ARCANE Visual Style Explained

As you all know, Arcane is an absolute masterpiece in every aspect possible. But what really stands out is the visual style, it's so unique and interesting that its hard to understand exactly how it was actually made. So here is my explanation of how I think the show was made.
Also I have spent wayyyyyyyyy to long on this video, but it was definitely worth it.

[@CapitanDePlai]

Awesome analysis of this masterpiece, can't get enough of Arcane content

[@lanewallace.]

Thank you!

[@Ludawig]

Thanks for this breakdown. I never played LoL so I was hesitant to watch it, but I finally got around to watching Arcane and was completely blown away.

[@lanewallace.]

I’ve never played LoL either and I went into the show completely blind. I was blown away as well. Truly an amazing show and piece of art. Thank you for watching!

[@elisevanheerden1970]

This was presented so professionally!! Thank you for breaking everything down so well, I've been starved for a deeper look into the whole visual process as an animation student who was just completely enamoured with the show

[@lanewallace.]

Thank you so much for the kind words! Just like you, I was completely in awe at the art in this show

[@taylorparis7228]

"I noticed that Vi had a tick of her head and shrug of her sholder. It's little things like this that really bring these characters to life" My thoughts exactly. Vi shrugs that same sholder before every fight after ep 3 (when she was nearly crushed to death by the rubble pinning her upper body down). Her sholder is probably injured and has never been checked out. That's amazing attention to detail and writing right there by you n Arcane!! 👏 👏

[@suckerpunch1646]

The best analysis/review of the series I have come across. I then checked the viewer count and was mindblown at how underrrated this video is. Thanks for the awesome video.

[@Nata-ch2bk]

very interesting video 👍👍 I feel like this show has almost infinite re-watchability, just to admire the insane visuals over and over. Every scene, every frame, is so rich in little details of design and animation. example : in episode 1 just before the famous "just a taste?" line of Vi, I love how Mylo gives a very quick look at Claggor, he's like "what's Vi going to do?" The looks on Powder's face in that same scene are awesome too haha

[@lanewallace.]

Thank you! And I feel the same way about the show. Every time that I rewatch I notice new things. The attention to detail that went into every single scene is just insane

[@ErnestoGuidos]

I mean this with no exaggeration, this show is an absolute masterpiece and imo one of the best pieces of fiction in the last decade, and up there as my favorite ever along side Spider Verse. I am lost for words as to how incredible this show is and what Riot did is nothing short of legendary and historical. The animation is drop dead gorgeous and revolutionary, the writing and story is superb and carry so much weight and emotion, the music is impeccable, the performances and voice acting is amazing, the sound effects are stellar and I can go on and on. Truly a remarkable piece of fiction that deserves every ounce or success they have received and continue to receive. I can seriously go on and on with this show. Although I am not emotionally ready for season 2, I hope it’s just as perfect if not more so than season 1. Riot truly did something special as Arcane really is something legendary. There is nothing like Arcane. This show is unbelievably special and will always hold a special place in my heart. It is peak. Chefs kiss😘🎊

[@Running-withscissors]

I caught that interview about the decision to use Key Frames instead of MoCAP right after watching S1 and it blew my mind. Most people seem to still assume it was Mocap, but you do a great job showing why it was such an important decision to this shows look. Question: How do the animators get references to the actors visual moves and looks? Or, is it totally "imagined" in the animators medium?

[@lanewallace.]

It still blows my mind too, it was so well executed! And that is a question that I honestly do not have an answer for. I would assume that they had some sort of reference for certain things. But my guess is that for the majority they just used their imagination. They clearly wrote these characters in very great detail so the writing probably guided them through how they should make characters look, move, and behave. It’s just pure artistry and imagination

[@joffarex]

@@lanewallace. I know its late, but I have seen one of the main animator of Arcane talk in an interview. He mentioned that all the animators had a specific "chat" where they were throwing in their reference materials, like they watched a movie and "oh this move looks nice", etc. They also would do simple moves themselves and record themselves as reference (not in a full mocap suits on green backgrounds, just bunch of animators in an office wall doing simple motions for references).

