Man, I remember when I first stumbled onto The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse while scrolling through Netflix last winter. Had zero expectations honestly, just needed something new after binging Attack on Titan. But wow, this spin-off grabbed me faster than Meliodas grabbing Elizabeth. If you're here, you're probably either a curious newbie or a hardcore fan digging deeper - either way, I've got your back. This ain't some dry wiki recap. It's everything I wish I knew before diving in, plus stuff I learned the hard way after three rewatches and reading the manga twice.
What Exactly IS Four Knights of the Apocalypse Anyway?
Alright, real talk. When I heard Nakaba Suzuki was making a sequel to Seven Deadly Sins, I was skeptical. Sequels often mess things up, right? But Four Knights actually feels fresh. It's set 16 years after the original series, following Percival - this naive kid raised by his grandpa on God's Finger (weird name, cool floating island). His life blows up when holy knights attack, forcing him on a journey to find the legendary Four Knights destined to either save or destroy Britannia. The tone's lighter than SDS initially, but gets just as intense when Chaos cultists and prophecy stuff kicks in. Animation's handled by Telecom Animation Film (same as SDS), and they fixed a lot of the quality issues from SDS' later seasons. Still some wonky CGI dragons though, ngl.
Core Characters You'll Actually Care About
What makes Four Knights work is the new crew. They're not SDS copycats - each brings unique energy. Percival's optimism could be annoying, but his growth feels earned. That scene where he first summons multiple golems? Chills. Don't even get me started on Lancelot. Dude's OP but has this quiet intensity that makes every fight matter. Here's the main squad breakdown:
| Character | Abilities | Role in Prophecy | Voice Actor (EN/JP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percival | Golem creation, Hope magic | Knight of Death | Max Mittelman / Shou Komura |
| Lancelot | Speed manipulation, Fairy powers | Knight of War | Zach Aguilar / Kikunosuke Toya |
| Tristan | Demon/Goddess hybrid magic | Knight of Famine | Laura Stahl / Ayumu Murase |
| Gawain | Sunshine grace (like Escanor) | Knight of Pestilence | Jeannie Tirado / Aino Shimada |
Side note – Anne's low-key my favorite. Just a regular girl caught up in this madness, reacting exactly how any of us would. Her dynamic with Percival gives the show heart when things get dark. Kinda wish she got more screen time though.
Where to Legally Watch Four Knights Worldwide
This drove me nuts when traveling last month. Licensing is all over the place:
| Platform | Regions Available | New Episode Schedule | Subscription Cost (USD) | Dub Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | North America, Europe | Weekly (Mon) | $6.99–$22.99 | English, Spanish, French |
| Crunchyroll | Worldwide (excl. China/Russia) | Weekly (Sun) | $7.99–$14.99 | English, Portuguese, German |
| Hulu | USA only | Full season drops | $7.99–$14.99 | English only |
| Ani-One Asia | Southeast Asia | Weekly (Tue) | Free (with ads) | Subtitles only |
Pro tip: Netflix usually gets dubs faster, but Crunchyroll has uncensored versions earlier if you're into that. Avoid random streaming sites - my cousin got malware last year trying to watch episode 5 early.
Essential Viewing Order for Maximum Enjoyment
Look, you can jump into Four Knights without seeing SDS. The show explains the basics. But trust me, you'll miss 60% of the Easter eggs and emotional punches. Here's how I'd structure it:
- First Time Viewers: Watch SDS Seasons 1-4 → SDS: Cursed by Light movie → Four Knights episode 1-24
- Shortcut Option: SDS Season 1 → SDS: Signs of Holy War OVA → Four Knights (you'll miss some lore but it works)
- OG Fans: Four Knights episode 1-24 → Read manga chapters 115+ for foreshadowing
That dragon statue reveal in episode 7? Means nothing if you haven't seen SDS season 2. And Tristan's internal conflict hits WAY harder when you know his parents' history. My buddy skipped SDS and thought Arthur was just some random king. Facepalm moment.
