From its revolutionary animation to its heart-tugging storyline, “Arcane: League of Legends” had its viewers in a ‘headlock’ since the moment it dropped. After the success of its first season, expectations for the next were sky-high. So, how does it measure up?
Set in a steampunk fantasy, Arcane follows two sisters, Violet “Vi” (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), and their story amid the conflict between the utopian city of Piltover and the undercity of Zaun. Growing up in Zaun, the sisters spend their childhood participating in petty crime to survive, but their lives take a turn when a theft goes wrong.
After years of separation, the sisters struggle to reconnect, and the looming threat of war, along with the invention of a magical crystal called Hextech, only complicates matters. Season one ends on a cliffhanger: tensions between Piltover and Zaun reach a boiling point, and the sisters are caught in the middle of the chaos.
Season 2 picks up on the strained relationship between Vi and Jinx and the conflict between the two rival cities. Hextech, now more developed and full of potential than ever, plays an important role as a decider of the characters’ destinies. Both sisters must confront the consequences of their past decisions, each spiraling further into their struggles. As the cities come close to war, every character faces transformative arcs, pushing them toward growth or destruction.
Both seasons visually shine as exemplary animation in the 21st century. Combining 3D animation with 2D effects, Arcane has a unique artistic style that cinematically resonates with fans. The show is also exceptional in its soundtrack, featuring music from a range of artists to convey emotions and drive the narrative. Yet, the two seasons diverge in their delivery of themes and plot.
The core issue in Season 2 is the lack of an emotionally impactful plot compared to season one. The pacing feels disconnected, with the storyline jumping from one plot element to another making it difficult to stay invested in any one character.
For instance, Isha (Lucy Lowe), a non-verbal Zaunite orphan, emerges as a new character in the second season. Jinx takes Isha under her wing, becoming both a sister figure and guardian for the young child. While it is clear that Isha intends to play a role in Jinx’s character development, she appears only briefly before her untimely death, minimizing her potential to truly impact the story.
Furthermore, the second season fails to build up on the previously established themes. For example, the first season explored themes of identity, exploitation and sacrifice. The parallel between Piltover, a city of privilege, versus Zaun, an oppressed underworld, symbolically represents class struggles and political control. Jinx and Vi’s separation resembles the clash between identity and the consequences of trauma — one seeks redemption, while the other finds solace in chaos. Instead of pursuing these themes, the second season resorts to a cliché trope: the two cities put aside their differences to team up against a new enemy.
Despite the second season’s flaws, Arcane is not a failure. The show still holds its crown with visually brilliant animations that separate it from other video game adaptations. However, it would have benefited from spending more time developing characters and the overall plot. While there’s potential in the new themes of season two, the execution does not live up to the promise of the first season.
Arcane needs a third season, and this time, it must return the emotional depth of its debut if it hopes to reclaim the show’s magic.
