Fans have wondered for years when League of Legends creator Riot would create an animated series. It was inevitable. It was already a great studio that created animated shorts to promote everything, from new characters to esports tournaments. A show was a great idea because of the growing focus on Leagues storytelling, something that is difficult to do in a team-based strategy game. It's real with Arcane, a nine-episode series. It's a lot of fun and you don't need to know much about League to enjoy it.
Arcane takes place (mostly) within Piltover, a city that was founded in the early days of Arcane. This city is about to undergo a major change that could affect the entire fantasy realm of Runeterra. A pair of scientists is working out how to harness magic's dangerous power to be used in everything from weapons and tools to transportation. The show follows a few characters in the city against this background. Vi, a street child, leads a small gang that aims to make a lot of money. They travel to the top of the city to steal expensive-looking gadgets. Naturally, the heist goes sour and ends in exploding crystals. The focus shifts to the scientists mentioned above and an underworld kingpin who has a lot of scars and holds a grudge.
Whats great about Arcanes fantasy-meets-steampunk world is that its pretty easy to understand. It doesn't waste time on boring lore, nor expects you to know the names of these characters. Vi is a popular character in League, but the show is primarily about her origin story and that of a few other characters. Fans will enjoy the chance to learn more about some of these characters. For everyone else, you'll be introduced to fascinating people at an important point in their lives. No prior knowledge required.
The story is straightforward, which helps. Arcane is not anything I would call revolutionary or new. It's a very typical fantasy story that is just as well-done. The villains are scary, the potential heroes are complex and relatable, and the action moves at a fast pace. Arcane's best asset is its stylish appearance. Every frame is a beautiful piece of hand-painted concept artwork. It's like nothing else I have ever seen. The world feels real and alive. Piltover's slums have a toxic, green appearance (police officers wear masks when they enter), while the upper floors are bright, airy and luxurious. The city's strange and wonderful mechanical inventions are what I loved the most. I'm essentially saying that after seeing the first few episodes, I need an Arcane book of art.
The way the episodes are released is one of the most interesting aspects about the show. The episodes are not available weekly and it isn't a binge-watching show. Arcane instead uses a hybrid format. Each episode is divided into chapters, and the three-week-long series will be released in three-episode packages. It's similar to Netflix's Fear Street Trilogy of horror movies. It works for the first chapter at least because each episode has its own clear arc. Episode four, however, picks up a bit later.
Arcane is a good example of a well-balanced character. It's both a tribute to the legend and an introduction into a fantasy world that has been around for a decade with millions of fans. These viewers will enjoy a story that has some interesting Easter eggs as well as a deeper look into characters who have been around for years. The rest of the audience will enjoy a thrilling adventure with a high level of style. The most difficult thing for newcomers is if they are inspired to play League of Legends, which is sadly lacking in style and speed that makes the show so successful.
