Norse mythology in popular culture

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References to Norse mythology are common in the fantasy genre of the 20th century.

Contents

1 Comics
2 Games
3 Literature
4 Television
5 See also

Comics

In the Marvel Universe, the Norse and related elements play a prominent part, especially Thor who has been one of the longest running superheroes for the company.
The Norse Pantheon heroes are the main characters of the Japanese anime Matantei Loki Ragnarok.
Odin, Thor and Loki, and several other beings and places in Norse mythology have recurring roles in Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novel series, most notably in the and story-lines.
The three Norns, Urd, Skuld, and Verthandi (whose name is transliterated into "Belldandy") are three of the main characters in the popular manga series Aa! Megami-sama (aka "Oh My Goddess!"), which also features Yggdrasil as a computer program that runs the universe.

Games

Capcom's Mega Man series, Mega Man Zero, makes many references to Norse mythology and has characters and objects named after some Norse beasts and Gods.
Many Fantasy role-playing games, including Dungeons and Dragons, have elements from Norse mythology.
A number of references to Norse mythology occur in the first Max Payne game; a drug Valkyr, a nightclub Ragna Rock, buildings known as the Aesir Plaza and Asgard, a major character Alfred Woden, a mysterious Project Valhalla, and the computer network Yggdrasil.
The computer game series Final Fantasy, particularly Final Fantasy VII use a number of references to Norse Mythology, primarily alternatively spelled versions of figures from the pantheon and related myths. These include the cities Midgar and Nibelheim, names of monsters such as Skoll or Nidhogg, or the airship Ragnarok from Final Fantasy VIII.
The Creatures series of computer games borrows several names from Norse mythology. The most prominent are the three kinds of creatures you can raise, the Norns, Grendels and Ettins.
The tri-ace role-playing games Valkyrie Profile is based on Norse Mythology, though it does deviate at some points. The main character is a Valkyrie named Lenneth, whom many have thought to represent Brenhild. Lenneth has been commanded by Odin to gather souls of dead warriors for the upcoming battles of Ragnarok. Depending on the path the player chooses, Lenneth will face either Surt, lord of the fire giants; or Loki, in combat.
The Zerg Broods in StarCraft are named after various Norse mythological monsters.
The Ragnarok Online universe is full of Norse mythology references.
The Boktai series uses names of Norse Gods for the names of the Immortals; the main enemy of the series.

Literature

Robert E. Howard borrowed extensively from Norse mythology in his many fantasy works, his best known creation being Conan the Barbarian, a fictional Cimmerian mercenary hero of numerous short stories and a novel.
J. R. R. Tolkien, in his fantasy works The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, also drew from Norse mythology. #redirect
Author Douglas Adams, writer of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and subsequent books, referenced to the Norse god, Thor in his book Life, the Universe, and Everything. Thor was very large, and threw lightning bolts. From the same series, a collection of unnamed minor deities whose description is reminiscent of the Norse Pantheon makes an appearance at The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Odin and Thor also appear in The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, one of two novels by Adams about protagonist Dirk Gently.
Odin, Loki, and several other Norse mythological figures are major characters in Neil Gaiman's novel American Gods.
The name of Fenrir Greyback, the murderous werewolf in the Harry Potter novels is derived from Fenrir. Fenrir is the wolf, who according to Norse mythology, will devour Odin during Ragnarök - the end of the world.
Diana Wynne Jones's novel, Eight Days of Luke is an allegory of the Norse gods. Loki, Thor, Odin, Frey and Freya are characters in the story. Several other characters from Norse mythology such as Siegfried, Brunhilde, Baldur and Sigyn are mentioned as well (though not all by name).
Norse mythology plays heavily into the Everworld series of fantasy by K.A. Applegate, Loki and Hel being perhaps the two most notable Norse characters.
Other authors drawing from Norse mythology include:
* Robert Jordan
* Terry Brooks
* Raymond Feist
* David Eddings
* Tad Williams
* Mickey Zucker Reichert
* Christopher Paolini
* Edith Pattou
* Harry Harrison

Television

The TV series Stargate SG-1 borrows parts of Norse mythology for the Asgard aliens, a benevolent race who protected humanity. To hide their alien existence, the Asgard seeded the Norse mythology into human culture, giving god and demi-god roles to many of their prominent figures. Thor, a member of the Asgard High Council, is a regularly returning character on the show.
The anime series Soukyo no Fafner has many references to Nordic/Germanic mythologic references

Norse mythology in popular culture

Comics

Games

Literature

Television

See also