“Arcane: League of Legends” depicts the story of two sisters who, separated at a young age, reunite only to find themselves on opposing cities and sides, their misunderstandings turning them into bitter enemies. Yet, despite the broken sisterhood between Jinx and Vi, the latest sequel reveals that the unbreakable bond of familial love still lies deeply rooted inside their hearts. For those new to the show, it’s recommended to watch season one first, as spoilers lie ahead.
Starting off right after Jinx’s destructive shot at the Piltover Council, the possibility of a peaceful separation between the underground city of Zaun and the topside city of Piltover is dashed, and war is imminent. Faced with a choice on whose side to stand, Vi makes the tragic decision to become an enforcer for Piltover, the same people who killed her parents, in order to kill her sister. On the other hand, Jinx struggles to find her place alone in this world without her adopted father, Silco.
At the core of it all, Arcane is a story about two sisters, and co-founders Christian Linke and Alex Yee brilliantly crafted the complex love-hate relationship between Vi and Jinx. Despite all the time Vi spent clinging to the hope that Powder wasn’t truly gone, it wasn’t until the second season that she finally called her sister “Jinx.” Yet, whenever they were one step away from killing each other, they would always hesitate–just long enough for something to interrupt.
One key feature of this season was the introduction of some new characters. The introduction of Isha, an orphan from Zaun who becomes a little sister figure to Jinx develops the theme of sisterhood. This creates a clever parallel between Jinx and Vi, and Isha and Jinx, allowing Jinx to experience the role of the older sister.
However, while Isha’s role adds depth to Jinx’s character, the introduction of the enforcers Loris, Maddie and Steb feels rushed and lacks logical development. Loris, in particular, makes his debut lying drunk on the streets, and with just a few lines of dialogue, he’s later unexpectedly part of Piltover’s elite team of enforcers. His sudden appearance, without any backstory or even a name, left many viewers confused, though there is hope his character will be fleshed out in later episodes.
Nevertheless, “Arcane” continues to excel at playing on the reality and expectations of life, depicting a realistic human story shaped by trauma, grief and hope. The show avoids clear-cut heroes, victims, or oppressors, instead delving into the gray areas of human nature, where even the best intentions can lead to heartbreaking outcomes.
This deep exploration of human complexity is complemented by stunning animation, thanks to the animation studio Fortiche’s signature blend of 2D effects and 3D character models. During the funeral scene for enforcer Caitlyn’s mother, 2D hand-drawn charcoal images serve as a backdrop for the 3D characters, amplifying the scene’s emotional weight.
One especially well-crafted scene is the upbeat fight between Sevika, Silco’s right-hand woman, and Smeesh, a Zaunite crime lord. The lively soundtrack of “Renegade (We Never Run)” and “Get Jinxed” complements the flashy sounds of weapons and fists clashing, creating an ironically humorous contrast to the bloody fight unfolding on the screen.
As the story progresses, season two of Arcane shines as the sequel to a barrier breaking animation show, showcasing the complexity of relationships and sisterhood in a war torn world. With more episodes on the horizon, it’s clear that the long wait has not only been worthwhile, but has set the stage for even more stunning animation and storytelling.
Watch the second season of “Arcane: League of Legends” on Netflix.
