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Created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, Arcane is a steampunk animated series featuring the voices of Ella Purnell, Kevin Alejandro, Hailee Steinfeld, and others. Set in the same universe as the League of Legends game, the show’s second season premiered on Netflix on November 9, 2024.
Praised for its animation, action, character depth, complexity, and worldbuilding, the show is one of the highest-rated series on Netflix. The story centers around the tumultuous lives of two sisters, Vi (Steinfeld) and Jinx (Purnell), following their different paths as one becomes a noble enforcer and the other follows a crime lord’s path.
The show is known for its seamless blend of 2D and 3D animation, breathtaking visuals, and layered characters. Viewers who enjoy complex fantasy series with breathtaking animation and character-driven storylines should check the list below for eight similarly themed shows.
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Terminator Zero, Love, Death & Robots, and other shows to watch if you liked Arcane season 2
1) Attack on Titan (Amazon Prime Video)
Adapted from a manga series, Attack on Titan (Shingeki no Kyojin) is a Japanese fantasy anime series set in a post-apocalyptic world where humans protect themselves from monstrous giants called Titans through huge walls.
The story revolves around Eren (Yuki Kaji), a young boy on a quest for freedom and revenge against the Titans, who killed his mother. Similar to Arcane, the show explores survival in a treacherous world. Both shows have high-octane action sequences and thrilling animations that would enthrall viewers.
2) Terminator Zero (Netflix)
Based on the Terminator franchise by James Cameron, Terminator Zero is a sci-fi anime developed by Mattson Tomlin. Offering a different spin to the original movies, the show is set in 1997 Tokyo, where Malcolm Lee (André Holland) has developed an AI program to destroy the evil Skynet.
As Skynet dispatches a Terminator robot (Timothy Olyphant) to kill Malcolm and his family before Judgement Day, a soldier from 2022 (Sonoya Mizuno) is sent back in time to protect the scientist. Like Arcane, the show is character-driven and reflects on the unchecked influence of technology.
3) She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix)
A reboot of the 1985 series, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power is an adventure and fantasy animated show developed by ND Stevenson. Set on the planet Etheria, the show follows a young orphan, Adora, who finds a magical sword that transforms into a powerful She-Ra. Along with other princesses, Adora leads a rebellion against the tyrannical lord Hordak.
The show received critical acclaim for its complex characters and diverse cast. Like Jinx in Arcane, the series focuses on the tragic story of abandonment through Catra. Both shows explore the characters’ vulnerabilities and growth.
4) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (Netflix)
Created by Rafal Jaki, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is a cyberpunk animated show based on the video game Cyberpunk 2077. Serving as a prequel to the game, the series received critical acclaim for its characterization, animation, and worldbuilding.
The show is set in 2076 around a metropolis that is overrun by crime and corruption. Amid this, a young boy, David Martinez, decides to become a mercenary or edgerunner after losing everything in a drive-by shooting. Like Arcane, the show has scintillating animations and ponders on the consequences of one’s choices.
5) Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (Amazon Prime Video)
Written and directed by Kenji Kamiyama, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex is a Japanese cyberpunk anime series based on the manga and movie of the same name. Set in 2030, the series centers around cyborgs in a futuristic world.
The show follows the members of Public Security Section 9, a special operations task force that handles cybercrime, and its leader, Major Motoko Kusanagi, who is a cyborg. Like Arcane, the show explores the negative effects of technology and the destruction it can cause. The series has impressive cyberpunk animation that viewers would enjoy.
6) Avatar: The Legend of Korra (Amazon Prime Video)
A sequel to Avatar: The Last Airbender, Avatar: The Legend of Korra is an action anime series created by Michael DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Set in a world where humans can control one of the four natural elements, only an Avatar can control all four.
The story focuses on Avatar Korra, Aang's successor from the previous series, as she faces numerous challenges that test her strength and identity while facing various enemies. Viewers who enjoyed the strong female protagonist in Arcane will likely appreciate the similar plotline in this series.
7) Love, Death & Robots (Netflix)
Produced by David Fincher and Tim Miller, Love, Death & Robots is an animated anthology series where each episode focuses on a different genre like comedy, horror, fantasy, and more. Each standalone episode has thought-provoking concepts like alien invasion, zombies, and more. The show has received praise for its animation, creativity, and themes.
Like Arcane, the show blends 2D and 3D animation styles that keep viewers engaged. Both shows focus on complex themes like relationships and technology. The two series have a mutual affinity for gritty atmospheres that viewers would enjoy.
8) Blue Eye Samurai (Netflix)
An action and adventure animated series, Blue Eye Samurai is created by Amber Noizumi and Michael Green. Set during the Edo period in Japan, the show focuses on Mizu, a half-white and half-Japanese warrior with blue eyes. Cold and bitter due to her discriminatory experiences in the past, Mizu decides to fight against the people who wronged her loved ones.
Like Arcane, the series features comparable tones and themes. Both shows have strong female protagonists and delve into complex issues of power and corruption. Viewers who enjoyed the intense action sequences of Arcane will also look forward to the thrilling scenes in this series.
Viewers are welcome to go through the list and choose a fantasy show of their liking. All the series on the list offer a mix of eye-catching visuals, complex themes, mature storylines, and blazing action, which is perfect for one’s next binge session.
