Nah, he just likes the number 4. >gunfire in music Didn't our boy Carl Orff do that first? And frankly I think in a more bombastic way. I guess rito gave it their best shot too, three, and four.
I mean when your skilled enough assassin you make it a point to blow your victims up into a violent viscera then sprinkle some illusion magic to give it the appearance of psychedelic flowers for an artistic flare. Gotta say my guy, that’s pretty bad
Jhin is a psychopath that's obsessed by the number 4, and fascinated by death, and how beautiful people look as they die, ( to him ). So he kills people to turn them into works of art, and he strives to outdo himself every time, to achieve a masterpiece. The dramatic part is highly tied to the killed person, making it feel like he stalks his prey for days, and studies them, so that he can create the work of art based on the victim.
@Poor Quality Gameplay actually Jihn finds a certain exaltation in the death of his victims, going so far as to say that their death IS the art that he creates, and because of the magic infused into his bullets, the gore and brutality of the murder is visually changed to appear as beautiful flowers of crimson, but upon touching the illusion it fades to show you the true horror of his acts
@@vincent686 Which makes him quite like what I imagine the Demons of Runeterra to be: their goal is to kill the victim at the peak of the emotion that they represent. Fiddlesticks is pure animalistic fear, Evelynn is pain that she enhances by juxtaposing it against the pleasure, Nocturne kills his victims in a nightmare(his ult) and Tham Kench draws it out with addiction consuming everything his victims hold dear before he finishes them off. Now our boy Jihn kills his victims when they are most beautiful and perfect...
iirc before he met his "patron" who's providing him with the magical bullets and ofher equipment, it's implied he'd carve victims into flesh flowers, basically.
@@Y0gSogg0th nope, he had used magic infused daggers before. that and some other details are explained in the comics and in a Q&A they did with him after release. His father had a dojo with fast dagger throwing techniques similar to what Xayah does (Jhin learned but hated it)
I can see how you would misread Jhin from this one, since the song is a killing from his perspective. The loading of the gun, the four shots, the peaceful silence. He sees the violence in the brutality he commits but also sees it as the highest form of art.
This is quite fascinating to me. Because while you did not zero in on who Jhin really is, you did get exactly who Jhin WANTS others to believe he is: a tragic character turned to vengeange, motivated by some noble and powerful emotion. This is because, as others have mentioned before, his theme is "from his perspective": he's a deranged killer, but in his mind he's actually a misunderstood genius of an artist. Very very interesting how that came across.
he don't want ot be scene as something else , he his just sad that people don't see it as well as he does . he is a monster but that doesn't mean he is ugly , in the horror and shock of people he see the marvel to the point of terror , in the panic he see his own excitation.
There are two things still that I am trying to fully understand...Yes I do acknowledge that to be solid way of looking at it....however to me there are still two holes. One, the shattered mirror...to me the mirror is a symbol for self-reflection, he is looking back at himself, his spirit looking at his physical self, the fractures of the mirror... a sign of inability to look back at himself, as if he had gone too far and is now so obsessed he cannot go back, or perhaps he looks at himself with self-hatred, as though he became the very thing he sought to hunt and now cannot stop... or he is looking back at the very day it began, a deep emotional moment that drives him forward, a tragedy which must be punished, the very first death he had seen... and then his very breathing......at the end of the teaser, all we hear is that deep, unsteady, long breathing...he almost reminds me of myself when I'm trying to hide fear or nervousness or any emotion really... or when I'm about to cry...like he's holding in tears... or, he could be holding in laughter now that I listen to it a bit more I still like my other idea more but it sounds more like he's holding laughter as though the moment was enjoyable...but he's hiding it...he may not want to be seen as a, or potentially not even become a psychopath but really deeply enjoyed that man's death...perhaps the very man who started his curtain callings...or just someone who hurt him or someone else deeply in some way...regardless it's all just various theories but Jhin is really one of the only few characters who's lore I enjoy
Jhin's theme is separated in 4 parts : The hunt, The kill, The silence, The beauty. Knowing that jhin is obsessed with the number 4 and think of taking a life as the purest and most beautifull art, i just find this theme outstanding overall.
I quite agree, although i would have rather desciphered : The preparation, The Carnage, The Contemplation, The Hunt of the survivor. But still, quite agree. All the more with the obsession with 4.
If you play as Jhin in league, everytime he speaks it's always accompanied by an instruments and opera. But if you play against Jhin, you can hear him speak but this time there's no music accompanies his words.
He'll let people survive if he failed to kill them in the perfect way. That's how much of a perfectionist he is. Also the many Fours and asymmetry of design is peak.
@@thedanksoul he doesn't state it its more implied since jhin didn't shoot camille up until he lead her to the stage to give her the greatest finale but since it didn't kill her jhin let her run off. Since she didn't die on the stage jhin saw it as it wasn't worth.
Jhin is among the darkest characters in the league universe....and he's nothing more than a man. A generic serial killer. The true horror lies not in his work, but in his perception of his own work. He's obsessed with beauty, only to him, the most beautiful thing to him is death. There are two sides to him. The first is the version of him in his own head. The angelic choruses, the beautiful violins, the soothing voice and dramatic movements.....in Jhin's eyes, he's glorious, beautiful, serene. His theme is his perspective. The beginning is the preparation, the middle is the kill, and everything else is pure ecstasy. Jhin isn't grieving. He's reveling in the wonder. The reason the music is so sad is because the audience is meant to know how awful his work really is. Then there's the other side of Jhin. The version of him that everyone else sees. While he sees his work as being beautiful, in reality, it's horrifying and grotesque. So much so that one of the most influential characters in the league universe pursued him for years....and was driven utterly insane by the unspeakable, twisted carnage Jhin left in his wake. You guessed that Jhin is conflicted. It makes sense why you'd think that, even though it isn't accurate in this case. You were picking on on these two sides of him, assuming that there was conflict. As it turns out, the two sides are completely separate--the heavenly world in Jhin's head, and the nightmarish, demonic hell he's creating for everyone else as he performs his sick art. There's a reason this theme is so beloved by the community. It's equal parts heavenly beauty.....and nightmarish horror. Masterfully summarized in a single piece.
What's of course curious here is that despite being incorrect in terms of context. The big thrust of this channel is the idea that you can theoretically be right any time you have an interpretation. Using your imagination to consider what something sounds like is a fun exercise. But, im also thinking now...What if...Do we know why he became what he became?????
The true history, identity, and purpose of Khada Jhin, which is nothing but a stage name, is largely unknown. He has a long and stories past involving several other notable characters, which in large part he serves as an antagonist.
The self hatred is very interesting, because whilst Jhin doesn't feel remorse one of the stories states that Jhin's appearance causes him "pangs of self conscious loathing". Seems like you were still on to something, as the imagery of the broken mirror also reflects this
@@sehguhnai8223 It’s actually known that Jhin does not like his appearance because it is far too plain and average. Jhin’s appearance is so average that he would be harder to identify without the mask than with and this upsets him. Jhin wants his art to be seen and recognized not only for the arts value but his value as the arts creator.
I think a theme that most league players forget, is Kindred's. Just two instruments, yet perfectly portrays the character. I would love if you took a look at it.
You were a little off the mark on who Jhin is: He's not a hired assassin, he's a sociopathic serial killer who tries to make every murder into a performance: in his twisted mind, a bullet wound becomes a blooming flower and such. He literally says "this would be easier if blood came in more colors" He didn't have a tragic past, he was never kind, he never lost a loved one: As far as we know, he was always a monster. It's more clearly shown in the "Awaken" cinematic/music video, where you can see him surrounded by an audience of corpses. He has set traps everywhere, waiting for the police to show up, right on cue. He doesn't do this against his will: murder is art to him. It's all he wants. The violin and opera isn't meant to show his sadness, but the "beauty" of his atrocities. GREAT VIDEO THOUGH! I loved hearing your interpretation!! You could try listening to some of the voice lines of the champions after the music, the voice acting is always stellar, and gives a great understanding of who the champion is. Suggestions for other great League themes: Ornn (try watching the Teaser trailer first) Camille (She also in the Awaken cinematic alongside Jhin) Aphelios and Diana both have great vocals in their respective themes... I'm partial to Renata Glasc, she has a very complex character, I'm curious to see how much you can get from her theme alone. But if you are in the mood for something a little more spooky, Fiddlesticks is amazing (though you should watch the trailer before the theme :P )
@@marcrobinos5023 I mean he isn't exactly hired imo he got freed from prison to kill but he doesn't get paid for it, his murders are his payment, he does it to enjoy himself he even has a quote saying "Until they stop me, I will keep going." So yeah basically the higher ups unleashed a monster onto the world just so said monster could do their killings for them.
