After almost three years of waiting, Record of Ragnarok fans can rejoice as Season 3 finally premieres on Netflix. The dark fantasy martial arts anime has had its ups and downs since first streaming in 2021, but fans are hopeful that the show will enter an exciting new era under the new production team of Yumeta Company and Maru Animation. Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 picks back up in the midst of a thrilling Ragnarök tournament, where the gods and mankind are deadlocked in the ultimate tournament to determine humanity’s fate. Throughout this latest batch of episodes, we’ll witness three ferocious fights to the death in this bingeable series featuring some of the biggest names in history and folklore.
Opening Shot: Following Buddha’s (Maaz Ali) big win, the gods and humans are tied up at 3-3. Zeus and Hermes (Cory Yee) must decide on their next divine warrior to enter the fray, while Ares (Tim Friedlander) listens on, working up the courage to fight… only for Hades (J. Michael Tatum) to shock them all by volunteering to battle humanity in hopes of avenging his fallen brother, Poseidon (Bumper Robinson).
The Gist: After a recap episode, Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 dives headfirst right into the action as Hades offers to fill the newfound vacancy on the gods’ team roster after Buddha chose to fight for humanity in the previous round. Despite knowing that she’ll be putting someone up against the fearsome King of Helheim, the eldest of the 13 Valkyrie Sisters, Brunhilde (Laura Post), continues to have faith in her plan to enact the ultimate revenge against the gods by crushing them in the Ragnarök. When she, her youngest sister Göll (Anairis Quinones), and French astrologer Michel de Nostredame (Kieran Regas) receive word that Hades is the gods’ next fighter, Brunhilde quickly and confidently chooses to match him up against the founder of China’s Qin dynasty, Qin Shi Huang (Cory Yee), in an epic battle of kings.
With the tenth Valkyrie Sister, Alvitr (Christina Costello), performing Völundr, she becomes the Almighty Spaulders that will provide Qin Shi Huang with divine armor throughout his fight. Hades gets an upgrade of his own as he fuses the remains of Poseidon’s trident with his own bident spear to create a brutally destructive weapon. While the two kings seem to respect each other, they both have their own reasons for battling and won’t pull punches as they use every ability and trick in their respective arsenals to become the last lord standing.
Beyond this battle, Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 also features a fierce fight between the past and future as the famous inventor Nikola Tesla (John Patneaude) faces demonic Lord of the Flies Beelzebub (Brandon McInnis), followed by a brawl between radiant Greek sun god, Apollo (Chris Hackney) and Spartan King Leonidas (David Hayter). When losing means that all of humanity is at risk of extinction at the hands of gods, the pressure is on to overcome seemingly impossible odds and live to fight another day.
Photo: Netflix
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? If you’re especially partial to the Greek god aspects of Record of Ragnarok, then shows like Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Blood of Zeus, and Krapopolis might be up your alley. Additionally, for those who’d prefer to watch something with plenty of action or characters inspired by mythologies and historical figures alike, you could check out Kengan Ashura, Fate/stay night, Good Omens, and Bungo Stray Dogs.
Our Take: Record of Ragnarok already has an intriguing premise baked into its DNA that can’t help but draw people in, but Season 3 is enough to ensure that fans will want to keep sticking around. The new addition of Maru Animation to the production team has truly improved the show’s overall visuals, fluidity, and watchability with additional frames that make the animation more dynamic and depthful than what we saw in Seasons 1 and 2. While there may still be times when the animation or CGI looks slightly less smooth or advanced, it’s still enough of an improvement that returning fans should be happy regardless.
In terms of the actual story, Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 pulls you right into the fray after the recap prologue episode, with each fight getting four or five episodes each to delve deep into the action, minds, and backstories of the competing characters. And though the brawls are likely what first grabs viewers’ attention, there is a bit of additional depth and emotion to this series that will keep you riveted as you’re forced to consider the follies, resiliency, and beauty of mankind, and why even the most despicable parts of humanity can still be worth saving. Blood and battles with a dash of philosophy… Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 really does have it all!
Photo: Netflix/YouTube
Sex And Skin: There’s a brief shot of Greek goddess Aphrodite (Reba Buhr) where, as usual, she has her bountiful bosom half exposed while remarking on Hades’ “fierce thrusting,” but generally that’s as suggestive or salacious as it gets. Generally, it’s just tame stuff like excessively muscular bodies tearing each other apart in bloody fights to the death.
Parting Shot: Qin turns the tide of the battle, leaving Hades lying in rubble with a hole in his chest. The emperor stands from a slight distance, looking remarkably unruffled as he taunts the Greek god of the underworld, “You call yourself Hades, King of Helheim, but you will learn there’s only one king. And that man is me!”
Sleeper Star: In the early episodes, it’s got to be Qin Shi Huang (Cory Yee). Not only is he an honored emperor in Chinese history, but in this show, he’s also a master ragebaiter whose antics and handful of cheesy (borderline aura farming, even) lines make him an entertaining character to behold.
Most Pilot-y Line: It’s got to be this introductory line from Qin Shi Huang to Ares after tossing the god aside like a ragdoll: “Know your station. The place in which I sit matters not. For wherever I sit, the seat shall become my throne.”
Our Call: Record of Ragnarok: Season 3 is fast, fun, and full of the same all-out brawls that look even better with this new animation team. Enjoy the easily-digestible action and STREAM IT!
Maddy Casale is a Chicago-based writer and comedian who covers everything from animated series to Hallmark movies. Follow her on Duolingo @MCasale.
