I know very little about cinematography, but what I do know is that this show was tremendously effective on me in ways that don't seem to entirely add up with everything else. I don't know whose comment this was. I must have forgotten to copy their name into it when I saved it, but it made me think about the matter in much the same way this video did: "TLDR: to call this show a 'masterpiece' is a gross understatement, had this show been live action the director, cinematographer and editor would hands down win Oscars, and you cannot understand exactly how good it is on the first watch. Now please indulge me if you are inclined as I indulge myself: I cannot rate this show on a scale of 1-10 because there's nothing really to compare it to. Saying 10/10 does it a disservice as it implies its the same as other great 10/10 things I've watched. If Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and the first four seasons of Game of Throwns are S tier Arcane is S+ tier. You can rightly find layman and experts raving about the animation, the pacing, the sound design, the voice acting,… all, every bit of it just two hand chef's kiss. And the writing is so next level from dialog that at times is Shakespearean to 'telling not showing' to a rich narrative that is so deeply complex and efficient. Those things are obviously hallmarks of a Masterpiece. But they are not the most amazing things about Arcane. I want to talk about a couple cinema things that are less talked about so I'm going to write a little essay here about how this show isn't simply amazing animation but rather amazing cinema. Bear with me as I totally geek on this. My two passions are cinema, and story telling through the scifi-fantasy medium. I read text books and watch documentaries about this shit. Half of what makes this show so good is its cinema aspects, half of what makes it so emotional and gripping isn't what's 'filmed' but HOW it's filmed. From a cinematography and editing standpoint had a great live action director like the Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Kurosawa, David Fincher, et al filmed this live action it would be considered their magnum opus. You don't realize while watching but cinematography and editing are half of what a film makes you feel and half of world and character building. Film language is a language we understand without knowing we speak it, or rather that it is speaking to us because it is so ingrained in our viewing experience from childhood. In Arcane the use of things whole film school classes teach; negative space, color and shadow, cuts, transitions, framing… are just next level. Let me give examples; In the Viktor runs scene notice how when Viktor starts he's slight off-centre right framed as the camera starts to move with his movement, then when he stumbles he falls behind the camera's pace, then upon recovering how he catches the camera then slightly overshoots it. That adds so much emotional weight to the scene. It also is an example of parallels when child Viktor can't catch his boat but running Viktor passes the boats in a brilliant example of using negative space to tell a story. Another is the scene when Jayce tells Mel Viktor is dying. Notice how it does not show their facial reaction, only a closeup of Mel's hand, painter's trowel, and the canvice. Mel inner journey from mad to listening to sympathy with a close up of her painting trowel strokes. Her painting strokes communicate her inner workings better than any other framing of the scene could have because visually in character she's hiding how much it affected her in her voice and by extension assumed body language. She sounds miffed then understanding but the painting strokes say she's angry and hurt then 'oh you weren't ditching me' then to caring sympathy. Notice how you are set up for the animation change for the Ekko-Jinx fight with the cold open for the Firelights using the same art style so it isn't so jarring it takes you out of the immersion when that different art style clicks in at that pivotal moment. I mean that whole fight is set up so well with visual story telling on top earlier of dialog, Powder's picture being on the wall of lost loved ones for one. And I mean Ekko's entrance first with him not being there between Vi and Cait then a cut to black and boom there he is full on, I got no words for just how perfectly that was done. Notice that in Jayce's cold open the mage's opening his hand reaching out to reveal the light of the Hextech crystal matches perfectly with Jayce reaching up and symbolically grasping the same light from the Hextech Gate later in the show. You could run them as a single sequence opening and closing of a hand around the magic and all the symbolism of it. Cuts all have reasons for their placement. Notice first that they don't just cut on movement but also on beat. Tap your foot to the sound track and notice cuts happen in rhythm on tempo. Notice how scene cuts tell you instantly where you are. There are match cuts the likes of which great directors are thought genus for, every episode of Arcane has two or more on the level of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey match cut from thrown bone club to space craft, or David Lean's struck match to desert sun in Lawrence of Arabia. Jinx shooting the spinning plate on the punching machine match cuts to the sign for the Last Drop as an example. Or Vi going down a tube match cut to a bullet entering a chamber setting up the bridge blockade in ep 7. Oh and the Vi to bullet chamber match cut was also a wipe cut; a frigg'n wipe match cut, the only one in the whole show. Why? Because it was the perfect cut thematically there but not elsewhere. Plus the double down on it cutting back to Cait following Vi down the tube, which was again match cut but slightly different in that it pulls back to a wider shot of a gun being chambered, right on point. The cut explains itself in the narrative and the narrative explains the cut. As someone who studies this it was a WTF moment; not flashy just stylish and oh so F'n good when we've been taught it shouldn't work, I guess no told them they couldn't do it. And, in fairness it probably would not have worked live action, but still how do you think of something like that and then execute it so flawlessly? I could go on and on but in short this should be THE primer for all film schools. Editing and framing is the reason you feel every muscle when Vi parkours, why the punches have 'impact' to them, why you can feel the rain. That feeling of impact, weight, and texture are manufactured by shot composition, framing, and editing. And am really about to wax awestruck on camera effects like lens flares and focal lengths, lens choice and focus shifts in an animated show? I could but I'll save you. Haven't even touched on the brilliant use of shadows or color that rival the greatest film noir and neo-noir. The reason you can pause this on any frame at random literally, print screen and stick it on your wall isn't just the painstaking drawing but the composition and framing of that picture. This isn't a great beautifully rendered cartoon, this is an unbelievable display of capital C Cinema. Like I said I'm a total geek for this cinema stuff and while I've seen bits and pieces this good in some of the greatest films of all time I do not think I've ever seen its equal in total across a single piece of cinema. Arcane could not have this dense, rich, and powerful a narrative, or have this level of tight pacing, world and character building without this level of genus visual story telling. Even if you don't think this is the 'best thing' you've ever scene the cinema aspects of it are the best this cinephile has ever seen. And this was accomplished not by a Hollywood Legend or renowned auteur but a couple dudes at Riot Games and a small start up indi animation studio with an epic passion for the story they were telling. Perhaps only people who don't know what's actually possible can pull off the impossible. If you have taken the time read my ramblings to the end thank you for indulgence. For now I've just run out adjective. So how do I rate this show as an avid passionate cinephile? I for one cannot compare Arcane to anything else I've watched or analyzed, but I will compare everything else I watch to Arcane. Rating I guess is 'peerless- equal not found'. "
Wow, thanks for sharing! That's a really insightful comment, and it pointed out some examples I hadn't even considered before (I'll def have to go back to catch the thing with Jayce and the crystal!). Hope whoever wrote it stumbles upon my video one day! And like you said, even if you don't formally know much about cinematography, I think it's one of those things that can still have an effect in how much you connect with a work. Glad you enjoyed the video!
I love how the sensations and concepts of the power shift can be subconsciously conveyed to the viewers, even when they weren't aware of the specific method of its delivery. ✨Its film magic ✨
Excellent analysis. And all done without having to get into any League of Legends spoilers. The way Jinx ultimately shoots the boxing machine with her gun at the end of that scene says a lot, too.
