League of Legends stories: Where will Arcane head next?

"We're far from done. This is, right now, a really exciting time for everyone."

Arcane has now come to its thumping conclusion and, as always, dusk will bring a new dawn. After 18 episodes, a $250 million budget and countless awards, the completion of one of the most successful animated series of all time will leave a gaping hole of entertainment in millions of viewers across the globe.

We see an airship leave Piltover in the final moments of Season 2 Episode 9. Credit: Arcane Season 2 // Riot Games

Luckily for all of us, however, it seems the party may not be over yet. In a recent interview with Twitch streamer Necrit, Christian Linke, co-creator of Arcane, had the chance to discuss some of Riot Games' plans and projects moving forward.

"Right now we're developing the follow-up projects. And, you know, we're exploring a bunch of directions. I mean, when you work on something for 9 years, it's pretty normal and pretty expected that you're going to have ideas for other stories."

If the very first League of Legends story told on TV has left you wondering what else this deep and wonderful video game universe has to offer, well, then you'll be pleased to know that Riot Games has already started working on stories pertaining to other unexplored territories outside of Arcane.

That all being said, what are some of the stories that could follow Arcane? Let's take a look at some of the possibilities.

"We are investing quite a bit in Noxus, Ionia, Demacia."

*SPOILERS for ARCANE Season 1 and 2 ahead.*

Noxus: The Fearsome Empire

Noxus is a vast and powerful empire defined by its relentless ambition, meritocratic ideals, and martial prowess. Built upon the principles of strength, cunning, and unity, Noxus thrives as a melting pot where individuals of all races and backgrounds can rise through its ranks based solely on ability and determination.

The Noxians' aggressive expansion has earned the empire a mixed reputation. To its allies and assimilated territories, Noxus is a beacon of empowerment and resilience; to its enemies, it is a ruthless invader driven by insatiable greed.

Having featured in Arcane through countless mentions as well as critical characters such as Mel and Ambessa Medarda, Noxus offers the possibility to bridge over from Arcane into a brand new story with brand new characters while keeping present the notion of this still being the very same universe with which Arcane viewers fell in love.

Ambessa, the Noxian warlord, featured prominently in Arcane. (Credit: Riot Games)

The Founding of Noxus

Noxus began as a single bastion—a fortress built atop the Immortal Bastion, a relic of the ancient empire of Mordekaiser. After the tyrant’s fall, Noxian warlords unified under a shared vision of survival through strength and meritocracy. This foundation, forged in blood and ambition, shaped Noxus into an empire that embraced all who could contribute. Characters like Jericho Swain and Darius rose from humble beginnings, embodying these ideals as they climbed to power.

Darius, the Hand of Noxus, could feature in Riot Games' new project. (Credit: Riot Games)

The establishment of Noxus set the tone for its aggressive expansionism and inclusivity. Its reputation for conquest and pragmatism drew admiration and fear from other regions, fueling alliances and conflicts. Demacia, in particular, became a staunch rival, viewing Noxus as a threat to order and morality, a conflict that continues to shape relations all across Runeterra.

The Invasion of Ionia

The Noxian invasion of Ionia was a pivotal conflict driven by Noxus's desire for fertile lands and resources. Under the command of Boram Darkwill, Noxus launched a brutal campaign, targeting Ionia’s fragmented provinces. Early victories, such as the massacre at the Placidium, devastated the Ionian defenders. Meanwhile, Noxian leaders like Darius or Swain, as well as mercenaries like Riven, quickly became emboldened.

The events surrounding the Noxian invasion of Ionia are particularly defining for Swain. The invasion forces Noxian Grand General to maneuver across many obstacles as he rises and falls through the ranks of the empire before the Noxian Trifarix is established.

Swain's story is one worth being told. Will we get to hear it? (Credit: Riot Games)

A five year long military campaign, the beginning of the invasion of Ionia takes place about a decade after the conclusion of Arcane, making it a fit potential successor to the show.

