Adult Animation Revolution: ‘Arcane’ And The Power of Originality
by Tito W. James
Arcane is a very important series for me. In some ways, the Adult Animation Revolution Blog wouldn’t even exist without Arcane‘s global success. What’s so brilliant about the program is how the emotional story of two sisters getting torn apart is able to connect with every kind of audience member. You don’t have to be a fan of sci-fi, fantasy, League of Legends, or adult animation to engage with the show. But if you are a fan of geek culture, Arcane gives you everything you could want and more.
I’ve grown tired of boilerplate scif-fi and fantasy like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I’m even more tired of the pushback against the inclusion of more ethnic, gender, and queer representation within genre fiction. With the liberties and dignity of women, brown people, and queer folks currently under threat — Arcane provides a much needed breath of fresh air. The world of Piltover and Zaun is more reflective of the multicultural landscape that we currently live in. The series’ diverse cast of characters proves that adding more color and culture to fantasy doesn’t dilute the genre, it enriches it.
The show also demonstrates the power of creating something new that feels of the now. The story is emotionally gripping but it can also be silly, sexy, or scary when needed. The styled animation, from Fortiche Studios, has the tonal elasticity to explore any genre. The highlight of the Season 2 premier was Sevika (Amirah Vann) getting a new tricked-out arm from Jinx (Ella Purnell). This scene encapsulates the freedom of animated storytelling and the expert genre-blending of the Arcane world.
I maintain that Arcane is one of the best shows on TV, live-action or animated. It is a series that has captured the fun and creativity of sci-fi and fantasy stories that came before while also boldly forging a new path. Originality does exist and it’s needed now more than ever. With the success of Arcane, I hope to see more deep, narratively-driven animation that doesn’t adhere to the tired Hollywood formula.
Arcane Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
