Ask John: What is Ragnarok?

Question:
I saw and ad for a manga called “Ragnorok”. What is Ragnorock? Is it also an anime?

Answer:
The confusion over “Ragnarok” stems from the fact that there are several different Asian stories that all use this common name.

The most recognized and popular Ragnarok is arguably the Korean fantasy comic created by Myung-Jin Lee. Lee’s Korean fantasy story is the basis for the famous online PC RPG Ragnarok Online, which is especially popular in Korea and Japan. The Ragnarok “manwa” (Korean manga) is published in English by TOKYOPOP. Japanese animation studio Madhouse, in association with South Korean animation studio DR. Movie (Alexander, Wonderful Days, Steam Boy) has created a short promotional animation clip of Ragnarok Online animation featuring character design by Nobeteru Yuki and direction by Hiroyuki Kitakubo. At the present time, Gravity, the South Korean company behind the “Ragnarok Online” game, has secured the rights to produce a full length Ragnarok Online anime in collaboration with an established Japanese animation studio.

Ragnarok is also the title of a fantasy manga by Tsukasa Kotobuki, character designer for anime including Toshinden, Akihabara Cyber Team and Saber Marionette J, adapted from a story by Kentaro Yasui, author of the Ragnarok and six (and counting) Ragnarok EX fantasy novels.

And finally, there is Sakura Kinoshita’s Matantei Loki Ragnarok (Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok) manga that premiered in Shonen GanGan magazine in 2001 which is currently in development as an anime TV series.

Article revised on February 14, 2003 with extensive help from “Jazzman.”