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Legendary Artistry The team behind Riot Games and Fortiche’s League of Legends series Arcane discuss the secrets of their runaway hit show. By Tom McLean
A
nimated shows based on video games have come a long way since the early days of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong. The success of Riot Games’ Arcane on Netflix (which became a runaway hit and earned nine Annie nominations) has certainly opened a new chapter in the history of gaming-inspired animated content . Based on the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends, launched in 2009, Arcane is Riot Games’ first animated series, produced in partnership with Paris-based Fortiche Productions. The nine-episode series debuted last November with a rare 100 percent approval rating
on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, and earned an immediate second season order. The series’ complex setting is divided between the utopian Piltover and the oppressed Zaun, and tells the tale of two sisters whose loyalty to each other is tested on the way to becoming iconic
champions. It stars Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell as the sisters Vi and Jinx; Kevin Alejandro as Jayce and Katie Leung as Caitlyn. Riot veterans Christian Linke and Alex Yee created and wrote the story, with Linke serving as showrunner and executive producer and Yee as
‘We knew that there was going to be an expectation that every game character that we involved needs to have a satisfying arc and storyline — even if they’re side characters.’ — Creator/exec producer Christian Linke (Creative Director, Riot Games)
www.animationmagazine.net 18
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march 22
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