Which Saint Seiya Character Is The Most Underrated By Fans?

On the highest level of 'Saint Seiya' canon as I read it, you can't really escape the gods. If we stick strictly to Masami Kurumada's main continuity — the original manga and his continuation 'Next Dimension' — the top slot belongs to Hades as a godly force and the cosmic hierarchy he represents. He's not just a tough opponent; he's literally a divine presence whose domain, followers, and supernatural laws make him the single biggest threat the Bronze Saints face. That doesn't always translate to cinematic one-on-one showdowns, but in terms of raw narrative weight and cosmic authority, Hades sits at the top. That said, I love arguing the nuance. If you define "strongest" as outright destructive potential, a full-power god (Hades, or a prime Olympian if you want to include them) wins. If you mean the strongest fighter who actually engages in hand-to-hand combat and showcases technique and cosmos control, I'd point to people like Shaka or Saga — they have feats, calm dominance, and metaphysical attacks that change the battlefield. And then there's Seiya himself, whose God Cloth and sheer will let him punch above the usual mortal limit; narratively he becomes a god-tier protagonist even if, by canon hierarchy, gods outrank him. So my personal read: Hades as the strongest canonical entity, with Shaka/Saga as the strongest Saints in combat terms, and Seiya as the ultimate narrative wildcard who reaches godlike status through growth and plot. It's messy, wonderfully dramatic, and exactly what keeps me re-reading scenes and debating with friends over ramen and rewatching certain fights in slow motion.

In the world of 'Saint Seiya', power is intricately tied to a character's cosmos, their battle experience, and often, the mythology surrounding them. When I dive into this epic saga, a few characters undoubtedly stand out as titans of strength and skill. One of the most iconic is Sagittarius Aiolos. His legendary status comes not just from his raw power but also his unwavering sense of justice and his tragic backstory. He was the one who took the fall for his brother, despite his innocence, and the impact of that sacrifice adds a depth to his character that resonates with fans. His Golden Cloth and the ability to unleash tremendous energy make him one of the fiercest fighters in the series. I can still recall epic battles against specters and dark forces that tested his limits, all while carrying a moral compass that many aspire to emulate. If we shift gears to Poseidon, the Sea God himself, he’s another character who packs a punch. Imagine having the might to control oceans and waves, not just in terms of power but also a strategic advantage to manipulate the battlefield! His abilities to summon sea creatures and create massive tidal waves demonstrate an elegance to brutality that is uniquely poetic. Every encounter leaves you awestruck at the sheer scale of his influence, and his interactions with the main cast lend him a multi-dimensional feel. While he might technically fall under a villain, his motivations show a deeply complex being who is both challenging and captivating. And then there’s the focal point of the series, Sagittarius Seiya! Coming from humble beginnings, his evolution through relentless training and unconditional loyalty to his friends leads him to become an ultimate warrior. His iconic Pegasus Cloth and the ability to rise every time he’s knocked down is incredibly inspiring. These characters, with their blend of strength, complexity, and moral undertones, truly embody the essence of what makes 'Saint Seiya' not just a story about warriors but an exploration of strength intertwined with justice and honor.

One of the most fascinating aspects of 'Saint Seiya' is how power levels aren't just about raw strength—it's about conviction, loyalty, and those epic cosmos-fueled battles. To me, the strongest Saints are those who redefine what power means. Athena's most devoted, like Sagittarius Aiolos, didn't just have insane physical prowess; his legacy shaped the entire series. Then there's Gemini Saga, a walking paradox of light and darkness whose Galaxian Explosion could level mountains. Virgo Shaka's near-omnipotent Buddha-like aura and Libra Dohko's centuries of experience make them practically untouchable. And let's not forget Kanon—his redemption arc turned him into one of the most formidable Saints by the Hades arc, wielding the Gemini cloth with terrifying precision. What's wild is how the Gold Saints' strength isn't static. Shun's Andromeda cloth evolves into something divine during the Poseidon arc, and Seiya's Pegasus Meteor Fists get downright mythological by the endgame. The series loves underdogs who punch above their weight class, but the Gold Saints remain the benchmark. Their power isn't just in their techniques; it's in how their stories intertwine with Greek and Norse mythologies, making every battle feel like a clash of legends.

