Arcane (2021)
Kernel Score: 89% · 5,725 ratings
Genres: Animation, Action & Adventure
First aired: 2021-11-06
Seasons: 2 · 18 episodes
Is Arcane worth watching?
Must-watch. An animated fantasy about two sisters on opposite sides of a city war. The art is remarkable, the characters feel real, and the story pays off its tragedy. A great place to start even if you don't play the game.
Watch it if you
- like serious, character-driven animation
- enjoy stories about class and conflict
- want something visually distinctive
Skip it if you
- want light, comedic animation
- dislike violence and grim stories
Best for: Binge weekend
Fresh Kernels verdict, AI-assisted from our scores, audience reviews and the official rating.
Where to watch Arcane
- Stream: Netflix
- Buy: Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, Fandango At Home
US availability, updated 2026-10-22.
Overview
Amid the stark discord of twin cities Piltover and Zaun, two sisters fight on rival sides of a war between magic technologies and clashing convictions.
Arcane parents' guide: ages 13+
Parents need to know that Arcane is a TV-14 adult animated series with war, class conflict, and intense violence.
- Violence & scariness: Strong — Depicts war, battles, and death within a family, with dark and intense fantasy violence.
Fresh Kernels AI-assessed from the official TV-14 rating, publicly documented content. A guide for families, not an official rating.
Shows like Arcane
If you liked Arcane, these are the shows we'd watch next.
- Invincible (2021) — 100%: Adult animated drama with real stakes.
- Primal (2019) — 91%: Beautifully drawn violent animation with real emotion.
- Attack on Titan (2013) — 91%: Dark, high-stakes war story with moral weight.
- The Legend of Vox Machina (2022) — 87%: Fantasy adventure with a strong cast.
- Dorohedoro (2020) — 86%: Weirdly original dark fantasy animation.
- Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005) — 90%: Epic animated fantasy with deep characters.
Cast
- Hailee Steinfeld as Vi (voice)
- Ella Purnell as Jinx (voice)
Arcane FAQ
Is Arcane worth watching?
Must-watch. An animated fantasy about two sisters on opposite sides of a city war. The art is remarkable, the characters feel real, and the story pays off its tragedy. A great place to start even if you don't play the game.
Where can I watch Arcane?
In the US you can stream Arcane on Netflix and buy it from Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Fandango At Home.
Is Arcane OK for kids?
Arcane is rated TV-14. Fresh Kernels suggests ages 13+. Parents need to know that Arcane is a TV-14 adult animated series with war, class conflict, and intense violence.
What shows are like Arcane?
If you liked Arcane, try Invincible, Primal, Attack on Titan and The Legend of Vox Machina.