"there are more obvious problems, like obviously visible debris remaining." - Ricsi-viragosi
My Response: This is intent of the Author Vs Artwork Style (The way they chose to draw)
We are actually also told that they have to focus their Cosmo (Energy) into their attacks (6th scan) [
[Multiple different links in that sentence].
For example, Shiryu's signature move requires him to "Focus all of your energy."
Gemini Saga's Galaxian Explosion is all encompassing
AoE attack that is purely Cosmo.
The Santia Sho manga says that they need to make this energy called "Cosmo" Burst. Seiya is stated to have masterfully focuses
his energy into his punch, and his kicks. Saint Seiya
Omega reiterates the same thing Santia Show does.
The Saints fight by exploding an energy called "Cosmo" which is also stated in the anime classic.
The Lost C
anvas also says this again, but with additional wording.
Additionally in the Lost Canvas anime, Libra Dohko is explaining the power of "Cosmo" (Energy) to Tenma.
Libra Dohko shows us the destruction of an Atom.
"I heard the author made some rather... bad claims, such as characters being Sol even when blatantly faster and upscaling from already claimed to be Sol characters" - Ricsi-viragosi
My Response: The Gold Saints being stated to move at light speed is the base level of the 7th Sense. By burning their Cosmo ([The 7th Sense]) further they can exceed this base level.
"times when the distance between galaxies was claimed to be in the billions of kilometers, and so on" - Ricsi-viragosi
My response: Iirc, (If i remember right) this was actually a mistranslation and the words "miles," or "kilometers" isn't supposed to be there. Also, they were never stated to be galaxies either
if i remember right and they looked more like Universes that were previously drawn for us by Kurumada, but that is irrelevant and derailing so i'll stop there with that.
Edit: To clarify this last part. its just my opinion, and too ambiguous.
Another way to look at this is; during that Calc of Seiya's. He has not mastered his power yet. Let me give an example, During Santia Sho when Shoko first used her Cosmo (Energy). An experienced Santia/Saint stated that she only "
Awoken a little of her Cosmo." Therefore, it is possible that she could not reach atomization, or she may not have atomized an entire area. The same thing
could/possibly be said with Seiya whom was still in training up until his fight with Cassios in the arena where he makes another Crater. In which, we see some other Saints, in training, State that "
Seiya has masterfully focused his "Chi" ([Cosmo]) into his punches, and kicks."
HOWEVER
Gold Saints are required to have full mastery of the power of "Cosmo." Otherwise they cannot achieve the 7th sense. Gold Saint should clearly be able to Sub-Atomize with all their attacks. Even other Gold Saint tier characters can destroy photons when focusing their Cosmo. Leo Aiolia Explains that,
"When a Gold Saint focuses their Cosmo they can destroy even light" Also, its important to note that Aiolia's fighting style is the same as Seiya's for additional context here. The only difference is
Aiolia has photon burst which is
literally stated to make Photons explode, and Photon Burst Scales to Galaxian Explosion of The Gemini Saint's. (See their profiles for that) Someone such as
Mephistoles Yoma can reduce someone to Quantum Particles with his Marvelous room.
Then we also have been shown the cutting of Atom's.
A lot of scans heres, and im sorry about that hard pressed on time..
Gold Saints have Mastery over the Power of Cosmo
They need to focus their energy into what they are attacking with