Miho (美穂, Miho) is Seiya's childhood friend, she works at an orphanage, which is the same one where Seiya and his sister Seika, and the other orphans like Shun, Ikki, Shiryu and Hyoga lived before they were taken away. And even though she's shy about her feelings' deep down she's in love with Seiya, and also represents the point of view of the normal people who are mere witnesses to the struggles between the Saints and the Gods.
Character outline[]
Character traits[]
Miho is a kind, caring and nurturing person who shows concern for others and the greater good. And she also shows great affection for Seiya that goes beyond friendship to feelings of actually love, and she is always concerned with his well being. She also seems to have an argumentative streak on certain occasions, being somewhat headstrong' but still, she doesn't let it change who she is. She is also a very curious girl, and likes to reminisce about the past as well. In order to represent the point of view of normal people, she witnessed two conflicts between the saints of Athena against the gods and other enemies.
In the original story, she is one of the few characters that have a substantial relationship with a protagonist, without belonging to an army, similar to Shunrei with Shiryū.
Biography[]
The day before Seiya is suddenly sent away to train in the Sanctuary, Miho hides in a garbage truck that was going to the Kido's mansion so she can talk to the boy before he leaves. Miho asks Seiya if he's really going to leave and Seiya says yes. Miho gets angry seeing the nonchalant way that Seiya answers, and tells him that he could die. In the other day, Seiya hides in in a car and waits for Miho to say goodbye, but she does not appear and Seiya leaves, while Miho observes him hidden.
When Seiya returns from Greece, he goes to the old Orphanage where he finds that Miho turned into teacher and babysitter. Miho believed that she would never see him again. Seiya asks about the whereabouts of her sister Seika, but Miho starts crying for not being able to help her.
Miho suggests to Seiya that if she participates in the Galactic Tournament it will be easier for him to find her, since the tournament is televised to everyone. Miho asks him to be careful in the tournament and at that moment they are interrupted by Makoto, one of the children from the orphanage.
Seiya & Miho
Makoto recognizes Seiya to his surprise and tells him that it is because Miho always talks about him, then Miho runs after Makoto to silence him. Miho watches Galactic Tournament live in Tv while she prays for Seiya and celebrates his victories.
The next day, Miho along with three of the children from the orphanage, meet up with Seiya to help him make the move. Miho gets Seiya a house at the port. The next day Seiya returned to fight in the Galactic Tournament, this time against Dragon Shiryū, but Miho prefers not to see the fight and pray for Seiya in a church.
When she senses that something is wrong, she returns to the orphanage to watch the fight on television and finds Seiya and Shiryū are fighting without their armor. At the end of the fight Seiya is the winner and Miho celebrates it with tears in her eyes holding a photo of Seiya. But when Miho sees that Seiya collapses, the photo falls from her hands, leaving her very scared.
Miho takes a taxi in the direction of the coliseum to see Seiya, while listening on the radio that Seiya intends to help Shiryu to avoid death since his heart stopped during the combat. When Miho arrives at the colform she encourages Seiya from the stands to save Shiryu since Seiya barely had the strength to stand.
Miho witnesses how Seiya hits Shiryū on the back at the level of the heart saving his life and then goes to congratulate him on it. The next day Miho goes to visit Seiya at the hospital accompanied by the three orphan children. Seiya falls off the bed while playing with the kids and Miho scolds him.
Miho, Shunrei and the children leave the hospital and when they return, Seiya and Shiryu have disappeared, and Shunrei tells her that they have surely gone to the coliseum, leaving Miho is amazed since Seiya is injured. Miho and Shunrei go to the coliseum where Ikki de Fénix has just stolen the Sagittarius Armor, the prize for the winner of the Galactic Tournament.
Miho tells Seiya that he shouldn't fight without his armor. Facing Miho's worried face, Seiya tells her that he won't die until he has found his sister. Then Seiya and the rest of the knights go after Ikki. Miho's next appearance is spent the days on a visit from Seiya to the orphanage. Seiya arrives when everyone is eating and gives Miho a basket of fruits as a gift. Miho tells him that the children were worried about him, but Makoto tells Seiya that the one who was really worried is Miho.
