The 2023 live-action film Saint Seiya: The Beginning (also known as Knights of the Zodiac) has turned out to be a major financial and reputational setback for Toei Animation.
📖 Based on a Legendary Manga
The film is based on Saint Seiya, the iconic manga by Masami Kurumada, which has sold over 50 million copies worldwide and inspired anime series, games, and even stage musicals.
Directed by Tomek Bagiński and starring Mackenyu Arata as Seiya, the film aimed to bring this mythological universe to life through a Hollywood-style production in collaboration with Sony Pictures’ Stage 6 Films.
💥 Good Intentions, Poor Execution
While Mackenyu’s portrayal of Seiya received some praise from long-time fans, the movie faced heavy criticism due to:
- Mediocre CGI, especially in key action scenes
- Significant deviations from the source material
- A lack of creativity in visual direction
- Fans feeling the adaptation lost the spirit of the original work
💸 A Box Office Flop
The film’s global earnings were shockingly low:
- Japan:
¥120 million ($800,000)
- North America: $1.1 million
- 🌎 Latin America: $4.36 million
- Europe: $1.14 million
Total losses are estimated at ¥3.5 billion (~$23 million), slashing Toei’s annual operating profits by nearly 49%.
💔 A Franchise That Never Was
Originally intended to kickstart a large-scale franchise, the film's failure has shattered that vision. Fans were so disappointed that many considered it a completely separate work, unrelated to the manga — yet the title Saint Seiya tethered it forever to the brand, turning it into a “black mark” in Toei’s history.
