“Arcane” is hitting the top charts on Netflix right now and is showing that it is one of the best-animated series ever created. Despite being a marketing scheme for Riot Games’ multiplayer online game, “League of Legends,” it is a delicately crafted show with so much care for animation, characters and worldbuilding. The audiences do not need to know anything about “League of Legends” to easily enjoy the show, but those who do know the game will be very satisfied with the easter eggs, references and foreshadowing that the showrunners provide.
The story is told in three arcs, each made up of three one-hour episodes. With a steampunk aesthetic, the story takes place in a city split into two: Piltover, the wealthy and privileged society above, and the Undercity, the underground and crime-ridden slums that its inhabitants have coined as Zaun. A unique factor to their world is a power they call “Hextech,” a combination of magic and technology that revolutionized their way of living.
With only worldbuilding, the show presents themes of power, both its struggles and people’s greed for it. The split between the city and its classist society begs for equality and justice, and their exploration of the power “Hextech” presents not only the physical struggle to own an unmatched power but also the fight against nature and its dangers. The show follows several characters from both worlds and how their storylines all converge in some form towards the end.
The internet exploded with the first season’s release, leaving watchers begging for more — season two does not disappoint. Following season one’s explosive cliffhanger, season two picks up from where our characters left off, trying to clean up the mess left behind. While season two explores the same themes and plotlines built in season one, they are further developed with a realistic progression. Despite the show meeting expectations, there is still room to surprise their audience. Their addition of new characters and villains does not clutter the show but uses them to add to its themes and fun relationship dynamics.
In terms of character, worldbuilding, plot and animation — the show has it all planned and executed to perfection. The main characters develop in both positive and negative ways in response to their trauma, which is frustrating and horrifying, but still makes the audience feel deeply and care for them. Character dynamics fuel the show, with deep familial bonds, romance and unlikely friendships that heal our souls and render our hearts.
Despite season two breaking these relationships, it also reunites the ones we thought were dead. As characters push, the world and society push back. There is a stark divide between the two sides of the city that is growing, the dangers of “Hextech” and an unknown force of nature beginning to destroy everything. The season introduces new mysteries surrounding the magic of “Hextech,” other power struggles outside of their city and new motivations behind the characters.
Along with these deep characters, storylines and amazingly created world, it is all supported by the incredible animation, with smooth and fast-paced action scenes and realistic facial expressions that make the characters feel that much more real. It is drawn in a unique style that stands out and makes the show what it is. The second arc presents the masterful storytelling that the animation offers, with different art styles that incite different emotions.
Season two will wrap up the story of the characters we have learned to love, which does not seem possible. Arc two ends on a cliffhanger that makes the viewers feel like nothing is going right. With only three episodes left, and an audience at the edge of their seats, nobody knows how the show plans to end it, waiting for their next plot twist.
All we know is that it is sure to break our hearts in the most satisfying way possible. Although this will be the end of these characters we see on the screen, it will certainly not be the end of “Arcane”’s world, as “League of Legends” has several more characters, stories and cities to explore, and we cannot wait to see what they plan to do.
5/5 stars
skwok@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @arcaneshow, X
