What Exactly Are the Nine Realms?
Untangling the Cosmology of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
In the MCU, the Nine Realms are the nine regions of space that Asgard holds authority over: Asgard, Midgard(Earth), Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Alfheim, and Nidavellir. Huh? Short article.
Okay, but really. What I mean is that Marvel hardly explains what the Nine Realms are in a cosmological sense. We know each realm has a planet or star bearing its name, but I seriously doubt that lording over nine measly celestial bodies would make Asgard the “supreme seat of power in the cosmos.” More likely, each of these bodies resides in a much larger region of space named after it. Like how New York the city is a famous part of New York the state, Midgard the planet is a famous part of Midgard the realm.
So is that it? The Nine Realms are just nine very large regions of outer space named after nine important planets. That could be it, but there are a few significant lines(plus the premise of an entire movie) that make me think the Nine Realms are much greater and more complex than we ever imagined.
