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Phoenix Ikki
Phoenix Ikki is one of main characters in the Saint Seiya series. Although he was introduced later than the other four main Bronze Saints, Ikki's role in the story is quite significant — he serves as the first antagonist in the series that the other Saints must defeat, as well as a powerful ally later in the series.
Ikki's personality is drastically different from his fellow Saints. He is almost the opposite of his younger brother — Shun is calm, soft, caring and very emotional, whereas Ikki is harsh, cold, aggressive, and very much of a loner, although his rough exterior conceals a truly compassionate and kind soul.
As noted by Kanon in the 'Poseidon' arc and by Pandora in the 'Hades' arc, Ikki's Cosmo is unique to him — it is full of hatred, anger, incredible aggression and power, but it was still guided by his deep love and loyalty for his younger brother, his friends and loyalty to Athena. Although he dislikes teamwork, he comes to battle whenever Athena's Saints need his help, and is often seen coming in the nick of time to save his younger brother and friends from certain death. This tactic has always been exploited to their advantage, since the enemies are caught by surprise upon fighting him. He is a noble, complex and mature character, who never hesitates whenever it can be necessary to sacrifice his life for his friends.
Ikki is hinted many times to be the most powerful Bronze Saint as he often pitted against the strongest enemies. Like the myth of the Phoenix, his power increases every time he is killed and resurrected. In his battle with Virgo Shaka, Ikki was able to awaken his 7th sense, which placed him in the ranks of Gold Saints in terms of power and skill. He also awakened the 8th sense, which allowed him to descend to the world of the dead without being subject to its laws. As a Saint, Ikki uses two techniques to dispose of his enemies; one deals physical damage, and the other destroys the mind of his foe.
His physical attack is Ascension of the Phoenix's Wings, with which Ikki releases his Cosmo as forces of wind and heat into a concentrated point, then unleashed as a single blow. This attack covers a wide range of distance and it is Ikki's signature move. It may also be used on multiple enemies at the same time
His other attack is Phoenix Illusion Demonic Fist, which is infamous for destroying the minds of its victims — the technique is dealt from either a single fist or a finger. Ikki concentrates his Cosmo into his fist to literally destroy his opponent's mind. Once used, it sends various nightmare illusions directly created by the opponent's brain derived from his or her deepest fears; he or she is trapped within an illusion that is almost indistinguishable from reality.
The Phoenix Cloth represents the constellation of Phoenix, which is associated to the immortal bird that is reborn from its ashes, found in folkore and mythologies of diverse cultures.
Ikki is connected to his Cloth and constellation in diverse ways. The Phoenix Cloth has the uncanny ability to reform from atoms if pulverized — an ability that not even Gold Cloths possess. Ikki himself can never truly die for good; while he can be killed, the constellation of the Phoenix grants him the power of resurrection. It is implied in the series that Phoenix Ikki also receives a boost in strength from every revival as sometimes the Cloth evolves.