Knights of the Zodiac on Netflix: Is it Worth Watching?

Knights of the Zodiac, or “Saint Seiya,” some call it, is a popular anime series known for its action-packed battles and deep mythology.

This anime blends elements of fantasy, mythology, and martial arts into a shonen masterpiece. The show had 2 seasons, and both were aired on Netflix between 2019-20.

A Live-Action movie was also released in theatres all across the U.S. on May 12th, 2023, but since then, the film has not been available on any online platform, and many fans missed the theatrical release.

For fans who missed the theatrical release, The Live-Action movie Knights Of The Zodiac has been available on Netflix worldwide since October 26, 2023.

Below, I discuss the Plot, Review, and more about the movie; let’s get started!

1. What is the plot, and is it faithful to the Manga?

The movie is based on the first season of the anime Knights of the Zodiac: Saint Seiya, released in 2019 on Netflix. The anime adaptation cut much of the Manga, so we can’t expect a movie to stay faithful to the source material.

The movie revolves around Seiya, an orphan drifting through life, managing his days by fighting in underground martial arts rings. He suddenly finds himself thrust into the wild world of mythical gods after awakening power within him.

After one of his usual underground fights, he’s roped into protecting Sienna, the reincarnation of Athena. Although he initially rejects the task, he later accepts the offer, becoming her knight.

2. What are the Reviews, and Should you watch them?

The movie is quite the feat visually with its exceptional action-packed visuals, accurate CGI, and top-notch sound design. But that’s all there is to it. The movie is very bland and doesn’t have much story to get the audience hooked. The film has a sober tone that can’t make the scenes pleasant with witty dialogue.

Overall, the film is average and didn’t receive much love from the public or critics. With a 4.4 rating on IMDB, a 4/10 on IGN, and 21% on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is not a cinematic masterpiece.

You should watch the movie if you have a knack for action-packed scenes and have no regard for the storyline. But if you want to enjoy the storyline and can compromise a bit on the CGI and the realness, then the Manga is a better option.

3. About Saint Seiya

Saint Seiya, also known as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or simply Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada.

The manga was adapted into an anime television series by Toei Animation that ran from 1986 to 1989, before being continued in the form of three original video animation series between 2002 and 2008.

The story follows five mystical warriors called the Saints who fight wearing sacred sets of armor named “Cloths”.

The Saints have sworn to defend the reincarnation of the Greek goddess Athena in her battle against other Olympian gods who want to dominate Earth.