A new League of Legends cinematic from the Arcane animation studio Fortiche sets the stage for the narrative returning in the game’s first season of 2025, and acts in various ways as a continuation of several storylines from the critically acclaimed Netflix series.
The inaugural season of League of Legends for 2025 is slated to commence on January 9 and is expected to focus heavily on Noxus, one of the primary political empires within the world of Runeterra, which has become a significant part of Arcane’s season 2 storyline. The cinematic reveals numerous interwoven tales, with familiar League of Legends characters such as Katarina attempting to eliminate a target and being thwarted by Elise, while Noxian favorite Darius faces off against the ice troll Trundle. Additionally, Arcane’s Mel—who is not yet a playable champion in Riot’s MOBA—makes her return to Noxus. Mel is currently a playable character in Teamfight Tactics, and there are strong rumors suggesting she will also be integrated into League of Legends as part of 2025 Season 1, Welcome to Noxus.
Similar to Arcane, Fortiche breathes life into the world of League of Legends with remarkable artistry, showcasing an extraordinary level of detail and a uniquely stylized appearance that adds depth and personality to each character more than ever before.
At the conclusion of the cinematic, fans of Arcane will find several significant links to Fortiche’s series. Vladimir and LeBlanc, members of the Dark Rose shadow organization that played a crucial role in Arcane’s season 2 narrative, discuss “taking advantage of the opportunity that has washed up our shores,” likely in relation to Mel. LeBlanc explicitly references events from Arcane when she remarks, “Piltover was a lesson.” She then advises Vladimir that the Dark Rose’s future actions “must be bolder, not safer.”
Riot is placing a strong focus on storytelling for its seasons in 2025, with each of the three seasons of the year centering on a specific region of the Runeterra universe. Each season will have its own theme and narratives that will serve as an “anchor” for new content introduced throughout the year, including new champions, modes, skins, and gameplay updates. Among the gameplay changes in Welcome to Noxus are a Noxian adaptation of the game’s traditional Summoner’s Rift. This layout will include a brand new boss monster, respawning towers, and an innovative Feats of Strength system that will enhance the capabilities of the team that