Record of Ragnarok

Record of Ragnarok (Japanese: 終末のワルキューレ, Hepburn: Shūmatsu no Warukyūre, lit. 'Doomsday Valkyrie') is a Japanese manga series written by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui and illustrated by Azychika about a fighting tournament featuring prominent historical figures against gods from various mythologies, with the fate of mankind in the balance. It began in Coamix's (formerly also published by Tokuma Shoten) seinen manga magazine Monthly Comic Zenon in November 2017. It was licensed in North America by Viz Media in June 2021.

Record of Ragnarok
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Lu Bu (left) and Thor (right)
終末のワルキューレ (Shūmatsu no Warukyūre)
Genre	Adventure[1] Dark fantasy[2] Martial arts[1]
Manga
Written by	Shinya Umemura Takumi Fukui
Illustrated by	Azychika
Published by	Tokuma Shoten (former) Coamix
English publisher	NA: Viz Media
Magazine	Monthly Comic Zenon
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	November 25, 2017 – present
Volumes	24
Manga
Ryo Fu Hō Sen Hishōden
Written by	Takeo Ono
Published by	Tokuma Shoten (former) Coamix
Magazine	Monthly Comic Zenon
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	October 25, 2019 – November 25, 2022
Volumes	7
Original net animation
Directed by	Masao Ōkubo (S1 & S2) Koichi Hatsumi (S3)
Written by	Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (S1 & S2) Yuka Yamada (S2) Yasuyuki Mutō (S3)
Music by	Yasuharu Takanashi
Studio	Graphinica (S1 & S2) Yumeta Company (S2 & S3) Maru Animation (S3)
Licensed by	Netflix (streaming) NA: Viz Media (home video)
Released	June 17, 2021 – present
Runtime	24 minutes
Episodes	27 (List of episodes)
Manga
Kitan: Jack the Ripper no Jikenbo
Written by	Keita Iizuka
Published by	Coamix
Magazine	Monthly Comic Zenon
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	October 25, 2022 – present
Volumes	7
Manga
Kinden: Kamigami no Apocalypse
Written by	Otsuhiko Naruse
Illustrated by	Ippei Okamoto
Published by	Coamix
Magazine	Monthly Comic Zenon
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	June 25, 2024 – present
Volumes	2

The manga was adapted as an original net animation (ONA) series by Graphinica and premiered in June 2021 on Netflix. A second season by Graphinica and Yumeta Company premiered in January 2023. A third season by Yumeta Company and Maru Animation has been announced.

Plot

Main article: List of Record of Ragnarok characters

The Gods' Council assembles once every millennium to decide the fate of humanity, deciding that mankind's 7 million years of irredeemable history gives justification for their extinction. But the valkyrie Brunhilde proposes giving humanity one last chance to prove their worth and the gods agree to hold the tournament of Ragnarök, where humanity will be spared if they can beat the gods in seven out of thirteen matches. Humanity's representatives are the Einherjar, notable humans across history who are each granted a valkyrie who becomes a powerful weapon tailored for their user's combat style called "Volund", at the risk of losing her life if the user is killed.

Media

Manga

Record of Ragnarok is written by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui and illustrated by Azychika. It began in Coamix's (formerly also published by Tokuma Shoten) Monthly Comic Zenon on November 25, 2017.^[3] Its chapters has been collected into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on May 19, 2018.^[4] As of March 19, 2025, twenty-four volumes have been released.^[5]

On June 17, 2021, Viz Media announced that they had licensed the series for English release in North America. The first volume was released in digital starting in Fall 2021 and in print starting in spring 2022.^[6][7]

A spin-off manga titled Shūmatsu no Valkyrie: Ryo Fu Hō Sen Hishōden (終末のワルキューレ異聞 呂布奉先飛将伝) was serialized in Monthly Comic Zenon from October 25, 2019,^[8] to November 25, 2022.^[9] Its chapters have been collected into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on April 20, 2020.^[10] As of December 20, 2022, seven volumes have been released.^[11]

