History Manhwa / Ragnarok1997

* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Translating from Korean to English has a few problems [[Analysis/SpellMyNameWithAnS similar to translating from Japanese to English]]. This resulted in inconsistent spelling of names between the {{Tokyopop}} localization and the English version of ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'':

* {{Onmyodo}}: The "runes" that Iris and Sara Irene use to cast spells are very similar to Ofuda.
** AsianRuneChant: Iris Irene and Sara Irene both do a Norse (or [[AltumVidetur Latin]]) take on this when casting a spell with their runes.

* {{Badass}}: Loki is definitely the ''biggest'' one in the series in epic proportions. The guy almost [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] Chaos, and even managed to mortally injure Skurai in their first fight ''by piercing through his heart with one bare hand'' and had it not been for Chaos blocking his last attack on Skurai (which is a gigantic bolt of Cosmic Energy) [[BigDamnHeroes to protect an innocent little girl]], he would've ''killed'' the main antagonist of the series already, and he is a wielder of the most powerful form of magic, Cosmic Energy, which makes him stronger than both Fenris and Iris ''COMBINED''. Oh, holy fuck. [[{{Badass}} Bad]].[[UpToEleven Ass]].

* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: You know you've got a hands-on ruler when the lord of your city [[BigDamnHeroes comes to the rescue of his own army]] by ''[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome punching a frost giant in half]].''

* SchizoTech: A core theme of ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}'' from its start. There's enough background events to suggest that there used to be a really advanced [[MagiTek magical/technological]] civilization in Midgard, and was probably laid low by Ragnarok. The series' present day is a MedievalEuropeanFantasy with cannons, airships, guns, and modern-looking apparel.

** During the invasion of Prontera, certain characters from ''WesternAnimation/TheNightmareBeforeChristmas'' can be seen among the hordes. So can the zombified versions of ''VirtuaFighter'' characters, snarfing down on another fighter from the series.

Currently, there's ten volumes of ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}'' available, and all ten have been translated to several different languages. It's presently on hold due to the work Myung-Jin Lee is doing with Gravity on ''RagnarokOnline'' as well as other series in his studio. Although he's said that he plans to make ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}'' span over forty volumes, it's looking like it's become an OrphanedSeries, as the last volume was published back in ''2002''.

* DubNameChange: Several names are changed so they jive more with the Norse setting. "Satan Morroc" was changed to "Surt" and "[[Myth/MesopotamianMythology Tiamat]]"[[note]]A dragon, much like in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' and ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''[[/note]] was changed to "Nidhogg", for example. In a pseudo-example of InconsistentDub, many of these characters also appear in ''RagnarokOnline'', but use their original names even in the international version.

** In early circulations of Volume 1, Alberta is briefly shown as "a small village on the eastern border of the Midgard Kingdom." Later localizations changed the caption to read "a port town on the southeast coast of the Midgard Kingdom." ''RagnarokOnline'' probably had something to do with this one.

* RPGElements: Done subtly but noticeably in the series itself, and clearly visible in the faux "player's handbook" character guide in every novel's opening. The volumes made when ''RagnarokOnline'' started development only intensified this.

** A number of the iconic characters for classes from ''RagnarokOnline'' itself show up both in the background and overtly by Volume 8. Especially notable because Volume 8 was published in 2001 (when RO was in its ''alpha'' stage), and the "2-1" and "2-2" classes were appearing in their finalized forms well before Gravity so much as released their concept art.

* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Translating from Korean to English has a few problems [[Analysis/SpellMyNameWithAnS similar to translating from Japanese to English]]. This resulted in inconsistent spelling of names between the {{Tokyopop}} localization and the English version of ''RagnarokOnline'':

* {{Wutai}}: Fayon (or Payon in ''RagnarokOnline'') is the Korean variant of this, and a source for many Korean culture artifacts. In an odd twist, Chaos explains to Lidia [[InfoDump in a fast-spoken rant]] that Fayon is is a sanctuary for "descendants of [[TheFourGods the four constellations]]," and that there are many other similar sanctuaries across the mortal realm. Fayon is the capital city for all these city-sanctuaries spread across Midgard.

While full of direct references to [[NorseMythology Norse lore]], ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}'' deliberately and intentionally rearranges many aspects of it to produce an entirely different world. In this version of Midgard, Ragnarok marks a period where the Aesir and Vanir battle one another, the giants seek to unmake all creation, and mankind is stuck in the middle of it all--but one faction of the gods is fighting to protect the mortal realm's interests.