@@MarcoMeatball Absolutely not, you can't quit before I get to see you listening to Fiddlesticks theme! xd If you do watch it, you have to film it the first time you see it tho, there is so much you get to feel only the first time
It may have been a little off the mark, but your analysis opened my eyes to the possibility that his theme switches between Jhin's and his victim's povs. The first part of the song is the actual assassination/performance taking place, represented by the gun, and voices (the victims), and the violin (jihn). Then the moment of slow sadness and regret is his victim's final thoughts as they watch each other get assassinated one by one. Then eventually Jhin joins back in, who acknowledges that sadness and finds intense beauty in it. When the violin joins he never quiets the choir, instead, the violin leads them and dances around in their voices. Finally, once the voices stop, Jhin also stops in perfect timing with them. Yet another perfectly orchestrated performance by Jihn the virtuoso.
That description would probably the illusion Jhin would want to maintain. A suffering misunderstood artist whose art both plagues and fulfills him. There is some agony and pain by its sheer morally empathetic absence. A pain he blissfully ignores but is still there. The pain of not being normal.
When I used to play league, Jhin was one of the characters I liked the most. He is a very authentic character in League of Legends because of his thematic of a not comprehensive artist. I think the duality you feel in the song can be shown by the broken mirror and the Mask. Because he has a line:" Everyone has a mask, I've only created mine." And yeah, he is obsessed by the number 4 and if you make a link his name letters J,H,I,N on a keyboard you make a number 4. And 4 in Japanese culture can be pronounced "Shi" wich also means Death.
Same with Chinese, shin is a word that can be used for 4. It is uncomfortably close to the word death, in pronunciation and written formats, that they try to avoid saying it lest they gain bad luck
I love how technically wrong yet sort of correct your reading of his character is. For example, he did love the woman with the flowers, except he was in love with her dying body twisted by his bullets.
What is ironic about Jhin is despite his extravagant mind and mask...said mask has nothing to hide since without it he looks so plain you couldn't recognize him from a crowd.
Wolf: "Lamb, tell me a story." Lamb: "There was once a pale man with dark hair who was very lonely." Wolf: "Why was it lonely?" Lamb: "All things must meet this man, so they shunned him." Wolf: "Did he chase them all?" Lamb: "He took an axe and split himself in two right down the middle." Wolf: "So he would always have a friend?" Lamb: "So he would always have a friend." Keep this quote from a character centered around the duality of life and death in mind, when thinking of jhin
I think Marco's headcanon on the tragedy of Jhin may be a little close. Jhin always strives for a perfect kill. So many things, even the smallest of mistakes may sour the feeling. The setup, the timing, the act and performance must be nothing but perfection. That must be where Marco hears the emotional strain from the music. Jhin is experiencing anxiety, excitement, anticipation as he gets closer and closer to the finale. EVERYTHING. MUST. BE. PERFECT.
I really love this interpretation of Jhin based on the music and imagery in the teaser, and I can completely see exactly what gave you those feelings of self-hatred and longing for something that is forever lost. The violin at 8:30, which comes right after the "reflection on the past" as you called it, almost gives me this sense of the present creeping up on him, things getting out of control, him losing grip on his life. And when it becomes even faster at 8:50, to me it gives off spiralling into complete insanity, losing his mind due to the horrible things he's been doing for so long, and starting to get a twisted outlook on them, even starting to enjoy them. Losing the ability to even see other people as anything other than a canvas to spread his "art" on. If you interpret the violin as the voice of Jhin's mind, and the choir as the narrator, then the violin abruptly ending on a high note suggests that Jhin no longer feels regret, he no longer looks back, and he can't wait for his next victim. Then, right after you got that glimpse into Jhin's downfall into remorseless insanity, the narrator comes in with a low hum - "This is what this man has become". It's sad, it's scary, and it's unsettling. Obviously, as others have mentioned, Jhin's past is not really explored much in the lore, and instead the interpretation of "His theme is what a killing is, in his mind - a masterpiece" is probably most widely considered the correct one. But I think it's beautiful that music can be interpreted in many different ways, and in Jhin's case, I think it's even more encouraged. He *is* the virtuoso after all, and interpreting his music, trying to get into the mind of the composer, I think is pretty much what you're supposed to do with this one. *Especially* because his past is unknown, and, as far as we know, his theme might just be the only clue we've got.
He is one of the few pure evil character in the League universe. It is interesting to see you interpreting it this way given that you haven’t read the lore. Me knowing the lore interpreted the first part at the pov of his victims, fear, menace. The violin parts is him romanticizing his killing. The woman and the man you saw in his teaser are actually his victim, in the moment they got shot, through his eyes. Jhin in the story thinks killing is an art, and he use his masterful planning to create the “perfect” masterpiece.
Jhin is V from V for Vendetta meets the Joker from DC Batman. There is a deranged elegance to him and an obsessive attention to detail that makes perfection a legitimate possibility. Unfortunately if you are witnessing that perfection it is probably you who is the victim.
I think that, at 4:00, exactly at the part where the violin begins playing again, you can definitely hear the passion. As you described it, the violin is a very virtuosic instrument. The fact that it sets in right after the gun cocking and -shots really shows that there's a connection between the artistic value of the instrument and the intended use of a gun.
The song is meant to evoke a sense of longing, or loneliness. Marco wasn't off about what Jhin feels in that regard. He was off about the why behind it. He's lonely because he feels others don't understand how he sees the world. He believes himself avant garde.
I think the beautiful music mixed with the gun shots and cocking noises are to blend the way Jhin sees something has horrific as taking another life and the beauty of art.
I actually kinda saw it as he loves carnage and chaos. When he fires the gun, the smoke of the gun is shown being the smoke from a woman's red lips. As he shoots a person, suddenly their death blossoms into a tree with branches upon branches and roots sprawling out. The music seemed to be saying that on the outside he's just shooting a gun, but in his mind he was leading an orchestra through their final chords as he fired the round that ended a person's life. The background of a shattered mirror can mean a few things, one being that the person feels disgusted with what they've become and another being that they are twisted and tormented. To those of us outside, it's just a process: find the target, aim, fire, reload. To him, he's creating works of art through utter destruction. Thanks for the video, as always!
Fun fact, Jhin is obsessed with the number 4 From his skills to the number of his normal attacks in-game, they all hit 4 times (except the 3rd skill tho) The number 4 is represented in this composition too from the tempo to the beats
Jhin comes from a life of poverty and suffering, he sees himself like a Lotus flower Blooming from the muck. Because of this he sees life as ugly but his “art” his killing can bring beauty to the world. “Life is ugly but your death doesn’t have to be”
Love how Riot implements the characters story in their music, using the gunshots as a melody almost takes us inside Jhin's mind. (I think "Old King Allant - Demon's souls" would be a really nice ost to react btw)
Bro, every time I check out the next video, it's heartwarming to see your channel has grown Aside from that, it feels like someone is dedicated to a specific ideal, something that they view as elegant and beautiful
I remember hearing this time and I was like, this dude have class. Looking back at this theme, you can notice the odd mix between Jhin charges the bullet cases synching with the violin melody. And then, the melodic chaos starta at 3:48 --- the sound of gun shooting and the violins gets higher and higher --- as is the person is sensing a moment of happiness, of sastifaction of his job, he views his killing as form of art.
Would LOVE to see you do Sylas, and check out his lore/cinematics afterwards as he has some of the deepest backstory of all characters in the game. His theme is one of the all time greatest also, and really reflects his personality and story.
this series of yours remind me so much of the Fantasia movies that disney did a bunch of years ago, that noone liked but they were a masterpiece. Just a music telling a storie without any dialog, cause it dont need it. Leting the music guide you through the experience. So good.