A spin-off manga centered around the Jack the Ripper character titled Shūmatsu no Walküre Kitan – Jack the Ripper no Jikenbo began serialization in Monthly Comic Zenon on October 25, 2022.^[12] Its chapters have been collected into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on March 20, 2023.^[13] As of March 19, 2025, eight volumes have been released.^[5]

A spin-off manga from the viewpoint of the Gods titled Shūmatsu no Walküre Kinden: Kamigami no Apocalypse began serialization in Monthly Comic Zenon on June 25, 2024.^[14] The first volume was released on November 20, 2024.^[15] As of March 19, 2025, two volumes have been released.^[5]

Record of Ragnarok

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	May 19, 2018[4]	978-4-19-980495-3	October 26, 2021 (digital)[16] January 18, 2022 (print)[17]	978-1-9747-2786-5
1. "The Final Conflict" (神VS人類最終闘争, Kami vs Jinrui Saishū Tōsō) 2. "Ultimate Gods vs. Ultimate Humans" (最強神VS最強人類, Saikyō-Shin vs Saikyō Jinrui) 3. "Archrival" (好敵手, Kōtekishu) 4. "Thirteen Gods and Thirteen Humans" (13神と13人, 13 Kami to 13-Nin)
2	September 20, 2018[18]	978-4-19-980517-2	April 19, 2022[19]	978-1-9747-2787-2
5. "Coup de Grace" (必殺技, Hissatsu Waza) 6. "Exuberance" (歓喜, Kanki) 7. "File No. 00000000001" 8. "Unexpected" (想定外, Sōtei-gai) 9. "Impeccable Imitation" (華麗なる模倣, Kareinaru Mohō)
3	March 20, 2019[20]	978-4-19-980557-8	July 19, 2022[21]	978-1-9747-2977-7
10. "Expulsion from Paradise" (楽園追放, Rakuen Tsuihō) 11. "Metamorphosis" (変態, Hentai) 12. "Overflowing Love" (あふれる愛, Afureru Ai) 13. "Prime" (全盛期, Zenseiki) 14. "Tyrant of the Seas" (大海の暴君, Taikai no Bōkun)
4	July 20, 2019[22]	978-4-19-980581-3	October 18, 2022[23]	978-1-9747-2978-4
15. "The Violent God Wiped from History" (消えた暴神, Kieta Bōkami) 16. "The Greatest Loser" (最強の敗者, Saikyō no Haisha) 17. "Secret Technique" (秘剣“燕返し“, Hi Ken "Tsubame Gaeshi") 18. "The Truth About Ganryu Island" (巌流島の真実, Ganryūjima no Shinjitsu)
5	November 20, 2019[24]	978-4-19-980603-2	January 17, 2023[25]	978-1-9747-2979-1
19. "The Swallow Gazes into the Abyss" (燕が見た深淵, Tsubame ga Mita Shin'en) 20. "Justice vs. Evil" (正義VS悪, Seigi vs Aku) 21. "Conditions of a Gentleman" (紳士の条件, Shinshi no Jōken)
6	April 20, 2020[10]	978-4-86720-119-0	April 18, 2023[26]	978-1-9747-2980-7
22. "Heracles's Choice" (ヘラクレスの選択, Herakuresu no Sentaku) 23. "The Indomitable Hero" (不屈の闘神, Fukutsu no Tōjin) 24. "The 12 Labors" (十二の災禍と罪過, Erukyūru Ekusodasu) 25. "Birth of a Monster" (怪物の誕生, Kaibutsu no Tanjō)
