiced by: Satsuki Yukino
Techniques: Divine Tornado, Blast Typhoon, Aquila Spinning Gradation
The female Saint of the Eagle constellation, a 13 year-old girl. Departing from Kurumada's manga, the Aquila Saint is ranked as a Bronze Saint in Omega. Yuna aims to become a true and strong Saint, but strongly opposes the implied rule that female Saints should remain in a life of secrecy. She originally wore the mask of the female Saints, mandatory for them in the presence of males, but now fights without a mask. She commands the element of wind.
Dragon Ryūhō
Doragon no Ryūhō (龍座の龍峰?)
Voiced by: Tetsuya Kakihara
Techniques: Lushan Rising Dragon's Force, Water Fā jìn, "Flowers in the mirror, the moon on the water", "Clear and serene as a polished mirror and calm waters"
A 12 year-old boy, friend to Kōga, who considers him almost his brother, the Dragon Bronze Saint in the future era. Very caring of others by nature, Ryūhō suffers from a frail health. Calm and polite, he has a natural talent for becoming a formidable Saint, but he is affected by his condition. He received the Dragon Cloth from his father, the legendary Dragon Shiryū.[7] The young Ryūhō commands the element of water. His name means Dragon Peak in Japanese, and it is also alternatively romanized in official magazine articles as Ryuhou.
Lionet Sōma
Raionetto no Sōma (仔獅子座の蒼摩?)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi
Techniques: Flame Desperado, Lionet Burning Fire
A 14 year-old boy, Kōga's best friend and trusted partner, the Lionet Bronze Saint of the future generation. With a bright and cheerful personality, Sōma is also emotional and prone to lose his temper, he commands the element of Fire. His name means Blue Mark in Japanese, and it is also alternatively romanized in official magazine articles as Souma.
Capricorn Ionia
Kapurikōn no Ionia (山羊座のイオニア?)
Voiced by: Ryūzaburō Ōtomo
Techniques: Domination Language
The principal of the Palaestra, and the aged Capricorn Gold Saint in the era of Omega. He betrayed Athena and became a servant of Mars, in order to conquer the world.
Leo Mycenae
Reo no Mikēne (獅子座のミケーネ?)
Voiced by: Yutaka Nakano
The Leo Gold Saint in the era of Omega. Mycene has sworn allegiance to Mars and his false Athena, becoming an overwhelming threat to the young Bronze Saints.
Saints of known constellations
Several characters from Kurumada's manga appear briefly in explanatory scenes or in some cases taking a more prominent role in the storyline, among them:
Andromeda Shun
Andoromeda no Shun (アンドロメダ星座の瞬?)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya
Techniques: Nebula Chain
The legendary Andromeda Bronze Saint, who fought alongside Pegasus Seiya to protect Athena from fearsome foes, years ago. He also battled Mars when he first manifested himself. Having become a doctor, Shun travels between impoverished villages, treating their sick free of charge. Shun is afflicted by the same "dark wound" that affects Athena, and thus, his ability to manipulate his Cosmo has greatly diminished. His name means star twinkle in japanese.
Also, from Kurumada's manga, his comrades-in-arms:
Dragon Shiryū (龍座の紫龍 Doragon no Shiryū?)
Cygnus Hyōga (白鳥星座の氷河 Kigunasu no Hyōga?)
Phoenix Ikki (鳳凰星座の一輝 Fenikkusu no Ikki?)
Additionally, several unidentified Saints of known constellations appear, in brief explanatory cameos.
Antagonists
Mars
Tatakai no Kami Marusu (戦いの神マルス?)
Voiced by: Hidekatsu Shibata
Techniques: Rubellu Sidus Gungnir, Murus Ignis
The god of war Mars who was sealed by Seiya years ago, whose resurrection was imminent. To build his ideal world, he attempts to kidnap Athena, to achieve domination. He wears the powerful armor known as Galaxy (銀河衣 Gyarakushī?).
Mantis Ordykia
Mantisu no Orudyukia (マンティスのオルデュキア?)
Voiced by: Yasunori Masutani
Techniques: Dark Mist
One of the Martians (火星士 Māshian?), or Mars Knights, the warriors at the service of Mars, a member of their scout troops. His name is a play on the greek name of the italian island Ortygia.
Hornet Sonia
Hōnetto no Sonia (ホーネットのソニア?)
Voiced by: Aya Hisakawa
Techniques: Hornet Stinger
Mars' daughter and Eden's older sister, one of the High Martians (ハイマーシアン Hai Māshian?), who encounters Aquila Yuna during her escape with Aria. She is the young female warrior who killed Lionet Soma's father years ago.
-Source Wikipedia-
