Gold Saints - Top Tier Class.
Before I continue my assessment. I need to point out two things.
First - I consider Episode G conical to the Classic Saint Seiya Manga. (so if you oppose the idea, of Ep G. cannon to the classic manga, then there is no point in continuing since creative disagreement is sure to follow).
Second - Top Tier characters in regards to comic book characters that are in the league such as; Thor, Silver Surfer, Green Lantern, Shaman X-Man, 3rd Age Spawn etc….
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Saint Seiya and Episode G
Members try to remember this.
One of the most controversial matters in the Saint Seiya manga, is the constant hyperbole card brought up. Or the lack high speed, constant fast action, big destruction etc. And I emphasize constant, since the manga writes an explanation, followed by an example, but example are not continently showed. Or the contradictory factors, where said character performed said feat, and seems to completely forgot it could do so.
A vary important note is, that its not Kurumada style to constantly draw out, over the top action. Saint Seiya was released shortly after Dragon ball (and yes SS was more popular then DB at the time, DBZ did not become an international sensation until the DBZ era. By that time Saint Seiya was close to its end). What made Saint Seiya so popular was its over dramatic soap opera like plot unlike its competitor.
Episode G; Cannon or Not to the Saint Seiya manga?
Lets get to the point. Officially Kuramada himself has not sated. So this draws the question, how does one judge what is and isn’t cannon?
. Notes on Okada and Credentials
Episode G overall plot was written by Masami Kurumada, and passed on to Okada.
Okada and Masami collaborate in the continuous plot of Episode G.
In EVERY volume, Author Credit is given to Masami, and illustration to Okada.
Okada, states it’s a continuation to the classic manga in the form of a prequel.
http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/6192/ssegv01ch05175176vi8.png
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8776/ssegv01ch01001lr7.jpg
For the reasons above, that is why I consider Episode G cannon.