I see that many here dont seem to know this but the flowers and the art is not just in his mind. His weaponry is enchanted to create an illusion which is what we see. If someone was to try to touch the illusion or something it would collapse and reveal the true horror and gore
most people don't know that jhin *is* a paid assassin, he's paid to continue his "art" by the corrupt nobles in piltover and noxus IIRC. Also I'd recommend listening to Taliyah's theme
He's working in secret with the Navori council if they didn't retcon it since last time I checked. That's also how he's able to obtain and repair his gear as it's made using Ionian Hextech (which we haven't heard of ever since) since he can just ask the highest authority in Ionia for new parts.
I like how kind you made him in your interpretation simply since no "sane" person would guess that the whole theme is an instrumental version of murder as an art form. The sharp dissonance of the real events to the thing literally playing in Jhins head is amazing. The music talks of a glorious, amazing intro, a moment of silence to collect the spirits and then a carefull, emotional recollection and installation. In reality, it is a gruesome murder, followed by the murderer standing in awe and then getting off on the memories and bloodbath before him.
The first time I heard Jhin's theme I immediately thought of Perfume: story of a murderer. U know that movie where a guy murders to create the perfect perfume. Jhin has the same vibe
Something I always loved about league was it's rooster, how each champion is unique, how one could tell so much about them only by their theme, design, etc. I used to listen champion themes and try to dig as much as I could, listen their interacctions, but I always wondered how it would be for someone who didn't know anything about X champ, and you finally did it!! I freakin love this video series, for real, keep it up! I'm so happy, I'm currently doing a marathon of the videos. Also i love how geniune your facial expressions are, it makes the videos better 😆😆 don't change it. Btw it would be amazing a video for Kayle and Morgana's theme, Diana's, or Coven Skinline theme, greetings from Mexico! Edit: For Diana's theme I recomend to check Daylight's End, which is the name of the theme, just that years later Riot added a cello solo at the end that the first release doesn't have
according to lore when he is not in his "finery" he is a pretty normal guy who is great at the arts and is a violin virtuoso. But in his suit he is a murderer who likes to make the murders beautiful, his weapons make illusions of flowers on people when they are hit.
With this theme we see what Jhin sees...or wants us to see. The illusion, the smoke and mirrors, the grand & ecstaticly deluded mirage of a megalomaniac dream. Death is his muse and the lives of others is his canvas. So it has to end up perfect! The self made illusion is perfect. The reality is much uglier by contrast.
Although Jhin is a psychopathic murderer, he still is an artist. As you could have guessed, his theme represents one of his performances, which I personally divide in: 1) The Hunt: Here Jhin is playing with his victim, as you can hear from all the times he reloads Whisper (his gun), waiting the perfect moment to strike the killing blow 2) The Kill: The fact that here all the recharging and shooting sounds are the same makes me think that, if this was a cinematic/video, the final shot would be represented in different perspectives. 3) The Silence: Jhin has completed his mission, but the best part is yet to arrive. This, although being a really long part, doesn't last very long during the performance, being concluded in a matter of seconds. 4) The Beauty: As planned, the magical bullet starts shaping the victim's flesh into a twisted, cruel masterpiece
There is a theory that Jhin modeled his mask after meeting Kindred but not being close enough to death to be taken, spurring his fascination with death and it's many other forms aside from a single arrow or bite like what Kindred offers.
You should definitely check out more of the music video cinematics for the game. Also I mentioned it in the last video but you should definitely check out some of the character osts from The Killer Instinct game and you should definitely start with the Arbiters theme from that game as the titular character from Halo made an appearance in Killer Instinct with a unique track made just for him
The part you talked about Jhin serving someone, doing what he does for a woman, recently in league's card game he got introduced with more characters of his story, and one of them is a woman who provides Jhin his equipments and conduces him to do his stunts, a master to him, so you got very good points there (Also the part about he being driven by vengeance, it's shown that the people he kills in the card game were some who did bad things to his home country)
subscribed because you reacted to tartaglia's battle theme, my favorite character and musical piece from my current favorite game. and now you're reacting to jhin's theme, one of my favorite LoL characters and musical pieces from my main game up until recently! just perfect
That was great! Jhin's theme is one of my favorites in the League soundtracks! Loved your interpretation, even if a little off the mark, can't get them correct all the time :D
Jhin’s release was one of the most beautiful releases that league has had TO DATE. The amount of showmanship and bravado they gave him in his voice lines, his music, his trailer, it was all done so meticulously and has to be one of my favorite memories of my long history with this game
Just discovered your channel today after watching the Pyke video. Currently going down the list of your other videos. Super cool stuff! I've seen people already recommend Kindred, so I'll put my list of OST: Aatrox, Aurelion Sol, Neeko, and Qiyana.
I think the pain you talk about is not felt by jhin, but more by us the spectators, seeing death made as a show, even if you want to stop it, you can't, you have to stand and watch. The show must go on
What's fascinating is, whilst you're off the mark in the big picture, you correctly deduced that Jhin can definitely be interpreted as a more tragic character. Yes, he's a serial killer who takes joy in his "craft" - he lives for the rush of the performance. But his relation to his art isn't just that of an artist, it's an addiction. He's a slave to the killing. Perhaps he could have been saved from this life, but he's too far gone now.
As a Jhin main, i liked the perception that you gave him, the reasoning behind his acts, but as many others say, he is a serial killer, someone who sees death as art, thus the magic infused bullets that create flowers, trees, things that are naturally beautiful. His main land being Ionia, where magic flows everywhere and the nature his highly respected, he tries to add more beauty in his land, by making people his canvas. But nonetheless great video, been enjoying the past few vids, keep up the good work!!
Your interpretation of Jhin would make him extremely happy and validated. But nah mate, Jhin ain't a hitman, he's straight up a serial killer. He doesn't get paid for this stuff, he's literally an art snob. Narcissistic, self-absorbed, etc. He's more the Hannibal Lecter without the Cannibalism part but with extra OCD. He's extremely intelligent, extremely famous even before people found out he was a serial killer, and very perfectionist up to the detail on who his victims will be. He doesn't kill just anyone, there needs to be symbolism in everything he does and he does it meticulously; from picking who the victims are, the time and date they die, the manner in which they die, the time elapsed from the time of the kill to when people find the body, what the scene will look like when people find the body. Absolutely no one was safe, didn't matter who you were, if Jhin picked you, you WILL die. Why does he do this? Because FOUR. Everything he does has to do with the number four. Sounds insane right? He terrorized the Ionian provinces for so long, i'm talking decades across (20 years, maybe more iirc), that people actually believed he was a demon. So the Kinku Order (literally a brotherhood of magic ninjas) was sent to destroy this creature and imagine the horror they felt when they found out that he was a human who just loved killing because the scenes he left for people to find were VERY VERY GRUESOME that the only plausible explanation was that it was a demon doing these things. So there's no humanity there. He was ecstatic when the Kinku finally figured out his identity, like an artist that does public performance art finally getting the credit he thinks he deserves. Man was so perfectionist that it took months for an order of magic ninjas to catch him because he also planned for the escape. But he wasn't sad when he finally got caught, he was happy because in his mind, people finally will have a face to the "unknown artist" that gave the people the "beauty" of his "art". He actually considered the cat and mouse game a "part of his performance", challenged the ninjas to stop him before the next kill.
I love how the composer added Jhins theme with number 4 , you can hear the gun clicks go like 1,2,3,4 over and over again plus you can hear when the beat rapilty reapeats it always stops after the forth with it always winding in a gun shot.
The only issue I see with this interpretation of the music is that you say that the story revolves around Jhin, when it probably wouldn't. Jhin sees himself as a director, while his victims and the people they leave behind are the players in his play or orchestra. Maybe there is a character that's wallowing in his self hatred on a quest to avenge a lost lover that this song is encapsulating. Jhin isn't the main character this song is for, Jhin is the one that is directing these moments of tragedy and drama you hear in the song. Even in the cinematic, we see how most of the time, the camera isn't on Jhin, its on his victims.This song depicts someone else's character arc that Jhin is actively shaping and twisting to form what he thinks is beautiful.
