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10[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/valkyries_4445.jpg]]
11[[caption-width-right:350:[-[[Music/RideOfTheValkyries Da-da-da-DAAA-daa, da-da-da-DAAA-daa, da-da-da-DAAA-daa, da-da-da-DAAA!!!]]-] ]]
12
13->''When the battle is lost,\
14And the slain ones are chosen,\
15The Valkyries will guide us home;\
16We'll heed the final call,\
17A call to arms,\
18The Valkyries will guide us home;\
19Then finally I hear them say,\
20"Carry on...\
21For Valhalla awaits you..."''
22-->-- '''Music/BlindGuardian''', ''Valkyries''
23\
24
25->''This page is a trope description. For works with the same name, see {{Valkyrie}}.''
26
27The Valkyries are a group of figures from Myth/NorseMythology, fierce women who served the Norse gods. They were sometimes depicted as {{Psychopomp}}s, derived from their name which means ''Chooser of the Slain''. What sets them apart is that their classical depiction has become so ingrained that it is copied, parodied, and even outright inverted.
28
29Positive portrayals of valkyries depict them as noble women who carry souls of worthy warriors who died in battle to [[WarriorHeaven Valhalla]], where they are destined to fight alongside Odin when Ragnarok happens. Other myths also connect them to Freyja and the afterlife field Fólkvangr, where half the battle-slain go. Although soul transportation and god-serving were their primary duties, some are also shown as warrior women, and some retellings portray them as an outright AmazonBrigade. Less sanitized versions portray valkyries as directly choosing who dies and ends up in Valhalla, and using dark magic to ensure their preferences come to pass. In this regard, they are sometimes seen as related to the Irish Morrigan.
30
31A lot of their portrayal in pop culture is helped along by the epic theatrical drama ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', where they are portrayed as [[BrawnHilda large, armored women]][[note]]The colloquialism "it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings" is generally agreed to originate from the portrayal of the Valkyrie Brunhilde.[[/note]]. Also from that work is the StandardSnippet "Music/RideOfTheValkyries", which makes them sound like heralds of a glorious war.
32Because of their iconic nature, many things have been named after them, especially weapons of war. See [[NamesToRunAwayFrom/ReligiousNames Names To Run Away From: Religious Names]] for examples.
33
34----
35!!Examples:
36
37[[foldercontrol]]
38
39[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
40* In ''Manga/AhMyGoddess'', which takes much from Norse Mythology to begin with, Valkyries are essentially the Armed Forces of Heaven, with [[ActionGirl Lind]] as the most prominent, ''and'' the highest ranked, answering only to the [[{{God}} Almighty]]. Belldandy, who really dislikes violence, was recently shown to be a licensed Valkyrie herself, when she held her own in a fight with a very strong denizen of hell.
41* ''Manga/BlackClover'': Noelle gains the spell Valkyrie Armor, forming an armor with wing-like ornaments and spiraling lance from her Water Magic that bring to mind the iconic warrior women.
42* ''Literature/ACertainMagicalIndex'' eventually introduces a few Valkyries, women [[BornWinner born]] with bodies similar to the Norse mythological beings and thus having similar abilities. Brunhild Eiktobel is notable for being born both a Valkyrie and a Saint (a person [[BornWinner born]] with a body similar to the Son of God).
43* They are the main characters of ''Literature/TheCircumstancesLeadingToWaltrautesMarriage''. The main plot is Waltraute, the fourth of the nine Valkyries, getting married to a mortal.
44* In ''Literature/{{Durarara}}'', Izaya has a theory that the legend of Dullahans from Myth/CelticMythology and the legend of Valkyries from Myth/NorseMythology are based on the same thing, and one can somehow "trigger" Valkyrie Mode and Ragnarok. So, he's manipulating gangs into fighting each other because he wants to start a war, hopefully activating the hypothetical "valkyrie" mode of Celty's head and allowing himself in Valhalla (though he'd be just as willing to settle for Hel) -- all of this to avoid the equally hypothetical NothingAfterDeath.
45* ''Literature/HighSchoolDXD'' has Myth/NorseMythology included so having Valkyries being in this series was a given. One of them, Rossweiss, joins the [[BadassCrew Occult Research Club]] as the other [[ChessMotifs Rook]].
46* In the ''Anime/{{Macross}}'' franchise, fighter jets that [[TransformingMecha can transform into robots]], called Variable Fighters, are one of the main staples of the series. The very first mass-produced model, VF-1, was codenamed Valkyrie.
47** In ''Anime/MacrossDelta'', we have the "Walkure", [[MagicIdolSinger a group of idol singers]]. They are capable of curing the [[HatePlague Var Syndrome]] via singing, all the while riding on the aforementioned [=VFs=]. Made funnier by the fact that the VF model their Delta Squadron bodyguards use, the VF-31, is codenamed Siegfried.
48* Some show up in ''Manga/MariaTheVirginWitch'' to take some knights to Valhalla but the ArchangelMichael chases them because the knights are supposed to go to Christian Heaven.
49* In ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'', Negi can summon valkyries (basically powerful air elementals) using various Evocatio spells.
50* The finale of ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' has [[spoiler: Madoka's apotheosis essentially take up this duty for the entire multiverse, also creating MagicalGirlWarrior [[WarriorHeaven Heaven]] in the process]]. To drive this point in, [[spoiler: one of the Magical Girls she calls upon during this apotheosis is a blonde girl [[http://wiki.puella-magi.net/File:Viking_girl.png who's dressed up as a Viking]], looking ''very'' similar to an archetypical Valkyrie.]]
51* ''Manga/RecordOfRagnarok'' has a heavy focus on the Valkyries of Norse myth. The story portrays them as a group of 13 demigoddess sisters, with all but three of them named after the Valkyries of the Grímnismál (with the remaining three instead taking their names from the Völsunga saga, the poem Völundarkviða, and the poem Völuspá, respectively). Led by the oldest sister, Brunhilde, the sisters work to save humanity from the judgment of the gods via the Ragnarok tournament. Using a magical ritual, each Valkyrie can bind their soul to that of a human warrior's, turning them into a [[EmpathicWeapon Volund]], taking the form of whatever the warrior's weapon is. Each Valkyrie has their own special ability unique to them, with said ability transferring over into their Volund form. However, the ritual also makes it so that [[{{Synchronization}} if the warrior dies, the Valkyrie will die as well]].
