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Poseidon (Saint Seiya)
Encyclopedia
The Greek god is one of the main antagonists in the manga Saint Seiya
, created by Masami Kurumada
and later adapted to anime. Kurumada based his character on the mythological persona
of the same name.
As in Greek mythology, Poseidon is the ruler of the seas, brother of Hades and Zeus. In Kurumada's story, he reincarnates on Earth by taking the body of a chosen member of the Solo family as a vessel for his soul. This Greek family is one of the wealthiest in the world and, enjoying Poseidon's blessing, has held hegemony over the seas for millennia. In the 20th century, the god takes the body of the family's young heir, a teenager named Julian Solo, and strikes the Earth with incessant rains to cleanse it of humans, whom he considers evil and unworthy of the blessings of the gods. He wishes to build an utopian society on top of the ruins once all humans are eradicated and to exact revenge on Athena
for having sealed his soul after their last battle, two thousand years before. To this end, he holds Athena hostage in his Undersea Temple with the help of his army of followers, the Mariners, led by the seven Generals of the seven seas.
Poseidon has engaged the goddess protector of the Earth, Athena
, in battle in different incarnations, centuries apart. In his manga, Kurumada reveals that Poseidon fought Athena in the age of myth and later in the region of Attica
, two thousand years before their encounter in the 20th century.
Although first presented as an antagonist, however, it is later revealed that Poseidon is in fact an honorable and benevolent deity, going so far as to help Athena's Saints when they are overwhelmed by the evil twin gods Hypnos and Thanatos in Elysion. He did not wish to see mankind destroyed out of whim or pure evil. His intentions were to punish humans for their evil deeds and corruption of Earth. He greatly respects Athena, since she has been the object of his affection for millennia. After waking in the 18th century, wanting to take revenge on her for his defeat on their last battle, he decides not to take advantage of her distraction and weakness from fighting Hades at the time. Knowing she would not be able to oppose both deities at once, Poseidon returns to his slumber within Athena's Amphora
, where he had been sealed centuries prior.
In the same way Athena has Saints, Poseidon has an army to assist him since the ages of myth, the Mariners. With Poseidon's Undersea Temple serving as its base, it is formed by hundreds of low-ranking soldiers and commanded by seven powerful warriors known as Generals, whose Cosmo matches that of a Gold Saint. These Generals don armors called Scales and are named after mythical marine creatures. Their duty is to defend the pillars of the seven oceans that safeguard the Undersea Temple.
The Emperor of the Seas also possesses his own Scales, forged in his image, and brandishes a Trident, symbol of his power and domain.
After her Saints foil Poseidon's kidnap attempts, Athena decides to meet with him at the Undersea Temple to try to find a way to solve the crisis. Athena is surprised to find the god in Julian Solo's body, since she knew she had imprisoned Poseidon's soul centuries before, submerging him into eternal slumber. She wonders who or what could be the reason behind his return. The Emperor of the Seas once again proposes to marry her and asks her to help him eradicate mankind and create a new utopia. She refuses both proposals and offers herself as sacrifice to delay mankind's destruction by being locked in the Main Breadwinner, the main support pillar of the seas, and receiving the waters and punishment herself.
Feeling her Cosmo, Pegasus Seiya
, Dragon Shiryū
, Cygnus Hyōga and Andromeda Shun
awake from the coma they had been in since the end of the battles of the Twelve Temples. They gather at Rozan, where they learn through Thetis that the only way to save Athena and stop the rains is to go to Poseidon's Temple and destroy all of its pillars, the Main Breadwinner and the seven Mammoth Pillars, which are guarded by the Mariner Generals. After a series of battles, the Saints succeed in destroying the lesser pillars with the weapons of the Libra Cloth. The mystery of Poseidon's return is also revealed. The former Gemini Gold Saint, Kanon, had found a trident and a small Urn with an ancient seal with Athena's name written on it. Realizing the trident belonged to Poseidon, he freed the god's soul and claimed to be the Sea Dragon Mariner, hoping to deceive and manipulate the deity to achieve his evil goals.
When the Saints arrive at the main temple to battle the god, Poseidon shatters the Saints' Cloths and wounds them severely. Seiya dons the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, but Poseidon repels all his attacks until all the Saints join their forces. Seiya then manages to strike Poseidon in the head with the Cloth's golden arrow. The god is frozen and his cosmo disappears. The Saints take the chance to rejoin Athena. As they prepare to destroy the Main Breadwinner, Poseidon reawakens on Julian's body and engages the Saints in battle once again. Phoenix Ikki arrives and restrains the maddened deity while Shiryū and Hyōga propel Seiya towards the Main Breadwinner. The massive pillar shatters and Athena is freed.