Silver Saints arc[]
Miho and Seiya go alone for a walk on the beach, but then Kiki appears, scaring Miho the sudde presence, who jumps on Seiya's arms. Seiya tells her that he is a friend and Kiki tells Seiya the the Kido Foundation is being attacked, so Seiya needs to leave to protect the citizens. Miho's next appearance is on another visit by Seiya to the Orphanage, in which they both go to Luxor beach accompanied by Kiki. Miho tells Seiya that she has the impression that he has changed a lot lately.
Seiya & Miho walking together
Seiya tells her that the latest events have matured him a lot. Miho asks him if he will continue fighting and Seiya tells her that he is with her to rest and that he prefers not to talk about it, Miho apologizes for having mentioned it. When they were both calmer, Kiki sees someone and asks Seiya who she is. Seiya tells him that she is Marin, his teacher. When Seiya approaches Marin, Misty appears and tells Seiya that she has come to kill him. Miho pleads Seiya not to fight, but Seiya tells her to tell Saori Kido and the rest of the saints of the recent events, so Miho leaves to seek help.
Miho's next appearance is at the Kido Foundation hospital when she goes to visit Seiya, to whom she was bringing some roses, but upon reaching the room she realizes that Seiya is not in his bed. From the window Miho sees Seiya running away from the hospital. Miho gets angry to see that Seiya doesn't follow the recommendations he has to recover. Miho goes downstairs and tells Seiya that he has to rest, then Seiya runs off into the surrounding forest despite Miho's screams. Miho chases after Seiya but Seiya won't let himself be caught despite Miho's insistence. When Seiya returns to the hospital and falls asleep, Miho ties his arms to prevent him from leaving again.
Miho appears again when Seiya, Hyoga, Shun, and Saori visit the Orphanage. Miho is at the door of the orphanage taking care of the children who play soccer. At dusk, Hyoga, Shun, and Saori leave but Seiya stays a while longer at the orphanage. Miho and Seiya go alone to the port to gaze at the stars.
Seiya & Miho under the night sky
Miho in those moments remembers her childhood when Seiya went to Greece to receive knight training. Miho tells Seiya that she saw him leave but that she did not say goodbye to him because he was hurt and had too much pride to do so. Miho tells him that she was very happy to see him back after 6 years.
Miho tells him that he thinks that this time he and the other knights are leaving them forever. Seiya asks him why he thinks they are going to leave again. Miho tells him that she knows it and that it shows since they grew up together. Miho tells her that she knows that she will be in great danger risking her life, but that she hopes that one day he will stop doing so to live with her. Seiya tells her that in order to live happily and in peace he has to fight to get it. They both return to the orphanage and there Seiya promises Miho that he will see her again while she begins to cry. Then children fall from the tree next to them. Miho and Seiya tell them off for spying on them.
Hades[]
Miho with the orphans worried about Seiya & the others
Miho reappears in the anime sequel to the original series based off the manga too; The Hades chapters split into 3 parts. She reappears at the Orphanage looking after the little kids as always, while she watches a solar eclipse with the children, they look worried' but Miho explains to the children that this occurs because the moon covers up the sun which is totally natural, to reassure and not to worry them' even though deep down she feels concerned herself. Miho keeps wondering how Seiya and the others are doing in their battles, showing care and worrying at the same time about them' while hoping everything is alright for them. The truth is that Miho is surprised about the eclipse having not heard about it on the news first' and wonders if it could be a bad omen. But despite that' Miho still hopes that Seiya is safe and fine where he is' trying not to think to much about it and while still looking after the children at the orphanage at the same time. After the final battle is over' with Hades defeated, the eclipse vanishes' and it gives Miho and the other orphans relief while easing their worries at the same time' even though they still don't know what's going on with Seiya and the others.
Trivia[]
- Miho has a certain resemblance to Kiku Takane, a character from Ring ni Kakero, another manga created by Masami Kurumada years before Saint Seiya.
- In the 1986 anime adaptation, Miho shows her romantic feelings for Seiya, showing her support for Seiya, and the other Saints are out fighting against enemies. Seiya and his friends spend time in the orphanage where they grew up to play with the younger children and remember good times. Miho is sad that Seiya has to fight, but he tells her it is his destiny, and he will not die until he sees his sister Seika.