[@MODEST500]

animators do work n acting references and usually exaggerate it. so yeah doesnt matter mocap data is their or not , video references are their

[@ColdEyesProductions]

This and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse are two of the most unique styles i have ever seen.

[@lanewallace.]

I agree

[@alariaaurora8456]

Wow! Nice video dude. Very informative

[@downvector]

I enjoyed this video a ton, thank you for making it! Will probably re-watch a couple of Arcane episodes now

[@lanewallace.]

Thank you so much for watching, I’m very glad you enjoyed it!

[@jackspratt7264]

Nah, homie. You're take is THE take. You ain't bullshitin'. I've been watching animated features in one form or other since 1975 and you're right, this IS the best animated show / feature that has probably ever been realized, for all the reasons you stated and more. As long as they keep the aesthetic in the coming seasons they can count me along for the ride. If they change up to cut corners or lose site of why it worked so well in the first place, then we got problems. lol

[@sadness212]

I totally agree with your points 💚👏💚

[@chandra_creator]

4:10 oh goddamn, I already know they worked hard on this but this bit, this bit really made that fact hit for me (especially as a 3d artist who, as far as 2d is concerned, just casually draws sometimes & goes "that's MAGIC" when seeing 2d artists do lighting)

[@s3vity546]

Learned more from this then I have this entire school year.

[@Andrew-px9fj]

Why are u dissing yourself

[@jamuojisan]

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

[@housey_]

You might consider a podcast by iAnimate with Alexis Wanneroy an Animation lead for Arcane as some official insight into the production details behind Arcane. Definately worth checking out if you hadn't come across it already.

[@lanewallace.]

Thank you for bringing this to my attention, I have not heard of it but I will check it out

[@housey_]

No problem, he's done a few with them so specifically I'm referring to this one /watch?v=4nTtManGqbw

[@hhigh_af]

i love arcane!!!

[@lanewallace.]

Me too!!!

[@mishan3168]

God I love this show.

[@DC-zi6se]

Seems to me that it's like a 2d painting esque vibe with 3d volumetric lightning. A truly magnificent and eye pleasing achievement. 😊

[@Rai2M]

They painted lighting by hand. At least that's what they told us in Arcane behind the scenes.

[@Aw1_bbx]

Amazing video

[@wizela]

Thank you always love u

[@TheSaxophony]

Thank you for honouring their art and their excellence. I would also like to know more about the architectural and "product design" aesthetic. They seem to blend Victorian with Islamic patterns with this retro futuristic vibe, would love to get some of your insights on this.

[@cielaparent6801]

Does anyone know where he got the clip at 2:00 from? It looks like a video showing the texturing process

[@trash_fit271]

I thought at first the show was all 2d and maybe some 3d backgrounds. But your video points out so many things I couldn’t tell were 3d.

[@iBrunoHell]

after across the spider verse

[@LiiwTube]

Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse

[@lanewallace.]

Freaking love that movie

[@foggyforest2625]

Wait, they've used blender as their 3d software??!! HOLY SH*T!!

[@lanewallace.]

Did they really?

[@lanewallace.]

All of the examples in the video were just my own examples. I don’t think they actually used blender, but it’s possible that it was used in the development

[@kushagraatre9177]

they did not

[@VK-mx1ti]

I believe they used Maya for 3d stuff, Mari for texture painting, guerilla render for lighting using normals, and nuke for compositing. Lots of render passes

[@jayronphillips6623]

🦆

[@blackout5145]

To be honest this art styles was used in other TV series too (way before this arcane) And as a 3d artist I almost immediately figured out what is 2d and what is 3d in the shots But don't know about the normal audience

[@lanewallace.]

What tv series specifically?

[@jayronphillips6623]

🦆

[@lanewallace.]

Duck