The Sea god then decides to kill the goddess who dared to foil his ambition, throwing his trident at her. Before it hits, Kanon, ashamed of his sins, commits to his duty as a Saint once again and acts as a human shield to protect Athena. Poseidon continues attacking, but Athena uses her Amphora
to reseal Poseidon's soul. It enters a dormant state again and, without the Pillars or the god's divine Cosmo, the Undersea Temple crumbles. Thetis saves Julian, taking him to the land above.
, in the third arc of Kurumada's manga, the Hades chapter, Poseidon aids the Bronze Saints in their battle against Hypnos and Thanatos. He sends them the Gold Cloths to help save the world from Hades's tyrannical rule. The Twin Gods commend and criticize Poseidon for helping the same people who foiled his attempt to drown the world. They also insinuate that Poseidon's motives may not have been entirely altruistic, hinting that the reason Poseidon helped the Bronze Saints was so that he might attempt to conquer the world again in the future, something that would have been impossible if Hades won. As the Sea God returns to slumber, Julian has no recollection of what happened. He and Siren Sorrento resume the long task of aiding those who found themselves victims during the catastrophe unleashed by the great flood from the Poseidon arc.
adaptation, the God's design was changed so that he had light blue hair instead of blond. The beginning of Poseidon's arc was also modified to tie in to the anime-only Asgard arc. In it, Poseidon manipulates Polaris Hilda and her Asgard God Warriors through the Nibelung Ring to launch an attack on Athena. The God of the Seas sends the General Siren Sorrento to control the situation, but Dubhe Alpha Siegfried confronts and removes him from Asgard, giving Seiya the chance to destroy the ring and break the spell on Hilda. Much to everyone's dismay, after order is restored, Saori is taken by a great wave and transported to the Undersea Temple. Poseidon and Sorrento also returned in the OVA series Hades - Chapter Elysion in May 2008, seventeen years after the scene was first published in volume 27 of the manga. In both adaptations, Poseidon was voiced by Keiichi Nanba
.
In the spin-off manga Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
, Athena sent Aquarius Dégel and Scorpio Kardia to Atlantis to ask for Poseidon's assistance in the war against Hades. There, Poseidon briefly took control of the body of a young woman named Seraphina before returning to slumber.
Saint Seiya
, also known as Saint Seiya: Knights of the Zodiac or simply Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada and serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1986 to 1991, and adapted into an anime TV series by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989.The story follows...
, created by Masami Kurumada
Masami Kurumada
is a Japanese manga artist and writer, known for specializing in fighting manga featuring bishōnen and/or mahō shōnen. He is famous as the creator/author of popular manga, such as Ring ni Kakero, Fūma no Kojirō, Saint Seiya and B't X. His male protagonists are a reflection of the classical and...
and later adapted to anime. Kurumada based his character on the mythological persona
Poseidon
Poseidon was the god of the sea, and, as "Earth-Shaker," of the earthquakes in Greek mythology. The name of the sea-god Nethuns in Etruscan was adopted in Latin for Neptune in Roman mythology: both were sea gods analogous to Poseidon...
of the same name.
As in Greek mythology, Poseidon is the ruler of the seas, brother of Hades and Zeus. In Kurumada's story, he reincarnates on Earth by taking the body of a chosen member of the Solo family as a vessel for his soul. This Greek family is one of the wealthiest in the world and, enjoying Poseidon's blessing, has held hegemony over the seas for millennia. In the 20th century, the god takes the body of the family's young heir, a teenager named Julian Solo, and strikes the Earth with incessant rains to cleanse it of humans, whom he considers evil and unworthy of the blessings of the gods. He wishes to build an utopian society on top of the ruins once all humans are eradicated and to exact revenge on Athena
Athena (Saint Seiya)
The Greek goddess is one of the main characters in the Saint Seiya series, a manga authored by Masami Kurumada, which was later adapted to anime and originated three other spin-off manga.Kurumada created her character based on the Greek goddess of the same name...
for having sealed his soul after their last battle, two thousand years before. To this end, he holds Athena hostage in his Undersea Temple with the help of his army of followers, the Mariners, led by the seven Generals of the seven seas.
Backstory and personality
Poseidon was introduced by Masami Kurumada in volume 14 of the manga Saint Seiya as a handsome, young blond named Julian Solo, heir of the wealthy Solo family. It is from among this family that Poseidon has chosen the mortal vessels for his soul throughout millennia.Poseidon has engaged the goddess protector of the Earth, Athena
Athena (Saint Seiya)
The Greek goddess is one of the main characters in the Saint Seiya series, a manga authored by Masami Kurumada, which was later adapted to anime and originated three other spin-off manga.Kurumada created her character based on the Greek goddess of the same name...
