Let me tell you why I got hooked on the Record of Ragnarok anime. It wasn't just another battle shonen - it was humanity's last stand against gods who'd already written our obituary. That first episode where the gods vote to exterminate humans? Chilling stuff. I remember debating with friends whether any human could actually take down a deity. Adam vs Zeus had us screaming at our screens - but we'll get to that later.
What Exactly is the Record of Ragnarok Anime About?
The Record of Ragnarok anime drops us into a wild scenario: gods from every pantheon gather every 1000 years to decide if humanity deserves to keep existing. This time? They vote for extinction. But there's a loophole: Brunhilde, the oldest Valkyrie, proposes Ragnarok - 13 one-on-one fights between gods and human champions. If humanity wins 7 battles first, we survive. Gods win? Poof, we're gone.
Core Concept: Historical/mythological figures like Lu Bu, Adam, and Jack the Ripper battle gods including Thor, Zeus, and Shiva in over-the-top clashes where humanity's fate hangs in the balance.
What grabbed me wasn't just the fights (though they're epic), but how it explores what makes humanity worthy of salvation. When Poseidon sneers that humans are "filth," you feel that rage. I'll admit some character designs look bizarre at first - Zeus as a shriveled old man who transforms? But stick with it.
Key Battles That Define the Series
Each battle in the Record of Ragnarok anime carries insane stakes. Here's what you absolutely need to know:
| Battle # | Human Combatant | God Combatant | Episode Range | Outcome | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | Lu Bu (China) | Thor (Norse) | S1 E1-2 | Gods Win | Sets brutal tone - humans can die permanently |
| Round 2 | Adam (Biblical) | Zeus (Greek) | S1 E3-5 | Gods Win | Most emotional fight - Adam's sacrifice wrecks viewers |
| Round 3 | Kojiro Sasaki (Japan) | Poseidon (Greek) | S1 E6-8 | Humans Win | First human victory against arrogant god |
| Round 4 | Jack the Ripper (UK) | Heracles (Greek) | S2 Part 1 | Humans Win | Morally complex - serial killer vs heroic god |
| Round 5 | Raiden Tameemon (Japan) | Shiva (Hindu) | S2 Part 2 | Gods Win | Most visually stunning battle with Shiva's transformations |
The Adam vs Zeus fight still gets me. Adam's "Eyes of the Lord" ability letting him copy divine moves? Genius. But watching Zeus tank thousands of punches because "time doesn't apply to me" felt both awesome and cheap. That's this anime's charm - it makes you cheer then groan within minutes.
Where to Watch Record of Ragnarok Anime Legally
Finding where to stream the Record of Ragnarok anime can be messy since licensing varies. From my experience bouncing between VPNs:
| Region | Season 1 | Season 2 (Part 1 & 2) | Subtitles/Dubs |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | Netflix | Netflix | English dub, multiple subs |
| UK/Ireland | Netflix | Netflix | English dub, subs |
| Australia | Netflix | Netflix | English dub, subs |
| Japan | DMM TV, Netflix | Netflix | Japanese audio only |
| Southeast Asia | Bilibili | Bilibili | Localized subs |
A warning though: Netflix releases entire seasons at once, while some platforms do weekly episodes. I made the mistake of starting on a platform that only had censored versions - totally ruins the impact when blood is pixilated. Always check regional ratings first.
Release Timeline & What to Expect Per Season
- Season 1 (2021): Covers Rounds 1-3 across 12 episodes. Animation quality dips in middle episodes (that CGI crowd... yikes).
- Season 2 Part 1 (Jan 2023): Round 4 only - 10 episodes expanding Jack vs Heracles beyond manga.
- Season 2 Part 2 (Jul 2023): Round 5 with Raiden vs Shiva - massive animation upgrade.
Total runtime? About 30 hours to watch everything. Binge carefully - these fights drain your emotions. After Adam's death, I needed a week break.
Characters Who Stole the Show (And Who Fell Flat)
Let's get real: not every character lands perfectly. While the gods get glorious introductions, some humans feel rushed. My personal rankings after two seasons:
Top 5 Characters That Actually Matter
- Adam: Humanity's literal father fighting Zeus with bare hands? Chills. His final "I'll never forgive you" still haunts me.
- Brunhilde: The cunning Valkyrie mastermind. Her risky strategies make you question who's really manipulating who.
- Jack the Ripper:
Twisted but fascinating. His London battle arena reveal was anime-original genius. - Kojiro Sasaki: The ultimate underdog. Watching this loser evolve through 400 years of defeat? Perfection.
- Shiva: Flamboyant god who actually respects humans. His dance-fighting style is pure eye candy.
Now the disappointments: Heracles felt watered down from his mythical self, and Lu Bu's backstory was criminally short. But when characters click? Magic happens. Jack manipulating Heracles' compassion by playing victim? That psychological warfare had me rewinding twice.
Voice Acting That Elevates the Madness
Subbed vs dubbed debates get heated in this fandom. Having tried both:
- Japanese VA Standouts:
- Miyazaki Hiroshi (Zeus) switching from frail to terrifying
- Takahiro Sakurai (Poseidon) making arrogance sound sexy
- Tomoyo Kurosawa (Göll) as Brunhilde's adorably panicky sister - English Dub Highlights:
- David Wald (Zeus) delivering meme-worthy "MEGATON PUNCH!"
- Jonah Scott (Jack) nailing the creepy gentleman vibe
- Chris Tergliafera (Shiva) bringing swagger to cosmic destruction
Pro tip: Watch Round 4 dubbed. Jack's Victorian English wordplay works better than subs.
Why the Animation Quality Sparks Wars Online
Here's the uncomfortable truth: Season 1's animation was... inconsistent. When Thor swung Mjölnir? Beautiful. Static crowd shots during Adam vs Zeus? PlayStation 2 cutscene vibes. I defended it initially, but rewatching reveals obvious cost-cutting.
Season 2 fixed most issues though. Shiva's Tandava Karma transformation in Round 5? Liquid fire animation that made me forget Season 1's sins.
The studio switch helped - Graphinica handled S1 alone, while Yumeta Company joined for S2. Fight choreography improved dramatically too. Raiden's muscle techniques felt visceral, while Jack's knife throws had weight missing earlier seasons.
Record of Ragnarok Anime vs Manga: What Got Changed
As a manga reader since 2019, I noticed significant anime-only changes:
- Expanded Battles: Jack vs Heracles got 5 extra chapters of content exploring London's reconstruction
- Pacing Fixes: Bloated god council scenes trimmed for more fight time
- Visual Retcons: Zeus' Adamas form looks less ridiculous than early manga art
- Omitted Backstories: Lu Bu's tragic horse subplot got axed (sad)
Biggest improvement? The anime makes gods' powers clearer. Manga Shiva's dance moves confused me, but animated? Crystal clear why he's destruction incarnate.
Still annoyed they skipped Hermes' sarcastic commentary though. His manga quips were gold.
Season 3 Predictions & Source Material Left
With two seasons covering 5 of 13 fights, how much story remains? Tons. Without major spoilers:
Confirmed Future Fights
- Buddha vs Zerofuku (already teased in S2 credits)
- Qin Shi Huang vs Hades
- Nikola Tesla vs Beelzebub
- Simo Häyhä vs Apollo
Leaks suggest Season 3 will adapt Rounds 6-7 (Buddha and Qin fights), likely releasing late 2025. I'm betting Netflix announces it this fall - the manga's Buddha arc broke popularity polls.
Personally? I'm hyped for Tesla's entrance. Watching science battle divine power embodies the series' core theme. Though knowing this anime's pacing, we might wait awhile...
Is This Anime Worth Your Time? Brutal Honesty
Should you watch Record of Ragnarok? Depends:
WATCH IF:
- You love mythology reinterpreted
- High-stakes battles with emotional weight work for you
- Don't mind inconsistent animation if ideas excite you
- Enjoy philosophical debates amid chaosSKIP IF:
- You need pristine animation every episode
- Prefer subtle storytelling over bombastic speeches
- Hate unresolved cliffhangers (some fights end abruptly)
- Get frustrated when plot armor appearsMy verdict? Despite flaws, I'd binge again. Few anime make me yell "HUMANITY NEVER DIES!" alone in my living room. This one does.
Record of Ragnarok Anime FAQs
How many episodes of the Record of Ragnarok anime exist?
Currently 34 episodes: Season 1 (12 eps), Season 2 Part 1 (10 eps), Season 2 Part 2 (12 eps). Netflix lists them as "Episodes" not seasons though.
Does the anime cover all manga content?
Not yet. As of July 2024, the anime adapts up to Chapter 55 of the manga (Round 5 conclusion). The manga continues past Chapter 90 with more battles.
Why was Season 2 split into two parts?
Production delays (confirmed by leakers). The studio prioritized quality after Season 1's backlash. Annoying wait, but Part 2's animation justified it.
Who animates Record of Ragnarok?
Graphinica (Season 1), then Graphinica + Yumeta Company (Season 2). New directors for S2 drastically improved fight scenes.
Is the English dub faithful?
Surprisingly yes, though liberties are taken with godly insults. Zeus calling Thor "Sparkles" isn't in Japanese, but fits his personality.
When will Season 3 release?
Likely late 2025 based on production timelines. Manga material exists for 24+ more episodes easily.
Who's the strongest god shown so far?
Zeus narrowly edges Shiva based on feats. His Time Punch technique broke dimensional barriers. Though anime Shiva's destruction feats might retcon this.
Why do gods hate humanity in Record of Ragnarok?
Arrogance and disappointment. Gods cite human wars, pollution, and "lack of progress." Hermes admits some just find us annoying.
Final thought? The Record of Ragnarok anime understands spectacle. When Kojiro finally defeats Poseidon by predicting infinite futures? Or Jack weaponizing London's fog? Moments like that overcome the janky CGI crowds. Give it three episodes - if Adam's sacrifice doesn't grip you, bail. But for most? Welcome to the greatest underdog story where failure means extinction. See you in Valhalla.
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