When fans dive into Shuumatsu no Valkyrie, tracking who steps into the arena next triggers endless community debates. For a long time, the central question centered around Okita Souji and who would he fight next in Record of Ragnarok. Speculation ran wild across forums, comparing his bloodthirsty Shinsengumi background with the remaining pantheon of deities.
The anticipation peaked because Okita wasn't just any background character; he was heavily teased early on alongside other historical legends. Readers wanted to know if he would face the trickster god Loki or cross blades with another heavy hitter. In the manga, Okita Souji officially enters the ring during Round 10, where he faces Susano'o no Mikoto, the supreme sword god of Japanese mythology. This matchup fulfills the ultimate dream for fans of classic swordplay duels, pitting Japan's most notorious human swordsman against a divine master of the blade.
Why Okita Souji's Placement Generated So Much Debate
Before Round 10 locked in his opponent, readers spent years dissecting narrative clues, anime-original interactions, and tournament rosters. Okita's aggressive personality and his historical status as the captain of the Shinsengumi’s first unit made him an obvious candidate for an intense, fast-paced melee fight.
Several factors drove the massive wave of speculation about his opponent:
- Early Appearances: Okita appeared in the stands and interacted with other fighters long before his match, building massive anticipation.
- The Shinsengumi Connection: His manga depiction emphasizes a thrill for battle, drawing parallels to other historical fighters like Sasaki Kojiro.
- The Roster Elimination Process: As earlier rounds concluded with wins and losses for both humanity and the gods, the pool of available divine opponents shrank, making specific pairings more predictable.
Fans initially tossed around multiple potential opponents for the human swordsman, each carrying distinct narrative weight.
Potential Matchups Fans Anticipated
Before Susano'o no Mikoto stepped forward, community theories pointed toward a couple of primary divine candidates. Understanding these rejected theories highlights why the author ultimately chose a different path.
Okita Souji versus Loki
The most popular fan theory for a long time paired Okita against Loki, the Norse god of mischief. This idea gained traction because the anime and manga included several tense, confrontational glances between the two characters. Loki's unsettling demeanor and magical tricks contrasted sharply with Okita's straightforward, lethal sword-handling.
However, pairing them would have turned the match into a psychological and trick-based duel rather than a pure test of martial arts prowess. While narrative tension existed between them, the creators ultimately saved Loki for a different clash later in the tournament.
Okita Souji versus Susano'o no Mikoto
The second major theory—and the one that actually materialized—matched Okita against Susano'o no Mikoto. This matchup made organic sense because it transformed the battle into a pure celebration of Japanese swordsmanship history. Pitting a human child prodigy of the blade against the very deity famous for slaying the Yamata no Orochi created an immediate thematic parallel.
How Round 10 Played Out
When Round 10 finally began, it delivered the high-speed choreography readers expected. Paired with the Valkyrie Hrist (who embodies duality) through Völundr, Okita pushed his physical limits. His opponent, Susano'o, displayed absolute mastery over divine technique, treating the match as a sacred exchange between swordsmen rather than a mere slaughter.
The fight pushed both combatants to their absolute breaking points, highlighting Okita's signature speed and his determination to secure a crucial win for humanity. Ultimately, Okita claimed victory for humanity using his ultimate technique, Tenshou Sandanzuki, bringing the overall tournament score to a tied state.
Common Misconceptions About Okita's Placement
Navigating online forums often leads to outdated theories or confusion regarding the tournament brackets. Keeping track of the facts prevents common mix-ups:
- Assuming Fixed Order: Many readers assumed the roster order shown in early character wheels was unchangeable, but the author frequently shuffled the sequence of human participants.
- Confusing Spin-offs: Some fans mix up Okita's appearance in Record of Ragnarok with his portrayals in other historical fiction or mobile titles like Fate/Grand Order, expecting different magical abilities that don't exist in this specific manga.
- Misinterpreting Feuds: Early scuffles in the hallways of Valhalla did not automatically guarantee a formal match pairing, as seen when initial teasers with Loki led elsewhere.
For more details on the overarching tournament brackets, you can check the Record of Ragnarok Wiki or follow ongoing updates via Anime News Network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Okita Souji fight in Record of Ragnarok?
Okita fought Susano'o no Mikoto during Round 10 of the Ragnarok tournament.
Did Okita Souji win his match?
Yes. Okita defeated Susano'o no Mikoto, securing a vital win for the human side.
Who was Okita's Valkyrie partner?
Okita partnered with the Valkyrie Hrist, utilizing her dual-natured soul to form his divine weapon.
Why did fans think Okita would fight Loki?
Early scenes in both the manga and anime featured direct eye contact and hostility between Okita and Loki, leading many readers to assume a future clash.
