It's actually very important to get feedback from people who know nothing about league to comment about how effective the storytelling is. That's what would make the difference between a favorite for league fans or a critically acclaimed show. But I'm a former league fan so every single time a reference is made , like a nerd, I point at the screen and go "LOOK ITS THE THING FROM WHEN THE THING HAPPENED"
@@belaschmidt1770 I mean people who don't have 10 years of knowing the backstories to the characters because they play the game. If you want the show to be successful, it has to be enjoyable beyond people who play league.
I thought it was pretty obvious that the jarring juxtaposition was intentional. We're watching hextech at its best and at its worse. At it bettering the lives of people and it destroying them. I don't know if that flew over Critters head, or she just felt it wasn't enough to justify how jarring it was. But I think at least mention you understand the intentional juxtaposition, because if you don't, it just comes off as you really not getting what the show is going for. Which makes the critique fall flat.
@@lockekappa500 Though I agree with you this is not always the case. If a lot of people dont get what it was going for then it can be a flaw in the presentation not everyone is going to get it but not too many should miss it especially if missing it harms the overall viewing experience it can be a fine line to walk.
@@GhostEmblem Hard to say if I'd call it a "flaw in the representation" moreso a risk in the representation. And this show takes plenty of risks, which MOSTLY pay off. Some of them fall flat because they're a bit too ambitious for some...but I don't know if I'd fault a show for taking risks. If anything I'd fault the viewer, especially one who claims to understand film and media. I apply this same criteria to myself. I've even failed to understand what this show was trying to do, didnt like an artistic choice, and now that specific scene is probably one of my favorites.
I really enjoyed this series because of 1) the art style 2) Everything about Silco, and 3) it has one of the best fight scenes I’ve seen in both live action and animation. Also, that emotional damage was real good! Made me laugh so hard
I actually really liked how it kept snapping back between the girls and the boys in the 3rd episode. The tension rose with both of them, both groups scared of the door being busted open, and when things worked out for the boys, I lowered my guard, because I assumed things would work out well for the girls too. Then Powder's explosion went off, and it kept being repeated, and each time I was thinking "oh...Oh!...Oh no..." If it wasn't for the interchanging of perspectives, that wouldn't have hit nearly as hard for me as it did
Arcane is definitely a series that gets better on rewatch and as you know more about the series. But I will admit, I can see how the first three elements can feel slow if you enter the series blind. By the end it feels worth it.
Heimerdinger is a Yordle, a race of spirits that inhabit this world. There's quite a few of them in the game and some might pop in the next season. You can see another one as an old hooker in the scene where they walk into the Undercity.
The video I've been waiting for 💙 I love how much Criter is so genuine with this video that you can really tell that they haven't replayed it over and over again for a YT video. The way they explains what happens in the story and how much characterization they missed the first time around is so relatable. Can't wait for the video where they get punched in the gut for the sudden realization when they replay it and see all the things they haven't noticed before.
@@DoremiFasolatido1979 This guy here is claiming he understood every single nuance of Arcane the first time but here he is watching videos about it on UA-cam. 🤡
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 Oh, it was a real time thought. I got defensive watching this because I love the series but I get it. If I was in your shoes, I'd have the exact train of thought. I can be quite chatty with my thoughts while watching too.
As someone who has never played league of legends I appreciate how much it dedicates to explaining the lore and characters without it being either a) extremely overwhelming to the point of confusion or b) vague to the point where you feel you have to play the games in order to understand everything
Eh, the game doesn't really provide any lore so it's rather pointless anyway. It has some of the characters in the show & they have some voice acting but nothing really lore-heavy. It's the website that has the lore.
While I understand your criticism I think the first 3 episodes landed better for me, especially with the context of the rest of the series. Also in terms of the animation while I do LOVE IT thinking back on the first 3 episodes the moment I can visually see clearly in my minds eye is Powder's "I only wanted to help" moment. If you watch more I hope you enjoy as I truly believe it is something special but regardless I am happy you gave it a chance.
Yes, the first three episodes can only be viewed in the context of the whole series. There is a high rewatchability. You see the first ones with other eyes after finishing the last episode. Even if you know nothing about LoL. There is also a reason why the feuilleton have gotten the first four episodes for their critical reviews before the start of the show.
Tbh as a person who knows LoL lore a bit but doesn’t play the games cause I don’t like them if you don’t know the characters it’s a bit much to understand tbh my sister who didn’t know it and I watch it with her said that same thing of who is this I don’t care about this person that much also to me for the show in general if you like that first 3 eps that doesn’t mean your going to like the rest of the show cause of how it’s structured the first 3eps are more goonies adventure while the 4-6 feels more investigator type deal and 6-9 feels political tbh I saw them as movie 1 movie 2 movie 3 cause I was watching them when they come out
This just proves what I've always believed about Arcane, or any piece of media for that matter: it isn't going to connect with everyone. I am not making any effort to get my fiance to watch it because I already know she won't care for it. But that's okay. I think it would be weird if the entire world loved all the same things. Having said that, I will state that for me, Arcane is probably the best thing Netflix has ever put on its service. To each their own, right?
At least I went from "omg, this is probably another really crappy video-game adaptation, why am I even bothering" to "omg this seems to be freaking amazing" after the opening scene. Didn't need 3 episodes, ~3 minutes was enough. 😂
Very good Video. I mostly agree with your criticisms of the first 3 episodes, but I really see them as needed prologue for the rest of the series. I would love to hear your thoughts on the complete thing ones you finished it.
babe wake up new worth watching episode dropped!!! in all seriousness, your thoughts are suuper interesting to hear! even though i disagree on some aspects i think that makes it all the more fun to hear, and i'd love to see you voice your thoughts on the later episodes as well! great video!
Wow it's so interesting to get a perspective on this show's structure that's so radically different from mine! Great review even if we disagree, as always, you make your points clear in a way I can understand why you feel the way you do. Honestly aside from the V8 review this might be one of your bests
I believe the point of intercutting the scene with jayce and viktor with the escape attempt of the kids was to show the juxtaposition of the possibilities of the Arcane/Hextech. Jayce and Viktor managed to stabilize the crystal, showing beauty and wonder. Whereas the Poweder ended up exploding a building and killing her found family. Constantly cutting between these was actually pretty exciting for me and found it rather genius.
Arcane is a series that keeps getting better and better and hooks you as it goes on. I hope you continue watching the rest of the series. By the by. Yes, arcane is a sort of prequel series to league of legends. And while you don’t need to know League lore to enjoy the series, it does help connect the dots as it goes on. Though I do agree that some characters don’t really get allot of development as opposed to others. It’s still flawed. But amazing none the less.
I truly appreciate the honest opinion and critique you give in your videos. It makes me learn more about the shows I love and what flaws I ignore. Ignore the trolls who don't know what opinion is and keep on keeping on!
It took me a few episodes as well for the show to pique my interest. But once I was finally feeling it with the show, I couldn't stop watching it. Definitely recommend!
I love Arcane, but as someone who knew nothing about League of Legends, it was difficult to remember all the characters. I didn’t even realize until a second watch that Sevika showed up before act 2, and I didn’t realize the shimmer addict was the bartender. It’s too much to keep track of for a newbie Spoiler Most of all, I didn’t realize Singed was the same guy with Silco and Victor because he had barely any presence. I know now that he’s a character in League, so that’s probably why you’re expected to remember him despite barely being present, but that just makes it more difficult for newcomers to enjoy the connections in this show
That's not a game thing sevika and the bartender are not game characters they are completely new. I'm gonna be honest those criticisms are not game relevant you just weren't able to recognize characters the show presented to you nothing about needing to have game knowledge.
@@thebest3702 What does that have to do with my criticism? Whether they were in the game or not, there were too many characters to keep track of anyway. You can't just introduce a dozen characters in three episodes and expect the audience to remember them all. Besides, if I knew the characters in the game, then I'd be introduced to far fewer new characters. Players only needed to remember the new ones. I had to remember all these League characters on top of the new ones, essentially doubling the new characters I needed to remember. And this did affect my enjoyment even if I remembered the characters. When Ekko came back, my thought was "Oh, is he still relevant?" because there wasn't given enough screen time for me to know who this kid was, so I assumed he was as unimportant as Mylo and Claggor (as characters, I know they were important as plot devices)
@@theshire9173 well I don't agree those are truly valid criticisms, depending on the person they have no difficulty remembering character names and faces while some others do. I've seen plenty of people with no game knowledge be able to recognize and even predict who characters were, like ekko being the firelight leader reveal when even someone like me who knows the game couldn't predict.
@@peacepham7838 what? the person Vander killed in ep 3 is Deckard. Let me clarify I know the shimmer addict is Huck the salesman in episode 1 but I just went with the word bartender cause that's what the other person called him.
