Arcane Becomes the Most Expensive Animated Series in History, Setting New Standards in the Industry
Riot Games’ groundbreaking animated series Arcane, set in the captivating League of Legends universe, has made history by becoming the most expensive animated series ever produced. With a staggering budget of $250 million allocated for its first two seasons, significantly raises the bar for both production costs and animation quality in the industry.
Debuting on Netflix in November 2021, was a long-anticipated project, taking approximately six years to come to fruition. Rather than collaborating with a different animation studio, Riot Games opted to continue its successful partnership with Fortiche, a French animation studio known for its previous work on the music videos for League of Legends.
The series features a unique visual aesthetic that seamlessly combines 2D and 3D animation, creating a rich and dynamic viewing experience.
Historic Accolades for Netflix’s Arcane
A still from the show (Image sourced from Netflix)
has achieved significant milestones, becoming the first animated series based on a video game to clinch both the Annie Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards. At the Annie Awards held in 2022, the show excelled by winning multiple categories, including Best General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production for the episode titled When These Walls Come Tumbling Down.
Additionally, garnered awards for Outstanding Achievement in Character Animation, Character Design, Directing, and Writing, with accolades directed towards the team behind the episode The Monster You Created. Fortiche also received honors for Production Design and Storyboarding, showcasing the outstanding talent behind the animation.
Not to be outdone, at the Emmy Awards, won the award for Outstanding Animated Program for the episode When These Walls Come Tumbling Down and received nominations in the Sound Editing and Individual Achievement in Animation categories.
Exploring the Plot and Themes of Arcane
A still from the show (Image sourced from Netflix)
is set against the rich backdrop of the League of Legends universe, delving into the origins of beloved characters such as Vi and Jinx. The narrative unfolds in three acts, intricately portraying the fraught dynamics between the opulent city of Piltov and the marginalized undercity of Zaun.
The story begins with sisters Vi and Jinx, who navigate the perilous streets of Zaun, where economic disparity and struggle are omnipresent. After a tragic event that claims their parents, the sisters are taken under the wing of Vander, a local leader attempting to protect them from the grim realities of their environment.
However, the narrative takes a dark turn when a heist spirals out of control, setting off a sequence of events that profoundly affects the fate of both cities. delves into the intricate political and social struggles pitting Piltover against Zaun—the former being a prosperous and technologically advanced locale, while the latter struggles with poverty and survival.
At the heart of this urban conflict are Jayce, a genius inventor, and his conflicted partner Viktor, whose groundbreaking innovations lead both communities toward an escalating power struggle. Meanwhile, Silco, a ruthless character in Zaun, rises to prominence, striving for independence from Piltover while manipulating Jinx, his adopted daughter, as a tool in his quest for freedom.
Fans of the series can look forward to Season 2, set to release in November 2024. New episodes will be available for streaming on Netflix starting from November 9, 2024, running until November 23, 2024.
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