Who doesn't love a good Tournament Arc? No need for armies of henchmen or multi-arc battles of will, just a straightforward series of duels between worthy opponents. Record of Ragnarok is structured entirely around one massive tournament, leading to long matches and plenty of breaks for backstory, and it's a pretty good example of the trope that's only getting better.
Written by Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui, Record of Ragnarok is an ongoing seinen manga that has sold millions of copies. The first season of the anime premiered on Netflix last June, and it became something of a cult success on the service.
Record of Ragnarok, for those who didn't see or don't remember season one, follows a fighting tournament to decide the fate of the human race. The gods of every known pantheon convene in a grand jury and determine that the world would be better off without humans. Before they can erase their creation, the Valkyrie Brunhilde demands clemency. Compelled by an obscure rule, gods and humans must send thirteen champions into gladiatorial combat. Each human will enter battle with the help of a Valkyrie, making each fight a semi-fair contest of strength and skill. Season one covered the first three matches and the first part of season two depicts rounds 4 and 5.
The gods are up two to one entering the fourth match, but seeing a human slay a deity in combat is shocking to those who believed themselves to be immortal. The fourth round of combat pits Hercules, the champion who became a god through sheer willpower, against English serial murderer Jack the Ripper. It's easily the best fight so far. The show has a habit of setting up duels between opponents who are simply too similar. Jack and Hercules couldn't be more different. The show takes great pains to set Jack up as the worst person who ever lived while portraying Hercules as the pinnacle of moral virtue. The battle between a god who could smite his opponent in a single blow and a trickster who is constantly two steps ahead is compelling and unique. It's a strong showing of what the series could offer in future bouts.
The fifth match is a sumo smackdown between legendary wrestler Raiden Tameemon and Shiva, the Hindu God of Destruction. It's another simple hand-to-hand brawl, which makes it a bit less interesting than the previous duel. Shiva and Raiden are basically the same guy, bar an extra set of limbs. Even so, the fight is considerably more interesting than the first couple of fights in the series. The show seems to be enjoying a slightly higher budget this season, making every match look a bit better. It really shines in more creative fights, but it's still a huge asset in other scenes. In a world with so many good action anime series, it's tough for Record of Ragnarok to stand out. Luckily, they've still got their secret weapon.
The best part of Record of Ragnarok is still the bizarre and inexplicable creative decisions that permeate almost every moment of the series. The art style still exaggerates everything to the most ridiculous imaginable degree. Seeing the creator's take on every obscure figure from mythology and history is a lot of fun. Beyond the source material, the anime adaptation is happy to make absurd choices with every alternate scene. Jack the Ripper's theme tune is "London Bridge is Falling Down" while Hercules' is unmistakably the opening notes of AC/DC's "Back in Black." A scene between rounds introduces the series' fantastic portrayal of Buddha, who is clearly being set up as a headliner for the upcoming bouts. It's improved substantially, so much so that it feels like the show is becoming smarter.
Despite appearances, there are some clever themes underneath the action in Record of Ragnarok. Living reflections of humanity's best and worst aspects clash with literal gods. The wins and losses start to tell a story about exactly which aspects of mankind can defeat the insurmountable odds they face. The fights keep getting better, the interpersonal interactions keep getting more interesting, and there seems to be a lot more on the horizon for this show. Since this is only one half of season 2, it does end on a fairly dull moment. Netflix has confirmed season two part two, but the service has no listed date for its premiere. Manga fans know that the best is yet to come.
Record of Ragnarok isn't the best anime ever made, but it is a lot of fun to watch. It's improved in a lot of ways since the premiere, and it still has a lot of room to grow. If Jack versus Hercules doesn't capture your attention, then this show isn't for you. Record of Ragnarok is quickly shaping up to be a solid tournament, but there are plenty of interesting rounds to come.