The ending ofArcaneis a bittersweet and conclusive ending, but it leaves enough lingering questions thatLeague of Legends' lore could hint at. The interesting thing aboutArcane, especially in Act 3 of season 2, is the way it sets up several elements fromLeague of Legendswhile seemingly diverging from the timeline. The formal establishment of a multiverse full of parallel dimensions meansArcanecould theoretically just be one of many versions of Runeterra, and that it could further deviate fromLeague of Legendslore.
However, the suggestion from Riot thatArcaneis now the canon history forLeague of Legendsraises more questions about the fates of certain presumed dead characters. It also sets the stage for plenty of potential returns, and could tease the more important figures going into any number ofArcanespin-offs. Here are some of the biggest lingering questions fromArcane’s season 2 endingand howLeague of Legendscould hint at their potential resolution.
10Caitlyn & Vi Remain Partners
Caitlyn & Vi Are Heavily Implied To Be Still Together InLeague Of Legends
Arcane’s ending gives Caitlyn and Vi a sweet ending with a touch of ambiguity regarding the future of Zaun and Piltover, butLeague of Legendssuggests their romance remains strong for years to come. Caitlyn and Vi wereArcane’s primary love story, with the pair going from reluctant allies to committed lovers by the end of the show. The season ends with Vi reaffirming her commitment to Caitlyn, implying she’ll continue to fight alongside Caitlyn. This is reflective of their status quo inLeague of Legends, where the two remain partners.
Vi & Caitlyn’s Relationship Takes A Big Step Forward In Arcane Season 2
The relationship between Vi and Caitlyn takes a massive step forward in Arcane season 2, act 1 - but will it all end in tears all the same?
By the time ofLeague of Legends, which is set seemingly years after the events ofArcane, Vi and Jinx are established as partners in the Enforcers.The pair have also been increasingly implied to be in a long-term romance, with in-game dialogue from Vi suggesting the pair have lived together for some time. In a finale full of bittersweet sacrifice for the greater good, the apparent confirmation that Caitlyn and Vi’s romance stands the test of time is a reassuring element of the finale.
9Singed’s Daughter Becomes A Champion
Orianna Becomes A Quietly Powerful Figure
Singed’s motivations inArcanewere steadily revealed to be centered around finding a “cure for death” that he could use to resurrect his beloved daughter Orianna. This led Dr. Corin Reveck to embrace a dark path, becoming Singed and working alongside the forces of Noxus to overwhelm Piltover and remake Ambessa’s armies in Viktor’s image. Singed escaped the conflict succesful having seemingly found a way to restore Orianna. The final montage of the season includes a shot of Singed and his resurrected daughter,who bears a resemblance to those transformed by Viktor.
Orianna’s origins have changed inLeague of Legendslore. Orginally a competely robotic character built by Reveck to replace his dead daughter, the current canon origin for the character is very similar in broad strokes to Orianna’s subplot inArcane.
InLeague of Legends, Orianna is one of the many Champions who hail from Zaun, capable of using clockwork machines for offense and defense. The currentLeague of Legendscanon sees Orianna as a clockwork woman, kept alive by technological advancements designed by Dr. Reveck to keep his daughter alive. Orianna struggles to find ways to regain the emotions that she’s largely lost. However, she does retain her natural curiosity and love for her father.This sets up Orianna to be a major figure in a prospectiveArcanespin-off featuring Singed.
8Jinx & Warwick Almost Defenitly Survived Their Fall
ArcaneSeason 2’s Final Moments Even Tease How They Could Have Escaped
One of the tragic elements ofArcane’s season 2 ending isthe apparent demise of Jinxand Warwick, with the former sacrificing herself to save Vi from the latter. However, neither character’s body can be seen in the aftermath, and Caitlyn ends the season looking into the schematics of the Hexgate architecture,hinting that one or both of them may have survived unseen by making their way through the air ducts and piping of the building. This could allow Jinx or Warwick, which would track with theLeague of Legendscanon.
