The flickering glow of the CRT, the whirring of the VCR – sometimes, slipping a tape in felt like opening a portal. And few portals promised cosmic battles quite like Saint Seiya. When the first movie, Saint Seiya: Evil Goddess Eris (or sometimes just Saint Seiya: The Movie, or Jashin Eris in Japan) hit shelves in 1987, it was like getting an extra-potent dose of everything that made the TV series addictive. Forget waiting a week; here was a concentrated blast of burning Cosmo, mythical clashes, and impossibly cool armor, ready to rewatch until the tape wore thin.
### Olympian Trouble Comes Knocking
Directed by Kōzō Morishita, who helmed many episodes of the original series and would later direct the Hades Chapter, Evil Goddess Eris doesn't waste time setting the stage. Eris, the Greek goddess of discord, is resurrected via a falling comet (as ancient deities often are) and promptly snatches Athena (Saori Kido) using the legendary Golden Apple. Her goal? To drain Athena's life force, fully revive herself, and plunge the world into chaos. It's a classic setup, penned by series creator Masami Kurumada alongside veteran anime writer Takao Koyama, and it serves its purpose beautifully: get our heroes, the Bronze Saints, into action fast.
We find ourselves back at the orphanage where Seiya and the others grew up, a brief moment of peace shattered by Eris’s arrival and the appearance of her Ghost Saints – spectral warriors clad in intimidating armor. Seeing Pegasus Seiya (Tōru Furuya giving his iconic, passionate performance), Dragon Shiryu (Hirotaka Suzuoki’s stoic tones), Cygnus Hyoga (Kōichi Hashimoto lending icy resolve), Andromeda Shun, and eventually Phoenix Ikki spring into battle felt like reuniting with old friends, albeit friends who could punch at the speed of sound.
### A Pure Shot of Shonen Spectacle
Let's be honest, the plot here isn't weaving intricate tapestries. It follows a familiar, almost comforting beat for fans: Athena is kidnapped, the Saints must face a gauntlet of themed villains (Eris's Ghost Five: Jaguar, Orpheus, Christ, Jan, and Maya), overcome impossible odds through sheer willpower (and often, near-death experiences), unlock new levels of power, and save the day. It's the Saint Seiya formula distilled into a lean 45-minute runtime. But goodness, does it deliver on that formula.
The animation, while clearly a product of its time and budget (likely modest compared to feature films today), possesses that distinct late-80s anime charm. Character designs are pure Kurumada, all sharp angles, dramatic hair, and expressive eyes. The action sequences, though perhaps lacking the fluidity of modern productions, have a raw energy. Seeing Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken or Rozan Shō Ryū Ha fill the screen, accompanied by Seiji Yokoyama’s unforgettable, dramatic score, was pure adrenaline. You felt the impact, the burning Cosmo, the sheer determination.
Retro Fun Fact: This movie actually premiered in Japan as part of the "Toei Manga Matsuri" film festival in July 1987, screened alongside features from other popular Toei properties. It landed right during the peak popularity of the original anime's Sanctuary arc, making it a huge event for fans starved for more Saint action between episodes.
### Myth, Might, and That VHS Glow
What always set Saint Seiya apart was its unique blend of Greek mythology and high-octane Shonen fighting. Evil Goddess Eris leans into this heavily. Eris herself, the concept of the Golden Apple sowing discord, and even her Ghost Saints (like Orpheus of the Lyra) draw directly from myth, giving the battles a sense of ancient weight, even amidst the dazzling energy blasts. It felt grander, somehow, than just random villains showing up.
Watching it now, there's an undeniable nostalgia factor. The slightly saturated colours, the dramatic poses held just a beat too long, the way special attacks were often announced with full-throated conviction – it's all part of the package. This film is technically non-canon, existing outside the main manga storyline, but it feels like classic Saint Seiya. It captures the essence: loyalty, sacrifice, pushing past one's limits, and looking incredibly cool while doing it in celestial armor. Who didn't want their own Cloth after watching this?
Of course, it's not without its quirks. The pacing is lightning fast, character development is minimal (relying heavily on existing knowledge of the Saints), and some of the Ghost Saints feel a little underdeveloped beyond their core gimmick. But as a vehicle for thrilling set pieces and showcasing the beloved core cast, it absolutely succeeds. It’s a snapshot of a specific era in anime, before franchises became sprawling multi-season epics, when a standalone movie adventure was a special treat.
### Final Verdict
Saint Seiya: Evil Goddess Eris is pure, unadulterated 80s anime action. It's a nostalgia trip directly back to the days of discovering epic heroes and cosmic battles on well-loved VHS tapes. While the plot is straightforward and serves mainly to link fight scenes, those scenes are executed with the passion and dramatic flair that defined the series. The animation holds up remarkably well for its age, the voice acting is iconic, and Yokoyama's score elevates every moment. It perfectly captures the spirit of Saint Seiya in a concise package.
Rating: 7/10
Justification: This score reflects the film's primary strength as a fan-focused piece. It delivers exactly what a Saint Seiya fan in 1987 would want: more action, more signature moves, and a chance to see the heroes shine on a slightly bigger stage. Its brisk pacing and thin plot keep it from true classic status outside the fandom, but the execution, energy, and nostalgic power are undeniable. It's a solid, enjoyable blast of Cosmo.
For fans, Evil Goddess Eris is like comfort food – familiar, satisfying, and guaranteed to make you want to shout "Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken!" just one more time. It’s a perfect little time capsule of why we fell in love with these Bronze Saints in the first place.