Netflix enters League of Legends

A still from the Arcane announcement trailer

Global streamer Netflix has picked up animated series Arcane, based on the League of Legends video game franchise, and will premiere the show later this year.

Arcane was originally announced in 2019 as a celebration of the online game’s 10th anniversary, before production was affected by the pandemic. The series is produced by League of Legends maker Riot Games and France’s Fortiche Productions.

Taking place in the League of Legends universe, the show is an expansion of the game and part of an overall drive to increase the franchise’s reach. Other elements of the brand include an online card game and a world championship competition.

Likewise, this is not Netflix’s first series based on a video game. League of Legends rival Dota has its own series on the platform, as does classic Japanese game Castlevania.

Dominique Bazay, director of original animation for Netflix, said: “League of Legends has inspired global fervour and fandom, and we’re thrilled to be the home of the first television series set in this universe, Arcane. The series promises to be a visually spectacular thrill ride that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.”

Shauna Spenley, global president of entertainment at Riot Games, added: “Arcane was created as a love letter to our players and fans, who have been asking us for more cinematic experiences that dive deeper into the worlds and champions in League of Legends. Netflix, with its incredible global brand and shared goal of delivering premium, high-quality content, is the perfect partner to help us bring Arcane to players around the globe.”

In related news, Netflix and Dark Ways, the newly set up production company helmed by Jantje Friese and Baran bo Odar, who created Netflix German original Dark, have started production on a new Netflix original mystery series called 1899.