After fully watching the video, I think the issue that you ran into is that episodes 1-3 starts kinda in the middle of a story. The characters doesnt develop until chapter 3 because they are already past the point of getting to know each other. We very much start in the middle of their story; they already know each other. This isnt their first job, maybe their first heist that was this big, but not their first heist. Its as if RWBY started in season 3. That is basically where Arcane starts. Nobody develops early on because they are already past that point, they only start developing once "the big thing" happens. Not, you know, saying that all series should start like this. This is just something I noticed from your review. From watching this myself, I didnt care about... The smarts and the fattie that was with Vi and Powder (I dont even remember their names. Did you name them? I genuinely cant recall). Their deaths only made me go "oh no, Powder doesnt know she just killed her friends". We were never meant to care about those two, not really. Not past "they are Powder and Vi's friends/they grew up with one another" However, knowing who Vi and Powder was from my knowledge of the lore beforehand certainly made me stick with the show from the get-go. The question on my mind was, from the start, "How does these two turn into the characters I know them as?", which certainly helped me see past the pacing issues. The artstyle is gorgeous no matter what scene it is if you ask me. But everyone has their own preferences.
Having watched the show with almost no knowledge about LoL, I agree and disagree with a lot of your points! I agree with fact that these three episodes have very noticable flaws such as the pacing and establishing characters. Although for me I'd say that they should have given more time to characters that will be relevant later on the second act (like the girl that was with Jayce or Ekko). I was ok with the amount of screentime that the boys had with Vi and Podwer but I agree they could have use it better instead of just having one of them complain about Podwer. I agree with everything you said about ep 2. However in ep 3 I kinda liked the Jayce and Viktor plot line because previously they had stablished how dangerous the blue crystals are and I was on the edge of my seat once they started the experiment. I also didn't have a problem with the colours that they used since the change from "colourful city" to "dark and gloomy" went well with the change of tone when things started to get serious. Finally I agree that the last scene was what made my opinion of the show go from "it's ok..." to "Wow this great!" Sorry for the long text. Overall I loved this three episode review. You made me chuckle a lot of times with your sense of humour
Imagine Dragons already worked with Riot before arcane, 2014 worlds (league's biggest championship, basically) song is Warriors from Smoke and Mirrors album! I think most of the songs for the show were made by artists they worked with before?
YesAn the tonal difference, is intentional. To sho how unfair that world is. Like there kids have to steal to get by, and victor, can just not care about all of that.. And that is the prologue basically, thats why, the develope from there. An pretty sure its intentional to hit home the theme for evven tone deaf people to not miss it. Which happens a lot usually.
I am so bad at starting new shows and Arcane has been in my queue for so long now- This video was sorely needed, thank you! It felt like I was watching with you and definitely kept me intrigued as far as trying to figure out if I wanted to genuinely invest my time into it, awesome video! I for sure will check it out on my own time!
this was very refreshing to watch, after having seen other videos about arcane and having watched it myself (as a league player and lore fan) it is nice to see a video from someone who isn't 100% into the league lore.
I feel like the rapid introductions make more sense if you’re also a league fan due to us already knowing who these characters are and being excited when they make their appearance like “OMG it’s him!!!” Like idk but when Viktor showed up I screamed irl
Well Arcane fits into almost a different type of situation doesn't it. It was purposely designed and released in 40min episodes in groups of 3, almost liked it was asked to be watched in movie like form/binged. I'd also say that when watching episode 2 of a series which is 40-80minutes into the runtime of the series and your complaining of overall character development, please go back to season 1 of other shows to there episode 3 and go deep into the characters development and how satisfied you were cause your raising a really high bar with arcane and I critic stuff but jeez it seems you were just complaining about stuff you wanted
Lol, I wasn't "complaining of overall character development" I was complaining that a lot of the things in episode 2 feel like they come out of no where, and could've at least been hinted at more in episode 1. Next time try actually paying attention to what I say. "jeez it seems like you were just complaining about stuff you wanted". Yeah? Like... duh? lol???
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 yeah like oh I'll complain about characters getting thrown at us and not introduced to us in episode 1 despite the fact that episode 2 is specifically designed to start off showing us the break in from a different perspective as a introduction. Note as I said episode 2 of Season 1 of a series and your bitching like please please go back to rwby season 1 episode 3 or 4 and how great it was. All the characters were introduced and heavily flushed out and your watching that 8 years later
@@AnimeIsArt21 1. Hinting at a character, and introducing a character are 2 different things. You DO understand that.. right? 2. You're trying to compare Jayce's story arc with JNPR I'm guessing? You understand after JNPR was introduced, they didn't spend those first couple of episodes taking up more than 50% of the screen time, right? Also just because one show can make a concept work, it doesn't mean every show with a similar concept ALSO works. Like... duh. 3. Golly gee, I can't wait for the internet goons to understand that there's this nifty thing called "opinions"! AND I can't wait for them to realize not everyone's opinion HAS to be the same as theirs! Golly gee willakers, it sure will be cool once the internet trolls figure that out! Especially when they get so triggered over a simple little cartoon. Wowee gee, it'll be stellar!
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 In your defense, the pilot was made like 3 years before the rest of the show because of issues getting it picked up for almost 2 years. So if it feels "distanced" from the rest of the show, then that's probably a part of it. Again, not an excuse for perhaps a lot of Episode 2's world building feeling jarring, but it's a fact that's there to think about.
I wanna talk about your thoughts on Caitlyn (girl with the umbrella) and why I disagree. You say quite clearly how you’re not invested in her friendship with Jayce, and I mean she is only around for a couple of scenes in act 1, but Caitlyn becomes a major player in acts 2 and 3, and her relationship with is important in that. I’m pointing this out because you mentioned how Heimerdinger wasn’t set up in episode 1. (There was an entire montage of the Undercity showcasing all the different people and creatures that live there. Heimerdinger may be fluffy and live in Piltoven, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t established.) Caitlyn is set up in episode 2 for her role later on, and I couldn’t help but find it frustrating how you criticized it. Heimerdinger wasn’t set up, you disliked that. Caitlyn was set up, you also disliked that
Feel like your preconceived expectations to dislike the show influenced your experience of it in a negative light, there are legitimate criticisms that i agree with like how the episodes feels rushed, or how Mylo and Claggor could be flesh out more for example, but most of the video have this energy like you're just looking for things to dislike, make fun of with a dismissive tone, it gave your very legitimate criticisms have this bad faith, negativity bias feel to it.
"Preconceived expectations to dislike the show"? I heard only extoradinarily positive things about the show before watching. I was set and ready to love the show from the beginning. If anything I had a "preconceived expectation that the show was going to be amazing" because of all the positive hype around it.
I feel like the whole mylo and claggor lack of development is on purpose because it tricks you to believe they will be main characters and will development later on in the series like sokka in avatar and to make their death more shocking
Going into this show, I only knew of Jinx because because of the "Get Jinxed" music video. So, I was surprised that she had a sister, and from the intro song, I was imminently intrigued as to why they were fighting. Also, I love how Powder falling after her monkey-bomb explosion (in ep 3) parallels Silco's drowning scene at the start of the episode.
"snapping back and forth was jarring and would kill the pacing" It's called subplots...A plot, B plot, C plot and so on....Game of Thrones must have a been a rough watch for you if you think bouncing between only two storyline is hard. Try five at the same time; and since this has been compared to the animated version of game of thrones....your in for a rough ride if you are the kind of watcher who can only handle one plot line at a time.
No, it's just that Game of Thrones executes multiple lot lines in a way that's actually good. Unlike Arcane. Also this childish, teenage edge fest, has nothing comparable to game of Thrones, so I don't know where you're pulling that idea out of XD
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 Firstly, game a Thrones a masterpiece? Hardly. There was no fine detailing to the series, and it seriously lacked the complexity of the book (song of Fire and Ice series.) The sexposition of the first two seasons along some of worst lines written for tv (comparable to those one saw in prequel series of star wars) as well as the god awful series finale makes the GOT a joke. "You want a good girl, but you need the bad pussy" won best writing? pathetic. Secondly: If you think Arcane is a "teenage edge fest" then it seems it is YOU that hasn't been paying attention. Each line and action in the show, has multiple layers of subtext and nuance that for the eagle eyed viewer doesn't have be directly spelled out. In this show "actions speak louder than words" and "show don't tell" is the norm. No long winded exposition dumps. For example in that scene that you harped on in which the kids are at the arcade hiding out. The scene shows and explains multiple things that you either didn't pick up on or outright ignored. 1: We are shown that Vi is not just a scrappy fighter but is actually been professionally trained to fight be through techniques she is using on the boxing machine. We are also also shown the scoreboard for that that machine and that she has all top scores on it. This will be relevant later in episode 5. 2. We are shown the Powder is a exceptional engineer as well as a excellent shot as she is seen fixing the firing range target system and then using a paintball gun to get a near perfect bullseyes once the game is back online. Both of skills are showcased here and will be extremely relevant in the later episodes. 3. Milo continues to harp on Powder. Besides Powder, Milo is the weakest member of the group. You can see earlier that Vi (the leader) doesn't value his skill in lock picking (in ep. 1 when she breaks down the door instead of waiting for him to lock pick it.) and that Milo is the weakest fighter besides powder (he was the only one in the fight sequence in ep 1 of the group to get pinned down and had to have Vi save him) All his posturing and putting Powder stems from his insecurities about being seen as the most useless one in the group. Argo, he is constantly cocky and putting Powder in a sad attempt to raise himself up in front of his adopted siblings. 4. There's more than this, but this comment is already too long and I think I made my point. However, if you would like I can write a whole essay about it, and cite a variety of references if you are still unconvinced.
