Saint Seiya: Classic Shonen Jump Manga Receives Shoujo Spin-off

Saint Seiya, commonly known as Knights of the Zodiac, is making waves with its first-ever shoujo manga spin-off. Initially serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1985 to 1990 by the renowned Masami Kurumada, this classic series captured the hearts of readers in Japan and later found a broader audience with Toei’s anime adaptation in the 1980s.

At the time of its release, Kurumada had already established himself as a prominent author in Shonen Jump, thanks to earlier successes such as the boxing manga Ring ni Kakero and the martial arts adventure Fuuma no Kojiro. However, the frequency of anime adaptations for Jump titles was minimal compared to today’s landscape. Saint Seiya marked a significant milestone for Kurumada, setting a precedent that continues to resonate among manga enthusiasts.

Recent updates from Masami Kurumada’s official website reveal that a new spin-off, titled Saint Mariya, is set to launch in a shoujo magazine, specifically Princess by Akita Shoten. This marks a historic moment as it introduces the first shoujo-centric narrative within the Saint Seiya universe. The story follows a student named Mariya, who navigates life at Graad Academy—an ordinary school where extraordinary events unfold in its hallways.

The Lasting Presence of Female Fans

Despite this being the first official shoujo manga in the franchise, female fans have long been a vital part of the Saint Seiya community. The series has historically attracted a female audience and boasts strong ties to yaoi/BL fandom culture. Notably, the influential manga artist group CLAMP created a Saint Seiya doujinshi in the 1980s, highlighting the series’ broad appeal.

In a notable conversation reported in the now-defunct June magazine, which focused on shounen-ai, Kurumada expressed his support for shounen-ai fans engaging with his work. He maintained his narrative direction while also contributing a nod to the genre by creating a female character named Chameleon June.

In the 2010s, another spin-off series, Saintia Sho, featured an all-female lead cast, offering a fresh perspective. However, this series was not categorized as shoujo, as it ran in Akita Shoten’s Champion RED, a seinen magazine. Nonetheless, its creator, Chimaki Kuori, infused shoujo elements into the storytelling and art style.

Continuing the Main Saint Seiya Saga

The central narrative of Saint Seiya revolves around the Saints—warriors ordained by the Greek Goddess Athena to defend the Earth. These warriors are categorized into tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold, with the story centering on five Bronze Saints and Saori Kido, the latest incarnation of Athena.

The saga remains vibrant today. Over ten years post the original series’ conclusion, Kurumada launched Saint Seiya: Next Dimension in Akita Shoten’s Shonen Champion, which has been officially recognized as the sequel to the original storyline. Following its recent serialization, fans are eagerly anticipating the much-awaited “Zeus Chapter,”which promises to unveil new adventures.

Although Saint Seiya became immensely popular in various European and Latin American markets, its presence in the American audience remains limited. Efforts to broaden its appeal include Toei’s attempts with a live-action adaptation and a CGI remake, but the series is yet to achieve the same level of acclaim in the U.S.

Source: Kurumada PRO

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