Can the Twelve Gold Saints of Saint Seiya Withstand the Deadly Strike of Pisces’ White Rose?
In the grand combat system of Saint Seiya, the rose techniques of Pisces Aphrodite stand out as uniquely formidable. The Red Piranhan Rose conceals deadly poison, the Black Piranhan Rose can pulverize matter, and the White Royal Demon Rose—with its terrifying ability to 100% strike the heart and drain blood—remains one of the most feared finishing moves in the series. But how many of the Twelve Gold Saints could actually defend against this lethal attack? Let’s dive into the analysis.
The Rarity of the White Rose: Cultivation Challenges and Strategic Use
Throughout the series, both Red and Black Roses are frequently used in large quantities. The Red Roses can form defensive arrays like the Piranhan Rose Thorn Wall, while the Black Roses are often scattered freely during combat. Yet, the White Rose never appears in such abundance. In Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, Albafica’s life-or-death battle against Minos raises an intriguing question: why didn’t he use multiple White Roses from the start to secure a quick victory?
A plausible explanation lies in the extreme difficulty of cultivating White Roses. Each one may require immense time, effort, and cosmic energy, making them rare and irreplaceable in the short term. Albafica, for instance, possessed only a limited number throughout his life. Aside from the five used to defend Rhodithéa Village, he reserved his last White Rose as a final, decisive weapon. This scarcity elevates the White Rose from a conventional attack to a strategic, high-stakes trump card.
Defensive Countermeasures: Possibilities of Interception and Combat Dynamics
Despite its “100% heart strike” reputation, the White Rose’s performance in actual battles invites scrutiny. In the original series, Aphrodite’s fight with Shun was prolonged, and in The Lost Canvas, Albafica endured severe injuries before finally deploying the White Rose. This suggests that the “certain hit” property might depend on specific conditions.
One theory is that the White Rose can be intercepted or destroyed between its launch and impact. Albafica’s use of Crimson Thorn as a diversion against Minos supports this—it was a tactical feint to create an opening for the White Rose. If this reasoning holds, many Gold Saints possess attacks capable of neutralizing the White Rose mid-flight.
Gold Saints with High Interception Potential
Several Gold Saints wield techniques with the precision, speed, and destructive power to intercept the White Rose:
- Mu’s Stardust Revolution
- Aldebaran’s Great Horn
- Saga’s Galaxian Explosion
- Aiolia’s Lightning Plasma
- Shaka’s Tenma Kōfuku
- Dohko’s Hundred Dragon Fury
- Milo’s Scarlet Needle
- Aiolos’s Atomic Thunderbolt
- Shura’s Excalibur
These techniques combine overwhelming force with exceptional speed, giving their users a realistic chance to destroy the White Rose before it connects.
Gold Saints with Limited Countermeasures
In contrast, certain Gold Saints rely on abilities less suited to intercepting a fast-moving, physically destructive projectile:
- Deathmask’s Sekishiki Meikō Ha targets souls rather than physical objects, making it ineffective against the White Rose’s material form.
- Camus’s freezing techniques, while powerful, may lack the reaction speed needed to neutralize a rapidly approaching White Rose.
For these Saints, avoiding or enduring the White Rose would pose a significant challenge.
Conclusion: A Matter of Strategy and Skill
The White Rose of Pisces remains a iconic and deadly technique, shaped by its rarity and near-unstoppable design. While most Gold Saints could potentially counter it with their own overpowering attacks, those with less direct or slower abilities would struggle. Of course, battle outcomes depend on countless variables—cosmo levels, tactical ingenuity, and even luck. What’s your perspective? Could your favorite Gold Saint withstand the White Rose? Share your thoughts and join the discussion in the comments!
