Arcane is an animated fantasy series released on Netflix and based on a computer game called League of Legends. This is definitely not something I would normally seek out but I heard (or read) that the series was very good. Well, thank goodness I decided to check it out because it is extremely good. In fact, I was quite astonished at how good it was.

The actual production was done by Riot Games and the French company Fortiche (careful on that site: full-on video playback). It was actually increasingly clear that there was a high French/European component to the show just by looking at it: I have a high regard for the French way of art and animation, particularly imaginative fantasy work like this.

So, I cannot recommend this highly enough: it is like a gritty, violent and stylish steam-punk comic strip mixed with a music video. Just beautifully put together with next to nothing left in an "uncanny valley" or clunky in any way.

As important as the style and animation, probably even more so, is the characterisation and storyline. And here too, the show works wonderfully: so well that you end up not only caring about people but even moved on occasion.

This type of series does not come along very often and it is easy to feel somewhat depressed at the state of film or video entertainment, especially since Marvel/Disney, DC and Amazon have imploded their quality so much recently. Arcane definitely raises the spirits.

I am not the only one who rates this so high: Arcane has won many awards, including the Emmy. Lots of people love it.