Arcane (2021)
Arcane is a 2021 animation series created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee. It stars Hailee Steinfeld, Ella Purnell and Kevin Alejandro.
Two cities share one fault line. Above ground, Piltover gleams with invention and privilege; below it, the undercity of Zaun breathes chemical smoke and resentment. Sisters Vi and Powder grow up in that gap, and a single catastrophe sets them on opposite sides of a war between magic and machine. Built by French studio Fortiche from Riot's League of Legends universe, the series pairs hand-painted, near-tactile animation with an adult story about class, loyalty and the price of ambition. Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell voice a bond that fame and violence keep pulling apart.
Quick answers
What is Arcane about?
Two cities share one fault line. Above ground, Piltover gleams with invention and privilege; below it, the undercity of Zaun breathes chemical smoke and resentment. Sisters Vi and Powder grow up in that gap, and a single catastrophe sets them on opposite sides of a war between magic and machine. Built by French studio Fortiche from Riot's League of Legends universe, the series pairs hand-painted, near-tactile animation with an adult story about class, loyalty and the price of ambition. Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell voice a bond that fame and violence keep pulling apart.
When was Arcane released?
Arcane was released on 6 November 2021.
How many episodes does Arcane have?
Arcane has 18 episodes across 2 seasons.
Who made Arcane?
Arcane was created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee.
Where can I watch Arcane?
Arcane is available on Netflix, Amazon, AppleTV and Fandango at Home.
Where to watch Arcane
Stream: Netflix
Buy: Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango at Home
Official site
Cast
- Hailee Steinfeld as Vi (voice)
- Ella Purnell as Jinx (voice)
- Kevin Alejandro as Jayce (voice)
- Jason Spisak as Silco (voice)
- Toks Olagundoye as Mel Medarda (voice)
- Harry Lloyd as Viktor (voice)
- Katie Leung as Caitlyn (voice)
- JB Blanc as Vander (voice)
- Brett Tucker as Singed (voice)
- Amirah Vann as Sevika (voice)
- Josh Keaton as Salo (voice)
- Mia Sinclair Jenness as Powder (voice)
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A few thoughts on Arcane
The Last of Us shares its aching, character-first look at people bound by love and damage. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt matches its mature fantasy politics. For the same neon-industrial mood, cue the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack and Cowboy Bebop, two anime scores built from jazz, dread and machinery. Death Note suits its morally grey edge.
Handcrafted animation built for grown-up stories
Arcane proved animation can carry adult weight, its painterly frames wrapped around loss and rage. These series chase the same ambition, using bold, handcrafted art to tell stories about violence, honor and grief that were never aimed at children.
Video game worlds reborn as gripping series
Arcane grew out of Riot's League of Legends and outshone its source. If you like seeing game worlds given real dramatic depth, these adaptations do the same, carrying characters from consoles and PCs into series and playable stories with genuine stakes.
Fierce siblings and the families they choose
Arcane lives and dies on the bond between Vi and Powder, sisters torn apart by loyalty and circumstance. These center on scrappy chosen families and headstrong siblings who fight for each other even as the world keeps trying to break them apart.
Divided cities and fantasy wars over power
The war between gleaming Piltover and the choking undercity gives Arcane its charge. These build the same kind of split world, where power, rebellion and old grudges shape sprawling fantasy conflicts across page and screen.