Arcane Review

It does all of this all while delivering an exhilarating kick-ass story whether you know the entire history of Runeterra or you’re just looking for the next event series. Based on the lore of League of Legends yet serving as a prequel to many character and story elements from the games, Arcane is set in the city of Piltover and its undercity district of Zaun. From the start, Arcane does a fantastic job of introducing its expansive world full of rich history and lore without bombarding us with exposition by relying on visual storytelling and using easter eggs to hint at a larger world.

In Piltover, we follow Jayce and Viktor, two scientists on the verge of being able to harness magic through technology, and the societal cost of rapid technological advance. On the streets of Zaun, we follow orphan sisters Vi and Powder as they get involved with a heist gone wrong and the start of a gang war in Zaun with big consequences for both cities. Sure, the show does explore important events with big ramifications for the world of Runeterra.

Ella Purnell especially blends Jinx’s outbursts of rage with enough vulnerability to inspire both fear and pity whenever she’s on screen. At the same time, Hailee Steinfeld steals the show with her phenomenal portrayal of Vi’s entire arc throughout all nine episodes, bringing a worldful of pain and emotional baggage covered by a thick layer of toughness. Make no mistake, as cool as the fight scenes are, Arcane is more often than not heartbreaking, especially if you know the games and where certain characters end up.

We see many characters grow into fan-favorite champions from the games as they start getting their iconic looks and weapons, yet this is no Han Solo getting his last name from the fact that he had no family, or Jack Sparrow’s hat and braids getting origin stories. We get to see Vi picking up her gauntlets for the first time, but the show never stops to close in on them, and when she does pick them up, it’s at the climax of an emotional journey with a deep meaning to her character journey, rather than just an empty moment of fan service. Like the games, Arcane does feature a ton of kick-ass action, and here is where the show goes from admirable to outright extraordinary, as it becomes the most stunning piece of animation since Into the Spider-Verse and one hell of an argument for animation as the best medium to adapt video games in.

“ We’ll be talking about Arcane as a classic and a standard-setter for years to come. The money is definitely evident in every frame of the show, especially the fight scenes. Arcane employs live-action techniques like lighting and contrast and complex camera movements to create kinetic action that looks realistic at the same time as it fully embraces the animation medium.

What Netflix Series Broke The Video Game Adaptation Curse That Plagued Hollywood For Years?

With acclaimed series Castlevania and The Witcher, Netflix broke the video game adaptation curse that plagued Hollywood for years. But it seems the streamer is just getting started, as its new Arcane is a visually stunning animated effort that easily stands toe-to-toe with the medium’s most vaunted entries. More than just an eye-popping artistic achievement, though, it features the sort of nuanced characterizations, thoughtful storytelling, and rich world-building typically associated with big-budget, big-screen epics.

Even its central idea — of a utopian society oppressing the people literally living beneath them — manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily recycled premise. And, ironically enough, its pulse-spiking action scenes and set pieces never come off like over-the-top video game sequences. It’s clear everything in Arcane has been crafted with the goal of making not only a great video game adaptation but a series that any fan of compelling characters and absorbing storytelling can appreciate.

What Is The Name Of Netflix’S League Of Legends Animated Series?

The massively popular multiplayer game League of Legends has never really had much of a story. Developer Riot Games’ (several) attempts at stringing the world of Runeterra and its characters together into a larger narrative have always fallen flat; the game had some charismatic characters and cities, and almost nothing beyond that tying them together. But in that narrative vacuum, Riot and Netflix’s new League of Legends animated series, Arcane, finds plenty of room to add to the world players already know and welcome new fans at the same time.

Pilotover is the idealistic and scientifically minded metropolis that has self-branded as “the city of progress” on top, with the crime-ridden, unregulated technological dystopia of Zaun (though it was only known as “the Undercity” in its earlier days) below. The stories of the two cities are familiar to most League fans. The decades of mistreatment helped push the disgruntled citizens of the Undercity toward the mysterious Silco, who promised to transform Undercity into the city of Zaun, and will do anything to gain power over Piltover.

Arcane is definitely not a kids show, there’s swearing, blood, a very dark tone, disturbing scenes, and plenty of violence. It’s a rare sweet spot that’s darker than a Marvel movie, but never crossing the line into grimdark or adult fantasy. League devotees have likely played their favorite characters for dozens or hundreds of hours at least, and whether you like them because of their in-game abilities or flashes of personality, most players form strong attachments to the champions they like playing most.

