Arcane season two

With its gorgeous animation and heartfelt story about sisterhood, the first season of Arcane proved to be one of the biggest surprises to arrive on Netflix back in 2021. Three years later, season two of this League of Legends spin-off is just as visually spectacular and engrossing as before. If anything, the new plot elements introduced make what’s supposed to be the show’s final season more ambitious this time around.

Following Jinx’s (Ella Purnell) devastating attack on Piltover at the end of the last season, this series’ opening episodes focus on the fallout and grief the heroes have been left with. Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) is struggling to come to terms with her sister’s actions, Jinx is dealing with the loss of her mentor and Caitlyn (Katie Leung) is grieving her mother’s death as the city’s surviving leaders decide on the best course of action to take. There are a lot of narrative plates spinning, but the character-driven script and perfect pace ensure that everything gets the time it needs to develop in consistently engaging ways.

The real star of the show, though, is the animation. Not only does the blend of fantasy and steampunk make for an aesthetically interesting setting, but the level of detail is nothing less than staggering. From rain dripping off Vi’s fingers, the mechanical twitching of a robotic arm or the delicate movement of windchimes, the realism on display makes this world of magic and warring factions feel alive without sacrificing any of its bold artistic vision.

The slick animation consequently makes for some wonderfully stylish action sequences that are as creative as they are thrilling to watch. Although these scenes can overdo it when it comes to slow-motion, they are nevertheless another perfect excuse to show off more stunning visuals. As exciting as the action is, it’s the quieter moments where this season is at its finest. The subtle facial movements add so much expression to the characters, enhancing the already stellar performances of the cast in remarkable ways.

Riot Games have knocked it out the park for Arcane’s second chapter. Though there’s no telling where the remaining episodes will take its central sisters, the sheer quality of the final season so far suggests that there can only be more good things to come.

Andrew Murray

Arcane season two is released on Netflix on 9^th November 2024.

Watch the trailer for Arcane season two here: