When Arcane debuted on Netflix in late 2021, it wasn’t just another animated series — it was a cultural moment. What began as a side project from Riot Games to explore the lore of League of Legends quickly became a global phenomenon, earning Emmys, critical acclaim, and a new generation of fans who had never touched the game.
But for many viewers, a question lingered: How is League of Legends actually connected to Arcane? The answer is both narrative and structural — a masterclass in world-building that spans platforms, mediums, and fandoms.
A Shared Universe: Welcome to Runeterra
At the heart of both League of Legends and Arcane lies the same fictional setting: Runeterra, a richly developed world composed of diverse regions, cultures, and conflicts. Arcane focuses on two cities within this universe — Piltover and Zaun — capturing their tensions, innovations, and class struggles.
These aren’t just random backdrops; they’re key regions from the League of Legends map, directly tied to dozens of in-game champions.
Champion Origins: From Gameplay to Screenplay
One of the clearest connections between Arcane and League of Legends is its cast. The show centers on iconic champions whose stories players have known — but only in fragments, until now:
- Jinx and Vi: Former sisters torn apart by trauma, their rivalry is central to both Arcane and their in-game identities.
- Jayce and Viktor: Scientists whose diverging philosophies about technology mirror their in-game abilities.
- Caitlyn: The sharpshooting enforcer from Piltover becomes more than a support character — she’s a moral compass and foil to Vi.
- Ekko, Singed, Heimerdinger: Supporting characters in Arcane who are also playable champions with their own in-game lore and mechanics.
Rather than simply referencing these champions, Arcane humanizes them. Players gain context for their abilities, personalities, and even voice lines — turning what once felt abstract into emotionally grounded character arcs.
Visual and Narrative Parallels
Arcane doesn’t just share characters with League of Legends — it shares themes, aesthetics, and storylines.
- Hextech: A magical technology central to Arcane’s plot is also a key gameplay concept in League’s lore, especially for champions from Piltover.
- Zaunite experimentation: Characters like Singed and Warwick (teased in Season 1) tie into the game’s darker origins and the in-game class of Zaun-based champions.
- Visual effects and ultimates: Fans noticed that some scenes in Arcane mirror champion abilities — from Jinx’s rocket launcher to Vi’s gauntlets — nodding to longtime players in subtle ways.
Even the music and cinematic pacing reflect League’s promotional material, with Arcane’s intro by Imagine Dragons recalling the bombastic energy of Riot’s annual Worlds anthems.
Game Influencing Show, Show Influencing Game
The connection between League of Legends and Arcane isn’t just lore-deep — it’s an ongoing creative exchange.
- Riot introduced in-game skins and events themed after Arcane characters, allowing players to unlock versions of Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, and Jayce that match their appearance in the show.
- New players entering League after watching Arcane found tutorials and beginner incentives tailored to ease them into the complex MOBA experience.
- Characters and backstories developed in Arcane are gradually being folded back into official champion biographies and voice lines, making the show’s canon part of the game’s evolving lore.
Not Just for Gamers
Perhaps the most significant connection is what Arcane did for League of Legends’ cultural perception. No longer confined to gaming circles, League’s characters and world became accessible to a wider audience — from anime fans to casual Netflix viewers.
Arcane’s success proved that League of Legends is more than a competitive title; it’s an expansive narrative universe capable of sustaining multi-season television storytelling, cross-media merchandise, and even speculative cinematic ambitions.
The Future of the League-Arcane Universe
With Arcane Season 2 on the horizon, and Riot investing heavily in spinoff games and transmedia projects (including comics, novels, and an MMO in development), the connections between League of Legends and Arcane are only getting stronger.
The show isn’t just based on the game — it’s helping shape its future. And for fans of both, that means richer stories, deeper lore, and a world that no longer stops at the edge of Summoner’s Rift.
Written by:
Christian