Saint Seiya: Sanctuary

This epic 1986 anime series was first made available on this side of the Pacific in a heavily edited and recklessly dubbed Cartoon Network broadcast in 2003 (that version, along with the original Japanese-language offering, was released on DVD in 2009, albeit only the first 60 episodes). Saint Seiya: Sanctuary is more comprehensive, compiling the first 73 episodes. The eponymous saints are Japanese boy warriors who wear sacred armor with designs derived from constellations. The deity at the center of their sacred devotion is the Greek goddess Athena, and these modern saints have sworn to defend her spirit against rival Hellenic deities. Actually, having Japanese lads engaging in battle on behalf of the pre-Christian Greek deities is the least confusing aspect of this noisy and frequently baffling show. But while the series may be lacking in coherence and logic, it more than compensates with imaginative and energetic battle sequences. Presented in a dual-language set, suitable for 13-up, this will be a must-watch for classic anime addicts. Recommended. (P. Hall)