- Miho demonstrates her romantic feelings for Seiya, more so than in the Manga itself' always being there for Seiya as best she can' and showing worry and concern for him when he and the other Saints are out fighting against enemies, and is there when Seiya and his friends spend time in the orphanage where they grew up to play with the younger children. In Episode 2 based on chapters 4 & 4.1 when Seiya returns to the orphanage and sees Miho again after years of training in Greece at the Sanctuary, and catches up with her on old times' when he asks her frantically if she knows the whereabouts of his Sister Seika' Miho gets sad telling him she doesn't know' Seiya apologizes for making her sad, but she encourages him that she might be able to see him on TV during the tournament to win the gold Sagittarius cloth' reassuring him' and while he's fighting Shiryu during the tournament while he's struggling he remembers he can't give up, having images in his mind of Seika, Marin & Miho encouraging him not to give up and inspiring him to keep fighting, Miho Is also seen caring for him at the hospital too. The day before the battle against the Sanctuary against the gold saints of the Kyōkō Arles, Seiya and his friends spend time in the orphanage where they grew up to play with the younger kids and remember good times before they have to leave. Miho is sad that Seiya is leaving to fight asking him why he has to be putting his life on the line so much' same for the others' telling him she hates Saori for putting them through all that, when's there are others there age who are out there fulfilling their desires by living normal lives and pursuing peaceful purposes, Seiya agrees with her' and tells her he'd like to be one of those people too' but he also tells her it's his destiny, and won't die until he sees his sister, promising Miho he'll be back in Japan with Seika by his side again and to see Miho again as well. At the final of the Hades sequel anime based on the chapters of the original Manga' Miho appeared again with the other kids at the orphanage together' with Miho looking after them as always' even though she and the other orphans don't know how the battle against Hades and the Specters are going she hopes that Seiya is doing well.
- Miho clearly has feelings for Seiya, but if he feels the same, it's not clear' but during the silent courtroom chapters Miho Is seen in Seiya's mind to a flashback when they were little kids growing up at the orphanage together' hinting that he might actually feel the same way romantically about Miho just like she does him at the same time' but doesn't realize those feelings yet or subconsciously does.
- Seiya also has other two potential love interests, Shaina and Saori. The anime focuses more on his relationship with the Saori, even though nothing actually happens between them, and even though Saori shows she has feelings for Seiya too, she instead focuses on the tasks at hand' and not trying to pursue a relationship with Seiya and besides, she'd lose her powers as a goddess if she allowed herself to pursue romance; while at the same time the manga seems more focused on Shaina even though she hated Seiya at first, and tried having him killed' while also trying to kill him herself; but only because Seiya once saw her without her mask on when they were younger during his early days of training at the sanctuary' and the rule for most female Saints Is that if a Man sees them without their masks on they have two options either try and kill the man or love him' and she soon came to realize that despite her efforts for the alternative she truly loved Seiya, protecting him and caring for him while he was in his coma during Next Dimension. All the while Miho just makes minor appearances in the first Manga' but always showed she cared for Seiya deeply and tended to him when he got hurt and showing worry and concern for him too, but despite all that his love life is not concluded, he still remains single.
- In the official encyclopedia, Miho, along with Shaina, Saori and Marin, appears as a possible love interests of Seiya. Miho is placed behind Shaina and Saori regarding the probability of having a relationship with him, never the less' she's still included.
Gallery[]
Main article: Miho/Gallery
Quotes[]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "But you might be able to find her soon"[1]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "Well if the event is televised around the world, like they say, she might see it... and then come here looking for you!"''[2]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "That's why you have to fight, and win every battle!' If you don't she might not see you", good luck Seiya.[3]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "Don't overreact Seiya... if you keep moving I can't give you your medicine."[4]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "S-Seiya... come back in one piece, okay"[5]
- (About Saori Kido) "I hate Saori, she always makes you guys risk your lives."[6]
- (To Pegasus Seiya) "Ever since you were born, you've had to fight.[7]