InLeague of Legends, Jinx and Warwick are alive by the time Champions from across Runeterra come to the Summoner’s Rift.This would suggest that the lack of concrete evidence of their deaths inArcaneis a tease of their possible return down the line. The final moments ofArcanesee someone leaving Piltover on an airship, implied to be Jinx. This could allow one ofArcane’s most popular characters to become an audience POV character in exploring other realms. Warwick’s healing abilities also bring him back, albeit in the more feral form he’s seen withinLeague of Legends.
7Viktor & Jayce Survive
The Lore Suggests They Don’t Fully Reconcile
Similar to Jinx and Warwick, Viktor and Jayce’s fates are left somewhat ambiguous at the end ofArcane. After Viktor finally realizes the error of his ways, Jayce helps him undo his assimilation plot. However, the two are subsequently pulled into the Arcane. This likely didn’t kill them. This could have sent them to another dimension or a potentially bad future, similar to Jayce’s previous adventure through the wild magic. However,this also raises the possibility that the two will eventually return to the Runeterra ofArcane, albeit not necessarily together.
InLeague of Legendslore, Viktor and Jayce are both still alive and playable characters, albeit opposed to one another instead of united as they were at the end ofArcane. Notably,the Viktor ofLeague of Legendsstill ultimately believes in his ideal that emotion is the cause of conflictand still seeks to convert people into non-feeling forms. However, he becomes more adamant that these transformations must be willingly chosen, making him less of an overtly villainous force. That kind of philosophical divide could keep Jayce and Viktor opposed, even if they do eventually return to Runeterra.
6Heimerdinger Is Likely Alive
The Yordles Are More Powerful ThanArcaneEver Revealed
The apparent death of Heimerdinger in season 2’s “Pretend Like Its The First Time” was a tragic turn of events, ensuring Ekko was returned home in time to help save Zaun and Piltover from Viktor’s machinations. Seemingly overwhelmed with the mystical powers associated with a rift, Heimerdinger disappeared after ensuring Ekko could return to Zaun. However, Heimerdinger may not be as dead as he initially appears.Heimerdinger could have been potentially transported to another timeline, or even sent back home thanks to the ways his race operates withinLeague of Legendslore.
Heimerdinger’s apparent death may have been tragic, but the world of Runeterra has a lot of easy ways to bring the character back down the line.
InLeague of Legendslore, Heimerdinger is one of the Yordles, a species of spirits who choose their physical forms. Due to their inherent natures, Yordles do not age (explaining how the genius can be so ancient) and don’t die the same way most people do. Instead, if their bodies are destroyed,then the Yordles can reconstitute themselves within their home realm of Bandle City. Heimerdinger’s apparent death may have been tragic, but the world of Runeterra has a lot of easy ways to bring the character back down the line.
5The Raven Sets Up More Noxus Storylines
A Foreboding Tease InArcane’s Final Moments Hints At A Major Noxus Character
One of the more intriguing teases hidden included inArcane’s ending is the presence of a six-eyed raven that flies to the remains of Jayce’s hammer in Piltover and inspects it. The raven is later seen flying alongside the various ships carrying Mel back to Noxus,suggesting that the bird is connected to that nation in some way. The clues regarding the bird’s appearance suggest that is the case, and that it could be setting up the appearance of other rivals for power in Noxus.
Given the design of the raven, it’s likely that the bird is connected to Raum, an ancient demonic force that’s been hiding within Noxus for centuries. At this point in theLeague of Legendslore, Raum is seeking a suitable host on the material plane.The demon eventually makes a pact with Swain, a ruthless general in Noxus who (like Ambessa before him) developed a feud with the Black Rose. However, Swain was able to outsmart the demon, gaining access to its powers while maintaining his own personal ambitions and freedoms. This tease could suggestArcane’s future will introduce Swain.
4The Black Rose Is Far From Done
Mel Seems To Be Heading To War With The Black Rose
Mel’s arc inArcaneseason 2 revealed her connections tothe Black Rose, a secretive cabal of mystical figures within Noxus. Despite using their power to unlock her full magical potential and to overwhelm Ambessa, Mel ultimately turned against them and banished the Black Rose’s mysterious manipulator from the final battle. However, this is likely far from enough to destroy the Black Rose once and for, especially if the mysterious Illusionary Sorceress does turn out to be someone like LeBlanc.Mel even ends the season seemingly returning to Noxus, seemingly set to combat the Black Rose’s influence on the region.
