There are some spoilers ahead, so proceed with caution.
After a three-year-long wait, Netflix and League of Legends’ Arcane is finally back, capturing the hearts and eyes of viewers with yet another visual feast and gripping story.
Arcane Season 2 Part 1 (the series is divided into three, 3 episode arcs throughout November) leaves off right where the first ended, with the explosion Jinx set off, leaving Piltover in shambles. The council takes a massive hit, and this sets the stage for the rest of Act One and how Topside grapples with the next steps they have to take.
Much of the crown’s weight falls upon Caitlyn Kiramman’s shoulders, as we see from start to finish. But she’s not the only one in charge. We see those in Zaun face a series of decisions and conflicts, trying to determine who belongs in the leader’s seat now that Silco’s gone. Of course, we can never forget about Jinx, but judging from Act One, there’s a slight shift in the air – she might actually have more people on her side now. It’s hard to say how it’ll play out in the rest of the episodes, especially when there’s only six left before the end of the series, but with Jinx, it’s always a tossup and it’s never a bore. Ella Purnell delivers an exceptional performance, and Jinx’s scenes are some of the highlights of Act One.
Other highlights?
We get to see some fun character pairings, like Jayce, Heimerdinger, and Ekko (who’s a personal favorite character, along with Vi!), which is interesting and explains a lot of the unknown lore behind Hextech and the Hexcore. Plus, we meet some new faces, like Maddie, Lest, Loris, Isha, and Steb, some of whom are instant faves.
We also see more of Mel’s mother Ambessa – which brings a heap of questions to the table that will certainly play out, probably devastatingly, in the rest of the acts. We see a new arc for Victor, one that could make a huge impact, especially in the final chapters. And there are even fresh storylines involving magic and power that we still have yet to explore.
The animation is just as breathtaking as in the first installment. The fight sequences and shifts in illustration style will absolutely take your breath away. Everything feels intentional, from the music to the coloring to the way it pulls you in. From the very start, Arcane’s animation has been a sight to behold, and this season 100% delivers.
It’s also impossible to talk about Arcane without touching on one of its most pivotal relationships, the bond between Caitlyn and Vi, otherwise known as Caitvi. Yours truly is a huge Caitvi lover – and it’s safe to say the angst is here to stay this time around. The tension and affection between them is tangible, but they still have ground to cover. This season’s Caitvi can only be described as “what the fuck,” in all senses of the phrase. Episode three is an emotional rollercoaster, everyone. While it may give us something we’re hoping for, it also stabs us right in the back.
Caitlyn’s arc is also going to be a major focus of this season. There are certainly disputes among fans about their relationship going forward and exactly what this means for Caitlyn’s character. This writer is hoping for a redemption and to see the pair get to be happy for once. Is it too much to ask for a happy ending?
This show is full of morally gray characters with varying motivations and limits of how far they’ll go, which makes the series feel extremely vivid and real. Everyone has their own reasons, and we constantly see the characters pulled in different directions and pushed to new heights. Still, it will make you wish that multiple characters get a chance to process their grief, past, and emotions, and that others, who only try their hardest, get to see the pay off in the end.
When Arcane first premiered, it instantly caught the attention of a variety of fans: long-time League of Legends players, animation lovers, and those who enjoy action-packed storytelling featuring strong character dynamics and ships, with the heart to keep up with all of it. That’s what makes Arcane so special. It’s a series that will instantly have its claws in you, right from episode one, and you won’t be able to get enough. Sadly, there are only six more episodes to go, but if this act is anything to go by, it’s going to be an epic final chapter.