Their arcs are broken down into three separate three-episode acts that take place several years apart. Through the first four episodes that Riot provided to critics, the show focuses on two separate duos across Piltover and Zaun: the sisters, Vi and Jinx, and the scientific partners Jayce and Viktor. But it’s Jayce and Viktor who are more emblematic of some of Arcane’s larger themes.

Of course, the series has also hinted at appearances from a few more characters who haven’t shown up — at least in the first four episodes. Arcane’s characters also look great, striking a balance between a style that feels cohesive with League of Legends’ art but also feels a little more natural for narrative animation. Characters’ faces are expressive and emotions translate well, even if not all of the physical comedy lands.

What League Of Legends Anime Has Finally Dropped On Netflix?

TWO YEARS after it was announced, the League of Legends anime Arcane has finally dropped on Netflix. Continue reading below ↓ If you’ve been taken by the hype like I am, here’s a spoiler-free review of the first act of League of Legends’ first animated series. Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos The tale of two sisters If you’re unfamiliar with League of Legends, good news: You’ll still enjoy Arcane otherwise.

Inside, they stumble upon an unexpected power that starts to turn their lives around. I was glued to my seat. Not only is it a story of two sisters, it’s also a great political story — with commentary coming in via a class divide of the wealthy Piltover to its dark underbelly Zaun.

Hopefully acts two and three could satisfyingly build upon what the first act started. Continue reading below ↓ Riot Games is definitely an animation studio If you’ve been around the League of Legends meme-sphere long enough, chances are you know the meme that Riot Games isn’t really a gaming studio. Arcane is a joint project from Riot Games and Fortiche productions.

The animations were amazing, and the unique art style is just so pretty. The wait was definitely worth it. Even the fighting animations were clean, and the added slow motion in some scenes highlighted the complexity of emotions during the fights.

Continue reading below ↓ An ode to League of Legends fans While the anime is accessible to anyone who wants to pick it up, hardcore League of Legends fans will obviously get a bigger kick while watching this series. It was a joy seeing some of League’s iconic characters before they hit Summoner’s Rift, including a young Ekko, a still fully human Viktor, and, of course, our favorite donger Heimerdinger in their full glory. (Dr. Mundo reveal maybe?)

It does all of this all while delivering an exhilarating kick-ass story whether you know the entire history of Runeterra or you’re just looking for the next event series. Based on the lore of League of Legends yet serving as a prequel to many character and story elements from the games, Arcane is set in the city of Piltover and its undercity district of Zaun. From the start, Arcane does a fantastic job of introducing its expansive world full of rich history and lore without bombarding us with exposition by relying on visual storytelling and using easter eggs to hint at a larger world.

In Piltover, we follow Jayce and Viktor, two scientists on the verge of being able to harness magic through technology, and the societal cost of rapid technological advance. On the streets of Zaun, we follow orphan sisters Vi and Powder as they get involved with a heist gone wrong and the start of a gang war in Zaun with big consequences for both cities. Sure, the show does explore important events with big ramifications for the world of Runeterra.

Ella Purnell especially blends Jinx’s outbursts of rage with enough vulnerability to inspire both fear and pity whenever she’s on screen. At the same time, Hailee Steinfeld steals the show with her phenomenal portrayal of Vi’s entire arc throughout all nine episodes, bringing a worldful of pain and emotional baggage covered by a thick layer of toughness. Make no mistake, as cool as the fight scenes are, Arcane is more often than not heartbreaking, especially if you know the games and where certain characters end up.

We see many characters grow into fan-favorite champions from the games as they start getting their iconic looks and weapons, yet this is no Han Solo getting his last name from the fact that he had no family, or Jack Sparrow’s hat and braids getting origin stories. We get to see Vi picking up her gauntlets for the first time, but the show never stops to close in on them, and when she does pick them up, it’s at the climax of an emotional journey with a deep meaning to her character journey, rather than just an empty moment of fan service. Like the games, Arcane does feature a ton of kick-ass action, and here is where the show goes from admirable to outright extraordinary, as it becomes the most stunning piece of animation since Into the Spider-Verse and one hell of an argument for animation as the best medium to adapt video games in.

“ We’ll be talking about Arcane as a classic and a standard-setter for years to come. The money is definitely evident in every frame of the show, especially the fight scenes. Arcane employs live-action techniques like lighting and contrast and complex camera movements to create kinetic action that looks realistic at the same time as it fully embraces the animation medium.

