Riot Games'
Arcane series, streaming on Netflix, brings to the small screen many stories that were previously unknown to the general audience. Focusing primarily on the regions of Piltover and Zaun, numerous
League of Legends characters come to life throughout the two lore-rich and detail-packed seasons. But which
League of Legends champions make an appearance in
Arcane?
Vi
Vi was released in December 2012. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Vi is one of the main protagonists of Arcane. In the series, she is portrayed as a protective older sister with a fiery and impulsive personality. Following the tragedies that befall her family, she becomes a central figure in the struggle for survival in Zaun's undercity. In League of Legends, Vi is a melee fighter typically played as a jungler. Known for her powerful punches and mobility, she excels at initiating fights and isolating key enemies. Her Hextech Gauntlets and bold, brawler attitude in the game align closely with her portrayal in the show.
Caitlyn Kiramman
Caitlyn was released in January 2011. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Caitlyn is introduced in Arcane as a Piltover enforcer and the daughter of a prominent family. She plays a crucial role in assisting Vi and unraveling the corruption within Piltover’s council. Her resourcefulness and empathy make her a key ally. In League of Legends, Caitlyn is an AD Carry sniper with long-range abilities. Her iconic Piltover Peacemaker and strategic traps reflect her tactical mind and sharpshooting skills, traits that are evident in her Arcane counterpart.
Jinx
Jinx was released in October 2013. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Powder, Vi’s younger sister, undergoes a dramatic transformation in Arcane, evolving from a curious and inventive child into a chaotic, unhinged criminal mastermind: Jinx. Her descent into madness is central to the series, with her complex relationship with Vi driving much of the emotional tension. In the game, Jinx is an AD carry champion known for her high attack speed and explosive abilities. Her chaotic personality is mirrored in her playstyle, featuring abilities like Super Mega Death Rocket! and Flame Chompers! that emphasize destruction and unpredictability. The series does a remarkable job of showcasing her signature weaponry and explosive flair.
Jayce Talis
Jayce was released in July 2012. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Jayce is introduced in Arcane as a brilliant inventor and an idealistic visionary from Piltover. His pioneering work with Hextech technology transforms him into a hero of the upper city, though his journey is fraught with moral dilemmas and political intrigue. In League of Legends, Jayce is a versatile top or midlane champion with the ability to switch between melee and ranged combat using his Mercury Hammer and Mercury Cannon. His duality in the game reflects his character in the series, balancing intellect and brute force.
Viktor
Viktor was released in December 2011. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Viktor’s storyline in Arcane is one of ambition and tragedy. A brilliant scientist with humble beginnings in Zaun, Viktor seeks to improve human life through technology, even at great personal cost. His partnership with Jayce lays the foundation for his transformation into a darker, more desperate figure. In the game, Viktor is a mage champion known for his technological enhancements and area control abilities. His lore as the "Machine Herald" ties directly to his journey in Arcane, foreshadowing the fusion of man and machine that defines him.
Heimerdinger
Heimerdinger was released in October 2009. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
As one of Piltover’s founding council members, Heimerdinger serves as a mentor figure in Arcane, advocating for caution in the use of Hextech. His wisdom and experience often clash with the younger, more ambitious characters like Jayce and Viktor. In the game, Heimerdinger is a mage champion specializing in deploying turrets and controlling the battlefield. His quirky demeanor and scientific genius are faithfully represented in Arcane, where his insights shape Piltover’s future.
Ekko
Ekko was released in May 2015. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Ekko is a fan-favorite character whose story in Arcane highlights his resourcefulness and resilience. As a child, he is depicted as a bright and curious inventor, living in the undercity of Zaun. Over time, he evolves into the leader of the Firelights, a resistance group opposing the forces that corrupt their home. Ekko’s creativity and determination shine throughout the series, and his signature time-manipulation abilities are cleverly hinted at in various moments.
In League of Legends, Ekko is a mobile assassin who excels in midlane and jungle. His defining ability, Chronobreak, allows him to rewind time to outplay enemies or escape danger. This ties directly to his role as a master of time in the game. Arcane nods to his in-game persona with subtle hints, such as his fascination with gadgets and his strategic mind, making his eventual transformation feel natural for fans of the game.
Singed
Singed was released in April 2009. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Singed appears in Arcane as a mysterious and morally ambiguous chemist working in the shadows of Zaun. Though he is not a central character, his experiments and dangerous innovations play a critical role in the series, particularly in the development of Shimmer, the volatile substance that powers much of Zaun’s underworld. Singed’s demeanor in Arcane reflects his game lore—an obsessed scientist willing to go to extreme lengths for his research, regardless of the consequences.
