From the “Sonic the Hedgehog” movie trilogy to the “Fallout” TV show, several popular video games have recently been adapted to the big screen. The team-based strategy game League of Legends (LoL) is no different. Developed as an animated series by French studio Fortiche and based on LoL, “Arcane” debuted in 2021 with a TV-14 rating starring actors Ella Purnell, Hailee Steinfeld, Katie Leung and many more.
Season 2 of “Arcane” was released last November. Supported by a nine-figure budget, the second season has been nominated for seven Annie Awards, which honor excellence in animation, and has yet again received a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
Set in the utopian, Victorian-esque city of Piltover and its darker, oppressed, steampunk-esque counterpart of Zaun, Season 2 of “Arcane” deepens the conflict between the two cities as tensions escalate over power, political corruption and oppression of the weak. Compelling characters like Jinx, Vi, Caitlyn and Victor grapple with their struggles as unlikely alliances are formed, trusted friendships are broken, and their actions lead to explosive confrontations and tragic consequences.
Throughout the two seasons of “Arcane,” viewers are introduced to some of the most compelling characters in animation. Through each character’s backstory, we get to see them cultivate their ethics and morals and observe as they develop into complex, gripping, morally grey characters, one standout character is Jinx. When she was younger, she was Powder, a nice and timid girl. When her father figure Vander gets kidnapped by crime boss Silco, Powder sets out to save him. To do so, she detonates a bomb with the intent of freeing him, but it ended up killing her father as well. This painful experience causes Powder to develop into Jinx, a complex, heartbroken character. Through her tragic backstory and Silco’s manipulation, we watch her two personas develop. Jinx’s mental health is portrayed with such emotion and pain that it makes you feel for her as a character. Her dissociative identity disorder is handled masterfully as we get to constantly see her cycle between the nice and timid Powder, and the destructive and chaotic Jinx. Her complicated relationship with Vi, her older sister, is also well-crafted. Vi starts off as a caring older sister, but after the detonation, she abandoned Jinx at her most vulnerable moment.
Not only does “Arcane” introduce audiences to fascinating three-dimensional characters, but, it also has a beautiful animation that is distnctive and vibrant. It is a blend of 2D and 3D animation that feels refreshing and unique from other animated movies and TV shows. Arcane’s music features artists worldwide, including some from China, France and the U.S. The result is a memorable and dynamic original soundtrack. One notable song is “Ma Meilleure Ennemie” by French artist Stromae, which captures the tone and essence of an impossible romantic scene between two characters.
Despite all these praise-worthy elements, “Arcane” did struggle with its pacing. In Season 1, the breakneck pacing benefited the story as it kept the audience on its toes. The fast pacing in Season 2 caused some subplots to lack the time to develop fully, thus making them feel rushed. Season 2 also felt more episodic. The episodes in Season 2 have higher highs in terms of tension and stakes. However, unlike Season 1, where the episodes were tightly connected to the overarching plot, Season 2 episodes felt more loosely attached to the plot, thus creating a slightly more confusing experience.
Overall, “Arcane” is a masterpiece. It blends stunning visuals with compelling characters and a unique soundtrack to create a riveting experience. While the pacing of the second season also leaves a lot to be desired, the pros far outweigh the cons of “Arcane.” If you like an action-packed, colorful, visually stunning series, then “Arcane” is the show for you.