No matter how acclaimed a video game may be, it always seems difficult to turn the game into a similarly acclaimed movie or TV show. Everything fromAssassin’s CreedtoMonster HuntertoSuper Mariohas tried its hand at a cinematic adaptation, but game retellings seem to almost universally get a mixed reception. That’s why it’s remarkable that Riot Games seems to have cracked the code with itsLeague of LegendsminiseriesArcane.So far,Arcaneis beloved byLeague of Legendsfans and TV critics alike, making it stand out from the crowd. As such,Arcanemay have set a new bar for video game adaptations.
It’s almost shocking that the show has achieved so much so far, but there’s a couple clear design choices that explain whatArcanedoes so differently.Arcaneis very faithful to establishedLeague of Legendslore about Piltover and Zaun; the show does its best to depict these places and their denizens as Riot has already described them. At the same time,Arcaneintroduces a lot of new ideas to lore thatbuild onLeague of Legends' charactersand settings without rewriting them for the show’s convenience. Although faith to the source material and eagerness to add new content sound contradictory, those two decisions by Riot Games and showrunner Fortiche are a big part ofArcane’s stunning quality.
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The Two Pillars of Arcane
There’s so much aboutArcanethat’s familiar to fans ofLeague of Legends,even if they’re not the type of fan who reads the official short stories about the MOBA or considers each character’s backstory. Many ofArcane’s main characters, from Jinx and Vi to Jayce, Viktor, and Heimerdinger, are allplayableLeague of Legendschampionswhose aesthetics, personalities, and lives are reflected very closely inArcane.The show was always intended to retell their origin stories, and so far it sticks very closely to what Riot has already said about these characters. What’s more, the aesthetics of Piltover and Zaun are exactly what Riot has revealed so far in art of the twin cities. Fans loveArcane’s dedication toLoLcanon because it results in a sharp depiction of the game.
However,Arcanealso makes a name for itselfby being unwaveringly original in certain departments. For instance, there’s tons of supporting characters inArcanethat are wholly new toLeague of Legendslore, like the menacing industrialist Silco and the calculating Piltover councillor Mel. These characters are woven into the stories of establishedLeague of Legendscharacters like Jinx, Vi, and Jayce, giving more context for their lives without refuting the backstories thatLeague of Legendsfans already know about. They add more detail to the world while givingArcanethe breadth of characters it needs to tell a compelling story.
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Arcane’s Success is Just the Beginning
Arcaneblends old lore and new lore harmoniously. The content thatArcaneadds sheds new light onLoL’s established plot and settings, while the original lore serves as inspiring source material from whichArcanecan create new things.Arcanedoesn’t stray too far from its source material liketheMonster Huntermovie, but it also doesn’t just rehashLeague of Legendsin the way of theRatchet and Clankmovie. It strikes a balance between old and new that expandsLeague of Legendswithout washing out the game’s identity.The result is a complex but skillfully created show that appeals to watchers of all kinds:League of Legendsfans, professional critics, and viewers with no connection to the game.
Any future studio that tries its hand at a video game adaptation should definitelytake notes fromArcane.After all, there’s more to the show’s success than its storytelling;Arcaneis also a success thanks to its art, voice acting, and more. Out of all the strategies that go into makingArcane,though, its balance between classic canon and new lore is the easiest to replicate, and perhaps the most important. If future adaptations useArcaneas a guiding light, then maybe there’s cause for optimism about upcoming video game movies and shows.
League of Legendsis available now for PC.
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