Streaks of neon colors, strobing lights, and curly comic book bubble letters. Tortured characters in the midst of war, splintering loyalties against a backdrop of wild magic, and the most epic one-liners ever.
On Nov. 9, the first part of the second season of “Arcane” dropped on Netflix. A day later, it was among the top 10 shows watched on the platform, and it will doubtlessly retain that rating within the next few weeks.
Ever since the animated League of Legends video game-inspired series hit Netflix on Nov. 6, 2021, it has been the subject of critical acclaim for its enthralling and emotional storylines as well as its jaw-dropping visuals.
Adapted by co-creators Alex Yee and Christian Linke, the show follows two sisters navigating a steam-punk fantasy world torn apart by politics, crime, and magic — also known as “the arcane.” Quite a few characters, including sisters Vi and Jinx, are League of Legends characters who receive complex and fleshed-out storylines in the show.
As an avid fan of the series myself, I have high expectations for its second and final installment, and the first three episodes do not disappoint.
The first episode picks up right where the show left off three years ago, and it certainly felt like no time had passed. I was immediately immersed back into the insane graphics and flashy editing. The parallels of how each season begins in the wordless aftermath of destruction sets a dark and tense tone for the episodes ahead.
I was overjoyed to be reunited with the familiar faces of this fantasy world and pleasantly surprised to see Piltover enforcer Caitlyn step into a pivotal role. After suffering a painful loss and watching Undercity Zaunites attack Piltover, Caitlyn acquires a taste for revenge against Jinx, which makes matters complicated with Vi.
Caitlyn’s story is flawlessly told in the first three episodes and reinforces the show’s thematic messaging: Violence feeds violence. Jinx’s hateful acts turn Caitlyn into a monstrous version of herself, just like Vi’s abandonment of her sister created Jinx’s monstrous and slightly insane identity.
The storytelling shines especially in the third episode with a showdown between Vi and Jinx that goes awry when a child throws herself between the sisters, a symbol of their lost innocence.
Meanwhile, Jayce, Ekko, and Heimerdinger attempt to make sense of the elusive Hexcore, which has infused Viktor with healing powers. I’m guessing those will be used in future episodes to rally the Undercity behind a savior.
Based on seamless narratives alone, “Arcane” is a masterpiece, but what elevates it to a cinematic feat is the added layer of spectacular illustrations.
While the first season of “Arcane” successfully explored multiple styles of animation in one episode, animators took this season to an entirely new level. Animation styles intersect in every episode thus far, from comic book graphics to graphite still images, making for a gorgeously chaotic harmony of artistic media.
The second part of the season drops on Nov. 16, and the last part a week later on Nov. 23, so I have something to look forward to these next couple Saturdays. I am already salivating for part two.
Part one leaves all of our beloved, traumatized characters in precarious positions, setting up several possible plotlines for part two and simultaneously leaving me directionless. I think it’s safe to say, though, that the short clip of goth Vi in a bare-knuckles boxing ring makes a lot more sense now.