The hit adult animated series “Arcane” returned to Netflix for a second and final season. Based on the video game “League of Legends,” the series was set in a steampunk fantasy world featuring a high tech and magical conflict, mainly following the sisters Violet, or “Vi” for short, and Jinx, who fought for and against each other.
The series was created by showrunners Christian Linke and Alex Yee, both of whom returned for season two. The cast included Hailee Steinfield as Vi and Ella Purnell as Jinx. According to an exclusive in Variety, “Arcane” is the most expensive animated show ever, production and promotion having cost $250 million.
Highs
“Arcane” was a show of many highlights, all beautifully blended together to form a masterpiece. It fully understood how to be an incredible fantasy epic, and how to maximize its animated medium.
For the fantasy elements, the world of “Arcane” was lush, creative, and awe-inspiring. It fused together science fiction elements with magic, paying homage to its video game roots with its eccentric, rich world building. A world mainly centering the class struggle between the wealthy, upper class city Piltover and the criminal city Zaun.
This was a playground for complex character relationships to thrive. The show knew exactly which emotional buttons to push and when, nearly every relationship was gut wrenching with their depths and twists. Friends, family, and lovers (including a complicated queer love story between Vi and another woman) were tested against the backdrop of war and magic.
With already incredible writing, the animation pushed this series from incredible to sublime. The style used was a combination of computer-generated and traditional animations, similar to the “Spider-Verse” films, and like those films it ended up being some of the best animation ever seen. It fully utilized the medium with iconic character designs, an immersive setting, and jaw dropping magic. Every frame was a feast for the eyes!
Lows
The show could have done more episodes, not because it was incomplete or rushed but because there was so much to be explored. This wasn’t necessarily a low, after all it’s a compliment to something to want more of it.
Verdict
“Arcane” was an absolute must watch. With an already amazing first season, this second season continued the quality, even improving upon it by revealing its depths. More creatives should take notes from “Arcane,” especially from its intricate writing and breathtaking design. As a show, it deserved to go down as a classic within the fantasy genre, within animation, and within modern television itself.
Rating: 10 out of 10.
Frank Remski is a film and theater reviewer for the Eastern Echo. He is majoring in media studies and journalism and minoring in public relations. He has worked for The Echo since summer of 2023 and has written both news stories and opinion pieces.
