Arcane Review

Arcane is a League of Legends prequel series set in the utopian region of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, and the story follows the origins of two iconic League champions and the power that will tear them apart.

Arcane makes an arresting first impression, combining a spectacular mix of 2D and 3D animation with an emotionally compelling story to deliver a video game adaptation that could become legendary.

Arcane boasts a massive world with complex characters you either love to root for or love to hate, a simple yet immersive and layered story, and absolutely gorgeous and groundbreaking animation with a unique visual style. Though it was already starting to crack, this League of Legends adaptation puts the final nail in the coffin of the “video game adaptation curse” by shattering preconceptions of what the animation medium is capable of, delivering a once-in-a-generation masterpiece that is sure to inspire both fans and storytellers alike for years to come. It does all of this all while delivering an exhilarating kick-ass story whether you know the entire history of Runeterra or you're just looking for the next event series.

Based on the lore of League of Legends yet serving as a prequel to many character and story elements from the games, Arcane is set in the city of Piltover and its undercity district of Zaun. Arcane is mostly an upstairs, downstairs story, centering on the brewing tensions and social unrest in Zaun, where people live in harsh conditions and under the constant threat of Piltover's brutal enforcers. From the start, Arcane does a fantastic job of introducing its expansive world full of rich history and lore without bombarding us with exposition by relying on visual storytelling and using easter eggs to hint at a larger world.

Like the games, Arcane does feature a ton of kick-ass action, and here is where the show goes from admirable to outright extraordinary, as it becomes the most stunning piece of animation since Into the Spider-Verse and one hell of an argument for animation as the best medium to adapt video games in. This coupled with the outstanding characters, amazing storytelling and fantastic music creates an masterpiece of entertainment that both fans and non-fans of the game will enjoy!

Our Rating: 5/5

Top or Flop: Top

Watch-O-Meter Rating: "Watch It With Friends!"