December 8th, 2021
Arcane Review
Anime Relations: 3-gatsu no Lion
If you go into this show with a checklist, odds are you will come out with most, if not all boxes checked. The quality of a show isn't necessarily the sum of it's parts, but it shouldn't be understated what a technical achievement this project is, and it reaped the rewards of it's hard labor in stride.
You do not need to have played League of Legends to watch Arcane. It bears repeating as demolishing the barriers of entry into this show is more important than marketing the show in the first place. Let it be known.
At the core of Arcane is the relationship between Violet and Powder, once close sisters, are torn apart by circumstances out of their control. One time skip later, new bonds, new surroundings, new goals, and a new name in the case of Powder, now dawning the ill fitted Jinx. Along with this plot line, we have a scientist pair attempting to change the world. An underground mafia bargaining for political independence. A band of outcasts dawning green attire, make out a life in the slums. As well as all the extraneous characters who a part of multiple of these stories, as well as ones that don't fit into any of the previously mentioned plot lines. Don't forget how this show has a time skip, and you might think that this show will be a nightmare to follow. In a way it is, as Silco's position in the story always felt somewhat vague to me.
With that said, the creators of this show are geniuses that allowed the visuals to sell the setting and characters in a way which makes them all distinct. You can tell who works for who and where they're from just by the color of their energy that power's their machinery. This along with how lighting and framing are used in specific locations creates a world that pops like no other. On the topic of presentation, this animation style speaks for itself. This style is the guidebook most creatives will borrow from this point, this show is literally a landmark in animation going forward, having been perfected from animated shorts for the same game it's based on over the last decade. I wouldn't be shocked if this show ended up in textbooks in the near future.
Our protagonist, the hard ass Vi, is a breath of fresh air in western properties portrayal of female protagonists. Instead of having everything handed to her, she has to earn it. She's no stranger to a punch to the cheek, she can be outmatched and have to retreat. Of course, this makes the moments where she does kick ass all the more cathartic. Her ambition to live up to Vander's expectations is also welcomed in the world of female characters perpetually talking down to thier male counterparts.
I'd be lying in saying that the show is perfect, in fact, the main plot line is this show's greatest weakness. Jinx as a character feels so cartoonish in her depiction that it almost feels ironic. The graffiti like frames and corny dialogue feel like something a teenager would say, and why I'm not compelled to care, simply because teenage drama is not my cup of tea, except with the fact that this mentally unstable child has bombs and kills people.
I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the soundtrack either, as most of it feels like generic pop music you'd find on a teenager's spotify playlist, although it must be noted how that is the target audience they are trying to reach. Also Imagine Dragons are one of the most overrated bands possibly ever and I hate their music, so hearing it at the start of every episode was not very pleasant.
It's true that the series ends off in somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the plot isn't necessarily the main focus of the story, it's simply the vehicle that allows the viewer to explore the fantastic setting and intruiging characters.
With all that said, Arcane is the type of series that only occurs once in a blue moon, where everything goes right and the end of each episode corresponds with the consumption of the next. In concept and premise, the show hardly stands out, most of the plotlines and characters feel like they could come out of a much worse show, but the execution speaks for itself. Needless to say, you'll probably have a good time with this one.
You do not need to have played League of Legends to watch Arcane. It bears repeating as demolishing the barriers of entry into this show is more important than marketing the show in the first place. Let it be known.
At the core of Arcane is the relationship between Violet and Powder, once close sisters, are torn apart by circumstances out of their control. One time skip later, new bonds, new surroundings, new goals, and a new name in the case of Powder, now dawning the ill fitted Jinx. Along with this plot line, we have a scientist pair attempting to change the world. An underground mafia bargaining for political independence. A band of outcasts dawning green attire, make out a life in the slums. As well as all the extraneous characters who a part of multiple of these stories, as well as ones that don't fit into any of the previously mentioned plot lines. Don't forget how this show has a time skip, and you might think that this show will be a nightmare to follow. In a way it is, as Silco's position in the story always felt somewhat vague to me.
With that said, the creators of this show are geniuses that allowed the visuals to sell the setting and characters in a way which makes them all distinct. You can tell who works for who and where they're from just by the color of their energy that power's their machinery. This along with how lighting and framing are used in specific locations creates a world that pops like no other. On the topic of presentation, this animation style speaks for itself. This style is the guidebook most creatives will borrow from this point, this show is literally a landmark in animation going forward, having been perfected from animated shorts for the same game it's based on over the last decade. I wouldn't be shocked if this show ended up in textbooks in the near future.
Our protagonist, the hard ass Vi, is a breath of fresh air in western properties portrayal of female protagonists. Instead of having everything handed to her, she has to earn it. She's no stranger to a punch to the cheek, she can be outmatched and have to retreat. Of course, this makes the moments where she does kick ass all the more cathartic. Her ambition to live up to Vander's expectations is also welcomed in the world of female characters perpetually talking down to thier male counterparts.
I'd be lying in saying that the show is perfect, in fact, the main plot line is this show's greatest weakness. Jinx as a character feels so cartoonish in her depiction that it almost feels ironic. The graffiti like frames and corny dialogue feel like something a teenager would say, and why I'm not compelled to care, simply because teenage drama is not my cup of tea, except with the fact that this mentally unstable child has bombs and kills people.
I wouldn't say I'm a big fan of the soundtrack either, as most of it feels like generic pop music you'd find on a teenager's spotify playlist, although it must be noted how that is the target audience they are trying to reach. Also Imagine Dragons are one of the most overrated bands possibly ever and I hate their music, so hearing it at the start of every episode was not very pleasant.
It's true that the series ends off in somewhat of a cliffhanger, but the plot isn't necessarily the main focus of the story, it's simply the vehicle that allows the viewer to explore the fantastic setting and intruiging characters.
With all that said, Arcane is the type of series that only occurs once in a blue moon, where everything goes right and the end of each episode corresponds with the consumption of the next. In concept and premise, the show hardly stands out, most of the plotlines and characters feel like they could come out of a much worse show, but the execution speaks for itself. Needless to say, you'll probably have a good time with this one.
Posted by Aqua_Lucas | Dec 8, 2021 6:11 PM | 0 comments