@@cthroatbill5192 Lol I never once said Game of Thrones was a "masterpiece"? You're getting real triggered over something I haven't even said. And it's not like I wrote a lot so I don't know where you got that confused XD In fact, YOU where the own propping up Game of Thrones as some higher standard so you could claim Arcane was comparable to it. Lol you're aware something can have nuance and subtext, and STILL be a teenage edge fest, right? Writing an essay to an Arcane fan-boy in my UA-cam comment section sounds like a miserable waste of time. I've dealt with Arcane's rabid fanbase enough to know you'll ignore or redirect literally anything I say. No thanks!
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 So let me get this straight. You posted a review video on a show in which you made negative observations and statements about it's technical screen writing. And when I point out that these observations or statements are technically false due either incompetence or ignorance of how screen writing works, you attempt to discredit my statements by labeling my just another "arcane fan boy." By that same merit I could label you as "A UA-cam personality with no knowledge of how technically screenwriting, pacing, and storyboarding works." Would that discount the opions made in your video as well? Come, let's debate, I have no need to deflect, ignore, or insult. Film Academia is the base of my argument, what's yours?
@@cthroatbill5192 Lol nothing you said here is accurate. Let me fix that for you buddy :) I post a video voicing my thoughts and opinions. You have different thoughts and opinions, but you don't want to try and accept the idea peoples thoughts and opinions can be different than yours, so you conflate your opinions with fact, and then got triggered over it. I have no interest in debating with a wishy washy brick wall like you :)
4 minutes in, coming form someone who has delved into (some of) the lore of LoL before... I do not pick up on the things like you do. I can not pick up on how well the characters uses words because for me it clicks right away. This review is amazing so far
Your criticisms make sense, but the video is pretty... Flowd... I think because I don't know about the characters in the game (there's literally a website with the characters' stories!)Maybe I would understand a little better. I just hope that when the season ends, you have a different point of view.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584I know it’s been a year since you made this comment, but I promise you, it’s incredible! people praise arcane’s writing, it doesn’t punish non-fans of league, the art is delicious, the show is just awesome. PLEASE give it a chance!
Wow these are criticisms I've never heard from anyone, and I've watched alot of reactions. Very interesting takes though. The animation is one of the must unique styles I've ever seen. But, it definitely wants to set a mood and tone depending on where we are. The Undercity is poor downtrodden and oppressed, it's a dangerous chaotic place, the fact that it's dark and gloomy is an intentional contrast to Topside. This pretty much continues throughout the series. The switching between storylines is a constant. Some episodes are more undercity focused, others are more about Jayce, Viktor and their sciencing. Tbh I'm intrigued to see how you react to the rest of it. Alot of things that have wowed most people haven't really impressed you so it's definitely not the usual opinion on this show that I've gotten used to.
I know you disliked the dialogue scenes, but that's where the characters get fleshed out. Mylo resents Vi and Powder, but mostly Powder. Claggor is the reliable helper. Jayce is full of himself, Victor is less confident. Caitlin is a poor little rich girl. Mel is struggling for respect. And everyone, regardless of race, class, or creed, deserves a certain amount of respect as a given.
The last couple episodes of arcane left me with such a positive reaction that I almost forgot my initial impression was very similar to yours (although I knew a bit more about LoL off the bat from watching the trailers and reading lore, but not that much). I was constantly thinking wait, who is this? What's going on here? And then getting frustrated when I got caught up in one story and then we'd switch to the other. But it all comes together in a really great way that justifies the hype imo. Also, I got really excited that they got imagine dragons to do the OP! Theyve collabed before, I think the song Warriors was used for a tournament or something like that. Pretty cool. :) I enjoyed hearing your thoughts too, you always have very interesting commentary :) Edit: one thing I lowkey disagree on is that I enjoyed the show's use of color consistently, I felt most scenes had a strongly defined palette which was made even more interesting by the lighting and angles. Just my two cents
Funny enough, the show was originally released in 3 episodes batches across 3 weeks, so I think they knew the 3rd episode would hook people. I do hope you’ll continue to review the show, would love to hear your thoughts on the rest of it! I too know nothing of game it came from, but I absolutely loved the show, especially how it mixed 2d and 3D animation.
I had found myself intrigued with all plot points because I played League of Legends, so I already had knowledge of the characters beforehand and wanted to see how they to their game incarnation. But if we remove that knowledge, it can be confusing and disappointing in other characters' storylines especially with the cutting in between each other's stories.
Nice critique of the first three episodes. I guess it landed better for me because I binged the whole show and the narrative bouncing between many different characters felt more like a puzzle with pieces slowly being completed. Also, the world building was just innately interesting to me.
I mean that’s kind of the point with the dark color palette when Jayce is at his low points. Piltover it’s like a Gilded cage it may look shiny on the outside but what is it really?
Okay, this is VERY interesting... I absolutely loved every frame of this show... I loved the pacing and the inferences and deduction needed to bring it together... However I had 2 people I know watch it and they got very little out of it. They seemed to get bored with it. I am not saying that you didn't get anything, clearly you did, but you started echoing some of the vibe I got form them, and you were eloquent enough to articulate why it was missing all of its punches, at least for the majority of its swings. I think it is a personality type thing. A lot of us super tape-on-glasses nerdy types, if we do not have to put the pieces together our selves, it is a yawn fest, where it seems other personality type, they like to see the pieces be put together on screen. That is how they gain enjoyment from entertainment. You seem to be right on the line between the two, You saw the pieces, but were frustrated that you weren't seeing them be put together on the screen, in EP3 you get to see that, but for those of us who like to put them together in our head, we enjoyed the first two episodes as much (maybe not kinetically) as much as the third. "Oh, it all makes sense now, Brother" - Silco EP9
Episode 3 is so good I forgot how much of a drag the first 2 were. Ultimately necessary for the plot but it's definitely a lot especially if you're not a LoL fan (Like me)
The juxtaposition of plotlines worked for me but I can see how it would not work for other people. What I have to concede though is that the first episodes were, indeed, very flat and boring compared to the rest of the show. It serves as excellent worldbuilding and it sets up everything that is important for the plot masterfully. But it also seems to pre-suppose you'll be invested enough to actually watch the pay-off and thats a huge risk to take. For that reason, I believe that while the writing is fantastic, especially in Arks 2 and 3, the show's popularity really was kicked off due to the incredible art direction and music design first and foremost. And the shipping, obviously. PS. Judging by the first three episodes, it seems baffling that Caitlyn - a main character - gets so little screentime.
I'm just curious. Both of the shows you've analyzed for this series have ended on "Yes" results, complete with you using a positive clip afterward to affirm it. Which clip would you have used if the answer was "No" instead?
If "Arcane" was a no, I would've chosen shot of Powder crying after Vi tells her not to come with them on their Vander rescue mission! And fun fact: if the answer was 'no' for Hunter X hunter, I would've went with a shot of the team looking upset because their "exciting multiple choice quiz" wasn't morally right.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 I'm really enjoying this series. This episode in particular, because I was on the fence about Arcane too. Thanks to you, I think I'll give it a chance myself. The beginning of a story is one of the hardest parts to make. In the first chapter of the novel I'm writing, I had to rework my villain's introduction four times before I was satisfied. So hopefully these videos can help people figure out the dos and don'ts with their own productions.
I love arcane and I do agree I wish there was more focus on the first group. Like I feel like each act needed just one more episode. Make it a 12 episode series instead of 9. It’s so fast moving it barley gives time to breathe.
I haven’t played league, and I finished arcane. They seem to have a three arc structure, each three episodes long. I compare the three episodes to RWBY V1-2. After that, the story picks up hard (though the first half of 4 is very slow to me, IMO)
Yeah, even having played league in the past, I knew nothing of the lore behind the characters this show is based around. So, I went in, blindish. I wasn't predisposed to liking any of the characters either, save for Jayce who was my main. I have to agree that it definitely took till the end of episode 3 until I was fully hooked onto the show, as that's when things really get interesting.