52** Brunhilde is the oldest of the Valkyries, as well as the overall protagonist of the story. She serves as the BigGood, having proposed the Ragnarok tournament to the gods with the goal of giving humanity a fighting chance at survival. However, [[AntiHero she is willing to go to any length to ensue humanity's victory]], up to and including risking the life of her younger sisters.
53** Göll is the youngest of the Valkyries, and acts as the {{Deuteragonist}} of the story. As TheBabyOfTheBunch, she tends to act as the AudienceSurrogate, being the one other characters will [[{{Exposition}} exposit]] information to. She's also quite [[TheCynic cynical]] and a ''huge'' NervousWreck.
54** Randgriz is the fourth Valkyrie sister, as well as the first to act as a Volund. A calm and peaceful woman, she is a ProperLady who [[PerpetualSmiler always has a sweet smile on her face]]. She acts as UsefulNotes/LuBu's Volund, taking the form of a Chinese halberd called the Sky Piercer, with her special ability being the power to [[ArmorPiercingAttack break any defense]].
55** Reginleif is the seventh Valkyrie sister, as well as the second to act as a Volund. A serious young woman, she was apparently Göll's tutor in the past, with Göll describing her as having been a SternTeacher. She acts as [[Literature/TheBible Adam]]'s Volund, taking the form of a [[PowerFist knuckle duster]]. Unlike the rest of her sisters, Reginleif's special ability is never revealed to the audience during the battle, [[spoiler:and given the fact that she dies at the end of the battle, [[RiddleForTheAges it's likely that it never will be]]]].
56** Hrist is the second Valkyrie sister, as well as the third to act as a Volund. Hrist has a SplitPersonality, one known as her "Trembling in Fear" personality, who is quiet, calm, and kind, and the other known as her "Trembling in Anger" personality, who is wrathful, HotBlooded, and a LadySwearsALot. She acts as UsefulNotes/SasakiKojiro's Volund, taking the form of an [[{{BFS}} ōdachi]] called the Monohoshizao, with her special ability allowing her to [[BifurcatedWeapon split into a pair]] of [[KatanasAreJustBetter dashiō katanas]].
57** Hlökk is the eleventh Valkyrie sister, as well as the fourth to act as a Volund. An ElegantGothicLolita, she's also something of a BrattyHalfPint. She acts as UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper's Volund, something she's understandably very reluctant about. As a Volund, Hlökk takes the form of a [[ShearMenace giant pair of scissors]], [[spoiler:though this is revealed to be a lie, and her actual Volund form is [[BagOfHolding the bag on Jack's hip that can produce any weapon]]... except ''that'' is a lie as well, and Hlökk's actual Volund form is Jack's [[TrickedOutGloves gloves]], with her special ability allowing her to [[TheMagicTouch turn anything she touches into a divine weapon]]]].
58** Þrúðr is the third Valkyrie sister, as well as the fifth to act as a Volund. TheBigGirl among the Valkyries, she is ''extremely'' tall and muscular, but is also quite shy and insecure about her body due to fearing that people think of her as a freak. She acts as Raiden Tameemon's Volund, who she ends up falling in love with due to [[AmazonChaser him finding her muscular appearance attractive]]. As a Volund, Þrúðr takes the form of a mawashi called the Mawashi of Flesh and Bone, with her special ability manifesting as a set of [[PowerTattoo body tattoos]] that allow her to regulate Raiden's [[SuperStrength immense strength]], allowing Raiden to go all out without having to worry about being crushed under the weight of his own muscles.
59** Alvitr is the tenth Valkyrie sister, as well as the sixth to act as a Volund. Like Hlökk, she is an ElegantGothicLolita, as well as something of a {{Tsundere}}. She acts as [[UsefulNotes/QinShiHuangdi Qin Shi Huang]]'s Volund, taking the form of a pair of [[InstantArmor shoulder plates]] known as the Almighty Spaulders, with her special ability allowing her to enhance Qin's martial arts skills while also maximizing his defense. Also, near the end of the round, Alvitr grants Qin all of her power, causing the right arm of the Almighty Spaulders to transform into a [[HeroesPreferSwords sword]] known as the Shi Huang Goujian Sword, allowing Qin to use his sword skills to their full extent.
60** Gondul is the ninth Valkyrie sister, as well as the seventh to act as a Volund. She has a SugarAndIcePersonality, usually being cold and distant, but becomes kind and approachable to anyone capable of impressing her. She serves as UsefulNotes/NikolaTesla's Volund, taking the form of a [[PoweredArmor mechanical armor]] called the Super Automaton β, with her special ability granting him access to various scientific powers such as [[ShockAndAwe electrokinesis]], levitation, and {{teleportation}}.
61** Geirölul is the fifth Valkyrie sister, as well as the eighth to act as a Volund. She is extremely {{pride}}ful, a trait of hers that makes her extremely easy to anger. She acts as [[UsefulNotes/AncientGreece King Leonidas]]' Volund, taking the form of a [[ShieldBash shield]] called the Aspis Shield, with her special ability allowing the shield to [[MorphWeapon morph]] into various long-ranged forms that allow Leonidas to fight from a distance.
62* ''Anime/ValkyrieDriveMermaid'' has the titular "[[FusionDance Valkyrie Drive]]", which occurs when a [[BattleCouple Liberator and Extar]] reach 100% synch rate: Mamori and Mirei, the only ones to ever reach such a state, obtain an angelic, armored...okay, ''[[ChainmailBikini sort of]]'' armored form that definitely brings the warrior women of myth to mind.
63* ''Manga/VinlandSaga'' fitting for a story about Vikings, [[BloodKnight Thorkell]] talks about how the Jomsvikings all dream of dying on the battle field and being picked up by Odin's maidens.
64* In the KC Grand Prix arc of the original ''Anime/YuGiOh'', the monsters in Zigfried's deck are Valkyries, his most powerful one named after Brunnhilde herself. (Other cards in his deck are a ShoutOut to ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', such as the Trap Cards "Wotan's Judgment" and "Loge's Flame" and the Spell Card "Ride of the Valkyries", which causes ''[[Music/RideOfTheValkyries Walkuren Ritt]]'' to play over the field when it's used.)
65[[/folder]]
66
67[[folder:Card Games]]
68* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'': Valkyries appear occasionally under the [[OurAngelsAreDifferent angel]] creature type, typically charged with escorting great warriors to the afterlife.
69** [[https://scryfall.com/card/c18/60/adarkar-valkyrie Adarkar Valkyrie]] was the earliest valkyrie published, depicting an angel active during the Ice Age of Dominaria who, instead of bringing slain warriors to the afterlife, returns them to life to fight and die again.
