He hasn't shown up. Not even a silhouette. We are over 100 chapters into the Shuumatsu no Valkyrie manga, and the "Mad Monk" is still just a name on a list. It's kinda wild when you think about it. Most of the other human fighters have already died, won, or at least walked across the screen to say hello. But Grigori Rasputin? He’s basically the Bigfoot of the series right now.
Honestly, the hype is getting a bit out of hand. Fans have been theorizing about his design since 2017. Some people think he’s going to be a giant, bearded "Russian Love Machine" like the Boney M song says. Others are convinced the authors are going to pull a "twink" move and make him a pretty boy, sort of like what they did with Nostradamus.
Where is Rasputin in Record of Ragnarok?
If you’re caught up with the manga, you know things are getting chaotic. Round 10 just finished with Okita Souji and Susano'o no Mikoto. Now, the story is pivoting toward Round 12. We’ve seen Sakata Kintoki doing side-quests in Tartarus. We’ve seen Simo Häyhä’s design for years because of a fan vote. Yet, Rasputin Record of Ragnarok remains the only human fighter from the original roster who hasn't been visually revealed.
It's a deliberate choice by the creators, Shinya Umemura and Takumi Fukui. By keeping him in the dark, they've turned him into the most anticipated reveal in the entire series.
Why hide him?
Maybe his design is a spoiler.
Maybe his power is too weird.
Think about the actual history. The real Rasputin was famous for being impossible to kill. They poisoned him, shot him, beat him, and finally threw him in a frozen river. In a tournament where "death" means your soul is erased from existence, a guy who "refuses to die" is a massive wildcard.
The Most Likely Opponents for the Mad Monk
Most fans are betting on a face-off between Rasputin Record of Ragnarok and Anubis. It makes too much sense to ignore. You have the God of Death versus the Man Who Wouldn't Die.
- Anubis: The Egyptian judge of souls.
- Rasputin: The sinner who cheated death repeatedly.
There’s also a vocal group of theorists who think he might fight Loki. Both are tricksters in their own way. If Rasputin's fighting style is "drunk and unpredictable," it would clash perfectly with Loki's illusions. Then there’s the "Traitor Theory." Some people genuinely believe Rasputin might switch sides. He was a controversial figure in life, often accused of being more "demon" than "monk," so him helping the gods wouldn't be the craziest twist the manga has seen.
What Will His Powers Actually Be?
If we look at how Record of Ragnarok treats historical figures, they usually take one trait and crank it to eleven.
For Adam, it was his "divine reflection."
For Tesla, it was "science."
For Rasputin, it’s almost certainly going to be durability or regeneration.
I’ve seen some pretty cool theories suggesting his Volund won't be a weapon. What if it’s his clothes? Or his very blood? Some fans think he’ll have a "damage transfer" ability, where any hit he takes is reflected back or simply ignored. There's also the "Eye Power" trope. Almost every major human fighter has a special eye ability. Rasputin’s "hypnotic gaze" was a huge part of his real-life legend, so don't be surprised if he can paralyze gods just by looking at them.
Why the Delay is Actually Good for the Story
The manga is currently dealing with a lot of "outer" plot. Odin is acting suspicious. The Primordial Gods are being mentioned. Arche is a thing. By saving Rasputin and Nostradamus for the end, the authors are keeping the stakes high. If we knew what everyone looked like and how they fought back in 2020, the mystery would be gone.
Right now, Rasputin is a meme. He's the "ghost" of the roster. Every time a new chapter drops, the subreddit goes into a frenzy looking for a beard in the background. That kind of engagement is gold for a long-running series.
Moving Forward with the Roster
If you’re looking for the next big update, keep an eye on the monthly Monthly Comic Zenon releases. We are approaching the final rounds of the tournament. With only a few human spots left—specifically Simo, Nostradamus, and Rasputin—the "reveal" could happen any month now.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should probably:
- Re-read the Tartarus arc to see if there are any hints about "sinners" that could point to his location.
- Follow the official Twitter accounts for the artists, as they sometimes drop sketches or "favorite character" hints.
- Stop falling for the fake "leaks" that use fan-made designs from other series like Tenkaichi.
The Mad Monk is coming. When he finally steps into that arena, it’s probably going to break the internet—or at least the manga community. Whether he's a hobo, a giant, or a total weirdo, Rasputin Record of Ragnarok is the final piece of the puzzle we've all been waiting for.
Check the latest chapter discussions on platforms like MangaDex or the Shuumatsu no Valkyrie subreddit to see if the "silhouette" phase has finally ended.