Odd you'd complain there's too much talk in E1, and then that there's too little in E2. E1 establishes Vi's ("Vai", not "Vee"), Vandar, and Powder's motives and goals, as soon as the girls come home to the Undercity, pretty much.
I'm enjoying the show, but ep2 was so bland, I'm not kidding, I assumed I already watched it after finishing it. Still not sure if I accidentally watched it twice, but it put me off continuing for at least a week. You're dead-on about the pacing issues, I do like that they build up and don't dump fanservice early on and trust that people have an attention span, but that's a luxury they should be using mid-season, not after the first ep. Also, holy shit, there are a lot of lol simps in these comments. It was a positive review that recommended the show. It's a bad sign when someone tries to argue "the tedious parts are intentional".
In the scene were they were in the arcade we saw how Powder has very good aim, Vi is not just some thug that has talent, but someone that actually trains and practices, and we also got the first hints that Powder is someone intelligent as she was fixing and making the game function. It expanded more in the characters, it just wasn't said with words...you know, "show don't tell"
Episode 1 and 2 were the weakest in the whole season so i get it. Was a lot to set up. But your criticisms on the animation fall completely flat with me and knowing some of the stylized sequences coming up I don't think you would ever really get over that criticism. And if you can't maintain focus on more than one plot thread at a time I don't understand how you can like media at all.
It wasn't that I couldn't maintain focus, it's that I felt like the stories where being interrupted just as they where reaching a climax, essentially killing the mood of the scene.
These first 3 eps to me resembles a lot of act 1 of Marvel movies,its pretty formulaic and safe to sell but i agree with you on how fast things happen without a time to breathe
Your review was not bad! People who tell you the opposite only tell you that because they think their opinions are the only ones that matter, and everyone else's opinion different than theirs are wrong. I also went into the series completely blind, I didn't even know it was related to LoL. Although I did not see people hyping it up so I wasn't disappointed like you were. Three episodes was definitely not enough to judge the characters as a whole, though. The interactions between the two characters (the girl with blue hair and the guy) you deemed as uninteresting became important in the story later on, and that really shows how three episodes are not enough. About your point about the terrible pacing, I agree. The pacing in the first three episodes you didn't like was at least bearable to me, but the episodes that followed, not so much. All the tension built up is immediately lost when it cuts to another scene all of a sudden. Also, you're well within your right to lose interest in the show after the backlash you received from petty fans. It's normal to lose interest in something you've had a negative experience with, especially if you weren't very invested in it in the first place.
Yeah honestly if I have two major quipples it is that Kate was under used. Like maybe if she saw vi And the gang and tried to stop them or call out for help, in these early episodes or a reason why she and jace were hanging out. Show their friendship, like see her slip out of her house to ecape her mother or father after braking a jar or something and hang out with jace, or a fancy party were she is bord out if her mind. To show that she dispit coming from wealth doesn't really feel like she belongs in that world and that she wants to help people. Like maybe this is contrived but have her get in front of vi And the gang and try to stop them or reason with them. Like she says, something like " please, you hurt my Friend back there, just stop and give the enforces back what you stole and they will let you go...they don't care about you" And that could cause vi or one of the others to sough and say. "Of course you top siders care more about useless junk than us... get out of our way princess " They push past her, maybe one if the boys wants to start a fight and vi stops them. They star going down the waste pipe and vi says just before going down her self. " sorry bout your friend, no one was ment to get hurt...were just...arg you wouldn't understand " Another minor grip I have is jaces rise to power is way to quick in the later episodes
I can see your point in multiple parts,having 3 episodes per arc of the story,things can move a bit fast at times. However,I hope you enjoy the show going forward! I also don't know shit about League of Legends and it took me a while to be convinced into watching the show. But it was good,I loved it! And the animation is outstanding I can't wait for season 2! If you do a video reviewing the whole thing,I would love it if you talked about Viktor and Jayce,cause there's a thing the fandom keeps insisting on that bugs me a lot (I'll be direct,they call it queerbaiting when imo it isn't that).
Great review. I agree with alot of the points you made that were good and flawed about the first 3 episodes. Also your impressions on the show before watching was similar to mine. I never played league and I was worried that the series expected me to know like the first 20 hours or so to get what's going like the netflix Dota series. But I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it and that that I didn't need one resource of media to enjoy another one. Hope you the rest of the series.
5:53 Yes, I absolutely hate this trope too. It's really overdone in all media, especially with the "main characters have a misunderstanding, then depart before reuniting at the climax" trope. It's so overdone and a lazy way to make conflict in my opinion
i usually don't like this trope, but i think arcane is one of the better examples of using it. powder/jinx "only hearing what she wants to hear" is a pretty recurring theme with her character throughout the show and she genuinely struggles with it, so while it does seem like its just there for convenience, there is a sense that it's being acknowledged and actually reflects the character
Which goes to show how no show should ever assume the audience will engage with any supplemental material before watching the series proper. I shouldn't have to do homework and google "what should I watch before watching this cartoon?" If it's important to the show, it should be IN the show.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 I absolutely agree with this but I don't think you need the music video, I hadn't watched it and I adored the series. Its a nice video though.
I can somewhat share your criticism (ep 2 *is* a bit slow), while others are unfair (of your examples of dark scenery in Piltower, at least two are taking place in the evening/night). The animation as such is utterly amazing. Claggor and Mylo take on much more meaning later on (especially Mylo's constant bullying of Powder) but they are not developed characters as the others, as they are - in the whole fairly minor. I can see that is it can be confusing at first (a colleague of mine said the same) but there are two separate storyline merging into one so there needs to be two different perspectives on the story. Finally, the dialogue, I didn't find the flaws you did. At all.
JC, taking advantage of the fact that we are talking about series, I would like to recommend some works that I personally liked a lot, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen and Vinland Saga, I hope you like them ❤❤❤
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584schnee is a youtuber who analyze the story movies tv shows and games including arcane he does al lot in explaining symbolism and character traits and many more most of his videos are about analyzing arcane m.youtube.com/@schnee1/videos
Characters talk "Characters talk talk talk too much talking kind slow pace" Characters do action "Action action action, we need them talk to understand them more"
It's actually very important to get feedback from people who know nothing about league to comment about how effective the storytelling is. That's what would make the difference between a favorite for league fans or a critically acclaimed show.
But I'm a former league fan so every single time a reference is made , like a nerd, I point at the screen and go "LOOK ITS THE THING FROM WHEN THE THING HAPPENED"
Basically me whenever Singed does anything
I disagree oid you have never watched ANY part of a show how tf would you rate it like rate based on what?
@@belaschmidt1770 I mean people who don't have 10 years of knowing the backstories to the characters because they play the game. If you want the show to be successful, it has to be enjoyable beyond people who play league.
I went into this completely blind too. But i didn't even know this was based off of League.
@@matijasostojic4288 Thanks for giving it a try!
the point of cutting between plots is to emphasize the theme of duality that is EVERYWHERE in the show
I thought it was pretty obvious that the jarring juxtaposition was intentional. We're watching hextech at its best and at its worse. At it bettering the lives of people and it destroying them. I don't know if that flew over Critters head, or she just felt it wasn't enough to justify how jarring it was. But I think at least mention you understand the intentional juxtaposition, because if you don't, it just comes off as you really not getting what the show is going for. Which makes the critique fall flat.
@@lockekappa500 Though I agree with you this is not always the case. If a lot of people dont get what it was going for then it can be a flaw in the presentation not everyone is going to get it but not too many should miss it especially if missing it harms the overall viewing experience it can be a fine line to walk.
@@GhostEmblem Hard to say if I'd call it a "flaw in the representation" moreso a risk in the representation. And this show takes plenty of risks, which MOSTLY pay off. Some of them fall flat because they're a bit too ambitious for some...but I don't know if I'd fault a show for taking risks. If anything I'd fault the viewer, especially one who claims to understand film and media. I apply this same criteria to myself. I've even failed to understand what this show was trying to do, didnt like an artistic choice, and now that specific scene is probably one of my favorites.
@@lockekappa500 Interesting point of view I really like your take
I really enjoyed this series because of 1) the art style 2) Everything about Silco, and 3) it has one of the best fight scenes I’ve seen in both live action and animation.
Also, that emotional damage was real good! Made me laugh so hard
I actually really liked how it kept snapping back between the girls and the boys in the 3rd episode. The tension rose with both of them, both groups scared of the door being busted open, and when things worked out for the boys, I lowered my guard, because I assumed things would work out well for the girls too. Then Powder's explosion went off, and it kept being repeated, and each time I was thinking "oh...Oh!...Oh no..."
If it wasn't for the interchanging of perspectives, that wouldn't have hit nearly as hard for me as it did
also just showed how hextech could go right and go wrong
Arcane is definitely a series that gets better on rewatch and as you know more about the series. But I will admit, I can see how the first three elements can feel slow if you enter the series blind. By the end it feels worth it.
