The history of Saint Seiya action figures is long and fascinating. From the first toys of the 1980s to the Myth Cloth EX series, they summarize 40 years of industrial progress. In this article we will see how these figures have evolved with technology, becoming an icon of innovation and design.
Saint Seiya action figures are a masterpiece of engineering, which is the result of constant and extensive research. In fact, they have constantly evolved to better match the complex design of the original characters. Just like the comics, they achieve a double display, transforming each warrior into his correspondent Zodiac sign. To this extent, they showcase the ingenuity of Japanese Industry, which has created increasingly intricate models over the years.
Let’s have a closer look at this incredible figures!
Contents
- What Is Saint Seiya?
- Saint Cloth Series, the Vintage Saint Seiya Action Figures
- The Myth Cloth Collection and the New Era of Saint Seiya Action Figures
- The Myth Cloth EX Figures, the Most Exclusive Collection
- Soul of Gold, the God Cloths
- Conclusions
What Is Saint Seiya?
For those who do not know, Saint Seiya is a classic Japanese manga and animation by Masami Kurumada. The story revolves around the adventures of Seiya and the Saints, a group of warriors devoted to Athena. The warriors fight in the name of the goddess to defend Justice, mastering a mystical energy called Cosmo. Their power manifests at its fullest when they wear their Cloths, sacred armors inspired by the constellations of the Zodiac.
Saint Seiya first appeared in Japan in 1986. With its slender and elegant characters, the work revolutionized the concept of masculinity, introducing a new idea of warrior hero. Furthermore, it opened the way to a whole epic genre, inspiring many other anime and merchandise products. It achieved such a huge success that it became an icon of Japanese pop culture and an international cult phenomenon.
Saint Cloth Series, the Vintage Saint Seiya Action Figures
Popy released the first Saint Seiya action figures in 1986, as a merchandise for the animated series. The models were approximately 11 cm tall and made of metal and plastic. Despite being very poor in details and articulations, the figures featured transformable cloths, which represented an absolute novelty. The cloths, in facts, could be either mounted on the warriors bodies or assembled to form Zodiac signs. This feature brought action figures to another level, making them as engaging as chogokin toys.
The first release included the main characters: Pegasus Seiya, Dragon Shiryu, Cygnus Hyoga, Andromeda Shun, and Phoenix Ikki. During the following months, the collection expanded to include the Gold Saints and other characters from the series. Although not entirely faithful to the original design, the figures achieved a tremendous success, captivating the children of that time. Numerous licenses were subsequently created, contributing to the franchise’s global fame.
In the following years, many manufacturers tried to improve the Saint Seiya action figures. However, none of them paired the success of the first line, which remained the absolute benchmark until the early 2000s.
The Myth Cloth Collection and the New Era of Saint Seiya Action Figures
2003 marked the rebirth of the franchise after a few years of decline. In fact, a new animated series brought to the screen the manga’s final chapter, previously excluded from TV adaptations. To support the new episodes, Bandai released the Myth Cloth line, which finally combined the complex engineering of vintage figures with a more detailed design. Like the original toys, these new models were made of plastic and metal, but had an height of 15 cm.
Originally, the project only included the action figures of the five main Bronze Saints. However, the collection soon included more characters and limited editions, such as the Power of Gold cloths.
Comparing the early releases with the latest ones, it’s evident how sculpts has improved over time. In fact, the action figures have become increasingly rich in terms of articulations and details, better matching the original designs. This transformation process has inspired Appendix, an option parts line, specifically designed to upgrade the models.
After 20 years after the first release, the Myth Cloth collection has become a classic of the genre. Nowadays, the line includes all the characters from Kurumada’s story and still captivates fans and enthusiasts alike. Over the years, the collection has adapted to multiple changes, incorporating new technologies and improving the details.
Saint Seiya Myth Cloth EX, the Most Exclusive Collection
Recently, Bandai has decided to write another chapter in Saint Seiya history and achieve an even more detailed generation of figures. They created the Saint Seiya Myth Cloth Ex collection, specifically designed to meet the requests of a more demanding audience. In fact, the new figures are richer in accessories and articulations, to faithfully recreate the iconic moments of the series. Made with complex techniques, these models are usually produced in limited quantities, which makes them highly expensive.
Gemini Saga was the first release of this collection, followed by the other Gold Saints and the main characters. The figures had such a impact that they opened the way to numerous bootlegs and add-ons. These are highly requested by collectors, both to fill the gaps caused by limited availability and create custom figures.
Soul of Gold, the God Cloths
The revival of the franchise has inspired a number of sequels and alternative timelines, which expand the work’s narrative horizon. Soul of Gold is one of the most relevant experiments, revolving around the adventures of the Gold Saints in Asgard.
The series introduces the God Cloths, the divine armors born from Athena’s blood. Tamashii-Nations has dedicated an entire collection to the new models, keeping the same standards as the Myth Cloth Ex collection. The result is impressive, especially for the totem display versions.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Saint Seiya action figures stand as an engineering marvel, born out of continuous and thorough research. These figures have consistently advanced to align with the intricate designs of the original characters. To this extent, they represent the evolution of Japanese industry, embodying a tradition that spans 40 years of history.
After the success of the 1980s, these figures are reborn in 2000s, with the Saint Seiya Myth Cloth line. The new models have taken action figures to another level, combining engineering and design. The line includes all the characters of the story, and has seen a number of improvements over the years.
In recent years, Bandai has also decided to take the design even further. The Company has released the Saint Seiya Myth Cloth Ex collection, intended for a highly demanding audience.
The evolution of Myth cloth action figures has contributed to keep the Saint Seiya’s legacy alive. In our opinion, there is nothing to do but to adore them!
