Summary
At this point, it might be easy for some to say that there areno original stories anymore. Manga, for example, is almost always inspired by something. But who said that has to be a bad thing? This is especially when what is being adapted is as fun and interesting as what can be found in Scandanavian lore.
Whether mangaka are just incorporating names of the Nordic cultures' many cool gods and weird beasties or basing entire power-sets off of them, it’s clear that there is a near unquantifiable amount of fun and intrigue that could be had in these inspired manga. What follows are some ofthe best manga inspired by Norse Mythology.
Genre(s)
Comedy, Harem
Today’s Cerberusis a comedy manga about a young man living with Cerberus,the three-headed pup from Greek mythology. Of course, as it’s a manga, she appears in the real world as a girl, who swaps between three heads and personalities when the mood suits.
The Norse mythology aspect comes in after the manga really gets going. Represented by another trio of girls, Rir Rir (Fenrir), Jormungand (Jormungandr), and Hel, are all side characters who bring their own fun personalities into the already interesting harem anime.
Action, Dark Fantasy
Incarnate Soldiers are warriors who turned themselves into massive and powerful monsters to help the North win a dire civil war. Unfortunately, many of them have lost themselves over time, so it’s now up to their former commander and fellow incarnate, Hank Henriette, toput them down for the country’s safety.
While the story itself doesn’t have anything to do with established myths, most of the incarnate’s designs are based in folklore or mythology, with one of the main things being the manga’s depictions of its many beasts. From Garmr, to Hraesvelgr, to even Nidhogg,To The Abandoned Sacred Beastsdigs deep for its many impressive designs.
Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery
The young detective tropeis all but its own genre at this point — one need only look at classics likeDetective Conanor shonen likeMuhyo & Roji’s Bueau of Supernatural Investigationto confirm this. However,The Mythical Detective Loki Ragnarokadds an interesting wrinkle to its story by having the star be the titular Norse trickster god himself.
Many other gods and beings like Freyja, Fenrir, and even Odin (or at least the idea of him) are also all present in this story as friend, foe, and everything in between, as Loki seeks to put a reversal on his banishment to the mortal realm. It all makes for a relatively short manga with an engrossing concept that is an easy choice for a quick binge for fans of Norse Mythology.
Rom-Com
Mizuki Suzushiro is a high school boy who looks like a girl. This would be a simple enough premise if it weren’t for the Norse God, Loki, who decides to “finish the job,” as it were. Due to his prankster ways, Mizuki is transformed into a biological woman, meaning that they can’t do things like go into the men’s public bathroom anymore.
Later interference by Loki adds more wrinkles to the trick, like making it so that Mizuki will flip back and forth between a man and woman in certain scenarios, leading to all sorts of hijinks. It’s an interesting manga, especially when considering its ratherrespectable treatment of trans themes, something that the medium doesn’t have a great history of taking seriously enough.
Action, Fantasy, Harem
Takuma Akutsu looks like a rather intimidating guy who just wants to be left alone, but after inadvertently proving his worth, it turns out that Odin has other plans. He sends nine beautiful and powerful Valkyries,each with their own powers and personalities, to live with him.
It’s a pretty straight-forward concept at its core. to save the world, Takuma Akutsu must grow with these Valkyries by showing them love in its various forms. The more love they get, the more powerful they become. They then utilize that strength against the Akuma, a demonic force that threatens the entire world.
2015
Fantasy, Isekai, Harem
The Master of Ragnarok & Blesser of Einherjarisan isekai anime that follows Yuuto Suohas he’s transported to a world that is enveloped in all things Norse. Once there, Suoh befriends the Einherjar, who, in Norse Mythology, are warriors who die in battle and are sent to Valhalla. In this story, though, they are a harem of beautiful women.
This prospect doesn’t deter Yuuto from becoming head of the Wolf Clan, though. With the help of his smartphone, as well as the Einherjar’s various runes that give them each distinct powers, the MC aims to come out on top in this foreign world.
After an unwitting mistake, Keiichi Morisato must learn to live with Belldandy, otherwise known as Verdandi in Norse Mythology. After moving into a Buddhist temple, more characters and ideas are introduced that are inspired by many aspects of Norse culture.
For instance, the other two Norns are introduced as Urd and Skuld, who also take root with Morisato. There is also Tyr, who is God himself in this world. Frankly, withinthis manga’s hefty 48 volume run, it’s an absolute joy to see the fun and interesting ways that Norse Mythology is played with.
