《聖鬥士星矢》劇場版Ⅱ《神與神激戰》是1988年上映的系列第二部劇場版動畫，故事背景延續原作中對神話世界的描繪，但將焦點放在北歐神話的阿斯加特與神鬥士的對抗上。影片的劇情緊湊而富有張力，將原本以友情與熱血為核心的青銅聖鬥士們的冒險，延伸至與神明對決的全新高度。故事一開始，冰河正在西伯利亞修練，意外救下一名身份不明的男子，從他口中得知亞斯加特發生重大變故。此時，沙織與其他人也前往亞斯加特，卻發現冰河失蹤，而當地的教主多路巴表面熱情，但神鬥士們卻對沙織一行人充滿敵意。幸好善良的弗利爾保護他們脫險。

隨著多路巴決心向聖域宣戰，影片的衝突逐漸升級。他先將弗利爾囚禁，並欺騙沙織進入他的宮殿，最終沙織被困在維京船的船首中。青銅聖鬥士與神鬥士的戰鬥由此展開。瞬首先遭到烏爾的攻擊，仙女座聖衣的星雲鎖鏈也被破壞。紫龍四處尋找冰河，卻發現米德卡爾德原來是被魔力控制的冰河，兩人因此展開激烈的戰鬥，最終雙雙重創倒地。另一方面，瞬在危急時刻被一輝救出，一輝連續擊敗烏爾與倫格，但也因此重傷倒下。星矢成功抵達多爾巴爾的宮殿，發現沙織被封印，並與神鬥士洛基展開對決，最終將其擊敗。

影片高潮在於多爾巴爾親自出戰，他以奧丁封印的強大力量壓制星矢與其他聖鬥士，甚至回復正義的冰河也被擊倒。就在局勢危急之時，人馬座黃金聖衣的出現改變了戰局，多路巴雖被星矢的流星拳擊敗，但因擔心沙織安全而未發出最後一箭。最終，弗利爾成功從牢中逃出，登上奧丁神像，協助解除沙織的封印，多路巴隨神像倒下而消失，故事圓滿結束。

在市場與觀眾評價方面，延續首部劇場版的成功，將觀眾熟悉的友情與熱血元素融入更宏大的神話戰鬥之中。相較於首部作品，此片在戰鬥場景上更具規模，角色之間的對抗與策略性更明顯，特別是冰河與米德卡爾德之間的衝突，展現出角色內心掙扎與忠誠的考驗。動畫畫面延續華麗風格，動作設計更為緊湊與震撼，配樂同樣由橫山菁兒創作，史詩感十足，強化整體氛圍。觀眾普遍認為這部劇場版在保持青銅聖鬥士魅力的同時，成功將戰鬥擴展到神明對決的新層面，使其成為系列中承先啟後的重要篇章。影片不僅延續原作的精神，也為後續劇場版打下風格基調，特別是在視覺效果與戰鬥呈現上，為粉絲提供更加震撼與宏大的觀影體驗。

Saint Seiya: The Battle of Gods is the second theatrical film in the Saint Seiya series, released in 1988. The story continues the original series’ depiction of mythological worlds but shifts its focus to the conflict between the Bronze Saints and the God Warriors in Asgard, inspired by Norse mythology. The plot is tightly woven and full of tension, elevating the Bronze Saints’ adventures, traditionally centered on friendship and heroic determination, to an entirely new level of confrontation against divine beings.

The story begins with Cygnus Hyoga training in Siberia, where he unexpectedly saves a mysterious man and learns from him that Asgard is in turmoil. Meanwhile, Saori and the others travel to Asgard but discover that Hyoga has gone missing. The local ruler, Dolbar, appears outwardly welcoming, yet the God Warriors harbor hostility toward Saori and her companions. Fortunately, the kind-hearted Freyr protects them from danger.

As Dolbar resolves to declare war on the Sanctuary, the film’s conflict escalates. He imprisons Freyr and deceives Saori into entering his palace, ultimately trapping her at the prow of a Viking ship. This sets the stage for battles between the Bronze Saints and the God Warriors. Andromeda Shun is the first to be attacked by Ullr, and his Nebula Chain is shattered. Meanwhile, Dragon Shiryu searches for Hyoga and discovers that Midgard is in fact Hyoga under magical control. This revelation triggers an intense duel between the two, leaving both severely injured. At the same time, Shun is rescued by Ikki, who defeats Ullr and Lunge but is gravely wounded in the process. Seiya reaches Dolbar’s palace, finds Saori sealed, and confronts Loki, ultimately defeating him.

The climax unfolds when Dolbar himself joins the battle, wielding the formidable power of Odin’s seal to overpower Seiya and the other Saints. Even the restored Hyoga is struck down. Just as the situation becomes dire, the appearance of the Sagittarius Gold Cloth turns the tide. Dolbar is defeated by Seiya’s Meteor Fist, yet refrains from firing his final arrow out of concern for Saori’s safety. Ultimately, Freyr escapes his imprisonment, climbs the statue of Odin, and helps lift the seal on Saori. As the statue collapses, Dolbar vanishes, bringing the story to a satisfying conclusion.

In terms of market and audience reception, The Battle of Gods successfully built on the achievements of the first film, integrating familiar themes of friendship and courage into a grander mythological conflict. Compared to the inaugural film, the battles are more expansive, and character confrontations display greater strategic depth, particularly in the conflict between Hyoga and Midgard, which highlights internal struggles and tests of loyalty. The animation retains the series’ signature ornate style, with more tightly choreographed and impactful action sequences. The score, composed by Seiji Yokoyama, enhances the film’s epic atmosphere. Audiences generally regard the film as a pivotal chapter in the Saint Seiya cinematic saga, preserving the charm of the Bronze Saints while successfully extending battles to the divine level. It not only continues the spirit of the original series but also establishes a stylistic benchmark for subsequent films, providing fans with a visually striking and grandiose cinematic experience.