The following contains spoilers for Record of Ragnarok Season 2, now streaming on Netflix. Record of Ragnarok Season 2 Manga is now available on MangaMonster for free.
Netflix's Record of Ragnarok has certainly kept fans guessing as to what'll be the outcome of the war between gods and Earth's champions. Zeus and his pantheon are trying to reach seven wins first in a contest of 13 brutal fights. If they do, they'll be able to destroy the planet and punish its denizens for being petulant and ungrateful.
However, the Shonen anime tournament has Brunhilde using Valkyrie souls to power up her warriors to fight on Earth's behalf. Unfortunately, the sumo expert, Raiden, losing to Lord Shiva makes it three wins to two for the gods, portending doom and gloom. That said, key twists and turns have been teased, offering a glimmer of hope for humanity. With that in mind, let's dive into what fans can expect when Season 2 resumes.
Record of Ragnarok Has Buddha Battling Zerofuku
The trailer for Part 2 of The Record of Ragnarok Season 2 showcases an intense confrontation between Buddha and Zerofuku. Fans were astonished at the end of Part 1 when Buddha switched sides and aligned with humanity. Although Buddha was once human himself and witnessed their flaws, his decision primarily stems from his belief in their potential for redemption. Moreover, Buddha despises the arrogance exhibited by the gods and their hasty judgment.
Season 2 will delve deeper into the clash of ideologies both inside and outside the gladiator arena. Buddha aims to expose the gods as hypocrites, a desire he strongly harbors. However, the battle won't be a walk in the park. Zerofuku, the God of Misfortune formed by the union of the Seven Lucky Gods, possesses immense power and harbors resentment towards Buddha for assisting Brunhilde's plot.
Undoubtedly, Zerofuku seeks to eliminate Buddha and demonstrate to Zeus that the gods should show no mercy to their opponents. After all, Zerofuku holds disdain for manipulative individuals. This sets the stage for an unforgiving duel, as hinted in the trailer, where the peace-loving Buddha won't hold back. Interestingly, Zerofuku underestimates Buddha, much like the seven deities did when they encountered him backstage. However, Zeus's plea for Buddha to join the battle on the gods' side, recognizing him as a formidable weapon of mass destruction, suggests that Buddha will play a crucial role in determining the outcome. How Zeus responds to this betrayal, though, remains to be seen.
Record of Ragnarok Teases a Vulnerable Brunhilde
One of the most shocking aspects is Brunhilde's willingness to bind her sisters' souls to the fighters in the Record of Ragnarok. This process, known as Völundr, transforms them into divine weapons and accessories to further empower Earth's combatants. However, when these soldiers meet their demise, the Valkyrie souls vanish into nothingness alongside them. There is no Valhalla, and this realization is taking a toll on Brunhilde's mental state as the intense battles of the shonen anime unfold.
To compound matters, the youngest sister, Göll, is growing increasingly traumatized by witnessing these sacrifices. With three of her sisters already lost, Brunhilde acknowledges the impact it has on the young girl. Brunhilde, who was initially portrayed as an angry and unyielding character, has retreated to her quarters in tears, undergoing a significant emotional shift. In Season 2, Part 2, she will need to regain her resolve, knowing she cannot falter from their mission.
This sets the stage for conflict, as Göll vehemently opposes any further loss of Valkyries. It forces Brunhilde to become more meticulous and strategic in planning her moves on the chessboard. It will be intriguing to witness her battle the emotional turmoil within, as she begins to exhibit more human qualities. However, she will be wary of showing any flaws that the gods could exploit, as they are adept at capitalizing on weaknesses. A single misstep in selecting her roster of fighters could grant the gods an even greater advantage. This leaves fans wondering how Brunhilde will navigate these challenges moving forward, especially considering the possibility of having to fight alongside Göll, potentially facing their own champion.
Record of Ragnarok May Have a Civil War
Undeniably, the rules of the competition in Record of Ragnarok have certain loopholes that can be exploited. Buddha's unexpected defection as a former human, catching Zeus completely off guard, highlights this vulnerability. His actions could potentially inspire others to switch sides or refuse to fight altogether. Shiva has already expressed his respect and love for humanity, planting seeds of doubt in the minds of other gods. The intense battle involving Raiden reminded Shiva of the indomitable spirit of humanity and the importance of compassion, empathy, and love as solutions rather than further warfare. Some may even intentionally lose fights to balance the scales. The anime's current unpredictability is truly captivating.
Hermes, another god whom Zeus cannot fully trust, sets the stage for Part 2 to explore who else may secretly align with Brunhilde's cause. If there are more sympathizers among the gods, a civil war could ensue. This could also bring champions like Kojiro Sasaki back into the mix, as he is willing to defend gods who embody honor and justice. The narrative hints at a lot of impending drama, with the intriguing possibility of team allegiances becoming blurred. Jack the Ripper, too, has teased a potential switch to the side of the gods. While such developments would fit the overarching storyline, even Zeus realizes that his hasty judgment of a corrupt Earth has disrupted the natural order, leaving both sides questioning their destinies.
Viewers eagerly anticipate whether Zeus will attempt to mend the divide and convince others to reconsider their positions. However, with internal conflicts brewing, the result will be mass casualties and collateral damage due to everyone's impulsive nature. It will be fascinating to witness how Zeus is ultimately swayed and which course of action he decides to pursue. He understands that unity is the key, whether it entails the destruction of Earth or the possibility of forming a peaceful alliance with their adversaries. Regardless, Record of Ragnarok promises to become more intricate, complex, and nuanced as the battle royale anime delves into the gods' thirst for bloodshed. Ultimately, the series will explore whether Earth's chosen warriors can shock everyone and achieve the most significant victory of their lives, saving their realm from total annihilation, with or without the presence of defectors.
Record of Ragnarok Season 2 resumes July 12, 2023, on Netflix.
