From Tokyo Streets to Manga Stardom: The Early Years of Masami Kurumada

Born on December 6, 1953, in Tokyo, Masami Kurumada grew up as an only child with a rebellious streak—often engaging in street fights that earned him a reputation as a “delinquent.” Though Kurumada later dismissed these claims as exaggerations crafted for marketing his manga, his youth undeniably shaped his artistic vision. Like many post-war Japanese children, he found escape in manga, often reading free copies at local ramen shops when his family couldn’t afford magazines.

A pivotal moment came when he encountered Hiroshi Motomiya’s Otoko Ippiki Gaki Daishō (“The Leader of the Delinquents”), a groundbreaking series that glorified brotherhood, perseverance, and honor among outcasts. This “bad boy” narrative archetype, combined with Japan’s booming 1970s manga industry—dubbed the “Air Era” for its cultural ubiquity—convinced Kurumada to pursue comics professionally. After high school, he bypassed university to apprentice under established artists, honing the gritty, kinetic style that would define his career.

Breaking Through: Fight! Masked Rider and the Rise of a Shōnen Icon

Kurumada’s debut, Sukeban Arashi (“Lady Storm”), launched in 1974 in Weekly Shōnen Jump, featured female delinquents—a novelty at the time. Though cut short by the 1973 oil crisis (which spiked paper costs), it hinted at his signature themes:热血 (neketsu, “hot-blooded” passion), underdog triumphs, and stylized combat. His follow-up, Ring ni Kakero (“Put It All in the Ring”), serialized from 1977–1981, became his first major hit. A boxing saga blending sports drama with mythological flourishes (even incorporating Nazi and Greek god imagery), it cemented his reputation but also exposed creative fatigue.

By the 1980s, Jump’s roster included titans like Dragon Ball and Fist of the North Star. Kurumada needed a reinvention—and found it in the stars themselves.

Cosmic Inspiration: The Birth of Saint Seiya

A 1985 news report about the Leonid meteor shower sparked Kurumada’s eureka moment: a fusion of Greek mythology, astrology, and martial arts. Initially titled Galactic Rings, then Saint Warriors, the series settled as Saint Seiya (“Knights of the Zodiac”). Its protagonist, Pegasus Seiya, embodied Kurumada’s love for Chinese idioms (“天马行空,” or “unbridled imagination”), while his “Pegasus Meteor Fist” paid homage to the celestial inspiration.

The premise was mythic yet personal: modern-day warriors clad in constellation-themed “Cloths” (armor) protecting Athena from apocalyptic forces. Launched in Jump’s 1986 New Year issue, Saint Seiya was an instant phenomenon, blending Kurumada’s trademark热血 with fresh lore. The “Gold Saints” arc, where each zodiac sign had a champion, particularly resonated, turning astrological identity into a cultural touchstone.

The Flaws Within the Armor: Creative Constraints and Fan Critique

Despite its success, Saint Seiya faced criticism. Kurumada’s repetitive storytelling tropes—dubbed “Kurumada Specials” by fans—included:
– “Kurumada Launch”: Over-the-top attack sequences where foes rocketed skyward.
– “Kurumada Landing”: Victims crashing identically, headfirst.
– “Cosmo Ex Machina”: Heroes miraculously unlocking new powers mid-battle.

The art, reliant on screentone textures for Cloth detailing, also paled next to contemporaries like Akira’s precision. By 1990, narrative exhaustion ended the manga, but its afterlife had just begun.

Beyond the Page: Animation, Merchandising, and Global Conquest

The 1986–1989 anime adaptation expanded the lore, adding filler arcs like the anime-original “Asgard Saga.” While purists balked at deviations (e.g., changing Cygnus Hyoga’s mentor), the series thrived globally. China’s 1989 broadcast via Shenyang TV ignited a fandom so fervent that 2016’s Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary CGI film out-earned Dragon Ball reboots there.

The true longevity driver, however, was merchandising. Bandai’s “Saint Cloth Myth” figurines, with interchangeable armor plates, became collector grails. Even today, rare Gold Saint models command four-figure prices.

Legacy: The Immortal Cosmo of Nostalgia

Post-Seiya, Kurumada’s B’t X (1994) earned critical praise but couldn’t replicate the phenomenon. Yet Saint Seiya endures—through Netflix reboots, Jump Force video game crossovers, and generational fandom. Its themes of resilience (“Never give up until the last cosmo burns out!”) transcend medium, echoing in MMA fighters’ pre-match rituals and TikTok cosplay trends.

Now 70, Kurumada may never top his magnum opus—but as long as fans shout “Pegasus Ryūsei Ken!” into the night, his legacy remains written in starlight.