Orphaned sisters Vi and Powder bring trouble to Zaun's underground streets in the wake of a heist in posh Piltover. I know nothing about the game this is based on, but I thought it was a pretty entertaining start to a show for anime. I also loved Hailee Steinfeld as the lead character. She is an amazing voice actor, and I loved seeing her in a grittier role. I'm excited to see where the story goes from here.
39 Reviews
The Voice!
akinz7 November 2021
STRONG FIRST EPISODE!!!
lifeatedge7 November 2021
Already, you can tell this show is going somewhere good. The development of the chracters and the story so far is going very smoothly as it should be. The score is top notch with the sound effects being just as perfect as the score. But above the score, the visuals are amazing. Something new and creative and super enjoyable. This shows excites me in so many different ways and I can't wait to see more.
Best Pilot I ever saw
linn-123567 November 2021
... in an animated series! We don't need to talk about the animation - 40 minutes of pure art!
I have already taken the characters to my heart, even though I have never played the games. Not much has happened yet in terms of content, but the episode already had some very intense scenes. The music is also fantastic! A must see!
I have already taken the characters to my heart, even though I have never played the games. Not much has happened yet in terms of content, but the episode already had some very intense scenes. The music is also fantastic! A must see!
Amazing episode filled with chills and emotions
slain-12177 November 2021
Woah
aboalhyjaa28 November 2021
GREAT FIRST EPISODE
samuel22017 November 2021
Nothing really to criticize...
dannylee-7808214 November 2021
Sound design + scores are really well done. Art style is unique and appealing. Perfect mix between animation-like and realistic.
Strong start. Really nothing to comment on. No cringe dialogue, adequate amount of time spent in building up each character. Leaves the viewers hooked for 40 minutes.
As a League player, I want to see where this show brings us. Very excited!
Strong start. Really nothing to comment on. No cringe dialogue, adequate amount of time spent in building up each character. Leaves the viewers hooked for 40 minutes.
As a League player, I want to see where this show brings us. Very excited!
Enjoyable premiere
oham-6946913 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I think that this premiere was pretty interesting, the characters are very likeable (but Mylo not really, the way he bullies Powder) There is an interestings tory coming, that ending with the cat dying and stuff. Interesting, but not amazing like the reviews. This is only the beginning.
After 1 ep I dont understand the hype
nicofreezer9 March 2022
Near Perfection
thomasgouldsbrough8 April 2022
This is how you start a TV series. It introduced interesting antagonists with very clear identities, an identifiable protagonist, potential conflicts between main characters, and a story arc which is interesting, and original.
Not to mention, the first impression of the protagonists are well written. Powder has character flaws, and could almost be described as the group's dead weight, but at the same time she's likeable. The audience doesn't feel annoyed or frustrated at her screentime or flaws, unlike other characters that are dead weights, and instead are greatly sympathetic towards her.
In terms of criticism, there isn't anything major. The slow mo shots could feel a little too Zack Snyder at times, but that's just personal preference. The main reason why this doesn't get a 10, and instead a high 9, is that some other shows just did it better. Shows such as Squid Game for example, made the protagonist more flawed, and yet they were more likeable and more relatable.
Nevertheless, this is still a fantastic start to a series. It sets up the arc of the series, while at the same time being genuinely fun and interesting to watch.
Not to mention, the first impression of the protagonists are well written. Powder has character flaws, and could almost be described as the group's dead weight, but at the same time she's likeable. The audience doesn't feel annoyed or frustrated at her screentime or flaws, unlike other characters that are dead weights, and instead are greatly sympathetic towards her.
In terms of criticism, there isn't anything major. The slow mo shots could feel a little too Zack Snyder at times, but that's just personal preference. The main reason why this doesn't get a 10, and instead a high 9, is that some other shows just did it better. Shows such as Squid Game for example, made the protagonist more flawed, and yet they were more likeable and more relatable.
Nevertheless, this is still a fantastic start to a series. It sets up the arc of the series, while at the same time being genuinely fun and interesting to watch.
When Pilots Mean Something
zephurnaceyt14 November 2021
Not bad for the first episode.
It's only downfall is it's use of dialectal exposition.
The upsides?
