National Film Vault

OFFICIAL FILM AUTHENTICATION BY CROWN GRADING

AUTHENTIC

CROWN CERTIFIED

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MOVIESaint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth

SCENEPegasus Seiya, Andromeda Shun and Cygnus Hyōga

FILM FORMAT35mm

YEAR1988

CERTIFICATE IDNFV-000001173

Film Record Public record

Directed by: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Studio: Toei Animation · 75 min

Sources: Wikidata. The record of the motion picture, not an assessment of this cell.

FILM NOTES

Saint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth arrived in 1988 as Toei Animation's theatrical expansion of the Saint Seiya television phenomenon, a franchise that had already reshaped the shonen action landscape with its fusion of Greek mythology and armored combat. Released during the height of the anime boom, the film gave fans a big-screen showcase for the Bronze Saints, reinforcing the series' commercial and cultural momentum in Japan and, eventually, among international collectors drawn to its distinct blend of myth and adolescent heroism.

This cell brings together Pegasus Seiya, Andromeda Shun, and Cygnus Hyoga, three of the Bronze Saints whose bond forms the emotional backbone of the series. Their pairing here reflects the franchise's core theme of brotherhood forged through trial, a dynamic prized by longtime collectors who value scenes uniting the central trio. Dragon Shiryu's presence among the named cast further situates this frame within the wider ensemble of Saints central to the story's mythology, making it a meaningful artifact for anyone assembling a visual record of the Bronze Saints' shared screen history.

Authentication Findings 8 checks

Consistent with a 35mm colour release print of Saint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth (1988).

Gauge: 35mm, confirmed by four perforations per frame on both edges; the strip holds three frames.
Perforations: Four per frame on both edges, evenly spaced; punched edges appear clean with no visible tearing or deformation.
Soundtrack: A variable-area optical soundtrack track is visible running along one edge beside the picture area, appearing as a single bilateral variable-area track.
Edge print: Not visible in this capture at sufficient resolution to read manufacturer text or key numbers.
Base & colour: Base appears with a slight warm-amber tint consistent with processed colour print stock; dye image shows saturated colour with no visible fading or red shift.
Projection history: No splices, cue marks or significant scratches are visible; the surface appears consistent with a projected release print showing light use.
Picture: Positive colour image; all three frames appear to be the same or near-identical consecutive frames from a single shot, consistent with an animated theatrical release print matching Saint Seiya: Legend of Crimson Youth (1988).
Era check: The single bilateral variable-area optical track, colour positive print stock, and amber-tinted base are all consistent with a 1988 Japanese theatrical release print of this title.

Read from the original intake capture shown below. Observations only — film is authenticated, not graded.

This original motion picture film element has been examined and authenticated by Crown Grading in partnership with National Film Vault, and encapsulated for archival preservation.

Why so little survivesRelease prints were leased to theaters, not sold. When the run ended they went back to the distributor to be destroyed, and most were. What collectors hold today came from the prints that escaped that order, and no new 35mm prints of these films are being struck.

CROWN SERIAL 000063017

Original Film Capture As received

The film strip as photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation

Photographed on the light panel at intake, before encapsulation — tap to open full size