Heimerdinger is a Yordle, a race of spirits that inhabit this world. There's quite a few of them in the game and some might pop in the next season.
You can see another one as an old hooker in the scene where they walk into the Undercity.
The video I've been waiting for 💙
I love how much Criter is so genuine with this video that you can really tell that they haven't replayed it over and over again for a YT video. The way they explains what happens in the story and how much characterization they missed the first time around is so relatable. Can't wait for the video where they get punched in the gut for the sudden realization when they replay it and see all the things they haven't noticed before.
"Worth Watching" scripts are a lot of fun since I get to write them in real time! :D
Wait...people miss things the first time? That's kinda terrifying. I hope none of you drive.
@@DoremiFasolatido1979 What a weirdly rude comment about an incredibly common concept?
I'm guessing you're probably still too young to drive. lol.
@@DoremiFasolatido1979 This guy here is claiming he understood every single nuance of Arcane the first time but here he is watching videos about it on UA-cam. 🤡
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 Oh, it was a real time thought. I got defensive watching this because I love the series but I get it. If I was in your shoes, I'd have the exact train of thought. I can be quite chatty with my thoughts while watching too.
As someone who has never played league of legends I appreciate how much it dedicates to explaining the lore and characters without it being either a) extremely overwhelming to the point of confusion or b) vague to the point where you feel you have to play the games in order to understand everything
Eh, the game doesn't really provide any lore so it's rather pointless anyway. It has some of the characters in the show & they have some voice acting but nothing really lore-heavy. It's the website that has the lore.
Respectfully disagree with 90% of your impression and conclusions, but still appreciate your work on this.
Thank you! :D
While I understand your criticism I think the first 3 episodes landed better for me, especially with the context of the rest of the series. Also in terms of the animation while I do LOVE IT thinking back on the first 3 episodes the moment I can visually see clearly in my minds eye is Powder's "I only wanted to help" moment. If you watch more I hope you enjoy as I truly believe it is something special but regardless I am happy you gave it a chance.
Yes, the first three episodes can only be viewed in the context of the whole series. There is a high rewatchability. You see the first ones with other eyes after finishing the last episode. Even if you know nothing about LoL.
There is also a reason why the feuilleton have gotten the first four episodes for their critical reviews before the start of the show.
Tbh as a person who knows LoL lore a bit but doesn’t play the games cause I don’t like them if you don’t know the characters it’s a bit much to understand tbh my sister who didn’t know it and I watch it with her said that same thing of who is this I don’t care about this person that much also to me for the show in general if you like that first 3 eps that doesn’t mean your going to like the rest of the show cause of how it’s structured the first 3eps are more goonies adventure while the 4-6 feels more investigator type deal and 6-9 feels political tbh I saw them as movie 1 movie 2 movie 3 cause I was watching them when they come out
I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE A FIRE EMBLEM FAN?!?! You put up a picture of Hana and I was so happy.
Fire Emblem should have its own show too.
I remember completely freaking out when I found out Mylo has the same voice actor as Mercury
Good ol Yuri Lowenthal
Oh wow. Didn't realize that.
To bad we couldn't some of the Arcane writers over to RWBY.
I'm still surprised at how much i ended up liking Arcane, I know nothing about LOL but this show hooked me up instantly, I'm so exited for season 2
This just proves what I've always believed about Arcane, or any piece of media for that matter: it isn't going to connect with everyone. I am not making any effort to get my fiance to watch it because I already know she won't care for it. But that's okay. I think it would be weird if the entire world loved all the same things. Having said that, I will state that for me, Arcane is probably the best thing Netflix has ever put on its service. To each their own, right?
At least I went from "omg, this is probably another really crappy video-game adaptation, why am I even bothering" to "omg this seems to be freaking amazing" after the opening scene.
Didn't need 3 episodes, ~3 minutes was enough. 😂
Very good Video.
I mostly agree with your criticisms of the first 3 episodes, but I really see them as needed prologue for the rest of the series.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the complete thing ones you finished it.
babe wake up new worth watching episode dropped!!!
in all seriousness, your thoughts are suuper interesting to hear! even though i disagree on some aspects i think that makes it all the more fun to hear, and i'd love to see you voice your thoughts on the later episodes as well! great video!
Short Answer: YES. OBVIOUSLY YES.
Wow it's so interesting to get a perspective on this show's structure that's so radically different from mine! Great review even if we disagree, as always, you make your points clear in a way I can understand why you feel the way you do. Honestly aside from the V8 review this might be one of your bests
Hope we get some vids on the next episodes then, cool seeing others perspective on the show
Critter: Mylo and Clanger are either annoying or boring so far
Me: Well he he, won’t have to worry about that long
I believe the point of intercutting the scene with jayce and viktor with the escape attempt of the kids was to show the juxtaposition of the possibilities of the Arcane/Hextech. Jayce and Viktor managed to stabilize the crystal, showing beauty and wonder. Whereas the Poweder ended up exploding a building and killing her found family. Constantly cutting between these was actually pretty exciting for me and found it rather genius.
Arcane is a series that keeps getting better and better and hooks you as it goes on. I hope you continue watching the rest of the series.
By the by.
Yes, arcane is a sort of prequel series to league of legends. And while you don’t need to know League lore to enjoy the series, it does help connect the dots as it goes on.
Though I do agree that some characters don’t really get allot of development as opposed to others. It’s still flawed. But amazing none the less.
I truly appreciate the honest opinion and critique you give in your videos. It makes me learn more about the shows I love and what flaws I ignore. Ignore the trolls who don't know what opinion is and keep on keeping on!
:D Thank you!
It took me a few episodes as well for the show to pique my interest. But once I was finally feeling it with the show, I couldn't stop watching it. Definitely recommend!
I love Arcane, but as someone who knew nothing about League of Legends, it was difficult to remember all the characters. I didn’t even realize until a second watch that Sevika showed up before act 2, and I didn’t realize the shimmer addict was the bartender. It’s too much to keep track of for a newbie
Spoiler
Most of all, I didn’t realize Singed was the same guy with Silco and Victor because he had barely any presence. I know now that he’s a character in League, so that’s probably why you’re expected to remember him despite barely being present, but that just makes it more difficult for newcomers to enjoy the connections in this show
That's not a game thing sevika and the bartender are not game characters they are completely new.
I'm gonna be honest those criticisms are not game relevant you just weren't able to recognize characters the show presented to you nothing about needing to have game knowledge.
@@thebest3702 What does that have to do with my criticism? Whether they were in the game or not, there were too many characters to keep track of anyway. You can't just introduce a dozen characters in three episodes and expect the audience to remember them all.
Besides, if I knew the characters in the game, then I'd be introduced to far fewer new characters. Players only needed to remember the new ones. I had to remember all these League characters on top of the new ones, essentially doubling the new characters I needed to remember.
And this did affect my enjoyment even if I remembered the characters. When Ekko came back, my thought was "Oh, is he still relevant?" because there wasn't given enough screen time for me to know who this kid was, so I assumed he was as unimportant as Mylo and Claggor (as characters, I know they were important as plot devices)
@@theshire9173 well I don't agree those are truly valid criticisms, depending on the person they have no difficulty remembering character names and faces while some others do. I've seen plenty of people with no game knowledge be able to recognize and even predict who characters were, like ekko being the firelight leader reveal when even someone like me who knows the game couldn't predict.
The bartender is NOT the shimmer addict LUl, juice up Vander snap his neck in ep3.
@@peacepham7838 what? the person Vander killed in ep 3 is Deckard. Let me clarify I know the shimmer addict is Huck the salesman in episode 1 but I just went with the word bartender cause that's what the other person called him.
After fully watching the video, I think the issue that you ran into is that episodes 1-3 starts kinda in the middle of a story. The characters doesnt develop until chapter 3 because they are already past the point of getting to know each other. We very much start in the middle of their story; they already know each other. This isnt their first job, maybe their first heist that was this big, but not their first heist.
Its as if RWBY started in season 3. That is basically where Arcane starts. Nobody develops early on because they are already past that point, they only start developing once "the big thing" happens.
Not, you know, saying that all series should start like this. This is just something I noticed from your review.
From watching this myself, I didnt care about... The smarts and the fattie that was with Vi and Powder (I dont even remember their names. Did you name them? I genuinely cant recall). Their deaths only made me go "oh no, Powder doesnt know she just killed her friends". We were never meant to care about those two, not really. Not past "they are Powder and Vi's friends/they grew up with one another"
However, knowing who Vi and Powder was from my knowledge of the lore beforehand certainly made me stick with the show from the get-go. The question on my mind was, from the start, "How does these two turn into the characters I know them as?", which certainly helped me see past the pacing issues.
