Saint Seiya: Next Dimension Explained

Saint Seiya: Next Dimension – Myth of Hades
Ja Kanji: NEXT DIMENSION
Ja Romaji:Seinto Seiya Nekusuto Dimenshon
Type:manga
Author:Masami Kurumada
Publisher:Akita Shoten
Imprint:Shōnen Champion Comics
Magazine:Weekly Shōnen Champion
First:April 27, 2006
Last:July 4, 2024
Volumes:15

is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada. It is the canonical sequel to the manga series Saint Seiya by Kurumada, while also serving as a prequel to the events presented in it. The main plot is set in the 18th century during the previous "Holy War" between the goddess Athena and the god Hades, and centers on the battles between each deity's warriors who are known as the Saints and the Specters, respectively, during that era. It was irregularly serialized for eighteen years by Akita Shoten in the weekly magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion from April 2006 to July 2024.

Unlike the original work, Next Dimension is published in full color in its volume compilations, with the printed chapters in Weekly Shōnen Champion originally published in the standard black and white format of Japanese comics media, with occasional color pages. However, the digital version of the chapters is published in color, albeit in a simplified color scheme that is later improved and enhanced in the compilations.

Plot

Next Dimension resumes the story of Kurumada's original Saint Seiya manga by means of a flashback to the final battle of the Saints of Athena in the Hades arc. During the battle, Hades, the god of the Underworld recognizes Seiya as the feared enemy he faced millennia ago, in the ages of myth, reincarnated in this era. The god is reminded of past incarnations and then reminisces about the events that occurred in the last war between Athena and himself 243 years earlier. During that era, a boy named Tenma was one of Athena's legendary warriors, the Saints. He was also the incarnation of Pegasus Seiya in the 18th century. Tenma was best friends with a boy named Alone, Hades' chosen vessel to inhabit in that era. As Alone became possessed by Hades, Tenma ventures to rescue him, meeting Aries Shion and Libra Dohko and eventually suffering defeat at the hands of two of the Magnates from the Underworld. Surviving the encounter, the Saints return to Athena's Sanctuary to devise a strategy to prevent Hades from completing his machinations.

In the present time, Pegasus Seiya is under a curse from Hades that will kill him in three days. Athena decides to save Seiya and is accompanied by the Saint, Andromeda Shun. They travel back in time with the aid of Chronos, but are sent further back than intended so that they end up during the previous holy war. They are separated and Athena is turned into a baby, but she is saved from harm by a Saint as it turns out the leader of the Sanctuary is in league with Hades.

Tenma meet Shun and is convinced of the situation and they race to rescue Athena. On their way through the twelve houses of the Zodiac the meet and fight against several of the powerful Gold Saints and also Specters, warriors of Hades. They are also joined by Shun's comrades, Ikki, Shiryu and Hyoga. Another looming threat is revealed, the cursed Saint from the ages of myth, the Ophiuchus Gold Saint.

Characters

See main article: List of ''Saint Seiya'' characters.

The following are some of the characters that have a prominent role in the chapters released to date. As the story progresses, some more characters have been introduced, and are expected to be developed further in future chapters.

Originally a Silver Saint, endowed with miraculous healing abilities, he was beloved and well respected in Sanctuary, where his tragic passing was heavily mourned in the 18th century. Years later, he is resurrected as the legendary Ophiuchus Gold Saint, who was cursed and sealed away in the ages of myth. Odysseus is presented by Kurumada in an antagonistic role.

Formerly an Angel, a combatant of the Heavenly Realm, imprisoned in the Lunar Prison due to sins of his past. His status as an Angel is restored by Callisto, who sends him to take Athena's life, as well as Seiya's. His past is mysteriously connected to Eagle Marin.