70** In Kaldheim, a plane based on Myth/NorseMythology, the valkyries bring the worthy dead to their feasting hall at the top of the World Tree, and travel in pairs of one White-aligned Shepherd, to raise up the souls of heroes, and one Black-aligned Reaper, to deliver lethal judgement to cowards and send them to the land of the unworthy dead ahead of time. They stand aloof from the rise and fall of pantheons of squabbling gods, whom they long predate, and rarely involve themselves in divine or mortal conflicts unless they threaten the whole plane; they hate demons, however, and always hunt them down when they escape Immersturm.
71[[/folder]]
72
73[[folder:Comic Books]]
74* Gudra the Valkyrie, who appeared in the origin story of the ComicBook/JusticeSocietyOfAmerica and later became a member of Axis Amerika in the ''ComicBook/AllStarSquadron'' sequel series ''The Young All-Stars''.
75* ComicBook/LadyDeath's half-sisters Vandala and Vulnavia are valkyries, originally of mortal origin before being elevated to Odin's warrior maidens.
76* Two alternate versions of ComicBook/WonderWoman from ''ComicBook/TheMultiversity'' are valkyries:
77** Walküre of Earth-8, due to her universe being an analogue to the Franchise/MarvelUniverse where having [[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]] as a major superhero caused Myth/NorseMythology tended to be more dominant than [[Myth/ClassicalMythology Greek Mythology]]. (Although the Earth-8 counterpart of Thor is actually based on Myth/AboriginalAustralianMyths.)
78** Brünhilde of Earth-10, due to [[UsefulNotes/NaziGermany the Nazis]], who amongst other things were noted to have tried to co-opt Myth/NorseMythology, having won World War II in her universe.
79* Danielle Moonstar from the ''ComicBook/NewMutants'' is also a valkyrie (a [[MagicalNativeAmerican Native American]] {{Mutant}} [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot Valkyrie]]), following the kids' first adventure in Asgard where she--most likely due to her [[SpeaksFluentAnimal animal telepathy]]--bonded with one of their winged horses.
80* The Creator/MarvelComics superheroine [[ComicBook/ValkyrieMarvelComics Valkyrie]] was in fact an actual valkyrie, Brunnhilde, after being forced to possess a human woman by ComicBook/TheMightyThor's foe The Enchantress. She later regained her own physical body. Jane Foster would later take on the identity following her time as Thor.
81* ''ComicBook/{{Valhalla}}'': The valkyries are the servants of the gods and choosers of the slain, revealed to be the souls of mortal women who have been given the task of ferrying the dead to Valhalla. They occupy a rung on the hierarchy above the einherjar (who are forbidden to touch or interact with them after they arrive in Valhalla) but below the gods and mostly serve as background characters, though some of them get ADayInTheLimelight in "Odin's Wager" and "The Ballad of Balder".
82[[/folder]]
83
84[[folder:Fanfic]]
85* ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'':
86** The original Valkyries were an elite Asgardian regiment, before most of them were killed, and the 13 survivors were converted by Malekith into the Disir, undead cannibalistic monsters that ripped through an Asgardian army and took [[PhysicalGod Bor]] himself to banish.
87** After, the regiment was left disbanded, until they were resurrected as a kind of bodyguard/ladies-in-waiting for Hela when it became apparent that her WalkingWasteland nature meant she couldn't remain in the mortal realms. They helped clear out most of the monsters in Niflheim (now Helheim), and destroy any twisted souls or [[EldritchAbomination creatures from the Outside]] that try to use it as a way to escape into the living realms. One notable member is Torunn, Thor's illegitimate daughter (who he didn't know about until after her death, as she inherited his strength, but not his lifespan) and Harry's much, much older half-sister. Since she was a monster-hunter in life, she's indicated to be quite enjoying it.
88* ''Fanfic/AGameOfCatAndCat'': "Another Chapter of Just Talking": A Valkyrie soul talks about her thoughts on being captured by Soma:
89--> ''I came to pick up some warrior souls, and the castle's magic trapped me. You're pretty much my ticket back to Valhalla. If you die as Soma Cruz, I can go back to Valhalla. If you go back to being Dracula, that's just back to square one.''
90* ''Fanfic/MegamiNoHanabira'': Valkyrie is Kaede's first demon, and she carries herself as pompously as one would imagine...until the other girls [[CurbStompBattle kick her Ass-gard]] as part of the contracting ritual, at which point [[{{Womanchild}} Valkyrie whines that she's going to tell on them to Odin]].
91* In Literature/{{Discworld}} fic ''Fanfic/ThePriceOfFlight'', two Air Watch members who are killed in the fighting in The Chalk [[note]] See canonical work ''Literature/TheShepherdsCrown''[[/note]] are offered post-mortem careers by War, who points out he has job vacancies. [[UsefulNotes/{{Iceland}} Sigrid]] and [[UsefulNotes/{{Ukraine}} Tatiana]] become Valkyries. Where their professional roles overlap those of the Air Watch and Pegasus Service, [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13154617/41/The-Price-of-Flight they greet each other as old friends and exchange news]]. Read more in the works of Creator/AAPessimal.
92[[/folder]]
93
94[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
95* One of the most memorable scenes of ''Film/ConanTheBarbarian1982'' involves Valeria appearing much like a Valkyrie in order to help Conan against Rexor, just several scenes after she was killed by Thulsa Doom.
96-->'''Valeria:''' ''Do you want to live forever?''
97* ''Film/ThorRagnarok:'' Scrapper 142 was once a member of a group of female warriors known as the Valkyries. As the last surviving member of the outfit, Valkyrie is her AppropriatedAppellation.
98* Discussed in ''Film/{{Valkyrie}}''. The real-life plot to assassinate UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler is disguised as a mobilization order named "Valkyrie" to take over the German government after Hitler's death, which he himself has to sign off on. Stauffenberg presents the plan in person, and Hitler glances cursorily at the pages without a proper reading. He refers to Wagner and speaks of the Valkyries' nature, and signs off on the plan simply because the name pleased him.
99[[/folder]]
100
101[[folder:Literature]]
102* Sangrida Odinsdottir in the ''Literature/CalLeandros'' books is apparently a Valkyrie.
103* They show up several times in ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', even though [[DontFearTheReaper Death]] does most of the {{Psychopomp}}ing on the Disc.
104** A Valkyrie comes to escort Mr. Saveloy to the afterlife in ''Literature/InterestingTimes''.
