Netflix’s Arcane season 2 is somehow even better than the first season – which was pure perfection. The visuals, story, acting, and music come together to create something truly special.
Arcane Season 1 took the world by storm. League of Legends fans were thrilled to see some of their favorite characters get backstories, but even those who do not play the game quickly fell in love with them.
The stars aligned and viewers were given a perfect series, complete with stunning animation, a compelling story, powerful emotional beats, and a score that elevates every single scene.
The first season of Arcane released in November 2021, so it has been three years since we last left Vi and Jinx. The world could have forgotten about them, but they did not. With a massive cliffhanger ending, fans waited years to find out what happened after Jinx attacked the Piltover Council – and I can promise, Arcane season 2 is well worth the wait.
Act 1 of Season 2 is streaming now on Netflix. It consists of three episodes. Another three will be released on November 16, and the final three of the entire series will drop on November 23.
This review is based on solely the first two acts, as Netflix is keeping the final three episodes close to their chest, and honestly, who can blame them? Sure, Act 3 might completely crumble and ruin the perfect series so far, but I highly doubt that will happen.
Arcane Season 2 Acts 1 and 2 are, for lack of a better word, epic. Somehow the creators behind this series raised the bar even more this time around.
The animation is absolutely gorgeous. The first time around it felt like nothing we had ever seen before. The use of textures and colors, brushstrokes, and changing styles back and forth, was beautiful, to say the least.
In Arcane Season 2 they have evolved and elevated the visuals, taking them to a whole new level. They are still gorgeous, but more refined and unafraid to make bold choices, if that makes sense.
This is one of the best-looking animated television series to ever grace the small screen – and having seen the first act of season 2 in a movie theater, I can confirm, it holds up on a big screen too.
One of my favorite things about Arcane Season 2 is the evolution of these characters that we know and love. Act 1 picks up immediately where we left off, allowing viewers to finally see the devastation left behind by Jinx’s attack.
It sees supporting characters step into leadership roles where needed, and it sees the sisters’ relationship absolutely crumble. It was on the brink is season 1, sure, but now it is too far gone to ever be repaired.
The story heavily focuses on the Piltover-Zaun War, which we all knew was inevitable after the final moments of Arcane Season 1. Because of this, there is a lot of death and devastation.
Thankfully the creatives behind this series were unafraid to dive into what a war-stricken city looks like, and what it does to the people that live there. Things get heavy. Things get dark. And things get emotional.
There are a lot of scenes, especially the longer the series goes on, that will have some viewers tearing up. I both happy and sad cried at one point or another during each episode. As someone with a sister, and who has two daughters, anything between Vi and Jinx hits especially hard.
Arcane does everything right. It delivers on moments that fans have been waiting with bated breath for. The use of the score and songs is always perfectly timed, giving powerful meaning to the scenes they are included in and driving the plot forward.
Arcane Season 2 is unafraid to go there. It is unafraid to showcase what political discourse can do to the world and its people. All while being beautifully animated and helping to bring more lore to League of Legends fans.
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About Arcane Season 2
In this final chapter, Jinx’s attack on the Council sets the stage for a dire escalation of the conflict between Piltover and Zaun.
Arcane Season 2 Release Dates:
- ACT I – November 9
- ACT II – November 16
- ACT III – November 23
Netflix's Arcane season 2 is somehow even better than the first season - which was pure perfection. The visuals, story, acting, and music come together to create something truly special.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.
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