Arcane: 25 Things You Missed

Out of all the TV shows and movies that released in 2021, Arcane has to be one of the biggest and best surprises of the year. Who would have thought a TV series based on League of Legends characters such Vi, Jinx, Jayce, Ekko, Caitlyn, and Heimerdinger would ever work as well as it did? Even if you're not a fan or player of the game, you can definitely still enjoy this show! However, there are a ton of little easter eggs, references, and hidden details within the show that a general audience may not have noticed. Let's dive in and explore some of those little secrets you may have missed!
Subscribe: bit.ly/Subscribe-to-Screenrant
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Dear Friend Across the River
0:50 - Cupcakes
1:42 - Blueprints
2:01 - Runeterra Incognium
2:36 - All The Teemo References
3:39 - Benzo's Shop
5:13 - Imagine Dragons
5:28 - Fishbones
5:37 - Singed
5:53 - Little Box of References
6:25 - Jayce's Game Abilities
6:50 - Turbo Chemtank
7:04 - Claggor's Glasses
7:16 - Powder's Turn To Darkness
7:40 - Happy Progress Day!
7:54 - Gragas
8:05 - Nautilus
8:11 - Hextech Weapons
8:36 - Kindred
8:45 - More Ekko
9:33 - Dear Friend Across The River Callback
9:45 - Caitlyn's Game Outfit
9:55 - Vi's Abilities
10:11 - Super Mega Death Rocket
10:27 - Vander Lives?!
Check out Screen Rant’s official TikTok!
/ screenrant
Our Social Media:
/ screenrant
/ screenrant
/ screen-rant
Our Website:
screenrant.com/
Written by: Alex Tarakjian
Narrated by: Alex Tarakjian
Edited by: Alex Tarakjian
For copyright matters please contact us at: [e-mail]

[@ScreenRant]

Which characters do you feel like they got portrayed perfectly?

[@conkerlive101]

I never played League of Legends before in my life but god damn this show was great. I loved how fucked up Powder was after killing her friends. Keeping them around with her all those years.

[@glitterdash6224]

Vi, Caitlyn and Jixen aka Powder

[@miwove]

yes. :)

[@kamanuvidiluis3952]

yes

[@arcuscerebellumus8797]

yes.

[@Scottishstorm]

We do NOT need season two "now." Developers, take your time and do another outstanding job!

[@Polarexpress0]

Fall 2023

[@hazydroid]

@@Polarexpress0 as long as it be just amazing as season 1, i don't care.

[@midgore]

@@Polarexpress0 season 1 took 6 years

[@Polarexpress0]

@@midgore 6 years from an idea to screen. It wont take another 6 years just to make season 2 😆

[@Movarias67]

@@Polarexpress0 Exactly, they already have all the assets created, they will only need to create any new assets (characters, locations, etc). I think the majority of the time between seasons will be that and the rendering.

[@creativeconsciousness7392]

I know nothing about the game but I loved this series. Best thing I've seen in ages.

[@ScreenRant]

Absolutely! We really can’t wait for season 2 (and hopefully even more)

[@moriahbryant1300]

Same here...I have never even touched the game but im obsessed with the series

[@tatermctot5895]

Came to say the same thing lol. It’s nice to see a show pull in new fans even if they don’t know about the game. I’ve never touched it in my life but I fell in love with the idea of how they grew the characters from video game, to show. Giving them more thought and personality because they have more room And screen time for a lot of the characters. They did great can’t wait for next season!

[@warbss]

same like never played the game. not my cup of tea. but this show blew me away

[@sean_finch]

NO WAY! I NEED SEASON 2 IMMEDIATELY! No time to waste!

[@freshairkaboom8171]

"Is that Vander"? Yes, yes it is. The clues are too many to not be. Warwick's backstory of a good man putting down his blade to protect those he loves, being called "the hound of the underground" in the literal first episode, the sounds he makes as Hulk-Vander just after taking Shimmer to save Vi, as he smashes the blonde kid up against the doorframe, is taken directly from Warwick's panting sounds ingame.

