The popular anime series Record of Ragnarok is officially getting a third season. Based on the manga series of the same name, the anime depicts a tournament where 13 humans battle against 13 gods to determine the fate of humanity. News of the new season has generated excitement among fans, with the promise of more intense battles and dramatic storylines.
‘Record of Ragnarok’ Season 3 Story: What to Expect
Season 3 of Record of Ragnarok will continue the story from where Season 2 left off. It is expected to cover the next three matches in the Ragnarok tournament.
- Qin Shi Huang vs. Hades: The seventh match will feature Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China, against Hades, the Greek god of the underworld. This battle was teased at the end of Season 2.
- Nikola Tesla vs. Beelzebub: The eighth match will pit Nikola Tesla, the famous inventor, against Beelzebub, a powerful demon.
- Leonidas vs. Apollo: The ninth match will showcase Leonidas, the Spartan king, against Apollo, the Greek god of music and light.
These matches are expected to push humanity to its limits, with the gods potentially gaining a significant lead in the overall tournament.
Production and Staff Changes for Season 3
While previous seasons were primarily animated by Graphinica, Season 3 sees a shift in production. Yumeta Company, which assisted with previous seasons, is joined by MARU Animation. Graphinica is not credited for the new season. Key staff changes include:
- Director: Koichi Hatsumi takes over from Masao Okubo.
- Main Writer: Yasuyuki Muto replaces Kazuyuki Fudeyasu and Yuta Yamada.
- Character Design: Yoko Tanabe and Hisashi Kawashima replace Masaki Sato.
- Music: Yasuharu Takanashi continues from the first two seasons.
- Animation Production: Yumeta Company x MARU Animation
Release Date Speculation
As of March 14, 2025, an official release date for Record of Ragnarok Season 3 has not been announced. Given the production timeline of previous seasons, a late 2025 or early to mid-2026 release is possible.
Visuals and Animation
One of the main criticisms of the first two seasons was the animation quality. Many viewers felt that the animation did not live up to the manga’s art. There is hope that the change in animation studios will lead to an improvement in the visuals for Season 3.
‘Record of Ragnarok’: A Recap of Seasons 1 and 2
To fully appreciate the upcoming season, here’s a brief recap of the previous events:
Season 1
- Synopsis: Every 1,000 years, the gods gather to decide the fate of humanity. Faced with the decision to destroy mankind, the Valkyrie Brunhilde proposes the tournament of Ragnarok. Thirteen humans will fight against thirteen gods in one-on-one battles. If humans win seven matches, they will be spared for another 1,000 years.
- Key Battles:
- Thor vs. Lü Bu: Thor wins.
- Zeus vs. Adam: Zeus wins.
- Poseidon vs. Kojiro Sasaki: Kojiro Sasaki wins.
Season 2
- Synopsis: The tournament continues with humanity struggling to gain ground against the gods.
- Key Battles:
- Hercules vs. Jack the Ripper: Jack the Ripper wins.
- Shiva vs. Raiden Tameemon: Shiva wins.
- Buddha vs. Zerofuku/Hajun: Buddha wins, defecting from the gods’ side.
Reception and Popularity
Record of Ragnarok has garnered a dedicated fanbase due to its unique premise and action-packed battles. However, the anime has also faced criticism for its animation quality and pacing. Season 1 received a 70% rating, while Season 2 garnered a 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Despite mixed reviews, the series has maintained its popularity, reaching the Top 10 (Non-English series) on Netflix in 84 countries.
Spin-offs
The Record of Ragnarok series has also spawned spin-off manga:
- Shūmatsu no Walküre Kitan – Jack the Ripper no Jikenbo: A spin-off centered around Jack the Ripper.
- Shūmatsu no Walküre Kinden: Kamigami no Apocalypse: A spin-off from the viewpoint of the Gods.
Final Thoughts
Record of Ragnarok Season 3 promises to deliver more of the intense battles and mythological clashes that fans have come to expect. With a new production team and exciting matchups on the horizon, the upcoming season has the potential to be the best one yet.
