Escanor/Plot

Introduction arc
Escanor's wanted poster is displayed on a board in the Boar Hat.

Signs of Holy War (Anime)
He is seen fishing at night, where he witnesses Hendrickson opening the seal from afar.

Ravens arc
Escanor is first introduced into the main story when, as the owner of the bar, My Sweet Gluttony with his Rhitta embedded on the wall, he is stumbled upon by a wounded Jericho carrying Elaine and Ban who had fled from the deadly pursuit of Galand and Melascula. Welcoming them, Escanor asks who they are and seemingly recognizes Ban of the three, asking Jericho if she's a Holy Knight however, Jericho informs him that the Seven Deadly Sins are now considered heroes not villains, much to his relief. He then asks Ban about Merlin which the bandit ensures him she's safe with Meliodas before asking him to hide them, which Escanor gracefully obliges to by hiding them in a cooler behind him.

With the Ten Commandments arriving now at the scene, a terrified Escanor is sniffed out by Galand who gets distracted by the booze and immediately commences drinking along Melascula. Admiring how the booze has gotten better over the course of 3000 years, Escanor explains its content which Melascula credits him for knowing much about it. Escanor asks who they are and the two respond that they're the Ten Commandments of the Demon King. Surprised, Escanor is challenged to a Galand game, with each of them delivering a blow to the other and the first one to die loses. Despite Jericho and Ban's advice, a terrified Escanor accepts the game and is patted in the back by Galand, but the force Galand used caused the secretive sin to pass out. Before they noticed it, morning had already arose, and as Galand attempted to carry the Rhitta, Escanor snatched it from his hand and told him that mere demons cannot hope to wield this axe. A surprised Galand wonders whether he is human or not and Escanor responds that he is indeed human, but he is the very pinnacle of the human species, introducing himself as the Lion's Sin of Pride, Escanor of the Seven Deadly Sins.

With Galand surprised of Escanor's audacity, to demonstrate his strength, Escanor slices the commandment in half with a mere swing of his axe. However, just as Melascula remarked, Galand was far from defeated as he casually reattached himself, which Escanor noted him for if he would be done in so easily it would not be very fun. Escanor then proceeds to provoke Galand by telling him to continue their game and hit him, which Galand responds to by activating his Critical Over, an ability to maximize his physical strength, which shocked Escanor greatly. Galand then swings his spear and delivers a land-shattering blow to Escanor's shoulder, in hopes of defeating the Lion's sin but to no avail, as the commandment's most powerful attack only barely bruised the brute. Escanor shows his disappointment, saying that it is now his turn, releasing an intense aura of supremacy, so great that Galand broke his own oath and subliminally tried to escape, but was petrified due to breaking his oath while Escanor proceeds to sigh in disappointment.

After musing about the effect of Galand's Commandment, Escanor tells Melascula that she can either run or stay and die. Melascula sarcastically thanks him for the offer and freeing her from Galand, and uses her Antan no Mayu to trap Escanor and proceeds to remove and eat his soul. However, Escanor's soul contains too much power for her to handle, escapes from her mouth and destroys her cocoon. As Melascula screams in agony as she is consumed in flames, Escanor answers her question of what his power is, replying Sunshine. After defeating them, he tells Ban that he needs to speak to him on important business and orders him to stay there and wait for him as it was almost noon. Ban agrees and waits for the man who returns at night in his Night form, much to Jericho's dismay, Escanor asks Ban how the rest of the group are doing and Ban tells him that he's left them for a while, but knows they are on the move. The Lion's sin then tells him that he is planning on returning to the group, but he cannot do so before finishing one last job as the barkeep of his bar, asking Ban to help him with it. It was then that King showed up.

Great Fight Festival arc
Escanor is later seen as part of the Great Fight Festival when Gowther arrives and lands on top of him. He politely asks him to get off his back and as Gowther recognizes, Escanor notices his glasses are broken and panics. He is then instantly impaled by a vine from Gloxinia but restored right away. After being forced to participate in the fight, and being paired with Hawk, a worried Escanor is then shocked to see a talking pig behind him.

When both of them go against Gowther and Jericho, Escanor gets scared when Gowther said he will kill them both and win the tournament to gain a heart and feel remorse for their deaths. Escanor tries to convince Gloxinia and Drole to let him forfeit the battle or at least change the rules, so he will not have to fight Gowther as he is a precious friend. As his request is denied, Gowther goes with all his strength against him while taking down Jericho and Hawk. Gowther uses Jack and Nightmare Teller against him and Escanor stars remembering his past with his family and how he was tormented after breaking his brother's arm, the reject from his mother and even how they tried to kill him, and how a mysterious woman helps him to escape. For a brief moment, he also remembered the time when he met Merlin and Meliodas and the feelings that started growing for her.

