Arcane, one of the most visually stunning and critically acclaimed animated series of recent years, is coming to an unexpected end after just two seasons. Based on the globally popular video game League of Legends, the show quickly became a fan-favourite. It blends compelling storytelling with breathtaking animation to tell the origin stories of several beloved characters. Its focus on the fractured relationship between sisters Vi and Jinx, set against the backdrop of the utopian city of Piltover and the impoverished underground of Zaun, captivated viewers worldwide.
The first season broke records, becoming Netflix’s highest-rated series upon release and garnering four Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program — the first streaming show to do so. Given its massive success, fans are puzzled by the abrupt cancellation. Initially, Arcane was planned as a five-season series by parent company Riot Games, the studio behind League of Legends, but recent reports suggest Riot’s broader entertainment ambitions have hit significant roadblocks.
According to Variety, Arcane’s two seasons, comprising 18 episodes, cost a staggering $250 million to produce and promote, making it one of the most expensive animated series ever. This includes the unprecedented $60 million Riot reportedly spent on promoting the first season alone, an amount far exceeding Netflix’s own promotional budget for the show. While this investment paid off in terms of cultural impact and viewership, it may have set an unsustainable precedent, as it failed to deliver any significant profits.
Despite the ambition to turn Arcane into the cornerstone of a multimedia expansion for Riot Games, challenges mounted. Former Riot CEO Nicolo Laurent had committed to transforming Riot into a 21st-century entertainment powerhouse. But since his departure in 2023, Riot’s entertainment division has largely stalled. While several ideas and scripts for additional Riot-based series were discussed, Variety reports that none progressed beyond preliminary development stages. With no new series nearing production, Riot appears to have scaled back its entertainment ambitions significantly.
Financially, the return on Arcane’s investment has been limited. Riot received $3 million per episode in licensing fees from Netflix and another $3 million per episode from Tencent in China. Although additional revenue from in-game skins and merchandise is expected, these efforts may not be sufficient to offset the immense production and marketing costs. In short, while Arcane has earned widespread praise, its steep budget and Riot’s ambitious plans may have made continuation unsustainable.
As for fans, the second and final season of Arcane debuts on Netflix on November 9, 2024, with the release of the first three episodes, followed by additional releases on November 16 and November 23. This final chapter marks the end of an ambitious project that, while short-lived, has set a new standard for animation and video game adaptations alike.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.