The artstyle is gorgeous no matter what scene it is if you ask me. But everyone has their own preferences.
Having watched the show with almost no knowledge about LoL, I agree and disagree with a lot of your points! I agree with fact that these three episodes have very noticable flaws such as the pacing and establishing characters. Although for me I'd say that they should have given more time to characters that will be relevant later on the second act (like the girl that was with Jayce or Ekko). I was ok with the amount of screentime that the boys had with Vi and Podwer but I agree they could have use it better instead of just having one of them complain about Podwer. I agree with everything you said about ep 2. However in ep 3 I kinda liked the Jayce and Viktor plot line because previously they had stablished how dangerous the blue crystals are and I was on the edge of my seat once they started the experiment. I also didn't have a problem with the colours that they used since the change from "colourful city" to "dark and gloomy" went well with the change of tone when things started to get serious. Finally I agree that the last scene was what made my opinion of the show go from "it's ok..." to "Wow this great!"
Sorry for the long text. Overall I loved this three episode review. You made me chuckle a lot of times with your sense of humour
Imagine Dragons already worked with Riot before arcane, 2014 worlds (league's biggest championship, basically) song is Warriors from Smoke and Mirrors album!
I think most of the songs for the show were made by artists they worked with before?
YesAn the tonal difference, is intentional. To sho how unfair that world is. Like there kids have to steal to get by, and victor, can just not care about all of that..
And that is the prologue basically, thats why, the develope from there.
An pretty sure its intentional to hit home the theme for evven tone deaf people to not miss it. Which happens a lot usually.
I am so bad at starting new shows and Arcane has been in my queue for so long now- This video was sorely needed, thank you! It felt like I was watching with you and definitely kept me intrigued as far as trying to figure out if I wanted to genuinely invest my time into it, awesome video! I for sure will check it out on my own time!
this was very refreshing to watch, after having seen other videos about arcane and having watched it myself (as a league player and lore fan) it is nice to see a video from someone who isn't 100% into the league lore.
I feel like the rapid introductions make more sense if you’re also a league fan due to us already knowing who these characters are and being excited when they make their appearance like “OMG it’s him!!!” Like idk but when Viktor showed up I screamed irl
Well Arcane fits into almost a different type of situation doesn't it. It was purposely designed and released in 40min episodes in groups of 3, almost liked it was asked to be watched in movie like form/binged. I'd also say that when watching episode 2 of a series which is 40-80minutes into the runtime of the series and your complaining of overall character development, please go back to season 1 of other shows to there episode 3 and go deep into the characters development and how satisfied you were cause your raising a really high bar with arcane and I critic stuff but jeez it seems you were just complaining about stuff you wanted
Lol, I wasn't "complaining of overall character development" I was complaining that a lot of the things in episode 2 feel like they come out of no where, and could've at least been hinted at more in episode 1. Next time try actually paying attention to what I say.
"jeez it seems like you were just complaining about stuff you wanted".
Yeah? Like... duh? lol???
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 yeah like oh I'll complain about characters getting thrown at us and not introduced to us in episode 1 despite the fact that episode 2 is specifically designed to start off showing us the break in from a different perspective as a introduction. Note as I said episode 2 of Season 1 of a series and your bitching like please please go back to rwby season 1 episode 3 or 4 and how great it was. All the characters were introduced and heavily flushed out and your watching that 8 years later
@@AnimeIsArt21
1. Hinting at a character, and introducing a character are 2 different things. You DO understand that.. right?
2. You're trying to compare Jayce's story arc with JNPR I'm guessing? You understand after JNPR was introduced, they didn't spend those first couple of episodes taking up more than 50% of the screen time, right?
Also just because one show can make a concept work, it doesn't mean every show with a similar concept ALSO works.
Like... duh.
3. Golly gee, I can't wait for the internet goons to understand that there's this nifty thing called "opinions"!
AND I can't wait for them to realize not everyone's opinion HAS to be the same as theirs! Golly gee willakers, it sure will be cool once the internet trolls figure that out! Especially when they get so triggered over a simple little cartoon. Wowee gee, it'll be stellar!
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 In your defense, the pilot was made like 3 years before the rest of the show because of issues getting it picked up for almost 2 years. So if it feels "distanced" from the rest of the show, then that's probably a part of it. Again, not an excuse for perhaps a lot of Episode 2's world building feeling jarring, but it's a fact that's there to think about.
I wanna talk about your thoughts on Caitlyn (girl with the umbrella) and why I disagree.
You say quite clearly how you’re not invested in her friendship with Jayce, and I mean she is only around for a couple of scenes in act 1, but Caitlyn becomes a major player in acts 2 and 3, and her relationship with is important in that.
I’m pointing this out because you mentioned how Heimerdinger wasn’t set up in episode 1. (There was an entire montage of the Undercity showcasing all the different people and creatures that live there. Heimerdinger may be fluffy and live in Piltoven, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t established.)
Caitlyn is set up in episode 2 for her role later on, and I couldn’t help but find it frustrating how you criticized it. Heimerdinger wasn’t set up, you disliked that. Caitlyn was set up, you also disliked that
The animation alone makes the show worth watching!
Feel like your preconceived expectations to dislike the show influenced your experience of it in a negative light, there are legitimate criticisms that i agree with like how the episodes feels rushed, or how Mylo and Claggor could be flesh out more for example, but most of the video have this energy like you're just looking for things to dislike, make fun of with a dismissive tone, it gave your very legitimate criticisms have this bad faith, negativity bias feel to it.
"Preconceived expectations to dislike the show"?
I heard only extoradinarily positive things about the show before watching. I was set and ready to love the show from the beginning. If anything I had a "preconceived expectation that the show was going to be amazing" because of all the positive hype around it.
I feel like the whole mylo and claggor lack of development is on purpose because it tricks you to believe they will be main characters and will development later on in the series like sokka in avatar and to make their death more shocking
Going into this show, I only knew of Jinx because because of the "Get Jinxed" music video. So, I was surprised that she had a sister, and from the intro song, I was imminently intrigued as to why they were fighting.
Also, I love how Powder falling after her monkey-bomb explosion (in ep 3) parallels Silco's drowning scene at the start of the episode.
"snapping back and forth was jarring and would kill the pacing" It's called subplots...A plot, B plot, C plot and so on....Game of Thrones must have a been a rough watch for you if you think bouncing between only two storyline is hard. Try five at the same time; and since this has been compared to the animated version of game of thrones....your in for a rough ride if you are the kind of watcher who can only handle one plot line at a time.
No, it's just that Game of Thrones executes multiple lot lines in a way that's actually good. Unlike Arcane. Also this childish, teenage edge fest, has nothing comparable to game of Thrones, so I don't know where you're pulling that idea out of XD
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 Firstly, game a Thrones a masterpiece? Hardly. There was no fine detailing to the series, and it seriously lacked the complexity of the book (song of Fire and Ice series.) The sexposition of the first two seasons along some of worst lines written for tv (comparable to those one saw in prequel series of star wars) as well as the god awful series finale makes the GOT a joke. "You want a good girl, but you need the bad pussy" won best writing? pathetic.
Secondly: If you think Arcane is a "teenage edge fest" then it seems it is YOU that hasn't been paying attention. Each line and action in the show, has multiple layers of subtext and nuance that for the eagle eyed viewer doesn't have be directly spelled out. In this show "actions speak louder than words" and "show don't tell" is the norm. No long winded exposition dumps.
For example in that scene that you harped on in which the kids are at the arcade hiding out. The scene shows and explains multiple things that you either didn't pick up on or outright ignored.
1: We are shown that Vi is not just a scrappy fighter but is actually been professionally trained to fight be through techniques she is using on the boxing machine. We are also also shown the scoreboard for that that machine and that she has all top scores on it. This will be relevant later in episode 5.
2. We are shown the Powder is a exceptional engineer as well as a excellent shot as she is seen fixing the firing range target system and then using a paintball gun to get a near perfect bullseyes once the game is back online. Both of skills are showcased here and will be extremely relevant in the later episodes.
3. Milo continues to harp on Powder. Besides Powder, Milo is the weakest member of the group. You can see earlier that Vi (the leader) doesn't value his skill in lock picking (in ep. 1 when she breaks down the door instead of waiting for him to lock pick it.) and that Milo is the weakest fighter besides powder (he was the only one in the fight sequence in ep 1 of the group to get pinned down and had to have Vi save him) All his posturing and putting Powder stems from his insecurities about being seen as the most useless one in the group. Argo, he is constantly cocky and putting Powder in a sad attempt to raise himself up in front of his adopted siblings.
4. There's more than this, but this comment is already too long and I think I made my point. However, if you would like I can write a whole essay about it, and cite a variety of references if you are still unconvinced.
