Arcane

Q: Is Arcane canon to the League of Legends lore?

Yes, **Arcane** is now considered the foundation of the current *League of Legends* canon. While it retconned some older lore details, Riot Games has confirmed that Arcane represents the definitive origin stories for the characters and the world of Runeterra (specifically Piltover and Zaun) moving forward.

Q: Do I need to play League of Legends to watch Arcane?

**No.** Arcane is designed to be a standalone masterpiece. You do not need any prior knowledge of the game to understand or enjoy the story. In fact, many viewers who have never played the game praise the show for its accessible storytelling, deep character development, and emotional weight.

Q: Who are the main champions featured in Arcane?

The series focuses on the origins of several iconic *League of Legends* champions: * **Vi**: The brawler with hextech gauntlets. * **Jinx (Powder)**: The chaotic loose cannon. * **Caitlyn**: The sheriff/enforcer sniper. * **Jayce**: The inventor of Hextech. * **Viktor**: The partner of Jayce pursuing glorious evolution. * **Ekko**: The boy savior of Zaun. * **Heimerdinger**: The yordle scientist. * **Singed**: The mad chemist.

Q: What is Hextech?

**Hextech** is a fusion of elemental magic and technology. Invented by Jayce and Viktor, it allows anyone—not just born mages—to harness magical energy through scientific machinery. It is the source of Piltover's wealth and progress (e.g., the Hexgates) but also a weapon of great destruction.

Q: What is Shimmer?

**Shimmer** is a purple, glowing chemical substance created by Singed and distributed by Silco in Zaun. It acts as a highly addictive drug that grants temporary superhuman strength and healing but causes severe physical mutations and mental degradation.

Q: When is Arcane Season 2 releasing?

**Arcane Season 2** is set to release in **November 2024** on Netflix. It has been confirmed to be the final chapter of the Piltover and Zaun storyline, concluding the saga of Vi and Jinx, though Riot plans to explore other regions of Runeterra in future projects.

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

Arcane is a critically acclaimed animated series set in the League of Legends universe, focusing on the relationship between sisters Vi and Jinx in the contrasting cities of Piltover and Zaun. Created by Riot Games and animated by Fortiche, it combines stunning visual artistry with deep character development and explores themes of family, class conflict, and the cost of progress.

Official Website

Jump to:Story·Impact·Characters·FAQ

IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Arcane

Also Known As

Arcane: League of Legends, LoL Arcane

Format

Animated television series

Release Year

2021

Current Status

Season 2 in production

Country of Origin

France

Region

France/United States

Creator

Christian Linke, Alex Yee, Riot Games

Publisher

Netflix, Riot Games

Original Work

Based on League of Legends universe

Genre

Animation, Fantasy, Steampunk, Drama, Action

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Arcane.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

Set in the utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun, Arcane follows the origins of iconic League of Legends champions including Jinx, Vi, Caitlyn, and Jayce as they navigate family bonds, political intrigue, and the dangerous power of Hextech magic.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Piltover (the City of Progress) and Zaun (the undercity), Runeterra universe

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Sisterhood and family bonds, class inequality, progress vs. tradition, corruption of power, redemption

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Arcane's global influence.

2019

Arcane announced at League of Legends 10th anniversary

2021

Wins multiple awards and breaks Netflix animation records

2022

Season 2 officially announced and enters production

2024

Season 2 expected to release

Sales

Significant boost to League of Legends player base and merchandise sales

Revenue

Major success for Netflix and Riot Games partnership

Awards

Emmy nominations, Annie Awards, Critics' Choice Awards

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Arcane.

“You have to let me help you.”

A hardened Zaunite brawler fighting to protect her sister.View Profile

Jinx/Powder

“I thought... maybe you could love me like you used to.”

A chaotic and brilliant loose cannon haunted by her past.

Caitlyn

“I’m not afraid to fight for what’s right.”

A determined Piltover Enforcer seeking justice and truth.View Profile

Jayce

“Progress requires bold action.”

An idealistic inventor torn between progress and politics.View Profile

Viktor

“You have to let me help you.”

A brilliant scientist obsessed with the glorious evolution.View Profile

Silco

“Power, real power, doesn't come to those who were born strongest.”

The ruthless industrialist fighting for Zaun's independence.

Explore all Arcane characters

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arcane canon to the League of Legends lore?▼

Yes, Arcane is now considered the foundation of the current League of Legends canon. While it retconned some older lore details, Riot Games has confirmed that Arcane represents the definitive origin stories for the characters and the world of Runeterra (specifically Piltover and Zaun) moving forward.

Do I need to play League of Legends to watch Arcane?▼

No. Arcane is designed to be a standalone masterpiece. You do not need any prior knowledge of the game to understand or enjoy the story. In fact, many viewers who have never played the game praise the show for its accessible storytelling, deep character development, and emotional weight.

Who are the main champions featured in Arcane?▼

The series focuses on the origins of several iconic League of Legends champions:

•Vi: The brawler with hextech gauntlets.

•Jinx (Powder): The chaotic loose cannon.

•Caitlyn: The sheriff/enforcer sniper.

•Jayce: The inventor of Hextech.

•Viktor: The partner of Jayce pursuing glorious evolution.

•Ekko: The boy savior of Zaun.

•Heimerdinger: The yordle scientist.

•Singed: The mad chemist.

What caused the conflict between Vi and Jinx?▼

The tragedy stems from a botched rescue mission in their childhood where Powder (Jinx) accidentally killed their adoptive father, Vander, and their friends with a hextech crystal explosion. Vi, in a moment of grief and anger, hit Powder and walked away, leaving her vulnerable to be adopted and manipulated by the crime lord Silco, who twisted her trauma into the persona of Jinx.

What is Hextech?▼

Hextech is a fusion of elemental magic and technology. Invented by Jayce and Viktor, it allows anyone—not just born mages—to harness magical energy through scientific machinery. It is the source of Piltover's wealth and progress (e.g., the Hexgates) but also a weapon of great destruction.

What is Shimmer?▼

Shimmer is a purple, glowing chemical substance created by Singed and distributed by Silco in Zaun. It acts as a highly addictive drug that grants temporary superhuman strength and healing but causes severe physical mutations and mental degradation.

When is Arcane Season 2 releasing?▼

Arcane Season 2 is set to release in November 2024 on Netflix. It has been confirmed to be the final chapter of the Piltover and Zaun storyline, concluding the saga of Vi and Jinx, though Riot plans to explore other regions of Runeterra in future projects.

Is Vander actually Warwick?▼

While not explicitly confirmed in Season 1 text, visual storytelling strongly implies it. Vander is widely believed to be the human who becomes Warwick, the Wrath of Zaun. The show foreshadows this with his "Hound of the Underground" nickname, the growling sounds in his final scene, and Singed's experiments shown in the Season 2 teasers.

Who is the villain of Arcane?▼

Arcane is known for its morally gray characters, but the primary antagonist of Season 1 is Silco, the industrialist who controls Zaun. However, he is a complex figure who genuinely loves Jinx as a daughter and fights for Zaun's independence, making him one of the most compelling villains in animation history.

What animation style does Arcane use?▼

Arcane uses a unique "2.5D" style developed by the French studio Fortiche Production. It blends 3D character models with hand-painted 2D backgrounds and 2D visual effects (like smoke and explosions), giving every frame the look of a moving painting or concept art.