"Saint Seiya Episode Gold", written by Megumu Okada from 2002 to 2013, was the first spin-off on knights, and one of those that contributed to the relaunch of the franchise. The story presents itself as a prequel to the original story, set 7 years before the main events, and sees Leo Aiolia and the other gold saints of the classic series as protagonist, in a war against the 12 titans. In truth, since the author takes some narrative liberties (even if goods), how to change the personality of the characters, the level of strength, and add powers, in addition to the rest, in terms of "canonicity" EpisodeG is considered a story alternative.

NOTE: there will be some spoilers in the part of the story

STORY: 8

The story has a very interesting premise, and also proposes a very strong mythological reworking (with mythologies that are also different from the Greek one), really wonderful. Included in some mini gaiden.

The first half of the manga serves to present the characters, to give light to the young golden knights with some personal digressions, flasbacks, fights, and to gradually introduce the enemies, among whom there will truly be excellent characters. The first half is managed really well, rating: 10.

The problem is the second half, that is when the part of the battle begins. Leaving aside the logical plan, that is being the titans divinities superior to the same gods of the Olympus, of the humans could not compete with them (but they are evidently weakened), the problem is the story management.

The series had the premise of having "the gold saints protagonists", 12 golden knights for 12 titans. Of course, for some reasons, not everyone could fight (Aiolos because he died, Saga and Dohko for plot impossibility, for example), but the others in general yes.

Hypothetically, it would have been a great battle, if managed fairly. In reality, I don't know what went on in the head of the author, but he made a character do everything. Oh yes, except for a duel by Capricorn Shura, the young golden lion, Leo Aiolia, fought all the titans in one night, one after the other, defeating some of them, and doing more and more meaningless miracles. The other "alleged protagonists" nothing, only a little glory.

The fights, although meaningless because of Aiolia, were still beautiful thanks to the charisma of the enemies. But such a monocentric management, a total Aioliacentrism, when all the gold sains had to be protagonists and deserved at least one head fight, was really bad. Rating: 5/6.

In addition, some characters "disappear" mysteriously, without telling where they went, and the story closes with an open ending. In theory he had to continue with Episode G Assassin, the sequel, but that has a very particular development.

ART: 8

It is a particular style, at first sight it sucks, the characters are thin and feminine, and it is difficult to read, having very dark tones. You have to get used to it.

Apart from the characters, the design is extremely well-kept. Armours, landscapes, mythological creatures, are treated in detail.

CHARACTERS: 10

Two groups mainly, Gold Saint and Enemies.

The first are the 12 golden knights of the historical series, from Aries Mu to Pisces Aphrodite, but reworked in a personal way by Okada, changed more or less in character, and sometimes with additional powers.

THEY ARE ALL EPIC AND GREAT. If you know, quite disparaged characters (such as Aldebaran, Deathmask, Aphrodite), with little charisma (like Shura) or little space (Aiolos), here you revive them in a completely different light, more heated, convinced, heroic.

The same for some enemies. You will find Pontos, in my opinion the best villain of SS, a devious manipulator, Hyperion and Ceo, titans with a noble spirit, heroes, and several others.

ENJOYMENT: 8

The series is excellent, and manages to entertain. But precisely, if the first half (11-12 volumes) is excellent, engaging and balanced as space for the characters, the second part is a bit disappointing, due to the monopoly of a single character above all.

In any case, it is a manga that should be read, it deserves, for his great characters. And especially because, in terms of MYTHOLOGY, here Okada has really did his best, making a masterpiece in this aspect.