105** Several show up to collect The Silver Horde at the end of ''Literature/TheLastHero''. The old men respond by mugging them and stealing their horses.
106** When Sybil sings dwarf opera to make a point, Vimes thinks that all she needs is the armor to be a perfect Valkyrie.
107** The Incarnation of War is married to one, first shown in ''Literature/ThiefOfTime''.
108** Susan meets several when reaping a field of dead warriors in ''Literature/SoulMusic''. They like to sing the Wagner tune as well. One tries to recruit Susan, saying they could use a soprano.
109* In ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'', Marcone's security advisor, Ms. Gard, is a Valkyrie who he hired from Monoc Securites, the modern day incarnation of the Tree of Life and presided over by Odin himself. At one point, she comments that Dresden was fated to die without her intervention, and she has a habit of showing up [[BigDamnHeroes in the nick of time]], including once in a [[GunshipRescue heavily armed helicopter]] while blasting "Music/RideOfTheValkyries" on the loudspeaker. Let it never be said that a Chooser of the Slain doesn't know how to make an entrance.
110** It is worth noting that in the series thus far, Gard does not appear to ''choose'' who dies, but rather seems to be fully aware of when a warrior is ''about'' to die. That doesn't mean said death is set in stone; both of the individuals who would have been fated to die were saved because another person chose to intervene.
111* The walcyrya of Creator/ElizabethBear's ''Edda of Burdens'' trilogy subvert the trope by having both male and female members. And of course, this being an Elizabeth Bear production there is a healthy dose of same sex relationships.
112* ''Literature/TheHeroIsOverpoweredButOverlyCautious'' features a Valkyrie as the Goddess of Destruction.
113* Played for laughs in ''The Haunting of Granite Falls'' by Creator/EvaIbbotson - the Valkyrie that turns up to fetch a dead warrior is very fat, therefore has to ride a horse with eight legs, (maybe she borrowed it?) and among the pleasures she promises to the fallen warrior is that she'll remove his earwax for him. He comments that some people would consider that unhealthy. [[spoiler: It also turns out that she was a bit overenthusiastic about getting a warrior for herself - the person whose death had caused her to appear wasn't actually dead.]]
114* In the Literature/ImmortalsAfterDark series there are several immortal Valkyries, and their powers include [[GlassShatteringSound super high pitched screams]], [[SuperStrength inhuman strength]] and a fondness for alcohol.
115* Valkyries show up in the ''Literature/IronDruidChronicles''.
116* Valkyries in ''Literature/MagnusChaseAndTheGodsOfAsgard'' serve Odin, escorting worthy souls who died bravely in battle to Hotel Valhalla to become ''Einherjar''. In addition to possessing the [[SuperStrength standard]] [[SuperToughness powerset]] of an ''Einherjar'', Valkyries also have the ability to fly and conjure powerful spears of light. Magnus's friend, Samirah al-Abbas, is a member of their ranks.
117* Sig Norresdottir in the ''Literature/PaxArcana'' series is one. She has inhuman strength, speed, resilience, and a grab bag of tricks for [[{{Psychopomp}} speaking to ghosts and guiding them to move on.]]
118* Literature/TheGodsAreBastards have a variant version: Invisible and immaterial beings related to [[OurFairiesAreDifferent dryads and kitsune]], they serve the god of death.
119* The Disir from ''Literature/TheSecretsOfTheImmortalNicholasFlamel'' series. They appear in the second book as hired guns.
120* The warriors in ''{{Literature/Valhalla}}'' call themselves Valkyries regardless of gender. The novel contains numerous references to the mythological Valkyries, and the main characters at one point resemble their physical description.
121[[/folder]]
122
123[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
124* The ''Series/{{Charmed|1998}}'' episode "[[Recap/CharmedS6E1ValhalleyOfTheDollsPart1 Valhalley of]] [[Recap/CharmedS6E2ValhalleyOfTheDollsPart2 the Dolls]]" featured Valkyries. They inhabit Valhalla and save the souls of dying innocents who are warriors of some kind - and have them train to face the final battle.
125* ''Series/KamenRiderWizard'' features a Phantom based on a Valkyrie. Strangely enough, in a rare example of this trope, this Valkyrie is male.
126* In ''Series/{{LostGirl}}'' Tamsin is a Valkyrie who demonstrates the life-cycles of a Valkyrie while also playing double agent and good cop/bad cop with her Werewolf buddy Tyson.
127* In the first scene of ''Series/{{Vikings}}'', Ragnar has a vision of Valkyries, first appearing as ravens, taking the dead from the recent battle to Valhalla.
128* ''Series/XenaWarriorPrincess'' spends several episodes playing with Norse mythology, the Rheingold, and the Beowulf story. Brunhilde is a featured guest character.
129[[/folder]]
130
131[[folder:Mythology & Religion]]
132* The UrExample is of course the Myth/NorseMythology reference. Oftentimes depicted with wings, or riding winged horses, or sometimes ravens. The ''kenning'' (poetic title) used to describe their steeds was mistranslated, as they may have instead ridden wolves. Their role was to choose those who died a worthy death in battle and take them to Valhalla, making them ''Einherjar'' (“lone fighters”) who battle in the afterlife, are slain again, but rise every night to feast in the great hall. These warriors prepare for the final battle, Ragnarök. It's worth noting that they originated from bloodthirsty, murderous war spirits, as opposed to the more dignified look they have nowadays. Some sources describe them as far more than just beautiful {{psychopomp}}s for the heroic dead. They helped ''make'' your heroes dead. A random arrow deflected in flight hits a chink in your armor. A broken lace on your boot makes you stumble and gives your enemy the opening to strike you down. [[GreyAndGrayMorality Etcetera]]. All the work of the Valkyries, invisibly flitting here and there on the battlefield to screw over the finest of warriors so that Odin would have the best of the best on his side come Ragnarök. It was how the Norse answered the question [[TooGoodForThisSinfulEarth "why do the good die young while jerk-asses live forever?"]] (though they also granted victory to those Odin favored, for example Sigrdrífa's orders). It was also why the original steeds of the Valkyries weren't beautiful winged horses, they were [[BeautyEqualsGoodness dark and hoary wolves]].
133[[/folder]]
134
135[[folder:Pinball]]
136* ''Pinball/DungeonsAndDragons1987'': The Valkyrie, who's hacking away at the fire-breathing dragon even as it has her in its claws.
