Nakaba Suzuki had a massive mountain to climb after finishing The Seven Deadly Sins. How do you follow up on a series that basically defined a generation of shonen action? You do it by shifting the lens. Instead of god-like warriors who already know everything, you give us the main characters of Four Knights of the Apocalypse, a group of "prophesied" teenagers who are, frankly, kind of a mess when we first meet them.
The story picks up years after the Holy War, but don't expect Meliodas to swoop in and save the day every five minutes. This is Percival’s story. It’s a tale about a kid from a floating island called God's Finger who discovers that his dad isn't just a jerk—he’s a high-ranking villain serving a delusional King Arthur.
Percival: The Knight of Death Who is Way Too Nice
Percival is weird. Most protagonists in this genre are either brooding or hyper-aggressive, but Percival is just... innocent. He spent his whole life living on a rock in the sky with his grandpa, Varghese. When his father, Ironside, shows up and murders Varghese, Percival’s world shatters.
Here is the thing about his power: it’s called Hope.
It’s a hero type magic, which is super rare in the Britannia lore we’ve seen so far. Basically, the more people believe in him, the stronger he gets. He can create little "mini-Percivals" that heal people or go boom. But there’s a dark side. The prophecy calls him the "Knight of Death." That isn't just a cool title. There is a deep, existential weight to Percival’s existence that connects back to the spirits of the world in a way the original series never fully explored. He's the heart of the team, but he’s also a ticking time bomb.
Lancelot: The Absolute Powerhouse
If you were wondering who the "cool one" is, it’s Lancelot. He’s the son of Ban and Elaine. He’s a half-fairy, half-human hybrid who basically broke the power scaling of the series the moment he walked on screen as "Sin the Fox."
Honestly, Lancelot is terrifying. Unlike Percival, who is learning as he goes, Lancelot is already an elite predator. He can read minds (heart-reading, technically, thanks to his fairy blood) and his physical combat skills are off the charts. He spent time in the "Lake," a mysterious realm that seems to have aged or trained him far beyond his years.
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He represents the Knight of War.
Lancelot doesn't talk much. He’s blunt. He’s the guy who has to clean up the mess when the other knights get overwhelmed. But he also carries the burden of being the Prince of Benwick. Watching him interact with the ghost of his father’s legacy is one of the best parts of the manga. He isn't just a "strong guy"; he’s a lonely kid who grew up way too fast.
Gawain: The Knight of Famine and Her Massive Ego
Gawain is probably the most controversial character among the main characters of Four Knights of the Apocalypse. She’s the niece of King Arthur, and she is incredibly arrogant. She’s also the wielder of Sunshine—or at least a variation of the power once held by Escanor.
But she isn't Escanor.
That’s what makes her interesting. She has all that overwhelming power but lacks the discipline or the "indomitable will" that made the Lion’s Sin of Pride so iconic. She’s loud, she’s boastful, and she’s prone to throwing tantrums when things don't go her way.
- She is physically small but transforms into a muscular Amazonian form.
- She uses spells like "Absolute Cancel" and "Teleportation," showing she’s a magic prodigy.
- Her hunger (Knight of Famine) is both literal and metaphorical.
Gawain is the representation of what happens when a "gifted kid" hits a wall. Watching her get humbled and then slowly learn what it actually means to be a hero is a much more nuanced arc than I think people give Nakaba Suzuki credit for.
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Tristan: The Prince of Liones
Then there is Tristan. He’s the son of Meliodas and Elizabeth. You’d think he’d be the main character, right? He has the Goddess wings and the Demon marks. He’s the literal embodiment of the peace treaty that ended the original series.
He represents the Knight of Pestilence.
Tristan is a ball of anxiety. He’s terrified of his demon side. He hates the fact that he has this destructive power lurking inside him, and he tries so hard to be a "noble prince" that he often gets in his own way. He dual-wields swords (Mael and Estarossa) and uses both light and dark magic.
He’s the most "human" of the group despite being the least human biologically. He cares deeply about his soldiers and his parents, but he’s living in a shadow that is miles long. His struggle isn't about getting stronger; it’s about accepting the "monster" inside him to do good.
Why the Prophecy Matters More Than You Think
The big hook for the main characters of Four Knights of the Apocalypse is the prophecy itself. King Arthur—yes, that Arthur—is the villain. He wants to create Camelot, a paradise for humans only, and he wants to wipe out every other race to do it.
The Four Knights are the only ones who can stop him.
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This flips the script on traditional Arthurian legend. Usually, Arthur is the good guy and the knights are his companions. Here, the knights are the "calamity" that will destroy his kingdom. It’s a brilliant bit of writing that makes you question the nature of destiny. Are these kids actually going to destroy the world, or is Arthur just so far gone that he sees anyone who opposes his "utopia" as a bringer of the apocalypse?
The Supporting Cast: Don't Sleep on Them
While the four titular knights get the spotlight, the "Percival Platoon" is the soul of the early chapters.
- Donny: A failed Holy Knight who is actually a coward but keeps showing up anyway.
- Nasiens: A herbalist with a very mysterious background and a deep obsession with Percival.
- Anne (Anghalhad): The lie-detector of the group who provides the moral compass.
These characters keep the stakes grounded. Without them, the series would just be four overpowered teenagers hitting things. They provide the emotional weight that makes Percival’s journey feel earned.
Understanding the Power Scales
Britannia has changed. We aren't just looking at "Power Levels" like 30,000 or 60,000 anymore. The magic system has become more qualitative.
- Hero Type: Like Percival. Fueled by others.
- Technical Type: Like Nasiens. Focused on precision.
- Power Type: Raw destruction.
- Healing Type: Self-explanatory, but vital for survival in Chaos-infested lands.
Arthur’s forces use Chaos, which is a reality-warping power that defies the logic of the previous series. This is why the knights are so important; their specific brands of magic are the only things that can interact with Chaos without being instantly deleted from existence.
What to Watch Out For Next
If you are just starting the series or catching up with the anime, pay attention to the shift in tone. It starts like a fun adventure, but it gets dark fast. The stakes are higher than they ever were in The Seven Deadly Sins because the enemy isn't just a demon king—it's the very fabric of the world being rewritten by a man who thinks he's the hero.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Read the Manga for the Art: The anime is great, but Suzuki’s pen work in the manga, especially the Chaos beast designs, is some of his best career work.
- Track the Arthurian References: Characters like Ironside, Pellegarde, and Varghese all have roots in actual Arthurian myths. Knowing their mythological fates often hints at where their manga counterparts are going.
- Don't Ignore the "One Shots": There are side stories about Lancelot’s disappearance that fill in huge gaps in the main plot.
The journey of the main characters of Four Knights of the Apocalypse is far from over. Whether you’re here for the nostalgia of seeing the old Sins or you’re genuinely invested in Percival’s growth, the series is a masterclass in how to do a sequel right. Keep an eye on Gawain especially; her connection to the original "Sunshine" power is likely the key to the final battle against Arthur’s eternal kingdom.