What Netflix Series Broke The Video Game Adaptation Curse That Plagued Hollywood For Years?

With acclaimed series Castlevania and The Witcher, Netflix broke the video game adaptation curse that plagued Hollywood for years. But it seems the streamer is just getting started, as its new Arcane is a visually stunning animated effort that easily stands toe-to-toe with the medium’s most vaunted entries. More than just an eye-popping artistic achievement, though, it features the sort of nuanced characterizations, thoughtful storytelling, and rich world-building typically associated with big-budget, big-screen epics.

Even its central idea — of a utopian society oppressing the people literally living beneath them — manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily recycled premise. And, ironically enough, its pulse-spiking action scenes and set pieces never come off like over-the-top video game sequences. It’s clear everything in Arcane has been crafted with the goal of making not only a great video game adaptation but a series that any fan of compelling characters and absorbing storytelling can appreciate.

What Is The Name Of Netflix’S League Of Legends Animated Series?

The massively popular multiplayer game League of Legends has never really had much of a story. Developer Riot Games’ (several) attempts at stringing the world of Runeterra and its characters together into a larger narrative have always fallen flat; the game had some charismatic characters and cities, and almost nothing beyond that tying them together. But in that narrative vacuum, Riot and Netflix’s new League of Legends animated series, Arcane, finds plenty of room to add to the world players already know and welcome new fans at the same time.

Pilotover is the idealistic and scientifically minded metropolis that has self-branded as “the city of progress” on top, with the crime-ridden, unregulated technological dystopia of Zaun (though it was only known as “the Undercity” in its earlier days) below. The stories of the two cities are familiar to most League fans. The decades of mistreatment helped push the disgruntled citizens of the Undercity toward the mysterious Silco, who promised to transform Undercity into the city of Zaun, and will do anything to gain power over Piltover.

Arcane is definitely not a kids show, there’s swearing, blood, a very dark tone, disturbing scenes, and plenty of violence. It’s a rare sweet spot that’s darker than a Marvel movie, but never crossing the line into grimdark or adult fantasy. League devotees have likely played their favorite characters for dozens or hundreds of hours at least, and whether you like them because of their in-game abilities or flashes of personality, most players form strong attachments to the champions they like playing most.

Their arcs are broken down into three separate three-episode acts that take place several years apart. Through the first four episodes that Riot provided to critics, the show focuses on two separate duos across Piltover and Zaun: the sisters, Vi and Jinx, and the scientific partners Jayce and Viktor. But it’s Jayce and Viktor who are more emblematic of some of Arcane’s larger themes.

Of course, the series has also hinted at appearances from a few more characters who haven’t shown up — at least in the first four episodes. Arcane’s characters also look great, striking a balance between a style that feels cohesive with League of Legends’ art but also feels a little more natural for narrative animation. Characters’ faces are expressive and emotions translate well, even if not all of the physical comedy lands.

What League Of Legends Anime Has Finally Dropped On Netflix?

TWO YEARS after it was announced, the League of Legends anime Arcane has finally dropped on Netflix. Continue reading below ↓ If you’ve been taken by the hype like I am, here’s a spoiler-free review of the first act of League of Legends’ first animated series. Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos The tale of two sisters If you’re unfamiliar with League of Legends, good news: You’ll still enjoy Arcane otherwise.

Inside, they stumble upon an unexpected power that starts to turn their lives around. I was glued to my seat. Not only is it a story of two sisters, it’s also a great political story — with commentary coming in via a class divide of the wealthy Piltover to its dark underbelly Zaun.

Hopefully acts two and three could satisfyingly build upon what the first act started. Continue reading below ↓ Riot Games is definitely an animation studio If you’ve been around the League of Legends meme-sphere long enough, chances are you know the meme that Riot Games isn’t really a gaming studio. Arcane is a joint project from Riot Games and Fortiche productions.

The animations were amazing, and the unique art style is just so pretty. The wait was definitely worth it. Even the fighting animations were clean, and the added slow motion in some scenes highlighted the complexity of emotions during the fights.

Continue reading below ↓ An ode to League of Legends fans While the anime is accessible to anyone who wants to pick it up, hardcore League of Legends fans will obviously get a bigger kick while watching this series. It was a joy seeing some of League’s iconic characters before they hit Summoner’s Rift, including a young Ekko, a still fully human Viktor, and, of course, our favorite donger Heimerdinger in their full glory. (Dr. Mundo reveal maybe?)

