Regarding the question: "What is this show?" Well, the answer is a lot of emotional gut punches! And yes, of course I have watched it, multiple times already. And then basically everyone I could find reacting to it.
The ethos behind the writing was to give it's characters impossible choices to make and then let it play out like they made the right choice but it ends up backfiring and the consequences become devastating. This is how every episode plays out and its a good structure to have.
Probably the first person he ever related to since Vander as well. He was absolutely about to kill her before that. I love the art work in this scene. You can read the confusion, pain and the conflict of emotions on his face, before his eyes land on Vanders body and he realize they are the same and he changes his mind. Its fakking perfect.
Episode 3 should be titled "How to hook and break the audiences' hearts at the same time." I swear, it was emotionally traumatizing, but that's how I knew for sure the show was gonna be great 😭
Definitely a sign of good writing when you're attached to the characters by episode 3 to cry when something bad happens to them. When you care for the characters, then the writers have you exactly where they want you.
@@neil2444 I'm just glad it continued getting better and better each "chapter" because there's plenty of times shows/movies has had me like you describe but then completely missed the mark in the 3rd act😅😅
This show is a masterclass in leading audience expectations while still also managing to perfectly lay the groundwork for what really happens. It somehow manages to lean into tropes during the first two episodes strongly enough that the audience is confident they know where the story is going, but not so heavily that the audience sees through it and predicts a misdirect. The brilliance is that everything feels fated in retrospect, but on first viewing especially after the first Act, doubt infuses every moment and the story feels like it could go anywhere.
I was in shock when each character died, but when Powder came around the corner and yelled “My monkey bomb finally worked!” I started crying. They’ve been building that up, plus Powder’s breakdown because she thinks she’s gonna lose Vi like she lost her parents (if she’s not helping, Mylo’s constant shit talking & hearing what Vi said. Then Vi saying “they will work” and later on saying “you’re not ready” (reinforcing what she heard Vi say to Mylo)).
People need to be more sympathetic towards Powder. Childhood trauma, attachment, fear of being abandoned, having a full blown panic attack after Vi told her that she wasn't good enough, those are things people should take more seriously. it was never about Powder being too young or not being ready, she simply wants to prove herself to her idol Vi, who she's grown attached to after losing everything when they were little. And then there's Vi. the imperfect matriarch, a badass female character written correctly (that's rare lol). punching her way out of every situation, to survive and protect those she loves, and who isn't afraid to take a hit! it's so refreshing seeing a woman take hits and keep going. One of my favourite series, easily. Brace yourself for the other episodes and don't forget your tissues this time!
Arcane is an absolute masterpiece. The design, voice acting, world building, complex story and characters also it is presented in a way that is very much referential to the game but without confusing you or needing prior knowledge of League of Legends. The lightning in a bottle, sheer perfection.
lightning in a bottle means it's a Grand success that doesn't last long, kind of like a "one hit wonder". We haven't gotten a ssecond season yet. so no, we can't say it's lightning in a bottle yet.
@@RaixsOreh LOL, i meant in video game adaptations at large and it wasn't a diss on the show. I have high expectations for the second season and I sincerely wish the lightning strikes twice. This is without a doubt one of the best season of anything produced in history, animated or not.
And there's a ton of references to other media especially homages to other animation. Tgey had to know they were making animation history which for a small indie studio to have a chance at that had to be a dream come true, but at the same time I love how it seems to be saying "we can reach the stars because we stand on the shoulders of giants."
@@j.f.fisher5318 One can say without irony that it is an instant classic. It's usually good to declare something a classic after at least a decade, to see how it will hold up, but there is no way Arcane would not hold up, even a thousand years from now. I don't know if another show will ever be able to replicate this greatness on all possible levels. I don't even know if the second season will (though I wish it very much), but that season right here is a bona fide masterpice on all conceivable aspects.