137[[/folder]]
138
139[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
140* Irish wrestler Wrestling/ValkyrieCain, who's spent a lot of time in tag teams in nearly every promotion she's been in.
141[[/folder]]
142
143[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
144* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'':
145** The ''Deities and Demigods Cyclopedia'' has valkyries as servants of the Norse deities. Their 3rd Edition stats render them nothing more than all-female, 20th-level paladins with [[SemiDivine quasi-deity]] status.
146** ''The Tome of Battle: Book of Nine Swords'' reworks valkyries to make use of that book's new system of [[SupernaturalMartialArts martial maneuvers and stances.]] These valkyries are [[FertileBlood born from the blood shed by deities]] on the battlefields of [[WarriorHeaven Ysgard]], and are {{Blood Knight}}s who roam the planes in search of {{Worthy Opponent}}s. While they're known to descend upon battlefields to carry off great warriors, these valkyries aren't acting as "choosers of the slain," instead they've become intrigued by a warrior's skill, and have taken one somewhere so they can rest, heal up, and then offer the valkyrie a good fight. These valkyries are still all-female, but are depicted with dusky wings, hoofed feat, and horned brows to distance them from angels -- they're ChaoticNeutral beings, not true celestials. %%in-universe alignment
147* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'':
148** Valkyries are ChaoticNeutral outsiders formed from the souls of valiant warriors, and resemble human, dwarven, or elven women clad in gleaming armor; they usually ride flying steeds such as sleipnirs, dragon horses, or pegasi. They scour battlefields to look for valiant heroes about to die; when they find them, they either help them survive to fight again or claim their souls to turn into einherjar, who often form retinues that accompany valkyries around.
149** Dahzagans, also known as "orc valkyries", are ChaoticEvil outsiders who serve the orcish pantheon, and bring the souls of great orcish heroes to the halls of their gods.
150* ''TabletopGame/{{Exalted}}'': Walkuren are a darker take on this concept. They're undead beings who rise from battlefields, and resemble monstrous syntheses of warrior and carrion bird, clad in armor like that worn by the soldiers who died where they arose. Some resemble harpy-like, winged warriors, while others are gaunt figures who ride black-feathered hippogriffs. They're predators of the dead, snatching ghosts away into the sky to carry off to their lairs to devour. They will consume any ghost in a pinch, but their favorite prey are the shades of great warriors -- and if ghosts are scarce, they have few compunctions about slaying living warriors to make fresh shades.
151* ''TabletopGame/InNomine'': Valkyries are a type of ethereal spirits in the service of Odin. They resemble tall, fair, athletic women, usually in the tunics, chain mail and helms of Viking warriors, and attune themselves to mortal worshippers of their god so that they can carry them to Valhalla when they die. They used to favor people who died in some notable manner, but since the decline of the ethereal powers Odin can neither afford to be choosy nor to spend what followers he has left. As such, Valkyries will also manifest to help mortals out of tight spots.
152* ''TabletopGame/{{Scion}}'': Valkyries are mentioned as one of the servitor races of the Aesir pantheon, and a Creature birthright available to Scions of the Aesir is "Valkyrie Steed". For reasons mentioned under Mythology, they're flying wolves. It's also possible to take a Valkyrie as a guide, and several are detailed. One is the wife of a powerful businessman, and lets him think she's a trophy while she covertly steers his business. Another is a United States Marine, and has "gone native" -- she makes fallen U.S. soldiers into einherjar but refuses to do so with Iraqi insurgents, which has ''not'' gone unnoticed by the Aesir. And a third is Brynhilde from the ''Ring Cycle'', who didn't die as mythology claims and is haunted by the knowledge that she will someday be the guide to yet another Scion who finds the Nibelung Ring and will love him despite herself.
153* ''TabletopGame/{{Toon}}'': In one scenario that was set around a HighSchoolAU parody of the ''TabletopGame/InNomine'' setting, the Valhalla Valkyries are the violent all-female opponents in Heavenly Heights High School's first touch football game.
154* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000''':
155** This is how Space Wolves are recruited -- their Rune Priests often wander amongst the primitive human tribes of Fenris, observing young warriors in battle. Those that perform well but are mortally-wounded are rescued on the brink of death and ferried away to the Space Wolves' fortress-monastery, where they are healed and subjected to the crucible that is a Space Marine's initiation process. The Rune Priests even get psyber-linked raven familiars to act as their eyes, specifically called "Choosers of the Slain."
156** The Imperial Guard makes use of Valkyrie transports. They also get the trope used on them after noticing that anything with a Tau markerlight on it gets hit with a missile soon after, they've taken to calling it the mark of the Valkyrie.
157* ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'': Khorne the Chaos God of war, battle, berserker rage, bloodthirst, and hate has his own Valkyries who are basically Daemon Princesses who are dedicated to him. Foremost amongst these is the [[SarcasmMode perplexingly named]] Valkia the Bloody. Who is said to choose the devout of Khorne who fall honourably in battle to fight on in their god's mighty daemonic legions in the hellscapes of the Realm of Chaos. It's also worth noting that Valkia and the majority of Khorne's followers tend to rise up from the brutal Norscan tribes; who are a race of Chaos worshiping HornyVikings who are also the most fearsome and devout servants of the Chaos Gods, Valkia is also known by many names which include 'the Shield-Maiden of Khorne', and she bears to battle the daemon-possessed Chaos spear known as ''"Slaupnir"'', an artifact and gift from her aforementioned war god. Just in care you weren't convinced that she is a crazy Viking.
158* ''TabletopGame/WerewolfTheApocalypse'' features the Valkyria of Freya, an all-female group within the fierce, bloodthirsty Nordic werewolf tribe called the Get of Fenris. The Get worship Fenris (who is hardly villainous) and generally dislike Odin and the Aesir, which is probably why the werewolf Valkyria are "of Freya" (a Vana) instead (Freya, like Odin, also took her pick of those slain in battle).
159* ''TabletopGame/WerewolfTheForsaken'' also has the Valkyrja Mot, a Lodge of female werewolves who attend battles and send the spirits of those who suitably impress them to Valhalla.
160[[/folder]]
161
162[[folder:Theatre]]
163* Creator/CirqueDuSoleil's ''Amaluna'' features a trio of Valkyries flying on aerial straps in the penultimate act.
164* Music/RichardWagner's ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'' was composed of four operas, one of which was called ''Die Walküre'' (The Valkyrie), which contains the famous snippet "Music/RideOfTheValkyries". He mostly uses the straight version from myth, except here is where the (likely incorrect) winged horse depiction was ingrained and where the stereotypical depiction of the fat, horn-helmeted operatic soprano was born, though the Valkyries did '''not''' ride winged horses in any of the Bayreuth productions of the ''Ring'' and wore winged, not horned, helmets.
