Impressions From Arcane: League Of Legends
Light spoilers below
1. A Show Based On a Video Game
I don't play video games really. It's the time and expense that keeps me away, not disinterest. I understand League of Legends is a very popular game so I wanted to get an idea of the world that it runs in.
2. An Adult Animated Series
Violence, gore, mature themes, grey morality, Shakespearean tragedy... I haven't seen this in animated form I don't think. Maybe in the limited amount of Anime, I've been exposed to. Sometimes character motivations and actions seemed to flip-flop to provide drama, but overall the story was reasonably sophisticated.
3. Female Led Character Driven
The main characters are female and so are many supporting characters. This show would pass the Bechdel test easily.
4. Steampunk Aesthetic
The plot is about a fusion of magic and "science" and the world has firearms and industry, but no communications infrastructure. Hoods, vests, and spats are all part of costumes.
5. Action Scenes
I watched a lot of the episodes while on my bike trainer. Action scenes are always good for upping my pace and effort, and these were all well executed and looked the right level of realism for the tone of the show.
6. Longer Episodes
I usually stick to 30-minute comedy stuff for my own viewing time. It was challenging to fit this series into my schedule (thus the bike trainer/triathlon training).
7. Weird Pseudo-Incest
The conflict between sisters is exacerbated by a new friendship - that friendship has definite romantic sub-text. A relationship that is described as an adopted father/daughter has some body language that I would hope never to see if I had a daughter.
8. Cliff-Hanger
Things are not at all resolved at the end of the season, I'm not sure if they'll make another, and I'm less sure I'll watch it. I liked it, but somehow I'm not sure if I'm invested enough to continue.

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