Saint Seiya Time Odyssey: Exploring the Cosmos of the Knights of Athena

Saint Seiya Time Odyssey continues to expand the rich universe of Athena’s knights. Crafted by Jérôme Alquié and Arnaud Dollen, the series captivated us from the start (read our review of the first two volumes). This latest installment, equally stunning and inspired, takes us to the icy realms of the North in search of Olympus’ sacred fire.

Prometheus, the Fire Thief

Betrayed by the gods of Olympus, Chronos, the god of time, seeks revenge. To do so, he must rebuild the Apocalypse Clock, an ultimate weapon allowing him to reshape time itself. For this, he turns to Prometheus, the Titan who not only stole fire from Zeus but is also the only one who knows its hidden location. Chronos frees Prometheus to extract this crucial information.

He dispatches his agents to the Northern realms to track down the mystical artifact. Standing against them are Athena’s knights, led by Hyoga, the Swan Knight. For Hyoga, this journey is a return to the land of his childhood, fraught with memories of loss. Chronos’ agents exploit his grief to derail his mission, and only the support of the other Bronze Knights can prevent their enemy from achieving his goal.

Saint Seiya Time Odyssey Volume 3: Icy Atmosphere

From the first volume, the authors have masterfully blended the original manga’s style with the aesthetic of its animated adaptations, creating a visually rich world. The breathtaking illustrations feature intricate settings, detailed armor designs, and sweeping landscapes. The artist skillfully uses the full potential of the page, alternating between large panels and dynamic layouts to enhance the epic storyline.

This third volume draws inspiration from Nordic worlds. Fans of the series will recognize stylistic echoes of the Asgard arc and Soul of Gold. The icy blues and whites bring poetic depth to the Hyperborean landscapes, characterized by snow and pristine oceans. The contrast with fiery elements, such as the sacred fire and Phoenix’s flames, heightens the mystical tone of the story.

Redemption and Guilt

This volume shines a spotlight on the Swan Knight Hyoga and his mentor, Aquarius Camus. The authors expertly explore their bond, one of the most emotional relationships in the Sanctuary saga. They delve into Camus’ past, his role in hiding the sacred fire, and his connection to Hyoga’s mother. Chronos’ agents manipulate Hyoga by exploiting these vulnerabilities, forcing him to confront his inner turmoil and seek guidance from Camus’ closest ally, Milo of Scorpio. This journey reveals the guilt consuming Camus and cements his status as the noblest guardian of the Sanctuary.

The volume also features the unexpected return of Kanon, the former Gemini Gold Knight and ex-Dragon of the Seas who once served Poseidon. The original series left a gap between his rebellion and his reappearance as the Gemini Gold Knight in the Hades arc after Athena’s redemption. The authors use this interval to narrate Kanon’s long journey toward redemption, enriched by Saori’s divine cosmos. This addition enhances the mythology while showcasing the authors’ deep respect for the Saint Seiya universe.

Saint Seiya Time Odyssey: A Successful Time Travel Saga

From the outset, this series has allowed fans to revisit iconic moments of the saga through Chronos’ manipulation of time. After revisiting the Sanctuary arc, the story moves into the Poseidon and Hades arcs, lesser-known yet equally compelling chapters. Chronos’ schemes infiltrate the gaps and ambiguities of the original story, weaving new layers into the mythos.

The series excels in maintaining continuity and coherence amidst the complex web of spin-offs and developments in the Saint Seiya franchise. The creators masterfully expand the saga while preserving its original structure, enriching character backstories and adding depth to the mythology.

With its third installment, Saint Seiya Time Odyssey continues to impress. Intelligent, beautifully drawn, and expertly crafted, it sets a high standard for universe expansion. Find this volume at Kana Editions.