Arcane is a three act Netflix series first released on Nov. 6. The show is based on League of Legends, a widely popular free-to-play game that boasts 120 million monthly players. Despite being a more niche franchise, Arcane was the number one show on the Netflix platform in 50+ countries, and is currently number two in popularity on IMDb at the time of writing — and all for good reason. Its story follows two sisters, who live below the utopian city of Piltover in the underground slums of Zaun, as they lose everything, including each other, and fight for justice and to reunite.
I had no expectations going into the series, and I still ended up being blown away by the attention to detail, the depth of the characters, the visually stunning animation, and the hard-hitting themes the plot touches on. The most important thing for non-League players to know is that Arcane is completely accessible to anyone. Viewers don’t need any background knowledge of characters, lore, or the game itself.
Diving into the series, the first praise-worthy aspect is the animation. It’s fluid, unique in its art style, and allows each character to feel distinct in terms of silhouette, facial markers like scars, and fashion style. There are also no cookie-cutter characters in this series. Each character embarks on their individual storylines, and they weave together effortlessly. From the heroes to the villains, each character is complex and has their own clearly-defined motivations and dilemmas. They feel genuine and alive. We watch them make mistakes with heavy repercussions, grapple with their morals, and make bad decisions. The fact that so many characters are juggled in the series, yet each manages to stand out as unique and memorable, speaks volumes for the thought and care that evidently went into this Netflix series.
The series also rocks a killer soundtrack that plays during crucial scenes. It’s grungy, bass-heavy, and exceptionally well-utilized. During episode seven when two childhood friends fight, the close-up shots of their faces, dodges, and attacks are all timed to the music. The background melts away. The characters, in flashes, appear as their childhood selves play fighting — a time before they were jaded and found themselves on different sides. One of the characters holds a stopwatch, pressing its button to bring everything back to the present.
Arcane also touches on the dangerous separation of classes. While Piltover prides itself on being a city of progress and opportunity, those unable to afford living above ground are forced into the darkness of the undercity, Zaun. It’s a mirror to our societies, and Arcane isn’t afraid to show the complexities of this system and how difficult it can feel to make a difference. The show delving into a political crime drama doesn’t read as overdone or too heavy; it comes off as refreshing with its adoption of fantasy elements. Magic, for example, is developed by a protagonist, Jayce, to serve as a means to empower the oppressed, but it quickly becomes just another tool to keep them in their place.
So, what does Arcane mean for Riot, the developers of the show and the League video game? Everything. The success of Arcane sets a precedent because it means there’s a market for their characters, vision, and storylines — even for a non-League audience. And guess what? League of Legends has 157 champions you can play, and only a handful were selected to be in the Netflix series. There’s the potential for endless content.
I can’t deny that Arcane is an exceptional animated series. At the same time, it’s worth mentioning that although Riot profits off Arcane which, at its core, is a story about two sisters, the company has settled a 10 million dollar gender discrimination law suit against women. While Arcane’s themes make us sympathize with those without a voice, its parent company has also been accused of misleading employees about their right to speak up against harassment. Oops. It’s easier to preach gender equality when it’s fictional, huh? I won’t tell you not to watch the series because of this, but viewers deserve to know about the business practices they’re unknowingly supporting.
If you’re looking to have your heartstrings toyed with, you breath taken away, or want to watch a Pixar film with less juvenile themes, look no further than Arcane. It’s just as good as everyone’s been saying, just with an extra dose of hypocrisy by Riot Games.
Chandy is a biology major/chemistry minor who's been a staff writer, Arts editor, and Managing Editor at The Cascade. She began writing in elementary school when she produced Tamagotchi fanfiction to show her peers at school -- she now lives in fear that this may have been her creative peak.