Netflix's hit series best fantasy animated series ever made. The visually stunning animation has set the bar high for video game adaptations and proved that it's possible to create a series that pays homage to its source material but also adds depth to its characters.

The critically acclaimed series perfectly blends sci-fi, action, and fantasy while also showing the injustices that led to the conflict between Zaun and Piltover. Although Arcane mainly focuses on the evolution of Jinx (Ella Purnell) and the degradation of her relationship with Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), the story is much more than that. Arcane doesn't only spend ample time developing its characters but shows how power can be misused even in the hands of well-meaning people. Yet despite Arcane's two seasons telling a complete story, there are avenues that the animated series should have given more insight into.

Amanda Overton Is Right: Arcane Could Have Explored Motherhood More

Arcane Focused On Fatherhood More Than Motherhood

Creating a beloved Screen Rant, Amanda Overton, writer and co-executive producer on Arcane, revealed a key element that was missing from Arcane seasons 1 and 2. While the animated series did an incredible job of showcasing many rich characters, it didn't explore the concept of motherhood.

Overton said: "I wasn't a mother when we were writing season 1 and 2 [...] There is so much more to explore in of motherhood, or how phases of life shift." Given how mothers affect the outcome of their children's futures in Arcane, particularly when it comes to how Caitlyn (Katie Leung) changes after her mother's death, it's a shame that these relationships weren't fully fleshed out. The most Arcane did was show that Caitlyn and her mother were often clashing, but didn't reveal the complexities that come with the expectations that mothers have of their daughters.

Arcane Missed An Opportunity To Flesh Out Vi & Jinx's Mom As Much As Vander & Silco

Felicia Wasn't An Active Presence In Jinx & Vi's Life In The Way That Vander & Silco Were

Jinx and Vi lost their parents after Enforcers raided the undercity, which started a chain reaction of Jinx hating the topsiders. Vander (JB Blanc), who was friends with their parents, took them in. The undercity's hero had grand plans for his home, but it all took a backseat when he decided to lay his gear down and instead focus on raising his kids. Because of the profound impact that Vander had on Vi and Jinx, his storyline was fully fleshed out in Arcane. Even after his death, he still has a great influence over his daughters.

Both of these father figures have interesting storylines and clearly love their children, but it would have been valuable to see more of Vi and Jinx's mother.

Silco (Jason Spisak), Arcane season 1's antagonist, has a backstory and evolution that were also fully explored in the animated series. Especially after he and Jinx form a bond when Vi is taken away and arrested. Both of these father figures have interesting storylines and clearly love their children, but it would have been valuable to see more of Vi and Jinx's mother. Felicia (Jeannie Tirado) only appears once in a flashback in Arcane. That, in and of itself, is surprising, seeing as she was also part of the plan to make the undercity a utopia for its citizens.

Even Mel & Ambessa's Relationship Deserved More Attention

The Nuances Of Mel & Ambessa's Relationship Should Have Been Shown More In Arcane

Arcane has no shortage of powerful women, including intimidating characters like Ambessa (Ellen Thomas). The war hero first makes an appearance in season 1 of the video game adaptation under the guise of helping her daughter. But she has her eyes set on dark ambitions. Mel (Toks Olagundoye) and Ambessa are clearly cut from different cloths. Mel is more diplomatic, while her mother believes combat is the answer to their problems. Because of their differences in worldviews, the two are often at loggerheads.

Both Mel and Ambessa play a huge role in Arcane, but their relationship doesn't get a ton of attention. Instead, the animated series focuses on Ambessa's plans and Mel's determination to stop her. While it is revealed in the TV show that Ambessa banished Mel because she believed her daughter didn't have what it took to rule, little is shown of what their relationship was like in Noxus. Even after Ambessa arrives in Piltover, her interactions with her daughter are often contentious.

Arcane had multiple opportunities to shed more light on mother-daughter dynamics, given the number of women who took center stage in the series.

Ambessa, however, does form a sort of mother-daughter relationship with Caitlyn, but that too wasn't given enough opportunity to develop. Arcane had multiple opportunities to shed more light on mother-daughter dynamics, given the number of women who took center stage in the series. Although what made Ambessa such an intriguing character is her toughness, Arcane could have shown a slightly softer side to her that didn't have to be her proving that she loved her family by going to war for them.

It Sounds Like Arcane's Spinoffs Could Make Up For This Original Series Shortcoming

Arcane Spinoffs Should Portray A Positive Mother-Daughter Relationship

Although Arcane only has two short seasons, its spinoff series has an opportunity to remedy some of the things that were missing from the original TV show. While it's clear that other worlds in League of Legends will be explored, it hasn't been entirely revealed what direction Arcane's spinoffs will go. However, there is plenty of opportunity for Arcane's other installments to flesh out mother-daughter bonds. Arcane season 2's ending set up various storylines, including Mel's newfound abilities and Vi and Caitlyn’s relationship.

Arcane's new spinoffs don't necessarily have to be about Felicia or her backstory. But they could include a portrayal of a more positive mother-daughter relationship. Both seasons of Arcane focus on father-daughter dynamics and only highlight contentious mother-daughter relationships, so it would be good to showcase a different type of child-parent bond, particularly if Vi and Caitlyn have children of their own.