Netflix's Bold Bet on Arcane
For Netflix, investing in Arcane was a no-brainer. With a long history of creative and risk-taking animation projects, and Riot Games footing a significant part of the bill, Arcane had the potential to be a game-changer. The key difference between Arcane and other series is that Netflix allowed creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee to tell their story in its entirety without making too many concessions. While Netflix has had its share of animated hits like Bojack Horseman and Big Mouth, its animation offerings beyond these standouts have been inconsistent, resulting in a graveyard of creative successes and failures.Much like Netflix's other content, its animation offerings are often a haphazard mix of "content" thrown at the wall to see what sticks. A series that fails to attract new viewers becomes expendable. Blue Eye Samurai may be a hit now, but it will lose its value over time. However, Netflix believed in Arcane and pushed it to win multiple Emmys, maintain consistent viewership from season 1 to season 2, and tell a stunning story from start to finish.
The Tale of Two Doomed Sisters
Following the tragedy of Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell), Arcane takes the lore of League and transforms it into a moving exploration of human emotions. In the first season, we see heartache and tragedy unfold, and the characters endure anguish until the end. But the series never becomes overly masochistic. In the final act, we get to see the poignant connections between these complex characters along with the bloodshed and battle.In the first of Arcane's three-episode finale, titled "Pretend Like It's the First Time," Ekko (Reed Shannon) and Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert) find themselves in an alternate reality where Vi died. This leads to a beautiful dance between Ekko and Powder as they flirt and bicker within their working relationship. The episode contrasts this heartwarming connection against Jayce's (Kevin Alejandro) journey through his own hell. Arcane is about the power of the Arcane and the larger themes of war, separation, and greed, but it also focuses on the human moments between its characters.
The Power of Emotion in Animation
Arcane's ability to transform universal emotions into large, bombastic sequences or heart-wrenching slow-motion tributes is what makes it so captivating. In Episode 4's "Paint the Town Blue" sequence, we see the distillation of hatred, rebellion, hope, and fear through splashes of blue spray paint and stylization. Caitlyn becomes a vengeful leader, Isha fans the flames of hope, and Jinx becomes a larger-than-life figurehead. Two episodes later, Isha's sacrifice is beautifully captured in a watercolor sequence, highlighting the fleeting beauty of life.Arcane takes the time to allow these breaks and pauses in its story because they are essential. It shows its commitment to humanity through the animated expressions and emotions on the characters' faces. Every twitch of a mouth and every flicker of an eye is a testament to the power of art and humanity.
The Beauty and Perseverance of Arcane
The three years between seasons 1 and 2 were difficult, but the end result was worth it. From the brutality of battle to the weight of empathy and sacrifice, Arcane's beauty and success are a miracle. It tells a small, human story about two sisters and how they try to make the world a better place. Its commitment to its characters, style, substance, and heart has transformed it into a unique and unmatched project.No matter what comes next for Netflix and Riot Games, Arcane has cemented its place as a genre-defining work. It has changed animation on television for the better by daring to dream in vibrant colors and delivering a powerful message about humanity and kindness.