@@cthroatbill5192 Lol I never once said Game of Thrones was a "masterpiece"? You're getting real triggered over something I haven't even said. And it's not like I wrote a lot so I don't know where you got that confused XD
In fact, YOU where the own propping up Game of Thrones as some higher standard so you could claim Arcane was comparable to it.
Lol you're aware something can have nuance and subtext, and STILL be a teenage edge fest, right?
Writing an essay to an Arcane fan-boy in my UA-cam comment section sounds like a miserable waste of time. I've dealt with Arcane's rabid fanbase enough to know you'll ignore or redirect literally anything I say. No thanks!
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 So let me get this straight. You posted a review video on a show in which you made negative observations and statements about it's technical screen writing. And when I point out that these observations or statements are technically false due either incompetence or ignorance of how screen writing works, you attempt to discredit my statements by labeling my just another "arcane fan boy." By that same merit I could label you as "A UA-cam personality with no knowledge of how technically screenwriting, pacing, and storyboarding works." Would that discount the opions made in your video as well? Come, let's debate, I have no need to deflect, ignore, or insult. Film Academia is the base of my argument, what's yours?
@@cthroatbill5192 Lol nothing you said here is accurate. Let me fix that for you buddy :)
I post a video voicing my thoughts and opinions.
You have different thoughts and opinions, but you don't want to try and accept the idea peoples thoughts and opinions can be different than yours, so you conflate your opinions with fact, and then got triggered over it.
I have no interest in debating with a wishy washy brick wall like you :)
This came out 34 seconds ago and I already love it.
4 minutes in, coming form someone who has delved into (some of) the lore of LoL before...
I do not pick up on the things like you do. I can not pick up on how well the characters uses words because for me it clicks right away. This review is amazing so far
Your criticisms make sense, but the video is pretty... Flowd... I think because I don't know about the characters in the game (there's literally a website with the characters' stories!)Maybe I would understand a little better. I just hope that when the season ends, you have a different point of view.
You gotta watch the rest, Arcane is one of the special cases that the first 3 eps won't do it justice
ngl, I've lost all interest in the show after the huge amount of horrifyingly toxic comments I got because of my criticisms with episode 2.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584I know it’s been a year since you made this comment, but I promise you, it’s incredible! people praise arcane’s writing, it doesn’t punish non-fans of league, the art is delicious, the show is just awesome. PLEASE give it a chance!
Wow these are criticisms I've never heard from anyone, and I've watched alot of reactions. Very interesting takes though.
The animation is one of the must unique styles I've ever seen. But, it definitely wants to set a mood and tone depending on where we are. The Undercity is poor downtrodden and oppressed, it's a dangerous chaotic place, the fact that it's dark and gloomy is an intentional contrast to Topside. This pretty much continues throughout the series.
The switching between storylines is a constant. Some episodes are more undercity focused, others are more about Jayce, Viktor and their sciencing.
Tbh I'm intrigued to see how you react to the rest of it. Alot of things that have wowed most people haven't really impressed you so it's definitely not the usual opinion on this show that I've gotten used to.
I appreciate how many times I hear Game Grumps audio clips in your videos.
Supposedly, a character known as Caitlin is in Arcane... not that you would know, anyway, because she's missing her really cool hat.
I know you disliked the dialogue scenes, but that's where the characters get fleshed out. Mylo resents Vi and Powder, but mostly Powder. Claggor is the reliable helper. Jayce is full of himself, Victor is less confident. Caitlin is a poor little rich girl. Mel is struggling for respect. And everyone, regardless of race, class, or creed, deserves a certain amount of respect as a given.
The last couple episodes of arcane left me with such a positive reaction that I almost forgot my initial impression was very similar to yours (although I knew a bit more about LoL off the bat from watching the trailers and reading lore, but not that much). I was constantly thinking wait, who is this? What's going on here? And then getting frustrated when I got caught up in one story and then we'd switch to the other. But it all comes together in a really great way that justifies the hype imo. Also, I got really excited that they got imagine dragons to do the OP! Theyve collabed before, I think the song Warriors was used for a tournament or something like that. Pretty cool. :) I enjoyed hearing your thoughts too, you always have very interesting commentary :)
Edit: one thing I lowkey disagree on is that I enjoyed the show's use of color consistently, I felt most scenes had a strongly defined palette which was made even more interesting by the lighting and angles. Just my two cents
Wow seeing a screenshot of like Season 1 of League of Legends and knowing how it looks currently is super crazy. It looks so much different now
Funny enough, the show was originally released in 3 episodes batches across 3 weeks, so I think they knew the 3rd episode would hook people. I do hope you’ll continue to review the show, would love to hear your thoughts on the rest of it! I too know nothing of game it came from, but I absolutely loved the show, especially how it mixed 2d and 3D animation.
I had found myself intrigued with all plot points because I played League of Legends, so I already had knowledge of the characters beforehand and wanted to see how they to their game incarnation. But if we remove that knowledge, it can be confusing and disappointing in other characters' storylines especially with the cutting in between each other's stories.
You became my new favorite channel bro like this content 🧑🍳😘 chef kisses just absolute chad of a channel
So I stopped at the intro prior to the 2 minute mark just to say the League of Tales Emblem is a game I never knew I wanted unto now lol
will you be making a vid on the rest of the series?
Nice critique of the first three episodes. I guess it landed better for me because I binged the whole show and the narrative bouncing between many different characters felt more like a puzzle with pieces slowly being completed. Also, the world building was just innately interesting to me.
I mean that’s kind of the point with the dark color palette when Jayce is at his low points. Piltover it’s like a Gilded cage it may look shiny on the outside but what is it really?
I’ve secretly prayed you or Twins would review Arcane. Talhank you for making my day a little bit better, Queen. ❤️
Okay, this is VERY interesting... I absolutely loved every frame of this show... I loved the pacing and the inferences and deduction needed to bring it together... However I had 2 people I know watch it and they got very little out of it. They seemed to get bored with it. I am not saying that you didn't get anything, clearly you did, but you started echoing some of the vibe I got form them, and you were eloquent enough to articulate why it was missing all of its punches, at least for the majority of its swings. I think it is a personality type thing. A lot of us super tape-on-glasses nerdy types, if we do not have to put the pieces together our selves, it is a yawn fest, where it seems other personality type, they like to see the pieces be put together on screen. That is how they gain enjoyment from entertainment. You seem to be right on the line between the two, You saw the pieces, but were frustrated that you weren't seeing them be put together on the screen, in EP3 you get to see that, but for those of us who like to put them together in our head, we enjoyed the first two episodes as much (maybe not kinetically) as much as the third. "Oh, it all makes sense now, Brother" - Silco EP9
Episode 3 is so good I forgot how much of a drag the first 2 were. Ultimately necessary for the plot but it's definitely a lot especially if you're not a LoL fan (Like me)
The juxtaposition of plotlines worked for me but I can see how it would not work for other people.
What I have to concede though is that the first episodes were, indeed, very flat and boring compared to the rest of the show. It serves as excellent worldbuilding and it sets up everything that is important for the plot masterfully. But it also seems to pre-suppose you'll be invested enough to actually watch the pay-off and thats a huge risk to take.
For that reason, I believe that while the writing is fantastic, especially in Arks 2 and 3, the show's popularity really was kicked off due to the incredible art direction and music design first and foremost. And the shipping, obviously.
PS. Judging by the first three episodes, it seems baffling that Caitlyn - a main character - gets so little screentime.
I'm just curious. Both of the shows you've analyzed for this series have ended on "Yes" results, complete with you using a positive clip afterward to affirm it. Which clip would you have used if the answer was "No" instead?
If "Arcane" was a no, I would've chosen shot of Powder crying after Vi tells her not to come with them on their Vander rescue mission!
And fun fact: if the answer was 'no' for Hunter X hunter, I would've went with a shot of the team looking upset because their "exciting multiple choice quiz" wasn't morally right.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 I'm really enjoying this series. This episode in particular, because I was on the fence about Arcane too. Thanks to you, I think I'll give it a chance myself.
The beginning of a story is one of the hardest parts to make. In the first chapter of the novel I'm writing, I had to rework my villain's introduction four times before I was satisfied. So hopefully these videos can help people figure out the dos and don'ts with their own productions.
I love arcane and I do agree I wish there was more focus on the first group. Like I feel like each act needed just one more episode. Make it a 12 episode series instead of 9. It’s so fast moving it barley gives time to breathe.
I haven’t played league, and I finished arcane. They seem to have a three arc structure, each three episodes long. I compare the three episodes to RWBY V1-2. After that, the story picks up hard (though the first half of 4 is very slow to me, IMO)
Really curious on your thoughts of the rest of the show
Yeah, even having played league in the past, I knew nothing of the lore behind the characters this show is based around. So, I went in, blindish. I wasn't predisposed to liking any of the characters either, save for Jayce who was my main.