Production

Masami Kurumada first announced the start of the follow-up to Saint Seiya series in 2006. On April 21 he posted an image of Hades, Lord of the Underworld, on his blog.[1] Short chapters came to be published once or even twice per month due to its sporadic release until January 4, 2007 when the next chapter did not get released until August 2, 2007. The series have kept up sporadic releases, with brief intervals of week-to-week publication, but Masami Kurumada updates his blog after a longer interval to show the next upcoming chapters.[2] In the second volume, in his personal message, Masami Kurumada apologies for the delay of the volume, revealing that he was sick for a long time in the spring of 2009.[3]

Saint Seiya: Next Dimension was conceived by Masami Kurumada as a prequel to his Saint Seiya manga, parting from elements revealed in it but never further developed and explored then, hence, he started writing and drawing Next Dimension by opening the storyline in a prologue, with a flashback to the last battle of his original manga, contained in vol. 28. Additionally, the original concept of the prequel was to work simultaneously with Shiori Teshirogi's Saint Seiya : The Lost Canvas as a multi-angle interpretation of the storyline, but this approach was quickly abandoned, as both works greatly diverged. At the release of the first collected volume (tankōbon) of the series, Next Dimension was confirmed to be canonical within the universe and chronology conceived by Kurumada for Saint Seiya.[4]

Each chapter is presented in full colour. The first chapter was initially called Prologue ①, however, the "①" was removed in the collected first volume. During the first 14 chapters, the borderline of the pages was coloured to look like a starlit night sky, this was changed to standard white in part 14 and further chapters as well as a standard in compiled volumes.[5] Parts 15 and 16 were published in a black & white format complemented by one colour image each. The following parts have continued being released in black & white accompanied by various colored pages. The parts published in black and white would be available in full colour in their respective volume compilation.[6] [7] Certain objects and pieces of information that was previously published in the Saint Seiya Encyclopedia are used in the story such as one of Athena's 88 armours, the Crateris Silver Cloth, albeit with a new design.[8]

Publication

Written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada, Saint Seiya: Next Dimension first debuted with a prologue chapter in Akita Shoten's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Champion on April 27, 2006,[9] and the serialization started on August 3 of that same year.[10] The manga went on hiatus in several instances during its publication.[11] [12] [13] [14] A special chapter was published on June 19, 2014,[15] and a second one on July 16, 2015.[16] The series finished after eighteen years of publication on July 4, 2024.[17] [18] [19] Akita Shoten has collected its chapters into individual volumes. The first one was released on February 6, 2009. As of May 8, 2024, fifteen volumes have been released. The sixteenth and final volume is set to be released in November 2024.[18]

Volumes

Chapters not yet in tankōbon format

Reception

  1. During its first week, the first volume of the manga sold 30,618 copies in Japan and stood on the 22nd place of most sold in February 2009.[20] The following week it had sold 57,426 copies, but had gone down to 27th place of most sold that month.[21]
  2. After its first week the second volume lay on 9th place of most bought manga volume of march in Japan.[22]
  3. During its first week, the third volume of the manga sold 44,200 copies in Japan and stood on the 17th place of most sold in December 2010[23]
  4. During its first week, the fourth volume of the manga ranked at the 8th place of the 30 most sold titles in December 2011, according to Comiclist.jp.[24] Also, according to the same source, the fourth volume of Next Dimension ranked 6th in the 10 most sold shōnen manga in December 2011.[25]
  5. Oricon.jp ranked the fifth volume of Next Dimension in the 23rd place out of the 30 most sold titles, in its first week of sales.[26]
  6. During its first week, the sixth volume of the manga sold 61,525 copies in Japan and stood on the 30th place of most sold manga in December 2012.[27] [28]
  7. (No data)
  8. During its first week, the eighth volume of the manga sold 62,500 copies in Japan and stood on the 28th place of most sold manga in December 2013[29]
  9. During its first 3 days, the ninth volume sold approximately 40,000 copies, coming in 7th place among the top selling Shōnen manga in Japan;[30] [31] 67.215 copies sold in the first 12 days.[32]
  10. In Japan, the tenth volume of Saint Seiya: Next Dimension has sold 46,000 copies in its first week, reaching the 19th position of the best-selling manga of the week.[33]
  11. In Japan, the eleventh volume has sold 54,922 copies in the ten day period from its day of release to September 17, 2017, ranking #44 on the list of the 50 most sold titles of Oricon.jp [34]
  12. The volume 12 of Saint Seiya: Next Dimension in Japan reached the 10th position of the best-selling manga in Japan in the first week with 46,649 copies sold.[35]

