OVA
Description
Minos de Griffon is one of the three Judges of the Underworld, a high-ranking Specter in the army of Hades during the 18th-century Holy War depicted in Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas. He bears the Celestial Star of Nobility, Tenkisei, and his Surplice is that of a griffin, a mythical creature symbolizing nobility and power. As a judge, he commands considerable authority over the lower Specters and is entrusted with leading assaults against the Sanctuary of Athena.
In personality, Minos is calm, rational, and calculating, often assessing a situation before acting. Unlike his fellow judges Radamanthys and Aiacos, who display more overt aggression or pride, Minos maintains a composed demeanor even in battle. However, this composure masks a sadistic streak; once he gains control over an opponent, he takes pleasure in tormenting them, as seen when he uses his signature technique to break Kanon of Gemini’s fingers and contort his body. His motivation stems from unwavering loyalty to Hades and a deep-seated belief in the inevitability of death—though he never expresses the philosophical justification that Alone does, he serves the god of the Underworld without question.
In the story, Minos plays a pivotal role during the invasion of the Sanctuary. Ordered by Hades to assemble a troop and march on Athena’s stronghold, he leads a contingent of Specters and personally confronts the Gold Saint Albafica of Pisces in the Rose Garden. During this encounter, Minos initially dominates the battle, using his Cosmic Marionetion to immobilize Albafica and fracture his bones. He also faces Shion of Aries before being ultimately defeated when Albafica, at the cost of his own life, impales Minos with the White Rose, which drains his blood and stops his heart. This marks the death of one of Hades’ most formidable generals.
Key relationships include his rivalry with the other two judges—Radamanthys and Aiacos—who share his rank but compete for status. His primary antagonist is Albafica, whose sacrifice counters Minos’s cruelty. Minos also clashes briefly with Shion, demonstrating his ability to pressure even Gold Saints. Unlike some Specters who display personal vendettas, Minos remains a dutiful servant of Hades throughout, and his defeat underscores the cost of the Holy War.
Minos’s development is limited; he does not undergo a redemption arc or reveal hidden depths. He appears as a consummate villain whose confidence in his power leads to underestimating his opponents. His death is a direct result of his failure to account for Albafica’s desperate final strike.
His notable abilities center on the Cosmic Marionetion technique, which projects invisible threads of cosmo that entangle and fully control an opponent’s body, allowing Minos to manipulate their movements, break their limbs, or force them to attack allies. The strings are invisible and virtually impossible to escape once latched. A secondary technique, Gigantic Feathers Flap, unleashes a devastating windstorm by flapping the wings of his Surplice; this attack destroys everything in its path and is unique to The Lost Canvas narrative. Minos also possesses immense physical resilience, surviving the initial impact of the Wailing Wall’s destruction in the original series, though in The Lost Canvas he is killed decisively by Albafica’s rose.
In personality, Minos is calm, rational, and calculating, often assessing a situation before acting. Unlike his fellow judges Radamanthys and Aiacos, who display more overt aggression or pride, Minos maintains a composed demeanor even in battle. However, this composure masks a sadistic streak; once he gains control over an opponent, he takes pleasure in tormenting them, as seen when he uses his signature technique to break Kanon of Gemini’s fingers and contort his body. His motivation stems from unwavering loyalty to Hades and a deep-seated belief in the inevitability of death—though he never expresses the philosophical justification that Alone does, he serves the god of the Underworld without question.
In the story, Minos plays a pivotal role during the invasion of the Sanctuary. Ordered by Hades to assemble a troop and march on Athena’s stronghold, he leads a contingent of Specters and personally confronts the Gold Saint Albafica of Pisces in the Rose Garden. During this encounter, Minos initially dominates the battle, using his Cosmic Marionetion to immobilize Albafica and fracture his bones. He also faces Shion of Aries before being ultimately defeated when Albafica, at the cost of his own life, impales Minos with the White Rose, which drains his blood and stops his heart. This marks the death of one of Hades’ most formidable generals.
Key relationships include his rivalry with the other two judges—Radamanthys and Aiacos—who share his rank but compete for status. His primary antagonist is Albafica, whose sacrifice counters Minos’s cruelty. Minos also clashes briefly with Shion, demonstrating his ability to pressure even Gold Saints. Unlike some Specters who display personal vendettas, Minos remains a dutiful servant of Hades throughout, and his defeat underscores the cost of the Holy War.
Minos’s development is limited; he does not undergo a redemption arc or reveal hidden depths. He appears as a consummate villain whose confidence in his power leads to underestimating his opponents. His death is a direct result of his failure to account for Albafica’s desperate final strike.
His notable abilities center on the Cosmic Marionetion technique, which projects invisible threads of cosmo that entangle and fully control an opponent’s body, allowing Minos to manipulate their movements, break their limbs, or force them to attack allies. The strings are invisible and virtually impossible to escape once latched. A secondary technique, Gigantic Feathers Flap, unleashes a devastating windstorm by flapping the wings of his Surplice; this attack destroys everything in its path and is unique to The Lost Canvas narrative. Minos also possesses immense physical resilience, surviving the initial impact of the Wailing Wall’s destruction in the original series, though in The Lost Canvas he is killed decisively by Albafica’s rose.