I took the boxing machine as Jinx taking her measure. "You were twice the person at half the age" and now Jinx's anger and frustration after clearly giving her all still does not measure up. At the same time I shows Jinx's wild lash out nature by intermixing Vi's clean precise punches with Jinx's wild lashings. So many scenes in Arcane do more than one thing, some do multiple layers piled on. One thing a lot of people miss is how powerful the transitions are in telling the story. Take Mel's flashback ending in the necklace in a pool of blood (matched to Marcus' coin in Grayson's blood) that shifts into the same image in one of Mel's paintings with Mel popping up from a nightmare against that background. What woke her was the explosion Jinx set off on the bridge. Not only were the writers and artists great writers and artists they were fantastic weavers. There are details you don't notice consciously unless you look for them, even on rewatch. For example, when Powder tackles Silco at the end of episode 3 notice the knife he was holding behind his back flies away and clangs to the ground. He has been disarmed literally right before we're shown he's disarmed metaphorically. Or, Vi's story to Kate about her and Powder's monster games as children with the poison oozing slug and razer crab; when Kate and Vi are down in the fissures at their childhood home on the wall drawn in sort of crayon looking child drawing are a poison slug and razor crab. You don't notice it consciously but later when Vi tells Kate the story subconsciously it checks out. Writers and cinematographers of the World IF a picture says 1,000 words then why are you using 1,000?
Another great example I noticed is one during the fight against the chemtanks in episode 8, the part when Jayce, enraged, uses his hammer as a blaster to kill the remaining forces. If you look closely as he's doing this, each time he fires a blast his eyes briefly flash blue, the same blue emitted from the hextech.
That's an awesome observation that I totally missed--I am definitely going to rewatch that scene now. I love that even over a year later there are still details to discover in this show. Thanks for sharing!
@@lets-mosey amazing video, noticed your yt bio says “essays” - excited for the next one! One narrative choice I noticed was with Jayce’s bracelet. At first he’s unsure of himself, his abilities, and the limits of magic and so the gem he’s coveted and been continually inspired by is still close to him on the bracelet but it’s faced down, almost as if he’s embarrassed or hiding it from the world. But when his (and Viktor’s) attempt succeeds, and his new hextech is welcomed into society, he wears it face up. Even the detail of Jinx’s chipped nail polish tell us something about her character, and I appreciate the team for caring about even the tiniest of details :) she likes to decorate (probably really helps ground her), and she a) is busy enough with her hands that they chip and b) she didn’t care enough about appearances to repaint them Just those small details really help world and character build. Love shows that give us 2+2! Love shows that utilize cinematography! Love shows that trust the audience! :)
I’m a big fan of arcane and I’ve scoured all of youtube for arcane related media; this is one of the best, well researched video essay Ive seen. It’s criminal that it only has 5k views.
Thank you, I appreciate that. It was definitely a labor of love. There's a lot of good video essays on Arcane out there, but I didn't see many that did a deep dive into the technical aspects of the show's filmmaking, so I wanted to fill that void. Glad you liked it!
this analysis is amazing. you pointed out things ive never seen anyone mention, especially the shift of focus from heimerdinger to jace when he's having him voted out. this is incredible attention to detail!
Watching your video I realized that the close-up shot of Vi where an iron fence divides her face, shows her indecision between going after her sister or take care of Caitlyn. How a shot can tell what the character feels, as you said. I really like this type of analysis, subtext analysis. Unfortunately, I watched a lot of Arcane review videos which just tell too obvious stuff. I prefer a deeper analysis like yours :)
Thank you! I'm really glad you liked the video. And I had the same thought about that shot! I didn't have time to talk about it in the script sadly, but I wanted to at least show it because it was too good to leave out. I'm glad someone caught it :)
this is your FIRST video? shit this was amazing to watch. You don't have "the voice" many video essay youtubers do and on top of that your editing and what you have to say and show are a blessing. Keep it up man!
Honestly, you could do 50 hour a scene by scene exhaustive analysis of every detail of Arcane and I’d watch it. I’m endlessly impressed by this show and I could talk about it forever.
Excellent exploration of Arcane. I hope you do more. I do have a little detail that you didn't cover. I suppose, not visual storytelling... but essential dialogue, and I think, the real crux of the series. Christain Linke's own question from Bridging the gap, paraphrased - about the bonds of family, about how far they can be pushed, how far can one fall before it's too far? In the tea party scene at the end, when Jinx says to Vi "He didn't make Jinx.... you did". After many (many) rewatches, I changed my mind about what was going on here. I used to think it it was an accusation - I was probably prompted by Vi's own reaction... but I don't think it was an accusation - it was an aknowledgement - perhaps even gratitude. What Jinx says before and after, I think, confirms this. Just before: "Wanna know a secret? Silco thinks he made Jinx, with all his rants and his hard-won lessons..." This isn't accusatory, it's more like she's not letting Silco take the credit. Just after: "You never left. I always heard you. Shadows in the streets, prickles on the back of my neck. Your voice. Pushing me. Picking me up when all the colors were black. You're the reason I'm still alive." This clinches it for me. Then, I think, the core of the show - and handled in a way no other lines are: Fade to black. No music. "Are we still sisters?" "Nothing is ever going to change that." And.. yes, I agree. THANK YOU to the myraid artists who poured their creativity into this show. They made a masterpeice.
That's a great point. Vi's role in creating Jinx definitely shouldn't be understated. Jinx is the product of Vi's influence just as much as Silco's. The dialogue does a great job of showing that in that final scene. If we're talking visuals, I think the most obvious reference to Vi's part in creating Jinx is the show's use of color. Vi and Silco are heavily associated with reds. Powder is very much blue. Jinx is the product of all three, so we constantly see her surrounded by reds, blues, and purples. Wish I could have fit that in the video somewhere but I wasn't sure where to put it haha this show honestly has too many details to cover!
The quality of this video and the analysis it makes is exactly what I’ve been saying to others when I recommend this show. Arcane is a master class is storytelling and the fact this video essay is done in such a well crafted and beautiful way, kudos to you. I’d love to see more video essays from you in the future. I wish you and this channel great success!
Thanks a lot for all the meticulousness and thought you put into making this video! I’m an odd one, not being in awe with Arcane after my first watch and I was torn between it not being my thing and me missing something crucial. Now I’m more inclined to believe it’s the latter, so I’ll give it another go.
Thanks for watching! Let me know your thoughts on Arcane and if you have any favorite little details that I didn't cover! Also, just realized I accidentally uploaded a 1080p video as 4k...so just watch it in 4k for the full quality lol
Hi! I tried sending you an email complimenting this excellent video but also a request to read an FF7 article I wrote via your contact but gmail says the email is inactive?
@@jayberan Hey, thanks for the kind words. Sorry about the email, apparently it got disabled by Gmail for some reason, so I'll remove it from my profile while I get that fixed. You can always reply with the link to your article and I'll be happy to read it.
DUDE WTF I thought youd have like thousand of subscribers until you mentioned that this was your first video... this video is so well constructed and edited and not to mention your superb analysis i swear i would absolutely love to hear more of your thoughts on different shows or other media that interests you
Critically underrated video, it's been a while since I've actually gotten to the end of a video essay and you really knocked it out of the park with this one.
I’m absolutely shocked how small of a channel you have, the editing for this is extremely high quality! I don’t normally see film/show analysis talk about the things you did in such detail, and I love how knowledgeable you are about the topics you discussed. Amazing work!!
Im commenting so so late but this is definitely one of my favourites if not my favourite arcane analytical essay, and I don't say that lightly as I have watched probably over 50 of them. I appreciate people like you so much lmao I was actually watching this sitting in shock, marvelling over how well you've detected and EXPLAINED all these film techniques. This further swells my love for this show. p.s. as an average 15 year old I thoroughly enjoyed spending my free time on this
There are only a few channels that can explain such an amount of precise information based on an example in a entertaining condensed way like this. You got me hooked from the start. It really helped me understand more of captivating storywriting. So excited to watch more on this channel. You got a sub!
Cannot believe you are this underrated. That introduction alone with the music seeping in is worth hundreds of thousands of subscribers. I know you're going to go far!
