Aiacos

From Seiyapedia

This is about the character of the Classic "Saint Seiya" series. For Garuda Suikyō in "Next Dimension", click here. For Garuda Aiacos in "Lost Canvas", click here. For info on the Garuda Surplice, click here.

Some people collect stamps, others collect rocks. Aiacos does eyeballs.

Occupation: Spectre of Hades
Star: Celestial Valiance Star
Armour: Garuda Surplice
Age: 22
Birthplace: Nepal
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 85kg
Blood type: B
Related characters: Hades (leader), Pandora (commander), Rhadamanthys and Minos (fellow Judges), Ikki (killer)
Seiyuu: Shinichiro Miki

Garuda Aiacos (ガルーダのアイアコス) is a fictional character from Masami Kurumada's classic 1980's manga series, Saint Seiya. He was introduced in the Hades chapter, and served as one of the prominent characters throughout the arc. Along with Wyvern Rhadamanthys and Gryphon Minos, he is part of a collective known as The 3 Judges of Hell. Aiacos' power stems from the Celestial Valiance Star (天雄星).

Aiacos The Great

Aiacos (アイアコス) is taken from "Aeacus", the son of Zeus and Aegina (or Zeus and Europa in other accounts) in the ancient Greek mythologies.

"X" Marks The Spot

With his role as one of the big 3 Judges of Hell, Garuda Aiacos is easily one of the more powerful spectres in the Underworld. His power is only matched by fellow Judges Wyvern Rhadamanthys and Gryphon Minos.

Special Techniques

Aiacos is unique among the three Judges in that he has an extra technique, while Rhadamanthys and Minos has one.

"Garuda Flap"

The "Garuda Flap" is a two part attack: Aiacos first expells a gust of wind through his arms, sending the opponent soaring miles into the air at top speed. The spectre then crosses an "X" on the ground with his feet and begins a 3 second countdown. At the end of it, the opponent is knocked back down to the ground, usually crashing onto the "X" as marked.

"Galactic Illusion"

"Galactic Illusion" is the Garuda's stronger technique. At its most basic, it is a more powerful version of the "Garuda Flap", minus the countdown. Grand illusions of demonic eyes are seen flashing in the background as Aiacos unleashes a high speed air current at his opponent through crossed arms.

Mythical Garuda vs. Immortal Phoenix

Along with Gryphon Minos, Garuda Aiacos appeared on the scene during the fight between Wyvern Rhadamanthys and Gemini Kanon. It seems Rhadamanthys was having difficulty dealing with the Gemini Gold Saint, and would've tasted defeat had the two Judges not intervene. Garuda immediately took an interest in the battle and hit Kanon with the "Galactic Illusion". Kanon survived, but soon fell victim to Gryphon Minos' "Cosmic Marionette" technique.

Bronze Saint Phoenix Ikki soon arrived to save Kanon from Minos. Aiacos, still itching for a good fight, challenged the Phoenix Saint to a match-up. Aiacos demonstrated his superior speed and agilty over the saint, and caused sufficient damage with the "Garuda Flap". Ikki was hurled into the air before brutally crashing into the ground. However, the Phoenix was still intact. Amused, Aiacos gave the Phoenix a second taste of the technique. This time, Ikki did not land as expected -- instead, the bronze saint countered the move and swiftly smashed Aiacos' back as he recovered. Standing triumphantly over his opponent, Ikki stated that the same technique cannot be successfully used against a saint twice.

Giving a whole new meaning to "eyes on the back of the head".

Of course, Aiacos was not out, and offered to show Ikki a stronger move -- the "Galactic Illusion". Hundreds of illusional eyes flashed open within a cosmic storm as an air current sent Ikki flying into the air and to his apparent demise. The Garuda began to gloat that he had finally finished off the Phoenix, but soon enough, Ikki was on his feet once more. At this point, Gemini Saint Kanon warned Aiacos that every time Ikki was resurrected, he would become more powerful than before. Aiacos, refusing to believe in such nonsense, attacked the bronze saint with swift straight punches -- with none connecting.

Aiacos was in disbelief at Ikki's newfound speed, but before he could do anything else, the Phoenix hit him with his infamous "Phoenix Genma Ken". The spectre shrugged off the move and responded with another "Galactic Illusion" -- but to his horror, Ikki stood unharmed and reliterated his earlier statement -- the same technique cannot be successfully used against a saint twice. He then reversed the attack, and Aiacos' entire body was completely hacked to pieces by his own move.

Aiacos snapped out of it when he realized it was an illusion -- the effects of Ikki's demonic "Genma Ken". Minos and Rhadamanthys was dumbfounded as to what had happened, while Kanon stood amazed at having witnessed the "Genma Ken" again. Ikki then declared that the match was over; Aiacos was no longer a suitable opponent for him. Enraged at the idea that a Judge of Hell like himself would lose to a mere bronze saint, Aiacos charged towards Ikki with another attack. Ikki, now more concerned with the rumors of his brother having become the next avatar of Hades, decided to quickly end the fight. Using the powerful "Hou Yoku Ten Sho", the Phoenix obliterated the Garuda with a decisive end.

Beyond the Classic

Lost Canvas

Aiacos, the last Judge to be introduced in Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, proved far more tenacious than his Classic counterpart. Brutal and ruthless, the Garuda took Sainthood head on in an epic battle between the Ship of Hope and his own armored vessel. It would take all the might of Sisyphos, the Sagittarius Gold Saint, to defeat him. And the affection of Behemoth Violate, his Second-in-Command to remember the man he once was.

Like most characters in The Lost Canvas, Aiacos exhibited a new technique, the "Galactica Death Bring".

Next Dimension

The Garuda of the previous Holy War is none other that Suikyō, the Crateris Silver Saint, mentor to Pegasus Tenma, who trained with Shion and Dohko at Sanctuary. His loyalties remain obscure, but it appears he accepted to serve Hades in exchange for the eternal salvation of his younger brother’s soul. The boy was suffering from a wasting disease and Suikyō’s prayers to Athena had been left unanswered.

Notes & Trivia

Garuda Aiacos was the last of the 3 Judges to be introduced (Gryphon Minos was mentioned by name prior to making an official appearance), but the first to be defeated.

Classic Specters:

Celestial: Suikyō · Aiacos · Vermeer · Minos · Rhadamanthys · Charon · Gordon · Ivan · Pharaoh · Phlegyas · Queen · Rock · René · Stand · Sylphid · Valentine