Arcane Season One Review: Breathtaking animation, deeply layered characters sets a new standard for animated storytelling

The first season of Arcane is a stunning accomplishment. Arcane, based on the League of Legends video game franchise, could have easily been a cash grab with fun animation told in an anthology-like format. Luckily, Arcane goes for an exceptionally told character-focused story.

Arcane isn’t quite as vulgar or gratuitously violent as Castlevania but is an animated series for adults. The series is full of complex themes more akin to live-action fare and in many ways is even deeper than fantasy series like The Witcher and Game of Thrones.

However, Alex Lee and Christian Linke opt for a very character-driven story focusing on the relationship between two sisters, Vi and Powder/Jinx. Piltover and Zaun are fantastical locations – full of magic and science. However, anchoring the stories in these settings around specific characters provides an emotional context anyone can understand.

Zaun is the grimy, dark setting beneath the gleaming behemoth that is Piltover. In Zaun, Vi’s hatred of Piltover’s dirty police force (called Enforcers) threatens to boil over while her father figure encourages her to refrain from warfare. In an opening scene far darker than any series in recent memory, Vi’s quest for violence is understandable.

As the younger sister, Powder simply can’t measure up to her brave sister. Despite her sister’s contrary support, Powder’s desire to earn her sister’s approval results in a tragedy of catastrophic proportions fracturing their bond.

The down-and-dirty nature of Zaun provides a nice contrast to the storylines in Piltover. Where the themes of politics, the ethics of using magic and science as well as money come into play. Jace, who was saved by magic as a child, is determined to merge the fields of science and magic together. Caitlyn, his childhood best friend, is an Enforcer in Piltover whose connection to Vi allows the later episodes of the season to shine.

The voice cast in Arcane is sensational. Hailee Steinfeld’s performance is the best I’ve ever seen in an animated series. Kevin Alejandro, Katie Leung and Ella Purnell are great as Jace, Caitlyn and Jinx. Special shoutout to JB Blanc as Vander, a father figure for the ages.

The animation quality in Arcane is without equal. Arcane‘s usage of lighting is sensational. However, what makes Arcane stand out the most is the way the camera moves. The camera movement gives the series a visceral quality I’ve never encountered in an animated series. When Vi runs into a wall or gets hit in the face, you feel it in a similar manner to a live-action series.

Arcane‘s secret weapon is the episode length. Each episode clocks in at around 40 minutes or so, which allows these stories to feel so fleshed out.

With the overview out of the way, let’s dive deeper into the elements that stood out in season one. There may be some minor spoilers. Arcane is available to stream on Netflix.

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Before the Jinx in Arcane

The first three episodes establish the primary protagonists, Vi, Powder, Jace and Caitlyn, in adolescence. Vi’s hatred of the Enforcers (Piltover’s police force) is always at full boil. The series starts with a simple heist mission that goes sideways. Their heist puts a spotlight on the undercity of Zaun. Vander, who took the Vi and Powder in after their parents were killed by the police, spend these episodes trying to quell Vi’s bloodlust and managing the fallout with the police.

Unbeknownst to Vi, the heist throws Jace out of the science academy. However, he’s able to work with a lab assistant, Viktor and together they are able to harness magic through science. Caitlyn isn’t given much to do in the opening three episodes outside of being a friend to Jace. Her major arc comes after the time jump.

Powder is the runt of Vi’s crew and just can’t seem to do anything right. When she finally does step up, it results in a tragedy that splits the sisters apart.

Vander’s sage advice comes from a life of making mistakes. When he realized his brother, Silco was going too far in his battles with Piltover, he tries to drown Silco. Years later Silco has returned with his mission still intact. He also supplies a performance enhance potion that causes mutations.

Time Jump

After episode three, Arcane jumps forward in time. Jace is a rising star thanks to his and Viktor’s scientific accomplishments. His romantic connection to councilor Mel Medarda and scientific breakthroughs allows him to enter the political arena. Meanwhile, Viktor is still trying to find a way to save his own life while saving the city.

Caitlyn is an Enforcer. Her determination to excel as a police officer is shrugged off by most of the other Enforcers. She’s a gifted shooter and willing investigator. When an explosion kills several fellow Enforcers, she decides to investigate despite Jace and Marcus’s (police commissioner) objections. Caitlyn’s search leads her to Vi.

Vi has been in prison since the tragic events in episode three. Caitlyn uses her connections to Jace to get Vi out of prison. Then, the duo head to the undercity of Zaun to figure out who caused the explosion and to find Powder.

Silco took Powder in after Vi’s disappearance. Powder now goes by the name of Jinx and is essentially Harley Quinn. Jinx is a character of chaos, causing destruction wherever she goes. Her path of destruction is paved by Silco. He takes Jinx in after Vi disappears. Jinx is a genius when it comes to using the gemstones from Piltover for destruction. She has occasional moments of lunacy.

The time jump is a brave storytelling choice. Every character is given new layers of internal and external conflict to explore. The action scenes are much more bombastic and lean heavier into sci-fi than the early fight scene in the first three episodes. Yet, these episodes of Arcane still maintain the visceral feel of those more grounded fights, it’s astonishing.

Vying for Affection

The performances by Steinfeld, Leung and Purnell are fantastic throughout the series but the last three episodes of Arcane‘s first season are at another level. Vi and Caitlyn’s partnership is a joy to watch.

Vi’s tour of Zuan provides a reality check to Caitlyn. The entire journey with these two characters, from bickering to fighting together to their embraces, their relationship is brilliantly paced.

Once Vi reunites with her sister Powder, now going by the name of Jinx to everyone but Vi, jealousy clouds Jinx’s judgment even further. Arcane does a great job of showcasing Jinx’s battle with her sanity. You never know quite what Jinx is going to do, which allows each scene featuring her character to surprise.

The lost-and-found connection to her sister and finding someone else to care about makes Vi one of the most interesting protagonists in an animated property. For most of her life, Vi’s entire reason for being was to find, protect and love her sister. By throwing Caitlyn, a friend and perhaps something more than a friend into the mix, you now introduce another person for Vi to care about. The dilemma over who she protects is an important beat that ties all of the story threads together. When the season ends, it makes complete sense for Jace, Viktor, Vi and Caitlyn to work together.

Arcane Season One Final Thoughts

For myself, the emotional throughline was the relationships Vi has with her sister Powder and Caitlyn. However, what makes Arcane the best series of 2021 is there’s something for everyone. The animation, cinematography and action scenes are without equal. If you love political theater, there’s the storyline involving Jace and the council.

All of the storylines are given ample room to breathe. Unlike most Netflix shows, there isn’t a dip in quality in any episode. Each episode feels crucial by the end of the season.

I can’t wait to see what this series has in store for the inevitable season two.