Video games don’t always translate well to the big screen. They don’t fare particularly better when moving to the small screen either. However, one recent animated series broke the mold. Mere days after being released, Netflix’s Arcane became the most-watched series on the streaming service in dozens of countries. It wasn’t just audience figures setting this animated show apart from less successful game adaptations. Critics and viewers were quick to applaud the show. It currently holds a rare 9.0 user rating on IMDB, as well as a 100% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
What is Arcane About?
What makes Arcane so accessible to everyday audiences? Well, while a little familiarity with League of Legends and the world of Summoner’s Rift will put you in good stead, it’s not essential to be clued up on the backstory of this virtual world. Arcane is more of an origin story, focusing on only a handful of recognizable characters. In fact, many of the major players in this animated series are new to the LoL universe.
Arcane focuses on a couple of LoL favorites, namely Jinx and Vi. Anyone who’s played League of Legends for some time will be familiar with this dynamic duo. They’re some of the longest-serving champions in the game. However, expect to learn plenty of new details about these two when tuning into Arcane’s first season. For starters, the narrative quickly establishes the two as siblings, a detail that was hinted at but never revealed in the game itself.
Is it Worth Playing LoL Before Playing Arcane?
This is entirely up to you. Although you’ll enjoy a richer viewing experience by recognizing the multitude of champion cameos in the Arcane’s first season, this is a fairly intimate story where narrative comes first. Anyone who’s played LoL and wondered about the backstories and origins of their favorite champions will be richly rewarded here. However, this animated series isn’t really about fan service. It’s been made with love for the millions of LoL fans out there, but it’s also the perfect entry point for new audiences to engage with this immersive fantasy world.
Will There Be a Second Season?
We’re not going to give away too many spoilers here, but many Arcane viewers were left biting their nails after a pretty dramatic cliffhanger. The good news? Netflix has announced that there will be a second season. The bad news? It might not be hitting the streaming service until 2023 at the earliest.
Who’s returning for season two? A-listers Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell will be coming back to voice central characters Vi and Jinx, while Katie Leung will also
be back to voice Caitlyn. Beyond that, there have been no announcements about any returning talent. However, expect more news about new and returning cast members in the next few months as production on season two gears up.
Have you entered the world of League of Legends via Arcane? Why not see what all the fuss is about and what inspired the award-winning animated series? Click here to follow the latest this LoL schedule.
