Arcane Season 1 (2021) has been lauded as one of the greatest video game adaptations of all time, resulting in the hit Netflix series winning 4 Primetime Emmy awards including; ‘Outstanding Animated Program’. Voice acting talent within the series boasts a diverse range of experience and stardom, yet all deliver career leading performances. Hailee Steinfeld (Into the Spider-Verse) stars as lead character Violet, Vi for short, and her on-screen psychotic sister Jinx is voiced by Ella Purnell, most commonly known for her breakout roles in Yellowjackets (2021) and as Lucy in Prime’s Fallout (2024) series. The high-tempo and nail-biting energy of Season 1 encapsulated audiences from across the globe, and after a three year hiatus, Season 2 delivers an animation and storytelling achievement even better than the first. This review was written after viewing Episodes 1 – 6 of Arcane Season 2 & contains spoilers for Arcane Season 1.
Canon to the record-breaking League of Legends videogame series, Arcane follows a vast array of politicians and criminal misfits, individually showcasing a struggle for power and survival between the utopian Piltover and the oppressed underground city of Zaun. Season 1 ends with those of political influence in Piltover, known as The Council, agreeing terms for peace with the underground following the threat of war and dangerous unrest. However, such meeting is brought to an abrupt end thanks to Jinx (Ella Purnell) exploding The Council’s meeting room, an act fuelled by her ferocious insanity and heightened by the loss of father figure and the underground’s leader Silco (Jason Spisak) at her own hands.
Described as the final chapter, Season 2 opens with the aftermath of such destruction, picking up immediately where audiences were left in both story and tempo. We find the survivors of the explosion grieving, holding funerals, erecting statues and navigating their complex emotions. Audiences will find Piltover anguished by Jinx’s chaotic tendencies and demanding that true justice is finally sought, with the proposed peace treaty no longer a viable option, leaving only war on the table. Continuing where audiences ended 3 years ago with such a fast-acting pacing is a masterclass stroke from the writers of Arcane, reflecting the increasingly breathtaking storytelling throughout the final season.
The continuation of Vi, Jinx and Caitlyn’s (Katie Leung) plot is truly captivating, and whilst no character possesses tedious storylines, this trio is by far the highlight of Season 2. Exploring the bold realisation that her sister’s actions are unforgivably demented, Vi is encouraged by Caitlyn to finally take down Jinx. Viewers have likely sympathised with Jinx despite her actions, after all, she was the product of ill-motivated manipulation by the devious Silco. Such viewers will be delighted with her arc throughout Season 2, as Purnell spectacularly injects Jinx with an increasingly festering self-belief, thanks to the inclusion of Isha – an orphan who quickly becomes familiar the blue-haired maniac. Such introduction allows Jinx’s already emotionally profound writing to become this empowering tale of self-growth. However, redemption is still a strong word to use and doesn’t reflect the jaw-dropping conflict that occurs.
Arcane Season 2 is a fantastic achievement of streaming thanks to the seeds of doubt planted in Season 1, of which are now allowed to blossom into their own sub-plots, intertwining with the overarching story when necessary. Jayce’s character arc is a prime example, with his narrative changes between seasons being influenced heavily by surviving the explosion, evolving from a curiously naive scientist into a decisive leader challenged with making the difficult decisions. Whilst his core principles remain true throughout, the complications he faces encourages bold character development leading to a conclusion that he may have once fought against. Such is the same with almost all characters throughout Season 2, with Ambessa Medarda (Ellen Thomas) being one of the few to maintain a consistent narrative. But even then, her motivations are infused with a mysterious layer of depth that prevents the fear-mongering warlord’s story from stagnating.
Describable as nothing less than visually inventive, Season 2 exceeds expectations on all fronts, delivering a sensational blend of 2D and 3D animation that redefines what was previously perceived as possible in every corner of the screen. Where some projects may fall flat in specific lighting, Arcane is brought to life thanks to the tireless work of French animation studio Fortiche, who impose an impossible challenge upon the industry to best the extreme talent they behold. Fight sequences are elevated by the magical glow of mystic weaponry in dark rooms, blue and red hues race along the walls at every strike and blow, explosions are infused with a catastrophic aura, and the purple shine of the techmaturgical drug ‘shimmer’ glows the veins of its abusers. Considering the high bar that was self-imposed in Season 1, it is a magnificent wonder that Season 2 provides audiences with such an exhilarating treat.
Whilst Arcane Season 2 expands upon the Hexcore mystery and newly established friendships, there are a few minor criticisms that arise, including the many sub-plots despite a two-season limitation. Season 1 provided audiences with an underlying class metaphor, showing moments where the impoverished underground merely acts in a violent manner as a means to survive, but at their core never gave up their own and beheld genuine community values. Alongside moments of gluttonous and corrupt rich in Piltover, this allowed for the parties to be written with a conflict outside of the typical Good vs Evil, with the definition being much looser. Unfortunately, Season 2 quickly abandons these perspectives, imposing a much more streamlined approach of the underground/Jinx merely being evil. Additionally, the passage of time and separation of Acts 1-2 could be better reflected for those bingeing in full. Albeit none of these criticisms distract from Arcane’s brazen quality.
Overall, Arcane Season 2 is a monumental achievement in such a passionately designed world full of rich characters brimming with personality and backstory. The standout performance again comes from Purnell who is simply electric as Jinx, injecting the lavish narrative with a controversial villain that bears a resemblance to the Joker/Harley Quinn. Arcane Season 2 is Netflix’s best animated project yet, and fans will adore the new release for being an epic conclusion to a legendary series.
Arcane Season 2 Act I premieres November 9th, Act II premieres November 16th and Act III premieres on November 23rd.