This moment turns into a nightmare when Merlin says to him that she'll never be with a man with no future as his curse will consume his body to nothing. Gowther, believing he had already put Escanor in an eternal darkness of despair, is shocked to hear and see Escanor is conscious, but even more when Escanor pseudo transforms into his more powerful form thanks to his ability. Escanor says that that nightmare was not despairing, but hope for him as Merlin was always a ray of light in his path. With his strength back, Escanor states he will make him pay for playing with the hearts of others.

Escanor delivers a simple blow to Gowther to take off his glasses, causing Gowther to see all blurry. Escanor starts evading Gowther's Gatling Jack erratic attacks and calls for his sacred treasure. Escanor and Gowther prepare for their last attack, but the truth was Escanor was aiming and attacking Drole and Gloxinia. Unfortunately, Escanor collapses thanks to Gowther's attack and turns back to his weak form.

When Escanor regained conscience, Gowther holds him to see how he was. Escanor tells him that even though he does not have a heart, he's still one of his precious comrades and that is why he would not let go of the Ten Commandments, for playing with the heart of his friends (stating otherwise that Gowther actually has a heart).

Escanor, along with everyone, is teleported far away by Gilfrost into safety, and he watches the battle of his Captain against the Commandments through a crystal ball in shock.

Defensive Battle for Liones arc
One month after Meliodas' death, Escanor shows up during the Ten Commandments' siege on Liones to aid his fellow Deadly Sins and the other Holy Knights, who are paralyzed by Estarossa's Commandment.

Estarossa feeling superior because of his commandment, notices that Escanor is not affected by it and asks the Sin for the reason why. Escanor replies that he is not able feel hatred against those beneath him, merely pity.

At the beginning of the fight, Estarossa appears to have the advantage, tossing Escanor around, but Escanor quickly turns the tables as the sun continues to rise towards noon. Estarossa shows that he is able to use Full Counter on physical attacks, mildly surprising the Sin.

Seeing how physical attacks would not be the best option, Escanor decides to use a magical attack. He then produces a miniature sun in his hand. As his allies are having problems with the heat emitted from the sphere, Escanor decides to translate the fight to another location. He then pushes the sphere, Cruel Sun, against Estarossa, sending him flying towards a nearby lake. As the Commandment falls into the water, Escanor makes the sunsphere explode, releasing so much heat that the lake completely evaporates in the process.

Estarossa admits he would have been in trouble if he had released his darkness a second later. Escanor prepares another Cruel Sun, but Estarossa quickly hinders his plans, using his dark powers to cover the sun. Nonetheless, Escanor decides to attack anyways with Rhitta. Estarossa uses Full Counter again, reflecting all of Escanor's power, greatly damaging him. As he seals Escanor's magic, the Commandment declares his victory, having the upper hand both physically and magically. But as noon comes closer and closer, Escanor's power level rises yet again, overcoming all impediments set by Estarossa, who is greatly shocked by Escanor's suddenly increased power. Escanor eventually launches another Cruel Sun towards Estarossa. Zeldris, who has been watching the fight, tries to pull his brother away but is also blown away by the force of the attack.

Escanor then proceeds to return to Liones Castle in order to support his comrades. He arrives at night when the battle is already over. There, he finally reunites with Merlin and surprises discover Meliodas alive, tending Merlin to reveal him the curse that the Demon King put on Meliodas, reviving him every time he dies in exchange for his emotions being consumed to his old evil self. Upon hearing that, Escanor is show discouraged.

Memories of the Holy War arc
The day after the defeat of the Commandments, Merlin explains to Escanor how she took care of rebuilding all the damage in the kingdom and castle while he gives her a bath. There Meliodas have a "friendly" moment with Ban, tending Escanor to recite a poem that Meliodas qualifies with an eight.

Corand arc
When Diane and King arrive at Liones, finally reuniting the Seven Deadly Sins, Escanor warmly welcomes them back.

After Bartra shows Gowther's "heart", he then runs away. Escanor accompanies the other Sins to chase him.

Sometime later, Escanor is in a tavern with King and Gowther. A drunk King begins to discuss with Gowther about his past doings and falls asleep. Gowther feels sorry for all the stuff he did to King in the past, but Escanor comforts him, saying that King is a kind person. Escanor hears Gowther's desire of being a better person and says to him that he likes Gowther. When the two take the drunk fairy to go back home, King accidentally knocks Escanor's glasses off, making him to violently grow larger and pissed off of having to take care of King. Gowther quickly gets his glasses and put them back on Escanor's face, causing him to shrink back. Escanor thanks Gowther, saying that things would have gone bad if the magic glasses given to him by Merlin would break.