You know, it's fitting that Marco missed the shot for this theme because what Jhin sees is a blooming flower in his performances. Reality, however is blood, chaos and death.
My favorite quotes from Jhin are: "You inspire me!" "Places, everyone, places!" "You have way too many lines!" "I'll sell my soul to you....if you'll shut up!" "Oh, heheh that looks awful. Who made you wear that ugly thing?" (Not 100% the same quote!)
I have always loved that even in his music the 4 theme is ever present. Everything they do with him they make sure it's there even if we dno't see it at first.
As a jhin main i always like his kit since his ultimate he sets up a stage playing his theme the cone stage and snipes people and the 4 shot guarantee a kill if the target is low
it's the purpose of instrumental music, one has stories themselves and feels different meanings in this masterpiece. Your interpretation is so intriguing me
I personally think you were right in the sense that despair does surround him and his personality. However he is the one who creates the despair of others, It is not his own sadness that looms behind his mask, it is the face of the madman that preys on others with his affinity for killing. Oh how much despair he has caused. One can only wonder how much pain he has dealt.
Thanks! Did it by accident but I'm glad it is appreciated. I was trying to move from blind reacts but in the context of character themes it's genuinely fun.
I think the most interesting thing about Jhin is that everything we've seen so far, in game and in lore when he's present, is that we've only ever seen things from his perspective. The traps/mines he uses, which resemble flowers, are hideous amalgamations of blades and razors that literally shred whoever steps on them - but we've only ever seen bright colors and "beautiful" shapes made out of them. Whenever he speaks in-game or uses his ultimate skill, music starts playing. Even in his character splash art, you're not looking at him - you're looking at a mirror, from the perspective of Jhin. Hinting at the possibility that everything, in game and in universe, is just Jhin's sick, twisted game.
i just love the 1-2-3-4-reload at the start, it encapsulates the methodical nature Jhin has, no bullet wasted, everyone perfectly used. Then the harmony in the background relating to him seeing this as a form of art.
Loved the video! When I frist listened to The Virtuoso I already knew who he was and could see how this psyco saw the world, but seeing you guess who he is blindly is amazing!
It's so much fun to listen to someone who really knows music appreciate the gorgeous music, and also hear their take on what they think that character is. Missed the mark on he's personality this time, but fun to see how you interpret it
You painted a beautiful picture of a character who is at odds with himself, conflicting his nature and his job, a truly moving character. That works great until you find out he is just a psychopathic serial killer who revels in beauty in savagry.
Four bullets, four bounces of a grenade, lotus trap that reveals enemies for four seconds, four letters in his name itself, everything is a four about Jhin and I love finding them everywhere.
Your videos are very fun to watch, I think it would be even cooler if you compared your initial interpretation to the actual lore of the character you’re analysing as part of the video. It would be fun to hear your thoughts on whether you think that the composers did a good job describing their character with their music once you know all of the details of what the character is actually about.
I dunno if its true but when he shoots someone, instead of seeing red liquid pouring down from the gunshot wound, he wound instead see blood maybe as roses escaping from that wound. Instead of splashing blood and organs when a human body exploded, he might see a burst of sparkling stuff or flowers or smoke or anything. Jhin is soooooooooooo crazy yet i main him in Bot, Mid and Top
I've had a lot of fun watching these videos you made about league characters and their theme musics. You could include a bit at the end where you read up on the character and who they really are comapring it to what you thought. Keep it up I'm hungry for more!!
I really liked your first assessment starting around 2:25 because, with nothing to go off but the music and one cinematic, it was very close. He does have lines about wondering if the mask is more truly him than his actual face is, and "the stakes are high for him no matter what" because it NEEDS to be beautiful and perfect. Anything else is failure, even if he kills them successfully.
Every person is his teaser are victims of his carnage. All the beautiful imagery is magic that deceives the mind and makes it look like art but it's actually just blood and the carnage. His weapons are magically enhanced to cause the "art" as Jhin would put it. To quote Jhin: "They will dance, they will sing, they will die!" Jhin thinks his carnage to be art and that's what he mostly lives for.
The core concept of Jhin is turning the act of killing into a performance, making death a instrument only HE can wield to make a piece of art, and the pain and suffering you hear in the music is the pain and suffering HE inflicts to people but he decide to make it beautiful, the genius of this music is to use the sounds of the gun and turn it into an instrument, when the music calms down this is supposed to be a moment of despair when you realise the death of the person but here it is more used as a moment of contemplation , this is the musical translation of the mind of Jhin, of the act of killing through is eyes. In the game this is further develloped since when you play Jhin additional visual and sound effects are added (particles effects on his spells and a music when he channels his ultimate)
I love how you can describe a character just listening music, I would greatly recommend to react the fiddlesticks theme, another league of legends character with a very frightening and unique design.
Nope, turns out Jhin is truly bad to the bone. But every villain has their humanity...
Nah, he just likes the number 4.
>gunfire in music
Didn't our boy Carl Orff do that first? And frankly I think in a more bombastic way. I guess rito gave it their best shot too, three, and four.
He's the best artist I've seen no cap
I mean when your skilled enough assassin you make it a point to blow your victims up into a violent viscera then sprinkle some illusion magic to give it the appearance of psychedelic flowers for an artistic flare.
Gotta say my guy, that’s pretty bad
Bad isn't the right word, he is just ... misunderstood
Jhin is a psychopath that's obsessed by the number 4, and fascinated by death, and how beautiful people look as they die, ( to him ).
So he kills people to turn them into works of art, and he strives to outdo himself every time, to achieve a masterpiece.
The dramatic part is highly tied to the killed person, making it feel like he stalks his prey for days, and studies them, so that he can create the work of art based on the victim.
Marco: Jhin is a tragic character.
Jhin: Only if blood came in more colors.
Marco: 😱💀💀💀
@Poor Quality Gameplay actually Jihn finds a certain exaltation in the death of his victims, going so far as to say that their death IS the art that he creates, and because of the magic infused into his bullets, the gore and brutality of the murder is visually changed to appear as beautiful flowers of crimson, but upon touching the illusion it fades to show you the true horror of his acts
@@vincent686 Which makes him quite like what I imagine the Demons of Runeterra to be: their goal is to kill the victim at the peak of the emotion that they represent. Fiddlesticks is pure animalistic fear, Evelynn is pain that she enhances by juxtaposing it against the pleasure, Nocturne kills his victims in a nightmare(his ult) and Tham Kench draws it out with addiction consuming everything his victims hold dear before he finishes them off.
Now our boy Jihn kills his victims when they are most beautiful and perfect...
Homestuck moment
iirc before he met his "patron" who's providing him with the magical bullets and ofher equipment, it's implied he'd carve victims into flesh flowers, basically.
@@Y0gSogg0th nope, he had used magic infused daggers before. that and some other details are explained in the comics and in a Q&A they did with him after release. His father had a dojo with fast dagger throwing techniques similar to what Xayah does (Jhin learned but hated it)
Jhin as a character summarized in one sentence: In carnage, I bloom, like a flower in the dawn.
Death is certain, but killing doesn't have to be ugly.
I live for ovation, you'll die for it
" They are gonna live, until they die"
4!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@awesomepsume on the 4th comment too lmao 🤣🤣 technically 4th comment of this line
I can see how you would misread Jhin from this one, since the song is a killing from his perspective. The loading of the gun, the four shots, the peaceful silence. He sees the violence in the brutality he commits but also sees it as the highest form of art.
This is quite fascinating to me. Because while you did not zero in on who Jhin really is, you did get exactly who Jhin WANTS others to believe he is: a tragic character turned to vengeange, motivated by some noble and powerful emotion. This is because, as others have mentioned before, his theme is "from his perspective": he's a deranged killer, but in his mind he's actually a misunderstood genius of an artist. Very very interesting how that came across.
I was going to try to say exactly this but you said it better than I could (also you said it before me anyway)
"I'm misunderstood, beauty can't be evil"
he don't want ot be scene as something else , he his just sad that people don't see it as well as he does . he is a monster but that doesn't mean he is ugly , in the horror and shock of people he see the marvel to the point of terror , in the panic he see his own excitation.
