On November 23, the streaming platform Netflix finished showing the second season of the hyped animated series «Arcane», the plot of which is based on the universe of the MOBA video game League of Legends. We previously reported that the two seasons cost the creators $250 million, making this project the most expensive animated series in history. In the review below, we will find out what interesting things were prepared for viewers in the second and final season of the hit show.
Pluses:
a well-developed universe with a lot of interesting storylines and characters; outstanding animation; exciting development of events and conflicts;
Minuses:
Sometimes the story gallops too fast across Europe; small plot roughnesses that cannot affect the overall impression;
«Arcane»
Genre animated adventure action, science fiction, fantasy
Showrunners Christian Linke, Alex Yee
Voice acting by Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung, Harry Lloyd, Toks Olagundoye, Mick Wingert, Minnie Driver
Premiere Netflix
Year of release 2024
Website IMDb
After Jinx launched a rocket at the Council of Piltover at the end of the first season, it becomes clear that the escalation of the conflict with Zaun is inevitable. Clouds over the once thriving upper city are thickening, and the presence of the determined Mel’s Medarda — Ambessa doesn’t contribute to peace either.
Meanwhile, Caitlyn, whose mother died in a fatal explosion, leads a squad that launches a hunt for Jinx. The latter gradually becomes a real symbol of resistance, although, later, an unexpected turn will force her to cross paths with her sister Vi again. In a situation where both have already buried any hope of reunion, each of them will have to decide what role she will play in the decisive battle for the future.
When the first season of «Arcane» premiered on Netflix three years ago, in November 2021, it sensationally became a real big hit. It was designed not only for fans of the gamer universe, but also for viewers far from the passions of the online battle arena. But one thing is to reach the top, and quite another is to stay on it in the face of new challenges. Well, now we can breathe a sigh of relief: the show’s creators have coped. And not only were they able not to spoil the achievements of the first season, but in some aspects they even multiplied them.
The universe in which the events take place still seems as lively and vibrant as possible in the format of animation. And as for the passions that are raging inside it — it is simply impossible not to get excited about them; in this context, the second season looks more dynamic, richer in events, and the stakes here are noticeably increasing.
From the first episode, the authors take the bull by the horns and make it clear that an unforgettable spectacle awaits us, as no one here plans to warm up the audience for a long time. The mournful Piltover’s will hardly have time to mourn the dead properly, as they will have to fight the squad of the chem baroness Rennie, who wants to take revenge on Jayce for the death of her son. In addition to the fact that this wicked woman seems to be possessed by the spirit of Bubba Sawyer (the corresponding sawing tool is included), the culmination of the action scene will be charged with a good suspense.
And the episode itself will end under a lyrically remixed track Heavy Is the Crown from the fresh album «From Zero» by Linkin Park, which got a new vocalist, Emily Armstrong (write in the comments how you like the latest LP, who has already managed to listen). The song itself, by the way, became the main musical theme of this year’s League of Legends World Championship.
But the creators of the show are not going to stop at all: every episode here is a splash of emotions, passions, fascinating events. In a word, a real holiday, and sometimes with a bright fireworks display, thanks to Jinx’s pranks. The debut series sets a good mood for further viewing, so that the following episodes are literally swallowed up in a gulp.
It is noticeable that the local universe has absorbed many elements or plot twists from other genre projects. Then before the viewer will appear a plot line, as if inspired by the arc from the adaptation of another game, namely — «Resident Evil: Apocalypse» (2004) with the complex relationships of Nemesis and Alice there. Then local adventures, conflicts, or characters will remind of the vicissitudes of superhero blockbusters, in particular, about Ultron (or Victor von Doom?), wandering the multiverse and so on. Then in the frame will appear a chimeric post-apocalyptic aesthetics in the spirit of «Annihilation» (2018) by Alex Garland. Then in the final episode, a painfully cliched turn will flash.
But magically, as each familiar detail separately, and all together, they do not cause despair due to secondariness. On the contrary, they coexist wonderfully, offering a special setting, and fit perfectly into the story as a whole. This is facilitated by a narrative filled with powerful events and tension, as well as the evolution of characters.
What can I say about the expressive animation style that was remembered from the first season. Every frame is accurate, every scratch on the face is tangible, and the color filling pleasantly pampers the eye. At the same time, music video inserts or a change of animation style at special moments (for example, when a character remembers something important) exist not just for visual pleasure, although they are excellent at this level, but really work for the story. This is worth a lot.
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