Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		2.5

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 includes the first season of the action-packed animated series. Created by Ajichika, Shinya Umemura, and Takumi Fukui, Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 provides fans with the entire first season of the Netflix original series. Produced by Hiroyuki Aoi (Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer, Blade of the Immortal), Moe Sumiya, Sachiko Inamoto (Arte), Sôji Miyagi (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind), and Takeshi Kawakita (Rinne no Lagrange: Kamogawa Days), Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 features animation produced by Graphinica (Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas, Expelled from Paradise). Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 includes theme music by Maximum The Hormone (opening) and SymaG (ending).

Gather round, gather round. The gods of Ragnarok have assembled and it is time for a meeting of the gods. With a mighty legion of gods and valkyries assembled, the likes of Thor (Hikaru Midorikawa), Brunhild (Miyuki Sawashiro), Göll (Tomoyo Kurosawa), and Zeus (Wataru Takagi) determine the outstanding fate of humanity.

Most of the gods have decided that it is time for humanity to be annihilated. The human race is decided to be put to an end once and for all by the gods. However, with the suggestion of the Valkyrie Brunhild, a fine-print notation “on-the-record” about giving humans a chance to prove themselves against the gods in an all-out Ragnarok battle is discussed as an option before simply ceasing human kind.

The option is considered a “joke” by some (how could humans defeat the gods?) but some wish for the commencement of battle nonetheless. Thus, the stage is set… for all out war! Ragnarok, a battle for survival. Can the human race survive annihilation? With human leaders like Lu Bu (Tomokazu Seki), action-adventure awaits as the gods are ready for battle.

The series features decent animation (which is saying something for Netflix). The series animation is ushered in by art director Shinobu Yamaguchi alongside contributions by chief animation directors Fumio Iida (Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honnêamise), Masaki Satō (Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna), and Shigeo Akahori (Texhnolyze). The animation style is okay and does a decent job highlighting the action-packed mayhem of the series. The character designs by Masaki Satō (Fist of the North Star: The Legend of Kenshirô, Initial D: Final Stage) are well done. The cinematography by Yukihiro Masumoto (Black Lagoon, The Heroic Legend of Arslan) adds to the style of the series, too.

The score composed by Yasuharu Takanashi (Fairy Tail, Hell Girl) is one of the best elements of the series. Composer Takanashi made a fun score. The music is a nice backdrop for the action scenes.

Written by Kazuyuki Fudeyasu (Beyblade: Metal Fusion, Beyblade: Metal Masters), Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 has decent scripting. The dialogue is entertaining. The concept is good enough for some mindless entertainment. A decent effort for the production.

Directed by Masao Ōkubo (Mitsudomoe Zōryōchū!, Onegai My Melody), Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 provides action fans with what they want most – action. The series handles the blend of action and comedy decently. A solid enough effort for a Netflix production. Better than expected when one considers Netflix was involved.

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by VIZ Media, Record of Ragnarok Season 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen.  The presentation on the release is average. The transfer looks decent and color reproduction is okay. A decent-enough presentation with acceptable encoding but it could look sharper and have better clarity.

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 (with English subtitles). The audio showcases the sound direction by Yasunori Ebina (A Certain Magical Index, Majestic Prince). The soundtrack is clear and reasonably well reproduced if not particularly exciting. A decent soundstage.

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release comes with an o-card slipcover. The release also provides a pull-out poster inside of the case featuring Record of Ragnarok artwork.

Disc 2:

Chapter 1 of Record of Ragnarok Manga includes 75 click-through slides/pages.

Art Gallery includes 80 click-through slides.

Clean Opening & Endings (HD, 6:09)

Promotional Videos (HD, 5:18)

More from VIZ (HD, 1:17)

Record of Ragnarok: Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Record of Ragnarok Season 1 offers action fans some fun. The series might not be that creative in some respects but it has a decent concept and some fun action scenes. Netflix fans who want to own a permanent copy of the production (without having to worry about the series one day disappearing into the night with an unexpected tax write off five years into the unknown future) may wish to consider a purchase if for no other reason. The Blu-ray has decent video-audio quality. The only interesting extra provided is an extensive art gallery.