It does all of this all while delivering an exhilarating kick-ass story whether you know the entire history of Runeterra or you’re just looking for the next event series. Based on the lore of League of Legends yet serving as a prequel to many character and story elements from the games, Arcane is set in the city of Piltover and its undercity district of Zaun. From the start, Arcane does a fantastic job of introducing its expansive world full of rich history and lore without bombarding us with exposition by relying on visual storytelling and using easter eggs to hint at a larger world.

In Piltover, we follow Jayce and Viktor, two scientists on the verge of being able to harness magic through technology, and the societal cost of rapid technological advance. On the streets of Zaun, we follow orphan sisters Vi and Powder as they get involved with a heist gone wrong and the start of a gang war in Zaun with big consequences for both cities. Sure, the show does explore important events with big ramifications for the world of Runeterra.

Ella Purnell especially blends Jinx’s outbursts of rage with enough vulnerability to inspire both fear and pity whenever she’s on screen. At the same time, Hailee Steinfeld steals the show with her phenomenal portrayal of Vi’s entire arc throughout all nine episodes, bringing a worldful of pain and emotional baggage covered by a thick layer of toughness. Make no mistake, as cool as the fight scenes are, Arcane is more often than not heartbreaking, especially if you know the games and where certain characters end up.

We see many characters grow into fan-favorite champions from the games as they start getting their iconic looks and weapons, yet this is no Han Solo getting his last name from the fact that he had no family, or Jack Sparrow’s hat and braids getting origin stories. We get to see Vi picking up her gauntlets for the first time, but the show never stops to close in on them, and when she does pick them up, it’s at the climax of an emotional journey with a deep meaning to her character journey, rather than just an empty moment of fan service. Like the games, Arcane does feature a ton of kick-ass action, and here is where the show goes from admirable to outright extraordinary, as it becomes the most stunning piece of animation since Into the Spider-Verse and one hell of an argument for animation as the best medium to adapt video games in.

“ We’ll be talking about Arcane as a classic and a standard-setter for years to come. The money is definitely evident in every frame of the show, especially the fight scenes. Arcane employs live-action techniques like lighting and contrast and complex camera movements to create kinetic action that looks realistic at the same time as it fully embraces the animation medium.

What Netflix Series Broke The Video Game Adaptation Curse That Plagued Hollywood For Years?

With acclaimed series Castlevania and The Witcher, Netflix broke the video game adaptation curse that plagued Hollywood for years. But it seems the streamer is just getting started, as its new Arcane is a visually stunning animated effort that easily stands toe-to-toe with the medium’s most vaunted entries. More than just an eye-popping artistic achievement, though, it features the sort of nuanced characterizations, thoughtful storytelling, and rich world-building typically associated with big-budget, big-screen epics.

Even its central idea — of a utopian society oppressing the people literally living beneath them — manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily recycled premise. And, ironically enough, its pulse-spiking action scenes and set pieces never come off like over-the-top video game sequences. It’s clear everything in Arcane has been crafted with the goal of making not only a great video game adaptation but a series that any fan of compelling characters and absorbing storytelling can appreciate.

What Is The Name Of Netflix’S League Of Legends Animated Series?

The massively popular multiplayer game League of Legends has never really had much of a story. Developer Riot Games’ (several) attempts at stringing the world of Runeterra and its characters together into a larger narrative have always fallen flat; the game had some charismatic characters and cities, and almost nothing beyond that tying them together. But in that narrative vacuum, Riot and Netflix’s new League of Legends animated series, Arcane, finds plenty of room to add to the world players already know and welcome new fans at the same time.

Pilotover is the idealistic and scientifically minded metropolis that has self-branded as “the city of progress” on top, with the crime-ridden, unregulated technological dystopia of Zaun (though it was only known as “the Undercity” in its earlier days) below. The stories of the two cities are familiar to most League fans. The decades of mistreatment helped push the disgruntled citizens of the Undercity toward the mysterious Silco, who promised to transform Undercity into the city of Zaun, and will do anything to gain power over Piltover.

Arcane is definitely not a kids show, there’s swearing, blood, a very dark tone, disturbing scenes, and plenty of violence. It’s a rare sweet spot that’s darker than a Marvel movie, but never crossing the line into grimdark or adult fantasy. League devotees have likely played their favorite characters for dozens or hundreds of hours at least, and whether you like them because of their in-game abilities or flashes of personality, most players form strong attachments to the champions they like playing most.