From your analysis method I managed to connect the link between Jinx activating her grenade kicking it before it explode and Victor accidentally doing the same and deactivating it last second. 😃
Great analysis which, frustratingly, I discovered so late. It's unfortunate that such gems aren't getting blessed by the UA-cam algorithm. I am excited about your future work.
Wonderful video! I quite enjoyed it. I'm not very experienced with this type of thing, but I think it's really cool how the Enforcers were introduced: An explosion in blood-red smog; a gunshot; then faceless intimidation. We perceive them to be monsters with no emotion, a idea that sticks with us even while Grayson and Vander attempt to negotiate. It's always there, even if in the back of our minds, until we learn more about Caitlyn. We see enforcers that are without masks throughout the series, but the masks still linger on others. Most of the mask-less enforcers still have a helmet on, but Caitlyn loses hers. The show led us into the same arc as Vi. That arc being an initial distaste for them; into a realization that not all of them are bad, but that the bad ones are still awful.
I never comment, but I just wanted go say "holy shit". Hopefully the season 2 algorithm blows up this channel so Mosey makes more videos. At the very least a season 2 analysis
this is an AMAZING video essay!!! I genuinley don't understand how this has so little views!!!! such amazing work and attention to detail, really reallyy BEAUTIFUL :))
For a first video on you're channel this is very fucken impressive! Keep it up, really don't give up. I have seen a lot of video essays, especially about writing and you stand out!
I'm all ears and eyes for gushing about great TV shows or movies or any medium. I love ur style. Please keep uploading. I was really shocked and surprised when I saw this was the only video you have. Keep up the good work. You're talented at this. I never felt bored at any moment in the video. I hope you will continue to make more amazing videos.
This is absolutely brilliant! You get into such specific things, but you manage to make it all so clear and easy to understand, and you make very strong points while still giving the views room for their own interpretations. What a great balance, I thoroughly enjoyed this video and hope to see more from you, maybe when season 2 drops!
Excellent video. Thanks for making & sharing it ❤. One thing you didn’t mention, back from s1- a small thing- that I LOVED, considering how on the nose these things usually are- is how they never mentioned Vi or Caitlyn’s sexuality preferences, or if they were even *possible* to be more than friends (which wouldn’t be the case if one woman were straight, ofc). I am speaking from a POV if, like most viewers, you had zero reason to think they’d be a love pairing, to start. First, they show the handsome, talented, respected Jayce giving her flowers, & Cait swats them to the floor with disinterest, not disgust (which, if the purpose was to show that she thinks he’s a jerk, would have been the case). As the viewer you think, “Weird. But maybe they just want us to know she’s into her work.” There’s some flirtatious vibes, but still, we didn’t know the characters well yet. Then, the scene where they declare it without saying a word comes. The girls are in the brothel, Vi wants Cait to pretend to be a “working girl”, & calls her hot- which is something anyone can notice about anyone, but still a clue- then she says something like, “boys or girls- what’s your preference?”, but Cait doesn’t respond. Vi assumes, and sets Caitlyn up with a man. A few scenes later, without any talking or on the nose, “Why did you assume I like men?” scene, Vi sees Cait has switched to sit with a woman. If not for the prior scene showing she had been sat with a man first, we may have thought, “she wants the information so bad, she’s just getting it wherever she can”… but bc of their little exchange earlier… we know this is meant to represent that she chose to go with a woman. Then, Vi smiles in an unmistakable excitement and happiness at seeing that Cait likes women, thereby confirming that Vi also prefers women. I’m describing it in detail, but all of this was only in a few seconds. And it came long before they ever actually kissed. It was so refreshing to have people sexuality shown without a long-winded speech about how it was so hard to grow up gay or how their dad disowned them, or something. I thought it was brilliantly done. Especially when, like I said, they don’t actually show either of them having relations with a woman until the very end of the season, while this happens within one of the first few episodes. It not only let us know important information about the characters, but it put that extra layer on their relationship in the back of our minds… that they could both possibly be interested in each other romantically. And even now all the way to this point there has not been any discussion about anyone being gay or straight. Like I said it’s just very refreshing. Also I think it serves to make people more accepting of different kinds of relationships without feeling like they are being preached to. It’s simply shows the relationship as a normal relationship like any other. Even though it adds another layer to their relationship… The girls being romantic doesn’t really affect the overall plot much… So it’s nice to see such nuance and care put into something that isn’t one of the more important- however beloved by some fans hahaha- points of the show.
It's insane that this analysis isn't much more known. This was an instant subscribe for me. Keep doing this because this is easily one of my favorite videoessays EVER. You gave thanks to the creators of Arcane, now I want to say thanks to YOU. Now more than ever we need to protect these type of content creation. Much love and appreciation for your work.
Thank you, that really means a lot. Hopefully when Arcane S2 releases this video might get a little more love with the UA-cam algorithm. In the meantime rest assured I am working on a new video...it's just a slow process for me lol
@@lets-mosey take all the time you need, ill be waiting 💜 I cannot express my appreciation for your work enough. I was almost crying and I was literally clapping while watching this with some friends who recommended the video to me (i both love arcane and visual storytelling so this was an easy sell) and fr when I tell you i lost it in some of the details you noticed I’m not exaggerating. Also I had similar interpretations as you that i’ve been telling to my friends over the years and when you mentioned it too I was so happy! (Like the Silco-Marcus scene is one of my favorite scenes on the show and you analyzed it so well graphically/ with the editing that i had goosebumps in several parts) Anyways I’m sorry if I come off as intense I really just loved the video with my whole heart. If you ever need anything my DMs are open. PD: I would love to hear your opinion on the Netflix’s (questionable) adaptation of Avatar 😬
@@michiyal Thank you! Don't worry, you don't come off as intense (or at least I don't notice it because I can relate to being really passionate about this show😂) Honestly the whole reason I made this video in the first place is because the more I watched and re-watched Arcane the more I noticed new little details and I wasn't finding many videos really analyzing them in-depth (also I think my friends were getting tired of me gushing about the show, so I needed an outlet for my thoughts lol) In any case, it makes me super happy to hear the video is being spread through word-of-mouth! As far as the Netflix Avatar...oh boy, don't get me started! haha. I have a LOT of thoughts about it and I have even been debating putting the video I'm currently working on on hold so that I can do a review/analysis of it. To give a very brief summary of my opinion: I think they misunderstood the characters and themes from the original, and I think they made some unnecessary changes that really hurt the arcs of the main cast. Oh and also (somewhat relevant to this video) there's a LOT of exposition! Overall, I don't think it's as bad as the Shyamalan movie, and it has a couple of enjoyable moments, but I think it still really misses a lot of the charm and nuance of the original. Anyways, I love talking to people who appreciate this kind of stuff, so happy to connect via discord or email if you want (I don't have a whole lot of social media accounts for this channel yet lol I should probably work on that) BTW I saw your channel and I was really impressed by the quality of your videos and thumbnails--crazy to me that you don't have more subs! Also I'm from Peru, so nice to meet another South American! 🎉⚽🦙
@@lets-mosey omg eres de Perú??? Yo soy de Venezuela!!!!! Qué increíble ahora estoy más feliz todavía jajajajaja Por supuesto que podemos hablar por discord. Mi user es tal cuál mi nombre de UA-cam! Con respecto a Avatar 100% opino lo mismo. Justamente te preguntaba porque como mencionas el diálogo expositivo en este video (y usas la peli de Avatar como ejemplo de exposition entonces sabía que eras fan de la animación por rebote) sabía que ibas a opinar parecido a mí 😂 yo tengo casi que una vendetta personal con Netflix por lo que le hicieron a Katara y a Suki. Y muchas gracias por pasarte por mi canal 💜 tengo ya algunas ideas nuevas cocinándose pero no he tenido chance. Siempre he querido hacer algo sobre Arcane pero como que tengo que realmente sentarme a escribirlo y siempre me intimida jajajajaja pero algún día lo haré y 100% voy a referenciar este video. Me avisas si me escribes por discord! Cualquier cosa mi correo público es michiyaaal@gmail.com. Un abrazo!!!
i started rewatching arcane on a whim to try and distract from pain, and as great things so often do, this led me down a bit of a youtube rabbit hole aaand now i'm here, at the end of a great analysis of a great show! i have exactly 1 "complaint": you simply must dedicate a two hour segment to your "deep dives" so i get to hear ALL of the many thoughts and points i just know you were holding back in favor of a more concise script. ok so it's not really a complaint at all, i'm only joking. well i'm not joking about wanting to hear more, but that's what the subscribe button's for eh? speaking of... UNDER 200 SUBS???? actually criminally low. i hope when arcane's second season drops, that'll funnel more lucky viewers back to your channel, cause you deserve it!!