What I love about the first arc of Arcane is that it does a perfect job of setting up the events of episode 3, while simultaneously leading the audience to completely different expectations. It's such a delicate balance. The fact that ep 3 does not play out how most people think it will AT ALL, and yet in no way feels forced or random in how things DO play out, is some pretty masterful storytelling.
One of my absolute FAVORITE pieces of symbolism in this show is right at the beginning, when Vander drops his gauntlets to pick up the girls: it's literally a metaphor for how he gave up fighting and rebellion to take care of them! Makes me emotional EVERY TIME I think about it!
In my opinion(and many other people), Silco is not "using" Powder. He genuinly feels affection for her. Notice how he come to Powder, with knife in his hand, ready to kill her as soon she tell him where is Vi. But when Powder grab him and says "She is not my sister", he thinks of him and Vander, and feel connection to her. You are just caught in a trap, like many other people. If he/she is a villain, then everything he/she does is bad and evil.
I mean, he is pretty unabashadly evil. Cruel and hateful and spiteful in one. Yes, he does care for Powder, but unfortunately, caring for someone doesn't make you good for them, and his care is very toxic, making her worse because it's 'better' in his own vision.
What you call connection, feels more like proyecting to me. I do think that he loves her as a daughter, but I also think that his perception of love is twisted. He sees himself through jinx, the only reason why he didn’t kill her was because he saw a chance to “save himself” a lost betrayed child that he took with him for selfish empathy; he is jinx and jinx is himself…and if she isn’t willing to be, he’s going to raise her to carry the same weight.
Silco treats Jinx as if she’s an object, the ultimate weapon. He refers to her in such an inhumane, to the point where it’s creepy. He may care about her, but only as her ability, he tries to make her like him, tries to pressure her into Jinx, when you can constantly see Powder trying to resurface.
When I heard an animated show based on LOL was in production on Netflix I rolled my eyes. Not being a fan of the game I doubted I would even watch it. Turns out it's one of the best pieces of animation I've ever watched. Incredible animation, incredible voice acting and direction. Just incredible.
netflix has its stamp on it, but everything was made by riot games, their music producers etc etc with the magnificent work of Fortiche Studios on the animation itself, if you know anything about Riot games, you would know they absolutely love the world they built and they poured their heart and soul into this project.
I like how the first three episodes establish Vi's character and many of her flaws; she's brave, strong, and loyal. She's also head-strong, and her first response to "fight-or-flight" is definitely "fight." So, unfortunately, when she feels hurt or scared or like she's floundering, she will lash out first; and you can see how much she regrets it as soon as she realizes what she's doing or saying, but she's also too angry to stop herself in that moment. It's why, as soon as she realized, she basically ran from Powder. Not to abandon her, but to remove the danger she was from Powder until she could get herself under control. And then events occurred that prevented her from returning, and so Powder instead feels like Vi abandoned and betrayed her. And the next arc starts getting setup. And I'm looking forward to seeing you see how that unfolds. Now, onto the source material. League of Legends (hereafter referred to as LoL) is a competitive, 5v5 MOBA. The community is very odd, in that they will delight in helping you learn all the lore of the game world, which is absolutely fascinating, while strongly advising against actually playing the game, as many of the people who actually play the game can get quite toxic while playing it. So, the community is in this weird place where people love the setting, characters, lore, cinematics, and side-content for LoL; but many seem to hate the actual game. Fortunately, Riot also has other projects in the setting that are either in the works or already out. There's a Hearthstone/MtG/Yu-Gi-Oh-like card game called "Legends of Runeterra" that has events and stories that cover a lot of the lore of the world. There's short stories dealing with the Champions of the game that deals with their back-stories or current stories. There's a fighting game in the works, as well as an MMORPG that Riot is working on (though that one is probably still quite a ways out). And there's a couple single player side games that have come out, dealing with some of the stories of Runeterra (the world of LoL), one called "The Ruined King" and one called "Mage-seeker." On the opening song: Imagine Dragons created the song for the show. The official music video for it is done in the same style as the show, and has some of the characters in it as seen in these first three episodes. The band also have a cameo of their Arcane models in the actual show. You'll see them at one point during the next part. All that to say, once you finish the show, many of the fans will be happy to suggest cinematics and music videos by Riot to watch, will tell you where you can find the canon stories, and will strongly denounce the game itself. We're a pretty weird bunch.
