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Arcane Season 2, Act 1 And 2 (Netflix) – Review

This review is based on the first six episodes of Arcane Season 2. 

Fortune doesn’t always favour the bold, but when French animation studio Fortiche came bursting, full of life, into the scene with Arcane in 2021, it proved that video game adaptations can strike gold too. The nine-episode series, based on Riot Games’ League of Legends, drove the proverbial nail into the coffin of the animation adaptation curse, by weaving together a visually arresting art style, pulsating action, rich characterisation, and a gripping narrative, opening up a new way of looking at, consuming, and creating animation based on a video game. 

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It’s an impressive feat that commands more respect than usual as not only does it need to satisfy the existing fanbase, the show also has the unenviable task of reeling in newcomers and making it work for them as well. The risk yielded a handsome payoff, securing a double victory and cementing itself as one of the best masterpieces in recent history.

Expectations are unsurprisingly sky-high for its sequel, but the team remains unfazed. Arcane Season 2 presents a ripe opportunity for bold ambitions to go even bolder, bigger, and beautifully messier, feeding into the whopping US$250 million cost across both outings. The first two acts, spanning six episodes out of nine, are quick to affirm that Fortiche’s success is far from a fluke, yet again exhibiting a breathtaking display of unbridled creativity and passion. If anything, this hotly anticipated return paints a promising and strong run-up to closing the tragic tale of two sisters, seeking to redefine its boundaries along the way. 

The emotional punch is firmly felt from the outset. Opening in media res, Act 1 picks up in the explosive aftermath of its predecessor after Jinx (Ella Purnell, Fallout) launches her rocket at the Piltover council, escalating tensions between topside and Zaun. The stakes are higher than ever before – an all-out war is brewing, animosity and hatred have hit the roof, dead bodies continue to pile up, and tyranny and authoritarianism lurk in the shadows. 

Like before, this political landscape is set against the central conflict between Jinx and Vi (Hailee Steinfeld, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), alongside character stories that now have more room to grow. Most, if not all, of the major cast has been changed by Jinx’s actions, in one way or another, with Caitlyn (Katie Leung, Harry Potter series) bearing the brunt of transformation. The shooting ace, now wrapped in grief, guilt, and anger, is a husk of her former self, all dead-eyed stare, sharp-tongued barb, and revenge-driven motivations.

It’s a jarring and arguably interesting leap from the starry-eyed, compassionate do-gooder in Season 1, and Leung pulls it off deftly. Subtle or buried emotions are purposefully conveyed through inflections, stresses, and other expressive cues, effectively showcasing a sense of versatility that didn’t really get to shine previously. The voice acting lends itself perfectly to the nuanced storytelling, where the lines between heroes and villains are blurred, and individual motivations are understandable but not necessarily justified. In both acts, Caitlyn oozes a strong screen presence, and it’s difficult to tear your eyes away from her spiralling behaviour – even as it sparks frustration, shock, and despair. 

Then there’s Jinx, whom Purnell brings to life with great fervour. In Arcane Season 2, the blue-haired Zaunite finds a new companion in Isha, a young and presumably mute orphan from the undercity, and has to step into the unfamiliar role of a guardian, which of course, is a neat reference to and a reversal of the sibling motif. The duo’s dynamics puts a humanising spin on Jinx’s character, introducing more complexity into an already compelling portrayal and accentuated through her interactions with Sevika (Amirah Vann, How To Get Away With Murder), Silco’s right-hand woman. Jinx continues to be the standout here, and for good reason.

Vi, the shared link between the pair, also gets her fair share of VIP moments. Stricken with guilt and self-hatred, the brawler is shrouded in vulnerability that crests in the third episode, setting up the stage for a more focused arc in Act 2. As with the first season, Steinfeld demonstrates dexterity at conveying the smallest of details, from the unstable warble of her voice and a choked sob to a frustrated snarl. The coarse, gravelly tones bear the same charm as before, and there’s a gut-wrenching rawness to her screams and release of pent-up emotions. 

[MAJOR STORY SPOILERS FOR ACT 2 AHEAD! Please proceed with caution.]

If Act 1 represents the fragmentation of siblinghood, Act 2 seeks to piece it back together. One of the show’s best parts is the reunion of Vi and Jinx with a not-so-secret character: Warwick, alternatively known as the sisters’ foster dad Vander. It’s a fragile respite from their tragic tale and offers a much-needed flicker of hope, reinforcing the theme of family and drawing allusions to their shared past. 

