Arcane season 2: actually, what is the Shimmer?

While the first episodes of season 2 ofArcane are finally available on Netflix, from November 9, 2024, it is high time to question one of the key plots of the animated series: the Shimmer. What exactly is it, and how does it relate to League of Legendswhose production is inspired?

In the underworld of Zaun, a strange purple glow haunts the majority of inhabitants, making them addicted to a particular substance: the Shimmer. If you have already seen season 1 ofArcaneas well as the first three episodes of season 2, finally available on Netflix after three years of waiting, you know how fatal this drug can be.

In the duel between Zaun and the upper town of Piltover, the Shimmer is thus regularly opposed to the technologies of Hextech, a blue magic of the greatest importance. But what does the Shimmer really represent in Arcaneas well as in League of Legendsfrom which the series is derived?

Does the Shimmer exist in video games? League of Legends ?

The famous Shimmer in Arcane. // Source: Netflix

Furthermore, the series Arcane sometimes features objects from the game, such as in the fight scene with Vi and Jayce, in episode 8 of season 1. We can thus see a nod in the form of armor and helmets filled with Shimmer, available in League of Legends under the name of Turbo Chemtankwhich offer boosters to players. Moreover, the Chemtecha green gambling drug, has frequently compared to the Shimmerwhich would potentially be a derivative.

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Where does the Shimmer come from in the series? Arcane sur Netflix ?

If the Shimmer now has such importance in the lore of League of Legendsit’s mainly thanks to the animated series Arcanewhich broke all records in its category. In both seasons, it is a purple drug, spread in the underbelly of Zaun by Silco, who reigns over the city. It was created by Singed, a mysterious scientist, from sparkling flowers, found in a cave.

His first guinea pig was Rio, a creature modified by him. This substance has several properties, including that of causing a recreational, stimulating and addictive effect on the brain, allowing one to escape the dark reality of Zaun, but not only that.

What effects does the Shimmer have in Arcane ?

The Shimmer thus allows injured humans, like Sevika and his mechanized arm or Silco himself, to continue living, by regularly injecting themselves with a small dose. Jinx’s mentor also uses this narcotic as a supreme weapon: a single vial is enough to transform a being into a real war machinewith superhuman strength. It was against men ravaged by the Shimmer that Vander, the adoptive father of Vi and Jinx, lost his life, during one of the key sequences of season 1 ofArcanein episode 3.

Later, during episode 8 of season 1, Silco uses this same drug to try to save Jinx, then in very bad shape after her confrontation with Ekko. He then goes to Singed, who injects Shimmer in large quantities into the young woman, in order to bring her back to life. From then on, Jinx now has purple eyes, although they were originally blue.

Jinx’s eyes change color after episode 8 of season 1 ofArcane. // Source : Netflix

Furthermore, the character of Viktor, who participates in the creation of Hextech in Piltover, manages to mix the two technologies at the end of season 1 ofArcane. On Singed’s advice, he injects himself with Shimmer, coupled with the powers of Hextech, which seems to have the effect of considerably modifying his anatomy.

A development which is not very surprising, considering the fact that in League of LegendsViktor has a mechanized steel body, including a formidable third arm. A theory that has been circulating among fans ofArcane would also like Warwick to actually be Vander, doped with Shimmer by Singed. Let’s hope that season 2 finally answers these questions.

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