The established canon for the Saint Seiya series primarily refers to the works within its manga timeline, which are directly created or officially recognized as continuations of Masami Kurumada's original narrative.
Understanding Canon in Saint Seiya
In the context of long-running franchises like Saint Seiya, "canon" refers to the officially recognized story and continuity. This typically includes the original creator's works and any officially designated sequels, prequels, or spin-offs that are considered part of the main storyline. For Saint Seiya, the manga serves as the foundational source of truth for its core narrative.
Canonical Works (Manga Timeline)
The following manga series are considered canon within the Saint Seiya universe's manga timeline:
| Canonical Work | Type / Notes |
|---|---|
| Original Saint Seiya manga | The foundational series by Masami Kurumada, introducing the Saints, Athena, and their battles. |
| Saint Seiya: Next Dimension | The official direct sequel to the original manga, also written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada, which continues the storyline and delves into past holy wars. |
| Saintia Sho | A spin-off manga focusing on a group of female Saints known as Saintia, written and illustrated by Chimaki Kuori, which runs concurrently with parts of the original series. |
| Episode G | A prequel manga focusing on the Gold Saints in the years leading up to the events of the original series, written and illustrated by Megumu Okada. |
| Episode G: Assassin | A direct sequel to Episode G, continuing the narrative with a different focus and setting, also by Megumu Okada. |
| Episode G: Requiem | The final installment of the Episode G saga, concluding the story arc initiated in Episode G and Episode G: Assassin. |
While various anime adaptations, movies, and other spin-off media exist, their canonicity can be distinct and often separate from the manga timeline. The works listed above form the definitive canon for the Saint Seiya manga universe.