Later, the Sins had a reunion party. While everyone is drinking Escanor recites poems. Escanor gets worried about Merlin looking at her empty chair and asks if he can go check on her, but at that moment Merlin arrives. Escanor proposes another toast.

With all the sins in the room, they toast to their reunion. Then Diane asks Gowther how his creator ended the Holy War, with Meliodas and Merlin questioning that. Escanor says that according to the passed down legend, supposedly the Goddess Clan sacrificed themselves to seal the Demon Clan and end the war. However, Gowther could not give a response.

Before going to her room, Merlin reestablishes the fact that Zeldris is still alive. Meliodas prioritizes freeing the people of Liones and liberating Camelot first before fighting Zeldris. When Merlin walks off and enters a room, she almost collapses and is caught by the captain. Meliodas then asks if Zeldris did something to her, however, she tries to avoid answering it. He sets her on the bed and tells her he knows that she's trying to protect Arthur. Escanor, who went to check on Merlin, overhears her with a sad expression when she asks Meliodas to help because Arthur is her hope.

Later, an anxious Escanor is by Merlin's bedside, watching Hendrickson trying to help her. The druid can do nothing to aid, so he decided to call Elizabeth. Elizabeth can finally make Merlin better. Merlin thanks Escanor for noticing that she was showing symptoms of a curse. Escanor, humbly says it was nothing, as he thinks of Merlin's earlier words.

In the way to Corand, after Elizabeth collapsed after remember his past lives, Meliodas tells everyone that Elizabeth is going to die in three days. Everyone becomes appalled, and Diane asks if he is joking. Meliodas decides to tell everyone about he and Elizabeth were cursed by their parents.

When the Sins arrive at Corand, Zeldris himself welcomes them. Meliodas rushes to attack him, but all was an illusion done by Melascula, with the objective of trapping Meliodas inside her Antan no Mayu. Melascula summons an army of skeletons to fight the rest. Seeing this is not enough she enhances them with Shura no Onshu. Escanor takes off his glasses to fight. Easily destroying all of his enemies. Later, tries to stop a possessed Diane. When Elizabeth arrives having to regain all the memories of her past life and reveal her past with Merlin, Escanor asks to know more about that history to what Merlin tells him to stay out of that matter.

During the fight, Meliodas finally breaks out of Melascula's cocoon, but in a berserk state, showing his progressive regression to his old self. Melascula calls this form Assault Mode and states that they used to fear it when Meliodas was the leader of the Ten Commandments.

Escanor quickly gets in action and calls for his sacred treasure and asks Merlin to encase both of them inside a Perfect Cube. A fierce battle between the two starts. Escanor seems to have the odds against him in the battle at first, as Meliodas avoids all of his strikes, and having to block the incoming attacks of the captain as well. After receiving a severe wound in the abdomen, Escanor falls down. As high noon gets closer and closer, his power level raises once more, growing larger, with the wound closing by itself. Shocked, Hawk states his power level as 114,000. Escanor recommences the fight, with a powerful axe strike, that results ineffective. Meliodas delivers a single punch right to Escanor's chest, making him fall down on his knees. Meliodas then puts his foot on Escanor's head and mocks him.

Escanor charges once again, striking with his weapon and using magic skills, to no avail. Meliodas manages to make Escanor drop Rhitta. Meliodas takes the chance to slice open Escanor's stomach but is stopped due to the blade getting stuck in Escanor's flesh. Escanor takes and throw Lostvayne away, then delivers a punch to Meliodas's face, with little effect. Meliodas returns the blow, making Escanor bounce around the Perfect Cube, and falling to the ground yet again. Escanor is praised by Meliodas, who calls him an impressive human.

As Meliodas picks up his sword, high noon comes. In this point, Escanor is able to reach the peak of his power, entering into "The One" state, the “invincible incarnation of power”, according to Merlin. Meliodas shrouds himself in darkness and slash Escanor multiple times with Kami Chigiri, but Escanor replies that he felt nothing but an itch. Meliodas attacks Escanor once again. Escanor then uses Seiken Escanor, giving Meliodas a large cut across his chest with just his bare hand, almost splitting him in half. Meliodas, greatly damaged and barely standing, insults Escanor, but rapidly fall unconscious. Escanor claims victory, asking Meliodas how it feels for a demon god to be looked down upon by a human.

