“Arcane” Show Review
“Arcane” is a two season animated series based on the game “League of Legends” universe, it has been widely praised for its gorgeous visual style, compelling storytelling, and its rich character development. It was released on Netflix in 2021. The show has drawn both newcomers and fans of the games due to its emotional depth, engaging plot and its top-tier animation.
The series is set in the cities of Piltover and Zaun, which are two locations within the League of Legends lore. Piltover is a more wealthy and technologically advanced city, while Zaun is a crime-ridden, poor city. The contrast between both of the cities is a central theme of the show. It shows inequality, power struggles, and social division. The narrative mostly revolves around the lives of two sisters, Vi and Jinx, whose stories are intertwined with the fate of both cities. The sisters’ relationship is a focal point, driving the emotional core of the series. The plot has delved into their tragic past, which is shaped by loss, betrayal, and the rising tensions between cities.
There are characters like Jayce, Viktor and Caitlyn that add layers of the political and moral complexity of the storyline. The show shows the pacing, balancing character development of all its characters. Each character has a development throughout the show; it makes every character have their own flaws, motivations, and emotional arcs. Even the voice acting is amazing- Hailee Steinfeild (Vi), Ella Purnell (Jinx), Kevin Alejandro (Jayce), etc bring their characters to life adding the layers of depth to their storylines. 
One of the best aspects of “Arcane” is the animation. It has a blend of 2D and 3D animation that shows the character facial expressions are incredibly detailed allowing for a more deep emotional connection with the audience. The use of the color and lighting in the show is amazing, with the contrast of using bright and clean colors for Piltover versus using dark and industrial colors for Zaun. It doesn’t rely on fast-paced cuts; instead it lets the action unfold. The music deserves a special mention for its role in making the show even more better. The series has all sorts of different genres of music to electronic, rock, orchestral, indie songs, K-pop and C-pop. The music connects to the characters and the storylines.
At its core, “Arcane” is about the consequences of inequality and the corruption of power. This show doesn’t shy away from exploring the themes of class struggle, systemic oppression and the personal toll of violence and ambition. The series also dives into human experiences of the psychological toll of loss, trauma, and identity. Vi’s and Jinx’s relationship is the optional anchor of the story and it shows how trauma can shape and change people in different ways. Aether Smith said “Arcane” was heartbreaking but one of the best shows he has ever seen.
In my opinion, I would rate “Arcane” a 10/10. It was emotionally heartbreaking, and eye opening on how different social classes get treated. It also shows how advanced technology can change the world. Watch “Arcane” on Netflix!!