I get asked this kind of thing a lot when people and I end up comparing notes over coffee or in comment threads. The bluntest, most useful way to put it is: if you mean the very first death you actually see on-screen/page in 'Saint Seiya', it’s not one of the big-name Saints at all but a nameless henchman/background soldier — those grim little casualties that pop up during early skirmishes. That’s the sort of thing the original anime and manga both sprinkle in, and it’s easy to miss unless you’re rewatching frame-by-frame or reading closely. Now, if you’re asking about the first named or notable Saint who dies, things get fuzzier and fans split. Different adaptations (the 1980s anime, the manga, movies, and later reboots) sometimes shuffle events or give extra scenes, so the first recognizable Saint death can vary depending on what you’re counting. Most people who dive into this end up comparing the early Sanctuary/intro episodes and then the tournament-style fights to pin down whether a minor Bronze or an early foe is the first to go. So my practical tip: if you want a definitive pick, rewatch the first handful of episodes or read the opening chapters of the manga with an eye for background casualties and named fighters — you’ll see what I mean. It’s a neat little detail that turns into a fun debate at conventions and in comment threads, and it’s one of those tiny dark beats that shows how brutal the world of 'Saint Seiya' can be.

The scene that always gets my hair standing up is Shaka calmly closing his eyes and making the sky feel like a living thing. I've been a fan of 'Saint Seiya' since I was a kid trading VHS tapes with friends, and to me the question of "who has the most powerful cosmos" is deliciously messy — it depends on whether you mean raw divine power, technical mastery, or the capacity to inspire/transform others. If we break it down, literal cosmic/top-tier power belongs to the gods: Hades, Poseidon, and any Olympian-type figures introduced in various continuities. Hades' cosmos as a god of death is written as fundamentally different and larger in scope than any human saint's; it can warp reality, resurrect, and smother existence. But among mortals, a few Gold Saints stand out as having near-godlike cosmos: Shaka (Virgo) for his spiritual/technique dominance, Saga (Gemini) for raw destructive capacity and mental warfare, and Dohko (Libra) or Mu (Aries) for longevity and refined control. Seiya and the other Bronze Saints can punch through limits via sheer heart and the God Cloth, which temporarily elevates their cosmos to divine levels — remember the moments in the Hades arc when Seiya's blood or pure conviction changes outcomes. So if someone asks me bluntly, "who has the most powerful cosmos?" I'd say a god-level entity like Hades or Zeus in the series' cosmology. But if you want the most potent human cosmos on consistent display, Shaka and Saga are top contenders, with Seiya's God Cloth as the wild card. I love arguing this at conventions and late-night message boards — it never gets old.

When I look at the whole gallery of 'Saint Seiya' armors, my eye always snaps to Ikki's Phoenix Cloth first — it just screams personality. There's this raw, almost punk-rock vibe to the Phoenix design: the asymmetrical flame motifs, the recurring rebirth theme, and how the cloth literally looks like it's both living and scarred. In battles it doesn't feel like a static suit of metal; the cloth burns, reforms, and towers over moments where Ikki refuses to die. That narrative-becomes-design aspect gives it so much weight for me. I love that the Phoenix Cloth evolves visually across different adaptations too. The 80s original has gritty, hand-inked lines that highlight the cloth's destructive beauty, while later versions — like in 'The Lost Canvas' or the 'Hades' saga reboots — polish it into something more ornate, while keeping the scars and feathers. Those small changes keep it fresh and make collecting figures fun; every version tells a slightly different story. So if I'm picking a single best armor design, it’s Phoenix Ikki’s Cloth for sheer expressiveness. It’s not the shiniest or the most symmetrical, but it’s the one that feels most alive to me — a wardrobe that punches, burns, and comes back for more. It sort of matches my taste: a little battered, defiantly dramatic, and impossible to ignore.

