Arcane Fans Rejoice: No Season 3, But the Adventure Isn’t Over Yet!

Netflix’s Arcane has reached its conclusion. With no third season in sight, is it really the end for this series, hailed as one of the best on the platform? Here’s everything we know about what’s next for the show.

The curtain has finally closed. After captivating Netflix subscribers on Saturdays, Arcane wrapped up its run on November 23 with the release of the ninth and final episode of season 2. This marks the definitive end of the series, but fans have reason to celebrate as the depicted universe will continue to expand.

“Arcane is just the start of our journey to tell a broader story, and it’s only the beginning of our partnership with the incredible Paris-based animation studio Fortiche,” Christian Linke said in June. “Vi and Jinx’s arc has evolved far beyond anything we had ever imagined, and we intend to extend the same depth to other champions [from League of Legends],” he added.

On Twitch, Christian Linke confirmed the development of three spin-off series: these will not be set in Piltover and Zaun, but will explore the yet unseen regions of Noxus, Ionia, and Demacia. Will characters from Arcane return? Only time will tell. Meanwhile, you can rewatch both seasons of Arcane on Netflix.

However, according to Variety, Arcane was initially planned to span five full seasons. Due to the high costs of seasons 1 and 2 (estimated at $250 million), the production plan from Riot Games and Fortiche had to be adjusted, and the number of episodes reduced. The costs were driven up by labor and budget overruns, reports the American media.

What’s the Plot of Arcane?

Two sisters, Vi and Powder, are taken in after their parents’ deaths by Vander, the leader of the rebels and mayor of the impoverished, underground district of Zaun, located near the prosperous city of Piltover. Years later, during a heist gone wrong in Piltover, Vi and Powder stumble upon mysterious crystals in an apartment they attempt to rob. The story of the sisters, as well as several key city characters, takes a dramatic turn.

Who are the Voice Actors in Arcane?

For the American voices:

• Hailee Steinfeld: Vi
• Ella Purnell: Powder / Jinx
• Kevin Alejandro: Jayce
• Harry Lloyd: Viktor
• Katie Leung: Caitlyn
• Jason Spisak: Silco
• Toks Olagundoye: Mel
• JB Blanc: Vander
• Remy Hii: Marcus
• Reed Shannon: Ekko

For the French voices:

• Alice Taurand: Vi
• Adeline Chetail: Powder / Jinx
• Franck Sportis: Jayce
• Cédric Dumont: Victor
• Elsa Davoine: Caitlyn
• Bernard Gabay: Silco
• Géraldine Asselin: Mel
• Boris Rehlinger: Vander
• Jim Redler: Marcus
• Aurélien Raynal: Ekko

Where Can You Stream Arcane?

Arcane is not broadcast on television and is only available for streaming. Accessing the series, which spans two seasons, requires a Netflix account. Remember, subscribing to this streaming platform is not free, with prices ranging from $6.99/month (with ads) to $19.99/month.

How is Arcane Created?

Fans understood from season 1 that Arcane is not just any animated series; it is highly costly in terms of time and investment, leading to a three-year wait between seasons. At a conference in Paris attended by journalists and French animation students before season 2’s release, the producers detailed the creation process for new episodes: “It can take up to a year from writing the script of an episode to its execution,” explained Pascal Charrue, founder of Fortiche and co-director of season 2, Bart Maunoury, creative director, Kianna Manker, producer, and Amanda Overton, script editor.

The series does not use motion capture; instead, animators film themselves to detail scenes before animating them, aiming for a “semi-realistic” style. “On average, we produce half a second per day per animator,” they noted. And they teased season 2 as “a graphical continuation of the first, only better.” Quite the claim.

This ambition, however, comes with significant costs. According to Variety, Arcane cost over $250 million for its two seasons (production and promotion), making it the most expensive animated series in history with just 18 episodes. The English-speaking media also noted that the series is unlikely to be profitable for the studio, at best allowing it to break even.