[@vicentesantiago2681]

In season two's video teaser you can hear the sound effect of Warwick's "blood Hunt" skill at the very end. About Easter eggs, in the last scene of Singed he appears looking at a photo that reminds a lot of a character from lol, Oriana. ORI is what it is commonly called by players.

[@LoLXD4118]

well if you want more clues vander's voice did sound like warwick at one point during his mutation

[@freshairkaboom8171]

@@LoLXD4118 Didn't just sound like it, it's the exact same soundtrack.

[@samueluhlarik8841]

And play ww with vi, ww say "that i learn push hit,, in the LOL

[@freshairkaboom8171]

@@samueluhlarik8841 Did you maybe spell it kinda wrong?

[@etoile7402]

I’ve never played LoL in my life however this show was a mindblowing blast. The portrayal of Jinx’s insanity, Vi’s guilt, Silco’s idealistic goals and many more, and the way it thrives off characters in such a unique and creative way, combined with one of the best animations that we have in existence resulted in this awestrucking piece of art. I have no idea how Riot manages this, they have this ability to speak outside their intended audience which in this case is their playerbase. You know when so many people like me who don’t really care about the game fall in love with it, you truly have achieved something special. Thanks for the video, I’d never manage to get these references by myself! Can’t wait to see season 2, though i hope they take their time with it.

[@ScreenRant]

Glad you were able to really enjoy the show without being in the intended audience! Happy that you also liked the video!

[@lloydmills5968]

I don't play LoL, but I've heard people say that the thing hanging in Singed's shop is Warwick the werewolfy guy, and that somehow Singed keeps Vander alive the same way he did his little dragon thingy, and somehow turns him into Warwick.

[@ScreenRant]

Definitely possible! It would make a lot of sense for that to happen

[@burnburn14]

"Transformed by agonizing experiments, his body is fused with an intricate system of chambers and pumps, machinery filling his veins with alchemical rage." - LoL Character description of Warwick. Yup thats everyones favorite wolfy. Look at his cinimatic trailer it still gives chills but now they're sad chills :(

[@manspaghetti6351]

Honestly, I really hope they don't go this way, even if there's a lot of evidence to suggest that they will. If they turn Vander into Warwick, it's going delegitimize Vander's death and pretty much all other deaths if writers are just willing to bring characters back like this. I also don't know how they could write Warwick/Vander to be a compeling character without a cheesy, predictable character ark. But in the official league lore, I'm pretty sure Warwick is just some thug that singed transformed into a wolf cyborg thing. I hope that's how they do him in the show, assuming Warwick is a major player in season 2.

[@jorgrosler7316]

@@ScreenRant it is, they made many many wolf references to Vander, I'm surprised you didn't cover them in your video.

[@benf2682]

@@_Nywoe also WW's music when vander took the shimmer

[@flamereaper9613]

One Easter egg that many people miss is that when Vi tells Caitlyn about the game Vi and Powder use to play as kids, we actually got to see a hint of that because of the drawings on the wall of Vi’s old house with depictions of the slug monster and razor spike crab.

[@kaiser1877]

Correction and additions: 1st: the river in the song on the 1st episode is not the river in the game but the River Pilt where the city of Piltover and Zaun located. The name of the city is literally "Pilt-over". 2nd: Cupcake is Clan Kiramman's favorite dessert that is why Caitlyn's trap is cupcakes. She is a Kiramman even in guns and food.

[@minchi_the_aoigirl]

Another thing for the 1st, the river and turret in the game are NON-CANON now

[@aaazzz8324]

yep, but thats still kinda cool that the song can also relate to the game at the same time, even if that wasnt the first purpose

[@nimnum1265]

@@minchi_the_aoigirl wdym

[@obesedog1036]

And another that the name “Violet” was not on a piece of paper, just the rabbits ear

[@bendavis1778]

Not sure if this was picked up by everyone so may be too obvious for an easter egg or reference. But when Viktor was by the river as a boy playing with his boat, the girl who comes to watch is named 'Sky'. You can hear a friend call out to her to make her come back. Sky is also the name of Viktor's assistant who loves him and is tragically killed by the Hexcore. This lends even greater weight to the fact that when Sky dies Viktor lost his only other friend (other than Jayce) and will make his transformation even more important. Singed made a comment that he and Viktor could be 'loners together', the sad thing is is that Viktor never was a loner, we always had Sky, he just never knew it until it was too late.

