There’s an impressive library ofanime inspired by the ancient stories and legends of Norse mythology. The aesthetic is equally popular in the world of live-action entertainment, with no lack of movies and shows featuring historic depictions of Vikings wearing fur caps and wielding big axes.
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Animefans who also like Norse mythology might have already discovered a few titles that either drop a few names, make some random references, or borrow the whole mythology, including the familiar names and storylines. Some creative animators and writers have used mythology in some creative ways that have little to do with godlike powers or classical history.
7Attack On Titan (2013- )
A popular anime of the 21st that combined some of the best features of the century that came before it,Attack On Titanalso draws some lore from much more ancient sources. As the story unfolds it’s revealed that the Titans are giants descended from a giant named Ymir, who was slain by the god Odin according to legend.
Several myths about the creation of the world include a period when the gods had to fight older, more savage giants to gain control of the world, and the Norse version isn’t an exception. After Odin killed Ymir, the massive creature formed part of the foundation of the earth. This is referenced in the anime througha character named Ymir, a human who can transform into a Titan and was formerly worshipped as one.
6The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarok (2003)
Like many other anime shows,The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarokstarted as a manga before it was a series. The name of the titular character isn’t just a reference or coincidence, either. This is intended to be the actual god Loki, cast down to earth in the likeness of a human child.
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Loki isn’t sure why he’s been exiled, but he is aware of the quest Odin has given to him. His job is to collect the evil auras that corrupt the human heart, and he starts a paranormal detective agency to track them down. Loki can’t return to Asgard until he succeeds, and during his mission, several other deities make appearances as both friends and foes.
5Val X Love (2019)
Val X Loveis yet another example of an anime show that started with a popular manga. It’s about a boy named Takuma Akutsu, who isn’t exactly ugly but has an off-putting, evil-looking face. One day,the god Odin reaches out and tellsTakuma his destiny is to save the world from the approaching apocalypse.
It’s a big responsibility and the Allfather doesn’t intend for the hero to do everything by himself. He sends his nine daughters, the Valkyries, to aid him in his important quest. Throughout the series, he trains to become one of the Einherjar, a Norse expression that means “Army of One”.
4Saint Seiya (1986-1989)
A popular franchise that includes video games, manga, novels, and movies in addition to the anime series,Saint Seiyanotoriously uses the ancient Greek god Athena as one of its main characters, but other cultures get some love in the series, too.
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The God Warriors first appeared in the movie,Saint Seiya: The Heated Battle of the Gods,in 1988 and re-emerged again in the series, which was still running at the time. The main characters travel to Asgard after a stranger, who claims to be a messenger of Odin, warns of an impending disaster. Most of the story is about intrigue and betrayal in the court of Asgard, with other gods like Loki and Freya also joining the cast.
3Record Of Ragnarok (2021- )
One of the more recent selections for anime fans of Norse mythology,Record of Ragnorokgives a lot away with the title, which is an accurate description. The plot includes a recurring meeting known as the God Council that takes place every thousand years, but this time the deities have decided that humans are beyond help and must be destroyed.
However, the gods do like a show, and agree to give humanity one last chance. They agree to hold a tournament called Ragorok that pits thirteen famous human warriors against thirteen ofthe most powerful deities. Humans need to win at least seven victories and are aided by powerful Valkyries to even the playing field.
2Warlords Of Sigrdrifa (2020)
Also known asBattle Wing Sigrdrifa,this was a light novel series and a manga before it was an anime, and combines elements of the magical girl genre along with plenty of references to Norse mythology. Isn’t that what a Valkyrie is anyway?
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These Valkyries are Odin’s gift to humanity to fight the mysterious Pillars, which threaten all life on earth. Their superpowers revolve around their piloting skills, with each character controlling a different plane with unique, magical abilities.
1Odin: Photon Sailer Starlight
An anime with a solid cult following and some unique and interesting ideas about mythology and the space opera genre,Odin: Photon Sailer Starlightlooks like science fiction and takes place in the distant future. When the crew of the good ship Starlight rescues a damsel in distress, a lone survivor from a mysterious shipwreck, it begins its quest to find a lost planet called Odin.
There are several other references in the anime about Norse mythology, which are connected to the history of the ill-fated planet, along with some old-fashioned swashbuckling adventure on the starry seas.
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