Their arcs are broken down into three separate three-episode acts that take place several years apart. Through the first four episodes that Riot provided to critics, the show focuses on two separate duos across Piltover and Zaun: the sisters, Vi and Jinx, and the scientific partners Jayce and Viktor. But it’s Jayce and Viktor who are more emblematic of some of Arcane’s larger themes.

Of course, the series has also hinted at appearances from a few more characters who haven’t shown up — at least in the first four episodes. Arcane’s characters also look great, striking a balance between a style that feels cohesive with League of Legends’ art but also feels a little more natural for narrative animation. Characters’ faces are expressive and emotions translate well, even if not all of the physical comedy lands.

What League Of Legends Anime Has Finally Dropped On Netflix?

TWO YEARS after it was announced, the League of Legends anime Arcane has finally dropped on Netflix. Continue reading below ↓ If you’ve been taken by the hype like I am, here’s a spoiler-free review of the first act of League of Legends’ first animated series. Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos The tale of two sisters If you’re unfamiliar with League of Legends, good news: You’ll still enjoy Arcane otherwise.

Inside, they stumble upon an unexpected power that starts to turn their lives around. I was glued to my seat. Not only is it a story of two sisters, it’s also a great political story — with commentary coming in via a class divide of the wealthy Piltover to its dark underbelly Zaun.

Hopefully acts two and three could satisfyingly build upon what the first act started. Continue reading below ↓ Riot Games is definitely an animation studio If you’ve been around the League of Legends meme-sphere long enough, chances are you know the meme that Riot Games isn’t really a gaming studio. Arcane is a joint project from Riot Games and Fortiche productions.

The animations were amazing, and the unique art style is just so pretty. The wait was definitely worth it. Even the fighting animations were clean, and the added slow motion in some scenes highlighted the complexity of emotions during the fights.

Continue reading below ↓ An ode to League of Legends fans While the anime is accessible to anyone who wants to pick it up, hardcore League of Legends fans will obviously get a bigger kick while watching this series. It was a joy seeing some of League’s iconic characters before they hit Summoner’s Rift, including a young Ekko, a still fully human Viktor, and, of course, our favorite donger Heimerdinger in their full glory. (Dr. Mundo reveal maybe?)

It does all of this all while delivering an exhilarating kick-ass story whether you know the entire history of Runeterra or you’re just looking for the next event series. Based on the lore of League of Legends yet serving as a prequel to many character and story elements from the games, Arcane is set in the city of Piltover and its undercity district of Zaun. From the start, Arcane does a fantastic job of introducing its expansive world full of rich history and lore without bombarding us with exposition by relying on visual storytelling and using easter eggs to hint at a larger world.

In Piltover, we follow Jayce and Viktor, two scientists on the verge of being able to harness magic through technology, and the societal cost of rapid technological advance. On the streets of Zaun, we follow orphan sisters Vi and Powder as they get involved with a heist gone wrong and the start of a gang war in Zaun with big consequences for both cities. Sure, the show does explore important events with big ramifications for the world of Runeterra.

Ella Purnell especially blends Jinx’s outbursts of rage with enough vulnerability to inspire both fear and pity whenever she’s on screen. At the same time, Hailee Steinfeld steals the show with her phenomenal portrayal of Vi’s entire arc throughout all nine episodes, bringing a worldful of pain and emotional baggage covered by a thick layer of toughness. Make no mistake, as cool as the fight scenes are, Arcane is more often than not heartbreaking, especially if you know the games and where certain characters end up.

We see many characters grow into fan-favorite champions from the games as they start getting their iconic looks and weapons, yet this is no Han Solo getting his last name from the fact that he had no family, or Jack Sparrow’s hat and braids getting origin stories. We get to see Vi picking up her gauntlets for the first time, but the show never stops to close in on them, and when she does pick them up, it’s at the climax of an emotional journey with a deep meaning to her character journey, rather than just an empty moment of fan service. Like the games, Arcane does feature a ton of kick-ass action, and here is where the show goes from admirable to outright extraordinary, as it becomes the most stunning piece of animation since Into the Spider-Verse and one hell of an argument for animation as the best medium to adapt video games in.

“ We’ll be talking about Arcane as a classic and a standard-setter for years to come. The money is definitely evident in every frame of the show, especially the fight scenes. Arcane employs live-action techniques like lighting and contrast and complex camera movements to create kinetic action that looks realistic at the same time as it fully embraces the animation medium.

What Netflix Series Broke The Video Game Adaptation Curse That Plagued Hollywood For Years?