Manga vs Anime - Key Differences That Matter
I collect both, and the differences are fascinating:
| Aspect | Manga Version | Anime Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Pacing | Slower character development | Condensed arcs (Camelot intro in ep 3 vs ch 10) |
| Fights | More strategic/tactical | Spectacle-focused with dynamic camerawork |
| Gore Level | Limbs get torn off (graphic) | Toned down for TV broadcast |
| Lance Percival | Subtle romantic tension | More overt "will they won't they" |
| Ironside | Ambiguous motives | Clearly established as antagonist early |
Personally, I prefer the manga's darker tone, but the anime's voice acting (especially Kikunosuke Toya as Lancelot) adds layers you can't get on page. Worth experiencing both if you're invested.
Power Scale Breakdown - Who's Actually OP
Let's settle this once and for all based on current feats (spoiler-free):
- S-tier: Lancelot (dodged light-speed attacks), Chaos Arthur (reality warping)
- A-tier: Tristan (demon mark unleashed), Pellegarde (demolished mountains)
- B-tier: Percival (rage-mode golems), Gawain (midday sunshine)
- Wildcards: Donny (unstable magic), Nasiens (poison alchemy OP in specific matchups)
Controversial take: Percival's overrated early on. Dude got wrecked by basic holy knights until episode 12. His power spikes feel earned though - that forest battle where he manipulates roots? Chef's kiss.
Real Answers to Burning Questions Fans Actually Ask
Is Four Knights of the Apocalypse just a cash grab sequel?
Honestly? I thought so too initially. But Nakaba's clearly building toward something massive. The Chaos mythology connects to SDS' ending in ways that feel planned, not tacked on. Merch sales are strong though - my wallet hates those Nendoroids.
When does season 2 release?
Officially announced for October 2024. No exact date yet. Production was delayed after the earthquake in Osaka last year, but voice recording finished in May according to leaks.
Why is Arthur so different?
He absorbed Chaos energy at the end of SDS movie. Manga chapter 130 reveals this corrupted him over 16 years. Tragic villain origin done right if you ask me.
Should I read the manga while waiting?
100%. The Liones Castle arc (chapters 100-125) hasn't been animated yet and it's peak storytelling. Plus, Nakaba's art improves dramatically post-chapter 80.
Is Escanor really dead?
Yes, and it still hurts. But Gawain inheriting Sunshine keeps his legacy alive. That scene where she uses "Cruel Sun" gave me legit nostalgia chills.
Where The Seven Deadly Sins: Four Knights of the Apocalypse Falters
Let's not sugarcoat. The CGI monsters (especially early chimera fights) look like PS2 cutscenes. Pacing drags between episodes 8-11 with filler tavern scenes. Some power-ups feel unearned - Donny mastering lightning in 5 minutes? Come on. And why introduce 20 Chaos Apostles just to job them instantly? Wasted potential. Still, when this show hits its stride (Lancelot vs Pellegarde, Tristan's inner demon struggle), it's as good as SDS at its peak. Just manage expectations for the first cour.
Merch You'll Actually Want to Buy
After collecting way too much:
- Must-own: SH Figuarts Lancelot ($65), Art Book World ($45), Nakaba-signed vol 1 (auctions ~$300)
- Skip: Blind box pins (poor quality), bootleg keychains on Etsy (colors bleed)
- Hidden gem: Chaos Knights playmat for card games ($25 on AmiAmi)
That limited edition blu-ray box with storyboards? Only 500 copies. I camped online for 9 hours. Worth it for the commentary tracks though.
Final Verdict - Is Four Knights Worth Your Time?
For SDS fans? Absolutely. It expands the lore in meaningful ways without retreading old ground. Newcomers might feel lost initially, but the core adventure holds up. Manage expectations around animation inconsistencies, and you'll find one of the most inventive shonen worlds since early One Piece. That scene where Percival realizes his grandpa's true identity? Made me tear up more than I'd admit. Give it until episode 7 - if the Camelot intrigue doesn't hook you, bail. But something tells me you'll be downloading manga scans by midnight.
Random trivia before I go: Nakaba confirmed Percival's mom is (manga spoiler redacted). Yeah. Mind blown. Now excuse me while I rewatch the Lancelot rescue arc for the 11th time.
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