Anime Fans Disappointed By Record of Ragnarok Season 2 Have Good Reason to Get Hyped For Season 3 (2024)

Record of Ragnarok is an impressively popular anime adaptation of Shinya Umemura, Takumi f*ckui, and Azychika's eponymous manga, but its anime has received a polarized reception, even leading to season 3. The series is known for its bombastic fights between gods and mortals to determine whether humanity should live for another thousand years or go extinct. However, season 3 of Record of Ragnarok poses a similarly significant debate, with the upcoming featured fights being among the strongest selling points of the series for new viewers.

The Record of Ragnarok anime is at home on Netflix as an Original Net Animation (ONA), and it achieved the impressive feat of being the top anime on the service in 2023. This means the series beat out similarly iconic series like Demon Slayer and Vinland Saga, even with detractors against aspects of the series such as initially subpar animation marring the incredible original visuals by Azychika.

For viewers who want to give this a second chance, it's important to consider Record of Ragnarok's value proposition as an action series and the fights teased by season 3, upcoming worldbuilding, and memorable anime characters.

Record of Ragnarok Season 3 Could Have the Best Fights

The Manga Features Stunning Upsets and Memorable Moments in Rounds 7-9

While Record of Ragnarok season 3 is not officially announced, the final moments of season 2 already tease that the anime showrunners have no intention of stopping, with a glimpse of Qin Shi Huang as he prepares to fight next round. Qin Shi Huang, the historical first emperor of China, reverted to his prime like the other human fighters in Record of Ragnarok, prepared to fight Hades, with this fight already likely to be the highlight of season 3. However, there are other fights, even without considering the victor, that will make Record of Ragnarok season 3 the best season yet.

Highlights include Nikola Tesla and his incredible armor, which will surely pop on the screen, and his brilliant and imposing opponent with J-Pop good looks, Beelzebub. The fight is electrifying in more ways than one, with Tesla certain to endear himself to fans in one of the most likable matchups yet. Finally, Apollo vs. Leonidas is easily the weak link between these three bouts, concluded far too quickly. Apollo is likely to be immensely popular with viewers by the end.

Important Worldbuilding Happens Between Rounds 8 and 9

Record of Ragnarok Introduces the Most Important New Character Yet

It's around the conclusion of Nikola Tesla's fight against Beelzebub, where Sakata Kintoki, one of the Einherjar for future rounds, investigates Siegfried's imprisonment. Much like in Germanic legend, Siegfried is a deadly human warrior, slayer of Fafnir, and, in Record of Ragnarok, is, or at least was, romantically linked to Brunhilde. However, Siegfried's imprisonment in Tartarus, where he's especially tightly restrained, speaks to his ominous presence in the series and the ambiguity of whether his imprisonment benefits the gods more or the humans.

It's a strong case of worldbuilding that's yet to be explored since then, but the tease is intense, as it suggests either a fourteenth combatant or events beyond the tournament entirely. Brunhilde's reasons for challenging the gods to battle in Record of Ragnarok include Siegfried's imprisonment, yet her cold denial of a romantic connection is fascinating, suggesting a fraught history. With Record of Ragnarok's titular tournament having thirteen rounds and season 3 likely following the anime's pattern to have Rounds 7-9, Siegfried's role will likely be revealed soon.

Record of Ragnarok Is Improving Each Season

Even with Excellent Moments Like Round 3, Season 1 Hasn't Aged Well

Record of Ragnarok season 1 is hard to overlook, especially with Round 1- 2 feeling less like an anime and more like a dramatized slideshow or mid-tier motion comic. Its saving grace, Round 3, is only as good as it was due to the animation suitably being more detailed in its conclusion and the compelling storytelling of Poseidon vs. Kojiro Sasaki's fight. Yumeta Company's studio joined Graphinica in co-animating Record of Ragnarok season 2. Despite odd quirks like mild instances of CGI pulling focus from the Heracles vs. Jack the Ripper fight, it's still a noteworthy improvement.

By the release of season 2 part 2 on July 12, 2023, Record of Ragnarok's animation had undergone an undeniable improvement, with Hajun and Buddha's fight eventually becoming the true best fight of the season. With the fans getting several fantastic fighters lined up for the anticipated season 3 portion of the tournament, it's hard to imagine animation quality dipping at this point as the studios continue to hit their stride. Between Hades and Qin Shi Huang's explosive bout, Beelzebub's fiendish powers, and likely fantastic, Dragon Ball-esque visuals promised by Nikola Tesla's energy attacks, fans are in for a treat.

Heroes and Villains Are Beloved and Sympathetic in Record of Ragnarok

The Third Season of the Anime Promises Instant Fan-Favorites Like Tesla and Apollo

Despite a haughty first impression on readers when introduced in Round 9, Apollo quickly got the better backstory in Record of Ragnarok. Apollo's ability to win over even bloodthirsty monsters and reform them to become positive contributors to the world and new worshipers is an impressive feat. But Apollo is one of the many fascinating and sympathetic characters who would be present for Record of Ragnarok's third season.

Record of Ragnarok season 3 teases plenty of winning personalities. Nikola Tesla's optimistic view of humanity reignites the human spectators' fervor even in light of their hope for survival being threatened by the gods. Other characters in this season will also be interesting: Qin Shi Huang's combat abilities will amaze the viewers, Hades possesses immense power and a position as a crowd favorite, and Leonidas' cigar-chomping presence when facing off against his nemesis is a vibe yet unseen in the anime.

The series has plenty of promise thanks to its memorable character designs and personalities, even if one Record of Ragnarok characters got the series banned in India. Fans can cheer for whomever they wish, as its creators have done well to create engaging backstories. There can be only one winner in each round, after all. Record of Ragnarok creates a martial spectacle with a surprisingly dominant, resonant effect on Netflix's anime viewers.