He's not a deranged killer.
He IS a misunderstood artist!
>:)
There are two things still that I am trying to fully understand...Yes I do acknowledge that to be solid way of looking at it....however to me there are still two holes. One, the shattered mirror...to me the mirror is a symbol for self-reflection, he is looking back at himself, his spirit looking at his physical self, the fractures of the mirror... a sign of inability to look back at himself, as if he had gone too far and is now so obsessed he cannot go back, or perhaps he looks at himself with self-hatred, as though he became the very thing he sought to hunt and now cannot stop... or he is looking back at the very day it began, a deep emotional moment that drives him forward, a tragedy which must be punished, the very first death he had seen... and then his very breathing......at the end of the teaser, all we hear is that deep, unsteady, long breathing...he almost reminds me of myself when I'm trying to hide fear or nervousness or any emotion really... or when I'm about to cry...like he's holding in tears... or, he could be holding in laughter now that I listen to it a bit more I still like my other idea more but it sounds more like he's holding laughter as though the moment was enjoyable...but he's hiding it...he may not want to be seen as a, or potentially not even become a psychopath but really deeply enjoyed that man's death...perhaps the very man who started his curtain callings...or just someone who hurt him or someone else deeply in some way...regardless it's all just various theories but Jhin is really one of the only few characters who's lore I enjoy
Jhin's theme is separated in 4 parts :
The hunt,
The kill,
The silence,
The beauty.
Knowing that jhin is obsessed with the number 4 and think of taking a life as the purest and most beautifull art, i just find this theme outstanding overall.
I quite agree, although i would have rather desciphered :
The preparation,
The Carnage,
The Contemplation,
The Hunt of the survivor.
But still, quite agree. All the more with the obsession with 4.
4 means death in japanese :)
@@redroseibarahime8755 It's really more that the words for "four" and "death" have the same basic pronunciation, just with a different accent.
This needed a 4 comment
What’s interesting is the way Jhin see’s it all as a performance donning a theatrical mask over what we’ve been told is an average face
If you play as Jhin in league, everytime he speaks it's always accompanied by an instruments and opera. But if you play against Jhin, you can hear him speak but this time there's no music accompanies his words.
And when he hits you with an ability he kind of “Talks” to you, individually.
He'll let people survive if he failed to kill them in the perfect way. That's how much of a perfectionist he is. Also the many Fours and asymmetry of design is peak.
is the letting people live a reference to the comic? cause i dont remember jhin stating he lets people live like that
@@thedanksoul he doesn't state it its more implied since jhin didn't shoot camille up until he lead her to the stage to give her the greatest finale but since it didn't kill her jhin let her run off. Since she didn't die on the stage jhin saw it as it wasn't worth.
@@powerfixation Too good of a material to waste on an imperfect compisition.
4!
@@thedanksoul Yeah, in fact, he kills a woman who survived him years ago.
Jhin see's killing as an art itself is an artistic obsessed psycophat very carismatic but also very scary
so hes a drama queen
@@jodacioriginals8077 exactly xD
@@jodacioriginals8077 no no no, much worse, he is the lead actor, with a superiority complex
There's an old movie, about such character, actually. About a man, seing art in pain and death, and exploring the depths of one's cou
nciosness
@@vincent686 a classic diva, a Prima Donna.
"They call me mad, all artist are mad." -Jhin
I love this quote from him
Jhin is among the darkest characters in the league universe....and he's nothing more than a man. A generic serial killer. The true horror lies not in his work, but in his perception of his own work.
He's obsessed with beauty, only to him, the most beautiful thing to him is death. There are two sides to him. The first is the version of him in his own head. The angelic choruses, the beautiful violins, the soothing voice and dramatic movements.....in Jhin's eyes, he's glorious, beautiful, serene. His theme is his perspective. The beginning is the preparation, the middle is the kill, and everything else is pure ecstasy. Jhin isn't grieving. He's reveling in the wonder. The reason the music is so sad is because the audience is meant to know how awful his work really is.
Then there's the other side of Jhin. The version of him that everyone else sees. While he sees his work as being beautiful, in reality, it's horrifying and grotesque. So much so that one of the most influential characters in the league universe pursued him for years....and was driven utterly insane by the unspeakable, twisted carnage Jhin left in his wake.
You guessed that Jhin is conflicted. It makes sense why you'd think that, even though it isn't accurate in this case. You were picking on on these two sides of him, assuming that there was conflict. As it turns out, the two sides are completely separate--the heavenly world in Jhin's head, and the nightmarish, demonic hell he's creating for everyone else as he performs his sick art.
There's a reason this theme is so beloved by the community. It's equal parts heavenly beauty.....and nightmarish horror. Masterfully summarized in a single piece.
I would HARDLY call him a Generic serial killer. He's a very special, exceptional serial killer.
@@Gofex1337 fair
Who was driven insane by him?
What's of course curious here is that despite being incorrect in terms of context. The big thrust of this channel is the idea that you can theoretically be right any time you have an interpretation. Using your imagination to consider what something sounds like is a fun exercise. But, im also thinking now...What if...Do we know why he became what he became?????
The true history, identity, and purpose of Khada Jhin, which is nothing but a stage name, is largely unknown. He has a long and stories past involving several other notable characters, which in large part he serves as an antagonist.
The self hatred is very interesting, because whilst Jhin doesn't feel remorse one of the stories states that Jhin's appearance causes him "pangs of self conscious loathing". Seems like you were still on to something, as the imagery of the broken mirror also reflects this
Oh, also, the instruments used, a violin, with 4 strings, and a choir probably divided into 4 parts , SATB
@@sehguhnai8223 It’s actually known that Jhin does not like his appearance because it is far too plain and average. Jhin’s appearance is so average that he would be harder to identify without the mask than with and this upsets him. Jhin wants his art to be seen and recognized not only for the arts value but his value as the arts creator.
So far we lack a lot of information of his past.
I think a theme that most league players forget, is Kindred's. Just two instruments, yet perfectly portrays the character. I would love if you took a look at it.
I think it's great but to understand kindred the teaser story is needed as well
i'm realy stuned by how this theme is forgotten. It is, according to me, one of the 5 best theme in league but no one talks about it.
YES
@@jolfouv9406u mean one of 4?😅😅😅
wouldnt it be because jhin is literary a fan of the kindreds XD
You were a little off the mark on who Jhin is:
He's not a hired assassin, he's a sociopathic serial killer who tries to make every murder into a performance: in his twisted mind, a bullet wound becomes a blooming flower and such. He literally says "this would be easier if blood came in more colors"
He didn't have a tragic past, he was never kind, he never lost a loved one: As far as we know, he was always a monster.
It's more clearly shown in the "Awaken" cinematic/music video, where you can see him surrounded by an audience of corpses. He has set traps everywhere, waiting for the police to show up, right on cue.
He doesn't do this against his will: murder is art to him. It's all he wants.
The violin and opera isn't meant to show his sadness, but the "beauty" of his atrocities.
GREAT VIDEO THOUGH! I loved hearing your interpretation!! You could try listening to some of the voice lines of the champions after the music, the voice acting is always stellar, and gives a great understanding of who the champion is.
Suggestions for other great League themes:
Ornn (try watching the Teaser trailer first)
Camille (She also in the Awaken cinematic alongside Jhin)
Aphelios and Diana both have great vocals in their respective themes...
I'm partial to Renata Glasc, she has a very complex character, I'm curious to see how much you can get from her theme alone.
But if you are in the mood for something a little more spooky, Fiddlesticks is amazing (though you should watch the trailer before the theme :P )
Cool!!! Fascinating sympathetic music in some ways. My streak is over. I’m retiring. 😂
technically he got hired by Ionian higher up after noxian invade for exchange of letting him out of prison
@@MarcoMeatball Noooo theres so many more cool themes you should try listening to ;_;
@@marcrobinos5023 I mean he isn't exactly hired imo he got freed from prison to kill but he doesn't get paid for it, his murders are his payment, he does it to enjoy himself he even has a quote saying "Until they stop me, I will keep going."
