Which Gold Saint Would Phoenix Ikki Become? Masami Kurumada: Leo!

Phoenix Ikki's Potential as a Gold Saint

In the world of Saint Seiya, Phoenix Ikki stands out as one of the most beloved Bronze Saints. His incredible strength and unbreakable will have made him a fan favorite. But have you ever wondered: if Ikki were to ascend to the rank of Gold Saint, which constellation would he represent?

Paths to Becoming a Gold Saint

According to Masami Kurumada's official sequel, The Lost Canvas, there are two ways to become a Gold Saint. The first is to be a child of destiny, chosen by the heavens and trained in solitude to eventually claim a Gold Cloth. The Gold Saints of Virgo and Gemini are prime examples of this path.

The second method involves promotion by the Pope, who can grant a Bronze Saint the honor of wearing a Gold Cloth. This was the case for familiar characters like Pope Shion and Master Dohko 243 years ago. Theoretically, this means Ikki could also follow this path to greatness.

Ikki's Astrological Destiny

With twelve Gold Saints, each aligned to a specific zodiac sign, the question remains: which one suits Ikki best? While his most famous battles were against the Gemini and Virgo Gold Saints, his birthday—August 15—places him squarely under the sign of Leo. So, how would Kurumada-sensei envision his future?

Kurumada's Verdict in The Lost Canvas

In The Lost Canvas, Ikki travels back in time with Athena to save a wounded Seiya. To protect her, he must once again challenge the Twelve Gold Saints. After overcoming the trials of Gemini and Virgo, he reaches the Leo Temple and faces off against the Leo Gold Saint, Kaiser.

Though Ikki doesn't defeat Kaiser, his resilience and courage impress the Gold Saint, who acknowledges him as the next Leo Gold Saint. This moment serves as Kurumada's official endorsement: Ikki is destined to become the Leo Gold Saint, guarding Athena with the pride and ferocity of a lion.

A Final Thought

This revelation sparks another intriguing question: as the Leo Gold Saint, would Ikki still wield his signature technique, the Phoenix Illusion Demon Fist? Only time—and Kurumada's imagination—will tell.