Thanks for that synopsis on LoL. I watched Arcane when it first came out and only then became aware of the game. Absolutely a best of the decade. I love getting to know background source material like this--another whole world in the meta to appreciate. Helps, since I'm not a gamer myself, to be given this context, so I greatly appreciate your taking the time to set this out. From what I understand, this show itself has completely elevated the source material (rather than the other way around). Now can't wait for Season 2!
This show has a special place in my heart. My girlfriend watched it with me while I was going through severe withdrawals. It was the last time I used. I was already in an emotional place but this show crushed me. It will always remind me of how aweful I felt, and how greatful I am for her to be by my side.
The biggest tragedy of these first 3 episodes is that it didn't have to end this way. Vi is a good leader, she's just inexperienced. The answer was to give Powder a job. Make her responsible to scout and secure the fall back point. They can't use their regular place, Silco would know to look there, and they would need a place to regroup and figure out next steps. Making Powder responsible for this includes her while simultaneously keeping her away from the main action. I suppose we wouldn't have a story then and this series is phenomenal.
Heartbreakingly beautiful! I love Arcane so much! Watching you point out things that enhance the experience as a viewer while also going through the motions for the first time is fantastic. I can't wait for the rest, and the 3 part reaction is perfect for the 3 acts!
Very few people notice how good the aound design is, hats off to you. But then again, every aspext or this show like animation, voice acting, music etc is atleat 10/10 if not more lol.
Fun fact: in the game there's a character called Fiddlesticks who in the lore has the ability to see a person's worst fears and when he taunts he uses them against the character. For Powder/Jinx his taunt is "All your fault, all your fault" which fans now know is a reference to her accidentally killing Milo and Klagar.
this is one of the best animated shows, i've ever seen! I've been playing league since 2011 and i never ever imagined that they could create something so amazing from the League source material.
this show is just such a huge display on how our violence and hate heavily affect children on the sidelines. it changes their upbringing, their views on the world. it’s just so sad and i think it was told beautifully in this show. there’s so many other themes this show tackles too, like classism and discrimination. it’s amazing how they balance and meld all of these stories
i’m so happy you’re reacting to this partially because you’ll pick up on the psychological & parallel scenes but mainly because of how much you appreciate cinematography, especially as this is animation
Jayce and his mother were transported across the planet most likely from the region Freijlord to Piltover. The audio was superb; a behind the scenes 5-part special shows every facet of how Arcane was created. The creators give every detail special attention. It took 6 years to complete season one. Prepare yourself, there will be more tears to come. This first season, in my opinion, has been a masterpiece. The shots, the music score, the writing, the voice acting, everything. Did you notice the parallels throughout the story? It is intriguing and great story telling. At the end of the season your homework is to tell us who the villain is.😊
I think its never too late to watch things. Bc we all wanna rewatch our favorite shows/ see other people react. So its like...THANK YOU for bringing this back into my life lol (I still watch people watch lord of the rings for the time to this day. Lol)
YEEES, NICS! Arcane is of the best made shows I’ve seen in recent memory, and that’s as someone who knows absolutely nothing about LoL. It’s a beautifully told, gorgeously visualized, wonderfully scored, perfectly acted and directed tragedy and I cannot wait to see your reaction to it! I’ve never had something make me cry within 2 minutes based on the sheer quality of what I was watching (especially something I knew nothing about).
The art in this show had me loving it from the first frame, then there is the music, the voice acting, the dialog and the story 😱It's rare to have all the pieces be so great. This first 3 part arc is so awesome.