Not to be confused with the {{Roguelike}} named ''[[VideoGame/RagnarokRoguelike Ragnarok]]''. If you're looking for the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt actual Ragnarok]] from Norse lore, [[NorseMythology check here]].

* EternalRecurrence: It's implied that Ragnarok is cyclical. It happened a thousand years ago, and it's about to happen again. More specifically, the Aesir and Vanir warred with one another a thousand years ago--an event that, in [[NorseMythology Norse lore]], is ''not'' part of the events of Ragnarok. However, at the same time Surt and his fire giants attempted to burn away the world, an event that ''is''.

* NorseMythology: [[CaptainObvious Why, yes.]]

* PowerTrio: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, the Norns in ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}''. While they aren't facets of a single being, they ''are'' like the Norns of [[NorseMythology Norse lore]] in that they are keepers of the past, present, and future respectively. They're allies of Frigg, and covertly aid Chaos in his mission.

In 1997, Myung-Jin Lee (AKA [[PenName Lord Kaho]]) returned from his mandatory stint in the South Korean military and formed Studio Dive to Dream Sea (Studio DTDS). ''Ragnarok'' was the very first series he worked on under this studio name for Champ Comics, Korea's top manhwa (what the Koreans call {{manga}}) publisher. ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}'' broke a lot of ground for the Korean manhwa industry; in a roundabout way, it was the first Korean manhwa to get a Japanese anime in the form of ''RagnarokTheAnimation'' ([[TheAnimeOfTheGame Even though it's loosely based on the MMORPG instead of the manhwa]]).

* DubNameChange: Several names are changed so they jive more with the Norse setting. "Satan Morroc" was changed to "Surt" and "[[MesopotamianMythology Tiamat]]"[[note]]A dragon, much like in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'' and ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''[[/note]] was changed to "Nidhogg", for example. In a pseudo-example of InconsistentDub, many of these characters also appear in ''RagnarokOnline'', but use their original names even in the international version.

* DubNameChange: Several names are changed so they jive more with the Norse setting. "Satan Morroc" was changed to "Surt" and "[[MesopotamianMythology Tiamat]]"[[note]]A dragon, much like in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' and ''Franchise/FinalFantasy''[[/note]] was changed to "Nidhogg", for example. In a pseudo-example of InconsistentDub, many of these characters also appear in ''RagnarokOnline'', but use their original names even in the international version.

* EstrogenBrigadeBait: Loki.

* DubNameChange: Several names are changed so they jive more with the Norse setting. "Satan Morroc" was changed to "Surt" and "[[MesopotamianMythology Tiamat]]"[[note]]A dragon, much like in ''DungeonsAndDragons'' and ''FinalFantasy''[[/note]] was changed to "Nidhogg", for example. In a pseudo-example of InconsistentDub, many of these characters also appear in ''RagnarokOnline'', but use their original names even in the international version.

** {{Cameo}}s from ''FinalFantasyTactics'' are everywhere in background panels, especially during the Prontera arc. Be on the look out for Razia and various character classes!

** Altevaran (Tokyopop) / Aldebaran (Gravity) [[hottip:* :Likely an intentional attempt at making Aldebaran sound more Germanic or Norse, since Aldebaran is Arabic for "The Follower" and is the name of a RealLife star.]]

Not to be confused with the {{Roguelike}} named ''[[VideoGame/{{Ragnarok}} Ragnarok]]''. If you're looking for the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt actual Ragnarok]] from Norse lore, [[NorseMythology check here]].

* RedBaron: Loki and the assassins who accompany him on his mission in Morroc all have {{Badass Nickname}}s:

If you've ever played ''RagnarokOnline'', this is the series you get to thank for its existence.

** AsianRuneChant: Iris Irene and Sara Irene both do a Norse (or [[GratuitousLatin Latin]]) take on this when casting a spell with their runes.

** During the invasion of Prontera, certain characters from ''ANightmareBeforeChristmas'' can be seen among the hordes. So can the zombified versions of ''VirtuaFighter'' characters, snarfing down on another fighter from the series.

* BiologicalMashUp: Bijou the Witch's creation, Geirrod. Originally thought to be an undead troll of some kind, it's leater revealed to be a large mass of corpses [[FusionDance melded together]].

* CrowsAndRavens: Muninn and Huginn, Odin's beholders. They can shapeshift from crows with an eyeball-and-fang necklace into women. [[TallDarkAndBishoujo And did we mention Huginn's human form is tall and busty?]]

