The League of Legends television show Arcane has become the first streaming service series to win an Animated Emmy. The show is in Riot Games' League of Legends fictional universe, with season 1 having released exclusively on Netflix in November 2021. The series was critically acclaimed for its animation style, complex characters, emotional weight, and fantasy worldbuilding, making Arcane much beloved by both League of Legends fans and casual viewers alike.
Arcane was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards this year, including Outstanding Animated Program, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Comedy or Drama Series (Half-Hour) and Animated, and Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation, ultimately winning the former. The show beat out such tough contenders as Bob's Burgers, Rick and Morty, The Simpsons, and Marvel's What If...?. Netflix itself came close with BoJack Horseman in 2017 and Big Mouth in 2022, but Arcane has finally secured its first Emmy for Best Animated Program.
While the majority of other animated Emmy nominees for Outstanding Animated Program have been comedies throughout the years, Arcane broke the mold, and viewer expectations, to become a winning drama. While League of Legends fans were eager for the series, Arcane's stunning visual style and compelling storyline also appealed to those who had never even heard of the game before. With a 100 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, several awards under the show's belt, and a confirmed season 2 on the way, Arcane is certainly making a name for itself in animation history.