Arcane: A Love Letter to Animation and Writing

By Staff Writer Emily Zhang

On November 9, the highly anticipated second season of Arcane, the hit series loosely based on the team game League of Legends, premiered its first three episodes. The show has shattered records as the most expensive animated series ever produced, costing around $250 million, and also as a massive success on Netflix, where it topped the charts in more than 60 countries. Known for its stunning art style and emotionally charged storytelling, Arcane continues to captivate audiences with its intricate characters and gripping plotlines. The show’s second season builds on the foundation of its critically acclaimed first, picking up from Season 1’s cliffhanger, delivering breathtaking visuals and an engaging narrative that keeps fans hooked. 

The second season of Arcane continues exploring intricate relationships between characters, particularly that of the chaotic Jinx and similarly conflicted Vi. Their bond as sisters remains a central focus of the series, oscillating between love and animosity, interspersed with devastating and heartwarming moments. While Season 1 saw Jinx struggling with feelings of abandonment, Season 2 flips the dynamic, with Vi now grappling with mistrust and betrayal after a series of events shook her faith in those closest to her, forcing her to confront difficult choices and reassess her relationships. Meanwhile, Viktor and Jayce, brilliant inventors whose partnership once stemmed from a mutual ambition and trust deteriorate, see their visions for Piltover’s future diverge, which underscores the fine line between innovation and corruption and how ambition can strain even the deepest of friendships.

Arcane not only excels in depicting complex interpersonal relationships but also masterfully employs visual and narrative parallels to deepen its impact. For example, Caitlyn’s abandonment of Vi mirrors Vi’s earlier decision to leave Jinx in Season 1, with the similar camera angles and compositions of both scenes driving home the repeating nature of their struggles. Similarly, in Jayce’s darkest moments early in Season 1, Viktor saves him, helping him get back on his feet and continue pursuing the sciences. Later in the last episode of Season 1, the same thing occurs with Viktor and Jayce now switching roles, emphasizing the connection through similar dialogue. These parallels aren’t just clever — they invite viewers to connect dots and immerse themselves more deeply in the story while also showcasing the animators’ exceptional artistic choices.

Visually, Arcane continues to push the boundaries of animation. Fortiche, the animation studio behind the series, uses a blend of 2D and 3D animation for the majority of the show, creating a beautifully textured world. From the neon, sketch-like chaos of Jinx’s hallucinations to the pristine cleanliness of Piltover, every frame showcases a masterful attention to detail and world-building. Furthermore, the art greatly enhances the powerful contrasts between Piltover’s elegance and Zaun’s grimy underbelly. The colors especially highlight the two cities’ harsh ideological divide, with Piltover’s golds and whites clashing against Zaun’s toxic greens and purples. In addition to the art, the music in Arcane elevates the storytelling as well. Tracks like “To Ashes and Blood” by Woodkid and “Paint the Town Blue” by Ashnikko are both haunting and emotionally moving, accompanied by lyrics that resonate with and enhance visuals as well as the story. Instrumental tracks are also strategically placed to heighten the impact of pivotal scenes, especially in fast-paced fight scenes in which intense compositions heighten the drama.

For League of Legends players, Season 2 brings an added layer of excitement, with easter eggs and lore expansions seamlessly integrated with the show. Riot’s official confirmation of Arcane as canon allowed for greater inclusion of in-game elements such as references to iconic organizations and names of creatures. New skins have also been developed in League of Legends for Jayce, Caitlyn, Vi, Ekko, Viktor, Heimerdinger, Warwick, Singed, and Jinx. These subtle hints of the game within Arcane enrich the watching experience for long-time fans without alienating newcomers, maintaining a delicate balance that few game adaptations execute well.

Despite Arcane’s overwhelmingly positive feedback, it still has its flaws, particularly in regards to pacing. With only nine episodes to juggle the expansive plot and giant cast, some storylines — like those involving secondary characters and plots — feel underdeveloped and lack full emotional depth. 

However, Arcane’s numerous positive aspects heavily outweigh the negatives. It delves deeply into characters’ psyches and delivers action sequences that are just as breathtaking as they are meaningful — all while still maintaining outstanding animation. Fans have come out of the show in tears and desperately anticipating for future spin-offs and continuations.

Rating: A