It’s been three years since we noticed Jinx’s Tremendous Mega Dying Rocket hurtle in direction of Piltover’s council chambers, the place Jayce, Mel, and their friends had gathered to provoke peace with the blossoming Republic of Zaun. It’s been three years since we watched Caitlyn and Vi wrestle to come back to phrases with their affection for each other regardless of their societal variations, and Vi’s persistent hope that, in some way, Powder may very well be redeemed. And, after all, it’s been three years since Jinx murdered Silco in a match of rage, destabilizing the Undercity and, by proxy, all the Arcane universe. We’ve all been ready to see what comes subsequent, however, for me, there’s been some critical trepidation: how can Riot and Fortiche make a second – and closing – season that rivals the primary? I’ve been involved, I received’t lie, particularly within the wake of such a turbulent yr for League of Legends and Riot as a complete. Fortunately, after watching the primary six episodes, my issues have been abated: Arcane Season 2 could outdo its predecessor.
Please word that there are main plot spoilers from right here on in: learn at your individual danger.
Our story begins within the dusty ruins of the council chambers. It’s chaos: smog hangs within the air as smoke belches from raging fires. Jayce’s eyes flicker upwards to a disoriented Mel. They rise, clad in white and stained with dust, grime, and ash – the eerie, toothy smile painted on Jinx’s rocket leering at them from the background. Three council members are lifeless: the odd, Steampunk-style creature Bolbok, the ever-arrogant Hoskel, and Cassandra Kiramman, Caitlyn’s mom. Shoola emerges from the particles, her ticking golden necklace stuttering forwards and backwards. Enforcers wrestle to drag Salo from beneath the rubble, his legs shattered. League of Legends Arcane Season 2 begins with an announcement of intent: it’s taking no prisoners.
As Ambessa coordinates the following rescue, Jayce notices the physique of Viktor, his accomplice in crime, trapped beneath some boulders. He scoops him into his arms like a brother, charging straight for his or her laboratory the place the Hexcore sits twisting, spiking, and vibrating. Viktor is lifeless, however purple gentle begins to ooze from his physique, connecting him to this ominous ball of cosmic vitality. As Jayce raises the Hexcore above his fallen good friend, it assimilates into Viktor’s physique in a flash of white gentle. The scene fades to black, and Think about Dragons’ oh-so-familiar Enemy begins to play. We don’t know what the repercussions of that selection are, nevertheless it’s hardly a secret that it’s more likely to finish badly.
The titles give approach to a picture of Cassandra Kiramman’s coffin, with violet flower petals surrounding her. Because the digicam pans out, the scene modifications, targeted on a coloured model of Caitlyn framed by sketchy, stationary backgrounds illuminated in a ghostly monochrome hue. The funeral performs out round her; pallid Enforcers lay her mom’s gold and white coffin to relaxation whereas a totally coloured Vi stares on the wreckage her sister prompted. However Caitlyn doesn’t cry; she watches as they take the coffin away in stoic, emotional silence. The colour returns round her, and we see her mom’s seat on the council chambers, shattered and damaged – a reminder of Jinx’s crimes.
Whereas the primary episode’s motion is, after all, fast-paced and enthralling, this particular scene struck a chord with me. Maybe it’s as a result of, as I write this, I’m additionally grieving, and perceive the sensation of the world standing nonetheless round me; the sensation of movement and chatter turning into static and fuzzy. It’s a singular, two-minute scene in a sequence outlined by its emotion, simply as it is a single occasion in my 28 years of dwelling, nevertheless it resonated so closely that I’d be remiss to disregard it. On this single second, Arcane Season 2 set itself above its predecessor for me; in some methods, I believe it possibly even helped me grieve.
However this isn’t the one time Fortiche mixes up Arcane’s animation fashion. Episodes usually start with distinctive visuals, with Episode 3 (Lastly Obtained the Identify Proper) kicking off with an motion sequence that flits between comicbook-style artwork and conventional brown, sketched vellum. There are extra of those because the season progresses (I’m not going to spoil them, don’t fear), however they provide Season 2 a singular aptitude that builds on Season 1’s iconic fashion.
These sequences are soundtracked by banger after banger; fairly actually, there hasn’t been a foul monitor in Arcane Season 2 to this point. In comparison with the primary season, nonetheless, it feels extra experimental – there’s conventional choral music, then hardcore, grungy rap. The place Enemy considerably outlined Season 1, I can’t fairly select my favourite of Season 2.