Merlin then dispels Perfect Cube and uses her Telekinesis to carry an unconscious Meliodas back to the Boar Hat. In the way, Escanor falls unconscious. Merlin explains that due to Sunshine being such a powerful magic, Escanor exerted himself for suddenly releasing too much power in The One form after not doing so for several long years. In the Boar Hat, Escanor remains unconscious even with the help of Elizabeth's magic.

Prelude to the New Holy War arc
When Chandler appears to face the Sins, an incapacitated Merlin tries to awaken Escanor, but due to the artificial night that Chandler had created, Escanor returns to his weak form. Merlin tries to wake him up, but he remains unconscious.

He later bared witness towards Merlin's true childlike form and well as her negotiating with Zeldris. He was shocked to learn that Merlin possesses the blessings of the Supreme Deity and the Demon King.

After forming an alliance with the Goddess Clan, Escanor and Hawk are out getting supplies for Gowther. He then asks Hawk for advice in gaining Merlin's affection, due to him believing her relationship with Arthur Pendragon to be romantic. Hawk tells him to merely tell her how he feels himself, but he does not have the confidence to do so. Just then, they are confronted by Ludociel (while possessing Margaret Liones) who proceeds to question where Escanor got his powers from. After Escanor calls his powers a "curse", Ludociel furiously demands he gives back the magic and attacks him, but Escanor easily counters. Ludociel reveals Escanor's magic, Sunshine, belonged to his younger brother Mael, stating a Grace given by the Supreme Deity would kill an ordinary human in an instant. Escanor refuses his claim stating Sunshine is his magic and has had it since he was born and it is proof of his might as the strongest. Eventually, the two reach a mutual agreement.

He later regroups back with the others Sins as Merlin states of her intentions of rescuing Arthur and those in Camelot. When she mentions going alone to save him, Escanor mentions how against he is with it, which angers her causing him to back down. He later meets Arthur for the first time after Merlin rescues him while expressing some jealousy over Merlin caring for him so much. At that moment, however, Escanor and everyone stares in shock as Arthur, possessed by Cusack, stabs himself in the heart.

After Merlin and Elizabeth fail to save Arthur, Escanor prepares to knock on her door in an effort to cheer Merlin up. After practicing what to say to help her, he overhears Elizabeth mention how Arthur is to Merlin as Meliodas is to her. Disheartened, Escanor leaves without saying a word.

New Holy War arc
He later assists along Merlin and Elizabeth to the meeting to prepare for the Holy War, having an encounter with Sariel and Tarmiel when they recognize Mael's Grace on him. Escanor is assigned to the "Assault Force" with Merlin and Ludociel to directly attack Camelot.

As the sins prepare for war with the Demons, Escanor briefly coughs up blood with a worried look.

After leaving Liones, Escanor, along with Merlin, Ludociel, Gilthunder and Hendrickson teleport to Camelot.

Upon arriving Camelot, Escanor declares that its time to put an end to that Holy War.

The Assault Force discovers the castle of Camelot covered by an enormous field of darkness, product of Meliodas arsorbing the Commandments. Ludociel invokes his Sanctuary, creating an Ark barrier around him, Merlin, Escanor, Hendrickson and Gilthunder, being able to enter the field of darkness thanks to Merlin's Commandment that wants to enter and join the others. Ludociel declares that once inside they can not leave until they kill the creator of the dark field, Meliodas. However, Merlin declares that there is another way: to return Melidoas to normality.

Upon entering where the cocoon of Meliodas is found, the group is received by Zeldris, Cusack and Chandler. Escanor personally confronts Chandler. When the battle begins, Escanor attacks Meliodas' cocoon with a heat blast, being impressed that this one was able to resist his attack. After Merlin attacks the three demons with her Double Impact, Escanor moves to protect her of the assault of Chandler and Cusack but is thrown back by the two demons' combined attack. However, Merlin is able to repel them with the second stage of her spell.

When Zeldris assumes the position that releases his original magical power, Escanor says it is better that it is not just a bluff. Zeldris then proceeds to use his original power, Ominous Nebula, creating an incredible force of attraction, which draws the Assault Force towards him. Zeldris claims that they must get out of their way, releasing an attack that leaves Ludociel, Escanor, Hendrickson and Gilthunder wounded against the wall. Zeldris creates another force of attraction, but Escanor and Ludociel manage to hold on to the floor, while Hendrickson and Gilthunder are kept away in safety by Merlin's teleportation.

Ludociel is carried away to attack Zeldris, however, is only repelled and embedded against the wall as last time. After being attracted again, Ludociel clings to Escanor to sustain himself. Escanor gets upset asking him to keep distance, to which Ludociel says he did not intend to fall on his back, proceeding to an argument between the two.

