“Arcane” is an animated fantasy TV show based off of the characters in the popular video game “League of Legends” — and if you’ve never played “League of Legends” before, don’t let the idea of a movie based off of a video game keep you from this electric adventure into a world of magic and science interwoven with a heart-stirring tale of grief, loss, corruption, and inequality. 

“Arcane” tells the story of two sisters, Powder and Vi, who struggle to survive in the unequal societies of Piltover and Zaun. The sisters live in Zaun, also known as the undercity: a chemically intoxicated city full of crime and danger. The citizens of Zaun live in this near inhospitable environment, while the citizens of Piltover, a majestic city filled with technological and scientific innovation, live in total luxury and comfort. 

Through beautiful animation and artwork, we see both cities come to life and tell their stories to the audience. Zaun becomes iconic for its green, chemical fog, which symbolizes the struggles and inequalities that the citizens of Zaun experience. The audience empathizes with them and the sisters as they try to find their place in a world where only the privileged can live in comfort and safety. 

Meanwhile, the iconic blue Hextech—a form of Piltovian technology— acts as a symbol for the progress and innovation of Piltover. By playing with these symbols and conveying them to viewers with stunning animation and scenery, “Arcane” compels the audience to empathize with both points of view. 

The grandeur of Piltover persuades the audience to cheer on the citizens and characters of Piltover as they strive for progress, prompting the audience to ask themselves “why can’t those ragtag Zaunites just get themselves together and stay out of Piltover’s business?” On the other hand, the chemical-drenched scenes of Zaun serve as a reminder that society isn’t that easy. It makes the audience suddenly switch sides and empathize with the people of Zaun and their struggles with living in an unequal, oppressive society. “Arcane” has a masterful way of displaying the dynamic, complex society of Piltover and Zaun, while enticing the audience to view the society from multiple perspectives through striking animation. 

The journey through Piltover and Zaun includes a wide variety of characters, each with their own unique histories. From the beginning, Vi, a hot-headed, temperamental teenager, fiercely protects her loved ones. Powder, Vi’s younger sister, battles her feelings of inadequacy and her desire to prove her worth to the world. Vander, Vi and Powder’s guardian, takes them into his home after the loss of the sisters’ parents. Vander struggles to create a safe place for Powder and Vi while helping them navigate through the troubles that they encounter in Zaun. 

The show also highlights numerous characters from Piltover and tracks their journey through the complex society of Piltover and Zaun. Jayce, a bright, determined, egotistical inventor, revolutionizes Piltover with his creation of Hextech. Viktor, a kind-hearted, disabled scientist from Zaun, helps Jayce create his Hextech invention while grappling with his disability and sickness. Caitlyn, the studious, by-the-book daughter of the prestigious Kiramman family and a police officer in Piltover, struggles against her parents’ doubts while also trying to protect Piltover from threats lurking in the undercity. This doesn’t even touch the surface of the diverse cast of characters in “Arcane,” and they all manage to simultaneously steal and share the spotlight with each other in every scene. Every single character, even those with little screen time, manages to tell their own unique story through non-verbal and verbal interactions with other characters and with their environment. 

“Arcane” includes characters of a wide variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds, and it highlights LGBTQ relationships between characters. Many characters in “Arcane” frequently break typical fantasy gender stereotypes in a way that feels empowering to the audience. For example, Vi breaks the stereotypical female in the fantasy genre, who tend to play  supportive roles for their male counterparts. Rather, Vi’s explosive and fearless personality lets her shine on her own without relying on other characters. “Arcane” and its diverse cast empower and embrace unique identities, rather than shying away from them as the fantasy genre has done in the past. 

Although “Arcane” boasts fantastic animation and compelling characters, there is one more aspect of “Arcane” that rounds out the show in a striking way: the music. Consisting of 11 songs, the soundtrack of “Arcane” is the final piece of the puzzle that makes “Arcane” a spectacular show. The soundtrack features many different genres, such as hip hop, rap, ‘80s music, and slowcore, and also showcases a multitude of famous singers, ranging from Imagine Dragons to Denzel Curry. Songs like “Goodbye” by Ramsey and “What Could Have Been” by Sting and Ray Chen accompany some of the most impactful scenes of the show, and these slow, morose songs tug at the heartstrings of the audience during these scenes to create unforgettable moments.  

“Arcane” has received tremendous reception from the audience and critics alike, even from audience members who don’t play “League of Legends.” “Arcane” boasts an astonishing 100% average Tomatometer score and a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. “Arcane” has also received 9 Annie awards in various categories, and they are well-deserved. Through masterful storytelling, vivid animation, detailed characters, and a soul-stirring soundtrack, “Arcane” tells a vibrant and moving story unlike any other. 

“Arcane” is available to stream on Netflix.