The hit Netflix series Arcane has won millions of fans with its stunning animation and gripping story. Because it’s a cartoon, many parents wonder if it’s a fun watch for the whole family. However, this show deals with very adult themes. So, is Arcane suitable for kids? The short answer is no. This series is best suited for older teens and adults.
The show is rated TV-14 in the United States. Around the world, countries have rated it for viewers aged 12 to 18, with many giving it a 16+ rating. This means the content is not intended for young children. The story explores heavy topics like war, loss, and mental illness, and it contains scenes of violence, strong language, and other mature material.
What Is Arcane About?
Arcane is based on the world of the popular video game League of Legends. The story focuses on two sisters, Vi and Powder (Jinx), in the twin cities of Piltover and Zaun. Piltover is a rich, advanced city, while Zaun is a dark, struggling undercity. The conflict between these two cities drives the plot, exploring themes of family, betrayal, and the difference between right and wrong.
The series is famous for its beautiful animation, which mixes 2D and 3D styles. But beneath the colorful visuals is a story that is raw and emotionally intense. The first episodes set a tragic tone, showing children facing violence and fighting for survival.
A Detailed Look at Violence and Scary Content
The level of violence in Arcane is one of the biggest reasons it’s not for young kids. The fight scenes are brutal and intense.
- Realistic Fighting: Characters engage in brutal physical fights using fists, kicks, and weapons like guns, blades, and explosives.
- Disturbing Deaths: The show doesn’t shy away from showing death. Key characters die, including children. One scene shows a woman being decapitated with blood pooling on the ground.
- Upsetting Moments: In one episode, a mutated mouse kills a cat off-screen, with the cat’s blood splattering graphically on a window. A character is also shown getting blasted into a wall by an explosion.
While the show doesn’t constantly focus on gore, the violence is impactful and can be very intense for younger viewers.
Understanding the Language and Profanity
The series includes a noticeable amount of strong language, which contributes to its mature rating.
- Frequent Strong Words: Characters, including teenagers, use words like “s–t,” “a–,” “piss,” and “hell.”
- Use of the F-Word: The strongest language, “f–k,” is used, mostly by the character Vi.
This language is woven naturally into the dialogue, making it more impactful than in some other animated shows.
Sexual Content and Nudity in the Series
Arcane contains some sexual content, though it is generally not graphic.
- Sexual Scenes: There are brief scenes where characters are implied to be having sex. In one, a woman is shown experiencing orgasm with a man on top of her, but nothing too graphic is shown.
- Suggestive Imagery: Some female characters, including Jinx, wear revealing outfits that show cleavage or the sides of their breasts.
- Other Content: Women are seen in a bath or shower, but private parts are covered. Characters that appear to be sex workers are also shown outside a brothel.
Depiction of Drugs, Alcohol, and Smoking
Substance use is a recurring element in the show, both as a background detail and a major plot point.
- Fictional Drug: A major theme involves a volatile and addictive drug called “Shimmer.” This substance is used to create super-soldiers and is shown to have dangerous effects.
- Alcohol and Smoking: Characters are frequently shown drinking alcohol in bars. Other characters, like Silco and Vander, are seen smoking.
The Show’s Heavy Themes and Emotional Impact
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Arcane for young viewers is its exploration of heavy emotional and psychological themes.
- Mental Illness: A prominent character suffers from extreme mental illness, showing signs of schizophrenia, PTSD, and paranoia. We see this through her hallucinations and erratic behavior, which could be confusing or frightening for children.
- Dark Topics: The show regularly deals with intense topics such as suicide, emotional abuse, abandonment, addiction, and the trauma of war.
- Complex Morality: The line between heroes and villains is often blurry. Characters make difficult, morally questionable choices, which requires a level of maturity to understand.
What Do Reviewers Say About the Age Rating?
Various parental guide organizations agree that Arcane is not for children. Common Sense Media, which gives the show a 14+ rating, states it features “brutal physical fights” and “strong language.” They also highlight the positive themes of teamwork and perseverance, but caution parents about the mature content.
New Zealand’s Classification Office gave the series a rating for violence, offensive language, and sexual themes, specifically noting that suicide themes “could be upsetting for some viewers.”
Arcane is a masterpiece of storytelling and animation, but it is not your typical cartoon for kids. Its mature rating is well-earned through its violent scenes, strong language, and deep exploration of dark themes.
The series is best suited for mature teens aged 15 and older. For children under 14, the intense violence and heavy psychological themes are likely too much to handle. Parents should watch the show first to decide if their teen is emotionally ready for its complex and often dark story.
Also Read: 11 Shows Like Arcane to Watch for Dark and Dazzling Worlds