[@MrWizeazz]

Wasn’t that also Ekko’s Owl mask next to the other masks in the shop too? I believe it’s shown in the scene where Ekko spies on Vander when 1st meeting the Enforcers.

[@YukYuk7]

Ye

[@BlueDog241]

I've re-watched this show twice and still missed a few of those. Never noticed Gragas' picture on the canisters. I caught some of the Temo pictures, apparently not all of them.

[@ScreenRant]

Glad we were able to point some little details out that you didn’t catch!

[@Venomtankmod]

One thing to note is that in ep 3, when Vi says something like Jinx, all your fault-it’s the same line of dialogue fiddlesticks screams at jinx because he repeats traumatic lines to cause more fear

[@greenpie4317]

This show definitely blew my expectations out of the water. I am very happy to add this to the list of good game adaptations.

[@thornerg2]

There's a list?? I'd imagine there's only Arcane on it. ;)

[@demise0]

@@thornerg2 + Castlevania + The Witcher. But Arcane is clearly at the top of the list.

[@thornerg2]

@@demise0 The Witcher was books before it was a game.

[@demise0]

@@thornerg2 I'm aware. But I'd argue that the adaptation stems from the success of the game Witcher 3. Neither the first 2 games nor the books have much notoriety and would be unlikely candidates to be chosen for adaptation to a show. Although counter to that, apparently the show is more sourced from material in the books.

[@dominika5010]

@@demise0 show the Witcher was terrible! it doesn't stick to the original source, (the books) as well as the games did and just makes no sense. I Wasn't able to complete watching season 2 of the Witcher, it was so bad...

[@cb9137]

Man, I was so glad I gave this show a chance!! Kinda leaves you emotionally devastated lol

[@floofy8117]

there is also a cute little card interaction between vi and miss fortune where fortune says "vi? I shoulda brought flowers" to which vi responds with "try cupcakes" soooo vi does have a thing for caitlynnnnn

[@the_traveller_2045]

I don't play League Of Legends but I loved this show completely masterpiece Love from India ❤️

[@spanish-inquisition2024]

Me too. This show is a masterpiece.

[@happyhusky3]

I initially thought that last shot with singed had warwick in it not vander because of the claws but i watched a video by WolfStyles that showed small hints that vander will be warwick. From the same grunting noises when he is on that chemical to his in game interactions with Vi and Jinx

[@renatodeo.bocardi8765]

Great stuff! I would love to see a Arcane pitch meeting aswell!!

[@juanpabloiglesias7581]

vouch

[@itsgonnabeokay9341]

pitch meeting is hard because you would need knowledge of the lore from the game

[@omerquiaragua2]

Yesss

[@creativeconsciousness7392]

@@itsgonnabeokay9341 I think you mean it would be super easy, barely an inconvenience. Ryan watched CATS ffs. Clearly there is nothing either of him wouldn't do for his audience.

[@darktemplar8140]

The appearance of Ambessa Medarda from Noxus opens a ton full of possibilities and foreshadowing the future.

[@romnickfrancisco5930]

I didn't realize that arcane was so so good until I was hooked by the song and the pilot episode.

[@vale.antoni]

In Siged's lab it makes sense for that silhouette to be Vander; he might be going through the transformation to become Warwick (another champion from the game). In-game there are numerous voicelines hinting at the fact that Warwick has memory of Vi and Jinx from a seemingly previous life. It also falls in line with the lore of Singed, who is conducting cruel and agonising experiments, but he always selects the subject to be either dying, mortally wounded, or otherwise living with a disability, which excludes them from society.

[@ezswen216]

Love this show, and all the little background details. Every scene and character interaction has layers and layers of lore placed in it. Can’t wait for season 2! 6:02 “Violet” is written on/stitched into the stuffed rabbit’s ear not some paper. You can tell because we see it when Powder brings the rabbit to the bar in The Last Drop and Vander picks it up at the end of episode 2.