Hands down the best show I've ever seen, animated or live action. Everything about it is perfect; the writing, animation, soundtrack/score, acting *chef's kiss*. After finishing the series you should definitely check out the behind-the-scenes videos they made for the show. It's a series on the League of Legends RU-vid channel called "Bridging the Rift"
When I first saw this episode, and Mylo and Claggor got killed in the explosion, I was scared for a moment that Powder didn't survive the blast either. So, I was relieved when she popped around the corner in the alley. But as soon as Vi said: "You did this?" I was like: "Oh no." That was the moment that the weight of Powder's actions set in.
Firstly, thank you for giving such an awesome reaction. I took it as Silco seeing himself in Powders eyes. He was ready to kill Powder but when she was betrayed by her sister like Silco was "betrayed" by Vander. He related with her because he saw himself in her.
Your comment on the sound design is spot on. To me, it's more impressive since this is animation, and thus they didn't have any actual audio recorded from the "scene" to base anything off of, it all had to be made from scratch.
I loved that the fight scenes had a weight to them. They felt brutal, that each hit hurt. That the fighters were skilled but it wasn't cinematic Kung fu ballet.
Watched this show twice already, so now I enjoy it through reactions like yours! The narrative arcs and character development in this show is amazing. Add on top of that amazing visuals, the art style, and as you noted, the sound design and music is phenominal. Cheers!
Just got back into watching this and reactors viewing it and then I found this, so nice to watch someone enjoy this for the first time. Amazing and thank you I will be waiting for your future installments you can count on that. DO NOT spoil it for yourself that's all I'm going to say.
Love this show so much and have probably watched it about 10 times by now 😂 My heart broke a little when you said "they don't think they can rely on her but then she like saves the day or something like that" because I already knew what's going to happen and literally no one I've seen react to Arcane so far was prepared for it 💔
Do note that Silco took in Powder because he related to her - being "betrayed" by a sibling - not because he wanted to use her. He wouldn't really have a use for a child.
I watched this show when it came out, and ive actually rewatched it really recently (which i dont usually do at all). This was a great reactionary journey I love the little random fun edits lol, great vid!
Natalie, you hit gold with this show. And if you want to follow the vein, please watch Andor and Pantheon. They are both criminally underlooked and are masterpieces in the own right. You don't have react to them, i just want you to see them because they are brilliant and you will love them.
I second the thought on Andor. Haven't watched Pantheon--but if it is anywhere near the quality of Arcane or Andor, I've got to check it out. Thanks for the recommend!
This show. This show is quite possibly the best show I've seen. The animation/art style, the story, the characters, the voice acting, the sound, the everything. I'm so stoked you're watching this. I love, love, love this show.
So for context in the second episode, Jayce was from an extremely cold climate called Freljord, where it’s basically always winter. He and his mom were teleported to Piltover by the wizard which is on the other side of the world, which is why the globe spun like that making it look like they went to some other planet. Unfortunately for Jayce, he landed in one of the 2 countries that despised magic and mages, although he’s able to turn Piltover’s views around. I would’ve hated but also loved to see how his goals would’ve worked out had he been taken to Demacia.
9:27 a point where her invention ends up working, in the finale XD im so glad youre already done with the show, because that was perfectly predicting the last moments of the show.
"There's gonna be a point where her inventions start working" LMAO xD I mean you're not wrong... And Silco fully intended to murder Powder after getting information out of her, you can see that with how he grabs his knife, he has no use for a ten year old who used to be Vander's kid after all. He only changed his mind when he realised the similarities between him and Vander and Powder and Vi.
I love these reaction vids for Arcane - gives me an excuse to watch the series again. And if you thought ep. 1-3 was tough, you might want to stock up on tissues.
"There's got to be a point in the finale, or something, where her inventions start working." You mean the first finale in episode 3? At least that would be the finale of a season in a normal show. This series packs so much into every episode.
DON'T DO RESEARCH! It will spoil so many things. The game takes place after these events so anything you read will spoil some amazing character arcs and events.
