Live-Action TV
Description
In the anime Knights of the Zodiac, the character known as Atena is the reincarnation of the Greek goddess of war and wisdom. Her human identity in the 20th century is Saori Kido, a young woman who initially lives as the wealthy granddaughter of Mitsumasa Kido, the head of the Graude Foundation. Unaware of her divine origins for much of her early life, her destiny changes when she learns the truth from her dying grandfather. She was discovered as a newborn baby at the Sanctuary in Greece, and Mitsumasa brought her to Japan to protect her from those who would misuse her power. Unlike other gods who possess human bodies, Atena chooses to be reborn as a mortal human, with a fragile body that ages and feels pain, demonstrating her deep desire to live among and understand the people she is sworn to protect. She is the leader of the 88 Saints, known as the Knights of the Zodiac, who are her sacred warriors.
Atena is defined by her profound compassion, wisdom, and unwavering love for humanity. She is a being of immense courage and persistence, often willing to endure great pain or sacrifice herself to protect the Earth and its inhabitants. While she is a deity of strategy, her decisions are always guided by a desire to minimize harm to her followers and innocents. In her youth as Saori Kido, she was initially portrayed as a spoiled and somewhat arrogant heiress who treated the orphaned boys training to be Saints poorly. However, upon learning of her true heritage and the gravity of her mission, she undergoes a dramatic maturation. She renounces her previous lifestyle and becomes a selfless and serene leader, radiating elegance and sincerity. Her primary motivation is the defense of justice and peace, and she acts as a protector who will stand against any evil force, even other gods, to safeguard the world.
In the story, Atena serves as the central figure around which the conflict revolves. Her existence is the reason the Saints fight, and her safety is their ultimate priority. The main narrative often follows the young Bronze Saints, led by Pegasus Seiya, as they battle to protect her from various foes, including other Olympian gods like Poseidon and Hades. Her role is not typically that of a front-line combatant, as she lacks formal combat training. Instead, she is the inspirational leader and a strategic asset whose immense Cosmo, the inner energy of all beings, is crucial for sealing away evil. Her most critical relationships are with her Saints, particularly the Bronze Saints who prove her true protectors. The bond with Pegasus Seiya is especially significant, as the Pegasus Saint is destined to be her most faithful guardian across all of her reincarnations. Another key figure is Mitsumasa Kido, whom she loved as a grandfather and guide. Her butler, Tatsumi, also remains a loyal supporter.
The character of Atena develops significantly from a dependent rich girl to a decisive and powerful leader. She starts by reluctantly relying on Seiya and the others, even having to bribe them with promises like helping Seiya find his lost sister to earn their trust. As the story progresses, her genuine change of heart and repeated acts of self-sacrifice convince the Saints of her divine nature and goodness, earning their undying loyalty. She is not a static figure; she grows into her divine role, accepting the heavy responsibilities and dangers that come with it. A notable aspect of her development is the cycle of reincarnation itself. Atena is reborn approximately every two hundred years to fight in holy wars against evil. When she is reborn, her memories of past lives are suppressed and only return upon experiencing a traumatic or pivotal event.
Atena possesses a number of remarkable abilities derived from her divine nature and her mastery of Cosmo. As a goddess, she is immortal and has lived since the mythological age, though her human reincarnations can be killed. Her Cosmo is immensely powerful, far surpassing that of any human Saint, and she can use it for various purposes. She has displayed the ability to heal the wounded, create protective auras and defensive shields, and teleport. Her power is also used for sealing, as she can create the Seal of Athena, a special charm used to imprison the souls of evil gods like Hades and Poseidon. She wields two primary divine artifacts. The first is the Nike, a golden staff representing victory that can be used as a powerful weapon. The second is the Aegis, a shield that is impervious to any attack and can dispel evil. She also possesses her own Divine Cloth, an armor far stronger than the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Cloths worn by her Saints. This Cloth normally takes the form of a giant statue of her at the Sanctuary and can only be revived using her own blood. Furthermore, her Cosmo is capable of awakening the Eighth Sense, allowing her to descend into the Underworld without being bound by its laws.
Atena is defined by her profound compassion, wisdom, and unwavering love for humanity. She is a being of immense courage and persistence, often willing to endure great pain or sacrifice herself to protect the Earth and its inhabitants. While she is a deity of strategy, her decisions are always guided by a desire to minimize harm to her followers and innocents. In her youth as Saori Kido, she was initially portrayed as a spoiled and somewhat arrogant heiress who treated the orphaned boys training to be Saints poorly. However, upon learning of her true heritage and the gravity of her mission, she undergoes a dramatic maturation. She renounces her previous lifestyle and becomes a selfless and serene leader, radiating elegance and sincerity. Her primary motivation is the defense of justice and peace, and she acts as a protector who will stand against any evil force, even other gods, to safeguard the world.
In the story, Atena serves as the central figure around which the conflict revolves. Her existence is the reason the Saints fight, and her safety is their ultimate priority. The main narrative often follows the young Bronze Saints, led by Pegasus Seiya, as they battle to protect her from various foes, including other Olympian gods like Poseidon and Hades. Her role is not typically that of a front-line combatant, as she lacks formal combat training. Instead, she is the inspirational leader and a strategic asset whose immense Cosmo, the inner energy of all beings, is crucial for sealing away evil. Her most critical relationships are with her Saints, particularly the Bronze Saints who prove her true protectors. The bond with Pegasus Seiya is especially significant, as the Pegasus Saint is destined to be her most faithful guardian across all of her reincarnations. Another key figure is Mitsumasa Kido, whom she loved as a grandfather and guide. Her butler, Tatsumi, also remains a loyal supporter.
The character of Atena develops significantly from a dependent rich girl to a decisive and powerful leader. She starts by reluctantly relying on Seiya and the others, even having to bribe them with promises like helping Seiya find his lost sister to earn their trust. As the story progresses, her genuine change of heart and repeated acts of self-sacrifice convince the Saints of her divine nature and goodness, earning their undying loyalty. She is not a static figure; she grows into her divine role, accepting the heavy responsibilities and dangers that come with it. A notable aspect of her development is the cycle of reincarnation itself. Atena is reborn approximately every two hundred years to fight in holy wars against evil. When she is reborn, her memories of past lives are suppressed and only return upon experiencing a traumatic or pivotal event.
Atena possesses a number of remarkable abilities derived from her divine nature and her mastery of Cosmo. As a goddess, she is immortal and has lived since the mythological age, though her human reincarnations can be killed. Her Cosmo is immensely powerful, far surpassing that of any human Saint, and she can use it for various purposes. She has displayed the ability to heal the wounded, create protective auras and defensive shields, and teleport. Her power is also used for sealing, as she can create the Seal of Athena, a special charm used to imprison the souls of evil gods like Hades and Poseidon. She wields two primary divine artifacts. The first is the Nike, a golden staff representing victory that can be used as a powerful weapon. The second is the Aegis, a shield that is impervious to any attack and can dispel evil. She also possesses her own Divine Cloth, an armor far stronger than the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Cloths worn by her Saints. This Cloth normally takes the form of a giant statue of her at the Sanctuary and can only be revived using her own blood. Furthermore, her Cosmo is capable of awakening the Eighth Sense, allowing her to descend into the Underworld without being bound by its laws.