The new episodes of Arcane are now available on Netflix. The editor-in-chief of MeinMMO has devoured them and is amazed at how mature the series is in relation to League of Legends. It goes beyond graphic violence. This makes the series even better for her.
When the first three episodes of Arcane were released, I proclaimed to the world: “Arcane is the best video game adaptation of all time” – that was a dangerous and strong superlative, as I couldn’t possibly know where the series would develop.
After watching Act 2, the series confirmed me once again. With the characters, the series grows as well. Arcane becomes more mature, darker, and the inner conflicts deepen.
Spoiler warning: In the following, I will not delve into any plot lines from Act 2. However, I will have to address some themes broadly to illustrate my point.
If you haven’t seen the new episodes yet and really don’t want to know anything, feel free to return to this column later.
Little kids, little worries
The first act begins with a genocide, leaving orphans behind. We follow these orphans in the poor under-district of Zhaun. Powder and Vi had a difficult childhood, not marked by happy moments. This naturally catapulted them into a harsh reality much faster than children in a well-to-do household like Caitlyn from Piltover.
This is already dark and mature. Nevertheless, the conflicts of the two girls in the first act are still of a more juvenile nature. Vi assumes the role of the oldest sister and protector for a group of orphaned children. This responsibility keeps her constantly worrying about her little sister Powder.
Therefore, Powder is often ostracized and seen as too weak by the group. Powder just wants to belong and not always be sidelined because something is too dangerous. Anyone who has grown up with siblings knows these dynamics. In this world, it’s not about who can go into the dark woods. Here, Vi decides who gets to go on raids to feed the family.
Let’s take a look at Viktor and Jayce. The two are young, aspiring scientists. They seek recognition for their discoveries and want to change the world in their youthful naivety. Typical thoughts for young students.
In the second act, these children and teenagers grow up. So do their inner conflicts.
Big kids, big worries
Time jump: Vi and Powder have grown up, and we are in the second act of the story. A heavy blow of fate has separated them and left deep scars.
Powder is now called Jinx and is a sociopath haunted by the ghosts of her past. She hears voices, sees images that torment her. She has developed a certain fetish for explosions and killing. There’s not much left of the once frightened and shy child. Similar is the case with her older sister Vi, who is driven by uncontrollable anger and is out for revenge.
Both are plagued by a conflict between love and hate.
The two young men Viktor and Jayce have helped their already wealthy city Piltover gain even more riches through their discoveries. However, their discovery holds dangers. Suddenly, they face very different questions than when they were young students.
Jayce is in the Senate and makes significant political decisions, while Viktor’s body is falling apart around him. What will the men do with their discoveries? One has a chance for fame and wealth, while the other is racing against time.
I never thought that Arcane would really let its characters grow up. Because outside of the fantastical universe, their conflicts feel so human, deep, and real.
Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll
Even in the first act, we see brutal murders depicted in detail. I wasn’t surprised because in the game League of Legends you have to kill to reach the goal.
I was surprised, however, by a sex scene. Yes, the characters from the LoL universe are allowed to have sex that is not just implied. This is quite unusual, and not all game adaptations dare to do this. In Castlevania, for example, there are also very explicit sex scenes and nudity. However, I wasn’t surprised by that in the context of vampires, as the setting is already sexually charged.
That aside, the characters in LoL are often dressed quite revealingly and sexy, but that doesn’t really matter there. The playable characters are often considered sacred by the studios, and they shouldn’t be “tainted”. Why murders, blood, and violence are often weighted lower than sex and nudity is a topic I won’t get into here.
Likewise, it isn’t a big deal that there are brothels where you greet the owner as an old friend. Drug use is a major topic in Arcane that is not hidden. On the contrary.
However, I must emphasize that violence, sex, and drugs in Arcane are not just there for the sake of spectacle. Everything fits naturally within the corrupt world of Zhaun and Piltover. They only emphasize the injustices. And once again: All this makes the characters and actions feel natural and human.
Gray areas are further expanded in Act 2
Something that was already strongly established in the first act is further developed in the second act. Let’s take the “main villain” Silco. Arcane takes the time to bring us closer to the character. He is manipulative, corrupt, and seems to have no moral boundaries. In the second act, we understand more and more where he is coming from.
This sets Arcane apart from a Marvel spectacle, where the villains are really, really evil – and there’s no doubt about it. Gray areas are rather rare here.
This is the part that makes Arcane particularly grown-up for me. I already mentioned in my first column about Arcane that the narrative structure here is similar to that of Game of Thrones.
My anticipation for Act 3 is hardly bearable
After watching the second act, I maintain my opinion: Arcane is the best video game adaptation of all time. I can hardly imagine that the third act will change anything about that.
I am now just impatient and want to know how Riot will conclude this story.
How did you feel about the second act? Feel free to discuss this with us in this post:
Arcane: The new episodes of Act 2 are here – How do you like them?