[END OF SPOILER]

While it’s only natural for Caitlyn, Vi, and Jinx to get the spotlight, the increased attention on Mel (Toks Olagundoye, The Neighbors) comes as a pleasant surprise. The aristocrat has a way larger role to play in Arcane Season 2, especially with her estranged mother Ambessa (Ellen Thomas, EastEnders) pulling the political strings, joining Viktor (Harry Lloyd, Game of Thrones) in stepping out of the shadows. 

But something’s got to give. The priority given to certain characters and subplots in the opening act, including Caitlyn and Vi’s relationship, means others like Ekko (Reed Shannon, The Wilds, Jayce (Kevin Alejandro, Lucifer), and Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness) are sidelined for the most part. For fans of these characters, the inadequate focus can be a little frustrating.

The pacing, too, feels a little rushed at times. As there’s a lot to unpack in the six episodes, happenings often zip by at a breakneck pace, resulting in abridged explanations and scenes, as well as underdeveloped character arcs. The addition of new faces also raises the question of their roles in the narrative, which already appears to be crammed with ambition, while ideas that have gained momentum fizzle out before they can take form. Considering how there’s the final act left, however, these loopholes will likely be addressed sooner than later, and it’d certainly be interesting to see everything come together eventually. 

Like its predecessor, Arcane Season 2 doesn’t require a prior understanding of League of Legends lore and eases viewers into the pace of things, though not as smoothly as before. For one, the dense pilot episode necessitates a quick recap of sorts, especially since it wastes no time in reacquainting viewers with the world after a three-year gap. The overwhelming sensation is hardly alleviated by new jargon pulled from the source material, such as Noxus and the Black Rose, alongside an emphasis on the origins of the Hextech and its connection to the Arcane. Fortunately for newcomers, the show finds its footing by the second episode. 

These small hiccups are but mere scratches on an otherwise impenetrable armour, where the lows still lie beyond the reach of many works. At its very best, Arcane Season 2 is a resplendent canvas of striking colours, hybrid animation-slash-filming techniques, and fluid motion. It lives and breathes art, making small tweaks to the opening credits of each episode, and then their respective starting sequences. Episode 1, for instance, dips the screen in charcoal strokes, accompanied by purple-kissed flowers in specific scenes. 

Similarly, the third outing adopts a waterpaint styling that takes after the comic book flair, while Episode 4 switches out the palette for a stop-motion blend that transitions neatly into the next scene. This impressive attention to detail flows freely in its veins, translating well into emotional displays like subtle facial expressions, tense body language, and perhaps the most amazing of all, eye movements. Not everyone is able to convey a mix of grief, anger, and guilt through them, but Fortiche passes with flying colours. 

For League of Legends players, a clever Ekko easter egg can be found in the opening song sequence, where the silhouette of a clock hand – a nod to his time-based abilities in the game – is included within the frame. Literary enthusiasts, meanwhile, may recognise what seems to be a Macbeth reference at Caitlyn’s part in the opening, and it’s a meaningful touch that has a lot of thought put into it.

The animation guarantee also carries over to action sequences, which continue to be one of its strongest suits. Arcane Season 2 makes it easy to bask in the adrenaline rush, chronicling delightful, thrilling battles through rapid-fire quick cuts and layered with energetic soundtracks. Bare-knuckled brawling has a raw, visceral weight to it, while suspense-filled moments promise high-strung tension. Even in its slower or lull moments, there’s plenty to love about its music, from Linkin Park’s “Heavy is the Crown” to Marcus King’s “Sucker”. 

It remains to be seen if the highly-anticipated sequel will address some of its loose plot threads and character arcs in Act 3, but the first six episodes have delivered in all the ways that matter. As individual characters get their turn in the spotlight, the narrative stays rooted in gripping political intrigue, rich, complex characterisations, and delicious angst, topped off with once-in-a-generation animation glory. More than just an ambitious undertaking, it dishes out the staunch reminder that the best kind of art is fuelled by raw sincerity and a true love for the craft – a timely and much-needed message in this age of artificial intelligence fabulism. 

Act 1 and 2 of Arcane Season 2 are now streaming on Netflix, with the final act debuting on 23 November. 

GEEK REVIEW SCORE

Summary

Arcane Season 2 is a visual tour de force in the making, proving more-than-worthy of continuing a beloved tale of two sisters. From explosive action and stunning animation to exceptional voice performance, it finds itself in the pantheon of animated greats yet again – unless Act 3 ends up under-delivering, which doesn’t look likely.

Overall
9/10
9/10
  • Story - 9/10
    9/10
  • Direction - 9/10
    9/10
  • Characterisation - 9/10
    9/10
  • Geek Satisfaction - 9/10
    9/10