7	June 19, 2020[27]	978-4-86720-155-8	July 18, 2023[28]	978-1-9747-2981-4
26. "Truth" (真相, Shinsō) 27. "Endless Love" (底なしの愛, Sokonashi no Ai) 28. "The Final Labor of a God" (最後の御業, Saigo no Miwaza) 29. "I am the Victorious" (勝ったのはオレだ, Katta no wa Oreda)
8	September 19, 2020[29]	978-4-86720-168-8	October 17, 2023[30]	978-1-9747-2982-1
30. "Repose of Souls" (鎮魂, Chinkon) 31. "Round Five" (第五回戦, Dai-Go Kaisen) 32. "Exchange" (応酬, Ōshu) 33. "100 Seals" (百閉, Hyakuhei)
9	December 19, 2020[31]	978-4-86720-187-9	January 16, 2024[32]	978-1-9747-4277-6
34. "Divergent Agendas" (それぞれの思惑, Sorezore no Omowaku) 35. "Unrestrained vs. Unrestrained" (全開VS全開, Zenkai vs Zenkai) 36. "Destruction and Storm" (破壊と暴風, Hakai to Bōfū) 37. "The Top of India" (印度の天辺, Indo no Teppen)
10	March 18, 2021[33]	978-4-86720-204-3	April 16, 2024[34]	978-1-9747-4278-3
38. "Time of Awakening" (覚醒の刻, Kakusei no Toki) 39. "Forbidden Technique" (禁じ手, Kinjite) 40. "Sympathetic Resonance" (共鳴, Kyōmei) 41. "Thank You" (ありがとう, Arigatō)
11	June 18, 2021[35]	978-4-86720-240-1	July 16, 2024[36]	978-1-9747-4614-9
42. "On the Brink" (崖っぷち, Gakeppuchi) 43. "Round Six" (第6回戦, Dai 6 Kaisen) 44. "Zero" (零) 45. "Zero's Sorrow" (零の哀しみ, Zero no Kanashimi)
12	September 18, 2021[37]	978-4-86720-263-0	October 15, 2024[38]	978-1-9747-4912-6
46. "Culmination" (結晶, Kesshō) 47. "The Path to Enlightenment" (至る道, Itaru Michi) 48. "Bliss" (幸福, Kōfuku) 49. "The Legend of the Underworld" (冥界の伝説, Meikai no Densetsu)
13	December 20, 2021[39]	978-4-86720-285-2	January 21, 2025[40]	978-1-9747-5163-1
50. "The Legend of Helheim" (消える光, Kieru Hikari) 51. "Seed and Soil" (種と土, Shu to Tsuchi) 52. "Light and Shadow" (光と影, Hikari to Kage) 53. "Path of Light" (光の道, Hikari no Michi)
14	March 19, 2022[41]	978-4-86720-316-3	April 15, 2025[42]	978-1-9747-5246-1
54. "Replacement" (代役, Daiyaku) 55. "Taboo" (禁忌, Kinki) 56. "King vs. King" (王VS王, Ō vs Ō) 57. "Chiyou" (蚩尤, Shiyū)
15	June 20, 2022[43]	978-4-86720-389-7 978-4-86720-390-3 (SE)	July 15, 2025[44]	978-1-9747-5470-0
16	September 20, 2022[45]	978-4-86720-415-3 978-4-86720-416-0 (SE)	—	—
17	December 20, 2022[11]	978-4-86720-446-7 978-4-86720-447-4 (SE)	—	—
18	March 20, 2023[13]	978-4-86720-480-1 978-4-86720-481-8 (SE)	—	—
19	July 20, 2023[46]	978-4-86720-522-8 978-4-86720-523-5 (SE)	—	—
20	November 20, 2023[47]	978-4-86720-585-3 978-4-86720-586-0 (SE)	—	—
21	March 19, 2024[48]	978-4-86720-626-3	—	—
22	July 20, 2024[49]	978-4-86720-671-3	—	—
23	November 20, 2024[15]	978-4-86720-701-7	—	—
24	March 19, 2025[5]	978-4-86720-748-2	—	—

