Full spoilers observe for Arcane season 1 and League of Legends‘ in depth lore.
It has been an excruciatingly lengthy watch for Arcane season 2. Now, virtually three years after its forebear was launched, the critically acclaimed animated sequence’ second and last chapter will make its official Netflix debut on November 9.
As a large Arcane fan, I am equally delighted and relieved about its imminent return, but additionally melancholy that the top of one among my all-time favourite Netflix exhibits is in sight. It’ll be a bittersweet second when that last finish credit sequence rolls.
Earlier than that occurs, Netflix and Fortiche Manufacturing’s tackle Riot Video games’ extremely widespread League of Legends (LoL) videogame franchise has loads of inquiries to reply. To that finish, I’ve handpicked eight of the largest Arcane must sort out earlier than the ultimate curtain falls on the world’s greatest streaming service. I’ve included my very own theories on how these could also be answered, too, so be suggested: whereas I’ve no insider data about Arcane‘s subsequent chapter, potential season 2 spoilers observe.
1. Who was killed in Jinx’s assault on Piltover’s council chamber?
One of the agonizing issues concerning the watch for Arcane season 2 has been its predecessor’s cliffhanger. Within the last minutes of season 1’s finale, Jinx fires a missile from a Fishbones rocket launcher, powered by a Hextech gemstone (keep in mind, she stole one in season 1 episode 4), at Piltover’s council chamber.
On the time, the Metropolis of Progress’ councilors had been assembly to vote on whether or not to formally acknowledge Piltover’s undercity, aka Zaun, as an unbiased state. Council members Mel, Cassandra, Bolbok, Hoskel, Salo, Shoola, and Jayce – plus Jayce’s scientific companion Viktor – had been current when the rocket approached. Simply because the missile crashed by one of many chamber’s home windows, the display lower to black, so we do not know who did and did not survive.
In my opinion, Jayce and Viktor positively survived. The pair are conspicuous by their absence in Arcane season 2’s official trailer and different teasers, however they’re too integral to Arcane‘s general story to be killed off.
I additionally suspect both Mel or Cassandra will stay to combat one other day – if I had to decide on, I might financial institution on Mel surviving over Cassandra. Earlier than Jinx’s rocket makes its presence felt, Mel appears to supernaturally acknowledge that everybody’s at risk earlier than the golden again of her costume lights up. To me, this suggests she’s acquired a secret shielding capability that’ll defend her and anybody in her neighborhood, which simply so occurs to be Jayce and Viktor. Moreover, a body glimpsed in episode 3 of Bridging the Rift, a behind-the-scenes YouTube video sequence detailing Arcane‘s improvement, exhibits Cassandra’s daughter Caitlyn and her father wanting crestfallen. It is not a nonetheless picture from season 1, so it is my suspicion – I have never watched Arcane season 2’s leaked episodes, so I do not know for positive – that it is a scene happening after Cassandra’s funeral.
2. What’s the titular ‘Arcane’?
There have been a number of, albeit obscure, references to the titular magic-based incidence in Arcane‘s first season, most notably in the course of the Jayce-centric storylines in episodes 2 and 5. This season’s teasers have alluded to it, too, with the obvious namedrop coming within the official trailer when an unrecognizable voice says “the Arcane is waking up”.
So, what’s the “Arcane”? The phrase, as we all know it, is outlined as being one thing ‘understood by few; mysterious; secret’, which is an ideal description for… effectively, regardless of the titular factor is. It is acquired one thing to do with the magic that exists in Runeterra – i.e. the world that LoL is ready in – however we won’t infer a lot else. My guess? It will not solely tie into the extremely highly effective World Runes (extra on these later) that formed Runeterra, but additionally Jayce and Viktor’s analysis into Hextech, Hexcore, and some other experiments the place science and magic are being fused (dangerously, within the eyes of some). As a by-product of their work and LoL‘s wider lore, it’s going to possible concern the subliminal boundaries that exist between the fabric and spirit realms that exist in Riot’s fictional universe, too
3. Will Vi and Caitlyn lastly get collectively?
Arcane season 1 did a terrific job of portraying LGBTQ relationships. Its delicate and genuine dealing with of such dynamics was hailed, in some circles, for setting a gold normal for LGBTQ-plus presentation in visible media. Tokenistic, Arcane‘s exploration of sexual id actually is not, and that is primarily all the way down to the tactful manner it examined Vi and Caitlyn’s ever-evolving romance-laced relationship in episodes 4 by 9.
Primarily based on Arcane season 2’s first teaser, plus the brand new footage in its official trailer, it appears the pair’s always shifting bond might be examined extra closely this time round. By the point the present ends, followers might be determined to know if this “oil and water” (as Vi places it) dynamic is not going to solely survive season 2’s occasions however thrive. It might not be in line with Arcane‘s largely grim tone, however I might like to see Vi and Caitlyn earn their joyful ending, no matter what occurs.
4. Who’s the mage that saved Jayce and his mother?
Of all of my questions, that is arguably the least vital as a result of, effectively, solutions to the opposite seven take precedence for me. That stated, the thriller surrounding this enigmatic magic-wielding particular person is intriguing. For one, we have solely seen them as soon as earlier than, i.e. throughout an episode 2 flashback sequence once they saved the lives of Jayce and his mother.
