Arcane (originally titled Arcane: League of Legends), is an animated series produced in collaboration with Riot Games and Fortiche Production, and aired on Netflix between 2021–2024. Based on the popular video game League of Legends, the series is set in the fictional twin cities of Piltover and Zaun. The series covers the growing conflict between Piltover, which thrives on technological advancement, and Zaun, the underworld city struggling to survive in poverty, and the dramatic story of two sisters, Vi and Jinx, caught between these two worlds.

Since its first season, the series has received positive reviews from both viewers and critics; it has drawn attention with its impressive visual style, in-depth character development, and unique narrative.

^{Arcane Season 1 Trailer (Netflix Turkey YouTube Channel)}

Subject and Theme

Arcane is set in the twin cities of Piltover and Zaun. Piltover is known as the center of science and progress, while Zaun is an underworld city struggling with poverty and crime. The series tells the story of the social and political tensions between these two cities, the increasing conflicts with the emergence of magic technology (Hextech), and how the paths of two sisters, Vi and Jinx, growing up in this environment, diverge.

The thematic framework of the series focuses not only on personal conflicts but also on broader structural issues such as political corruption, ethical dilemmas, class division, and the control of science and magic. Each character represents various layers of the social system; while universal themes like brotherhood, loyalty, justice, revenge, and individual freedom are processed with a dramatic narrative aesthetic. In this way, Arcane goes beyond a classic "good vs. evil" conflict narrative, offering the audience a multi-layered ethical and psychological analysis.

Cast and Characters

• Vi - Hailee Steinfeld: Vi, a strong-willed, protective, and determined character, is a street fighter who grew up in Zaun. She plays a central role in the tragic transformation of her sister, Powder (Jinx). She confronts the injustice between Piltover and Zaun while also coming to terms with her past.

• Jinx (Powder) - Ella Purnell: Powder, Vi's younger sister, takes on the name Jinx after tragic events and transforms into an unstable, anarchist character. Emotional breakdown, feelings of abandonment, and guilt shape her destructive nature. Jinx is at the center of the series' dramatic backbone.

• Jayce Talis - Kevin Alejandro: Jayce, Piltover's rising scientist and political figure, plays a pioneering role in the development of Hextech technology. Stuck between his scientific ideals and political responsibilities, Jayce confronts the ethical limits of technology throughout the series.

• Caitlyn Kiramman - Katie Leung: Caitlyn, a member of one of Piltover's elite families, stands out for her pursuit of justice. She collaborates with Vi to fight corruption in the city and develops a strong bond with her.

• Silco - Jason Spisak: Silco is a charismatic and dangerous figure who holds power in Zaun's underworld. He takes Jinx in as his own daughter and fights for Zaun's independence as a revolutionary leader. His complex moral structure makes him more than just a “villain”.

• Viktor - Harry Lloyd: Viktor, Jayce's partner, is a scientist who pushes the limits of Hextech to overcome his physical weaknesses and advance humanity. His scientific ambition leads to a tragic transformation when it clashes with ethical concerns.

^{A Still from the Film, Vi (IMDb)}

Production

Arcane was developed in collaboration with video game giant Riot Games and French animation studio Fortiche Production. The production process took approximately six years and utilized an innovative combination of classic 3D animation and hand-drawn visual techniques. This unique aesthetic allowed the series to visually approach cinematic quality.

Production was undertaken by Christian Linke and Alex Yee; both are names who have been part of the creative team of League of Legends for many years. The series' music was presented in a way that integrated with the series atmosphere, and collaborations were made with artists such as Imagine Dragons, Woodkid. The first season, released on Netflix in 2021, achieved great success, quickly becoming one of the most-watched productions globally.

^{A Still from the Film, Jinx (IMDb)}

Series Performance

Arcane became Netflix's most-watched series in 38 countries within its first week of release. It also successfully entered Netflix's Top 10 list in 87 countries. The series also garnered significant attention on China's Tencent Video platform, reaching 130 million views.

Awards and Nominations

The Arcane series has achieved success in many national and international award ceremonies during the 2021–2024 period. To date, the series has won a total of 28 awards and has been nominated in 10 different categories.

Primetime Emmy Awards

• Won: Outstanding Animated Program (2022)
• Won: Individual Achievement (Coloring – Anne-Laure To, Art Direction – Julien Georgel, Background Design – Bruno Couchinho)
• Nominated: Sound Editing (Comedy/Drama and Animation)

Annie Awards (2025)

• Best Animated Effects
• Best Character Animation
• Best Direction
• Best Music
• Best Production Design

Hugo Awards

• Nominated: Best Dramatic Presentation – Short Form (2022). For the episode “When These Walls Come Tumbling Down”.

Golden Reel Awards

• Won: Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Non-Theatrical Animated Production (2022)
• Nominated: In the same category (2025)

INOCA TV Awards

• Won: Best Animated Program (2022)
• Nominated: Best Drama Screenplay

British Film Editors (BFE) Cut Above Awards

• Won: Best Edited Animated Series (2022)
• Nominated: In the same category (2025)

The Game Awards

• Won: Best Adaptation (2022)
• Nominated: Best Adaptation (2024)

Gold Derby Awards

• Won: Best Animated Program (2022)