Netflix has a mixed track record for its original anime, and its new Record Of Ragnarok offering is no exception. Adapted from the hit manga, the series is a riveting mess, filled with bizarre choices, controversy, and some very funny moments.
Record Of Ragnarok is an action fantasy anime, based on the manga of the same name, which centers on a series of battles to the death between thirteen of the greatest human beings in history and thirteen powerful deities from various pantheons. The anime is, for better and worse, an entire series exploration of one of the most time-honored aspects of action anime; the tournament arc
Stars: Kellen Goff, Laura Post, Chris Edgerly
Record of Ragnarok is the latest of Netflix's forays into the world of fighting manga, following hits like Baki and Kengan Ashura. Although the anime has received mixed reviews, especially from manga readers, it is nonetheless a somewhat unique take on the genre, as it involves gods and mythologies from around the world, and highlights the rich backstories of each fighter.
Record of Ragnarok is an interesting show where the absurdity of its premise manages to pair perfectly with its characters. A lot of creative license is taken with each figure, allowing us to have great moments like Heimdall introducing each contestant as if they were walking onto the set of Wrestlemania and Ares, the god of war, enjoying some tea.
Despite the show's large cast, each character is as memorable and captivating as the next. Bringing these, well, larger-than-life characters to life is a truly talented cast of voice actors. Nothing is more iconic than Miyuki Sawashiro's Brunhilde and her constant shift from shades of joy to sheer disdain.
The anime has so far featured three fights between humanity and the gods in its first season. The first round is between Thor, the god of thunder from Norse mythology, and Lü Bu, the legendary general of the Three Kingdoms era in ancient China. The second round features Zeus, the king of the gods from Greek mythology, and Adam, the first human created from the Bible. Finally, the third round is between Poseidon, the god of the oceans and brother of Zeus, and Sasaki Kojiro, one of the most famous swordsmen in Japanese history.
The series begins with the threat of humanity's destruction, a debate in a hall of the gods sees the deities firmly in agreement on the issue of extinguishing humanity. A voice calls to stop the apocalypse, the greatest of the Valkyries, Brunhilde. Through an ancient and dark loophole, Brunhilde proclaims her intention to initiate Ragnarok, a tournament consisting of 13 one-on-one duels to the death in a massive arena populated by all of humanity and all beings who claim godhood. Brunhilde is a powerful woman, the de facto leader of the human team, in charge of selecting which of the billions of humans will face the gods in each combat. If he is victorious, humanity will earn his continued existence, but if he fails, the gods will annihilate them.
It's not just the eccentricities and unique designs of these characters that make them unforgettable. Record of Ragnarok actually takes the time to flesh out each of them, a very welcome step away from the shallow, one-note characters that populate other tournament series or death games. The character story and backstory flow seamlessly with the battles. I admit, at times I was a bit anxious to get back into the fight. But ultimately, I found these personal scenes to be my favorite in the series. There's a pretty genuine connection to the characters that builds, building the tension of each battle as you further cheer for their victory.
However, there are segments that felt too forgiving and undermined the show's pacing. For example, about half of an episode is spent introducing Zeus and Adam before the second fight begins. I remember impatiently tapping my foot as fireworks exploded on the screen, Zeus danced, the audience cheered, and Zeus danced some more. It was long and tedious. The same scene could have worked just as well in a two or three minute segment.
Watch Record of Ragnarok Tv Series Trailer
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