Just before the much-awaited Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary hit the silver screen on our local shores, we bring you an exclusive sneak peek into the film here at AFACHAN!
Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary will be screened at Cathay Cineplexes very soon. General screening begins on 9 Oct, but catch a glimpse of this movie with us as we give you some juicy details. If you are a fan of this series, or a casual moviegoer curious to know more, join us here at AFACHAN as we tell you why you would not want to miss this flick!
Background
Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary is the latest film release of the Saint Seiya series, released 10 long years after the previous one. It is a film adaptation of Masami Kurumada’s Saint Seiya manga series, which ran from 1986 to 1990.
The popular series has since been adapted into an anime series, light novels, animated films and even spin-offs such as the more recent Saint Seiya Omega anime broadcasted in 2012. To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the series, Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary was rendered in full 3D CGI glory.
The plot
The 6th film in the franchise, Legend of Sanctuary is a retelling of the first story arc, “Sanctuary Saga”. Saori Kidou (CV: Ayaka Sasaki) is a young girl troubled by her mysterious healing powers. On her 16th birthday, she finds out that she is the reincarnation of the Goddess Athena, shortly before a violent attempt on her life.
Saved in the nick of time by Seiya and his friends, Saori meets the 5 Bronze Saints who were raised to protect her. Together, Seiya (CV: Kaito Ishikawa), Hyouga (CV: Kensho Ono), Shiryuu (CV: Kenji Akabane), Shun (CV: Nobuhiko Okamoto), and Ikki (CV: Kenji Nojima) would have to storm the 12 Zodiac Temples in Athena’s Sanctuary to reclaim her place from the false Athena residing within Sanctuary. Something goes wrong along the way, and they have to pass through all 12 Temples within 12 hours to save their goddess from imminent death.
With twelve invincible Gold Saints standing between them and a cure, will they be able to make it?
What to look out for
For new fans
Don’t worry, you will not be lost with this movie, even if you walk into the cinema clueless about the series. The film covers the first story arc of Saint Seiya, so you will not have trouble following the plot. Characters are likable highly animated, and easy to identify with. If you like some good, old shounen fun, even with its cliche shounen tropes, you would enjoy this movie.
For fans of the original series
After the long wait, you can finally enjoy watching a full 3D rendered animated film adaptation of Saint Seiya. The animation quality is definitely top-notch, a far cry from the more traditional animated quality of earlier adaptations. Besides animating the first and key story arc in the original series, the film has adapted the setting into a more modern world to fit into this era.
Don’t worry, for the Greek-style architecture against the fantastical backdrop of Sanctuary is maintained quite true to the original series.
Do expect some changes in the plot elements though, although the essence of the series is kept. You can look forward to enjoying the intricate detail the animators incorporated into the Cloths (the Saints’ battle armour) and characters, especially the 12 Gold Saints. The original voice cast has also been changed, replaced by a set of younger voice actors that are no way lacking in performance compared to earlier adaptations.
The action
Action, action and action. The biggest draw of the movie is definitely the battle scenes. Producers have been extremely generous with the action, the detail and quality of the animation rendering beautiful adrenaline-pumping action scenes. The dynamic camera angles and fighting styles are reminiscent of video game cutscenes in full HD, slow-motion glory. (In this writer’s humble opinion, you could almost feel as if you were immersed in a Final Fantasy Dissidia battle arena) If action is one major defining factor of the shounen genre, this film will definitely not disappoint in this aspect.
The characters
The 3D CGI allowed the animators to go crazy with the facial and physical expressions of the characters, giving them very distinct personalities. Expect comical moments from this cast of characters, who inject some light moments between the intense battles.
Verdict
If you are a fan of the series, enjoy some good shounen fun, or would like to find out more about what the legendary Saint Seiya series is about, you can definitely catch this movie. Do expect some deviations from the original, and minor missing elements (movies have time limits, after all). Overall, good shounen action and beautiful battle scenes that will draw you into the heat of action.
Movie Information:
Release date: 09 October 2014 (Thursday), Sneak peak on 04 October.
Runtime: 93 mins
Rating: PG 13 Some Violence
Language: Japanese Dub with English & Mandarin
Director: Keiichi Satou
Cast: Kaito Ishikawa as Pegasus Seiya, Ayaka Sasaki as Saori Kido/Athena, Daisuke Namikawa as Aquarius Camus, Go Inoue as Leo Aiolia
Synopsis: Kidou Saori is a young girl troubled by her mysterious powers. She is saved by Seiya from an assassin sent to kill her. Saori then learns she is the reincarnation of the God-dess Athena with Seiya being one of her 88 Saints. Upon learning of her destiny, she heads to the Sanctuary to wage war against its Pope.
Seiya, alongside fellow Bronze Saints Hyouga, Shiryuu, Shun, and Ikki must pass through the twelve Zodiac Temples in Athena’s Sanctuary in twelve hours, in order to save their goddess Athena from imminent death. They must confront each of the twelve Gold Saints that guard each of the temples in order to reach the cure that will save Athena.
Tickets available: Cathay Ticketing
General screening of Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary begins at Cathay Cineplexes on 9 Oct. If you can’t wait any longer, catch the limited sneak preview screening on 4 Oct. As seats are limited, remember to book early!
If you need more reasons to catch the sneak preview, here are some:
All attendees of the sneak preview screening will be given special limited premiums including
1) Saint Seiya Mini Saint Cloth box (Tin Box) + 1 crusade card ( Limited sets only)
2) “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” A5 sized Plastic folder
3) “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” A2 sized Poster
4) “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” Paperbag
Missed the chance to book seats to the preview? Don’t worry, you can also collect the special premiums if you catch the general screening depending on when you catch it.
Week 1 (9 Oct – 15 Oct): “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” A2 sized Poster
Week 2 (16 Oct – 22 Oct): “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” A5 sized Plastic folder
Week 3 (23 Oct – 29 Oct): “Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary” Paperbag
Don’t miss out on this chance and book early!
Advance booking for the Sneak Preview (4 October 2014) will open on Cathay websites on : 25 September 2014 (Thu)
Please look out for the information and link here!
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