Arcane has wrapped up its run, yet the final chapter of characters like Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, Jayce, and Viktor doesn’t quite feel like the end. In fact, it seems more like a promising new beginning.
As explained by Riot Games, Fortiche, and Netflix, the series is not drawing to a close because it’s being axed. Instead, this is just the conclusion of their current narrative. However, this is not the farewell for animated ventures from Riot Games and Fortiche set within the League of Legends universe. Although there hasn’t been a formal announcement for a new series yet, we know there are numerous exciting projects brewing.
Christian Linke, Arcane’s showrunner and co-creator, shared that Fortiche and Riot are brainstorming a variety of projects in the League of Legends realm that could spark the next animated hit.
“We have over 160 champions in our game. There are so many where I find myself wondering about their stories,” Linke mentioned in a conversation with Polygon. “Thankfully, we’re at a stage now where we can actually think big about this. We’re exploring a wide array of ideas, and while nothing has started production yet, we’re crafting stories with diverse tones. Each one should carve out its own niche and not just mimic what’s been done. That’s our next adventure.”
Linke isn’t just intrigued by the opportunity to dive into a different segment of League’s lore. He’s also keen on embracing a fresh tone, distinct from Arcane’s.
“We haven’t really tapped into the whimsical aspects of League yet; Arcane has a pretty somber vibe,” Linke commented. “But there are plenty of lighter characters out there—Lulu, Teemo, Amumu, Poppy, Tristana. What stories can we tell with them?”
Linke is interested in exploring far-flung extremes in any new projects, venturing into different genres. “What can we do in horror? How about more abstract, artistic ventures? Animation offers this incredible freedom, it’s not anchored by reality. We should harness that.”
The precise timeline for when Riot and Fortiche will delve into these new genres and narratives remains uncertain. Arcane itself took close to ten years to bring to life. While another decade’s wait seems unlikely, it’ll probably be a few years before Netflix visits Runeterra again.