I have to agree that it definitely took till the end of episode 3 until I was fully hooked onto the show, as that's when things really get interesting.
Odd you'd complain there's too much talk in E1, and then that there's too little in E2. E1 establishes Vi's ("Vai", not "Vee"), Vandar, and Powder's motives and goals, as soon as the girls come home to the Undercity, pretty much.
Yes, because some complaints or praise I can have for 1 episode can be wildly different from the next episode.
I'm enjoying the show, but ep2 was so bland, I'm not kidding, I assumed I already watched it after finishing it. Still not sure if I accidentally watched it twice, but it put me off continuing for at least a week. You're dead-on about the pacing issues, I do like that they build up and don't dump fanservice early on and trust that people have an attention span, but that's a luxury they should be using mid-season, not after the first ep.
Also, holy shit, there are a lot of lol simps in these comments. It was a positive review that recommended the show. It's a bad sign when someone tries to argue "the tedious parts are intentional".
Short Answer... Yes!
I also said to my friends is that Arcane is a 24 eps show squeezed into like 15
5:22 red vs blue reference…was it caboose or doc possessed by omega who said that?
Edit: OR WAS IS WYOMING? Dang now I need to kne
In the scene were they were in the arcade we saw how Powder has very good aim, Vi is not just some thug that has talent, but someone that actually trains and practices, and we also got the first hints that Powder is someone intelligent as she was fixing and making the game function. It expanded more in the characters, it just wasn't said with words...you know, "show don't tell"
This series is perfect for the 3 episode rule cause it's 1st season is split into 3 acts each being 3 episode
Please watch more!
Episode 1 and 2 were the weakest in the whole season so i get it. Was a lot to set up. But your criticisms on the animation fall completely flat with me and knowing some of the stylized sequences coming up I don't think you would ever really get over that criticism. And if you can't maintain focus on more than one plot thread at a time I don't understand how you can like media at all.
It wasn't that I couldn't maintain focus, it's that I felt like the stories where being interrupted just as they where reaching a climax, essentially killing the mood of the scene.
These first 3 eps to me resembles a lot of act 1 of Marvel movies,its pretty formulaic and safe to sell but i agree with you on how fast things happen without a time to breathe
I hope you do the other 2 sets of three episodes in this format
Your review was not bad! People who tell you the opposite only tell you that because they think their opinions are the only ones that matter, and everyone else's opinion different than theirs are wrong. I also went into the series completely blind, I didn't even know it was related to LoL. Although I did not see people hyping it up so I wasn't disappointed like you were. Three episodes was definitely not enough to judge the characters as a whole, though. The interactions between the two characters (the girl with blue hair and the guy) you deemed as uninteresting became important in the story later on, and that really shows how three episodes are not enough. About your point about the terrible pacing, I agree. The pacing in the first three episodes you didn't like was at least bearable to me, but the episodes that followed, not so much. All the tension built up is immediately lost when it cuts to another scene all of a sudden. Also, you're well within your right to lose interest in the show after the backlash you received from petty fans. It's normal to lose interest in something you've had a negative experience with, especially if you weren't very invested in it in the first place.
Musn't skip to the end of ep3... it's an analysis, not a reaction... musn't skip...
I dont know, this video is the opposite of what I saw in the first 3 episodes. On well
“Basically the first half of every tales of game” YOU’RE SO RIGHT
Yeah honestly if I have two major quipples it is that Kate was under used. Like maybe if she saw vi And the gang and tried to stop them or call out for help, in these early episodes or a reason why she and jace were hanging out. Show their friendship, like see her slip out of her house to ecape her mother or father after braking a jar or something and hang out with jace, or a fancy party were she is bord out if her mind. To show that she dispit coming from wealth doesn't really feel like she belongs in that world and that she wants to help people.
Like maybe this is contrived but have her get in front of vi And the gang and try to stop them or reason with them.
Like she says, something like " please, you hurt my Friend back there, just stop and give the enforces back what you stole and they will let you go...they don't care about you"
And that could cause vi or one of the others to sough and say. "Of course you top siders care more about useless junk than us... get out of our way princess "
They push past her, maybe one if the boys wants to start a fight and vi stops them. They star going down the waste pipe and vi says just before going down her self. " sorry bout your friend, no one was ment to get hurt...were just...arg you wouldn't understand "
Another minor grip I have is jaces rise to power is way to quick in the later episodes
Yeah the first 2 episodes can be a bit of a drag, but I was also hooked by the end of the 3rd episode
Disappointed in the animation?!?!? Are you out of your MIND?!??!
No, shes explaining her opinion
This show could animate paint drying and it would be better than 90% of animation out there.
@@lockekappa500 opinion
@@beary523 That's what we're here for right? To express opinions?
I can see your point in multiple parts,having 3 episodes per arc of the story,things can move a bit fast at times.
However,I hope you enjoy the show going forward! I also don't know shit about League of Legends and it took me a while to be convinced into watching the show. But it was good,I loved it! And the animation is outstanding I can't wait for season 2!
If you do a video reviewing the whole thing,I would love it if you talked about Viktor and Jayce,cause there's a thing the fandom keeps insisting on that bugs me a lot (I'll be direct,they call it queerbaiting when imo it isn't that).
This was great! You really explained your thoughts as always and dug into the show well. I actually wanna check Arcane out now, thank you!
Why where you saying most of the fandom is obsessive in your replies when all they’re doing is disagreeing with your review?
Because the ones sending me death threats and threatening me, I blocked or removed.
Is it just me, or did she confuse character development with character characterization and motivation?
You're aware those 3 elements are not mutually exclusive, right?
I like that you pronounce Vi as Vee for the first half of the video
Great review. I agree with alot of the points you made that were good and flawed about the first 3 episodes. Also your impressions on the show before watching was similar to mine. I never played league and I was worried that the series expected me to know like the first 20 hours or so to get what's going like the netflix Dota series. But I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it and that that I didn't need one resource of media to enjoy another one. Hope you the rest of the series.
5:53 Yes, I absolutely hate this trope too. It's really overdone in all media, especially with the "main characters have a misunderstanding, then depart before reuniting at the climax" trope. It's so overdone and a lazy way to make conflict in my opinion
i usually don't like this trope, but i think arcane is one of the better examples of using it. powder/jinx "only hearing what she wants to hear" is a pretty recurring theme with her character throughout the show and she genuinely struggles with it, so while it does seem like its just there for convenience, there is a sense that it's being acknowledged and actually reflects the character
This series takes the presumption you watch the music video enemy prior to watching the series
Which goes to show how no show should ever assume the audience will engage with any supplemental material before watching the series proper.
I shouldn't have to do homework and google "what should I watch before watching this cartoon?"
If it's important to the show, it should be IN the show.
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 I absolutely agree with this but I don't think you need the music video, I hadn't watched it and I adored the series. Its a nice video though.
YESS FIRE EMBLEM EASTER EGG!!! SINCE I HEARD TWIINS I THINK MENTION BYLETH ON THE RWBABIES PODCAST I WAS SO HAPPY THAT YOU SEEMED TO KNOW IT AS WELL
I can somewhat share your criticism (ep 2 *is* a bit slow), while others are unfair (of your examples of dark scenery in Piltower, at least two are taking place in the evening/night). The animation as such is utterly amazing. Claggor and Mylo take on much more meaning later on (especially Mylo's constant bullying of Powder) but they are not developed characters as the others, as they are - in the whole fairly minor.
I can see that is it can be confusing at first (a colleague of mine said the same) but there are two separate storyline merging into one so there needs to be two different perspectives on the story.
Finally, the dialogue, I didn't find the flaws you did. At all.
JC, taking advantage of the fact that we are talking about series, I would like to recommend some works that I personally liked a lot, Kimetsu no Yaiba, Jujutsu Kaisen and Vinland Saga, I hope you like them ❤❤❤
Short answer: Yes
Long answer: YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS
Ayyy, I watched your Encanto video and was wondering if you going to cover this series
You going to review arcane?
You realize you left this comment on a video of me reviewing Arcane?
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 I meant the entire show.
Schnee would like to have a word with you, like 70 videos worth of word.
Who?
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584schnee is a youtuber who analyze the story movies tv shows and games including arcane he does al lot in explaining symbolism and character traits and many more most of his videos are about analyzing arcane m.youtube.com/@schnee1/videos
@@thejudgmentalcritter6584 ua-cam.com/play/PLQ4DJ_2CTh6gzJmadJfgTa0gZenW_735v.html him
you shouldnt be surprised about imagine dragons doing the intro when they do music for riot all the time
What is "riot"? The company who produced the game?
Wow love your work
Characters talk
"Characters talk talk talk too much talking kind slow pace"
Characters do action
"Action action action, we need them talk to understand them more"
I think you might've not been paying attention.