Saint Seiya: The Golden Pisces’ Most Cruel Ritual of Fate – ‘Crimson Blood Bond’
In the epic saga of Saint Seiya, the legacy of the 88 Saints under Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom and War, has been meticulously passed down through generations. Their constellations, sacred cloths, and indomitable wills represent a heritage of sacrifice and valor. Among these, the transition between eras of Pisces Gold Saints embodies one of the most brutal and fate-sealed rituals known as the “Crimson Blood Bond”.
The Origin of the Crimson Blood Bond
While the original Saint Seiya series by Masami Kurumada did not explicitly detail this ritual, it was brilliantly introduced in the spin-off The Lost Canvas by Shiori Teshirogi. This blood oath, deeply rooted in mythic tradition, defines the succession of the Pisces Gold Saint. It is a rite where two individuals—the incumbent and the successor—prick their fingertips and exchange drops of blood over several years, allowing their blood to circulate within each other’s bodies. The catch? If either fails to withstand the other’s poisonous blood, death is inevitable. This ritual is a Darwinian test of toxicity, resilience, and ultimate survival.
A Choice Between Humanity and Toxicity
The ritual presents a profound crossroads for the successor: the “Path of Humanity” or the “Path of Poison”. Opting for the former means relinquishing the title of Pisces Gold Saint to live as an ordinary human. Choosing the latter, however, means embracing a solitary existence as a toxic entity—feared and untouchable, yet powerful. This duality reflects the Pisces archetype: compassionate yet isolated, dreamy yet deadly.
In The Lost Canvas, the characters Albafica and his master, Rugonis, undergo this very ritual. Pisces Saints are inherently linked to poison, often employing deadly techniques like the Piranhan Rose to guard the Pisces Temple. The Crimson Blood Bond, therefore, isn’t just a test of physical endurance but a metaphysical transformation aligning the successor with the constellation’s lethal nature.
The Burden of Patricide
One of the most haunting aspects of this ritual is the implicit burden of “patricide”. The successor’s victory necessitates the master’s death by their own poisonous blood. This echoes other tragic master-disciple dynamics in the series, such as Ikki and Guilty, or Hyoga and Camus. Yet, in the case of Pisces, this isn’t an act of malice but a sacrificial offering—a harsh necessity to ensure the continuity of strength for Athena’s cause.
Albafica’s lifelong remorse after “killing” Rugonis underscores the emotional weight of this ritual. It’s a poignant reminder that power often comes at the cost of personal guilt and eternal solitude—a theme deeply resonant with Pisces’ empathetic yet sacrificial nature.
Loyalty to Athena and the Greater Good
Despite its brutality, the Crimson Blood Bond is ultimately a testament to unwavering loyalty. Rugonis willingly embraced this ritual to nurture a stronger successor for Athena’s army. His sacrifice wasn’t in vain; it was a calculated move to fortify the ranks of justice. This highlights the ritual’s deeper purpose: to ensure that each generation of Pisces Saints is more resilient and deadly than the last, capable of protecting Athena and humanity from divine threats.
The master’s willingness to die for their disciple’s growth exemplifies selflessness—a trait mirrored in Pisces’ compassionate and often martyr-like demeanor. It’s a cruel yet beautiful paradox: to give life through death, to empower through sacrifice.
Legacy and Continuity in the Pisces Lineage
The absence of this ritual in Kurumada’s original series may be attributed to a “lineage” or gap in the Pisces succession. Unlike constellations like Aries or Libra, which had clear successors like Shion and Dohko, Pisces faced interruptions—exemplified by Albafica’s premature death in the previous Holy War. This discontinuity might explain why the ritual faded into obscurity, only to be rediscovered and explored in The Lost Canvas.
Nevertheless, the Crimson Blood Bond remains a powerful symbol of the Pisces legacy: a blend of beauty and brutality, compassion and cruelty—much like the twin fish that represent this water sign.
