Disclaimer: This article may contain spoilers
From the gleaming skyscrapers of Piltover to the gritty, grey-filled gutters of Zaun, “Arcane: League of Legends” returned for a second season on Nov. 9, staggering industry giants and fans alike. From the cliffhanger of the first season, the story picks back up as conflict boils over between the two rival cities to the point of no return.
Though “Arcane” stands as a masterwork of contemporary animation, the second and final season of the series fails to deliver a proper conclusion to the deeply personal conflicts presented in season one, as it substitutes meaningful resolutions for a hurried sci-fi ending. Ultimately, the series is a testament to the struggle between art and executive decision, abandoning artful storytelling for production limits.
Season one presents a persistent conflict between two symbiotic cities: the underground, poverty-stricken lanes of Zaun, contrasted with the utopian city of Piltover. From the start, themes of class struggle, police brutality and personal loss are deeply engrained within the narrative, as the series follows two sisters, Jinx (Ella Purnell) and Violet (Hailee Steinfeld), through their experiences of growing up as oppressed Zaunites after being separated as children. Simultaneously, the development of Hextech, a method of harnessing magic through arcane crystals, sparks an arms revolution.
Amidst the tumultuous political landscape, Vi’s righteous approach represents reform and compromise. Meanwhile, Jinx’s violent tendencies demonstrate the consequences of oppression and historical trauma, which drive individuals towards extremism that compromises collective resistance.
The end of season one hints at a higher conflict between the two cities after Jinx bombs Piltover’s governing council out of revenge after her adoptive father dies during a battle. However, instead of addressing the extensive class and personal struggles, the most appealing and realistic aspect of “Arcane,” season two focuses on Hextech, taken over by one of its inventors who threatens to stem suffering by erasing individuality.
Through this decision, “Arcane” eliminates the essence of a story about family and oppression. The gap between Piltover and Zaun is hastily patched over by forcing the two to join together with little explanation against Hextech. The story of sisters Jinx and Violet is abandoned to develop a half-baked sci-fi ending. Viewers are left unfulfilled by a promise to address the problem at the root of “Arcane” and are made to realize that the oppression will not be resolved, a disparaging note to leave off on in an incredibly nuanced series.
However, “Arcane” is by no means a failure — narrative or artistically. After a decade of childish, Disney-dominated animation, the show reminds viewers that animation can be a medium capable of serious storytelling and emotional depth. Its unique art style, combining 3D and 2D elements, provides a beautiful visual experience and raises the bar for animated works to deviate from the same Pixar style pervasive in the market.
In any case, “Arcane” is a series that needs a third season. To properly deliver the thematic developments promised in the previous season, it needs a longer, more character-driven finale. Though it stands out in a sea of animated works as uniquely intricate and ambitious, the final act of season two simply failed to address the core conflicts that made the show so precious. Ultimately, the series unconsciously speaks to the fight between art and authority— the unfortunate lesson is: perhaps one cannot expect the fruits of a big corporation like Riot Games to properly address the effects of capitalism, exploitation and oppression.