Ryo Fu Hō Sen Hishōden

No.	Release date	ISBN
1	April 20, 2020[10]	978-4-86720-120-6
2	September 19, 2020[29]	978-4-86720-169-5
3	December 19, 2020[31]	978-4-86720-188-6
4	June 18, 2021[35]	978-4-86720-243-2
5	December 20, 2021[39]	978-4-86720-286-9
6	June 20, 2022[43]	978-4-86720-391-0
7	December 20, 2022[11]	978-4-86720-448-1

Kitan: Jack the Ripper no Jikenbo

No.	Release date	ISBN
1	March 20, 2023[13]	978-4-86720-482-5
2	July 20, 2023[46]	978-4-86720-524-2
3	November 20, 2023[47]	978-4-86720-587-7
4	March 19, 2024[48]	978-4-86720-627-0
5	July 20, 2024[49]	978-4-86720-666-9
6	November 20, 2024[15]	978-4-86720-700-0
7	March 19, 2025[5]	978-4-86720-747-5

Kinden: Kamigami no Apocalypse

No.	Release date	ISBN
1	November 20, 2024[15]	978-4-86720-699-7
2	March 19, 2025[5]	978-4-86720-746-8

Anime

See also: List of Record of Ragnarok episodes

In December 2020, it was announced that the series would receive an anime series adaptation produced by Warner Bros. Japan and animated by Graphinica. It is directed by Masao Ōkubo, with series composition by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu, characters designs by Masaki Saito and music composed by Yasuharu Takanashi. Licensed by Netflix, the series premiered on June 17, 2021, on the streaming service.^[50] The opening theme is "Kamigami" (KAMIGAMI-神噛-, lit. "Gods" / "God Biting"), performed by Maximum the Hormone,^[51] while the ending theme is "Fukahi" (不可避, lit. "Unavoidable"), performed by SymaG.^[52] In North America, the first season has been licensed for home video release by Viz Media and was released on Blu-ray on April 4, 2023.^[53]

In August 2021, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season.^[54][55] The main staff returned from the first season, with Yumeta Company producing the series alongside Graphinica, and Yuka Yamada writing the scripts alongside Fudeyasu.^[56] The season consists of 15 episodes, with the first 10 episodes premiering on January 26, 2023, and the remaining five releasing on July 12 of the same year.^[57][58] The opening theme is "Rude, Loose Dance" (ルードルーズダンス, Rūdo Rūzu Dansu), performed by Minami, while the ending theme is "Inori" (祈, lit. "Prayer"), performed by Masatoshi Ono.^[59]

In March 2025, it was announced that the series was renewed for a third season. The season will feature a different staff from previous seasons. It will be animated by Yumeta Company and Maru Animation, and directed by Koichi Hatsumi, with Yasuyuki Mutō serving as the main writer, and Yōko Tanabe and Hisashi Kawashima as new character designers. Yasuharu Takanashi is returning to compose the music.^[60]

Reception

By March 2021, the manga had over 6 million copies in circulation.^[61] By June 2021, the manga had over 7 million copies in circulation.^[62] By December 2021, the manga had over 9 million copies in circulation.^[63] The manga placed sixth in Rakuten Kobo's second E-book Award in the "Long Seller Comic" category in 2024.^[64]

Record of Ragnarok ranked fifth on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2019 ranking of Top 20 manga series for male readers.^[65] The series ranked fifth on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2018".^[66] It placed twelfth on the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2020".^[67] In 2019, the manga ranked 20th on the fifth Next Manga Awards in the Print category.^[68]

In October 2020, Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, made a statement addressed to Coamix, criticizing the depiction of Hindu deities in manga and urged the company "not to trivialize Lord Shiva and other highly revered Hindu gods and goddesses in its manga publications".^[69] The anime received backlash for its depiction of Shiva by a large group of Indian Americans, calling the series "highly disturbing to them" as it trivializes the deity.^[70] To avoid further criticism, Netflix altered the trailer to remove Shiva, and later removed the anime itself from its streaming library in India.^[71][72][73]

See also

• Chiruran: Shinsengumi Requiem, another manga series written by Shinya Umemura