So yeah basically the higher ups unleashed a monster onto the world just so said monster could do their killings for them.
@@MarcoMeatball Absolutely not, you can't quit before I get to see you listening to Fiddlesticks theme! xd
If you do watch it, you have to film it the first time you see it tho, there is so much you get to feel only the first time
It may have been a little off the mark, but your analysis opened my eyes to the possibility that his theme switches between Jhin's and his victim's povs. The first part of the song is the actual assassination/performance taking place, represented by the gun, and voices (the victims), and the violin (jihn). Then the moment of slow sadness and regret is his victim's final thoughts as they watch each other get assassinated one by one. Then eventually Jhin joins back in, who acknowledges that sadness and finds intense beauty in it. When the violin joins he never quiets the choir, instead, the violin leads them and dances around in their voices. Finally, once the voices stop, Jhin also stops in perfect timing with them. Yet another perfectly orchestrated performance by Jihn the virtuoso.
That description would probably the illusion Jhin would want to maintain. A suffering misunderstood artist whose art both plagues and fulfills him. There is some agony and pain by its sheer morally empathetic absence. A pain he blissfully ignores but is still there. The pain of not being normal.
"I'm misunderstood.. Beauty can't be evil"
When I used to play league, Jhin was one of the characters I liked the most. He is a very authentic character in League of Legends because of his thematic of a not comprehensive artist. I think the duality you feel in the song can be shown by the broken mirror and the Mask. Because he has a line:" Everyone has a mask, I've only created mine." And yeah, he is obsessed by the number 4 and if you make a link his name letters J,H,I,N on a keyboard you make a number 4. And 4 in Japanese culture can be pronounced "Shi" wich also means Death.
Same with Chinese, shin is a word that can be used for 4. It is uncomfortably close to the word death, in pronunciation and written formats, that they try to avoid saying it lest they gain bad luck
In lot of Asian countries there lot of places there is no 4th floor or number 4 in their streets etc
@@treyatkinson7564 so true, in china, some of the buildings don't even have a fourth floor.
OH MY GOD YOU CAN DRAW THE NUMBER 4 BY TYPING HIS NAME THAT'S GENIUS
I love how technically wrong yet sort of correct your reading of his character is. For example, he did love the woman with the flowers, except he was in love with her dying body twisted by his bullets.
What is ironic about Jhin is despite his extravagant mind and mask...said mask has nothing to hide since without it he looks so plain you couldn't recognize him from a crowd.
Wolf: "Lamb, tell me a story."
Lamb: "There was once a pale man with dark hair who was very lonely."
Wolf: "Why was it lonely?"
Lamb: "All things must meet this man, so they shunned him."
Wolf: "Did he chase them all?"
Lamb: "He took an axe and split himself in two right down the middle."
Wolf: "So he would always have a friend?"
Lamb: "So he would always have a friend."
Keep this quote from a character centered around the duality of life and death in mind, when thinking of jhin
beautiful
Jhin is simply The best written character in league of legends from his story gameplay and Music
I think Marco's headcanon on the tragedy of Jhin may be a little close. Jhin always strives for a perfect kill. So many things, even the smallest of mistakes may sour the feeling. The setup, the timing, the act and performance must be nothing but perfection. That must be where Marco hears the emotional strain from the music. Jhin is experiencing anxiety, excitement, anticipation as he gets closer and closer to the finale. EVERYTHING. MUST. BE. PERFECT.
It would be dope af if u could react to Kindred next. Their thematic is simply too good
Its not good lol
@@surgrus4367 Why is it not good?
@@surgrus4367 you're right, it is amazing
I really love this interpretation of Jhin based on the music and imagery in the teaser, and I can completely see exactly what gave you those feelings of self-hatred and longing for something that is forever lost. The violin at 8:30, which comes right after the "reflection on the past" as you called it, almost gives me this sense of the present creeping up on him, things getting out of control, him losing grip on his life. And when it becomes even faster at 8:50, to me it gives off spiralling into complete insanity, losing his mind due to the horrible things he's been doing for so long, and starting to get a twisted outlook on them, even starting to enjoy them. Losing the ability to even see other people as anything other than a canvas to spread his "art" on.
If you interpret the violin as the voice of Jhin's mind, and the choir as the narrator, then the violin abruptly ending on a high note suggests that Jhin no longer feels regret, he no longer looks back, and he can't wait for his next victim. Then, right after you got that glimpse into Jhin's downfall into remorseless insanity, the narrator comes in with a low hum - "This is what this man has become". It's sad, it's scary, and it's unsettling.
Obviously, as others have mentioned, Jhin's past is not really explored much in the lore, and instead the interpretation of "His theme is what a killing is, in his mind - a masterpiece" is probably most widely considered the correct one. But I think it's beautiful that music can be interpreted in many different ways, and in Jhin's case, I think it's even more encouraged. He *is* the virtuoso after all, and interpreting his music, trying to get into the mind of the composer, I think is pretty much what you're supposed to do with this one. *Especially* because his past is unknown, and, as far as we know, his theme might just be the only clue we've got.
Im glad you liked this and thank you for your insights! You’re right that there is no true “wrong” when it comes to music interpretation!
He is one of the few pure evil character in the League universe. It is interesting to see you interpreting it this way given that you haven’t read the lore. Me knowing the lore interpreted the first part at the pov of his victims, fear, menace. The violin parts is him romanticizing his killing. The woman and the man you saw in his teaser are actually his victim, in the moment they got shot, through his eyes. Jhin in the story thinks killing is an art, and he use his masterful planning to create the “perfect” masterpiece.
@Poor Quality Gameplay Jhin is a drama queen after all!
Jhin is V from V for Vendetta meets the Joker from DC Batman. There is a deranged elegance to him and an obsessive attention to detail that makes perfection a legitimate possibility. Unfortunately if you are witnessing that perfection it is probably you who is the victim.
I think that, at 4:00, exactly at the part where the violin begins playing again, you can definitely hear the passion. As you described it, the violin is a very virtuosic instrument. The fact that it sets in right after the gun cocking and -shots really shows that there's a connection between the artistic value of the instrument and the intended use of a gun.
Minute 4 😳 jhin reference??
The song is meant to evoke a sense of longing, or loneliness.
Marco wasn't off about what Jhin feels in that regard. He was off about the why behind it.
He's lonely because he feels others don't understand how he sees the world. He believes himself avant garde.
I think the beautiful music mixed with the gun shots and cocking noises are to blend the way Jhin sees something has horrific as taking another life and the beauty of art.
I actually kinda saw it as he loves carnage and chaos. When he fires the gun, the smoke of the gun is shown being the smoke from a woman's red lips. As he shoots a person, suddenly their death blossoms into a tree with branches upon branches and roots sprawling out. The music seemed to be saying that on the outside he's just shooting a gun, but in his mind he was leading an orchestra through their final chords as he fired the round that ended a person's life. The background of a shattered mirror can mean a few things, one being that the person feels disgusted with what they've become and another being that they are twisted and tormented. To those of us outside, it's just a process: find the target, aim, fire, reload. To him, he's creating works of art through utter destruction. Thanks for the video, as always!
Fun fact, Jhin is obsessed with the number 4
From his skills to the number of his normal attacks in-game, they all hit 4 times (except the 3rd skill tho)
The number 4 is represented in this composition too from the tempo to the beats
The mark on enemies when he or allies deal damage lasts for 4 seconds.
the trap reveals enemies for 4 seconds, so the 3rd skill kinda still has a semblance to his 4 obsession
Isn't the number 4 also associated with death in various cultures? Dunno if that's a coincidence or not.
@@princeapoopoo5787 im pretty sure its not a coincidence
his name is spelt by inputting a 4 on your keyboard, too
Jhin comes from a life of poverty and suffering, he sees himself like a Lotus flower Blooming from the muck. Because of this he sees life as ugly but his “art” his killing can bring beauty to the world. “Life is ugly but your death doesn’t have to be”
Love how Riot implements the characters story in their music, using the gunshots as a melody almost takes us inside Jhin's mind.
(I think "Old King Allant - Demon's souls" would be a really nice ost to react btw)
I love that jhin's obsesion with 4 also is heared in the start: opening the gun, empty the gun, reload the gun and close the gun.
