Arcane: League of Legends has finished its 2 season run with thunderous applause and fanfare after being developed for 9 years. The show looks slick, its narratives all tied up, and a lot of action and fantastical moments were played out to the joy of many people who love to see their favourite characters like Jinx and Ekko come to animated life.

Alas, all good things have to come to an end, with Riot Games and animation studio Fortiche wishing to move on from the setting of Piltover and Zaun. The question now remains: where to next? What uncharted territory can the studio explore further in beautiful 3D/2D animation worth US$250 million per season?

According to a recent interview quip from Arcane showrunners Christian Linke and Alex Yee, the creators plan to make shows on the other regions of Runeterra with different characters in the limelight. Details are vague, though the next animated series is already in a year of production, with a couple more to go. Animation is hard and takes time to make, after all.

Still, this leaves room for us to speculate and sort out what could happen and what storylines can pop out in animated form. Assuming each new show and entry follows the two-season/18 episode format, I can predict where these storylines can head to for each region. And yes, I will somehow involve Riot Games’ past Riot Forge games as good reference points because there’s a lot of good that came out narrative-wise from those projects whose parent company died too soon. Let’s start with a region I’m more familiar with…

Demacia

Demacia is basically a kingdom of magic users and non-magic users fighting each other over dominance. The latter controls the upper echelons of the kingdom and create a military group called the Mageseekers to keep magic users in check, while the former gather under the flag of rebellion against these oppressors. This scenario itself, coupled with the lovely pristine architecture of Demacia and the floral & lush outskirts and ruins beyond, make for a lovely backdrop of warring nations and whether magic has a place in the realm our protagonists are in.

Speaking of which, the story’s focus should at least be on the special LoL champion Sylas, a former Mageseeker who ends up joining and leading the rebellion while wielding chains that absorb magic. The 18-part animated series can also feature other Demacia realm characters like fan-favourite Lux, her brother Garen, and King Jarvan IV and his bodyguard Shyvana, while showcasing the the after-effects of the Rune Wars which led to the aforementioned class divide. And you can’t have a Demacia plot without involving the Winged Protectors: Kayle and Morgana.

Simply put, Fortiche can adapt the majority of Sylas’ rise to power and rebellion, as well as the turmoil in the kingdom circling King Jarvan IV and everyone else, from the 2023 Riot Forge-made action game Mageseeker. They just need to expand the dynamic further and figure out a satisfying bookend. The studio has a template to work on and adapt further, along with central characters like Sylas and Lux to spotlight on and have audiences relate to. Sylas is an edgelord, but with the proper backstory building like in Mageseeker, we can cheer for his path to royal uprising.

Oh, and the Noxians will have to invade Demacia at some point (either a flashback or a new invasion) just like they did in Arcane. And also cap off the final few episodes with an epic battle featuring Galio (above) just being a giant destroying things in its path. Because who doesn’t love a giant “mecha” fight?

Ionia

This region of Runeterra is known as The First Lands due to its unspoiled nature and strong yet serene magic, uncorrupted by forceful expansions and experimentations; think outskirts of medieval Japan and ancient China but more fantastical and with more bright pastels and saturation. Of course, peace isn’t going to last in these parts as its denizens of Ionia City will get invaded by, you guessed it, the Noxians. The 18-episode animated series set in this part of the game will answer the question of whether peace can truly reign and whether eternal vigilance is worth it to preserve it; whether Ionia City and its higher-ups can rise to the challenge and determine its future path while balancing freedom with vigilantism.

Due to popular demand and the fact that they’ve been fleshed out in other side games, the focus characters and leads should be Yasuo and Ahri as they start out as outside observers of the conflict who eventually bond and team up alongside the heroes of Ionia City. Riot Forge’s awesome RPG Ruined King has laid out the groundwork for the Yasuo/Ahri tag-team combo that may be more than platonic; Fortiche would do a great job fleshing out their relationship further as they explore the more peaceful and untainted side of a Runeterra location.

Other characters who would make waves in the upcoming show would be Akali and Shen, Rakan and Xayah, Irelia, and Syndra. The First Lands also plays hosts to many fantastical elements of Runeterra like spirit worlds and giant dragons; the 18-episode show will be a stark contrast to the industrial and steampunk setting of Arcane, making for a fine counterbalance and a fresh take on a magical landscape where Fortiche can go all-out with their fantasy battles and untethered mystical spellfighting action.

Noxus

After all the invading and pillaging this nation has done in Arcane and presumably in the other two regions, the next 18-episode entry should culminate in a study of the enemy: the Noxians. We’ve seen them at their worst and their most brutal, but Fortiche can flip the script and portray a more sympathetic and honour-bound side of the militaristic powerhouse of a nation.

Behind the nation’s warlike exterior and Machiavellian tendencies is its inclusive society that respects the strength and talents of others, being threatened by all sides and forces out of their control attempting to survive. And no other main characters embodies these pillars more than the top three LoL champions from the nation: Darius, Katarina, and Riven. The 18-episode show can split focus between the three and tell their stories: Darius and his hard-earned right to be the Hand of Noxus, Katarina and her world tour of assassination missions throughout Runeterra, and Riven’s faith in Noxia being tested due to being dealt a bad hand, thus branding her as an exile. Eventually the trio team up against a common evil that conspires to disrupt Noxia, probably involving Swain.

Personally, Fortiche should save this region and its conflict-addled storyline for last. Fortiche will need to build upon the threat that is Noxia (that started with Arcane), then have the eventual Noxus series paint a different light of the faction. Think Star Wars: Andor and its portrayal of the Empire and its brutality and layered hierarchy. It’s really compelling storyline to see the viewpoint of the “bad guys” faction in Runeterra.

Bonus: Bilgewater

Yaar, matey! Who doesn’t love a good pirate storyline with swashbuckling action & ghost-busting? If somehow people still aren’t burnt out by League of Legends animated shows, Fortiche can head to Bilgewater next and flat-out adapt Ruined King’s storyline to the letter in 18 episodes. The plot is basically a bunch of heroes and anti-heroes teaming up to deal with the resurrected King Viego and the threat of the Shadow Isles, as well as a pirate armada commanded by warlord Gangplank. The band of heroes include Illaoi, Pyke, outsiders Braum and earlier duo Yasuo and Ahri, and Miss Fortune/Captain Fortune for the thirsty boys & girls. I’ll bet you Fortiche can make magic with a high-seas adventure like Ruined King’s storyline.

Are there any characters in League of Legends who deserve the Fortiche and Arcane treatment? Let us know in the comments and on social media!