Knights of the Zodiac: unpacking the Ending adn Teasing the Future
Table of Contents
By Archnetys news Team | Published: 2025/03/27
A New Dawn for Saint Seiya? Decoding the Finale of Knights of the Zodiac
Tomasz Baginski’s knights of the Zodiac
concludes with Seiya and Sienna facing pivotal choices, setting the stage for potential future narratives rooted in Masami Kurumada‘s iconic Saint Seiya manga.This live-action adaptation weaves together elements from the original manga, the classic anime, and the 2019 animated reboot, crafting a story that diverges significantly from its source material.Instead of the Galaxian Wars, the film culminates in a showdown between Pegasus Seiya and phoenix Nero, followed by Seiya’s desperate attempt to save Sienna from the overwhelming power within her.
Loose Ends and Potential Sequels
With a focus primarily on Seiya, many characters from the broader Saint Seiya universe were absent from this initial installment. The climactic battle between Seiya and Nero is abruptly cut short by Sienna’s change, leaving viewers with unanswered questions. Sienna, the reincarnated Athena, struggles to control her burgeoning powers, threatening to engulf the world in chaos. Fortunately, Seiya’s intervention allows her to regain control, but the ending leaves the door wide open for a possible Knights of the Zodiac 2
.
Unresolved Mysteries and future Storylines
The Search for Seiya’s sister: A Lingering Question
The driving force behind Seiya’s actions in Knights of the Zodiac
is his relentless search for his missing sister. While this plot point is present in the manga, the film presents a different version of events.In the source material, Seika vanishes during Seiya’s training in Greece. In contrast, the film depicts her abduction by Guraad and Kido. As the film progresses, Seiya uncovers clues suggesting his sister is alive and has intentionally avoided contact to protect him.The revelation that Seika possesses no Cosmo power indicates that Guraad may have taken the wrong child.
Even if Seika were released by Guraad, she would likely remain under surveillance. any attempt to reunite with Seiya would expose her location. With Guraad’s institution now dismantled, Seiya and his sister may finally have the opportunity to reunite after years of separation. the long-standing fan theory about Marin, Seiya’s trainer, being his sister is debunked later in the manga, confirming that Seika and Marin are two distinct individuals, as revealed in the ADA saga.
Sienna’s Transformation: Embracing the Power of Athena
the core narrative of Knights of the Zodiac
revolves around Sienna’s evolving powers,which ultimately lead her to embody athena,the goddess of war. The film portrays athena’s Cosmo as a volatile force, endangering both Sienna’s life and the planet. Kido develops technology to suppress Sienna’s awakening, but it proves ineffective outside their protected residence. Exposed to Guraad’s machine, Sienna rapidly transforms. The film’s climax sees seiya struggling to prevent Sienna’s complete transformation into Athena, which threatens global destruction.
With Seiya’s help, Sienna halts the transformation before its complete. While she retains control, some changes are permanent, such as her purple hair. This reincarnated Athena now possesses greater command over her powers, demonstrated by her ability to heal her mother’s wounds and reconstruct damaged limbs.This newfound control hints at a more proactive and powerful Athena in potential sequels.
phoenix Nero’s Agenda: More Than Meets the Eye
Ikki, known as “Black” in some versions, serves as one of the antagonists in Knights of the Zodiac
. Initially presented as a henchman of Guraad, the film hints at a deeper agenda for the phoenix Knight.Nero’s portrayal deviates significantly from the source material, with limited backstory or clear objectives. It’s only during the finale that Nero reveals his Phoenix Cloth and betrays Guraad, engaging Seiya in combat.
Beyond eliminating Sienna to prevent Athena’s rise, Nero seeks to steal the sagittarius gold Cloth. The film doesn’t explain how Guraad acquired one of the gold Cloths. Despite failing to defeat Seiya or kill Sienna, Nero survives the events of the film. A potential Knights of the Zodiac 2
could delve deeper into his character, especially if other key characters from the Saint Seiya universe are introduced. Despite the changes to his backstory, seeing Phoenix Ikki – or Phoenix Nero – in his complete armor was a highlight for many viewers.
Guraad’s Redemption: A Change of Heart
Vander Guraad, an original character inspired by antagonists from Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac, serves as the primary villain in Knights of the Zodiac
. Driven by the fear that his adopted daughter’s powers would become uncontrollable, especially after the “Curse of athena” cost him his arms and forced him to rely on Cosmo for survival, Guraad plots to extract Sienna’s Cosmo and kill her. However, he ultimately regrets his decision and attempts to halt the process. Guraad’s redemption is solidified when Sienna uses her powers to heal her mother, showcasing the potential for good within even the most misguided characters.
The Underlying Message: Embracing Destiny
Before his final confrontation with Phoenix Nero and his efforts to prevent Sienna’s full transformation into Athena, seiya undergoes a transformative “inspiration sequence,” a common trope in soul-searching narratives. He realizes that he has been unfairly blaming himself for his sister’s disappearance and that he must release this guilt to unlock his full potential. Similarly, Sienna, upon understanding that she is the master of her own destiny, gains greater control over Athena’s Cosmo, preventing it from becoming a threat to humanity. With newfound clarity and power, Seiya and Sienna are now prepared for the next chapter of their journey, leaving audiences eager for more.
