MANGA REVIEW | "Record of Ragnarok" - Volume Thirteen
When I was first told about Record of Ragnarok, I expected it to be just a nonstop battle between humans and gods. While it does have a plethora of badass moments, I wasn’t expected to be pulled out of the action so much via the plethora of back stories. Granted, these origin tales do a good job with showcasing how these combatants got to where they’re at in that precise moment. Nevertheless, I still feel that Record of Ragnarok is at its best when there’s less talking, and more fighting.
Volume Thirteen is exactly what I’ve been waiting for this series to become!
Buddha’s fight with Zerofuku has become something else entirely. In fact, his brand-new form is someone that not even the gods can name! That’s when the slickest and cunning of gods Hades arrives, and tells his youngest brother Zeus who Zerofuku now is: Hajun of Helheim! And everyone in that colosseum will soon see why Hajun is truly bad news!
The amount of power that flows through Hajun is enough to make even the mightiest of gods quake in their boots. Even Buddha realizes how much trouble he’s in, now that he can no longer predict what his opponent will be doing. It soon becomes a fight where not even Brunhilde has confidence in the person in humanity’s corner. It’s easy to feel this way, especially with just how powerful Hajun is.
There is a slight bit of origin story slid in regarding how Zerofuku became Hajun, and it has to do with another of Hell’s top minions: Beelzebub. The flicker of hope within Buddha regarding Zerofuku’s fate is snuffed out, and it pushes him to his limits. In fact, he uses a feeling that he had long thrown to the curb for the sake of enlightenment: hatred! Fortunately, another flame lights up within Buddha’s heart, and it winds up giving him a kind of power that finally makes Hajun doubt his strength.
And then, it’s anyone’s guess what will happen in the ring. Buddha and Hajun throw one Divine Punishment after another at each other, as eyes are destroyed, limbs are ripped, and blood paints the ground of the colosseum. The visual detail in the blows, the cuts, and the emotion on these characters’ faces are some of artist Azychika’s finest works. Finally, after what has been one of the most exciting battles in the series yet, the dust settles.
Record of Ragnarok keeps on topping its excitement levels one after another. Its thirteenth volume delivers everything that has made this series a visual joy to read, but with its adrenaline cranked to its maximum level. Honestly, I have no idea how Record of Ragnarok will top itself for its next match. But then again, I’ve thought the same thing before, and I’m always met with the sight of another peak in the distance!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