165[[/folder]]
166
167[[folder:Video Games]]
168* In ''VideoGame/NineteenSeventeenTheAlienInvasionDX'', your character (a German scientist-turned-pilot) can summon actual ''Valkyries'' to help you fight off alien invaders. They're depicted as gigantic women with massive wings, carries swords, and damages every onscreen enemy by swopping past.
169* ''VideoGame/AgeOfMythology'' has them as the myth unit for Freyja's worshippers: they are cavalry that can heal your army as well as fight. [[ShownTheirWork The in-game encyclopedia also lists all the original Valkyries]]. During the campaign you also get to play as a specific valkyre; Reginlief. She shares a normal Valkyre's ability to heal, but attacks by throwing spears as opposed to being cavlary. Both the generic Valkyries and Reginlief can be upgraded by researching the Aurora Borealis upgrade.
170* The 8-bit computer game ''VideoGame/{{Archon}}'' features a pair of valkyries on the Light side of the chess board.
171* [[SummonMagic Mycale]] from ''VideoGame/AkatsukiBlitzkampf'' can momentarily summon a valkyrie as her [[PunchParry "reflector"]]. In the sequel ''En-Eins Perfektewelt'', the new character and local LadyOfWar Templeritter can be described as a mix of a [[ThoseWackyNazis Nazi]] ([[ANaziByAnyOtherName sorta]]) and a Valkyrie.
172* ''VideoGame/BlackDesertOnline'' features the Valkyrie class, the DistaffCounterpart of the Warrior class. Where the warrior is more of a raw physical fighter, the Valkyrie is a shield maiden trained to use divine magic in battle, similar to a [[ThePaladin paladin]].
173* [[FieryRedhead Tsubaki Yayoi]] from ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' has a very Valkyrie-esque design, from the winged helmet, armor, and sword and shield fighting style.
174* Ultra-violent arcade-esque FPS ''VideoGame/{{Bloodhound}}'' contains ''zombified'' Valkyries as a recurring enemy, depicted as winged women in Nordic armor who swoops around trying to attack you. There's even a Valkyrie Demon [[KingMook who's a boss version of the regular undead Valkyries]].
175* ''VideoGame/{{Brawlhalla}}'' has Brynn, a HalfHumanHybrid born from a Valkyrie and a human. Her human side makes her more reckless than the average Valkyrie and as such not only does she bring some rather unusual fighters to Valhalla, but she also decided to participate in the tournament. Her profile calls her the "Chooser of the slain and slayer of the chosen".
176* Valkyries appear in ''Franchise/{{Castlevania}}'' games. There is also a recolor, called Erinys.
177* Being partly influenced by Norse mythology, the ''VideoGame/DeptHeaven'' series of games loves this trope. It's never quite played straight, though, probably due to the [[HaveYouSeenMyGod gods' absence]].
178* The Amazon in ''VideoGame/DiabloII'' can summon a Valkyrie. In Amazonian mythology (unlike the Norse one), Valkyries are spirits of the greatest heroes from the Amazonian people. It is claimed that the Amazon who could summon Valkyries has a chance of becoming one herself after her death.
179* ''VideoGame/{{Dislyte}}'': Brynn is an esper, humans channeling the powers of divine beings, hosting the power of a Valkyrie. Her design and skills all evoke classic depictions of Valkyries; she has a pair of angel wings (a common artistic choice when depicting Valkyries), fights with a battle axe (a weapon associated with Vikings and Norse warriors), has ice powers (referencing the Norse climate), and constantly buffs her whole team (evoking a Valkyrie's preparing warriors for the battle of Ragnarök).
180* ''VideoGame/{{Dominions}}'' - Helheim has these as sacred flying units with lightning spears and Helheim's trademark ability of creating illusory copies of themselves. They trade the "guiding souls of dead warriors" part for "making said warriors dead in the first place", though.
181* In ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls'' series' mythology, Kyne, the old [[HornyVikings Nordic]] aspect of Kynareth, the [[OurGodsAreDifferent Aedric Divine]] Goddess of the Air and Heavens, serves as one. She greets the souls of dead warriors and guides them to [[WarriorHeaven Sovngarde]].
182* In ''VideoGame/EldenRing'', the demigod Malenia is sometimes likened to a valkyrie, as one of the two contenders to being the WorldsGreatestWarrior and symbolically associated with wings. The elite Cleanrot Knights who fought beside her are also termed valkyries in one item description, as is her daughter/sister/clone Millicent.
183* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'' featured the Valkyrie Brynhild as an extremely rare Lancer-class Servant (she debuted as the Lancer of ''[[Anime/FatePrototype Fate/Prototype: Fragments of Blue and Silver]]'' light novel, but [[MarthDebutedInSmashBros people get exposed to her more via FGO]]), as an extremely melancholic and tragic figure who is doomed to kill anyone she loved or resembled her husband Sigurd (who later debuts in the game as a Saber-class Servant). For that, she urges her Master to not be kind to her at all. Later in the game, more Valkyries, namely Brynhild's little sisters, Ortlinde, Hildr and Thrud, appear as [[TheDividual a single Servant Valkyrie]], all of them [[BigSisterWorship very adoring to their big sister]] and especially hating Sigurd for giving her grief.
184* ''VideoGame/FearAndHungerTermina'': [[spoiler:Karin's Moonscorched form is outright named "Valkyrie", and appears as a grotesque hybrid of a valkyrie carrying Bellend soldiers, complete with armor, with the wings and talons of a VileVulture]].
185* Lightning seems to have become something akin to one of these in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIII2'', serving the goddess Etro.
186* ''VideoGame/ForHonor'' portrays the Valkyries as an order of female Warborn (Viking) warriors who made a deal with the gods to earn glory for people who would otherwise not enter Valhalla, with each Valkyrie getting to choose who in particular receives their earned glory.
187* One of the playable characters in ''VideoGame/{{Gauntlet}}'' is known as the "Valkyrie". She's usually the JackOfAllStats of the group, having average attack, agility and magic (but above-average defense).
188* In ''VideoGame/GemsOfWar'', Valkyries are one of the troops connected with Stormheim, in keeping with its Norse theme — although these ones are depicted with actual wings, which they didn't traditionally have.
189* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWarPS4'', the Valkyries appear as exceptionally tough {{Optional Boss}}es, [[spoiler:having been cursed with mortal bodies by a paranoid Odin -- which had the side effect of royally messing up the Afterlife, since they can't guide valorous souls to Valhalla anymore. If Kratos "kills" their mortal shells, they can return to their original form and are understandably quite grateful. Given that Freya was their original Queen and leader, they may have originally been Vanir goddesses as well]].
190** In the [[VideoGame/GodOfWarRagnarok sequel]], other Valkyries still loyal to Odin are seen in Asgard and other realms. Two must be fought in order to clear the way for [[spoiler:Surtr to transform into Ragnarok]], while a third (Gná, the new [[spoiler:Queen of the Valkyries]] is optional. Additionally, Freya has recovered her old Valkyrie wings, enabling her to fight again. As for the ones in the prequel, Freya grants them physical bodies free of corruption and renames them Shield Maidens, allowing them to aid the heroes during the final battle.
191* ''VideoGame/HeroinesQuest'' Features a valkyrie called Brynhild who has been cursed by Odinn because she [[spoiler: fell in love with a mortal man]]. She provides the heroine with vital information on how to finish the game, [[spoiler: and takes her soul to Valhalla in TheStinger]].
192* ''VideoGame/LaTale'' has Valkyries appearing as enemies in Valhalla, which in this setting is on (not in) a huge satellite. They also appear as [=NPCs=] that run the Coliseum.
193* Namco has a series of games known as ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfValkyrie'', involving a blonde Valkyrie fighting monsters; it also received a web comic called ''Webcomic/LegendOfTheValkyrie''. She's something of a SeriesMascot for Namco: besides her appearances in ''VideoGame/NamcoXCapcom'' and ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'', she also has cameos in various games like ''VideoGame/TalesOf'' and ''VideoGame/SoulCalibur''.
194* In ''VideoGame/MassEffect2'', it's mentioned that Drell mythology features beings analagous to Valkyries called "Siha", who are the warrior-angels of the Goddess Arashu. Thane Krios, your drell assassin squadmate, compares a Female Shepard to them at one point and if romanced, uses "Siha" as an affectionate nickname.
195* ''VideoGame/MaxPayne1'' follows Max's investigation of the designer drug "Valkyr". The [[WhatDoYouMeanItsNotSymbolic symbolism of the name]] becomes apparent near the end of the game when we learn that [[spoiler:Valkyr was originally a part of GovernmentConspiracy to produce super-strong soldiers]]. As Max [[PrivateEyeMonologue puts it]]: "Valkyr was meant to be a white-winged maiden that would lift you up to a warrior's heaven. Instead, it had turned out to be a one-way demon ride to hell."
196* In ''VideoGame/NetHack'', Valkyries are one of the many adventurer-types a player can choose.
197* Although the Valkyries in ''VideoGame/OdinSphere'' still serve the eponymous Odin, he's merely the mighty warlord of the Aesir race rather than a god and his Valkyrie brigade (which includes his daughters Griselda and Gwendolyn) are warriors who have nothing to do with the traditional {{psychopomp}} role.
198* Found in several entries of the ''VideoGame/OgreBattle'' saga, the Valkyrie class are versatile and fairly mobile units which usually prefer to use spears and polearms. They are an all-female class, except for ''Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together'' in which they are unisex, and are considered particularly useful in ''VideoGame/TacticsOgreTheKnightOfLodis'', in part because of their ability to boost the [[MoraleMechanic Mental Gauge]] of allied male troops.
199* While ''VideoGame/PlantsVsZombiesBattleForNeighborville'' doesn't have any ''actual'' valkyries in it, [[DarkActionGirl Electric Slide's]] costume, "Eternity Flash", is clearly modeled after one. (It's even called "Valkyrie" in the game files.) Interestingly enough, this is ''not'' the only reference to Norse Mythology in the game.
200* ''VideoGame/PuzzleAndDragons'' has Valkyries in all five elements. While the Light version is a boss of her own descended dungeon, the other four are REM machine drops.
201* Valkyries appear in ''VideoGame/RagnarokOnline'' as boss protocol enemies, and then there's an [=MVP=] boss (which is basically a real boss) called Valkyrie Randgris. They're kinda tough.
202** Much later on, the Odin's Temple dungeon where they spawn gets an additional map that features Valkyrie Ingrid and Valkyrie Reginleif as [=MVP=]s. Reginleif's name is also used as the name of a headgear, "Reginleif's Wings", whose description stated it's outright based on Valkyrie Reginleif's wings.
203* Several of Claire Redfield's outfits in the various ''Franchise/ResidentEvil'' games depict valkyries. It's been adopted by the ''fandom'' as her semi-official insignia, in line with Ada's butterfly, and to a much lesser extent, Leon's skull.
204* Like every other mythological character, Valkyries appear in the ''Franchise/ShinMegamiTensei'' games. In ''VideoGame/ShinMegamiTenseiIIINocturne'' they have the neat "soul recruit" ability (said ability only works when used by them, even if another demon gets it via fusion.) where they recruit foes for your team with amazing success rates (even higher with strength focused races of demons such as Brutes.)
205* One of the playable deities in ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}'' is the assigned Valkyrie Queen of Norse Mythology, Freya.
206* ''VideoGame/TooHuman'', being half Myth/NorseMythology and half CyberPunk, features cyborg Valkyries who show up to carry you off to Valhalla every time you die in an annoyingly long and unskippable cutscene. A few times they also show up to claim fallen human soldiers (and one who hadn't quite died yet).
207* Rizelea is a Valkyrie, and one of the main characters of ''VideoGame/TrinityUniverse''. She has a tendency to [[ViolenceIsTheOnlyOption jump into things]] but a good person nonetheless.
208* ''{{VideoGame/Valheim}}'' starts with your character being dropped off in the Tenth World by a valkyrie, which in this verse is [[https://valheim.fandom.com/wiki/Valkyrie a giant bird.]]
209* The ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfile'', as you may have guessed, centers around the exploits of the Valkyries themselves, and how it affects the lives of those they choose as Einherjar. The Valkyrie job is played straight (see UrExample above) it's arguably a {{Deconstruction}} of the [[{{Bowdlerization}} popular Valkyrie image]].
210** The third game, ''VideoGame/ValkyrieProfileCovenantOfThePlume'' deconstructs it further: Main character Wylfred has sworn revenge on the Valkyrie, blaming her for the death of his father in battle. While many see it as an honor to be an einherjar, Wylfred is enraged, as the father's death led to the family becoming impoverished, and his sister dying of starvation.
