Warning! This review contains spoilers for Arcane season 2, Act III.
Arcane season 2, Act III tells an expectedly stunning story filled with compelling characters, tragic consequences, and thought-provoking themes. I’ve made it no secret that I think Netflix’s League of Legends show is a modern masterpiece, something that Arcane season 2’s ending only solidified. My review for Arcane season 2, Act I included my worries that the show would have too much to conclude in only six episodes, but the final three proved me irrevocably wrong. Arcane’s cast of characters united for an exciting ending that did not forego any of the elements that make the show so stunning.
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TV-14
Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane focuses on sisters Violet and Powder (later Jinx) as they end up on opposite sides of a growing conflict between the wealthy utopia of Piltover and its dark undercity whose citizens wish to break away from their oppressors. Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell, and Kevin Alejandro star in this animated adventure.
Where to Watch
- stream
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- Cast
- Hailee Steinfeld , Ella Purnell , Kevin Alejandro , Katie Leung , Jason Spisak , Toks Olagundoye , Harry Lloyd , JB Blanc , Reed Shannon , Mick Wingert
- Release Date
- November 6, 2021
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix
- Franchise(s)
- League of Legends
- Writers
- Christian Linke , Alex Yee
- Directors
- Pascal Charrue , Arnaud Delord
- Showrunner
- Christian Linke , Alex Yee
Arcane season 2, Act III picks up where Act II’s massive cliffhanger left off. Jayce had attempted murder against Viktor, Arcane’s Vander-Warwick werewolf beast was incapacitated, and Jinx was left reeling from the loss of Isha. As Arcane’s other League of Legends champions prepared for Viktor’s vengeance — now allied with Ambessa and Singed — the show barreled towards its ending. What could have been episodes geared solely towards action and spectacle became a tear-jerking conclusion filled with emotion, beautifully portrayed themes, and stunning animation that I cannot praise Arcane enough for.
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Arcane’s Complex Finale Concludes Satisfying Character Arcs
Given the wide scope of season 2, Act III’s story, which included elements like time loops, alternate dimensions, and outright time travel, the show could easily have lost sight of what matters: its characters. However, I could not be happier that Arcane season 2’s ending kept its characters in full focus, concluding each arc beautifully. Viktor’s transition into Arcane’s “villain” was beautifully offset by his somewhat benevolent intentions of curing humankind of the elements that cause war, death, and destruction.
Related
Arcane season 2, Act I continued exploring the character of Viktor, showcasing some drastic changes for the inventor concerning Hextech.
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In light of complex developments, such as alternate Viktor’s trying to save Piltover from himself, Arcane wisely kept the focus on him and Jayce. Their relationship was front and center, grounding Arcane’s otherworldly concepts in deep emotion. The relationship between Jinx and Vi was treated similarly, keeping four of Arcane’s main characters as incredibly important, and tragic, center points of the show’s ending. Beyond that, other characters have exciting, satisfying conclusions to their arcs, with Ekko becoming The Boy Who Shattered Time from the source material and Mel Medarda embracing her Black Rose roots.
Arcane’s Beautiful Animation Was Only Matched By Its Hard-Hitting Themes
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I could talk endlessly about how stunning Arcane’s animation truly is. As stated in my two previous reviews, the animation on display in Arcane by studio Fortiche is leagues above anything else in modern filmmaking. Every frame is remarkable, each fight is easy to follow, all the characters emote beautifully, and so many types of artistry are on display across each of Act III’s episodes.
Arcane season 2's ending still sets up several spin-offs, from Mel's continued story to the future exploits of Caitlyn and Vi.
Thankfully, Act III’s themes rise to the lofty heights of its animation to deliver truly thought-provoking concepts. I mentioned in my review of Act II that I was surprised, but not displeased, to find season 2’s story focusing more on its characters and their personal relationships than the Piltover-Zaun war they find themselves fighting. Act III took this further by nailing home its themes that are so simultaneously personal and wide-reaching that it’s a marvel Arcane sticks the landing.
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All of this comes together with the message that there is beauty in the imperfections that make us human and that trying to “perfect” humankind may not be possible...
Arcane season 2, Act III explores the idea that humanity’s biggest strengths — emotion, love, friendship, and family — lead to the things that destroy: war, violence, trauma, and death. All of this comes together with the message that there is beauty in the imperfections that make us human and that trying to “perfect” humankind may not be possible. This is all contained within Arcane’s stunning animation, brilliant character arcs, exciting action, and excellent writing, solidifying a story based on a game with no real plot to be one of the best ever told in Western animation.
All 3 acts of Arcane season 2 are now streaming on Netflix.
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10/10
Arcane
Pros
- Arcane season 2 Act III focuses on a personal story and plays to its greatest strength
- The gorgeous animation remains a central part of the storytelling
- Act III's themes are excellent and the series sticks the landing
