How does a person lose who they are? What lengths would you go to in order to save someone? What does it take to change who you are? These are just a few of the many burning questions Arcane Season 2 Act 1 birthed into our minds. The much anticipated series is finally here, bringing back our favorite characters and some shocking new additions to the cast. This review has spoilers for Season 1, and no spoilers for Season 2 so you can enjoy the latest episodes in all their glory.
One Bad Day
Arcane has been heavy on characters since the beginning, giving us beautifully written leads and interestingly relevant side characters. The cogs all turned in unison to give us the breathtaking finale of Season 1, and the second season jumps right into the action. Each of the characters in the first season clearly expressed their ambitions and beliefs, cementing themselves in the chaotic world around them. Jinx, Vi, Caitlyn, Jace, Viktor, and all the others had their role to play leading up to the devastating season 1 finale. Seeing the different paths converge into one event was beautiful, making their continuation in Season 2 even more satisfying. Now we see identities shaken, relationships forged and tested, and bigger threats looming on the horizon. Season 2 begins to show the bigger picture of all the happenings, leading to some tense political intrigue.
Try to Keep Up
There’s never a dull moment with Arcane, and they’ve kept the compact yet concise storytelling style from the first season. Each episode is packed with information, meriting a couple rewinds here and there to see the finer details, while still being well paced and managing to tie together the overarching plotlines. Despite this, you’ll still be left wondering about those seemingly unimportant side characters and what they’re up to. The world is richer than ever with more new characters showing themselves and other unfinished stories from Season 1 taking form, and they take advantage of it in the best way possible.
Don’t Change
With higher stakes and more action-packed scenes this time around, the animators really get to show off their skill. Each scene is meticulously crafted giving life to the dynamic action and tense emotional sequences, leaving every frame full of dramatic energy. The soundtrack fits perfectly and enhances every scene with high octane bangers. Arcane is a joy to watch, and we’re excited to see more in Act 2!
If somehow you’ve read through this entire spoiler-free review and still haven’t opened up Netflix to watch, please do so now. There’s no conclusion here. Just watch. You won’t regret it. Stay tuned for more Arcane content on the website!
Trying to catchup with Arcane? Check out this article for a quick recap of Season 1!