211* ''VideoGame/{{Wizardry}}'' series has Valkyrie class, a female-only [[MagicKnight magic using warrior]] class. These favour polearms and sometimes stays alive when normally would be killed. Also, used for Helazoid amazons.
212* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', the giant-like Vrykul represent an evil FantasyCounterpartCulture for Norse culture and mythology. The Lich King used undead female vrykul, called ''Val'Kyr'', who have been given glowing feathery wings of energy, to choose the worthy, turning them into Ymirjar, (loosely translates from old Norse as 'giant fighter'), while the unworthy are turned into undead called Vargul.
213** With the Lich King's defeat, Sylvanas of the Forsaken (the playable faction of undead) has taken in the "unemployed" val'kyr. Strangely, though, they've gone from being able to raise any race into undeath to being limited to vrykul and humans.
214** The ''Legion'' expansion provides further background on them: [[spoiler:they are actually much ''older'' than the Lich King and he simply subverted the ones in Northrend to his service. The Val'kyr were originally created by the Titan Keeper Prime Designate Odyn as his counter-argument against the other Titan Keepers choosing to ascend the Dragon Aspects to serve as guardians of Azeroth. Odyn severed his section of Ulduar and moved it to Stormheim to create the Halls of Valor meant to store the Valarjar: elite Vry'kul warriors loyal to Odyn that would stand at the ready to defend Azeroth from all threats. The Valarjar as a whole are ''not happy'' about the fate of their Northrend brethren, or of Sylvanas' further appropriation of the wayward Val'kyr and her efforts to "recruit" more to her cause.]]
215** The ''Shadowlands'' expansion provides us with the Kyrian of Bastion, one of the infinite Afterlives located within the Shadowlands whose beings are tasked with ferrying the souls of the deceased across all worlds to the city of Oribos to be judged by the Arbiter and sent to their deserving Afterlife. Those souls that are sentenced to Bastion are only the virtuous and righteous souls who have sacrificed themselves for a just cause and can ascend to become Kyrian themselves after meditating for eons. [[spoiler:The Kyrian are actually the UrExample of what the Val'kyr were based off of after Odyn [[DealWithTheDevil made a deal with the Death Loa Mueh'Zala]] to sacrifice his eye in exchange for the ability to retrieve the souls of fallen Vry'kul to reform them as part of his Valarjar.]]
216* The free flash game ''VideoGame/{{Wulfgar}}'' unusually features one as a recurring antagonist. Showing up in each level to summon minibosses against the title character, she is finally fought and killed in the penultimate, third level. [[spoiler:Turns out to be a HeroAntagonist, since the main character was actually manipulated by [[BigBad Lo]][[GodOfEvil ki]] to destroy all of his enemies and she was trying to prevent that. Luckily, you do end up [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu beating the tar out of Loki himself]] to make things right.]]
217[[/folder]]
218
219[[folder:Web Animation]]
220* In ''WebAnimation/DeadFantasy II'', [[VideoGame/FinalFantasyVIII Rinoa]] ([[DamselInDistress of all people]]) rocks quite a bit of the "modern" Valkyrie style and aesthetics, appearing as a winged figure over a battlefield, armed with sword and buckler-style shield, and who appears to whisk away the warriors in the midst of combat to another, Valhalla-esque series of battlefields and apparently in preparation for a greater conflict.
221* ''{{WebAnimation/RWBY}}'' has Nora Valkyrie, an [[BadassAdorable adorable]] [[BoisterousBruiser boisterous]] ActionGirl. While not a real Valkyrie, she won't hesitate to break someone's legs! She's also based on [[Myth/NorseMythology Thor!]]
222[[/folder]]
223
224[[folder:Webcomics]]
225* The Valkyries are recurring characters in ''Webcomic/BratHalla'', mostly for {{Fanservice}}.
226* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', Brinnie is a fellow student hanging out with Surma, Anja and boys, so far appearing in flashbacks only. WordOfGod confirms that she is actually Brynhildr, the Valkyrie who was banished to Earth for disobeying Odin. Apparently in the Gunnerverse, she was sent to attend school at the Court, rather than being confined to a castle ringed by fire. On the other hand, Odin personally checks that she does all her homework. Tom also confirms that, in this 'verse, Valkyries have duties similar to {{psychopomp}}s but not identical.
227[[/folder]]
228
229[[folder:Western Animation]]
230* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/CourageTheCowardlyDog'' involved Muriel getting kidnapped by a group of Valkyrie after they mistake her for their long lost sister. It turns out the real sister [[spoiler: was busy getting secretly engaged to the King of Trolls.]]
231* ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'': On a {{Homage}} to the ''Looney Tunes'' example below, Helga has a DreamSequence during a ClassTrip to the opera house in the episode ''"What's opera, Arnold?"'', in which she comes out of the skies riding a CoolHorse dressed as a valkyrie and threatening Arnold's [[RomanticFalseLead crush]] with a ''golden magic slingshot''. Complete with lyrics to the "Music/RideOfTheValkyries" song:
232-->'''Helga:''' ''(singing)'' Ruth is a loser/ How could you choose her/ How could you do that/ Football Head! Football Head!
233* WesternAnimation/BugsBunny disguises himself as a valkyrie in the classic ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' short ''WesternAnimation/WhatsOperaDoc''.
234* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'': The episode "[[Recap/SamuraiJackS1E10JackAndTheLavaMonster Jack and the Lava Monster]]" has Jack fighting and defeating a [[TragicMonster monstrous rock-warrior]] cursed in that form by the BigBad centuries ago. He has spent the intervening years waiting for a WorthyOpponent who can defeat him in honorable combat (so that he can join his fallen comrades in Valhalla). After Jack defeats him, he is freed from the curse and restored to his human form, but after centuries of living, his once dashing appearance [[NoImmortalInertia rapidly ages]] into an old man as Valkyries descend and take him into Valhalla.
235* ''WesternAnimation/{{Vikingskool}}'' depicts Valkyries as towering warrior-women standing at least a good head or two taller than everyone else, with the most prominent one being the eponymous academy's headmistress Astrid.
236[[/folder]]
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238[[folder:Real Life]]
239* Invoked in the late-50s, never-deployed US Air Force [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_XB-70_Valkyrie XB-70 Valkyrie]] strategic bomber designed to make the [[WorldWarThree world's last bombing run]] -- a freakishly literal "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin chooser of the slain]]".
240[[/folder]]
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