[@heyitsAxone]

The look of terror on Vi's face when she sees Shimmer Vander and his realization are heartbreaking

[@animatinglinc]

What an incredible love letter to the fans. Animation at its finest

[@jasonpap7092]

This one season of the series was probably one of if not the best I've ever watched. You get so attached to every character in just one episode and the emotions riot managed to make people experience is absolutely insane. Great work, really excited for season two

[@clardav1809]

Love love loved the show. So exciting to learn more about LoL lore (especially from someone who's never played) and even more excited to see what else is revealed! Awesome video guys!

[@asefnirumand2355]

Oh and definitely watch singeds storys he has the darkest stories in the game I mean literally the darkest it will show you what he would do for progress

[@asefnirumand2355]

Watch necrit on KZbin he tells all the stories he is our lore guy watch swain mordekaiser and the freljord storys and the shuryma storys oh my favourite character in the game for 8 years thresh the chain warden most of hes story is a little bit secret but we are getting to know him batter in the the ruind king game and you're welcome ;) Im typing this agin idk why KZbin deleted my comment

[@thewildclaw]

Never played the game, but this show was straight epic all around!! Immediately made it to one of my all time favorite animated shows. Up there with the lights of Cowboy Bebop and Evangelion ❤️❤️

[@srollo1020]

I've never played LoL either like many of the other comments here, but the details the devs put in for long time fans is truly incredible, and as a gamer I respect tremendously. As someone that watched the show with no ties to the game, this easily bumped into my top 5 favorite of all time. The character development from games is something many tv adaptations of games or books fail to do, but did a phenomenal job here. I cannot wait for future seasons to see what else this epic show has in store.

[@SirFoxbutt]

I think the name Violet wasn't on a piece of paper- it was inside the ear of the bunny. (The rabbit she tells Powder she lost on the spike because of bullies as a kid, that she eventually gets back and gives to Powder.) Plus, I also saw that shot of Singed at the end and thought it looked like Vander in the rafters. I guess we'll find out!

[@jimmydroid7838]

Kudos to the creators of this show. Its amazing.

[@veravee7106]

The mask that Little Man looks through at 5:00 is very similar to the one that he later wares as Ekko.

[@oneday5159]

this is literally everything for people who didnt play the game but watched the show

[@drewdressing612]

with all that item Benzo has, he could've won any battle

[@ScreenRant]

If only he had put on rabadon’s deathcap before confronting Silco and Deckard😢

[@drewdressing612]

@@ScreenRanthe could rival Ryze with that

[@Gimpzjehh]

@@drewdressing612 So how does Benzo become Ryze? Singed has turned Vander into WW? 🧐

[@ximienlundquist8487]

Some assumptions were made, but not as bad as a lot of other ‘top whatever’ videos. Great job!

[@fightronin3753]

Great video!!!! Very well made!!!!

[@ngaela]

Never heard about this game, but love the series. Bring on the next please...

[@collincutler4992]

Absolute....MASTERPIECE

[@ShuckyDucky09]

I never even heard of league of legend and this show is amazing 10/10

[@jeankenshinnim8578]

Such a captivating upload.

[@saiyasha848]

I love the fact that knowig that some Characters must survive the blast doesn't actually limmit the suspense, because now it means there is a survival chance and who else is going to live and more importantly : Why? What is that gold shimmer on Medardas back? will she survive? How about Caitlyns mom?( personally I think she is a goner, because this now gives Cait as much of a personal stake in this as Vi, just from a different perspective.)

[@milicadjuric9995]

You gave one good nostalgia ♥️

[@AllBraunZeroBrains]

As a viewer before league player it’s very well put together, including all the references

[@larissaheunis533]

i never saw people talking about powders eye being purple and im so glad i caught onto that, but also I've watched the show 5 times

[@yoshicasaya]

The animations are way better that I ever imagine!

[@Devilicious.]

I can't tell you just how much I LOVE this adaptation!!!1!1!

[@Jaytazler]

U nailed it down pretty good thx

[@nickllama5296]

I like how at 6:46 you have game Jayce hit game Jinx.

