Record of Ragnarok

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Record of Ragnarok (2021–2025)

Gods vs Humanity: Thirteen Battles for Survival

Record of Ragnarok is one of the boldest and most unconventional battle anime of the modern era — a mythological deathmatch where gods from every pantheon face humanity’s greatest champions in one-on-one combat. Blending history, legend, and pure spectacle, the series transforms divine judgment into a brutal tournament where the fate of mankind is decided by fists, blades, and willpower.

Based on the manga by Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui, and illustrated by Ajichika, Record of Ragnarok strips away morality debates and replaces them with something far more primal: if humanity wants to survive, it must prove its worth through battle.

This is not a story about good versus evil.
It is a story about defiance.



Anime Overview

Title: Record of Ragnarok
Japanese Title: 終末のワルキューレ (Shūmatsu no Walküre)
Original Manga: Shinya Umemura, Takumi Fukui (Story) / Ajichika (Art)
Studio: Graphinica
Genres: Action, Mythology, Fantasy, Supernatural, Seinen
Seasons: 3
Streaming Platform: Netflix (global), Amazon Prime  Video, Blu-ray/ DVD


Story Summary

Every 1,000 years, the Council of Gods gathers to decide the fate of humanity. Observing centuries of war, corruption, and destruction, the gods unanimously vote to end the human race.

Before extinction can be carried out, the Valkyrie Brunhilde invokes the ancient clause known as Ragnarok — a final chance for humanity to survive.

The rules are absolute:

  • Thirteen gods

  • Thirteen human champions

  • Thirteen one-on-one battles

  • First side to win seven victories decides humanity’s fate

To stand against divine power, the Valkyries perform Volundr, fusing their souls with human warriors to create god-slaying weapons.

Each round is a clash of ideology as much as strength — pride, belief, ambition, and legacy colliding in a tournament where defeat means extinction.


Season Breakdown

Season 1 (2021) – The Birth of Ragnarok

Season 1 introduces the tournament and establishes the core concept of gods versus humanity.

Key battles include:

  • Thor vs Lu Bu

  • Zeus vs Adam

  • Poseidon vs Sasaki Kojiro

The season emphasizes spectacle and mythological dominance, presenting gods as overwhelming forces and humans as desperate challengers.

Season 2 (2023) – Humanity Strikes Back

Season 2 deepens emotional and philosophical stakes, shifting focus toward moral ambiguity.

Major battles include:

  • Heracles vs Jack the Ripper

  • Shiva vs Raiden Tameemon

  • Buddha vs Zerofuku / Hajun

This season challenges the idea of divine justice, proving that gods can be flawed — and humans can be monstrous.

Season 3 (2025) – Ideals, Kings, and Convictions

Season 3 marks a turning point in the tournament, focusing on leadership, innovation, and belief systems rather than raw power alone.

Rounds covered:

  • Hades vs Qin Shi Huang

  • Beelzebub vs Nikola Tesla

  • Apollo vs Leonidas

This season reflects a more introspective phase of Ragnarok, where victories and losses carry philosophical weight.


Main Characters

Valkyries

  • Brunhilde
  • Göll

Human Champions

  • Adam 
  • Lu Bu 
  • Sasaki Kojiro 
  • Jack the Ripper 
  • Raiden Tameemon
  • Qin Shi Huang 
  • Nikola Tesla 
  • Leonidas

Gods

  • Zeus 
  • Thor 
  • Poseidon 
  • Shiva 
  • Heracles
  • Hades 
  • Beelzebub 
  • Apollo 
  • Buddha


Themes & Style

  • Defiance Against Fate — Humanity refuses extinction.
  • Ideology Over Strength — Beliefs shape battles.
  • Pride & Legacy — What defines greatness.
  • Moral Ambiguity — Gods and humans alike are flawed.
  • Myth Reimagined — Legends retold through combat.

The series embraces exaggerated designs, theatrical pacing, and symbolic storytelling, making each fight feel like a myth brought to life.


Animation & Music

Produced by Graphinica, Record of Ragnarok uses bold character art and dramatic framing to emphasize power and emotion. While animation style evolved over time, the series consistently prioritizes impact, symbolism, and narrative weight.

The soundtrack relies on epic orchestration, chanting motifs, and strategic silence to heighten tension during pivotal moments.


Where to Watch

You can watch Record of Ragnarok on:


Popularity & Reception

Record of Ragnarok quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched anime franchises, generating massive online discussion and fan engagement.

While early seasons faced animation critiques, the series earned praise for:

  • Faithful manga adaptation

  • Unique mythological premise

  • Emotional and ideological depth

  • Memorable character moments

Season 3, in particular, was applauded for refining both animation quality and narrative focus.


Similar Anime Recommendations

If you enjoyed Record of Ragnarok, you may also like:

  • Fate Series — Mythological heroes in deadly conflicts

  • Baki — Extreme combat and power escalation

  • Kengan Ashura — Tournament-based martial battles

  • JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure — Stylized confrontations and ideology-driven fights

  • God of High School — Gods, humans, and martial arts collide


Final Thoughts

Record of Ragnarok is not about whether humanity deserves to survive —
it is about whether humanity will stand and fight when faced with extinction.

Through gods who bleed and humans who defy fate, the series turns judgment into spectacle and survival into rebellion.

When the gods declared the end…
humanity answered with Ragnarok.

Location: Tokyo, Japan

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