Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Arcane season 1.Netflix has been pushing the boundaries of adult animation for many years, especially within the fantasy genre. However, one TV show stands apart: the iconic League of Legends spinoff, Arcane. Though it only has one season, Arcane has never diminished in popularity or acclaim since its premiere in 2021. Though it's a video game adaptation, Arcane doesn't alienate viewers who've never played League of Legends while simultaneously staying true to the spirit of the games. Following the story of the sisters Vi and Jinx, Arcane features a cohesive visual aesthetic and memorable action sequences, providing something for every viewer.
There's plenty of speculation about season 2 will end, and since this will be the final season, the pressure is on for the series to deliver a satisfying conclusion. However, since Arcane season 1 still holds a perfect critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it's surprising that the show is ending after the second season. The wait for Arcane season 2 has been long, but it seems the result will be well worth it. If Arcane season 2 is as successful as the first outing, this makes it even more disappointing that it will be the final season.
Arcane Is Netflix's Best Animated Fantasy TV Show (But It's Only Getting 2 Seasons)
This raises questions about Netflix's other animated projects
Of all Netflix's animated fantasy series, Arcane is by far the best, and the critical reception and rating reflect this. Usually, when a series is as acclaimed as Arcane, networks and streaming services will ensure that the series gets the most possible seasons. The fact that Arcane won't be coming back after the installment breaks with the typical trends of television production. If Arcane season 1 had failed to generate enough interest to warrant an investment in further seasons, the show's conclusion would make sense, but this is far from the case.
Purnell's other recent video game TV series, Fallout, has established her as the go-to for bringing video game characters to life, but Arcane was one of the first of the genre to be taken seriously. The essential conflict between Jinx and Vi is what drives the story forward. The sisters' pain and disagreement about how to handle it causes a rift that only goes deeper as the series progresses. The season 2 trailer hints at even more conflict and intrigue within the story's world and promises a shocking end to Vi and Jinx's narrative.
Season |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
1 |
100% |
96% |
Several other acclaimed Netflix animated shows operate in similar niches, like Love, Death, & Robots, Castlevania, or the recent Blue Eye Samurai. However, Arcane blows away the competition because of the innovative style and storytelling of the show. Additionally, the voice actors for Vi and Jinx, Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, are only two examples of how the cast manages to balance the ferocity of the emotional realism required of the characters. Arcane is defined by its incredible action sequences, as in the games, but it's memorable because of the character dynamics.
Why Arcane Is Ending With Season 2
The series' creators have a good reason for saying goodbye to Arcane
Though Netflix has canceled popular TV shows in the past, Arcane is not ending for that reason. Christian Linke, a series creator, along with Alex Yee, has spoken about how Arcane is ending with season 2 because the series' story is naturally concluding (via Netflix). Based on his comments, it seems likely that though Arcane's particular narrative arc has reached its end, it's not the end of TV shows in the League of Legends universe. After the escalation in the war between Jinx and Vi in season 1, season 2 will play out their conflict for better or worse.
Arcane season 2 will be released on Netflix on November 9th, 16th, and 23rd.
In some ways, ending a show before it gets old and going out on a high note can only help Arcane's legacy. There are two many examples of series that start strong but go on for too long, making the last few story arcs lack urgency and stakes. It would be terrible for this to happen to Arcane, as the show is held in such high regard. However, two seasons is an exceptionally short run, even for an animated series. It's likely that audiences would have kept up with Arcane for many years if it had continued.
Arcane's World-Building Holds The Potential For So Many More Seasons
Thanks to the existing lore of the video games, Arcane could go on for a long time
How best magic systems in fantasy shows. Using this system, Arcane explores a universal story of subjugation and revolution in its episodes.
The parallel stories of Vi and Jinx in Piltover and the undercity are a facet of the larger machinations at work within the universe.
Vi and Jinx aren't the only compelling characters in Arcane, and the fate of the cities will be the deciding factor in the future of the Arcane universe. The parallel stories of Vi and Jinx in Piltover and the undercity are a facet of the larger machinations at work within the universe. Jayce's exploration of new technologies and his work on the council are all up in the air after the season 1 cliffhanger that saw Jinx attack the council and kill Silco. New powers are sure to rise and fall as the characters grapple with the aftermath of this.
Arcane Season 2 Just Teased Its Darkest Fight Yet (& It’s Not Vi Vs. Jinx)
Arcane has plenty of exciting fights including the long-awaited Vi vs. Jinx battle, but season 2 just teased its darkest showdown yet.
Audiences have been waiting a long time for this open-ended finale to be resolved. The gap between Arcane seasons 1 and 2, almost three full years, demonstrates one of the issues with the intricately animated series that Netflix is known for. It takes time for these incredible stories to be brought to life through the animation medium, and this can make it difficult to sustain them for many seasons. However, Arcane has not yet had this problem. The series fully developed a complex society and story arc within one season, making it clear that the show's formula was sustainable.
Netflix Should Green-Light Arcane Spinoffs If Season 2 Is Successful
If Arcane season 2 has the same great reception, Netflix should make room for sequels
Critics and audiences alike praised the storytelling, worldbuilding, and visuals of Arcane, and much of this could easily be translated into a new series. Since Linke has already hinted at this future in his conversation about the end of Arcane, new shows within the League of Legends universe could be coming soon. However, the reception of Arcane season 2 must be taken into consideration. Based on how beloved season 1 is, there likely isn't anything to worry about, but this also puts pressure on the show to raise the stakes even more from the first installment.
An Arcane spinoff could focus on many different aspects of the story or characters within the world. The success of Arcane is similar to the other great video game TV shows that have been taking over the television sphere. How season 2 ends will determine what characters and storylines could be explored in potential spinoffs, and the creators have plenty of interesting people and narratives to choose from. As the next season concludes the tale of Vi and Jinx, additional character arcs will rise to prominence within the series.
Arcane
- Release Date
- 2021 - 2024
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Christian Linke
Cast
Jinx
WHERE TO WATCH
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
- Directors
- Barth Maunoury, Marietta Ren, Christelle Abgrall
- Writers
- Amanda Overton, Nick Luddington, Mollie Bickley St. John, Ben St. John, Giovanna Sarquis, Henry G.M. Jones
- Franchise(s)
- League of Legends
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
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