, in battle in different incarnations, centuries apart. In his manga, Kurumada reveals that Poseidon fought Athena in the age of myth and later in the region of Attica
Attica
Attica is a historical region of Greece, containing Athens, the current capital of Greece. The historical region is centered on the Attic peninsula, which projects into the Aegean Sea...
, two thousand years before their encounter in the 20th century.
Although first presented as an antagonist, however, it is later revealed that Poseidon is in fact an honorable and benevolent deity, going so far as to help Athena's Saints when they are overwhelmed by the evil twin gods Hypnos and Thanatos in Elysion. He did not wish to see mankind destroyed out of whim or pure evil. His intentions were to punish humans for their evil deeds and corruption of Earth. He greatly respects Athena, since she has been the object of his affection for millennia. After waking in the 18th century, wanting to take revenge on her for his defeat on their last battle, he decides not to take advantage of her distraction and weakness from fighting Hades at the time. Knowing she would not be able to oppose both deities at once, Poseidon returns to his slumber within Athena's Amphora
Amphora
An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...
, where he had been sealed centuries prior.
Abilities and followers
A deity and brother of Hades and Zeus, Poseidon rules over the sea and all its creatures. He commands the waters and rains and possesses an immense Divine Cosmo, the "Big Will", far superior to that of humans and that can surpass even Athena's under normal circumstances. He can use it to create intense energy blasts, often channelling them through his trident. His greatest weakness lies in his use of a mortal body, leaving him vulnerable to the power of Athena's Amphora and Seal, which can trap his soul and induce a deep slumber for centuries at a time. Kurumada also has Poseidon state that he cannot use all of his Divine Cosmo due to being reborn as an avatar.In the same way Athena has Saints, Poseidon has an army to assist him since the ages of myth, the Mariners. With Poseidon's Undersea Temple serving as its base, it is formed by hundreds of low-ranking soldiers and commanded by seven powerful warriors known as Generals, whose Cosmo matches that of a Gold Saint. These Generals don armors called Scales and are named after mythical marine creatures. Their duty is to defend the pillars of the seven oceans that safeguard the Undersea Temple.
The Emperor of the Seas also possesses his own Scales, forged in his image, and brandishes a Trident, symbol of his power and domain.
Poseidon arc
In the second arc of Masami Kurumada's manga, the Poseidon chapter, Saori Kido attends millionaire heir Julian Solo's party, at Cape Sounion, Greece. Julian tells Saori that his father was a good friend of her late grandfather Mitsumasa, and that he had been looking forward to meet her. He proposes to marry her, but she refuses. After Saori leaves, Julian is approached by Mermaid Thetis, who tells him that Poseidon has chosen him as the vessel of his soul, so he might reincarnate in this era. Thetis grabs the astonished Julian and dives into the sea, towards Poseidon's Undersea Temple and the legendary city of Atlantis. The soul of Poseidon begins to awake within Julian as he dons the god's Scales and the seven Mariner Generals present themselves before him. Julian Solo then begins his quest to "cleanse" the planet, convinced that the Earth was corrupted and ravaged by the evil of mankind. He unleashes powerful rains and floods on Earth, causing great destruction and chaos.After her Saints foil Poseidon's kidnap attempts, Athena decides to meet with him at the Undersea Temple to try to find a way to solve the crisis. Athena is surprised to find the god in Julian Solo's body, since she knew she had imprisoned Poseidon's soul centuries before, submerging him into eternal slumber. She wonders who or what could be the reason behind his return. The Emperor of the Seas once again proposes to marry her and asks her to help him eradicate mankind and create a new utopia. She refuses both proposals and offers herself as sacrifice to delay mankind's destruction by being locked in the Main Breadwinner, the main support pillar of the seas, and receiving the waters and punishment herself.
Feeling her Cosmo, Pegasus Seiya
Pegasus Seiya
, also known as Seiya, is a fictional character from the Saint Seiya universe created by Masami Kurumada as the main protagonist of the media franchise, which originated in the eponymous manga written and illustrated by Kurumada, later adapted to anime, and subsequently inspiring soundtracks, OVAs,...
, Dragon Shiryū
Dragon Shiryu
, also known as Shiryū, is a fictional character from the Saint Seiya universe created by Masami Kurumada as one of the protagonists of the media franchise, which originated in the manga written and illustrated by Kurumada, later adapted to anime, and subsequently inspiring soundtracks, OVAs,...