The hook is really good (If a bit cliché), takes me back to when hooks in pilot episodes actually meant something in shows.
The animation is beautiful. Notice Vi's facial animation when she starts crying in the opening hook, it's so unnecessarily detailed it's BRILLIANT.
The world building is good when it isn't in the form of dialogue.
The setups are intriguing, and don't feel forced in.
Dialogue is average for the most part, but has its moments to shine.
All in all, really good start. Can't wait to see where it all goes.
It's only downfall is it's use of dialectal exposition.
The upsides?
The hook is really good (If a bit cliché), takes me back to when hooks in pilot episodes actually meant something in shows.
The animation is beautiful. Notice Vi's facial animation when she starts crying in the opening hook, it's so unnecessarily detailed it's BRILLIANT.
The world building is good when it isn't in the form of dialogue.
The setups are intriguing, and don't feel forced in.
Dialogue is average for the most part, but has its moments to shine.
All in all, really good start. Can't wait to see where it all goes.
Still not sure after the first episode
minissa200312 November 2021
I game but know nothing about LOL. The animation is stunning but the grittiness started to remind me. Of Ralph Bakshi and his preoccupation with the seamy underside of life. It almost had me when Vi says to Powder "Someday they're going to respect us." Then came the scene with what to me was flagrant animal cruelty, futuristic or not. Not what I was expecting from a show called Arcane. If I continue, it will be because of the quality of the animation. My stomach is still unsettled from that last scene.
AMAZINGLY DONE
alexerik-054188 November 2021
ONE OF THE BEST THINGS I'VE SEEN!!!
CaioVitorCM8 November 2021
viiii & Powder
Kritiker69698 November 2021
Better than I expected
TygrKat30 November 2021
I play League of Legends, and I find the 'lore' unnecessary although I do know quite a bit of it at this point. I was expecting this show to be similarly bland, but this first episode does something very different and it is promising for the rest of the series.
The show does get over-the-top cheesy in some places (Powder quitting her eavesdropping at *just* the right time, following and preceding cheesy kid-show level dialogue, for example) and every single scene is incredibly predictable. Thankfully, it's easy to look past those quibbles in this format as everything is a bit of a charicature. This episode doesn't do much with plot or characters, but the actual art of it including animation, voice-acting, sound design, and 'cinematography' make this episode good. Every scene is beautifully crafted and it has the 'feeling' of live-action, especially in the slow-motion shots of the fight scene.
I wish we got more familiar characters, locations, and easter-eggs in this first episode for people who play League, but Vi, Ekko, and Powder (and possibly Graves and Jhin...? Also possible references to Heimerdinger and Ziggs?) were OK for the intro to the series. I hope future episodes throw in some twists and surprises, because if the sheer high quality of the episode wasn't there for me to marvel at it would have been very boring and completely lost me in this episode.
The show does get over-the-top cheesy in some places (Powder quitting her eavesdropping at *just* the right time, following and preceding cheesy kid-show level dialogue, for example) and every single scene is incredibly predictable. Thankfully, it's easy to look past those quibbles in this format as everything is a bit of a charicature. This episode doesn't do much with plot or characters, but the actual art of it including animation, voice-acting, sound design, and 'cinematography' make this episode good. Every scene is beautifully crafted and it has the 'feeling' of live-action, especially in the slow-motion shots of the fight scene.
I wish we got more familiar characters, locations, and easter-eggs in this first episode for people who play League, but Vi, Ekko, and Powder (and possibly Graves and Jhin...? Also possible references to Heimerdinger and Ziggs?) were OK for the intro to the series. I hope future episodes throw in some twists and surprises, because if the sheer high quality of the episode wasn't there for me to marvel at it would have been very boring and completely lost me in this episode.
Very good show
Mazenabdo13 November 2021
This episode shows you how good this series and how popular it will be.
From the good story telling and events to the great work in graphics, this colorful journey is pleasant to the audience and definitely we will ask for more.
From the good story telling and events to the great work in graphics, this colorful journey is pleasant to the audience and definitely we will ask for more.
OK Starting Episode
newpapyrus24 May 2022
After a very intriguing and intense opening sequence, we're introduced to some rather non-interesting young teenage characters, IMO.
And there's nothing really special about the style of animation either, IMO.