Thank you for the kind words! I definitely cut quite a bit to make the video a reasonable length. Originally I wanted to go through every single episode providing commentary on them, but that would have taken forever haha
@@lets-mosey hey if you ever find time for "forever", i WILL be there! nearly finished with my rewatch of the show, and your segment about the focal shift from centering heimerdinger to jayce helped me catch some early dialogue foreshadowing of that exact moment, which made the moment said scene played feel even more impactful. in ep. 4, Jayce, upon being told that he's expected to deliver the "Progress Day" speech, says to Heimerdinger, "I could never replace you!" only to do LITERALLY THAT two episodes later - it actually made my jaw drop. it's one of those lines of dialogue that feels entirely meaningless beyond its most surface level interpretation, only to be revealed later as having a profound and darkly literal meaning. and i might never have picked up on it, had it not been for your video! so thank you again for sharing your insights, it really did make my rewatch experience even better than i thought possible haha
Dude, this was an amazing analysis!! Loved your editing, clear and thoughtful observations, and obvious care you put into this. I've loved Arcane since it first started coming out and you still pointed out new details I hadnt noticed before. I loved how you broke down the composition section. A lot of that was subconscious but it was cool to see all the concrete examples. New sub from me, wish you the best!
Thank you, it was definitely a long project for me since I was mostly doing it in my spare time, but it was a labor of love. I have wanted to share my thoughts on this show for such a long time haha
I really liked this video and I'm sad to see that there isn't any other on your channel. I subscribed in the hopes of another one like this. Cinematography is awesome.
Amazing video! I'm not joking when I say I'm genuinely blown away. The quality of the editing and the analysis are all top-notch. I'm actually impressed you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers, because man... you truly deserve it!
Found this after S2A2 of arcane. And i think its too bad you didnt fllow through. Cause this essay is wonderful. Hope you'll see the positive vibes, cause i'd love some deep scene analysis like the bridge and jayce/heimer ones
What a thorough, well researched and developed analysis. You brought up many storytelling points I haven't heard others talk about, and I genuinely feel like I learned a lot. Great video man
@@christrites4251 I'm planning on it but it will depend on how much I feel there is to say. At the very least I'm already doing rewatches of the first 3 episodes and taking notes! Excited for Act 2 this weekend
Thanks, that's a quite good analysis. Brought up lots of things I've missed - a testament that the show holds up to scrutiny darn well. I've gotten a bit obsessed by Arcane and watched more video essays on it than I care to admit, and this is one of the best. (Not a very original comment I'm afraid, but well, still credit where credit is due.)
I highly recomend reading François Truffaut's book about Alfred Hitchcock's work. Its an interview where they talk about many of his films with great detail. Hitchcock is really honest and self-crittical. Its a masterclass in visual storytelling.
It helps that Riot has a lot of experience with animation and music. I've noticed that some of the LOL music videos do the same thing with visual storytelling too.
Incredible quality of video. Sadly not a lot of people understand importance of visual storytelling . I personally love it A LOT . And arcane execute it just right . Like it does in other aspects
I have watched many reviews of Arcane. The detail in the facial expressions in the characters, I think, was what really hooked me on the show (emotionally). Something I noticed recently: In the brothel, there is so much art Deco detail in the background. A lot of intricate care for animation and story telling artistry. But, also, the brothel is also not quite as fresh looking (dingy in the corners, some things are a little tattered) as perhaps it used to be.Once again, so much care for story telling.
Haha true! In my defense I did briefly mention the clutter on Silco's desk and how it shows daughterly affection, but you're right that I largely skipped a longer discussion on it (mostly because It's a detail that I've seen covered in other videos and reddit/twitter threads and I was wary of just rehashing something other people had already done.)
I interpreted JInx's boxing scene as telling the audience that Jinx (literally) can't beat Vi at her own game. Jinx will never, ever, ever out-muscle Vi.
10:52 to 11:05 For real? How did i miss it? I think i need to rewatch the entire show again (even though i just finished it yesterday) and look for all these little easter eggs (no i will not be lazy and just watch a video about it, even though thats KINDA what this video is but...)
Unfortunately, as far as I know the entire screenplay is still unavailable (I've been looking too!). But the particular excerpts I used were shared by writer Amanda Overton on her Twitter account.
![The Arcane Act 3 Trailer is Making Me Crazy [Analysis/Predictions]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/j8zxJm6ROmU/mqdefault.jpg)
I know very little about cinematography, but what I do know is that this show was tremendously effective on me in ways that don't seem to entirely add up with everything else. I don't know whose comment this was. I must have forgotten to copy their name into it when I saved it, but it made me think about the matter in much the same way this video did:
"TLDR: to call this show a 'masterpiece' is a gross understatement, had this show been live action the director, cinematographer and editor would hands down win Oscars, and you cannot understand exactly how good it is on the first watch.
Now please indulge me if you are inclined as I indulge myself: I cannot rate this show on a scale of 1-10 because there's nothing really to compare it to. Saying 10/10 does it a disservice as it implies its the same as other great 10/10 things I've watched. If Breaking Bad, The Sopranos, and the first four seasons of Game of Throwns are S tier Arcane is S+ tier. You can rightly find layman and experts raving about the animation, the pacing, the sound design, the voice acting,… all, every bit of it just two hand chef's kiss. And the writing is so next level from dialog that at times is Shakespearean to 'telling not showing' to a rich narrative that is so deeply complex and efficient.
Those things are obviously hallmarks of a Masterpiece. But they are not the most amazing things about Arcane. I want to talk about a couple cinema things that are less talked about so I'm going to write a little essay here about how this show isn't simply amazing animation but rather amazing cinema. Bear with me as I totally geek on this. My two passions are cinema, and story telling through the scifi-fantasy medium. I read text books and watch documentaries about this shit. Half of what makes this show so good is its cinema aspects, half of what makes it so emotional and gripping isn't what's 'filmed' but HOW it's filmed. From a cinematography and editing standpoint had a great live action director like the Coen Brothers, Stanley Kubrick, Kurosawa, David Fincher, et al filmed this live action it would be considered their magnum opus. You don't realize while watching but cinematography and editing are half of what a film makes you feel and half of world and character building. Film language is a language we understand without knowing we speak it, or rather that it is speaking to us because it is so ingrained in our viewing experience from childhood. In Arcane the use of things whole film school classes teach; negative space, color and shadow, cuts, transitions, framing… are just next level.
Let me give examples; In the Viktor runs scene notice how when Viktor starts he's slight off-centre right framed as the camera starts to move with his movement, then when he stumbles he falls behind the camera's pace, then upon recovering how he catches the camera then slightly overshoots it. That adds so much emotional weight to the scene. It also is an example of parallels when child Viktor can't catch his boat but running Viktor passes the boats in a brilliant example of using negative space to tell a story.
