Summary
The release ofArcane’ssecond season is just weeks away and is set to be the end of the story as fans know it. However, the world ofArcaneis only just getting started, as is evidenced by the announcement of a new tie-in novel that is hitting shelves soon.
Arcaneis an animated series adapting Riot’s popular online video game,League of Legends. The story brings many familiarLeague of Legendscharacters and settings to the screen as the series examines the conflict between Piltover and its undercity, Zaun, and each of the champions who sit on either side of the divide. The series is animated by French studio Fortiche and has become widely beloved for its unique and visceral style. The Netflix series has proven to be popular in a variety of different mediums beyond just the TV series.Arcane’soriginal soundtrack was a hit, and the series was recently one of few Netflix titles to receive a physical media release on DVD and Blu-ray. It’s clear that audiences are hungry for more content fromArcane,and they’re going to get plenty more of it.
Arcane’s First Tie-In Novel Features A Surprising Character
It’s been revealed thatArcanewill receive its first tie-in novel in 2025, titledAmbessa: Chosen Of The Wolf. Publishing houseOrbit Booksmade the announcement, revealing that the novel will be written by sci-fi and fantasy author C.L. Clark who is known for writing theMagic of the Losttrilogy. The plot of the book will surround Ambessa Medarda, a character who was introduced at the end ofArcane’sfirst season and will have a much larger part in the second season.Ambessa is Mel Medarda’s motherand a warlord from the nation of Noxus.
The synopsis forAmbessa: Chosen of the Wolfreveals the novel will be a prequel exploring Ambessa’s rise to power in Noxus, and will also explore her relationship with her daughter, before Mel is disowned. It will also introduce a war within the family, as Ambessa faces her cousin, Ta’Fik, to become head of the Medarda clan:
Ambessa Medarda: Warrior, general, mother. She is a woman to be feared, and the Medardas are unrivaled in their pursuit of glory. She has led conquests and armies. She has slain legendary beasts. She has made grave sacrifices in her ascent up the ranks. And for this she was rewarded: She entered the realm of death and was granted a vision of herself upon the throne of the vast Noxian empire. But before she can lead her empire, she must become head of her own clan. Yet the title is contested by her cousin and former confidante, Ta’Fik. He knows the bloody sins of Ambessa’s past. And he knows he cannot allow her to rise.
They will fight a war for the very soul of the Medardas.
But the war won’t be fought on battlefields alone. Ambessa’s daughter, Mel, can deftly break through the walls around anyone’s heart, and she’ll put her talents to use for her mother. Yet despite Mel’s strength, Ambessa sees only a child who lacks her killer instincts. Mel knows she can be the leader Ambessa wants her to be, if only she gives her time.
With her family betraying her, enemies closing in on all sides, and unseen forces moving in the shadows, every day proves more dangerous than the last. But Ambessa will not bow. She will burn the world down to claim her place in it.
Ambessa: Chosen Of The Wolfwill arrive a few months after the end ofArcane, with the novel set for release on Jul 19, 2025. The story will be available in physical copies as well as eBook and audiobook versions. Ellen Thomas, the voice of Ambessa inArcane, will reprise her role to narrate the audiobook edition. Riot is focusing heavily on Ambessa at the moment as the studio recently introduced her asa playable champion inLeague of Legends. This will be the first time a character fromArcanehas been introduced into the game world, rather than the other way around.
Ambessa: Chosen Of The Wolfis the first tie-in novel in the world ofArcane, but it likely won’t be the last. Season 2 will be the end of Jinx and Vi’s story, however, co-creator Christian Linke has already confirmed the team is working onmore stories in the world ofArcane, some of which may be continuations of stories for familiar characters.
ArcaneSeason 2 will be released on Netflix in three parts, starting Jun 24, 2025.
Arcane
Arcane is an animated series developed by Alex Yee and Christian Linke that follows a the story of Piltover and Zaun, two pivotal locations in the League of Legends universe. The first season follows the stories of Jynx and Vi, as well as Jayce and Viktor.
