Record of Ragnarok – Season 2 (2023)

Justice, Madness, and the Breaking of Divinity

Season 2 of Record of Ragnarok pushes the Ragnarok tournament beyond spectacle and into moral complexity. While Season 1 established humanity’s ability to challenge the gods, Season 2 questions whether either side truly holds moral superiority.

This season is where Record of Ragnarok evolves from a pure power fantasy into a philosophical battleground. Heroes and villains blur, justice becomes subjective, and even the gods are forced to confront their own contradictions.

With every round, the cost of survival becomes heavier — not just in bodies, but in belief.

Season Overview

Title: Record of Ragnarok – Season 2
Japanese Title: 終末のワルキューレ Season 2
Episodes: 15
Air Date: January 26, 2023 – July 12, 2023
Studio: Graphinica
Streaming Platform: Netflix (global), Amazon Prime  Video, Blu-ray/ DVD
Opening Theme: “Rude, Loose Dance” by Minami
Ending Theme: “Inori” by Masatoshi Ono

Story Summary

Following the shocking events of Season 1, Ragnarok continues with humanity and the gods locked in a dead-even struggle. The initial disbelief among the gods has faded, replaced by genuine fear and growing resentment.

Season 2 focuses on ideological conflict rather than sheer dominance. The fighters chosen in this phase represent extreme worldviews — justice versus cruelty, passion versus limitation, enlightenment versus despair.

As the tournament progresses, the concept of “divine righteousness” begins to fracture. Gods who were once viewed as absolute authorities are revealed to be flawed, emotional, and driven by ego. Meanwhile, humanity’s champions prove that darkness, sacrifice, and contradiction are inseparable from survival.

This season also marks a major narrative shift with the introduction of internal conflict among the gods themselves — a fracture that will echo into Season 3 and beyond.

Round Breakdown

Round 4 – Heracles vs. Jack the Ripper

A battle that completely subverts expectations. Heracles, the god of justice, fights to uphold order and righteousness, believing humanity can still be redeemed.

Opposing him is Jack the Ripper, humanity’s most infamous killer — chosen not for honor, but for cunning and psychological warfare.

The fight becomes a moral paradox. Jack exploits Heracles’ compassion, turning justice into a weapon against itself. Humanity’s victory comes at a disturbing cost, forcing both gods and viewers to confront whether survival justifies moral compromise.

Round 5 – Shiva vs. Raiden Tameemon

This round is a collision of passion and physical limits. Raiden Tameemon, the strongest sumo wrestler in history, fights with a body that cannot fully contain his own power.

Shiva, a god burdened by responsibility and loyalty to his people, enters the arena not for pride, but for duty.

The battle is raw and emotional, emphasizing endurance over technique. Though Raiden pushes his body beyond human limits, Shiva’s overwhelming power secures victory for the gods — reaffirming that even humanity’s greatest strength has boundaries.

Round 6 – Buddha vs. Zerofuku / Hajun

The most unpredictable and symbolic fight of the season. Buddha, a god who openly defies the divine order, chooses to fight for humanity — shattering the idea that gods are a unified force.

His opponent, Zerofuku, embodies misfortune and resentment, eventually transforming into the monstrous Hajun, a being of pure destruction.

This battle is less about strength and more about ideology. Buddha’s victory represents freedom, self-determination, and the rejection of imposed fate. It also creates deep fractures among the gods — consequences that directly influence Season 3.

Humanity’s Moral Crossroads

Season 2 makes one truth clear: humanity’s survival is no longer about honor.

Jack’s victory proves that cruelty and intelligence can be just as effective as bravery. Buddha’s defiance proves that gods themselves are capable of rebellion. Together, these moments reshape Ragnarok into a conflict where belief matters as much as power.

The season challenges viewers to ask difficult questions:

• Is justice still justice if it leads to extinction?

• Can gods be wrong?

• Is survival worth corruption?

Character Development Highlights

• Jack the Ripper — Reframed not as a simple villain, but as a product of human cruelty and emotional manipulation. His victory is disturbing — and unforgettable.

• Heracles — A tragic figure whose belief in justice becomes his downfall. His loss resonates long after the battle ends.

• Buddha — Season 2’s defining presence. His rebellion permanently alters the power structure of Ragnarok.

• Shiva — Portrayed not as a tyrant, but as a leader burdened by duty and expectation.

Themes & Tone

• Justice vs Survival — Morality under extinction.

• Corruption of Ideals — When righteousness fails.

• Defiance from Within — Gods turning against gods.

• Human Darkness — Survival without purity.

• Freedom of Choice — Rejecting imposed fate.

Season 2 is darker, heavier, and more psychologically complex than Season 1.

Animation & Presentation

Season 2 shows noticeable improvement in pacing and combat choreography compared to the first season. Battles are more fluid, with stronger emotional framing and better use of impact shots.

The visual tone shifts depending on the fight — grim and claustrophobic during Jack vs Heracles, explosive and visceral during Shiva vs Raiden, and surreal during Buddha’s battle.

Where to Watch

You can watch Record of Ragnarok – Season 2 on:

• Netflix (all seasons, global)

• Amazon Prime  Video

• Blu-ray/ DVD

Popularity & Reception

Season 2 received a warmer response than Season 1, with fans praising its deeper themes, stronger character writing, and bold narrative choices — particularly Buddha’s rebellion.

Jack vs Heracles is frequently cited as one of the most thought-provoking fights in the series, while Buddha’s battle became a defining moment for the franchise.

Final Thoughts

Season 2 of Record of Ragnarok is where the series finds its philosophical backbone.

It proves that Ragnarok is not a simple clash between good and evil, but a brutal examination of justice, power, and survival. Humanity wins battles — but loses innocence. The gods retain power — but lose authority.

With divine unity shattered and ideology now a weapon, Ragnarok enters its most dangerous phase — one that Season 3 fully embraces.