By way of storytelling, this season has leveled up, too – one thing I believed was genuinely inconceivable. Because the story progresses, poster character Ambessa shortly presents herself because the sequence’ main antagonist, however the place Jinx is overtly chaotic, Ambessa silently pulls the strings. Whereas she saves the day at a memorial occasion for Piltover’s fallen councilors, you possibly can’t assist however get the sense that she’s extra of a foe than a good friend. Maybe that’s Mel’s fixed warnings, however one thing appears a little bit peculiar about our newfound savior – Noxxians aren’t precisely recognized for his or her charity, in any case.
However one thing’s plaguing our mother-daughter duo: a mysterious collective whose hallmark seems to be a magical black rose. Avid followers of the sport’s lore will know precisely who this factors to (particularly given the unique ‘associated champions’ part of Ambessa’s League of Legends bio web page), and if mentioned particular person does certainly present as much as trigger chaos, I’ll genuinely scream.
However within the meantime, Ambessa continues to tighten her grasp on Piltover. The assault on the memorial funeral prompts Caitlyn to kind a strike group, which she leads into Zaun to snuff out Jinx and restore order. Her plan revolves round a sequence of vents – designed by her household – that filter out the noxious Undercity fumes and make the air breathable for its inhabitants. As she flicks by means of an digital vellum stuffed with schematics, a piano model of the 2024 League of Legends Worlds music, Heavy is the Crown, laments quietly within the background. However as every part comes collectively, it slowly transitions into Linkin Park’s model with some added orchestra. She stands earlier than the remaining council members and guarantees to seek out Jinx and convey her to justice, mirroring the sport’s inside age-old saga of sheriff vs legal. It’s a robust scene, dropped at life by some musical majesty, and I believe I rewatched it three or 4 occasions earlier than lastly transferring on.
However there’s a definite lack of Jinx in Arcane Season 2’s early episodes. Retreating to the solace of her workshop together with her new urchin good friend Isha, our blue-haired bombshell is comparatively quiet in Act 1. As a substitute, the newly resurrected Viktor establishes himself because the Undercity’s pariah, laced with eerie, honeycomb-like Hexcore that seems to cleanse folks of their illnesses. Jayce, now reunited together with his former instructor Heimerdinger and the tech-savvy Ekko, takes a deep dive into the guts of the Undercity, the place the principle Hextech vault is positioned. To their shock, nonetheless, the Hextech has mutated right into a Hexcore, now referred to as The Anomaly, and it’s unstable.
The place Jinx and Silco are lovably roguish villains in Arcane Season 1, the second season has larger stakes. The battle isn’t black and white: Piltover isn’t the dangerous man, and neither is Zaun; Ambessa is outwardly hostile, however what’s taking place with Viktor? Myriad threats lurk within the background, coveting Jayce and Viktor’s Hextech expertise. The place Season 1 is the proper introduction to the world of League of Legends, Season 2 showcases the dimensions and risks of Runeterra. There are even passing mentions of Janna, one in all my favourite help champions, and it’s these little touches that, for me, put Season 2 forward of its predecessor.
However, after all, there’s the motion you’ve all been ready for. A dull rock carving of Janna oversees the large, concluding battle between Jinx and Vi, gazing disapprovingly on the defilement of her sanctum. On the similar time, The Anomaly begins to work together with Caitlyn and Vi’s Hextech weapons, sending colourful, neon sparks spilling throughout the display screen because the combat progresses. The darkness is juxtaposed completely with the Hexcore’s corrupt magic, and because the combat ends and Janna’s mural is struck down, a vicious gust of wind tears by means of the chamber; yet one more reminder that Runeterra is an enormous, dwelling world. As one battle is resolved, one other begins, and people eerie snippets of Singed’s lab and the wolf-like monstrosity he’s engaged on trace at what comes subsequent.
And that’s what Arcane Season 2 does so effectively. I nervous that we’d merely see 9 episodes of Jinx and Vi going forwards and backwards. As a substitute, there’s a wholesome variety of interweaving strands and machinations that pave the way in which for some critically thrilling twists and turns. Is Viktor the dangerous man, or Ambessa? What’s the Black Rose doing in Piltover, and can [redacted] make an look? Are these fan theories about Vander being concerned in Singed’s experiments right? Act 1 leaves you on a cliffhanger the place the chances really feel countless. After three hours on the sofa gazing my TV in awe, all I can say is that I need extra.
