English

Arcane: Where to Watch, Episodes, Cast & Reviews

TV Show Expert

28 Jul 2025 — 4 min read

Step into the visually breathtaking world of Arcane, the animated phenomenon that redefined video game adaptations. Set in the League of Legends universe, Arcane blends emotional depth, masterful world-building, and sophisticated animation to tell a story of family, conflict, and technological ambition. Read on for everything you need to know about Arcane—its seasons, plot, cast, reviews, and where to watch.

How Many Seasons and Episodes Does Arcane Have?

Arcane consists of two seasons with a total of 18 episodes (each season features 9 episodes, running about 40 minutes each)1 2. The first season premiered in November 2021, and the second and final season was released in November 2024. The series brings its story to a close with season two3 1 2.

What is the Plot/Storyline of Arcane?

Arcane is set in the divided twin cities of Piltover and Zaun—a steampunk metropolis of innovation and wealth, and its oppressed, hazardous underbelly, respectively. At its heart is the fractured relationship between orphaned sisters Vi and Powder, whose destinies diverge amid growing unrest between their home in Zaun and the ruling elites of Piltover.

As children, Vi and Powder try to survive Zaun's harsh streets in the care of their adoptive father, Vander. When a failed heist drags them into conflict with Piltover authorities, tragedy shatters their family. Powder, traumatized and manipulated by underworld kingpin Silco, is reborn as the unpredictable and dangerous Jinx4. Vi, imprisoned and hardened, stays determined to reconnect with her lost sister while being drawn into Piltover’s complicated politics and social strife.

Simultaneously, inventors Jayce and Viktor, hailing from Piltover, develop "hextech"—a groundbreaking fusion of science and magic. Their invention has the potential to elevate civilization or drive it into chaos. As the power of hextech spreads, political scheming by figures like Mel Medarda further intensifies class conflict between the cities5.

The show’s first season follows these tensions as Zaun’s criminal underworld leverages Shimmer, a potent and addictive chemical weapon, to challenge Piltover’s authority. Characters such as Caitlyn, a principled young enforcer, and Ekko, a rebellious prodigy, become entangled in this escalating conflict. Vi, Caitlyn, and others form uneasy alliances to prevent all-out war, while Jinx’s instability and deep-rooted trauma threaten to tip the balance.

Season two continues these converging storylines, delving further into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and transformation. Vi and Jinx’s broken bond remains the emotional core, even as political power struggles, reckless technological progress, and the devastation of war upend both cities. Characters wrestle with loss, revenge, responsibility, and the hope for redemption.

Arcane stands out for its nuanced, morally complex writing; beautiful, painterly animation style by Studio Fortiche; and a haunting, genre-blending musical score. Critics and audiences alike have praised its mature exploration of trauma, identity, and social inequality—making it compelling viewing for animation fans and newcomers alike4 6 7.

What Are the Casts of Arcane?

Arcane features an acclaimed international voice cast6 8 9:

Hailee Steinfeld as Vi
Ella Purnell as Jinx (Powder)
Kevin Alejandro as Jayce
Katie Leung as Caitlyn Kiramman
Harry Lloyd as Viktor
Toks Olagundoye as Mel Medarda
Reed Shannon as Ekko
Jason Spisak as Silco
JB Blanc as Vander
Amirah Vann as Sevika
Remy Hii as Marcus
Brett Tucker as Singed

The show is helmed by creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee, with direction from Pascal Charrue and Arnaud Delord10.

What Are the Reviews of Arcane?

Reddit Reviews

Reddit users widely acclaim Arcane as a "masterpiece"—citing its innovative animation, multi-layered storytelling, strong character arcs, and emotional impact. Many note that, despite being based on a video game, Arcane is fully accessible to newcomers. Criticism is minor, with some pointing to overuse of slow-motion and a slightly rushed second season, but consensus is overwhelmingly positive: Arcane is one of the best animated series in recent years6 11.

Douban Reviews

On Douban, Arcane enjoys high marks—Season 1 received 9.4/10—with reviewers praising its stunning visual style, rich world-building, and complex characters. Chinese audience commentary often highlights the series’ reflection on social inequality and class tension, as well as its emotionally resonant relationships. Some Douban users feel the pacing of season two was too brisk10.

IMDb Reviews

On IMDb, Arcane boasts an outstanding 9.0/10 rating with over 400,000 reviews, ranking among the top-rated animated series ever6 12. User reviews highlight the show’s revolutionary animation, character-driven narrative, and superb voice acting. Both seasons premiered to near-universal acclaim, though critiques of a hurried conclusion in the second season have surfaced6 10 13.

Rotten Tomatoes Reviews

Arcane has achieved rare critical heights, earning 100% critics score for both seasons and audience scores of 97% (season 1) and 91% (season 2)7 10. Critics and fans consistently praise its character development, world-building, and exceptional animation quality. Some audience members express regret that the story wrapped up in only two seasons, but the overall impact is that of a modern television classic.

Where to Watch Arcane?

Arcane is available exclusively on Netflix worldwide, including Hong Kong. All episodes from both seasons can be streamed in HD and with subtitles in multiple languages14 15. In select regions, episodes can also be purchased on Prime Video, Apple TV, and VUDU15, but Netflix remains the official and primary platform.

Experience the unforgettable story of Arcane—an animated triumph blending drama, science fiction, and action—streaming anytime, only on Netflix.