In League of Legends, Singed is a tank champion known for his disruptive playstyle and infamous Poison Trail ability. His penchant for creating chaos on the battlefield mirrors his role in Arcane as an unpredictable and menacing figure. His role and evolution, especially during season 2, show the full extent of his madness, as well as his motivations behind such acts.
Ambessa Medarda
Ambessa first appeared in Arcane, in 2021, then launched in the game in November 2024. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Ambessa Medarda is introduced in Arcane as a powerful and imposing figure, serving as the matriarch of the Medarda family. She hails from Noxus, a militaristic and expansionist empire in the League of Legends universe, and her influence is felt both in Piltover and beyond. Ambessa embodies the ruthless pragmatism of Noxian politics, emphasizing strength and power over sentiment. Her relationship with her daughter, Mel, is fraught with tension, as Ambessa disapproves of Mel’s softer, more diplomatic approach to achieving their family’s goals.
While
Ambessa just hit the Rift as season 2 came out, she stands as a strong bruiser mainly severing on the toplane. Using each blade in her hands, she slices through her enemies while spinning gracefully on her lane. This is portrayed in the series through her combat techniques showcased in season 2, as well as her indomitable persona as a military general.
Mel Medarda
Mel Medarda made her debut in the first season of Arcane. She is set to join the roster of League of Legends champions on the Rift in early 2025. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Mel Medarda is a central figure in Arcane, serving as a Piltover council member and one of Jayce's key allies. Unlike her mother, Ambessa, Mel values diplomacy, creativity, and subtlety over brute force. Her influence is instrumental in shaping Piltover's political and technological future, as she mentors Jayce and helps him navigate the complexities of the council. Her sophisticated behavior and strategic mindset her apart, making her one of the most compelling original characters in Arcane.
Mel does not yet exist as a champion in the game
but is planned to be the first 2025 champion to hit the Rift. While
the map will display a Noxus skin throughout the beginning of the year, she should probably hit the Rift at this time. No information has been revealed about her role or spells, but we can guess her new form acquired during season 2 should be a pretty good hint.
Warwick
Warwick was released in February 2009, at game launch. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
It is particularly complex to mention Warwick without spoiling season 2 of Arcane. Indeed, the entirety of Act 1 shows us through brief scenes how Singed creates Warwick from his experiments, releasing him into the streets of Zaun to track any trace of blood. With numerous action-packed and emotional scenes, it is quickly revealed to us that Warwick is Vander, the adoptive father of Jinx and Vi and that their reunion will create new plotlines in season 2.
Initially bloodthirsty, his behavior and certain abilities, like his ultimate, are directly brought to the screen in stunning scenes by Fortiche Productions. Both through design and behavior, the famous jungler from League of Legends has been given the spotlight, a fact all the more interesting since he is the oldest champion in LoL to be featured in Arcane.
Cameos:
Orianna was released in June 2011. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Without her name being mentioned in the series, Orianna appears twice in Arcane season 2. First, she is introduced as Singed's ill daughter, an unconscious girl who plays a key emotional role in her father's story. By the end of the season, she slightly appears and seems transformed as a robotic figure, hinting at her transformation into the champion Orianna from League of Legends.
Janna was released in September 2009. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
In Arcane Season 2, Janna is briefly mentioned as a divinity of wind, worshipped by the people of Zaun. This connects to her League of Legends lore, where she is a spirit of the wind, known for her protective and healing abilities. In the game, Janna is a support champion who uses her wind powers to protect and heal allies, similar to her revered role in Zaun, where she symbolizes hope and protection amid chaos.
LeBlanc was released in November 2010. Credit: Fortiche Production/Riot Games.
Her name is never fully disclosed in the series, and we have not seen her with a clear appearance as well. But people speculate a lot about LeBlanc's role in Arcane season 2 is she is closely tied to the secretive and manipulative faction known as the Black Rose, which operates from the shadows to further its interests, particularly in the political landscape of Piltover and Zaun. The Black Rose, led by LeBlanc, has been a powerful influence in Noxus for over a thousand years, using spies and subtle manipulation to maintain control.
While numerous theories continue to circulate about potential other cameos—such as Jhin’s masks stored in Benzo’s shop or simple drawings of Teemo in a children’s book from Season 1—one thing is certain: the world of League of Legends will keep expanding as Riot Games explores new regions. With Noxus, Demacia, and Ionia on the horizon, we can expect to see even more characters brought to life on our screens.
Header Photo Credit: Netflix/Sheep Esports
