Notice! This review contains spoilers for Arcane Season 2, Act III.
Arcane Season 2, Act III tells a surprisingly impressive story filled with compelling characters, tragic consequences, and thought-provoking themes. I haven’t hidden the fact that I think Netflix League of Legends show is a modern masterpiece, something that Arcane the season 2 finale only solidified it. My review for Arcane Season 2, Act I included my concerns that the series would have too much to wrap up in just six episodes, but the final three proved me irrevocably wrong. ArcaneThe cast of characters came together for a thrilling finale that didn’t relinquish any of the elements that make the show so impressive.
Arcane In season two, Act III picks up where the huge cliffhanger of Act II left off. Jayce had attempted murder against Viktor, ArcaneVander-Warwick’s werewolf beast was incapacitated and Jinx was left reeling from the loss of Isha. As Arcaneis another League of Legends champions prepared for Viktor’s revenge – now allies of Ambessa and Singed – the show was heading towards the end. What could have been episodes focused solely on action and spectacle became a thrilling conclusion, full of emotion, beautifully portrayed themes, and stunning animation that I can’t praise enough. Arcane enough to.
Arcane’s complex ending concludes satisfying character arcs
Given the broad scope of Season 2’s Act III story, which included elements like time loops, alternate dimensions, and time travel, the series could have easily lost sight of what matters: its characters. However, I couldn’t be happier that Arcane the season 2 finale kept its characters in full focus, concluding each arc beautifully. Viktor’s transition to ArcaneThe “villain” of was beautifully offset by his somewhat benevolent intentions to cure humanity of the elements that cause war, death, and destruction.
In light of complex developments such as the alternate Viktor’s attempt to save Piltover from himself, Arcane wisely kept the focus on him and Jayce. Their relationship was front and center, grounding Arcanesupernatural concepts in deep emotion. The relationship between Jinx and Vi was handled similarly, keeping four of the ArcaneThe main characters are incredibly important and tragic pivotal points of the show’s ending. Additionally, other characters have exciting and 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
I could go on and on about how impressive Arcanethe animation really is. As stated in my previous two comments, the animation displayed in Arcane from studio Fortiche is head and shoulders above anything else in modern cinema. Every frame is remarkable, every fight is easy to follow, every character emotes beautifully, and many types of artistry are on display in each of the Act III episodes.
The season 2 finale of Arcane also features several spin-offs, from the continuation of Mel’s story to the future exploits of Caitlyn and Vi.
Fortunately, Act III’s themes reach the heights of their animation to deliver truly thought-provoking concepts. I mentioned in my review of Act II that I was surprised, but not displeased, to find that Season 2’s story focuses more on its characters and their personal relationships than the Piltover-Zaun war they’re fighting. Act III went further in defining its themes that are so simultaneously personal and all-encompassing that it is a marvel Arcane sticks to the landing.
All of this comes with the message that there is beauty in the imperfections that make us human and that trying to “perfect” humanity may not be possible…
Arcane season two, Act III, explores the idea that humanity’s greatest forces – emotion, love, friendship and family – lead to the things they destroy: war, violence, trauma and death. All of this comes with the message that there is beauty in the imperfections that make us human and that trying to “perfect” humanity may not be possible. All of this is contained within ArcaneThe stunning animation, brilliant character arcs, thrilling action, and excellent writing solidify 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 two is now streaming on Netflix.
- Arcane season 2 Act III focuses on a personal story and plays to its greatest strength
- The beautiful animation remains a central part of the narrative
- The themes in Act III are excellent and the series maintains balance