Ragna Crimson is a popular Japanese dark fantasy manga and anime series written by Daiki Kobayashi and published by Square Enix. The manga has been serialized in Monthly Gangan Joker since March 2017 and has over 13 tankōbon volumes as of November 2023.
In October 2023, the Ragna Crimson anime adaptation produced by Silver Link premiered. The 24 episode series is directed by Ken Takahashi and features character designs by Shinpei Aoki with music by acclaimed composers Kōji Fujimoto and Osamu Sasaki.
Ragna Crimson Wiki
| Genre | Action Dark fantasy |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Daiki Kobayashi |
| Published by | Square Enix |
| English publisher | NA: Square Enix |
| Imprint | GC Joker |
| Magazine | Monthly Gangan Joker |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | March 22, 2017 – present |
| Volumes | 13 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Ken Takahashi |
| Produced by | Hiroyuki AoiShouta KomatsuYuki OgasawaraTomoyuki OowadaHiromi SaitouHiroto UtsunomiyaAkiho Igari |
| Written by | Deko Akao |
| Music by | Kōji FujimotoOsamu Sasaki |
| Studio | Silver Link |
| Licensed by | Sentai Filmworks SA/SEA: Muse Communication |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, BS11, MBS |
| Original run | October 1, 2023 – present |
| Episodes | 24 |
Ragna Crimson Plot
The series is set in a dark fantasy world embroiled in a war between humanity and dragons. The protagonist is Ragna, a dragon hunter cursed to be the sole survivor of dragon attacks while his comrades perish around him. His partner Leonica has been prophesied to die at the hands of the dragon Grymwelte.
When a massive dragon assault led by Grymwelte lays waste to their city, Ragna has visions of his future self who has become an immensely powerful warrior after 40 years of intense training. Future Ragna transfers his abilities and memories to Ragna in order to save Leonica from her fated death.
Newly empowered, Ragna slays Grymwelte and forges a pact with the enigmatic Dragon Monarch named Crimson, who was punished by the Dragon God and seeks to use Ragna to enact revenge through genocide of all dragonkind. Ragna becomes Crimson’s servant but harbors eventual ambitions of killing him as well.
Together, they begin systematically targeting and eliminating other Dragon Monarchs, beings of immense power who rule over dragonkind. However, their assassination attempt on the mighty First Monarch Ultimatia fails after Ragna defiantly disregards Crimson’s prudent battle plans.
As the war rages on, Ragna joins forces with Princess Starlia’s order of dragon-slaying soldiers named Argentum. Starlia has a personal vendetta against dragonkind and lends Ragna her strength, while also developing an intimate fondness for him.
Ragna continues his relentless crusade against dragons, but now has to contend with new threats like the obsessed dragon warrior Woltekamui who will stop at nothing to kill Ragna as commanded by Ultimatia. The epic conflict between humans and dragons escalates…
Ragna Crimson Cast
- Ragna – The protagonist, a dragon hunter cursed to survive dragon attacks while others around him die. Gains powers from his future self to kill dragons with his bare hands.
- Crimson – An exiled Dragon Monarch who allies with Ragna to use him in destroying all dragonkind as revenge against the Dragon God.
- Leonica – Ragna’s hunting partner who is fated to die at the hands of the dragon Grymwelte.
- Future Ragna – The bitter, extremely powerful 40-years older version of Ragna who transfers his abilities and memories to save Leonica.
- Grymwelte – A powerful dragon who leads an assault that destroys Ragna and Leonica’s city, and is prophesied to kill Leonica.
- Ultimatia – The mighty First Monarch, the ruler over all dragonkind. The primary target for assassination by Ragna and Crimson.
- Princess Starlia – Leader of the Argentum Dragon Slayers who lends support to Ragna while seeking revenge against dragons for personal reasons.
- Woltekamui – A menacing dragon warrior obsessed with Ultimatia, who is commanded to kill Ragna at any cost.
Ragna Crimson Review
After indulging in a Ragna Crimson binge session, I’m thrilled to find such a strong new action anime that mostly delivered on its epic promise despite a few writing flaws common to the genre.
Visually, Ragna Crimson stands mighty with gloriously animated battles pitting powerful dragon slayers against larger-than-life beasts with cinematic dynamism. The combat scenes encourage rapid binge-watching thanks to stellar direction amplifying every sword slash and setting to maximum grandeur. Vast potential glimmers should the animation quality persist.
Equally encouraging is protagonist Ragna’s depth as his lust for revenge gains added pathos when the story explores his grief and survivor’s guilt from a haunted past. While certainly an idealized hero figure thus far, his emotional scars show signs of elevating his motivations beyond simplistic power trips. Supporting characters like Leonica and Crimson also hint atrich backstories.
While fast pacing leaves some plot holes needing tightening, important relationships feel authentically forged in blood and fire – no small feat for a premise demanding ample suspension of disbelief. Fortunately the anime understands that action spectacles thrive on making immediate emotional stakes hit hard more so than overexplaining every pulpy plot contrivance.
For fantasy buffs hungry for glorious escapism, Ragna Crimson delivers in spades and has my Blood Wings enthralled! If the promise of early episodes flourishes, we may witness the birth of an action masterpiece blessed with soul to back up the style. The soaring adventure continues ascending…
