Saint Seiya - Sanctuary (English Subtitled) Season 1 Episode 22 Phoenix Ikki!
- TV-PG
- March 21, 1987
- 23 min
Saint Seiya - Sanctuary tells the story of a group of warriors known as Saints, who are sworn to defend the goddess Athena against any threats to her safety. In season 1, episode 22, titled Phoenix Ikki!, the focus turns to one of the more enigmatic members of the group: Ikki, the Bronze Saint of Phoenix.
As the episode begins, Athena has been seized by her own brother, the treacherous god Poseidon. With their leader in captivity, the Saints are scrambling to mount a rescue mission. But when Ikki is informed of what has happened, he reacts in his own unique way: by flying alone into the enemy stronghold to take on Poseidon's forces single-handedly.
This is not a new development for Ikki, who has always been something of a maverick within the team. He is mistrusted by some of his fellow Saints, who believe him to be selfish and unpredictable. But there is no denying his raw power: his control over the flames of the Phoenix is legendary, and he has fought alongside the other Bronze Saints on many occasions, even if his motives are not always clear.
As Ikki infiltrates the enemy fortress, he faces off against a series of powerful adversaries. Many of these are minor foes, such as the soldiers of Poseidon's army. But as he progresses deeper into the stronghold, he is confronted by two fearsome opponents: the Silver Saints Mime and Albafica. Mime has the ability to manipulate sound waves, while Albafica can release deadly toxins from his body. Both are exceptionally skilled fighters, and Ikki is badly injured in the course of his battle against them.
Despite this setback, Ikki refuses to back down. He presses on towards his ultimate goal: facing Poseidon himself. The sea god is guarded by four powerful Generals, each of whom has their own elemental power. Ikki fights his way past all of them, using his Phoenix techniques to devastating effect. At last he reaches Poseidon's inner sanctum... only to find that the god is not there.
This revelation has two major consequences. The first is that Ikki is forced to battle once more against a formidable foe: Kanon, the power-hungry commander of Poseidon's army. Kanon has his own fearsome abilities, including the power to unleash blasts of psychic energy. The battle between Ikki and Kanon is one of the most intense of the entire series, as each combatant pushes themselves to their limit and beyond.
The second consequence is even more surprising. In the course of his search for Poseidon, Ikki is reunited with a figure from his past: Esmeralda, the beautiful woman who he loved and lost many years before. Esmeralda had been presumed dead, but it turns out that she has been working as a spy within Poseidon's ranks. Ikki's reunion with Esmeralda is poignant and emotional, showing a side of him that is all too rarely seen.
Overall, Saint Seiya - Sanctuary season 1 episode 22, Phoenix Ikki!, is a thrilling and action-packed installment of the series. It offers plenty of insight into one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the Saint Seiya universe, while also showcasing some of the best fight scenes and special effects of the entire season. Whether you're a long-time fan of the series or a newcomer looking for an exciting introduction, this episode is not to be missed.