Mel & The Black Rose Story In Arcane Explained
Mel’s subplot in Arcane season act 2 hints at the true motivations of the Black Rose and teases her importance in the overall League of Legends lore.
The Black Rose is still present in theLeague of Legendscanon. While they remain a secretive force who tend to remain in the shadows while manipulating emperors and armies, Mel’s efforts to combat them could draw them further into the light, setting up further fights with the Black Rose. Other wildcards with a grudge against them (like the assassin Katarina, who eventually finds a place alongside Swain) could factor into future conflicts. The lore surrounding the Black Rose is deep and ancient, andthe ambiguity they’re presented with inArcanecould elevate them into a serious group going forward.
3Mel’s Control Of Noxus Will Run Into Serious Challenges
A Spin-Off Could Follow Mel’s Attempts To Unify
One of the interesting wrinkles in the possibility ofArcanebeing canon withLeague of Legendsis the apparent death of Ambessa, as she’s become the latest addition to the game. This suggests the game isn’t necessarily canon withArcane, or that she will return in some form down the line to further plague the world. However, her death andthe ascension of Mel will leave a power vacuum that other characters could try to use to their advantage. This includes Swain, who seeks to use the mystical power he stole from Raum to remake Noxus into a true empire.
Other true believers in Noxian principles like Darius could see her ascension as a worthy one to challenge and test. Ancient forces like Raum and Mordekaiser could seek to remake the realm in their image, forcing Mel to combat more magical beings.Noxus' attempts to expand could take them into conflict with other regions of Runeterra, such as the mystical realm of Ionia or the rigid kingdom of Demencia, their longstanding rivals inLeague of Legends. Noxus makes perfect sense as a future setting inprospectiveArcanespin-offs, especially in light of Ambessa’s apparent demise.
2Hextech & Wild Magic Is Still Very Much At Play
Runeterra Is Full Of Magic Beyond The Scope OfArcane
While Hextech has been combated and the potentially cataclysmic repercussions of using have been countered inArcane, the existence of wild magic within Runeterra presents a greater threat going forward. There’s also the fact that while Hextech was primarily a Piltover and Zaun creation, the construction of other Hexgates around the world could have spread the technology further into Runeterra. Coupled with the countless ancient mystical elements at play in the world (as well as the confirmation that some people like Mel are born with magical potential),the future of Runeterra looks destined to be directed through magic.
By the time period ofLeague of Legends, Hextech and magic are seen as common elements in the world. Plenty of figures across the setting have found ways to openly use their abilities in service to their nations and personal goals, setting the stage for countless battles across the world.Wild Magic in particular, especially the magic connected to certain ancient beings who exist in places like the Void or the Shadow Isles, could justify an alliance between enemies for the greater good. This could be the key to connectingArcaneto any prospective spin-offs, uniting them in one overarching story.
1League Of Legends Has A Full Multiverse
Arcane’s Reality Hop Teases An Entire Multiverse Of Possiblty
The multiverse ofLeague of Legendshas been expanded upon in the game’s tie-in material through the use of certain skins and cinematics, such as the sci-fi “Odyssey” world.These alternate timelines factor intoArcaneduring episode 7 of season 2, “Pretend Like Its The First Time,” which introduces a parallel reality without Hextech and a bad future where Viktor’s efforts to reshape Runeterra succeed. This could potentially be used to separate the Runeterra ofArcanefrom the specific lore ofLeague of Legends, or leave open room for characters to hop between realities much like Ekko and Heimerdinger did.
This could be how characters like Viktor, Jayce, and Heimdinger could come back after their apparent demises. This could even be how seemingly killed characters like Ambessa could return in future spin-offs, introducing variants of the character to the Summoner’s Rift.Arcane’s ending leaves plenty of lingering questions, but with plenty of room to build to the world depicted inLeague of Legends.
Arcane
Cast
Arcane is an animated series set in the League of Legends universe, debuting in 2021. It explores the conflict between the affluent city of Piltover and the oppressed undercity of Zaun. Central to the story are two sisters whose allegiance to opposing sides of a technological and ideological war strains their bond.
