The Legacy of Aries Gold Saints: From Tragic Redemption to Glorious Destiny
The Unique Legacy of Aries Gold Saints
Within the expansive universe of Saint Seiya, the lineage of Aries Gold Saints stands out as particularly remarkable. From the earliest known saint, Gatekeeper, to the new generation represented by Kiki, the journeys of these five Aries saints weave together centuries of the Sanctuary’s tumultuous history. Their stories—marked by tragedy, heroism, and glory—seem bound by a recurring theme of rising to greatness only to face inevitable decline.
The Tragedy of the First Aries: Loyalty and Betrayal
Gatekeeper, one of the earliest Aries Gold Saints, remains one of the most tragic figures in Saint Seiya history. Active during the Holy War preceding the events of Lost Canvas, he was a disciple of Pope Izoa. However, his blind loyalty to his master led him down a path of betrayal.
Amidst the schemes of the Gemini Specters and the mind-control inflicted by the Underworld’s butterflies, most Gold Saints turned against Athena—Gatekeeper among them. Ironically, his betrayal stemmed not from a thirst for power but from an unwavering devotion to his teacher—a loyalty that even surpassed his faith in the goddess. He ultimately fell in battle against Hakurei, becoming a casualty of the Sanctuary’s internal strife.
Gatekeeper’s tragedy lies in his potential: he could have been a pillar of strength for the Sanctuary, yet misplaced faith led him to become a traitor. His story set the stage for the themes of loyalty and redemption that would echo through the Aries lineage.
The Redeemer Across Time: Avornil’s Heroic Saga
If Gatekeeper embodies tragedy, Avornil represents heroic sacrifice. Hailing from a parallel timeline where the Holy War ended in defeat, he witnessed the beheading of Athena and the Pope, the fall of the Sanctuary, and the collapse of everything he believed in. As the sole survivor, he carried the weight of a doomed world.
Through the intervention of Chronos, the God of Time, Avornil was sent five centuries into the past, granted a chance to rewrite destiny. In this era, he inherited the Aries Gold Cloth and vowed to prevent the tragedy he had witnessed. Fearless in battle, he fought to his last breath in the Holy War, achieving redemption through his sacrifice.
Avornil’s story is profoundly epic—bearing the despair of one world while fighting for hope in another. This cross-temporal destiny makes him one of the most deeply layered characters in the Saint Seiya saga.
The Peak of Power: Shion’s Legacy and Leadership
Shion stands as the most exceptional of the Aries Gold Saints, his story spanning both Lost Canvas and the original series. Not only did he participate in the Holy War, but he also led the Sanctuary’s reconstruction in its aftermath.
During the events of Lost Canvas, the young Shion was often humorously grouped as one of the “Marine Duo” due to his focus on repairing Cloths, which initially downplayed his significance. However, after the Holy War, he ascended to the role of Pope, guiding the Sanctuary through its recovery. In this position, Shion demonstrated formidable leadership and power—even confronting the time-manipulating god, Alone.
Even in the original series, after his assassination by Saga and subsequent resurrection as a Specter, Shion commanded immense respect. The revived Gold Saints regarded him with awe, and his disciple Mu dared not oppose him. This aura of authority remains unmatched by any other Aries saint.
A New Era: Mu and Kiki’s Peaceful Legacy
Shion’s formidable presence cast a long shadow over his successors. Mu, his apprentice, was known for his calm and introverted demeanor. During Saga’s rebellion, he chose seclusion over confrontation, which limited his prominence. Kiki, though featured in Saint Seiya Omega, lived in a time of relative peace—his story lacked the epic scale of his predecessors.
This perceived decline is less about the characters themselves and more about their circumstances. Shion’s era was defined by war and grandeur, while Mu and Kiki inherited an era of rebuilding and peace, making it difficult to replicate the legendary status of those who came before.
Conclusion: The Cyclical Destiny of Aries
The five Aries Gold Saints collectively narrate the Sanctuary’s history of rise and fall:
- Gatekeeper symbolizes lost faith
- Avornil represents redemption through despair
- Shion embodies peak power and leadership
- Mu and Kiki reflect legacy in times of peace
Perhaps this is the destiny of the Aries Gold Saints—they may not always be the strongest, but they are undoubtedly among the most profound. Their stories remind us that strength is not just measured in battle, but in the depth of one’s convictions and the legacy they leave behind.
