The first episode of Arcane season 2’s aftershow is now out, and the sneak peek of act 2 will have you fearing for your favorite character’s life
- Netflix and Riot Games have finally released the first episode of Arcane the official aftershow of season 2
- Afterglow reveals key insights into the second and final season of the hit animated series
- Episode 1, which is now on YouTube, covers the first three chapters of the show
Full spoilers ahead ahead Arcane season 2, act 1.
Are you desperate to fill the week-long gap between the multi-episode releases of Arcane season 2? I can’t imagine that you only answered an emphatic ‘yes’ to that question.
As the excruciating wait for the next batch of episodes on Netflix continues, the streaming titan has some new ones Arcane content for you to consume. An official aftershow, titled Afterglowjust hit YouTube. Episode 1 is available to stream on YouTube today (November 12) and provides a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most important and emotionally stunning moments of this season, as well as the explosive events of Season 2, Act 1. ending.
At just over 12 minutes, it takes a behind-the-scenes look at the second season of one of Netflix’s best shows, hosted by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, who Arcane fans will recognize Vi and Jinx, aka the series’ deuteragonists, as the sisters. For anyone unfamiliar with the actors or the characters they play, why would you read this if you weren’t? – you can learn more in my Arcane season 2 cast and character guide.
But I digress. Episode 1 sees the stars team up with co-creator Christian Linke in a real-world recreation of The Last Drop, the famous drinking establishment located in the center of the undercity known as Zaun. As part of AfterglowIn the Episode 1 premiere, the trio goes through some of the biggest moments from Episodes 1 through 3, including discussions about Jinx and Sevika’s budding friendship, the breakdown of Jayce and Viktor’s partnership, Ambessa’s motivations, and that huge scene from season 2 with Caitlyn and Vi – a screenplay Link told TechRadar exclusively that the creative team “couldn’t have done” in season 1.
“The fans have been waiting for this,” Steinfeld said of Caitlyn and Vi’s long-awaited kiss. “That’s more important [we knew] that Vi and Caitlyn would get this moment. We know they see and understand each other, and they want that intimacy. But it is very difficult for them, given the circumstances they find themselves in.
‘The dialogue for that [kiss] says it all,” Steinfeld continued. “Vi is in a place where she has lost everything she has ever been seen by or close to. The only way she has any left is through Caitlyn, and she’s asking a lot of her now [Caitlyn] and to not change, given what she has [Caitlyn] continues now. I think it unlocks this new vulnerability [in Vi]…there is such a reward for ‘we are in that moment’. It’s not just a kiss. It’s a very beautiful scene that means a lot.”
“So many people around her have changed,” Linke added. “She’s also seen Caitlyn suddenly become a hard-nosed leader, so I think Vi is really afraid of commitment because she’s lost people so many times. Will Caitlyn be one more for her? [to lose]? So it’s a very vulnerable moment for Vi, because she’s such a powerhouse.”
Among other intriguing talking points, Afterglow Episode 1 also gives fans a taste of what’s to come in the next three episodes of Season 2. I’ve seen episodes 4 through 6 – read my Arcane season 2 review for more teases about what’s to come – let me just say that no one is prepared for how epic and emotionally devastating season 2, act 2 will be. Make sure you have a box of tissues handy, y’all, because it’s made me cry more than once (yes, I’m not afraid to admit it!).
With two more parts containing three entries each, there will be more Afterglow episodes coming soon too. Another look behind the scenes of the League of Legends The TV adaptation will be released on Tuesday, November 19 and will cover Chapters 4 through 6. Afterglow Episode 3 debuts a week later on November 26, exploring what happens in the final three episodes of the series.
In the meantime, read more of my reporting at Arcane season 2 below – and come back to TechRadar this weekend (November 16 and 17) for even more from my exclusive chat with Linke and co-showrunner Alex Yee.
