Movie
Description
Abel, also known as Phoebus Abel, is the primary antagonist in the anime film Saint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth. He is presented as a powerful deity and the brother of Athena, the goddess whom the series' protagonists serve.
Abel's origins lie in the mythological age, where he is identified as a son of Zeus and the original god of the solar corona. In that era, he was widely worshipped by humanity. However, his immense power led to pride and ambition; he claimed dominion over the entire sun for himself and sought to overthrow his father, Zeus. This act of rebellion led to a war among the Olympian gods, during which the young Apollo eventually defeated him. As punishment, Zeus imprisoned Abel's soul and ordered that his name, image, and all temples dedicated to him be erased from human history.
His personality is defined by a complex mixture of refinement and ruthless conviction. Abel is portrayed as an extremely sophisticated and composed individual who cherishes beauty and art. He is often seen playing a lyre, and his demeanor is generally calm and elegant. This exterior, however, conceals a terrifying and brutal side that emerges decisively when his convictions are challenged. He possesses an immense, godly pride and is utterly convinced of his right to judge humanity.
Abel's primary motivation for returning to Earth in the 20th century is to punish mankind for its sins. He views humanity as having polluted the world with greed and corruption. His goal is to cleanse the Earth, often implied to be through a great flood, in order to create a new world where gods would rule once more. He claims that his return and mission are sanctioned by Zeus himself.
In the story, Abel initially approaches his sister Athena, who is reincarnated as the mortal Saori Kido. He invites her to join him in ruling the new world. To demonstrate his power and authority, he resurrects the Gold Saints who had died in the previous Holy War and commands his own elite warriors, the three Corona Saints, as his personal guard. While Saori initially appears to accept his offer, she secretly attempts to assassinate him to protect humanity. Abel perceives this betrayal, and although he appears momentarily saddened, he swiftly kills her, sending her soul towards Elysion. This act becomes the central catalyst for the Bronze Saints to rise against him.
Key relationships define much of Abel's role. His relationship with his sister, Athena, is central; he seems to desire her companionship and rule alongside her, yet he does not hesitate to destroy her when she opposes him. He also commands the loyalty of the resurrected Gold Saints and his Corona Saints, who serve as his primary enforcers. The character of Saga, the Gemini Gold Saint, shows subtle internal conflict regarding loyalty to Abel, hinting that not all the resurrected Saints are truly compliant. Ultimately, Abel serves as the final obstacle for the protagonist, Pegasus Seiya, and his friends.
Abel himself undergoes little development, remaining a static figure of divine authority and judgment. The narrative focuses more on how the Saints must grow to confront him rather than on any change within him. However, in his final moments, he experiences a fleeting sense of respect for Seiya's unwavering determination, which prevents him from stopping the arrow that ultimately kills him.
As a god, Abel possesses formidable and nearly absolute abilities. He wields a divine cosmos that far surpasses that of Athena and her Saints. His powers include the ability to resurrect the dead, control minds, manipulate the weather to cause tsunamis and earthquakes, and create defensive barriers. A notable ability is his attack reflection, where any assault launched by a being without a divine cosmos is instantly and more powerfully redirected back at the attacker. He can also guide souls to Elysion, the realm of the dead. Despite his overwhelming power, he is ultimately vulnerable to an attack that concentrates the cosmos of multiple Saints, channeled through a golden arrow, demonstrating that a united and limitless human cosmos can challenge even a god.
Abel's origins lie in the mythological age, where he is identified as a son of Zeus and the original god of the solar corona. In that era, he was widely worshipped by humanity. However, his immense power led to pride and ambition; he claimed dominion over the entire sun for himself and sought to overthrow his father, Zeus. This act of rebellion led to a war among the Olympian gods, during which the young Apollo eventually defeated him. As punishment, Zeus imprisoned Abel's soul and ordered that his name, image, and all temples dedicated to him be erased from human history.
His personality is defined by a complex mixture of refinement and ruthless conviction. Abel is portrayed as an extremely sophisticated and composed individual who cherishes beauty and art. He is often seen playing a lyre, and his demeanor is generally calm and elegant. This exterior, however, conceals a terrifying and brutal side that emerges decisively when his convictions are challenged. He possesses an immense, godly pride and is utterly convinced of his right to judge humanity.
Abel's primary motivation for returning to Earth in the 20th century is to punish mankind for its sins. He views humanity as having polluted the world with greed and corruption. His goal is to cleanse the Earth, often implied to be through a great flood, in order to create a new world where gods would rule once more. He claims that his return and mission are sanctioned by Zeus himself.
In the story, Abel initially approaches his sister Athena, who is reincarnated as the mortal Saori Kido. He invites her to join him in ruling the new world. To demonstrate his power and authority, he resurrects the Gold Saints who had died in the previous Holy War and commands his own elite warriors, the three Corona Saints, as his personal guard. While Saori initially appears to accept his offer, she secretly attempts to assassinate him to protect humanity. Abel perceives this betrayal, and although he appears momentarily saddened, he swiftly kills her, sending her soul towards Elysion. This act becomes the central catalyst for the Bronze Saints to rise against him.
Key relationships define much of Abel's role. His relationship with his sister, Athena, is central; he seems to desire her companionship and rule alongside her, yet he does not hesitate to destroy her when she opposes him. He also commands the loyalty of the resurrected Gold Saints and his Corona Saints, who serve as his primary enforcers. The character of Saga, the Gemini Gold Saint, shows subtle internal conflict regarding loyalty to Abel, hinting that not all the resurrected Saints are truly compliant. Ultimately, Abel serves as the final obstacle for the protagonist, Pegasus Seiya, and his friends.
Abel himself undergoes little development, remaining a static figure of divine authority and judgment. The narrative focuses more on how the Saints must grow to confront him rather than on any change within him. However, in his final moments, he experiences a fleeting sense of respect for Seiya's unwavering determination, which prevents him from stopping the arrow that ultimately kills him.
As a god, Abel possesses formidable and nearly absolute abilities. He wields a divine cosmos that far surpasses that of Athena and her Saints. His powers include the ability to resurrect the dead, control minds, manipulate the weather to cause tsunamis and earthquakes, and create defensive barriers. A notable ability is his attack reflection, where any assault launched by a being without a divine cosmos is instantly and more powerfully redirected back at the attacker. He can also guide souls to Elysion, the realm of the dead. Despite his overwhelming power, he is ultimately vulnerable to an attack that concentrates the cosmos of multiple Saints, channeled through a golden arrow, demonstrating that a united and limitless human cosmos can challenge even a god.