Ludociel asks Escanor to help him, surprising him when he refuses claiming that nobody gives him orders. Ludociel shows himself insigned by claiming that a miserable human must obey him as the greatest being on earth, to which Escanor replies that he does not care. When Ludociel is finally caught in the power of Zeldris, Merlin asks Escanor to give him a hand, and he immediately catches Ludociel. He asks if he did not follow orders, to which Escanor tells him that Merlin's orders are another story. When Escanor asks him if he has any plans, threatening to send him to fly if it is not.

Ludociel uses his Ruby Shine to blind Zeldris with a bright light while Escanor causes a huge explosion with his Cruel Sun to camouflage their presences. Convinced that Zeldris will not be able to counterattack without being able to anticipate them in the same way that Full Counter, Ludociel and Escanor launch themselves on him, but to his surprise both are rejected in the same way once again.

There, Merlin notices how the power and speed of the vacuum created by Zeldris increases, attracting her with such speed that it prevents her from teleporting in time to evade the blow of Zeldris. However, Escanor shields Merlin with his body taking almost all the attack, saying that he was powerless against his own heart. When Merlin loses consciousness by the blow, Escanor releases his Crazy Prominence in his anger.

After Ludociel and Gilthunder are obliterated by Zeldris, this declares that Escanor is the last one to defeat. Escanor ask Merlin to hold on for a minute and she manages to uses her teleport to keep safe of the vacuum. Escanor, reaching the power of The One, manages to advance without being absorbed by the Ominous Nebula. Seeing such a fact, Zeldris asks if he is some kind of monster. Escanor says that Zeldris is searching for being beating by him like his brothers and that the time has come.

Zeldris says that Meliodas did not fight seriously because of the habit of underestimating his opponents that he developed due to being too strong. Zeldris declares that he is not like that and that he always uses his full power no matter who he faces.

Escanor considers it a joke and attacks him with Rhitta. However, the Ominous Nebula manages to repel his attack, but only causing Escanor a few scrapes in the arm. Seeing a tiny nick on Rhitta, Escanor drops his weapon. Zeldris says he would do it to beg for his life, but he does not seem willing to do that. Escanor uses Divine Sword Escanor, colliding with the Ominous Nebula that is unable to repel it. Zeldris asks why a human takes such a risk in a fight between Demons and Goddesses, to which Escanor says that he does everything for the sake of his friends. Zeldris denies that Escanor can call Meliodas his "friend", stating that he has no place for those boring feelings and there increases the power of his Ominous Nebula, managing to push back Escanor. However, the power of Escanor ends up being superior, breaking his Ominous Nebula and forcing Zeldris to intercept him with his sword.

Zeldris is forced to retreat, however, Escanor denies to let him flee and attacks him with his Divine Spear Escanor, piercing his chest with his finger and leaving him very wounded. As Escanor prepares to finish him off, Chandler manages to create an artificial night and Escanor is returned instantly to his night form.

When Ludociel manages to hurt Zeldris, he takes the heat in a fight with Cusack. There, Chandler decides to take charge himself of Merlin and the others. Escanor asks Merlin if Chandler and Cusack are as strong as they say, leading Merlin to tell that both with the older demons alive, owners of a terrible power and the teachers of Meliodas and Zeldris who were always with them. However, both rarely participated in the old Holy War, leaving much of themselves in mystery.

As Chandler and Merlin decide to start their battle, Merlin fires her Exterminate Ray, to which Chandler responds with the same spell. However, Escanor is astonished as Chandler's Exterminate Ray is much larger and more powerful than Merlin's. As the two attacks collide, Merlin tells Escanor to look for the opportunity to take Rhitta, although he was too afraid to do so. When Chandler's Exterminate Ray begins to take the upper hand, Merlin uses Enchant: Infinity so that her attack grows with infinite magical power, surpassing Chandler and achieving to hit him. Escanor praises Merlin's Infinity, stating than even the high ranking demons are powerless before it. Escanor tries to take the opportunity to take Rhitta, but is hitted by Ludociel being pushed back by Cusack.

Merlin says that Chandler and Cusack sealed their original magical powers for some reason, but even so they continued to be considered the most powerful demons after the Demon King just for being strong, fast and hard as anyone else. Escanor asks if they have no weaknesses, Merlin agreeing that they do not. However, Merlin says that it is only necessary to create some.

Seeing how Merlin manages to hurt Chandler and Cusack with an extremely complex magic combination, Escanor asks him when she thought of such a plan, getting surprised when she says that was when teleporting to scape Zeldris's Ominous Nebula.