Everything you need to know before Arcane Season 2

The first season of Arcane was a commercial success, going as far as to win an Emmy award. While video game adaptations had largely been looked down upon before, both the Arcane and Cyberpunk Edgerunners animated shows proved many fans wrong by being full of excellent characters and storytelling while respecting the source material.

Now that Season 2 of Arcane is on the horizon, we have no doubt that many fans who loved the first season will be looking forward to watching it. However, the first 9 episodes of the series had various plot points and it’s understandable that not everyone can rewatch the season. Fortunately, we’re here with a quick and to-the-point recap of the first season to ensure you can jump into Arcane Season 2 without any worries.

So, without any more delay, here’s a quick Arcane Season 1 recap for those who want to jump into Season 2.

Piltover and Zaun’s division

One of the main themes of Arcane was the divide between Piltover and Zaun, two cities separated between economic and social status. Piltover is known for its wealth and technological advancements, where the elite lives in a luxurious environment. On the other hand, the people of Zaun barely scrape by, living in a polluted industrialized environment where they’re forced to commit crimes or rebel to stay alive. The division and tension between both places lead to violent fights, where Zaun’s leaders, such as Silco, resist Piltover’s dominance.

Residents of Zaun, Vi, and Powder grow up under the guardianship of Vander, an old revolutionary who adopted them after both siblings lost their parents due to the city’s violence. Vander tries to keep everyone safe from Piltover’s influence, trying to live a quiet life over a loud one with lots of confrontation. However, the brothers Mylo and Claggor, who live with Powder and Vi, start questioning if that’s the right way to live. The show reveals the sisters’ journey and how class conflict impacts their lives and relationships.

Powder’s Transformation into Jinx

The event that begins Powder’s transformation into Jinx is when a heist she conducts goes wrong. She steals a set of hextech crystals, which are magical artifacts that the scientists Jayce and Viktor study to unlock magic using technology. While trying to save Vander from Silco’s underlings, Powder accidentally sets off an explosive device using the crystal, which causes both of her brothers to die and Vander to get a fatal injury because he was trying to protect Vi. This event destroys Powder mentally, giving her lots of guilt, and when she meets Vi during that time, she calls her sister a “jinx”.

The crime lord of Zaun, Silco, takes advantage of this vulnerability to use Powder for his own. Thanks to Silco, Powder becomes Jinx, a figure of chaos that people fear due to her unpredictable and violent nature. Silco’s influence decreases Jinx’s empathy, transforming her into a heartless weapon for Zaun’s rebellion against Piltover.

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The beginning of Hextech and the Piltover Council’s power struggle

While Powder’s life worsens, Jayce and Viktor, another scientist, make discoveries in hextech technology. Their experiments with hextech allowed them to build new weapons and inventions, making Piltover a city ready to bring the next revolution. 

Jayce’s assistant, Viktor, was also pursuing hextech development for different reasons. He needed to do it because his weak health forced him to experiment on himself to find a cure using hextech’s power.

Vi’s Return and Her Alliance with Caitlyn

After Powder’s transformation, Vi is left to protect herself in Piltover’s prison, but years later, she escapes and meets Caitlyn, an enforcer and Jayce's childhood friend. Caitlyn is investigating Silco’s criminal activity, and when she finds Vi, she realizes that the sister might be her best chance to infiltrate the criminal underworld. They join forces and start tracking down leads on Silco and Jinx.

The bond between Caitlyn and Vi gets stronger as they navigate everything together. However, their joining makes Jinx paranoid, especially when she believes Caitlyn might be attempting to take Vi from her. This way of thinking divides Vi and Jinx.

Ekko and the Firelights: Zaun’s Fight for Freedom

Ekko is a friend from Vi and Jinx’s childhood who reveals himself as the leader of the Firelights, a group of rebels fighting against Silco’s control. Ekko’s struggle for Zaun’s future makes him an important ally. During a confrontation, Ekko and Jinx cross paths. They both fight and in the end, Jinx barely escapes after detonating a grenade, showing how much has changed between them.

Ekko’s presence hints at a promising future for Zaun, as his vision contrasts with Silco’s violent approach; Ekko’s leadership could inspire a new form of rebellion focused on uplifting its citizens rather than seeking revenge.

The Season 1 Finale

The ending of Season 1 leaves Piltover and Zaun on the edge of war. Jinx kidnaps Vi, Caitlyn, and Silco, which forces Vi to choose between her sister or Caitlyn after her sister hands her a gun and asks them to shoot any one of them. While Vi doesn’t choose, Jinx kills Silco because he broke free and tried to shoot her first. This act solidifies Jinx’s role as a person in Zaun who isn’t held down by family ties or loyalty and only works on her own accord. This confrontation makes Jinx realize she’s too far gone to repair her relationship with her sister.

During this confrontation, Jayce, someone working toward a peaceful resolution, gets the council’s vote to grant Zaun independence. However, during the vote, Jinx shoots a hexcore-powered rocket at the council room, destroying everyone and killing numerous of Piltover’s leaders in one shot.

FAQs

How many episodes did Arcane Season 1 have?

The first season of Arcane had a total of 9 episodes. However, unlike many Netflix shows, the episodes didn’t come out all at once. On the contrary, players had to wait for the three batches of episodes to come out after small gaps to ensure the show remained relevant for a longer time.

Who are the main characters in Arcane Season 1?

The primary characters in Arcane Season 1 include Vi and Jinx (originally known as Powder), two sisters from Zaun whose paths diverge due to a tragic series of events. However, the show has a large cast of supporting and other key characters, including Jayce, Caitlyn, Silco, and more. Those who played League of Legends will likely recognize more than a couple of characters.