[@ortizlzitro]

this was good!

[@saucemaker6236]

Arcane was best thing l've ever watched I've already addicted to it l've watched it 8 times and I'm watching it again for 9th time and I'm looking forward to season 2

[@ColeBeeRyan]

I'd never even heard of the game. Great series. I'm stoked for season 2.

[@p0larcub]

I love you for making this

[@alexb3617]

i also havent played the game but the series is amazing. the story and the characters that drive the story instead of serving the plot, its just amazing. adding to that philosophical wisdom that accompanies all that grounds the series as characters feel relatable. makes me think a lot of time and effort went into writing this show. oh and animation, a lot of effort went into that as well. fight scenes are pieces of art. all this makes me think of shows that have similar philosophical wisdom and also appreciation like Attack of Titans for example, i just cant help but imagine what those shows would be like if the same amount of effort went into animating those as it went to the Arcane. not that they have bad animation and maybe its just me, but sometimes characters look wooden there.

[@KyleLiftsO]

Show was great, surpassed my expectations by a long way, love how there was a colab with PUBG as well.

[@christiantorres7866]

And Fortnite too but I don't think anyone cares about that

[@ScreenRant]

Do you this will be the new age of movies and TV shows? Like Free Guy, and Arcane? Basing stories on popular video games?

[@christiantorres7866]

@@ScreenRant Perhaps. The show has definitely set a standard when it comes to writing, visual storytelling, etc to the point where people who don't play the game enjoy it, like myself. But as far as I know there's still a stigma out there where the mere mention of it being based off a videogame can make people hesitant or never give it a shot.

[@sminthian]

@@ScreenRant They've been using video games for things, and they've all been horrible, Arcane is the first good one. Warcraft, Monster Hunter...

[@dainipeagram4837]

I resubscribed to Netflix just to watch this, and did not regret it one bit

[@Rondo2ooo]

I am not a gamer and don't understandthe hints, but the series looks, script and plot are amazing. Finally something really worth watching in 2021.

[@minchi_the_aoigirl]

Well you don't need to understand the hints/easter eggs there. It is just to hype the long-time fans of Riot Games. Same to DotA: Dragon's Blood

[@skuudigital9346]

Just finished watching this! Amazing! I enjoyed it! Funny thing is my nickname is Benzo. It was my music name. I’ve had it since 2004. So it was a surprise to me to have seen it on an animated movie!

[@LZcool]

I played lol as an addict for 3 years and I missed most Easter eggs mentioned here, well done.

[@ScreenRant]

Thank you! Happy we pointed some stuff out that you missed!

[@mr.plushmanthegamer3171]

Amazing

[@BimmerWon]

I didn’t know this show was based off a game I hear about all the time but never played. Maybe I should try it.

[@mzamnesia7190]

6:13 seemed like a kayle/morgana reference to me, they're also purple/yellow. the wings on the box looked more colored than black and white

[@YaGurlAP]

Yo Arcane is like the best animated show ever. The developers better keep up the good work on season two 😎

[@sunsetspectre1868]

I knew it would be great the moment I saw the trailer

[@TheQuancy]

At that last scene with 'Vander' you see singed with a pocket watch with a picture of his daughter, Oriana

[@yeungscs]

the ending w/ the rocket striking the tower is a reference to the Get Jinxed music video where Jinx rides bombs into Piltover

[@miladh1859]

pure gold

[@tabasco_taz5804]

I might be an avid gamer, but never played a single riot game, I'm also 40yrs old and doubt I'm the demographic for this show but fuck me it might be one of the best things I've ever watched.

[@thornerg2]

I'm in my 50s... It's absolutely for everyone. Animation isn't just for kids.

[@matejnejedly4679]

I have my own: I do not remember episodes, but Powder has a small rhinoceros in her room, Jinx has a rhinoceros toy next to the big fan and in the clip "Get Jinxed" she rides a living rhinoceros from a zoo. Looks like she really love rhinoceroses.

[@terdragon4366]

It rocked and yes I want season 2 now lol

[@ChimPlays]

HOW DID I NOT KNOW THAT WAS SINGED??? IT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE

[@rinse3x]

Just finished watching this. I have never played league of legends but this show was… legendary.