* {{Badass}}: Loki is definitely the ''biggest'' one in the series in epic proportions. The guy almost [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] Chaos, and even managed to mortally injure Skurai in their first fight ''by piercing through his heart with one bare hand'' and had it not been for Chaos blocking his last attack on Skurai (which is a gigantic bolt of Cosmic Energy) [[BigDamnHeroes to protect an innocent little girl]], he would've ''killed'' the main antagonist of the series already, and he is a wielder of the most powerful form of magic, Cosmic Energy, which makes him stronger than both Fenris and Iris ''combined''. Oh, holy fuck. [[{{Badass}} Bad]].[[UpToEleven Ass]].

* {{Badass}}: Loki is definitely the ''biggest'' one in the series in epic proportions. The guy almost [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] Chaos, and even managed to mortally injure Skurai in their first fight ''by piercing through his heart with one bare hand'' and had it not been for Chaos blocking his last attack on Skurai (which is a gigantic bolt of Cosmic Energy) to protect an innocent little girl, he would've ''killed'' the main antagonist of the series already, and he is a wielder of the most powerful form of magic, Cosmic Energy, which makes him stronger than both Fenris and Iris ''combined''. Oh, holy fuck. [[{{Badass}} Bad]].[[UpToEleven Ass]].

* {{Badass}}: Loki is definitely the ''biggest'' one in the series in epic proportions. The guy almost [[CurbStompBattle curb-stomped]] Chaos, and even managed to mortally injure Skurai in their first fight ''by piercing through his heart with one bare hand'', and he is a wielder of the most powerful form of magic, Cosmic Energy, which makes him stronger than both Fenris and Iris ''combined''. Oh, holy fuck. [[{{Badass}} Bad]].[[UpToEleven Ass]].

* {{Badass}}: Loki is definitely the ''biggest'' one in the series.

** Surt (Tokyopop) / Satan Morroc (Gravity)

* TheHecateSisters: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, the Norns in ''Manhwa/{{Ragnarok}}''. While they aren't facets of a single being, and they also don't take the form of a young woman, mother, and crone, they ''are'' like the Norns of [[NorseMythology Norse lore]] in that they are keepers of the past, present, and future respectively. They're allies of Frigg, and covertly aid Chaos in his mission.

In 1997, Myung-Jin Lee (AKA [[PenName Lord Kaho]]) returned from his mandatory stint in the South Korean military and formed Studio Dive to Dream Sea (Studio DTDS). ''Ragnarok'' was the very first series he worked on under this studio name for Champ Comics, Korea's top manhwa (what the Koreans call {{manga}}) publisher. ''{{Ragnarok}}'' broke a lot of ground for the Korean manhwa industry; in a roundabout way, it was the first Korean manhwa to get a Japanese anime in the form of ''RagnarokTheAnimation'' ([[TheAnimeOfTheGame Even though it's loosely based on the MMORPG instead of the manhwa]]).

While full of direct references to [[NorseMythology Norse lore]], ''{{Ragnarok}}'' deliberately and intentionally rearranges many aspects of it to produce an entirely different world. In this version of Midgard, Ragnarok marks a period where the Aesir and Vanir battle one another, the giants seek to unmake all creation, and mankind is stuck in the middle of it all--but one faction of the gods is fighting to protect the mortal realm's interests.

Currently, there's ten volumes of ''{{Ragnarok}}'' available, and all ten have been translated to several different languages. It's presently on hold due to the work Myung-Jin Lee is doing with Gravity on ''RagnarokOnline'' as well as other series in his studio. Although he's said that he plans to make ''{{Ragnarok}}'' span over forty volumes, it's looking like it's become an OrphanedSeries, as the last volume was published back in ''2002''.

Not to be confused with the {{Roguelike}} named ''[[Game/{{Ragnarok}} Ragnarok]]''. If you're looking for the [[TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt actual Ragnarok]] from Norse lore, [[NorseMythology check here]].

!!''{{Ragnarok}}'' provides examples of:

* TheHecateSisters: Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, the Norns in ''{{Ragnarok}}''. While they aren't facets of a single being, and they also don't take the form of a young woman, mother, and crone, they ''are'' like the Norns of [[NorseMythology Norse lore]] in that they are keepers of the past, present, and future respectively. They're allies of Frigg, and covertly aid Chaos in his mission.

* SchizoTech: A core theme of the ''{{Ragnarok}}'' from its start. There's enough background events to suggest that there used to be a really advanced [[MagiTek magical/technological]] civilization in Midgard, and was probably laid low by Ragnarok. The series' present day is a MedievalEuropeanFantasy with cannons, airships, guns, and modern-looking apparel.