However, I've noticed that the pilot also has one of the lowest IMDb ratings for this series. So hopefully the story gets a lot more interesting in future episodes.
And there's nothing really special about the style of animation either, IMO.
However, I've noticed that the pilot also has one of the lowest IMDb ratings for this series. So hopefully the story gets a lot more interesting in future episodes.
Completely Mediocre
andrewmkalmar19 February 2024
Visually, the show has a lovely painting-like aesthetic, but the quality of the rendering does not carry the story. Every other part is generic and uninspired.
The animation itself, that is, the way the characters move does leave something to be desired. This seems to be an issue especially with 3D media when it doesn't quite meet what we expect from real physical movement, constantly reminding the mind that you're looking at something rendered in 3D, and a body rooted in its world.
The character design is rather caricatured in a goofy way that is not appealing to me but may be to others.
The storyline of the episode is simple and nothing occurs that would surprise the viewer. The recording quality of the voice acting is good and no voices are jarring or out of sync, but nothing interesting is said. In fact, so far there are very few character archetypes presented - sad child, angsty teen, and tough adult (and a singular nervous man for 1 scene). Practically every line of dialogue was delivered from one of those archetypes without any additional personality inserted.
Overall, the main problem I had with this episode is that it insists on showing everything in extended detail, but has nothing interesting to show or say. You could cut the runtime down to half or less and it would be greatly improved.
The animation itself, that is, the way the characters move does leave something to be desired. This seems to be an issue especially with 3D media when it doesn't quite meet what we expect from real physical movement, constantly reminding the mind that you're looking at something rendered in 3D, and a body rooted in its world.
The character design is rather caricatured in a goofy way that is not appealing to me but may be to others.
The storyline of the episode is simple and nothing occurs that would surprise the viewer. The recording quality of the voice acting is good and no voices are jarring or out of sync, but nothing interesting is said. In fact, so far there are very few character archetypes presented - sad child, angsty teen, and tough adult (and a singular nervous man for 1 scene). Practically every line of dialogue was delivered from one of those archetypes without any additional personality inserted.
Overall, the main problem I had with this episode is that it insists on showing everything in extended detail, but has nothing interesting to show or say. You could cut the runtime down to half or less and it would be greatly improved.
AH-mazing
alexculibrk16 November 2021
Here's the deal.
I know nothing about LOL's lore, I played LOL for a month or two in my first year of uni (7 years back). This series is the best thing I ever watched.
Tha unique animation is absolutely beautiful and the sceneries are mind-blowing. I'm serious when I tell you that the characters deliver more emotion than real ones. I swear to God I bowled my eyes out at the first act. The second act, with Powder holding the flare was one on the most intense scenes.
The show is phenomenal. Kudos Riot.
I know nothing about LOL's lore, I played LOL for a month or two in my first year of uni (7 years back). This series is the best thing I ever watched.
Tha unique animation is absolutely beautiful and the sceneries are mind-blowing. I'm serious when I tell you that the characters deliver more emotion than real ones. I swear to God I bowled my eyes out at the first act. The second act, with Powder holding the flare was one on the most intense scenes.
The show is phenomenal. Kudos Riot.
A strong start, which is to be expected 8.8/10
Husain_anusif2 December 2021
Great, this episode was a very successful start and introduced the main characters.
It's a very fun and exciting episode, as well as the music was something better than expected and worth mentioning, especially in every scene the lyrics of the song are very appropriate to what you see happening. I think it's original songs.
It's only the first episode, and I'm very excited about the upcoming episodes, and I expect it to be a series that promises a lot, and the high ratings were not just a coincidence.
It's a very fun and exciting episode, as well as the music was something better than expected and worth mentioning, especially in every scene the lyrics of the song are very appropriate to what you see happening. I think it's original songs.
It's only the first episode, and I'm very excited about the upcoming episodes, and I expect it to be a series that promises a lot, and the high ratings were not just a coincidence.
a really great beginning to a really great show
umlaziking30 November 2021
The best show i've ever seen
fabriziosmilan25 November 2021
This episode just made me fall in love with piltover and zaun universe. The animation is gorgeous, i'm completealy in love with Vi and Powder and their relationship it's just amazing. Easily the best show i've ever seen.
See also
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