That is not the final we’ll see of this mysterious mage, although. They make a really temporary look in season 2’s official trailer that mirrors a second from season 1 episode 2. Nevertheless, whereas that sequence confirmed the person holding Runeterra within the palm of their hand, the clip on this season’s second trailer exhibits them holding a web-like metal-organic orb – one which’s equivalent to the spherical object in query 2’s most important picture, which might be seen in the identical teaser.
Clearly, there’s greater than meets the attention with this sorcerer, so it might be fascinating if season 2 tells us who they’re. There are an entire host of mages amongst LoL‘s champion roster, so might one among these be used retroactively in Arcane because the wizard who saved Jayce and set him on his path to creating Hextech? It could be an extremely enjoyable manner of bringing one other LoL champion into the fold and, probably, setting them up because the protagonist of a future LoL animated challenge (extra on this in a bit).
5. Who’s Arcane’s major villain?
To informal observers, the reply to it is a easy one: Jinx. In spite of everything, she attacked Piltover’s council in season 1 episode 8. Season 2’s trailers and this suspense-filled, Jinx-starring clip additionally affirm she’s going to be public enemy primary heading into the sequence’ last eight episodes. However, I do not assume Arcane‘s deuteragonist – this present is especially about Vi and Jinx, you recognize – goes to be one of many greatest Netflix exhibits‘ Massive Unhealthy.
If not her, then, who? There are different candidates extra suited to being Arcane‘s chief antagonist. Viktor, who was strolling a darkish path by season 1’s finish along with his Hexcore research, might enact his ‘wonderful revolution’ plan from LoL, which might lead to Piltover and Zaun allying themselves in a bid to thwart his plans.
Alternatively, Noxus warlord Ambessa is perhaps Arcane‘s villain-in-chief. The empire she hails from is a brutal and expansionist one which invades different nations. With Hextech being considered as the largest scientific leap in generations, why would not Noxus need it for nefarious means? Let’s not overlook that Ambessa and her Noxian troops are seen preventing Piltover’s enforcers in season 2’s most important trailers, too. In the event that they weren’t trying to purchase Hextech and/or carry Piltover below its blood-red banner, why would they assault the town Ambessa claims Noxus is defending?
If not Jinx, Viktor, or Ambessa, the present’s most important villain could possibly be somebody we have not seen but. Arcane followers have a magical principle about who its actual villain is after season 2’s second trailer arrived, and I am unable to assist however assume they’re proper on the cash. Be at liberty to learn that linked-to article if you wish to damage the potential shock for your self forward of time.
6. Is Jinx going to outlive the occasions of Arcane?
We do not know, however I might be shocked if Jinx is killed off in Arcane season 2. She’s one of many LoL‘s hottest champions, so until Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche need to fully pull the rug out from below us and shockingly bump her off, I imagine she’ll make it to the top of the sequence comparatively unscathed.
And, let’s be trustworthy: if – and it is a huge if – Zaun good points its independence by the point Arcane ends, it will need somebody to defend it from outdoors forces. Who higher to try this than Jinx, particularly if her season 2 arc is positioned as a redemption story?
7. Who else might die in Arcane season 2?
Primarily based on my restricted LoL data (I do know some issues, however I am not a superfan), it is protected to imagine that characters in Arcane who’re additionally champions in Riot’s online game sequence will not die. If I am proper in my assumption, Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, Jayce, Viktor, Ekko, Heimerdinger, and Singed will survive. Ambessa, who was just lately put in as LoL‘s latest champion, can be more likely to make it out alive.
After all, that is all guesswork. Arcane has deviated from LoL‘s supply materials – a living proof being that Vi and Jinx are siblings in Netflix’s TV adaptation, however aren’t associated in LoL. It is attainable, then, that any of the aforementioned characters might die in Arcane, which, as Jinx voice actor Ella Purnell solely teased to me in April, would make for an emotionally devastating finale. I am nonetheless fairly assured that Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, and Ekko will not be amongst that contingent, nonetheless, and you may maintain me to that when Arcane is finished and dusted.
8. How will Arcane season 2 arrange future League of Legends film and TV variations?
That is the place issues get actually fascinating. With Arcane season 2 set to be the hit Netflix present’s last entry, there are quite a few Runeterra-based tales that Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche might inform post-Arcane.
How about masking the in depth and controversial story of Noxus? Or, if Netflix needs to concentrate on one particular a part of the imperialistic nation’s historical past, why not sort out Noxus’ iconic and bloody invasion of Ionia? This might put LoL champions together with Irelia and Normal Swain entrance and middle.
If not Noxus, why not adapt LoL‘s Rune Wars, a cataclysmic occasion that noticed mortals use the titular magical stones and virtually destroy Runeterra? Wanting additional into Runeterra’s previous, a film or sequence masking Icathia’s Void-based rebel in opposition to Shurima, or the Conflict of the Three Sisters, would equally make for absorbing tv.
Arcane co-creator Christian Linke has already confirmed there are a number of LoL-based productions in improvement, so any of those could possibly be getting made already. Hopefully, we can’t have to attend too lengthy to see which a part of LoL lore might be tailored subsequent – macabre because it’ll sound, I might like to see the Rune Wars delivered to life. Make it so, Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche.