Video game

A song for Next Dimension titled "END OR NEXT",[36] was composed for the Saint Seiya: Awakening mobile video game from Tencent, with vocals by Nobuo Yamada, the original singer of Pegasus Fantasy. Some characters from the manga were also added to the game, such as Ophiuchus Odysseus, voiced by Yūichi Nakamura, as well as Virgo Shijima, voiced by Masayuki Akasaka, Sagittarius Gestalt, voiced by Itaru Yamamoto, Cancer Deathtoll, voiced by Makoto Naruse, Leo Kaiser, voiced by Takuya Satō, Gemini Cain, voiced by Tatsumaru Tachibana, Crateris Suikyō, voiced by Ryuichi Kijima, Moon goddess Artemis, voiced by Manami Hanawa, and Alone/Hades, voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa.

Events

For the event of the 50th anniversary of the Weekly Shōnen Champion magazine, the Ophiuchus Gold Cloth was recreated on a 1:1 scale, about 6' 8" tall; also a gallery showcased several art pieces authored by Masami Kurumada and taken from Next Dimension and collectible figures of the Ophiuchus Gold Saint.[37]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 近況2006上半期. 2009-07-13. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090326052939/http://www.kurumadapro.jp/kinkyou2006a.html. 2009-03-26 .
  2. Web site: 近況2007下半期. 2009-07-13. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090326053036/http://www.kurumadapro.jp/kinkyou2007b.html. 2009-03-26 .
  3. Book: Kurumada, Masami. Saint Seiya Next Dimension, Volume 2. 2010. Akita Shoten. 1 (binder). 978-4-253-13272-5.
  4. Book: Kurumada, Masami. Saint Seiya Next Dimension, Volume 1. 2009. Akita Shoten. 2 (binder). 978-4-253-13271-8.
  5. Shōnen Champion #11 2009
  6. Shōnen Champion #12 2009
  7. Shōnen Champion #13 2009
  8. Book: Saint Seiya Encyclopedia. 2001. Akita Shoten. 77. 4-8342-1690-X.
  9. Web site: ja:週刊少年チャンピオン 2006年No.22+23. https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2006/22. Akita Shoten. July 3, 2024. ja. November 10, 2021. https://archive.today/20211110100750/https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2006/22. live.
  10. Web site: ja:週刊少年チャンピオン 2006年No.36+37. https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2006/36. Akita Shoten. July 3, 2024. ja. November 10, 2021. https://archive.today/20211110100442/https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2006/36. live.
  11. Web site: ja:車田「聖闘士星矢」連載再開。手代木版OVAはTV放送決定. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/28901. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 3, 2024. ja. March 11, 2010. June 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130610190809/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/28901. live.
  12. Web site: Ressler. Karen. Saint Seiya Next Dimension Manga Resumes in December. Anime News Network. July 3, 2024. September 8, 2015. November 29, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231129120002/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-09-08/saint-seiya-next-dimension-manga-resumes-in-december/.92685. live.
  13. Web site: Pineda. Rafael. Saint Seiya Next Dimension Manga's New Season Enters Final Arc. Anime News Network. July 3, 2024. January 13, 2016. March 31, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240331193646/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-01-13/saint-seiya-next-dimension-manga-new-season-enters-final-arc/.97438. live.
  14. Web site: Hodgkins. Crystalyn. Saint Seiya: Next Dimension Manga's 'Final Series Prequel' Ends, Manga Goes on Hiatus. Anime News Network. July 3, 2024. June 8, 2023. July 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240701145746/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-06-08/saint-seiya-next-dimension-manga-final-series-prequel-ends-manga-goes-on-hiatus/.198937. live.
  15. Web site: Loveridge. Lynzee. Saint Seiya: Next Dimension Manga Gets Special Chapter. Anime News Network. July 3, 2024. June 11, 2014. February 3, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230203130429/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-06-11/saint-seiya-next-dimension-manga-gets-special-chapter/.75470. live.
  16. Web site: ja:車田正美の実体験に大胆なアレンジ加えた“超自伝”、週チャンにて開幕. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/154068. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 3, 2024. ja. July 16, 2015. May 20, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230520174254/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/154068. live.
  17. Web site: Cayanan. Joanna. Saint Seiya: Next Dimension Manga Ends on July 4. Anime News Network. July 1, 2024. July 1, 2024. July 1, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240701085402/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-07-01/saint-seiya-next-dimension-manga-ends-on-july-4/.212642. live.