Bro, every time I check out the next video, it's heartwarming to see your channel has grown
Aside from that, it feels like someone is dedicated to a specific ideal, something that they view as elegant and beautiful
Thank you, Trey, means a lot. I love this channel.
I remember hearing this time and I was like, this dude have class.
Looking back at this theme, you can notice the odd mix between Jhin charges the bullet cases synching with the violin melody. And then, the melodic chaos starta at 3:48 --- the sound of gun shooting and the violins gets higher and higher --- as is the person is sensing a moment of happiness, of sastifaction of his job, he views his killing as form of art.
Would LOVE to see you do Sylas, and check out his lore/cinematics afterwards as he has some of the deepest backstory of all characters in the game. His theme is one of the all time greatest also, and really reflects his personality and story.
this series of yours remind me so much of the Fantasia movies that disney did a bunch of years ago, that noone liked but they were a masterpiece. Just a music telling a storie without any dialog, cause it dont need it. Leting the music guide you through the experience. So good.
Ya!!!!! I loved fantasia 😳 - that’s the goal. Glad you like it.
Dark Cosmic Jhin is my favorite theme for him. It's so epic.
His original theme is really captivating too.
I see that many here dont seem to know this but the flowers and the art is not just in his mind. His weaponry is enchanted to create an illusion which is what we see. If someone was to try to touch the illusion or something it would collapse and reveal the true horror and gore
most people don't know that jhin *is* a paid assassin, he's paid to continue his "art" by the corrupt nobles in piltover and noxus IIRC. Also I'd recommend listening to Taliyah's theme
He's working in secret with the Navori council if they didn't retcon it since last time I checked. That's also how he's able to obtain and repair his gear as it's made using Ionian Hextech (which we haven't heard of ever since) since he can just ask the highest authority in Ionia for new parts.
@@mrwallace7645 where the fuck did you read that bullshit from
10:30 - He loves art. And 4.
I like how kind you made him in your interpretation simply since no "sane" person would guess that the whole theme is an instrumental version of murder as an art form.
The sharp dissonance of the real events to the thing literally playing in Jhins head is amazing.
The music talks of a glorious, amazing intro, a moment of silence to collect the spirits and then a carefull, emotional recollection and installation.
In reality, it is a gruesome murder, followed by the murderer standing in awe and then getting off on the memories and bloodbath before him.
The first time I heard Jhin's theme I immediately thought of Perfume: story of a murderer. U know that movie where a guy murders to create the perfect perfume. Jhin has the same vibe
Something I always loved about league was it's rooster, how each champion is unique, how one could tell so much about them only by their theme, design, etc. I used to listen champion themes and try to dig as much as I could, listen their interacctions, but I always wondered how it would be for someone who didn't know anything about X champ, and you finally did it!! I freakin love this video series, for real, keep it up! I'm so happy, I'm currently doing a marathon of the videos. Also i love how geniune your facial expressions are, it makes the videos better 😆😆 don't change it. Btw it would be amazing a video for Kayle and Morgana's theme, Diana's, or Coven Skinline theme, greetings from Mexico!
Edit: For Diana's theme I recomend to check Daylight's End, which is the name of the theme, just that years later Riot added a cello solo at the end that the first release doesn't have
Holaaaaa!
@@MarcoMeatball Hooooolaa :D
according to lore when he is not in his "finery" he is a pretty normal guy who is great at the arts and is a violin virtuoso. But in his suit he is a murderer who likes to make the murders beautiful, his weapons make illusions of flowers on people when they are hit.
"Looking at the mirror it feels like he hates himself"
Close enough, more like pure narcissism
With this theme we see what Jhin sees...or wants us to see.
The illusion, the smoke and mirrors, the grand & ecstaticly deluded mirage of a megalomaniac dream.
Death is his muse and the lives of others is his canvas.
So it has to end up perfect! The self made illusion is perfect. The reality is much uglier by contrast.
Although Jhin is a psychopathic murderer, he still is an artist.
As you could have guessed, his theme represents one of his performances, which I personally divide in:
1) The Hunt:
Here Jhin is playing with his victim, as you can hear from all the times he reloads Whisper (his gun), waiting the perfect moment to strike the killing blow
2) The Kill:
The fact that here all the recharging and shooting sounds are the same makes me think that, if this was a cinematic/video, the final shot would be represented in different perspectives.
3) The Silence:
Jhin has completed his mission, but the best part is yet to arrive. This, although being a really long part, doesn't last very long during the performance, being concluded in a matter of seconds.
4) The Beauty:
As planned, the magical bullet starts shaping the victim's flesh into a twisted, cruel masterpiece
the most scary thing I've heard about jhin was about aurelion sol telling jhin "What if you had a bigger canvas" or so along the line
There is a theory that Jhin modeled his mask after meeting Kindred but not being close enough to death to be taken, spurring his fascination with death and it's many other forms aside from a single arrow or bite like what Kindred offers.
His Mask kinda resembles The Maker's face though
You should definitely check out more of the music video cinematics for the game. Also I mentioned it in the last video but you should definitely check out some of the character osts from The Killer Instinct game and you should definitely start with the Arbiters theme from that game as the titular character from Halo made an appearance in Killer Instinct with a unique track made just for him
The part you talked about Jhin serving someone, doing what he does for a woman, recently in league's card game he got introduced with more characters of his story, and one of them is a woman who provides Jhin his equipments and conduces him to do his stunts, a master to him, so you got very good points there
(Also the part about he being driven by vengeance, it's shown that the people he kills in the card game were some who did bad things to his home country)
Oh!!! Cool!
I feel like Jhin likes painting himself as a villain in a victim's tragic story
subscribed because you reacted to tartaglia's battle theme, my favorite character and musical piece from my current favorite game. and now you're reacting to jhin's theme, one of my favorite LoL characters and musical pieces from my main game up until recently! just perfect
That was great!
Jhin's theme is one of my favorites in the League soundtracks!
Loved your interpretation, even if a little off the mark, can't get them correct all the time :D
I love when you describe the meaning and your understanding of the visual and audio elements, thats epic
Glad you do
Jhin’s release was one of the most beautiful releases that league has had TO DATE. The amount of showmanship and bravado they gave him in his voice lines, his music, his trailer, it was all done so meticulously and has to be one of my favorite memories of my long history with this game
I LOVE THIS SO MUCHHH, the idea of guessing what ones like through their song alone is so amazinf
FOUR!
Just discovered your channel today after watching the Pyke video. Currently going down the list of your other videos. Super cool stuff!
I've seen people already recommend Kindred, so I'll put my list of OST: Aatrox, Aurelion Sol, Neeko, and Qiyana.
Really nice reaction, I recommend you to watch Yone's theme its pretty good and with a different style.
I think the pain you talk about is not felt by jhin, but more by us the spectators, seeing death made as a show, even if you want to stop it, you can't, you have to stand and watch. The show must go on
What's fascinating is, whilst you're off the mark in the big picture, you correctly deduced that Jhin can definitely be interpreted as a more tragic character. Yes, he's a serial killer who takes joy in his "craft" - he lives for the rush of the performance. But his relation to his art isn't just that of an artist, it's an addiction. He's a slave to the killing. Perhaps he could have been saved from this life, but he's too far gone now.
As a Jhin main, i liked the perception that you gave him, the reasoning behind his acts, but as many others say, he is a serial killer, someone who sees death as art, thus the magic infused bullets that create flowers, trees, things that are naturally beautiful. His main land being Ionia, where magic flows everywhere and the nature his highly respected, he tries to add more beauty in his land, by making people his canvas. But nonetheless great video, been enjoying the past few vids, keep up the good work!!
Your interpretation of Jhin would make him extremely happy and validated. But nah mate, Jhin ain't a hitman, he's straight up a serial killer. He doesn't get paid for this stuff, he's literally an art snob. Narcissistic, self-absorbed, etc.
