Netflix’s Arcane is everywhere, from conventions to fan discussions and edits. It could easily be considered the pinnacle of Netflix anime. The positive reception is not surprising, given how the series goes all out in every way, and there’s always a lot to interpret and discuss.
Hearing it straight from the makers is the best, as their words serve as a stamp of approval on what the fans were already thinking about. So, here’s a snippet from an interview, where the makers of the show discussed the complexity and the relatability of the characters.
The relationships in Arcane are inspired by real life
Arcane has many great elements, from stunning animation to nuanced characters. The narrative draws you in with cool elements, and keeps you around with the characters. The characters evolve a lot over the course of the series, and their arcs and conclusions are complex. They’re a mix of good, bad, melancholic, satisfying, and more, all at once.
During an interview with Discussing Film, the makers of Arcane shared their process and thoughts on different aspects of the show. Amanda Overton, the screenwriter and co-executive producer, spoke about how the characters were made relatable.
Overton incorporated personal aspects of her own life into the characters. For instance, she mentioned how she struggles with boundaries in adulthood. Especially in relationships where there’s a lot of love and care, but they stop serving you. She further explained:
Admittedly, I have failed at doing that before in my own adulthood. So, in showing these two sisters [Vi and Jinx] struggling with that, there is no right or easy answer. I think it’s okay to fail and make a mistake, and then have someone else help you through it.
Vi and Jinx are both well-written characters. They feel real and relatable due to circumstances and the agency they have as individuals. The exploration of their backgrounds and the context of their lives explains their actions quite well. Similarly, their individuality gives them agency.
The circumstances explain their actions, while the agency makes them responsible for it all. These characters make you question things beyond the labels of right and wrong. They surpass the sensibilities of the moral scale simply because of how emotionally charged they are.
Arcane characters’ complexity isn’t limited to their flaws
With Jinx and Vi, depending on who you are as a person, you’d either empathize with their actions or maybe look at all the better ways things would’ve ended up. These characters have flaws, sure, but their actions are still their own.
The show shifts the focus from the characters’ inhibitions to a bigger picture, making the characters feel real. On the other hand, Jayce and Viktor’s relationship was extremely personal. The context was explained with their knowledge, their lab adventures, and their individual goals.
Things still boiled down to their own actions in the end. Viktor’s actions were motivated by his illness, his desire for distance. Jayce was more passionate about Arcane, but he was the one who completely strayed from the goal in the end. The characters are complex because of how every choice they make opens a new door.
They’re not limited to their flaws or any archetype. They grow with every minor and major event in their life, becoming better or worse depending on the new context they find themselves in.
Arcane is currently available to stream on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
