TV: Arcane (Netflix Series in Collaboration with League of Legends)

[Peasy]

I finished Arcane over the weekend and I don't think there was another show that has disappointed me a lot in the last year than this one. I watched the first season in July (The week before Star Trek Prodigy came out) and I thought it was great and looked forward to more. Also, I like Ella Purnell from Prodigy and wanted to see another project she was in (I think I should do a watch of Yellowjackets or whatever other show that she is known for) and I thought her portrayal of Jinx was really good. I wanted to like Season 2 but in the end I really didn't. It was too rushed, they tried to fit 3 seasons into 1 and there wasn't really a cohesive storyline. It's like each of the three parts were just three different parts and they barely related to each other. Maybe I just don't know the League of Legends lore enough to appreciate this show, but watching the last two episodes I just grew really frustrated, even to the point of being annoyed with the animation and the in your face flashing that I applauded this show for before. Also, they made a decision at the end of the finale that they didn't need to make, but I guess if you go back to episode 7 it was inevitable.

Yeah I agree with you (coming from someone that played LoL from like season 2 to 7 or so). Episode 7 felt like a weird filler ep for me as well. Just really felt out of place.

Also watch Fallout if you havent (Ella Purnell is in it)

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

Never played League of Legends and watched this on a whim.

Thought the first season was incredible. Really high quality artwork, storyline, music, emotional beats - and what an ending to that season, wow.

Season 2 wasn't poor, per se, but it felt...bloated? And a bit confused on where it wanted to go. Without getting two spoiler-y I thought there were two different storylines that were largely quite well fleshed out and engrossing. And the second season really moved away from one of them being the focus it had been, and robbed it of a lot of the rich turmoil and heart it had brought to the show. And then there was a significant number of characters who just felt extraneous, and they'd vanish for a while and then pop back up to all of a sudden be the singular focus of an episode. And still others who just randomly did things for no apparent reason or motivation. And after such a wildly unpredictable first season, it felt like Season 2 took the safe route to finish things off.

Overall, extremely impressive stuff, and I think the comments about it being the best video game adaptation ever are well deserved. But there was a good size drop in quality from Seasons 1 to 2. Sticking the landing for good shows is difficult.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

I still loved it but the last two episodes kinda let me down. To me it felt like Vi, the main character, was mostly pushed aside for the big battle.

Season 1 > Season 2, but they're both good.

Oh well, was still a great series!

 

[Bounces R Way]

Real quality show, without a doubt one of if not the best animated series I've watched. Played League for a bit when I was in Uni with friends but never got super into it. Still tune in to some of the bigger international tournaments in the summer, mostly because it fills the sports watching void.

They did a great job with the world building and characters. In particular the female characters were complex and interesting in ways that I don't think you get often. Jinx's arc was fantastic. The art and the fight scenes were imaginative and consistently felt new and exciting.

Will echo some others in here and say Season 2 was definitely a step down. Just got a little too abstract jibberishy at the end but I thought it was still a fairly satisfying conclusion. Even with that step down I thought it carried a real unique tone throughout and hope to see some more projects like it.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Also, I like Ella Purnell from Prodigy and wanted to see another project she was in (I think I should do a watch of Yellowjackets or whatever other show that she is known for) and I thought her portrayal of Jinx was really good.

Ella Purnell is excellent in Fallout, even if you're not familiar with the games I know plenty of people who enjoyed it despite not ever playing them.

Would highly recommend Yellowjackets as well. One of me an the wife's favorite shows recently.

She's also the lead in a new show on STARZ called "Sweetpea". The show itself didn't knock my socks off, but Ella was excellent in her role.

 

[Randy Butternubs]

The voice actor for Ekko signed on to this project when he was just 16.

 

[Rodgerwilco]

Got through episode 7 on a couple of flights on my way to Dominican Rep.

I’m just absolutely blown away! Excellent story and the animation is just next level. Feels like this has to be new standard in animated series for the future.

 

[beowulf]

So I am not the only one that thought the first season was a fair bit better from reading some post above.