He's more the Hannibal Lecter without the Cannibalism part but with extra OCD. He's extremely intelligent, extremely famous even before people found out he was a serial killer, and very perfectionist up to the detail on who his victims will be. He doesn't kill just anyone, there needs to be symbolism in everything he does and he does it meticulously; from picking who the victims are, the time and date they die, the manner in which they die, the time elapsed from the time of the kill to when people find the body, what the scene will look like when people find the body. Absolutely no one was safe, didn't matter who you were, if Jhin picked you, you WILL die. Why does he do this? Because FOUR. Everything he does has to do with the number four. Sounds insane right?
He terrorized the Ionian provinces for so long, i'm talking decades across (20 years, maybe more iirc), that people actually believed he was a demon. So the Kinku Order (literally a brotherhood of magic ninjas) was sent to destroy this creature and imagine the horror they felt when they found out that he was a human who just loved killing because the scenes he left for people to find were VERY VERY GRUESOME that the only plausible explanation was that it was a demon doing these things. So there's no humanity there.
He was ecstatic when the Kinku finally figured out his identity, like an artist that does public performance art finally getting the credit he thinks he deserves. Man was so perfectionist that it took months for an order of magic ninjas to catch him because he also planned for the escape. But he wasn't sad when he finally got caught, he was happy because in his mind, people finally will have a face to the "unknown artist" that gave the people the "beauty" of his "art". He actually considered the cat and mouse game a "part of his performance", challenged the ninjas to stop him before the next kill.
I love how the composer added Jhins theme with number 4 , you can hear the gun clicks go like 1,2,3,4 over and over again plus you can hear when the beat rapilty reapeats it always stops after the forth with it always winding in a gun shot.
The only issue I see with this interpretation of the music is that you say that the story revolves around Jhin, when it probably wouldn't. Jhin sees himself as a director, while his victims and the people they leave behind are the players in his play or orchestra. Maybe there is a character that's wallowing in his self hatred on a quest to avenge a lost lover that this song is encapsulating. Jhin isn't the main character this song is for, Jhin is the one that is directing these moments of tragedy and drama you hear in the song. Even in the cinematic, we see how most of the time, the camera isn't on Jhin, its on his victims.This song depicts someone else's character arc that Jhin is actively shaping and twisting to form what he thinks is beautiful.
I can totally see that. Very interesting.
Jhin is peak League of Legends character creation. Mostly agreed by the community to be the perfect champion (Theme, story and character design wise).
You know, it's fitting that Marco missed the shot for this theme because what Jhin sees is a blooming flower in his performances. Reality, however is blood, chaos and death.
It's always nice when UA-camrs listen to their viewers. Really glad you listened to this piece.
My favorite quotes from Jhin are:
"You inspire me!"
"Places, everyone, places!"
"You have way too many lines!"
"I'll sell my soul to you....if you'll shut up!"
"Oh, heheh that looks awful. Who made you wear that ugly thing?" (Not 100% the same quote!)
I will not suffer that ugly miss.
Quite the fan huh
Hes making fun of Tahms small hat. XD
Trying to describe Jhin ,you accidentally described Viego
I have always loved that even in his music the 4 theme is ever present. Everything they do with him they make sure it's there even if we dno't see it at first.
As a jhin main i always like his kit since his ultimate he sets up a stage playing his theme the cone stage and snipes people and the 4 shot guarantee a kill if the target is low
"Art requires a certain cruelty"by Khada Jhin
at least we know he doesnt preread the lore and these are genuine interpretations!
Hahaha yes
I'm many months late to this... But i loved your analysis and how it has progressed over the months and across games.
:)
it's the purpose of instrumental music, one has stories themselves and feels different meanings in this masterpiece. Your interpretation is so intriguing me
I personally think you were right in the sense that despair does surround him and his personality. However he is the one who creates the despair of others, It is not his own sadness that looms behind his mask, it is the face of the madman that preys on others with his affinity for killing. Oh how much despair he has caused. One can only wonder how much pain he has dealt.
Omgg thank you for reacting to Jhin's OST, he's one of my favorite character from LoL!
I love this little series youre doing! This is a unique format for me personally and I really enjoy it a lot
Thanks! Did it by accident but I'm glad it is appreciated. I was trying to move from blind reacts but in the context of character themes it's genuinely fun.
I think the most interesting thing about Jhin is that everything we've seen so far, in game and in lore when he's present, is that we've only ever seen things from his perspective.
The traps/mines he uses, which resemble flowers, are hideous amalgamations of blades and razors that literally shred whoever steps on them - but we've only ever seen bright colors and "beautiful" shapes made out of them. Whenever he speaks in-game or uses his ultimate skill, music starts playing. Even in his character splash art, you're not looking at him - you're looking at a mirror, from the perspective of Jhin.
Hinting at the possibility that everything, in game and in universe, is just Jhin's sick, twisted game.
Your description of Jhin is so amazing, I wanna use it for a character in one of my DND games
Ahhhh~~~ the ecstasy of opening night....
i just love the 1-2-3-4-reload at the start, it encapsulates the methodical nature Jhin has, no bullet wasted, everyone perfectly used. Then the harmony in the background relating to him seeing this as a form of art.
Loved the video! When I frist listened to The Virtuoso I already knew who he was and could see how this psyco saw the world, but seeing you guess who he is blindly is amazing!
It's so much fun to listen to someone who really knows music appreciate the gorgeous music, and also hear their take on what they think that character is.
Missed the mark on he's personality this time, but fun to see how you interpret it
You painted a beautiful picture of a character who is at odds with himself, conflicting his nature and his job, a truly moving character.
That works great until you find out he is just a psychopathic serial killer who revels in beauty in savagry.
Four bullets, four bounces of a grenade, lotus trap that reveals enemies for four seconds, four letters in his name itself, everything is a four about Jhin and I love finding them everywhere.
Your videos are very fun to watch, I think it would be even cooler if you compared your initial interpretation to the actual lore of the character you’re analysing as part of the video. It would be fun to hear your thoughts on whether you think that the composers did a good job describing their character with their music once you know all of the details of what the character is actually about.
I will modify my approach moving forward for league videos!
I dunno if its true but when he shoots someone, instead of seeing red liquid pouring down from the gunshot wound, he wound instead see blood maybe as roses escaping from that wound.
Instead of splashing blood and organs when a human body exploded, he might see a burst of sparkling stuff or flowers or smoke or anything.
Jhin is soooooooooooo crazy yet i main him in Bot, Mid and Top
I've had a lot of fun watching these videos you made about league characters and their theme musics. You could include a bit at the end where you read up on the character and who they really are comapring it to what you thought. Keep it up I'm hungry for more!!
Ah I could do that on video too, good idea.
There is another amazing music peace named: Dark Cosmic Jhin | Login Screen. Really amazing. Ty for the video
I really liked your first assessment starting around 2:25 because, with nothing to go off but the music and one cinematic, it was very close. He does have lines about wondering if the mask is more truly him than his actual face is, and "the stakes are high for him no matter what" because it NEEDS to be beautiful and perfect. Anything else is failure, even if he kills them successfully.
Every person is his teaser are victims of his carnage. All the beautiful imagery is magic that deceives the mind and makes it look like art but it's actually just blood and the carnage. His weapons are magically enhanced to cause the "art" as Jhin would put it.
To quote Jhin: "They will dance, they will sing, they will die!"
Jhin thinks his carnage to be art and that's what he mostly lives for.
The core concept of Jhin is turning the act of killing into a performance, making death a instrument only HE can wield to make a piece of art, and the pain and suffering you hear in the music is the pain and suffering HE inflicts to people but he decide to make it beautiful, the genius of this music is to use the sounds of the gun and turn it into an instrument, when the music calms down this is supposed to be a moment of despair when you realise the death of the person but here it is more used as a moment of contemplation , this is the musical translation of the mind of Jhin, of the act of killing through is eyes. In the game this is further develloped since when you play Jhin additional visual and sound effects are added (particles effects on his spells and a music when he channels his ultimate)
I love how you can describe a character just listening music, I would greatly recommend to react the fiddlesticks theme, another league of legends character with a very frightening and unique design.
I love this vid
Jhin teaser makes me cry everytime, too beautiful
You should see him in Awaken. It's a cinematic and Jhin is so cool in it.
There's something almost ASMR-like in the initial gun cocking motif, can't get enough of it after all these years.