REVIEW: ‘Arcane’ Season 2 Sees Its Epic Story To The Finish Line

Arcane Season 2, from Riot Games and animation studio Fortiche, picks up after Jinx’s (Ella Purnell, Fallout) attack as everyone tries to come to terms with what has happened. But as the pieces begin to move across the board, the only sure thing is that the situation will worsen before it gets better.

As it began its three-act release, the biggest challenge facing Arcane Season 2 was finding a way to bring the myriad of plot lines it had introduced to meaningful conclusions in ways that would satisfy the legions of fans who loved the original series. Rather than settle for accomplishing that daunting task, the creatives behind Arcane Season 2 go even further as they expand the story into even larger realms, bringing surprising twists to its intricate story.

The series hits the ground running to achieve this feat and never slows down. As the viewer is pulled through the dizzying nine-episode run, every moment and line of dialogue feels intentional and important. That isn’t to say there aren’t any quiet moments, just that every moment is chosen to build a character or the plot. This allows Arcane Season 2 to manage its growing cast, giving each their time in the sun.

Something that greatly aids the series’ ability to deliver so many solid hits is how it chooses to move between its many plot threads. Rather than feel obligated to have every character appear in every episode, the series only visits with them when it has a meaningful reason to. This allows the series to keep its focus sharp, devoting its time to the plots that need it and delivering large chunks of time to stories simultaneously, allowing them to go through their beats in a fluid, unbroken fashion.

While everyone gets their moments and comes to play essential parts in the pivotal final episodes, the series comes to spend most of its time exploring the intricate relationships of Jinx, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld, The Marvels), and Caitlyn (Katie Leung, Cyberpunk 2077). The triumvirate that stole the show in season one continues to shine brightly as their positions clash after Jinx’s missile launch. Caitlyn’s pain, born of her mother’s death, drives her to seek revenge, taking her lead from the manipulative Noxian Ambessa (Ellen Thomas). This puts her on the outs with Vi, who is sent on a downward spiral as she struggles with the direction her world takes.

Perhaps one of the most surprising elements of Arcane Season 2 is the journey it takes Jinx on. Having forsaken her Powder persona forever, season one’s ending made the character feel primed for an entire villain arc. However, rather than take an obvious path, the narrative puts Jinx in a far more exciting place as she discovers someone new who helps her cope with who she is, bringing stability to her mind. This direction adds layers to Jinx’s family story and takes her character to unexpected places.

While the close-knit problems of these three shine the brightest, Arcane Season 2 doesn’t let the more significant struggles of the series linger. As the evolving conflict over Piltover and Zaun sees shifting alliances and new fronts appear, the scale of what is at stake grows beyond what fans expected at the narrative’s start. The magical elements of the series escalate as they evolve familiar faces like Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Viktor ( Harry Lloyd, Xenoblade Chronicles 3), and Mel (Toks Olagundoye, Pantheon) into something wholly new.

As the plot reaches its crescendo, Arcane Season 2 manages to bring all of the story’s threads together for one dramatic conclusion. Most of these threads are tied up in a way that is wholly fulfilling. Only one leaves a bit to be desired, but it still feels satisfying.

Bringing all the characters and conflicts to life is the gorgeous visual presentation that put Fortiche on the map. The most minor details are given equal care as the biggest explosions. Intimate moments showcase a level of animated nuance that is rarely, if ever, seen before. The expressiveness of the characters, as they weather the season’s endless storms, can easily be placed among the best live action has to offer and not be found wanting.

Complementing the visual elegance is a set of all-star voice performances that never miss their mark, from the core cast to side characters like Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert, What If…?); the magnificent voice work brings every role to life.

Adding to all this is a soundtrack that comes to life throughout the series. Arcane Season 2 delivers numerous sequences that allow the music to take center stage as various art styles create gorgeous montage sequences that fully embrace the emotions of the songs they accompany. While these sequences are gorgeous in and of themselves, the opening act gets slightly too eager to pepper them in the narrative. This eagerness sometimes causes them to feel like an interruption to the plot. However, after the initial three episodes, the series direction does a much better job of deciding when to place these moments, leaving this minor complaint behind.

Arcane Season 2 manages to not only live up to the standard that its predecessor set but smashes it open. With more of everything fans love, this season highlights what can be achieved when artists are allowed to take the time they need. Delivering something unique and powerful, this season will leave the audience dying to see where Riot Games will take them next.

Arcane Season 2 is streaming now on Netflix.