Escanor: Why is he the most powerful character in Seven Deadly Sins

 

Escanor is one of the most memorable and powerful characters in The Seven Deadly Sins, known for his incredible strength and unique powers tied to the sun. He holds the title of the Lion's Sin of Pride and is a central figure in many of the series’ most epic battles. His dual nature, shifting between a meek and humble man by night and an overwhelmingly prideful powerhouse by day, makes him a fascinating and complex character.

Background:
The Lion's Sin of Pride: Escanor’s title as the Lion’s Sin of Pride stems from the immense pride he exhibits during the daytime when he is at the peak of his power. Unlike other members of the Seven Deadly Sins, Escanor’s pride is literal and tied to his abilities, as he grows stronger with the rising sun, reaching godlike power at noon.

Cursed by His Power: Escanor was born into a noble family, but his power manifested at a young age, causing him to be feared and ostracized. The people around him, including his own family, became terrified of his power and his dramatic shift in personality during the day. As a result, Escanor spent much of his life in isolation, ashamed of his abilities and unsure of how to control them.

Story and Key Events:

Joining the Seven Deadly Sins: Escanor eventually joins the Seven Deadly Sins, recruited by Meliodas. Despite his reclusive nature, his overwhelming strength made him a valuable asset to the team. His relationship with the other Sins is complicated at first due to his extreme pride during the day, but he eventually forms deep bonds with his comrades, particularly Merlin, with whom he is infatuated.

Night and Day Transformation: Escanor’s power is tied to the position of the sun. During the night, he is a frail, timid, and self-deprecating man, possessing none of the confidence or strength he has during the day. As the sun rises, however, his power gradually increases, and with it, his pride and arrogance. By noon, when the sun is at its peak, Escanor reaches his full power, becoming nearly invincible. This transformation is not just physical but also psychological, as Escanor’s humble and meek personality is replaced with overwhelming confidence and hubris.

Sunshine:

Escanor’s magical ability, Sunshine, is the source of his power. It allows him to absorb the energy of the sun, granting him immense strength and the ability to generate intense heat. As the day progresses, his strength grows exponentially, and at high noon, Escanor enters a state called "The One," where he reaches godlike levels of power for one minute.

Rivalry with Estarossa:

One of Escanor’s most iconic moments is his battle with Estarossa, a powerful member of the Ten Commandments and the younger brother of Meliodas. Despite Estarossa’s overwhelming power, Escanor defeats him with ease, demonstrating the immense strength he possesses at his peak. This battle solidifies Escanor’s reputation as the strongest of the Seven Deadly Sins during the day.

Self-Sacrifice: In the final arc of the series, Escanor plays a critical role in the fight against the Demon King. Knowing that using his full power would come at the cost of his own life, Escanor chooses to wield the power of "The One" one last time to protect his friends and ensure the defeat of the Demon King. His self-sacrifice is a poignant moment, as he dies not out of pride but out of love and loyalty to his comrades.

Characteristics and Appearance:
Day Form: During the day, especially at noon, Escanor becomes an imposing figure. He is tall, muscular, and exudes confidence. His mustache and broad chest give him a regal, almost godlike appearance, fitting his immense pride and power. As the day progresses, his size and strength increase dramatically, peaking at noon. Night Form: At night, Escanor is a completely different person. He becomes small, thin, and frail, with a nervous and shy demeanor. His eyes are often downcast, and he speaks humbly, apologizing often for his existence and for any inconvenience he might cause.

Personality:
Daytime Personality: During the day, Escanor’s pride is unmatched. He is arrogant, self-assured, and believes himself to be invincible, especially at his peak. His iconic line, “Who decided that?” in response to anyone who challenges him, showcases the depth of his pride. Despite this arrogance, he maintains a sense of honor and never abuses his power for selfish reasons. Nighttime Personality: By contrast, Escanor at night is humble, shy, and riddled with self-doubt. He feels guilty about the destruction his daytime self might cause and is constantly apologizing to those around him. This meek personality stands in stark contrast to the powerful and prideful warrior he becomes during the day.

Power and Abilities:
Sunshine: Sunshine is Escanor’s magical ability, which allows him to absorb solar energy. As the sun rises, his strength, speed, and heat generation increase. At noon, when the sun is at its zenith, he enters the form known as "The One", where for one minute, he becomes a being of near-limitless power. In this state, Escanor’s attacks are so strong that they can annihilate even the most powerful foes.

Heat Manipulation:
Escanor can generate and control intense heat. His body becomes so hot that he can incinerate his enemies with his mere presence, and his attacks often burn everything around him.

Sacred Treasure Divine Axe Rhitta:

Escanor wields the Divine Axe Rhitta, a massive battle axe designed to store and release the immense heat he generates. Despite its size, Escanor wields the axe with ease, using it to devastating effect in combat. Relationship with Merlin: Escanor is deeply in love with Merlin, the Seven Deadly Sins' sorceress. Although his love for her is unrequited, he remains devoted to her, and she is one of the few people who can talk to him without fear, even during his prideful daytime form. His feelings for her are genuine and heartfelt, showing a softer side to his character despite his arrogance during the day.

Growth and Redemption:
Duality of Pride and Humility: Escanor’s character is defined by the contrast between his daytime and nighttime personalities. This duality is a reflection of the complexity of his character—pride and strength during the day, but humility and self-doubt at night. His journey throughout the series involves coming to terms with both sides of himself, and his ultimate sacrifice demonstrates his growth as he chooses to use his power not out of pride but out of love for his comrades.

Heroic Sacrifice: In the final battle against the Demon King, Escanor’s last act is one of self-sacrifice. Knowing that using the full power of Sunshine would kill him, he still chooses to fight at his peak to protect his friends. His death is a bittersweet moment, as it marks the end of his journey but highlights his growth into a true hero.

Conclusion:
Escanor is a character of extremes—pride and power during the day, humility and self-doubt at night. His journey from isolation and shame over his abilities to his heroic self-sacrifice is one of the most powerful arcs in The Seven Deadly Sins. Despite his overwhelming pride and arrogance, he proves time and time again that he is a true hero, driven by loyalty and love for his comrades. His final act of sacrifice cements his place as one of the most memorable and beloved characters in the series.