After a first season that intricately explored the fractured relationship between sisters Vi and Jinx, the second installment of “Arcane” explodes like Jinx’s grenade – visually stunning, emotional, yet imperfect. Riot Games released the sequel to the Netflix original series Arcane, which brought mostly positive but somewhat mixed reviews.
The second edition continues the original story of the two iconic League of Legends sisters, Jinx and Vi: right after the massacre committed by Jinx to end the first chapter, the second season follows the sister’s complex relationship as it unfolds. Jinx battles a life without Silco, her adopted father whom she accidentally kills, and Vi grapples with the guilt of turning her sister into a “monster.” Simultaneously, these characters get wrapped up in the escalating tension between the utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun, which sets the stage for more drama.
No one can deny the beauty of “Arcane”’s visuals. Considered an artistic masterpiece, the show boasts a unique art style. After a total of nine years of arduous development for this animation, the producers did not disappoint: the intricate blend of 2D and 3D textures proved to be a delicious cupcake for hungry eyes, but the sprinkle of stylized scenes shine as the cherry on top. It is as if you’re transported into a music video, with vibrant punk-style spray paint scenes and intricate moments brought to life with hand-drawn charcoal.
The eclectic art style masterfully blends a stunning color palette that adds depth to the story. “Arcane” highlights a prime example of color symbolism and, notably, the hues violet and navy serve as monumental elements that represent the two sisters. For example, the streak of violet in Powder’s (an alternate reality version of Jinx) hair represents how Vi is always with her. Furthermore, Jinx’s eye color is classified as “violet-blue” and “red violet,” while Vi’s eye color is “powder blue.” This point subtly emphasizes the interconnectedness of the sisters. These nuanced details slowly reveal themselves over time and truly elevate the experience for the viewers.
The artistic variety trickles into the music as the comprehensive choice of soundtracks satisfy viewers. Arcane features a mix of diverse music genres, from the pop song “Enemy” by Imagine Dragons to the Chinese indie song “这样很好 (Isha’s Song)” by Eason Chan. The mix of genres reflects the show’s dynamic narrative, with each style used to accentuate the contrasting emotional arcs of the characters.
For example, the melody of “Isha’s Song” creates a poignant background in an introspective scene where Jinx reflects on her memories with Isha. Its grandiose and emotional melodies translate Jinx’s sorrow and vulnerability. As a result, the audience enjoys a powerful auditory experience alongside the stunning visuals.
The amount of craftsmanship devoted to the animation, along with the film’s record-breaking $250 million budget, left my jaw gaping. Although considered a “financial failure” due to its unprecedented investment, if you ask me, the artistry of the show deserves every last penny of this immense budget. I consider this show much less of a failure than many other productions because Riot produced “Arcane” simply for the sake of creating art. While many other shows take superficial shortcuts to cut down on budget, I appreciate the high quality and intricate visuals of the show.
On a different note, this new season introduces many novel figures, all equipped with dynamic designs. Every character feels humane through the emotional buildup and shared hardships. No character truly deserves hate, (except maybe for Maddie) as all the “antagonists” still display authentic human motives. These motives all stem from personal beliefs and experiences that reflect the reality of their situations.
In this follow-up, Jinx undeniably stands out as the best persona with depth and development. However, only Jinx shined, while others were left in the dust. While the characters boast complexity and potential, the lack of attention to their trauma hinders their growth, which leaves their arcs incomplete.
Specifically, Vi’s story lacked attention. Her emotional damage due to her indirect role in her father’s death, imprisonment for seven years, and her sister’s turn into a killer all demanded serious focus. Instead, Vi became this season’s punching bag. Her past hardships helped build other characters’ arcs, not her own. Simultaneously, this continuation robbed Vi of her witty charisma and reckless nature. This issue extended beyond Vi, as others were overshadowed by the grim plotline, which caused them to sacrifice their original charm to accommodate the plot’s dominating intensity.
This ties back to the primary issue with the sequel – the plot overwhelmed the characters and the viewers. Initially, the storyline maintained a pleasant balance by building on the first season while staying true to the core of the show…until Act 3. Everything established in Act 1 and 2 all came crumbling down, reduced to a “wasteland”, due to the overwhelming plot in the last few episodes.
For example, while the feud between the two sisters lies at the heart of the prequel; however, this intimate dynamic of sisterly love is completely overshadowed through the introduction of the multiverse. This quickly overstimulates the viewer.
Consequently, due to the influx of new information in limited screen time, the series ends abruptly, which leaves the viewers with more questions than answers. Instead of wrapping up the plot, Act 3 adds unnecessary and incomplete plot arcs, which evokes confusion and dissatisfaction.
Despite massive shortcomings, I couldn’t help but appreciate the parallels and references to the first season. The subtle details make the continued saga immensely appealing and leave plenty of room for endless theories and speculations. The more I learn about the show, the more difficult it becomes to find anything to dislike, though its flaws are undeniable.
Although the show falls victim to the curse of many film sequels, especially in terms of pacing and focus, the outstanding audio and heightened visuals carry the series. Check the series out on Netflix and take yourself on an artistic journey.
