Arcane: Missed Opportunities And The Potential Of Its Spinoffs

Laila Abdi

6 min read

Post on May 29, 2025

4.6

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Arcane's Missed Opportunities

While Arcane masterfully crafts its central narrative, several aspects hint at a richer, more expansive story waiting to be told.

Underdeveloped Supporting Characters

Many supporting characters in Arcane possess untapped potential. Their stories, hinted at but left largely unexplored, could have significantly enriched the overall narrative.

• Marcus: The often-overlooked enforcer for Silco could have offered a compelling counterpoint to Jinx's descent into madness, exploring the consequences of loyalty within a brutal regime. A deeper look into his past and motivations would have provided valuable context to Silco’s organization.
• Heimerdinger's Apprentice: The brief glimpses of Heimerdinger’s diligent apprentice offer a tantalizing glimpse into the challenges of innovation and the pressures of working alongside a brilliant, but sometimes erratic, inventor. Exploring their relationship in more depth could have added emotional weight to Heimerdinger's arc.
• The Council Members: Beyond their political machinations, the individual council members of Piltover felt largely one-dimensional. Fleshing out their individual motivations and backstories could have created more nuanced political conflicts.

These characters represent significant opportunities for richer character development and more intricate storytelling within the Arcane universe. The narrative potential for these underdeveloped characters remains immense, ripe for exploration in potential future seasons or spin-offs.

Unresolved Plot Threads

Several unanswered questions and unresolved conflicts linger from the first season, creating anticipation for future installments but also leaving a sense of incompleteness.

• The fate of Vander's remaining allies: The lingering impact of Vander's death and the fate of his remaining allies in Zaun are left largely unexplored, suggesting opportunities for further exploration of the Zaunite underworld and the consequences of Vander's legacy.
• The extent of Singed's experiments: The nature and extent of Singed's experiments remain largely mysterious, hinting at a vast and potentially horrifying network of unethical scientific practices ripe for exploration. This could add further depth to the already complex ethical conflicts within Arcane.
• The future of Jinx and Vi's relationship: While the emotional core of the show centers on their fractured sisterhood, the exact path of their future reconciliation remains uncertain, opening potential storylines for future seasons or spinoffs.

These unresolved plot points represent narrative arcs that could drive future seasons or become central to standalone Arcane spinoffs, offering further compelling narratives and expanding on the established lore.

Exploration of the Wider World of Runeterra

Arcane primarily focuses on Piltover and Zaun, yet the vast world of Runeterra remains largely untapped.

• Noxus: Introducing elements of Noxus, a powerful empire known for its military might and political intrigue, could add another layer of geopolitical complexity to the already rich setting.
• Ionia: The peaceful and philosophical nation of Ionia, offers a stark contrast to the industrial grit of Piltover and Zaun, providing a unique backdrop for exploring different themes and cultures within the Runeterra world.
• Shurima: The ancient and mystical Shurima, with its rich history and powerful magic, could offer opportunities for exploring entirely new facets of Runeterra's lore, providing settings and characters very different from those seen in the original series.

Expanding the world-building beyond Piltover and Zaun would offer a unique opportunity to create new and exciting stories within the Arcane universe. This is a crucial aspect for the continued success of future expansions of the franchise.

The Potential of Arcane Spinoffs

The success of Arcane opens doors for a multitude of compelling spinoffs.

Spinoffs Focused on Specific Characters

Several characters deserve their own individual narratives.

• Silco Spinoff (Prequel): Exploring Silco's rise to power within Zaun could provide a gripping prequel, offering insights into his motivations and the political landscape that shaped his character.
• Jayce and Viktor Spinoff: Focusing on their scientific rivalry and evolving friendship could explore the ethical dilemmas of technological advancement within a detailed and complex setting.
• Singed Spinoff (Prequel): Exploring the origin story of Singed would provide a fascinating insight into the dark side of scientific obsession, setting the stage for his role in Arcane’s main storyline.

These character-driven narratives offer fertile ground for emotionally resonant stories and deeper explorations of the complex ethical and political themes that define the Arcane universe.

Exploring Different Regions of Runeterra

Spinoffs set in other Runeterra regions would introduce new cultures and stories.

• Ionian Spinoff: An Ionian spinoff could explore themes of harmony, spirituality, and the conflict between tradition and modernization, offering a stark contrast to the industrial setting of Piltover and Zaun.
• Noxian Spinoff: A Noxus-based spinoff could focus on military strategies, political maneuvering, and the complex relationships between power and ambition, introducing entirely new dynamics and conflicts to the Arcane universe.
• Shuriman Spinoff: A Shuriman spinoff could delve into ancient magic, forgotten empires, and the struggle between the old ways and the modern world, providing a setting rich in mystery and intrigue.

Exploring these diverse regions of Runeterra would provide an opportunity for significant world expansion and the introduction of new audiences to the Arcane universe.

Prequels and Sequels Expanding on Existing Narratives

Exploring the past or future of existing characters and events offers further potential.

• Arcane: Young Vander: A prequel focusing on Vander's youth and his rise as a protector of Zaun's underbelly.
• Arcane: The Aftermath: A sequel set years after the events of season 2, exploring the shifting power dynamics in Piltover and Zaun in the wake of major conflicts.
• Arcane: The Council's Gambit: A prequel focusing on the political machinations of Piltover's Council, showcasing the events leading to the conflicts depicted in the original series.

These additions to the timeline would offer more insight into the history and future of the world, further enriching the overall Arcane experience.

Conclusion: Maximizing the Arcane Universe

Arcane's success is undeniable, showcasing a compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and captivating characters. However, the show's potential extends beyond its already impressive achievements. By addressing the missed opportunities in character development and plot exploration, and by leveraging the vast potential of Runeterra’s diverse regions and characters for future spinoffs, Riot Games can further enrich and expand this extraordinary universe. The key takeaways are that exploring underdeveloped characters, resolving unanswered questions, expanding the world-building, and creating focused spinoffs are crucial steps to maximizing the full potential of the Arcane universe. What Arcane spinoff are you most excited for? Share your thoughts on missed opportunities and your ideas for future Arcane spinoffs! Let's discuss your favorite characters and the storylines you'd love to see in future projects. The possibilities for Arcane spinoffs are truly limitless!