Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary

On a snowy Himalayan ridge, Mitsumasa Kido rescues a mysterious infant and raises her as his granddaughter Saori. Sixteen years pass, and Saori is a spirited teen who feels a pull she can't explain. When an assassin closes in to eliminate her, a fearless young fighter named Seiya steps in to shield her. Saori learns she is the living reincarnation of Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, and Seiya becomes one of her sworn Saints charged with her safety. United by fate, Saori and Seiya press on toward the fabled Sanctuary to challenge a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the goddess's world. They meet allies and face tests that push them to accept the responsibility their destinies demand.

Released in 2014, the film was directed by Keiichi Sato and adapts Masami Kurumada's Saint Seiya manga for a new audience. It revisits familiar Saint mythos with a modern visual approach and a global voice cast, aiming to bring the saga to feature cinema.

Saint Seiya Legend of Sanctuary stands as a bridge between the classic series and modern anime cinema. Fans praised battles and updated armor designs, while conversations often focused on Saori's growing role and the Saints' teamwork. It sparked fan art, cosplay, and discussions about retelling the myth for new audiences.

Critical reaction was mixed, with praise for the animation and voice work, alongside some criticism of pacing and plot compression. The film foregrounds fate and responsibility, exploring the burden of having a divine protector while balancing personal autonomy. Viewers also noted its approachable entry point for newcomers.

Toei Animation produced this Saint Seiya feature with Keiichi Sato directing. It draws on Masami Kurumada's manga, developed by Chihiro Suzuki and Tomohiro Suzuki. The voice cast includes Kaito Ishikawa as Seiya and Ayaka Sasaki as Saori Kido, with Kenji Akabane, Kensho Ono, and Nobuhiko Okamoto rounding out the Saints.