Growing up with late-night VHS tapes of 'Saint Seiya', one character's story kept punching me in the gut long after the credits rolled: Ikki, the Phoenix. Watching him go from an angry, abandoned kid to a fierce protector felt like reading someone's life in quick cuts — abandonment, brutal training on Death Queen Island, being sold into the Phoenix's path, and then the kind of loneliness that never fully leaves you. He’s beaten, betrayed, and forced into solitude so many times that his moments of tenderness — toward Seiya, Shun, and the kids he saves — hit like a miracle. What seals the tragedy for me is how Ikki's suffering is both external and internal. He survives horrors that would have shattered anyone, then keeps coming back because he chooses to protect others at the cost of his own peace. Even his mythic rebirth as the Phoenix is bittersweet: it's a beautiful symbol, but it’s also a cycle of burning pain and loss. Compared to other tragic arcs in 'Saint Seiya' — like Hyoga searching for his mother's frozen body or Shun's endless emotional burden — Ikki’s pain is raw, lonely, and purposeful. He’s the kind of tragic hero who makes you cheer for him while dreading what the victory costs him, and that's why, whenever I rewatch the Sanctuary and Hades arcs, his scenes are the ones that make me pause and stare out the window for a minute.

I get a little giddy talking about this, because picking the best 'Saint Seiya' cosplay is as much about personality as it is about scale and craftsmanship. For me, Pegasus Seiya is the evergreen choice: everyone recognizes the silhouette, the red headband, and the chestplate. It’s a fantastic balance between iconic visuals and wearable comfort. If you want to show movement in photos, the way the cloth pieces and the gauntlets catch light makes for dynamic shots—perfect for punch poses and slow-motion cape swirls. I usually build the chest and shoulder armor from EVA foam sealed with heat and painted in layers, and I add subtle weathering so it reads well on camera without looking toy-like. If you’re aiming for dramatic flair, Phoenix Ikki is my second pick. That armor lets you play with a darker palette and theatrical makeup, and if you dare to add LED embers or flame-shaped foam, the effect at night cons is unforgettable. For a more ambitious route, a Gold Saint—like Leo Aiolia or Sagittarius Aiolos—gives instant visual impact thanks to massive wings and ornate helmets, but those require more planning: wing rigs, reinforced harnesses, and transport solutions. I’ve lugged a wing base through three subway transfers—pro tip: break it into modular parts. So, best depends on your priorities: recognizability and wearability lean toward Seiya; drama and show-stopping presence lean toward Ikki or a Gold Saint. Personally, I always come back to Pegasus because I love the poses, the community reactions, and how versatile it is for both beginners and veterans.

The Capricorn Saint in 'Saint Seiya' is one of my favorite Gold Saints—Shura! His unwavering loyalty to Athena and his brutal honesty about justice always fascinated me. What really stands out is his signature move, the Excalibur, where his arms literally turn into divine blades. The way he grapples with his past mistakes during the Hades arc adds such depth to his character. I remember rewatching the scene where he sacrifices himself to help Seiya against the specters, and it still gives me chills. His armor design too—those goat horns and the sleek gold plating—is just iconic. Shura embodies the disciplined, relentless spirit of Capricorn perfectly, and his journey from antagonist to redeemed hero is one of the most satisfying arcs in the series.

If we're talking raw power and legendary status in 'Saint Seiya', the answer has to be Shaka of Virgo. This dude isn't called 'the man closest to god' for nothing. His Buddha-like aura, those insane illusions in the Virgo Temple, and the way he casually fought three Gold Saints at once during the Hades arc? Iconic. What blows my mind is how he willingly walked into death twice—first against Saga and the gang, then against Thanatos. His cosmic explosions and transcendental techniques make other Saints look like amateurs. But here's the kicker: his strength isn't just about brute force. It's his philosophical depth. He debates with Athena about mortality, toys with enemies using psychological warfare (remember his 'Tenbu Horin' trapping opponents in endless cycles?), and even in defeat, his actions orchestrate future victories. That blend of spiritual and physical power puts him miles ahead, though Aiolos of Sagittarius gets honorary mentions for his divine arrow shenanigans.