Buzz
Why is Arcane becoming a global sensation, surpassing even Squid Game to captivate hundreds of millions of viewers?
Right after its release, the Netflix animated blockbuster Arcane quickly rose to the top of the global TV show rankings, ending Squid Game's #1 streak. Across social media platforms, everyone is discussing and passionately exchanging thoughts on the 'fiery' episodes of Arcane. On Rotten Tomatoes, Arcane is rated a perfect 100%, affirming the film's quality and earning the affection of industry professionals. When comparing Arcane and Squid Game, what are the points where Arcane completely outshines, demonstrating its 'class' entirely?
1. A vast, meticulously crafted gaming world without loopholes
Adapted from the famous game League of Legends, Arcane introduces viewers to the vast fictional world of Runeterra. Here, technology and magic coexist. There are two contrasting cities: Piltover - the wealthy and glamorous land of scientific advances, and Zaun - the low-lying, grimy, and polluted land, bearing all failures and waste from Piltover.
The contrast between the two cities ignites desires for struggle, establishing a 'new balance' of order. The political schemes, grievances, and intrigues of the people in the two cities are evident right from the early episodes of Arcane. The concept of wealth disparity in the world of Runeterra is depicted in detail, logically, and with few loopholes.
It's also thanks to Arcane being directly produced by Riot Games - the company behind League of Legends. Therefore, they have a deeper understanding of the world depicted in the series, comfortably expanding and setting up in-game spaces for the film.
While the world of Squid Game is intriguing, it harbors numerous loopholes.
Comparing it to Squid Game, one can see many loopholes in the South Korean survival game that often leave audiences scratching their heads. Squid Game also introduces viewers to a 'world' where conventional laws no longer apply, but its level of intrigue and uniqueness pales in comparison to Arcane.
2. A cast of iconic characters beloved by fans for years.
In the early episodes of Arcane, viewers are introduced to two sisters, Vi and Powder - later known as Jinx. Fans familiar with League of Legends will know the eventual fate of these two characters. Vi becomes a guard for the city of Piltover, while Jinx becomes a notorious criminal. Arcane brings the story of the sisters' adolescence, allowing the audience to understand the choices and mistakes that led to their separation.
Each character in Arcane is a beloved piece long cherished by fans. In the film's storyline, their roles (whether small or large) shine brightly and connect seamlessly. Even viewers who have never played the game can fully follow Arcane without fear of missing a beat, as it is an introductory story.
Squid Game is also a meticulously crafted film with beloved characters. However, when it comes to popularity and fan base, Arcane undoubtedly takes the lead. Seeing familiar game characters appear in a captivating series quickly draws fans to Arcane.
3. Profound content, built with depth rather than 'all show, no substance'.
One of the major issues with Squid Game is the criticism it faces regarding its ending. The uneven pacing and sometimes verbose nature of Squid Game have turned many viewers away from the series. Arcane, on the other hand, does not encounter these problems.
The journey of the two sisters Vi and Jinx along with other characters in the series is meticulously crafted. There are moments of sweetness, warmth, and even the most brutal and heartbreaking scenes. The content of Arcane is so compelling that audiences are urging Riot Games... to quit making games and switch to filmmaking. Some even compare League of Legends to... a decade-long trailer leading up to Arcane.
The fact that an animated series adapted from a game possesses such excellent, meaningful content without sacrificing its suspense or intensity is making audiences eagerly watch Arcane.
4. Not a single ounce of controversy, even a bit.
Remember, Squid Game was the fiery topic sparking heated debates on many fronts. Particularly, the film was constantly criticized by viewers for controversies surrounding plagiarized motifs or deadly games. As for Arcane, everything in the series is authentically crafted with outstanding quality, even boasting a massive fanbase that has been loyal to the brand for over a decade.
The content of Arcane not only avoids controversy but also greatly pleases fans. Consequently, the series quickly garnered attention and support from over a hundred million fans worldwide. Just in the Chinese market alone, Bloomberg reported that Arcane attracted over 130 million views within the first few days, becoming the most searched name on the Tencent streaming platform. If we consider the global audience, the number of viewers tuning into Arcane is even more staggering.
Arcane has now released 6 episodes on Netflix. The final 3 episodes will premiere on November 20th.
Image Source: Netflix
