So, the final season of Arcane has come and gone, leaving us all with that familiar empty feeling that hits after finishing something truly special. You know the one – where you find yourself replaying those breathtaking moments between Vi and Jinx, or marveling at how a show about a video game became one of the most compelling stories ever animated.
But before you spiral into a post-Arcane depression (or start your fifth rewatch – we see you), we've got something that might help. We've hunted down 8 shows that capture that same lightning in a bottle that made Arcane so incredible. Curious? Read on!
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What Makes Arcane More Than Just Another Animated Show?
Arcane tells the story of sisters Vi and Jinx, caught between the prosperous city of Piltover and the oppressed underground of Zaun. What started as a League of Legends adaptation quickly became a phenomenon that pulled in viewers who'd never touched the game. The show tackles heavy themes like class division, family trauma, and political corruption, all while delivering some of the most stunning animation ever created.
Speaking of animation – Arcane's unique visual style feels like watching a painting come to life. Every scene blends traditional artistry with cutting-edge technology, creating something that looks unlike anything else out there. Combine this with a story that refuses to pull its punches, characters that feel incredibly real, and music that perfectly captures every emotional beat, and you've got a series that's raised the bar for what animation can achieve.
Animated Shows Like Arcane
While these next shows might scratch different aspects of that Arcane itch, we guarantee that each brings something special to the table.
Blue Eye Samurai
Set in an isolationist Edo-era Japan, Blue Eye Samurai delivers the same raw emotional punch as Arcane, but trades hextech for katanas and revenge. Like our favorite sisters from Zaun, Mizu's tale is one of identity and belonging – or rather, the crushing weight of having neither.
Born with striking blue eyes in a closed-off Japan, Mizu walks a dangerous line between two worlds, much like the divide between Piltover and Zaun. She disguises herself as a male warrior, hunting down four white men – one of whom is her father – in a quest for vengeance that would make even Jinx pause.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
If you're craving another dive into a neon-drenched dystopia, Edgerunners hits like a shot of pure chrome to the system. Like Arcane's Zaun, Night City is a place where dreams go to die – or transform into something beautifully dangerous. Our protagonist here is David Martinez who is left to learn that surviving in this world means sacrificing pieces of yourself, both figuratively and literally.
What really makes Edgerunners resonate with Arcane fans is how it tackles similar themes of identity and belonging in a world that's left its humanity in the rearview mirror. Like Vi and Jinx, David's journey shows us that sometimes the only family you get is the one you build yourself – even if that family might burn too bright to last.
Attack on Titan
Just as Powder's transformation into Jinx shook our understanding of heroes and villains, Eren Yeager's journey from idealistic defender of humanity to... well, we won't spoil it, but let's just say it makes Silco's moral complexity look straightforward. The show starts with the same raw emotional punch as Arcane – a young protagonist traumatized by violence and loss – but spirals into something far more philosophically challenging.
What really makes Attack on Titan resonate with Arcane fans is how both shows expertly peel back layers of conspiracy and corruption, revealing that the true monsters aren't always the obvious ones. Its unique animation also delivers the same kind of jaw-dropping moments that make you pause and rewind just to witness them again.
Love Death And Robots
What makes this show a perfect follow-up to Arcane is how it pushes the boundaries of animation with the same fearless creativity. From hyper-realistic sci-fi to abstract horror, each episode delivers those "holy cow" moments that made us fall in love with Arcane's visual style.
And just like our favorite tale of Piltover and Zaun, the stories in this sci-fi TV show tackles mature themes with an intensity that'll remind you why animation isn't just for kids.
The Legend of Korra
If you're drawn to stories of progress versus tradition and complex political tension, The Legend of Korra delivers in spades. Set in a world where ancient bending arts clash with steampunk technology and radical ideologies, the show follows Korra's journey from headstrong fighter to thoughtful Avatar. The series tackles mature themes around power, identity, and social revolution with a depth that'll keep you thinking long after each episode ends.
After rewatching this more than 3 times, I can personally say that this is a natural next step for anyone who appreciated Arcane. It's got complex character development and emotional depth that'll definitely hit home.
Samurai Champloo
Mix hip-hop beats with samurai action, throw in three unforgettable misfits on a wild journey across Japan, and you've got Samurai Champloo – a series that proves breaking all the rules can create something extraordinary.
The story follows three unlikely companions: Fuu, a determined waitress on a mysterious quest; Mugen, a wild card who fights like he's in a street dance battle; and Jin, a traditional samurai who's the definition of ice-cold precision. Their journey across Japan serves up equal parts comedy and heart, creating the kind of found family dynamic that'll hook you instantly.
The Legend of Vox Machina
Just when our ragtag band of mercenaries thought they could catch a break after saving the world, Vox Machina faces an even bigger threat – the Chroma Conclave, a group of devastating dragons who redefine the meaning of 'overwhelming odds.' Not your typical heroes, this foul-mouthed crew mixes hard drinking and crude humor with moments of surprising heart as they scramble to prevent their realm from becoming a dragon's all-you-can-eat buffet.
The animation cranks everything up to eleven, especially during the spectacular dragon battles where magic and mayhem collide in a feast for the eyes. But what really sets this show apart is how it balances its adult humor and epic fantasy with genuine emotional depth – proving that even the most dysfunctional heroes can rise to incredible heights when the world needs them most.
Dota: Dragon's Blood
Meet Davion, a dragon knight who's built his life around slaying dragons to protect others. But fate has a twisted sense of humor – he ends up with a dragon's soul fused with his own, turning his black-and-white world into complicated shades of gray. The show throws us into a rich fantasy world where ancient powers, political schemes, and personal demons all collide in spectacular fashion.
With its dark themes and complex character relationships, this series proves that sometimes the best stories come from becoming what you once fought against.
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Turn Your Binge into Language Learning Sesh
While you're exploring these incredible animated series, why not take your entertainment experience to the next level? Lingopie offers a unique way to watch your favorite shows while learning a new language.
Instead of just binge-watching with regular subtitles, you could be picking up Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, or several other languages through interactive learning features that make the process natural and engaging.
With Lingopie's interactive subtitles, vocabulary tracking, and personalized learning tools, you can transform your animation obsession into a practical skill.
Ready to make your next binge-watching session more productive? Give Lingopie a try and discover why thousands of viewers are learning languages while enjoying their favorite shows.