Another is the scene when Jayce tells Mel Viktor is dying. Notice how it does not show their facial reaction, only a closeup of Mel's hand, painter's trowel, and the canvice. Mel inner journey from mad to listening to sympathy with a close up of her painting trowel strokes. Her painting strokes communicate her inner workings better than any other framing of the scene could have because visually in character she's hiding how much it affected her in her voice and by extension assumed body language. She sounds miffed then understanding but the painting strokes say she's angry and hurt then 'oh you weren't ditching me' then to caring sympathy.
Notice how you are set up for the animation change for the Ekko-Jinx fight with the cold open for the Firelights using the same art style so it isn't so jarring it takes you out of the immersion when that different art style clicks in at that pivotal moment. I mean that whole fight is set up so well with visual story telling on top earlier of dialog, Powder's picture being on the wall of lost loved ones for one. And I mean Ekko's entrance first with him not being there between Vi and Cait then a cut to black and boom there he is full on, I got no words for just how perfectly that was done.
Notice that in Jayce's cold open the mage's opening his hand reaching out to reveal the light of the Hextech crystal matches perfectly with Jayce reaching up and symbolically grasping the same light from the Hextech Gate later in the show. You could run them as a single sequence opening and closing of a hand around the magic and all the symbolism of it. Cuts all have reasons for their placement. Notice first that they don't just cut on movement but also on beat. Tap your foot to the sound track and notice cuts happen in rhythm on tempo. Notice how scene cuts tell you instantly where you are. There are match cuts the likes of which great directors are thought genus for, every episode of Arcane has two or more on the level of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey match cut from thrown bone club to space craft, or David Lean's struck match to desert sun in Lawrence of Arabia.
Jinx shooting the spinning plate on the punching machine match cuts to the sign for the Last Drop as an example. Or Vi going down a tube match cut to a bullet entering a chamber setting up the bridge blockade in ep 7. Oh and the Vi to bullet chamber match cut was also a wipe cut; a frigg'n wipe match cut, the only one in the whole show. Why? Because it was the perfect cut thematically there but not elsewhere. Plus the double down on it cutting back to Cait following Vi down the tube, which was again match cut but slightly different in that it pulls back to a wider shot of a gun being chambered, right on point. The cut explains itself in the narrative and the narrative explains the cut. As someone who studies this it was a WTF moment; not flashy just stylish and oh so F'n good when we've been taught it shouldn't work, I guess no told them they couldn't do it. And, in fairness it probably would not have worked live action, but still how do you think of something like that and then execute it so flawlessly?
I could go on and on but in short this should be THE primer for all film schools. Editing and framing is the reason you feel every muscle when Vi parkours, why the punches have 'impact' to them, why you can feel the rain. That feeling of impact, weight, and texture are manufactured by shot composition, framing, and editing. And am really about to wax awestruck on camera effects like lens flares and focal lengths, lens choice and focus shifts in an animated show? I could but I'll save you. Haven't even touched on the brilliant use of shadows or color that rival the greatest film noir and neo-noir. The reason you can pause this on any frame at random literally, print screen and stick it on your wall isn't just the painstaking drawing but the composition and framing of that picture. This isn't a great beautifully rendered cartoon, this is an unbelievable display of capital C Cinema.
Like I said I'm a total geek for this cinema stuff and while I've seen bits and pieces this good in some of the greatest films of all time I do not think I've ever seen its equal in total across a single piece of cinema. Arcane could not have this dense, rich, and powerful a narrative, or have this level of tight pacing, world and character building without this level of genus visual story telling. Even if you don't think this is the 'best thing' you've ever scene the cinema aspects of it are the best this cinephile has ever seen. And this was accomplished not by a Hollywood Legend or renowned auteur but a couple dudes at Riot Games and a small start up indi animation studio with an epic passion for the story they were telling. Perhaps only people who don't know what's actually possible can pull off the impossible. If you have taken the time read my ramblings to the end thank you for indulgence. For now I've just run out adjective. So how do I rate this show as an avid passionate cinephile? I for one cannot compare Arcane to anything else I've watched or analyzed, but I will compare everything else I watch to Arcane. Rating I guess is 'peerless- equal not found'. "
Wow, thanks for sharing! That's a really insightful comment, and it pointed out some examples I hadn't even considered before (I'll def have to go back to catch the thing with Jayce and the crystal!). Hope whoever wrote it stumbles upon my video one day! And like you said, even if you don't formally know much about cinematography, I think it's one of those things that can still have an effect in how much you connect with a work. Glad you enjoyed the video!
Beautifully put
my jaw DROPPED when u explained the jayce/heimerdinger shot transition, that’s INSANE. i effing love this show
I love how the sensations and concepts of the power shift can be subconsciously conveyed to the viewers, even when they weren't aware of the specific method of its delivery.
✨Its film magic ✨
Excellent analysis. And all done without having to get into any League of Legends spoilers. The way Jinx ultimately shoots the boxing machine with her gun at the end of that scene says a lot, too.
This is such an incredibly well planned and produced essay and I genuinely cannot fathom how its THIS criminally underrated. Massive kudos to you!
I took the boxing machine as Jinx taking her measure. "You were twice the person at half the age" and now Jinx's anger and frustration after clearly giving her all still does not measure up. At the same time I shows Jinx's wild lash out nature by intermixing Vi's clean precise punches with Jinx's wild lashings. So many scenes in Arcane do more than one thing, some do multiple layers piled on.
One thing a lot of people miss is how powerful the transitions are in telling the story. Take Mel's flashback ending in the necklace in a pool of blood (matched to Marcus' coin in Grayson's blood) that shifts into the same image in one of Mel's paintings with Mel popping up from a nightmare against that background. What woke her was the explosion Jinx set off on the bridge. Not only were the writers and artists great writers and artists they were fantastic weavers.
There are details you don't notice consciously unless you look for them, even on rewatch. For example, when Powder tackles Silco at the end of episode 3 notice the knife he was holding behind his back flies away and clangs to the ground. He has been disarmed literally right before we're shown he's disarmed metaphorically. Or, Vi's story to Kate about her and Powder's monster games as children with the poison oozing slug and razer crab; when Kate and Vi are down in the fissures at their childhood home on the wall drawn in sort of crayon looking child drawing are a poison slug and razor crab. You don't notice it consciously but later when Vi tells Kate the story subconsciously it checks out.
Writers and cinematographers of the World IF a picture says 1,000 words then why are you using 1,000?
Another great example I noticed is one during the fight against the chemtanks in episode 8, the part when Jayce, enraged, uses his hammer as a blaster to kill the remaining forces. If you look closely as he's doing this, each time he fires a blast his eyes briefly flash blue, the same blue emitted from the hextech.
That's an awesome observation that I totally missed--I am definitely going to rewatch that scene now. I love that even over a year later there are still details to discover in this show. Thanks for sharing!
@@lets-mosey amazing video, noticed your yt bio says “essays” - excited for the next one!
One narrative choice I noticed was with Jayce’s bracelet. At first he’s unsure of himself, his abilities, and the limits of magic and so the gem he’s coveted and been continually inspired by is still close to him on the bracelet but it’s faced down, almost as if he’s embarrassed or hiding it from the world.
But when his (and Viktor’s) attempt succeeds, and his new hextech is welcomed into society, he wears it face up.
Even the detail of Jinx’s chipped nail polish tell us something about her character, and I appreciate the team for caring about even the tiniest of details :) she likes to decorate (probably really helps ground her), and she a) is busy enough with her hands that they chip and b) she didn’t care enough about appearances to repaint them
Just those small details really help world and character build.
