Record of Ragnarok: Season 1

At the Council of Valhalla, the gods gather and decide that humanity is irredeemable and must be destroyed. Brunhilde, leader of the Valkyries, objects to this decision, proposing that the gods demonstrate their mercy and power by testing mankind. She convinces the gods to hold Ragnarok, a competition in which thirteen humans and thirteen gods fight in duels to the death, the victor being the first side to achieve seven victories. Should they win, mankind will be spared for a thousand years. For

Lü Bu's past is explored: contrary to recorded history, he surrendered to Cao Cao out of boredom after realizing his own strength was unparalleled. Lü Bu's ferocity forces Thor to fight seriously, making the gods realize the former is using a divine weapon (one that can hurt and even kill gods) to fight, courtesy of Brunhilde, who convinced her Valkyrie sisters to assist the humans.

In a flashback to before the first match, Brunhilde summons the fourth of her sisters, Randgriz, and orders her to help Lü Bu by transforming into a sacred weapon for him in a process known as Völundr. In the present, Randgriz's assistance puts Lü Bu on even ground with Thor, who removes his restraints and unleashes his full power. Zeus, king of the gods, is thrilled by the Valkyries' involvement in Ragnarok.

Thor shatters Lü Bu's legs, and the latter's horse, Red Hare, joins the fray to support him. However, Thor breaks Lü Bu's weapon, reverting Randgriz to her original form. Lü Bu rejoices at having finally fought a worthy opponent before being beheaded by Thor, sealing the first victory for the gods.

Red Hare and Lü Bu's army, who had been watching the battle, charge at Thor, who kills them in respect for his fallen opponent. Brunhilde remains stoic despite knowing that Lü Bu and Randgriz's souls were permanently destroyed. Adam, the first man, is chosen as the human representative for the second match. The Hindu god Shiva is initially chosen as Adam's opponent, but Zeus takes the former's place, to Brunhilde's chagrin.

Adam is equipped with a knuckleduster formed from the spirit of the seventh Valkyrie, Reginleif, while Zeus fights barehanded. Zeus has the advantage at first, but Adam is able to dodge and mimic the former's techniques, astonishing the crowd.

Adam's backstory is explained: he and his wife Eve lived in paradise until Eve refused the Serpent's advances, causing the latter to frame Eve for a heinous crime. A jury of gods ruled against Eve, who was banished from paradise. Adam killed the Serpent in revenge and left paradise with Eve, developing an intense hatred for the gods. In the present, Zeus assumes his true form, powering up significantly.

Adam is able to adapt to Zeus' increase in strength, but begins to suffer from the physical and mental strain. He succumbs to exhaustion just before dealing the finishing blow, dying along with Reginleif. Despite another loss, the humans in the audience celebrate Adam's efforts and express their defiance against the gods. For the third match, the Greek god Poseidon is chosen to fight for the gods, while the famed Japanese swordsman Kojirō Sasaki steps up as his opponent.

Poseidon begins the third match, armed with his trident, against Sasaki, who wields a sword formed from the spirit of the second Valkyrie, Hrist. After mentally simulating several possible approaches, Sasaki realizes making the first move may be futile. Poseidon's backstory is explored: he killed his own brother Adamas for amassing an army to rebel against Zeus, and has always been assured of his own perfection and infallibility.

While he was alive, Sasaki sought unconventional methods to improve his swordsmanship and analytical skills. In the present, Sasaki and Poseidon face off. The former is initially able to predict and dodge the latter's strikes, but Poseidon moves faster than Sasaki can anticipate, wounding him.

Poseidon's assault breaks Sasaki's sword in two. After reminiscing about his death at the hands of fellow swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, Sasaki vows not to lose against the dispassionate and condescending Poseidon. With Hrist's assistance, Sasaki's broken weapon is reforged into two new swords, granting him a second wind.

Poseidon steps up his offense, putting pressure on Sasaki. However, thanks to the moral support of his fellow swordsmen in the audience, Sasaki is able to win the match. Zeus acknowledges mankind's strength, realizes Brunhilde truly intends to defeat the gods, and resolves to take Ragnarok seriously. Hercules is chosen as the gods' representative for the fourth match. In a move that shocks both sides, Brunhilde sends mankind's most devious murderer, Jack the Ripper, to fight.