With acclaimed series Castlevania and The Witcher, Netflix broke the video game adaptation curse that plagued Hollywood for years. But it seems the streamer is just getting started, as its new Arcane is a visually stunning animated effort that easily stands toe-to-toe with the medium’s most vaunted entries. More than just an eye-popping artistic achievement, though, it features the sort of nuanced characterizations, thoughtful storytelling, and rich world-building typically associated with big-budget, big-screen epics.

Even its central idea — of a utopian society oppressing the people literally living beneath them — manages to put a fresh spin on the heavily recycled premise. And, ironically enough, its pulse-spiking action scenes and set pieces never come off like over-the-top video game sequences. It’s clear everything in Arcane has been crafted with the goal of making not only a great video game adaptation but a series that any fan of compelling characters and absorbing storytelling can appreciate.

What Is The Name Of Netflix’S League Of Legends Animated Series?

The massively popular multiplayer game League of Legends has never really had much of a story. Developer Riot Games’ (several) attempts at stringing the world of Runeterra and its characters together into a larger narrative have always fallen flat; the game had some charismatic characters and cities, and almost nothing beyond that tying them together. But in that narrative vacuum, Riot and Netflix’s new League of Legends animated series, Arcane, finds plenty of room to add to the world players already know and welcome new fans at the same time.

Pilotover is the idealistic and scientifically minded metropolis that has self-branded as “the city of progress” on top, with the crime-ridden, unregulated technological dystopia of Zaun (though it was only known as “the Undercity” in its earlier days) below. The stories of the two cities are familiar to most League fans. The decades of mistreatment helped push the disgruntled citizens of the Undercity toward the mysterious Silco, who promised to transform Undercity into the city of Zaun, and will do anything to gain power over Piltover.

Arcane is definitely not a kids show, there’s swearing, blood, a very dark tone, disturbing scenes, and plenty of violence. It’s a rare sweet spot that’s darker than a Marvel movie, but never crossing the line into grimdark or adult fantasy. League devotees have likely played their favorite characters for dozens or hundreds of hours at least, and whether you like them because of their in-game abilities or flashes of personality, most players form strong attachments to the champions they like playing most.

Their arcs are broken down into three separate three-episode acts that take place several years apart. Through the first four episodes that Riot provided to critics, the show focuses on two separate duos across Piltover and Zaun: the sisters, Vi and Jinx, and the scientific partners Jayce and Viktor. But it’s Jayce and Viktor who are more emblematic of some of Arcane’s larger themes.

Of course, the series has also hinted at appearances from a few more characters who haven’t shown up — at least in the first four episodes. Arcane’s characters also look great, striking a balance between a style that feels cohesive with League of Legends’ art but also feels a little more natural for narrative animation. Characters’ faces are expressive and emotions translate well, even if not all of the physical comedy lands.

What League Of Legends Anime Has Finally Dropped On Netflix?

TWO YEARS after it was announced, the League of Legends anime Arcane has finally dropped on Netflix. Continue reading below ↓ If you’ve been taken by the hype like I am, here’s a spoiler-free review of the first act of League of Legends’ first animated series. Continue reading below ↓ Recommended Videos The tale of two sisters If you’re unfamiliar with League of Legends, good news: You’ll still enjoy Arcane otherwise.

Inside, they stumble upon an unexpected power that starts to turn their lives around. I was glued to my seat. Not only is it a story of two sisters, it’s also a great political story — with commentary coming in via a class divide of the wealthy Piltover to its dark underbelly Zaun.

Hopefully acts two and three could satisfyingly build upon what the first act started. Continue reading below ↓ Riot Games is definitely an animation studio If you’ve been around the League of Legends meme-sphere long enough, chances are you know the meme that Riot Games isn’t really a gaming studio. Arcane is a joint project from Riot Games and Fortiche productions.

The animations were amazing, and the unique art style is just so pretty. The wait was definitely worth it. Even the fighting animations were clean, and the added slow motion in some scenes highlighted the complexity of emotions during the fights.

Continue reading below ↓ An ode to League of Legends fans While the anime is accessible to anyone who wants to pick it up, hardcore League of Legends fans will obviously get a bigger kick while watching this series. It was a joy seeing some of League’s iconic characters before they hit Summoner’s Rift, including a young Ekko, a still fully human Viktor, and, of course, our favorite donger Heimerdinger in their full glory. (Dr. Mundo reveal maybe?)