For me, the main problem this series has it's the fact that it doesn't seem to know what it wants to be: Is this a series for kids or for the old-school fans who wanted a more faithful adaptation of the original comics? While the former seems the most likely answer, the truth is that this series lack the dynamism most kids series have nowadays, and the inclusion of some random elements from the comics feel like the writers were trying to pander to the most purist fans who had certain reservations towards the original anime series (Which honestly, despite all the liberties it took in comparison with its source material, managed to capture its essence perfectly well)
The result is weird and muddled, and it also negatively affected by its rushed narrative, where almost everything happens way too fast and with plot points being dropped almost immediately after being introduced: For example, when Hyoga (Sorry, I mean "Magnus") is introduced in the series, he apparently had the mission to kill Saori (Sorry, I mean "Sienna") just like in the original manga, something which could have been an interesting plot twist...Yet unfortunately, Hyoga (I mean, "Magnus") randomly changes his mind a few minutes later, and nothing is done with this story element.
The rushed narrative also affects negatively the characterization, because there is barely any time for a proper interaction between the main protagonists, and even less for the development of their respective personalities.
Now, the change of Andromeda Shun (Sorry, I mean "Shaun") seems to be the most controversial aspect from this series among the fandom, but honestly, I don't mind it so much. True, it was a pointless change, but it didn't bother me too much. Kinda wish they used that change to explore a little bit more the gender dynamics the series always had, but I guess that probably wouldn't have been "politically correct" for some. And now that female saints don't wear a mask (Except for Marin, maybe to keep a certain mystery about her true identity like the original series did on the Sanctuary Arc) my guess is that in this version of the sanctuary there is no distinction between male or female saints.
The animation is okay. Not great, but nothing too bad. Sometimes the characters look a bit too much like action figures, but the overall result is not as terrible as some reviewers here have stated. The opening and ending song are nice, but the rest of the soundtrack is mostly unremarkable. Shame, because the classic series had such a beautiful music.
This series isn't terrible, but it is a missed opportunity. Could have been an okay show for kids or a more faithful adaptation of the comics, but instead the result feels like a muddled mixture of elements aimed at an uncertain audience, hence all these negative reviews. Is not just nostalgia, as an indepent work completely unrelated from its source material and the original anime, it is still deeply flawed.
The result is weird and muddled, and it also negatively affected by its rushed narrative, where almost everything happens way too fast and with plot points being dropped almost immediately after being introduced: For example, when Hyoga (Sorry, I mean "Magnus") is introduced in the series, he apparently had the mission to kill Saori (Sorry, I mean "Sienna") just like in the original manga, something which could have been an interesting plot twist...Yet unfortunately, Hyoga (I mean, "Magnus") randomly changes his mind a few minutes later, and nothing is done with this story element.
The rushed narrative also affects negatively the characterization, because there is barely any time for a proper interaction between the main protagonists, and even less for the development of their respective personalities.
Now, the change of Andromeda Shun (Sorry, I mean "Shaun") seems to be the most controversial aspect from this series among the fandom, but honestly, I don't mind it so much. True, it was a pointless change, but it didn't bother me too much. Kinda wish they used that change to explore a little bit more the gender dynamics the series always had, but I guess that probably wouldn't have been "politically correct" for some. And now that female saints don't wear a mask (Except for Marin, maybe to keep a certain mystery about her true identity like the original series did on the Sanctuary Arc) my guess is that in this version of the sanctuary there is no distinction between male or female saints.
The animation is okay. Not great, but nothing too bad. Sometimes the characters look a bit too much like action figures, but the overall result is not as terrible as some reviewers here have stated. The opening and ending song are nice, but the rest of the soundtrack is mostly unremarkable. Shame, because the classic series had such a beautiful music.
This series isn't terrible, but it is a missed opportunity. Could have been an okay show for kids or a more faithful adaptation of the comics, but instead the result feels like a muddled mixture of elements aimed at an uncertain audience, hence all these negative reviews. Is not just nostalgia, as an indepent work completely unrelated from its source material and the original anime, it is still deeply flawed.