Ionia: The First Lands

Ionia is a land of serene beauty, ancient traditions, and spiritual harmony, known as the First Lands. Its lush landscapes, from tranquil forests to mist-shrouded mountains, are imbued with natural magic and inhabited by creatures both mystical and dangerous.

The Ionian people value balance, reflected in their close ties to nature, philosophy, and martial arts. However, this balance is not without its challenges. The region being composed of autonomous provinces with differing cultures and ideals, often leads to internal discord.

The Ionian Resistance

The Noxian invasion of Ionia shattered the tranquil harmony of the First Lands. By threatening their way of life, the invasion plunged its people into a conflict they were ill-prepared to face. This, in turn, offers the possibility to explore the personal struggles prominent characters must go through as they resist the invasion and look to protect everything they hold dear.

As a young Ionian, Irelia, for instance, witnessed her family’s massacre and rose as a symbol of resistance, mastering the ancient blade-dancing art to lead her people.

The once-peaceful Ionian provinces, divided by tradition and differing ideologies, struggled to unite under the threat of invasion. Figures like Karma, a spiritual leader, advocated for non-violence and inner strength, while others like Zed turned to darker methods, embracing shadow magic to defend their homeland.

Irelia played a big role in Ionia's defense against Noxus. (Credit: Riot Games)

As the war raged on, Ionia’s defenders began to coalesce. Shen, leader of the Kinkou Order, sought to restore balance by protecting both the physical and spiritual realms, even as his former ally Zed opposed him.

The invasion left deep scars on Ionia, blending its spiritual ethos with newfound martial resolve. Many, like Yasuo, a wandering exile accused of abandoning his master, carried personal burdens from the war. While Ionia itself emerged stronger but forever changed, its people grew more attuned to the reality of defending their sacred lands.

Any and all of these intimate stories of resistance and growth could well turn out to be good means for the creation of something as beautiful as Arcane.

Demacia: Kingdom of Justice

Demacia is a proud and noble kingdom best known for its unwavering commitment to justice, order, and honor. Founded on the ideals of unity and strength, Demacia’s people believe in upholding the law and protecting their homeland.

Demacia’s culture is deeply rooted in its military tradition, with its elite forces, including the Demacian Guard and Mageseekers, tasked with enforcing its ideals. However, the kingdom's deep distrust of magic—fearing its potential for destruction—has led to conflict, particularly with mages and those who defy its laws.

The Formation of the Elite Guard

The formation of the Demacian Elite Guard is one of the foundational events in Demacia's history. Iconic figures like Garen and Jarvan IV represent this elite group, which protects the kingdom's ideals of justice and honor.

Garen is the embodiment of the Demacian values, but perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. (Credit: Riot Games)

The internal struggle between honor and the kingdom's martial realities would make for a compelling narrative, especially as Demacia’s military grows more powerful and its citizens more devoted to the kingdom’s ideals. As Garen contends with his own family's legacy and his role in the Elite Guard, his journey explores themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the cost of loyalty.

Unshackled

Another potent Demacian event is the story of Sylas of Dregbourne, a former mageseeker who was imprisoned for his newfound magical abilities, leading to his eventual rebellion against the oppressive rule of Demacia’s mages.

Sylas’s defection could serve as the central focus of a series, exploring his growth from a naïve young man to a revolutionary. Sylas’s bitterness toward the ruling class, particularly his hatred of Demacia’s fear and repression of magic, makes his eventual escape and rebellion against the kingdom a compelling and tragic storyline.

Sylas' story could offer a close look in the struggles of the Demacian Kingdom. (Credit: Riot Games)

An undiscovered universe

In the end, the League of Legends universe offers countless possibilities for Riot Games to explore. And, following the success of Arcane, they have little reason not to do just that.

Looking past Noxus, Ionia or Demacia, the vast plethora of nuanced characters across Runeterra could give the Arcane showrunners the option to deliver something that is just as special, yet altogether different.

Image source: Riot Games

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