That was fun. You're a great reactor! A good balance of talking without losing the pace of the video. And as much as you said your makeup was going to run, it held up pretty well. So kudos to whatever brand you use.
Its based off a game called League of Legends. Jinx and Vi, Ekko, Caitlyn, jayce, heimdinger, Viktor are all characters in the game. Also enemy was written for Arcane. Imagine dragons has been with LoL since the first year, with Dan playing Vi. Its an emotional rollercoaster that only gets worst im afraid as well. The lightings are so dramatic and the humor is THERE. its make you cry again.😊 Ps. Vander will be back
'I think it would be great in the finale if her inventions worked' 😂 oh man, this take never fails to make me chuckle very darkly. By the end of episode 3 everyone has regrets for this hope.
For setting lore, all you need to know is this takes place on a purely fictional planet with all sorts of different lands and countries Piltover (main setting for this and Season 2) is its a city built on scientific progression but NO magic since the surviving founder, and one of the current councilmembers Heimerdinger (little furry guy, his species can live for multiple centuries) personally witnessed in other lands what magic can bring about. Part of Piltover is called Zaun or the Under City where the tippy-top of is across that bridge you saw in the beginning, but most people live in the below 2 sections, the bottom being the mines where the air is hard to breathe. Vander and Silco used to be revolutionists trying to fight for Zaun's independence, but Vander abandoned his fight after seeing the destruction it can bring, while Silco got further radicalized into becoming a Kingpin just to achieve his goals.
The show released in blocks of 3 episodes at a time, so reacting to 3 episodes in one sitting is exactly how everyone else watched it when it first came out :) I would also recommend to watch (or react!) to the music video for Imagine Dragons - Enemy. The song was written specifically for the show, and the music video is animated in the same style as the show and basically has a bunch of extra scenes. I would watch it before you watch episode 7 for maximum impact - the music video actually came out before the show was released, so don't worry about 'spoilers' or anything from it. There's also a whole bunch of excellent cinematics for the game League of Legends itself that you could check out after the show. While Arcane only features a handful of characters from the wider League of Legends lore, there's a couple of cinematics that directly feature some of the characters you will become familiar with. "Get Jinxed (ft. Djerv) | Official Music Video" and "Warriors | Season 2020 Cinematic - League of Legends (ft. 2WEI and Edda Hayes)" are probably the two most direct connections to League characters that are in Arcane.
A great part about this show is that you don't necessarily need the game's lore to know the show. Like it's probably helpful for the magic part and maybe certain characters and references, but for the most part, the show is it's own thing.
FYI a full length Invincible special about Atom Eve released in the summer if you wanna warm yourself up for the upcoming season 2. There was also some news regarding Arcane season 2 recently, just saw there was news, didn't check it, I like to be suprised. Loved the reaction, the season is kinda set up in 3 episode arcs, so doing it this way is great.
This series is a master class in storytelling.. As well as a master class in animation, voice acting, characterization, the use of emotional psychology and etc..
This is definitely one of my favorite shows of all time, and it might be my actual favorite (hard to say for sure though). I'm glad you're reacting to this one. I actually found most of the reactors I follow through their reactions to this show. I highly recommend that you don't research this show though. This show is actually better if you don't know anything about League of Legends, because if you know who the "champions" of league are, you tend to automatically assume they can't die (I won't say whether they do or not), and that takes a lot of the suspense and excitement out of it. Plus, some of this is kind of like origin stories, so you can spoil what will happen to characters by knowing who they are "now".
As someone that’s not a League fan and will never play the game, this show really hooks you into the world. Plus the animators are doing some insane technical things in this show! I can see why it took them 6 years to make it 😅
breaking it into 3 parts is good, When the series was first released they released the first 3 episodes and also followed up with skins in game that you could earn just by logging in. then the next week the next 3 episodes and then the last, I'm happy you're getting to experience this masterpiece in a similar way
