《聖鬥士星矢》的最終大結局在粉絲間引起極大的震撼與爭議。雖然廣為人知的冥王篇結束時，五位青銅聖鬥士——星矢、冰河、紫龍、一輝與瞬——成功闖入極樂聖土，穿上神聖衣，並與雅典娜一起擊敗冥王哈迪斯，許多人以為這便是故事的最終結局，但事實並非如此。作品作者車田正美在十多年後創作冥王篇之後的續集，而真正的最終結局直到2024年才公開。

這個最終結局以極度突兀和怪異的方式呈現，讓許多長期追隨的粉絲難以接受。在最終篇章中，故事出現太陽神阿波羅的驚人轉折，他來到阿爾忒彌斯神殿後焚毀聖域，處決全部聖鬥士，並將雅典娜降格為三千年的天界侍女。就在此刻，守護雅典娜的星矢及時出現，向阿波羅五體投地、跪地求饒，表示願意用自己的性命換取雅典娜與其他聖鬥士的寬恕。這種極端的求饒行為與之前英雄氣概的形象形成強烈反差，讓許多讀者感到震驚。

最終，雅典娜和星矢等聖鬥士全部失去記憶，降為凡人。故事的結尾描繪凡人身份的雅典娜（紗織）在聖域旅遊，於一面刻有文字的牆前停下腳步，而星矢作為一名路過的少年，背著袋子與她擦肩而過。一陣風過後，紗織莫名流下淚水，故事便在這種充滿象徵與哀愁的氛圍中落幕。

這個結局徹底打破粉絲對英雄式大團圓結局的期待。過去聖鬥士們英勇無畏、戰勝邪惡的形象，在最終篇章中被徹底顛覆，變成帶有歷史隱喻與哲理色彩的悲劇式結局。許多粉絲對於這種突兀、帶有象徵性的結尾感到難以接受，但也有人認為，它以另一種角度反映人性、歷史與命運的無情，賦予作品更深層的思考空間。

The final conclusion of Saint Seiya has sparked intense discussion and controversy among fans. While many remember the ending of the Hades arc—where the five Bronze Saints, Seiya, Hyoga, Shiryu, Ikki, and Shun, successfully reach the Elysion Sanctuary, don the God Cloths, and, alongside Athena, defeat Hades—it was long assumed that this was the ultimate ending of the story. In reality, the series’ author, Masami Kurumada, created a continuation after the Hades arc, and the true final conclusion of Saint Seiya was not released until 2024.

The final ending is extremely abrupt and unconventional, leaving many longtime fans unable to accept it. In the climactic final chapter, the narrative takes a shocking turn with the appearance of Apollo, the Sun God. He burns down the Sanctuary, executes all the Saints, and demotes Athena to a servant in the heavens. At this critical moment, Seiya, the protector of Athena, arrives and prostrates himself, begging for mercy, offering his own life in exchange for Athena and the other Saints’ safety. This act of extreme submission stands in stark contrast to the heroic image fans had long associated with Seiya, creating a sense of shock and dissonance.

Ultimately, Athena and the Saints lose their memories and are reduced to ordinary humans. The story concludes with Athena, now in her human form Saori, visiting the Sanctuary as a mortal tourist. She pauses before a wall inscribed with words, and Seiya, now a passing boy carrying a bag, brushes past her. A gust of wind blows, and Saori unexpectedly sheds tears, leaving the story to close in a symbolic, melancholic atmosphere.

This ending completely overturns fan expectations of a triumphant, heroic conclusion. The Saints’ legendary courage and victories over evil are replaced by a tragic, symbolic finale, layered with historical and philosophical undertones. While many fans found this abrupt and somber conclusion difficult to accept, others interpret it as a profound reflection on human nature, history, and the inexorable forces of fate, giving the series a depth that extends far beyond the typical heroic adventure.