SAINT SEIYA
Banpresto's Saint Seiya collectibles line features detailed, non-articulated prize statues and premium lottery items depicting Masami Kurumada's legendary Saints. Produced under the Banpresto division of Bandai Spirits, flagship series such as Saint Cosmo Memoir and Ichiban Kuji bring iconic Bronze and Gold Saints to life in fixed PVC/ABS formats.
Cronologia
Panoramica
Banpresto, operating as the prize, statue, and lottery division of Bandai Spirits Co., Ltd., produces a distinct line of non-articulated figure collectibles based on Masami Kurumada's legendary Saint Seiya (Knights of the Zodiac) franchise.
While Bandai's Tamashii Nations branch handles articulated diecast action figure lines such as Saint Cloth Myth and Saint Cloth Myth EX, Banpresto focuses on fixed-pose PVC and ABS prize statues alongside exclusive lottery merchandise.
Positioned primarily as Japanese arcade prize figures and prize-draw merchandise (via Ichiban Kuji lotteries), the Banpresto line delivers high-fidelity static sculptures at accessible tier levels. The line highlights mystical Bronze Saints—including Pegasus Seiya, Dragon Shiryu, Cygnus Hyoga, Andromeda Shun, and Phoenix Ikki—as well as the elite 12 Gold Saints guarding the Zodiac Temples. Figures feature detailed armor sculpts and dynamic stances inspired by classic Toei Animation anime designs and mobile game visual aesthetics such as Saint Seiya: Cosmo Fantasy. Scales range from standard display prize figures to large-scale 29cm statue centerpieces.
Storia
Banpresto's Saint Seiya catalog evolved alongside the broader media universe of the franchise, which began with Kurumada's original manga serialization in Weekly Shōnen Jump in late 1985 and Toei Animation's classic 1986 TV series. As Saint Seiya expanded through spin-offs, OVA series like The Hades Chapter, and modern projects, Banpresto established a dedicated footprint in prize arcades and lottery draws.
The division established the Saint Cosmo Memoir series as its primary non-articulated PVC display figure line. Early releases focused on core Bronze Saints in their iconic Cloths, including Pegasus Seiya (available in both TV Anime and Episode 1 versions), Dragon Shiryu, Cygnus Hyoga, and Phoenix Ikki, alongside select Gold Saints like Leo Aiolia.
Concurrently, Banpresto released themed Ichiban Kuji lottery sets in Japan and select Asian markets, offering tiered draws with exclusive "A Prize" and "Last One Prize" statues. Between 2024 and 2026, coinciding with major manga milestones such as the conclusion of Saint Seiya: Next Dimension and the launch of Saint Seiya: Heaven Chapter, Banpresto expanded its figure lineup. New additions to the Saint Cosmo Memoir series included Gemini Kanon and Aries Mu, while the Ichiban Kuji line debuted the Resurrection of Athena Series featuring large-scale fixed-pose Gold Saints.
I PEZZI DI SAINT SEIYA
Pezzi Iconici
### Ichiban Kuji Gemini Saga (Resurrection of Athena Series) A flagship 29cm A-Prize fixed-pose statue representing the formidable Gemini Gold Saint in grand scale. ### Saint Cosmo Memoir Pegasus Seiya (Episode 1 Ver.) A foundational entry in the Saint Cosmo Memoir prize figure line depicting Seiya in his original Bronze Cloth pose.
### Saint Cosmo Memoir Gemini Kanon / Sea Dragon Kanon A highly sought-after prize statue featuring Kanon, released across the 2022 and 2026 line expansions. ### Saint Cosmo Memoir Aries Mu A key 2026 addition to the Saint Cosmo Memoir lineup depicting the serene Aries Gold Saint in full armor. ### Saint Cosmo Memoir Leo Aiolia A dynamic fixed-pose PVC figure capturing the fierce Leo Gold Saint in detailed anime-accurate armor.
Collezionismo
For Saint Seiya enthusiasts, Banpresto collectibles serve as a unique complement to Bandai's articulated action figure lines like Saint Cloth Myth and Saint Cloth Myth EX. While Tamashii Nations action figures utilize diecast armor pieces and poseable joints, Banpresto's Saint Cosmo Memoir statues prioritize unbroken sculpt integrity, vibrant paint finish, and clean display aesthetics without visible articulation breaks.
Value trends for Banpresto items are heavily driven by the distribution method of Ichiban Kuji lottery draws. High-tier items—specifically "A Prize" and "Last One Prize" statues like the 29cm Gemini Saga—often command strong resale value on the collector market due to limited availability outside Japan. Meanwhile, lower-tier blind items such as metallic paper plates and acrylic stands offer affordable entry points. Thanks to their accurate sculpts and detailed armor representations, Banpresto figures remain popular choices for fans building static Sanctuary display dioramas.
Banpresto operates specifically as the prize figure and lottery goods division within Bandai Spirits, distinct from Tamashii Nations' articulated figure lines.