Love shows that give us 2+2! Love shows that utilize cinematography! Love shows that trust the audience! :)
I’m a big fan of arcane and I’ve scoured all of youtube for arcane related media; this is one of the best, well researched video essay Ive seen. It’s criminal that it only has 5k views.
Thank you, I appreciate that. It was definitely a labor of love. There's a lot of good video essays on Arcane out there, but I didn't see many that did a deep dive into the technical aspects of the show's filmmaking, so I wanted to fill that void. Glad you liked it!
Really amazing video. I liked how you explained the Jayce and Heimer shot. It’s such a great detail that I never would have noticed!
Thank you! And it's honestly something I only noticed because I rewatched the show like a hawk in order to write this haha
@@lets-mosey I can tell! Keep up the excellent work!
this analysis is amazing. you pointed out things ive never seen anyone mention, especially the shift of focus from heimerdinger to jace when he's having him voted out. this is incredible attention to detail!
Watching your video I realized that the close-up shot of Vi where an iron fence divides her face, shows her indecision between going after her sister or take care of Caitlyn. How a shot can tell what the character feels, as you said.
I really like this type of analysis, subtext analysis. Unfortunately, I watched a lot of Arcane review videos which just tell too obvious stuff. I prefer a deeper analysis like yours :)
Thank you! I'm really glad you liked the video. And I had the same thought about that shot! I didn't have time to talk about it in the script sadly, but I wanted to at least show it because it was too good to leave out. I'm glad someone caught it :)
this is your FIRST video? shit this was amazing to watch. You don't have "the voice" many video essay youtubers do and on top of that your editing and what you have to say and show are a blessing. Keep it up man!
Awesome video. The whole section on framing starting around 00:28:25 was fascinating.
Honestly, you could do 50 hour a scene by scene exhaustive analysis of every detail of Arcane and I’d watch it. I’m endlessly impressed by this show and I could talk about it forever.
Great first video! It's beimg shared around in some Arcane forums I frequent
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. And stoked to hear that people are sharing it!
How did this guy just drop this amazing video essay and then disappear?
Excellent exploration of Arcane. I hope you do more.
I do have a little detail that you didn't cover. I suppose, not visual storytelling... but essential dialogue, and I think, the real crux of the series. Christain Linke's own question from Bridging the gap, paraphrased - about the bonds of family, about how far they can be pushed, how far can one fall before it's too far?
In the tea party scene at the end, when Jinx says to Vi "He didn't make Jinx.... you did".
After many (many) rewatches, I changed my mind about what was going on here. I used to think it it was an accusation - I was probably prompted by Vi's own reaction... but I don't think it was an accusation - it was an aknowledgement - perhaps even gratitude. What Jinx says before and after, I think, confirms this.
Just before:
"Wanna know a secret? Silco thinks he made Jinx, with all his rants and his hard-won lessons..."
This isn't accusatory, it's more like she's not letting Silco take the credit.
Just after:
"You never left. I always heard you. Shadows in the streets, prickles on the back of my neck. Your voice. Pushing me. Picking me up when all the colors were black. You're the reason I'm still alive."
This clinches it for me.
Then, I think, the core of the show - and handled in a way no other lines are:
Fade to black. No music.
"Are we still sisters?"
"Nothing is ever going to change that."
And.. yes, I agree. THANK YOU to the myraid artists who poured their creativity into this show. They made a masterpeice.
That's a great point. Vi's role in creating Jinx definitely shouldn't be understated. Jinx is the product of Vi's influence just as much as Silco's. The dialogue does a great job of showing that in that final scene.
If we're talking visuals, I think the most obvious reference to Vi's part in creating Jinx is the show's use of color. Vi and Silco are heavily associated with reds. Powder is very much blue. Jinx is the product of all three, so we constantly see her surrounded by reds, blues, and purples. Wish I could have fit that in the video somewhere but I wasn't sure where to put it haha this show honestly has too many details to cover!
your first video essay was one of the best i ever seen
26:30 Additionally, throughout the scene, Silco pointedly avoids standing in the light, walking from shadow to shadow.
@@Spaceisprettybig love that, didn't even catch that!
Great video! I loved the cinematography section
The quality of this video and the analysis it makes is exactly what I’ve been saying to others when I recommend this show. Arcane is a master class is storytelling and the fact this video essay is done in such a well crafted and beautiful way, kudos to you.
I’d love to see more video essays from you in the future. I wish you and this channel great success!
Thank you, much appreciated!
Thanks a lot for all the meticulousness and thought you put into making this video! I’m an odd one, not being in awe with Arcane after my first watch and I was torn between it not being my thing and me missing something crucial. Now I’m more inclined to believe it’s the latter, so I’ll give it another go.
Thanks for watching! Let me know your thoughts on Arcane and if you have any favorite little details that I didn't cover!
Also, just realized I accidentally uploaded a 1080p video as 4k...so just watch it in 4k for the full quality lol
Hi! I tried sending you an email complimenting this excellent video but also a request to read an FF7 article I wrote via your contact but gmail says the email is inactive?
@@jayberan Hey, thanks for the kind words. Sorry about the email, apparently it got disabled by Gmail for some reason, so I'll remove it from my profile while I get that fixed. You can always reply with the link to your article and I'll be happy to read it.
DUDE WTF I thought youd have like thousand of subscribers until you mentioned that this was your first video... this video is so well constructed and edited and not to mention your superb analysis i swear i would absolutely love to hear more of your thoughts on different shows or other media that interests you
Your video is a labor of love to Arcane.
Thank you, super excited for Season 2!!
Critically underrated video, it's been a while since I've actually gotten to the end of a video essay and you really knocked it out of the park with this one.
I’m absolutely shocked how small of a channel you have, the editing for this is extremely high quality! I don’t normally see film/show analysis talk about the things you did in such detail, and I love how knowledgeable you are about the topics you discussed. Amazing work!!
Thank you! really appreciate the kind words. Hoping to have more videos out sometime soon
I really hope you make some videos about arcanes next season! This video essay was so insightful I love it
This was in my recommended, I clicked, watched to the end and decided to immeadiately watch every other video on the channel
I won't speak
Im commenting so so late but this is definitely one of my favourites if not my favourite arcane analytical essay, and I don't say that lightly as I have watched probably over 50 of them. I appreciate people like you so much lmao I was actually watching this sitting in shock, marvelling over how well you've detected and EXPLAINED all these film techniques. This further swells my love for this show.
p.s. as an average 15 year old I thoroughly enjoyed spending my free time on this
There are only a few channels that can explain such an amount of precise information based on an example in a entertaining condensed way like this. You got me hooked from the start. It really helped me understand more of captivating storywriting. So excited to watch more on this channel. You got a sub!
This is a masterfully crafted video shame that its so underrated
I've always been a fan of Arcane but you really put its quality in a new light for me. Looking forward to future videos.
Cannot believe you are this underrated. That introduction alone with the music seeping in is worth hundreds of thousands of subscribers. I know you're going to go far!
From your analysis method I managed to connect the link between Jinx activating her grenade kicking it before it explode and Victor accidentally doing the same and deactivating it last second. 😃
Great analysis which, frustratingly, I discovered so late. It's unfortunate that such gems aren't getting blessed by the UA-cam algorithm. I am excited about your future work.
Wonderful video! I quite enjoyed it.
I'm not very experienced with this type of thing, but I think it's really cool how the Enforcers were introduced:
An explosion in blood-red smog; a gunshot; then faceless intimidation.
We perceive them to be monsters with no emotion, a idea that sticks with us even while Grayson and Vander attempt to negotiate. It's always there, even if in the back of our minds, until we learn more about Caitlyn.