[@dallisterzodiark2431]

Ok, I have to talk about this because I just can't get it out of my head. In episode 3, after Silco abducts Vander and they have their conversation on the bridge in the warehouse, Silco says: "I'll show you what you really are." Right after that, we hear a sound effect that (to me, at least) sounds very similar to the one that can be heard in the game when Warwick's W ability 'Blood Hunt' is triggered. That same sound effect can also be heard in the Warwick Champion Teaser that was released at the time of his rework. It can also be heard at the end of the Arcane Season 2 Announcement video. Maybe I am reading too much into it, but it sounds like another subtle entry in the (long) list of clues hinting at the fact that Vander will eventually become Warwick.

[@alicheacoetzee5765]

go look at Vander is Warwick videos on KZbin, I am convinced Warwick is Vander.

[@otzitheiceman91]

I also heard it. That theory's all but confirmed for me.

[@vizzifiied]

No cap, arcane legends of leagues is one of the dopest animation series I've seen in a while

[@sz-me]

screen rant: 25 things you missed Everyone else: 25 things EVERYONE got.

[@untitledproduction5153]

There's also a cupcake in the final scene when Jinx says she made Caitlin a snack it's a cupcake with a gemstones on top

[@nate.g485]

Vander is coming back as Warwick💯

[@kekeislove]

Also the monkey bomb jinx set off in the begining is a reference to "Get Jinxed", music video. It starts with this monkey

[@omaerep]

and i loved the series also i thought i would mention..keep it up add more toons

[@BreadOfDeathh]

That shot with singed is warwick hanging there 😱

[@dmmusicvideos4416]

What a masterpiece

[@fuzzy_worms6140]

More Echo stuff for anyone who wants to hear it: Echos mask is the same mask as the one in the beginning where he is spying on Vander and Benzo in the shop

[@tayschannel2695]

I think I will rewatch it again……

[@fastbelow1809]

i cant wait for season 2

[@xandria2220]

I have a theory that it is in fact Vander we see behind Singed and due to Singed's experiments, Vander evolves into the champion Warwick who ultimately would fight anyone who tries to go against the city of Zaun. So he could either be another villian or even an anti hero to some degree. I just hope we get to see some sort of reunion between him, Vi and Jinx. If you look up, "Arcane Singed and Vander" you can see the screenshots perfectly and compare them to other images of Vander and to the LOL champion Warwick.

[@RuskRocker]

I think you missed a Vel'Koz refrence (a picture of him as Nautilus is mentioned)

[@Wonton-the-Sea-Snail]

the song powder is singing is about the zaunites asking for charity from the piltovers

[@fawkesit7561]

My predictions for Season 2: Jinx talking to a frog during her intro... And the teasing of the long awaited fight scene(s) between the sisters! Going to have to wait for season 3 for the full fight.

[@ali.hassanmir]

They did a great job . It got me interested into league of legends 🔥

[@eller3794]

NICE SHOT CUPCAKE LMAOO

[@boros8850]

That show was dope!

[@The_Huggernaut]

Honestly never even heard of league of legends before but after watching the show I’m quite obsessed

[@mindcraftful]

This is the best show ive ever seen

[@modeliux123]

I think there is a Vel'Koz in the painting at 8:08 too.

[@harrisonn9792]

I loved it, thank YOu Riot

[@aprillies6305]

Cant wait for Arcane pitch meeting.

[@lapindurand778]

Definitly got the feel : How can it be a video game adaptation ? It is SO good !

[@vivhateskids]

The violinist is also most likely a cameo. Search up Ray Chen who was the violinist for the song Awaken.

[@harvey10k]

Imagine if 10 years of league of legends was just a build up to this series

[@dragona7784]

PITCH MEETING FOR ARCANEEEE LETSSS GOOOOOOO!!!

[@donkunkilluminati2412]

I don't play the or even really heard of it but I love the show can't wait for season 2

[@theirtoungetwister1571]

Always wanted to play never got to 😅 but it’s seems awesome