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As someone who digests a lot of sci-fi and fantasy mediums daily - whether through books, TV or games - I wasn't expecting this show to hold up in the grand lexicon of well-written modern fantasy. This show on the exterior promises to divulge into the backstories of a few very popular League of Legends characters, and so to many players that must have seemed exciting all on its own. However, as a non-LoL player, I never expected to compare it to the likes of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, etc. It was just another slightly-above average video game adaptation. Right? 

If you have the same mindset going into it as I did, you will be absolutely shocked and blown away by this show. Just from the opening scene of the show, Arcane develops a tone of unexpected darkness within a complex weave of character development, breathtaking visuals and compelling dialogue. The first beginning episodes are slightly slow in their unraveling of the incredibly intricate displays of politicking, family drama, gang feuds, scientific pursuits, and the divide between the gorgeous top-word (Piltover) versus the moody yet darkly beautiful underground (Zaun) that fuel the story and world of Arcane. In the midst of all this is the tale of two sisters, which propels the show to dizzying heights and depressing lows. The state of the two cities is reflected in the eyes of these sisters; so inseparably connected but driven apart over time by a gulf of experiences and decisions.