We see enforcers that are without masks throughout the series, but the masks still linger on others. Most of the mask-less enforcers still have a helmet on, but Caitlyn loses hers.
The show led us into the same arc as Vi. That arc being an initial distaste for them; into a realization that not all of them are bad, but that the bad ones are still awful.
Underrated AF Analysis video. Very well curated.
You must have spent hours researching and gathering the bits for this video. Very informative and wonderfully delivered. I really enjoyed it.
Glad you enjoyed it! It definitely took a large chunk of time to make, but thankfully it was a lot of fun too.
I never comment, but I just wanted go say "holy shit". Hopefully the season 2 algorithm blows up this channel so Mosey makes more videos. At the very least a season 2 analysis
this is an AMAZING video essay!!! I genuinley don't understand how this has so little views!!!! such amazing work and attention to detail, really reallyy BEAUTIFUL :))
For a first video on you're channel this is very fucken impressive! Keep it up, really don't give up. I have seen a lot of video essays, especially about writing and you stand out!
Thank you! I really appreciate that. I'm working on more stuff so stay tuned!
I'm all ears and eyes for gushing about great TV shows or movies or any medium. I love ur style. Please keep uploading. I was really shocked and surprised when I saw this was the only video you have. Keep up the good work. You're talented at this. I never felt bored at any moment in the video. I hope you will continue to make more amazing videos.
Hope your essay blows up :D made me appreciate the series once more in a new light
Dang man. This is really excellent. Even if it takes 5 years for the next one I hope you continue in this pursuit.
This is absolutely brilliant! You get into such specific things, but you manage to make it all so clear and easy to understand, and you make very strong points while still giving the views room for their own interpretations. What a great balance, I thoroughly enjoyed this video and hope to see more from you, maybe when season 2 drops!
Can't wait to see more videos from you!
That was an awesome analysis LM. It's such a shame you didn't kick on with more videos. Great job dude.
This was indeed worth my time. More, please!
Excellent video. Thanks for making & sharing it ❤.
One thing you didn’t mention, back from s1- a small thing- that I LOVED, considering how on the nose these things usually are- is how they never mentioned Vi or Caitlyn’s sexuality preferences, or if they were even *possible* to be more than friends (which wouldn’t be the case if one woman were straight, ofc). I am speaking from a POV if, like most viewers, you had zero reason to think they’d be a love pairing, to start.
First, they show the handsome, talented, respected Jayce giving her flowers, & Cait swats them to the floor with disinterest, not disgust (which, if the purpose was to show that she thinks he’s a jerk, would have been the case). As the viewer you think, “Weird. But maybe they just want us to know she’s into her work.”
There’s some flirtatious vibes, but still, we didn’t know the characters well yet.
Then, the scene where they declare it without saying a word comes. The girls are in the brothel, Vi wants Cait to pretend to be a “working girl”, & calls her hot- which is something anyone can notice about anyone, but still a clue- then she says something like, “boys or girls- what’s your preference?”, but Cait doesn’t respond.
Vi assumes, and sets Caitlyn up with a man. A few scenes later, without any talking or on the nose, “Why did you assume I like men?” scene, Vi sees Cait has switched to sit with a woman. If not for the prior scene showing she had been sat with a man first, we may have thought, “she wants the information so bad, she’s just getting it wherever she can”… but bc of their little exchange earlier… we know this is meant to represent that she chose to go with a woman. Then, Vi smiles in an unmistakable excitement and happiness at seeing that Cait likes women, thereby confirming that Vi also prefers women.
I’m describing it in detail, but all of this was only in a few seconds. And it came long before they ever actually kissed. It was so refreshing to have people sexuality shown without a long-winded speech about how it was so hard to grow up gay or how their dad disowned them, or something.
I thought it was brilliantly done.
Especially when, like I said, they don’t actually show either of them having relations with a woman until the very end of the season, while this happens within one of the first few episodes.
It not only let us know important information about the characters, but it put that extra layer on their relationship in the back of our minds… that they could both possibly be interested in each other romantically.
And even now all the way to this point there has not been any discussion about anyone being gay or straight. Like I said it’s just very refreshing.
Also I think it serves to make people more accepting of different kinds of relationships without feeling like they are being preached to. It’s simply shows the relationship as a normal relationship like any other.
Even though it adds another layer to their relationship… The girls being romantic doesn’t really affect the overall plot much… So it’s nice to see such nuance and care put into something that isn’t one of the more important- however beloved by some fans hahaha- points of the show.
Best video analysis i've seen on this platform, only 411 subs, how is this possible? Make it 412 then.
It's insane that this analysis isn't much more known. This was an instant subscribe for me. Keep doing this because this is easily one of my favorite videoessays EVER. You gave thanks to the creators of Arcane, now I want to say thanks to YOU. Now more than ever we need to protect these type of content creation. Much love and appreciation for your work.
Thank you, that really means a lot. Hopefully when Arcane S2 releases this video might get a little more love with the UA-cam algorithm. In the meantime rest assured I am working on a new video...it's just a slow process for me lol
@@lets-mosey take all the time you need, ill be waiting 💜 I cannot express my appreciation for your work enough. I was almost crying and I was literally clapping while watching this with some friends who recommended the video to me (i both love arcane and visual storytelling so this was an easy sell) and fr when I tell you i lost it in some of the details you noticed I’m not exaggerating. Also I had similar interpretations as you that i’ve been telling to my friends over the years and when you mentioned it too I was so happy! (Like the Silco-Marcus scene is one of my favorite scenes on the show and you analyzed it so well graphically/ with the editing that i had goosebumps in several parts)
Anyways I’m sorry if I come off as intense I really just loved the video with my whole heart. If you ever need anything my DMs are open.
PD: I would love to hear your opinion on the Netflix’s (questionable) adaptation of Avatar 😬
@@michiyal Thank you! Don't worry, you don't come off as intense (or at least I don't notice it because I can relate to being really passionate about this show😂)
Honestly the whole reason I made this video in the first place is because the more I watched and re-watched Arcane the more I noticed new little details and I wasn't finding many videos really analyzing them in-depth (also I think my friends were getting tired of me gushing about the show, so I needed an outlet for my thoughts lol) In any case, it makes me super happy to hear the video is being spread through word-of-mouth!
As far as the Netflix Avatar...oh boy, don't get me started! haha. I have a LOT of thoughts about it and I have even been debating putting the video I'm currently working on on hold so that I can do a review/analysis of it. To give a very brief summary of my opinion: I think they misunderstood the characters and themes from the original, and I think they made some unnecessary changes that really hurt the arcs of the main cast. Oh and also (somewhat relevant to this video) there's a LOT of exposition! Overall, I don't think it's as bad as the Shyamalan movie, and it has a couple of enjoyable moments, but I think it still really misses a lot of the charm and nuance of the original.
Anyways, I love talking to people who appreciate this kind of stuff, so happy to connect via discord or email if you want (I don't have a whole lot of social media accounts for this channel yet lol I should probably work on that)
BTW I saw your channel and I was really impressed by the quality of your videos and thumbnails--crazy to me that you don't have more subs! Also I'm from Peru, so nice to meet another South American! 🎉⚽🦙
@@lets-mosey omg eres de Perú??? Yo soy de Venezuela!!!!! Qué increíble ahora estoy más feliz todavía jajajajaja
Por supuesto que podemos hablar por discord. Mi user es tal cuál mi nombre de UA-cam!
Con respecto a Avatar 100% opino lo mismo. Justamente te preguntaba porque como mencionas el diálogo expositivo en este video (y usas la peli de Avatar como ejemplo de exposition entonces sabía que eras fan de la animación por rebote) sabía que ibas a opinar parecido a mí 😂 yo tengo casi que una vendetta personal con Netflix por lo que le hicieron a Katara y a Suki.