  18. Web site: ja:「聖闘士星矢 ND 冥王神話」約18年の連載に幕、次号「SANDA」も完結＆重大発表. https://natalie.mu/comic/news/580793. Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc.. July 4, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240704133046/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/580793. July 4, 2024. ja. July 4, 2024. live.
  19. Web site: ja:週刊少年チャンピオン 2024年No.31. https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2024/31. Akita Shoten. July 3, 2024. ja. July 3, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240703210322/https://www.akitashoten.co.jp/w-champion/2024/31. live.
  20. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, February 3–9. 2009-02-13. Anime News Network. 2009-09-16. 2012-04-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20120430133555/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-13/japanese-comic-ranking-february-3-9. live.
  21. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, February 10–16. Anime News Network. 2009-10-28. 2014-03-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20140327220212/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-02-18/japanese-comic-ranking-february-10-16. live.
  22. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, March. 2010-03-15. 2011-06-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20110629001705/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-03-17/japanese-comic-ranking-march-8-14. live.
  23. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, December 6–12. 2010-12-18. 2010-12-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20101218135709/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-15/japanese-comic-ranking-december-6-12. live.
  24. Web site: Best 30, December 12–2011. Comiclist.jp. 2011-12-12. 2011-11-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20111129004522/http://comiclist.jp/index.php?p=rnk. live.
  25. Web site: Best 10, December 12–2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20120616163001/http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/5580/48250870.jpg. dead. June 16, 2012. Comiclist.jp. 2011-12-12.
  26. Web site: コミック 週間ランキング-Oricon Style ランキング. 2012-04-13. 2012-04-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20120418012649/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2012-04-16/more/4/. dead .
  27. Web site: 無駄Vip速報 : 【漫画売上ランキング】3月のライオン、ちはやふる登場！ジャンプ勢と進撃の2週目は？(集計：12/10-16). 2013-01-18. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130303150612/http://blog.livedoor.jp/yadokari34/archives/21436194.html. 2013-03-03 .
  28. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, December 10–16. Anime News Network. 2013-04-14. 2013-06-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20130614115547/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-12-19/japanese-comic-ranking-december-10-16. live.
  29. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, December 2–8. 2014-02-06. 2017-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801202358/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-12-11/japanese-comic-ranking-december-2-8. live.
  30. Web site: 海外での日本のコミックブックの人気、大人も読める、. 2014-06-27. 2014-07-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20140709135921/http://comiclist.jp/index.php?p=rnk&ch=2. live.
  31. Web site: コミック 週間ランキング-Oricon Style ランキング. www.oricon.co.jp. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153202/http://www.oricon.co.jp/rank/obc/w/2014-06-30/more/4/. 2014-07-14.
  32. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, June 23–29. 2014-07-03. 2014-07-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20140707050259/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-07-03/japanese-comic-ranking-june-23-29/.76254. live.
  33. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, June 6–12. 2016-06-17. 2016-06-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20160616174932/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-06-15/japanese-comic-ranking-june-6-12/.103259. live.
  34. Web site: Japanese Comic Ranking, September 11–17. 2017-09-21. 2017-09-23. https://web.archive.org/web/20170923161112/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-09-20/japanese-comic-ranking-september-11-17/.121637. live.
  35. Web site: MangaMag.fr votre magazine sur la culture manga. 2018-05-19. 2018-05-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20180520053917/http://www.mangamag.fr/actualite/actualite-manga/top-50-oricon-des-ventes-hebdomadaires-de-mangas-au-japon-du-7-au-13-mai-2018/. dead.
  36. Web site: Archived copy . 2024-05-09 . 2023-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230729200300/https://www.cavzodiaco.com.br/noticia/24/07/2020/next-dimension-musica-tema-para-o-jogo-saint-seiya-awakening-por-nobuo-yamada . live .
  37. Web site: Next Dimension: Fotos da Armadura de Serpentário em tamanho real em exposição no Japão!.

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