, Cygnus Hyōga and Andromeda Shun
Andromeda Shun
, also known as Shun is a fictional character from the Saint Seiya universe created by Masami Kurumada as one of the main protagonists of the media franchise, which originated in the manga written and illustrated by Kurumada, later adapted to anime, and subsequently inspiring soundtracks, OVAs,...
awake from the coma they had been in since the end of the battles of the Twelve Temples. They gather at Rozan, where they learn through Thetis that the only way to save Athena and stop the rains is to go to Poseidon's Temple and destroy all of its pillars, the Main Breadwinner and the seven Mammoth Pillars, which are guarded by the Mariner Generals. After a series of battles, the Saints succeed in destroying the lesser pillars with the weapons of the Libra Cloth. The mystery of Poseidon's return is also revealed. The former Gemini Gold Saint, Kanon, had found a trident and a small Urn with an ancient seal with Athena's name written on it. Realizing the trident belonged to Poseidon, he freed the god's soul and claimed to be the Sea Dragon Mariner, hoping to deceive and manipulate the deity to achieve his evil goals.
When the Saints arrive at the main temple to battle the god, Poseidon shatters the Saints' Cloths and wounds them severely. Seiya dons the Sagittarius Gold Cloth, but Poseidon repels all his attacks until all the Saints join their forces. Seiya then manages to strike Poseidon in the head with the Cloth's golden arrow. The god is frozen and his cosmo disappears. The Saints take the chance to rejoin Athena. As they prepare to destroy the Main Breadwinner, Poseidon reawakens on Julian's body and engages the Saints in battle once again. Phoenix Ikki arrives and restrains the maddened deity while Shiryū and Hyōga propel Seiya towards the Main Breadwinner. The massive pillar shatters and Athena is freed.
The Sea god then decides to kill the goddess who dared to foil his ambition, throwing his trident at her. Before it hits, Kanon, ashamed of his sins, commits to his duty as a Saint once again and acts as a human shield to protect Athena. Poseidon continues attacking, but Athena uses her Amphora
Amphora
An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...
to reseal Poseidon's soul. It enters a dormant state again and, without the Pillars or the god's divine Cosmo, the Undersea Temple crumbles. Thetis saves Julian, taking him to the land above.
Hades arc
Despite having his soul sealed in the AmphoraAmphora
An amphora is a type of vase-shaped, usually ceramic container with two handles and a long neck narrower than the body...
, in the third arc of Kurumada's manga, the Hades chapter, Poseidon aids the Bronze Saints in their battle against Hypnos and Thanatos. He sends them the Gold Cloths to help save the world from Hades's tyrannical rule. The Twin Gods commend and criticize Poseidon for helping the same people who foiled his attempt to drown the world. They also insinuate that Poseidon's motives may not have been entirely altruistic, hinting that the reason Poseidon helped the Bronze Saints was so that he might attempt to conquer the world again in the future, something that would have been impossible if Hades won. As the Sea God returns to slumber, Julian has no recollection of what happened. He and Siren Sorrento resume the long task of aiding those who found themselves victims during the catastrophe unleashed by the great flood from the Poseidon arc.
In other media
In the animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
adaptation, the God's design was changed so that he had light blue hair instead of blond. The beginning of Poseidon's arc was also modified to tie in to the anime-only Asgard arc. In it, Poseidon manipulates Polaris Hilda and her Asgard God Warriors through the Nibelung Ring to launch an attack on Athena. The God of the Seas sends the General Siren Sorrento to control the situation, but Dubhe Alpha Siegfried confronts and removes him from Asgard, giving Seiya the chance to destroy the ring and break the spell on Hilda. Much to everyone's dismay, after order is restored, Saori is taken by a great wave and transported to the Undersea Temple. Poseidon and Sorrento also returned in the OVA series Hades - Chapter Elysion in May 2008, seventeen years after the scene was first published in volume 27 of the manga. In both adaptations, Poseidon was voiced by Keiichi Nanba
Keiichi Nanba
is a Japanese voice actor currently affiliated with Aoni Production. He is married to fellow voice actress Mayumi Shō.-Anime:* Sailor Moon series as Gurio Umino, Zoisite, Alan* Trigun as Hoppered the Gauntlet-Tokusatsu:...
.
In the spin-off manga Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas
, also known as simply The Lost Canvas, is a manga by Japanese author Shiori Teshirogi, a spin-off based on the manga series Saint Seiya, which was created, written and illustrated by Japanese author Masami Kurumada...
, Athena sent Aquarius Dégel and Scorpio Kardia to Atlantis to ask for Poseidon's assistance in the war against Hades. There, Poseidon briefly took control of the body of a young woman named Seraphina before returning to slumber.