Y muchas gracias por pasarte por mi canal 💜 tengo ya algunas ideas nuevas cocinándose pero no he tenido chance. Siempre he querido hacer algo sobre Arcane pero como que tengo que realmente sentarme a escribirlo y siempre me intimida jajajajaja pero algún día lo haré y 100% voy a referenciar este video.
Me avisas si me escribes por discord! Cualquier cosa mi correo público es michiyaaal@gmail.com.
Un abrazo!!!
cant believe this doesnt have a million views. this is amazing!!!
i started rewatching arcane on a whim to try and distract from pain, and as great things so often do, this led me down a bit of a youtube rabbit hole aaand now i'm here, at the end of a great analysis of a great show!
i have exactly 1 "complaint": you simply must dedicate a two hour segment to your "deep dives" so i get to hear ALL of the many thoughts and points i just know you were holding back in favor of a more concise script. ok so it's not really a complaint at all, i'm only joking. well i'm not joking about wanting to hear more, but that's what the subscribe button's for eh?
speaking of... UNDER 200 SUBS???? actually criminally low. i hope when arcane's second season drops, that'll funnel more lucky viewers back to your channel, cause you deserve it!!
Thank you for the kind words! I definitely cut quite a bit to make the video a reasonable length. Originally I wanted to go through every single episode providing commentary on them, but that would have taken forever haha
@@lets-mosey hey if you ever find time for "forever", i WILL be there!
nearly finished with my rewatch of the show, and your segment about the focal shift from centering heimerdinger to jayce helped me catch some early dialogue foreshadowing of that exact moment, which made the moment said scene played feel even more impactful. in ep. 4, Jayce, upon being told that he's expected to deliver the "Progress Day" speech, says to Heimerdinger, "I could never replace you!" only to do LITERALLY THAT two episodes later - it actually made my jaw drop. it's one of those lines of dialogue that feels entirely meaningless beyond its most surface level interpretation, only to be revealed later as having a profound and darkly literal meaning. and i might never have picked up on it, had it not been for your video! so thank you again for sharing your insights, it really did make my rewatch experience even better than i thought possible haha
I love "Arcane" so much and this video made me more aware of the significance of this show. Thank you!
Very well done! I look forward to whatever other stories you dissect next.
Dude, this was an amazing analysis!! Loved your editing, clear and thoughtful observations, and obvious care you put into this. I've loved Arcane since it first started coming out and you still pointed out new details I hadnt noticed before. I loved how you broke down the composition section. A lot of that was subconscious but it was cool to see all the concrete examples.
New sub from me, wish you the best!
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Thank you, it was definitely a long project for me since I was mostly doing it in my spare time, but it was a labor of love. I have wanted to share my thoughts on this show for such a long time haha
I really liked this video and I'm sad to see that there isn't any other on your channel. I subscribed in the hopes of another one like this. Cinematography is awesome.
Really good video, looking forward to seeing more from you!
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Amazing video! I'm not joking when I say I'm genuinely blown away. The quality of the editing and the analysis are all top-notch. I'm actually impressed you don't have hundreds of thousands of subscribers, because man... you truly deserve it!
Found this after S2A2 of arcane. And i think its too bad you didnt fllow through. Cause this essay is wonderful.
Hope you'll see the positive vibes, cause i'd love some deep scene analysis like the bridge and jayce/heimer ones
Nice voice my guy, and i loved your theories and how you explained the shots and everything😁
Keep it up on arcane 2
hoooollllyyyy you can tell this video was made with care I rlly hope you're willing to make more!!
I hope to see more videos from you! This was an excellent essay
Great video! I loved the different categories and examples you gave. Really good stuff. Looking forward to anything else you release in the future
What a thorough, well researched and developed analysis. You brought up many storytelling points I haven't heard others talk about, and I genuinely feel like I learned a lot. Great video man
AAAAAA, so beautiful video, i love it every single detail of de script and edition.
What an excellent video, I loved it. Are you doing one for Season 2?
@@christrites4251 I'm planning on it but it will depend on how much I feel there is to say. At the very least I'm already doing rewatches of the first 3 episodes and taking notes! Excited for Act 2 this weekend
Amazing analysis of perhaps my fav show, well earned sub mate :D
Home run for a first time!
I cannot wait for your future videos ŵ
Thanks, that's a quite good analysis. Brought up lots of things I've missed - a testament that the show holds up to scrutiny darn well. I've gotten a bit obsessed by Arcane and watched more video essays on it than I care to admit, and this is one of the best. (Not a very original comment I'm afraid, but well, still credit where credit is due.)
Loved the video, great job! such a detailed interesting analysis!! 👏🏽🌟
I highly recomend reading François Truffaut's book about Alfred Hitchcock's work. Its an interview where they talk about many of his films with great detail. Hitchcock is really honest and self-crittical. Its a masterclass in visual storytelling.
Incredible video. Would love to see more.
It helps that Riot has a lot of experience with animation and music. I've noticed that some of the LOL music videos do the same thing with visual storytelling too.
Really great video! Surprised it only has around a hundred likes right now, you definitely deserve more attention!
Such a surprise and great video! Hope it gets to more people! Thanks for sharing it !
Incredible quality of video. Sadly not a lot of people understand importance of visual storytelling . I personally love it A LOT . And arcane execute it just right . Like it does in other aspects
Couldn't agree more!
If you haven’t already, i think you’d love taking a look at the character placement/camera work during Jayce and VI’s first conversation!
I'll take a look!
I have watched many reviews of Arcane. The detail in the facial expressions in the characters, I think, was what really hooked me on the show (emotionally).
Something I noticed recently: In the brothel, there is so much art Deco detail in the background. A lot of intricate care for animation and story telling artistry. But, also, the brothel is also not quite as fresh looking (dingy in the corners, some things are a little tattered) as perhaps it used to be.Once again, so much care for story telling.
Awesome analysis. Made my day.
crazy well made
Lots of quality here liked and subscribed
Yeah she’s not Jinx until the final episode the last season.
Great video!
Make another of these for season 2 PLEASE
@@BigJGuy1 definitely planning on it
nice. great food for thought
incredible video!!
I'm surprised you did not mention the art and crafts jinx made for Silco
Haha true! In my defense I did briefly mention the clutter on Silco's desk and how it shows daughterly affection, but you're right that I largely skipped a longer discussion on it (mostly because It's a detail that I've seen covered in other videos and reddit/twitter threads and I was wary of just rehashing something other people had already done.)
@@lets-mosey I assume that was the reasoning since it was a hotly discussed topic
subbed. what a piece
Great video, great points for a great show!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Underrated video
Comment for the algorithm bro!
Underrated video
Thank you, appreciate it
I interpreted JInx's boxing scene as telling the audience that Jinx (literally) can't beat Vi at her own game. Jinx will never, ever, ever out-muscle Vi.
For sure, I think it's a pretty multi-layered scene with a bunch of different meanings.
10:52 to 11:05 For real? How did i miss it? I think i need to rewatch the entire show again (even though i just finished it yesterday) and look for all these little easter eggs (no i will not be lazy and just watch a video about it, even though thats KINDA what this video is but...)
Ogre2 shout out, Nice!
After morbious , after madam webb.. after JOKER 2 ?! Will Smiths Suicide Squad actually aged surprisingly well
Applause 👏 for the animators...God bless them ..lol an the fuckin writers!!!
13:38 Where'd you find the screenplay? I've been searching for them forever.
Unfortunately, as far as I know the entire screenplay is still unavailable (I've been looking too!). But the particular excerpts I used were shared by writer Amanda Overton on her Twitter account.
liked for the ogre 2 halo reference
Haha thanks, we respect the OGs on this channel