What to Expect From the League of Legends Show’s Ionia

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As a longtime player of League of Legends, I find myself deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of lore that Riot Games has woven over the years. Having witnessed the dramatic unfolding of events in Piltover and Zaun through Arcane, my curiosity is now piqued by the prospect of exploring another key region: Ionia.

This article contains spoilers from the finale of Arcane Season 2.

The conclusion of Arcane‘s storyline has wrapped up events in Piltover and Zaun, but Riot Games and Fortiche Productions have hinted at new content to come. Executive producer Christian Linke of Arcane has suggested that future series will delve into three distinct regions: Ionia, Noxus, and Demacia, which are set to be introduced in Runeterra. This announcement has sparked much anticipation over which characters might make their screen debuts next.

Over the years, League of Legends fans have been eager to see several new regions receive a show after Arcane, including lesser-known locations such as Marrowmark, Bandle City, and Ixtal. Interestingly, with Ionia set to appear in an Arcane spin-off, it’s very likely that Riot will highlight other nations and regions as well. Considering the bold moves Ambessa’s Noxian army made in Piltover, and references made to Ionia, there are a few things that fans can expect from a future show.

A League of Legends Show Focused on Ionia Offers Multiple Possibilities

Arcane Has Already Laid The Groundwork For The Rest of Runeterra’s Introduction

In simpler terms, Ionia, often referred to as “The Original Lands,” is primarily a tranquil area renowned for its rich natural magic. This region is significant as it birthed the chimeric race known as Vastaya, which includes characters like Lest and Scar from Arcane, among others. New champions such as Ahri, Neeko, Rengar, and Wukong also hail from this mystical land. The arcane connection of these beings has been hinted at through Lest’s healing abilities with Salo in the second season of Arcane.

Located in the northeastern seas, the vast archipelago of Ionia has been under Noxian gaze for numerous years, due to its significance as one of the principal thirteen regions in Runeterra. Despite Noxus itself not appearing in Arcane, its hunger for conquest and power is suggested through the Merdarda’s influence. This influence will grow stronger in a series centered around Ionia’s battles with Noxus.

In the first episode of Season 2 in the series “Arcane”, Maddie Nolen expresses her admiration for the resilience of the Noxian Empire by suggesting that if each Enforcer possessed a heart as strong as Vi’s, they could potentially challenge and conquer Noxus itself.

After Ambessa’s passing, it seems like Mel is heading back to Noxus during the last scenes of Arcane Season 2, Episode 9. While there’s a chance Ambessa might be brought back to life, fans should anticipate that Mel’s narrative will carry on in future episodes. Her ties to Noxus and the Black Rose could potentially lead her to Ionia, where she may strive to maintain peace as a mediator, perhaps trying to prevent an impending war.

Outside the Medarda family, Ionia is home to 22 playable champions. This makes it challenging to determine which character’s storylines Riot and Fortiche should prioritize first. Based on past lore, some characters that might be featured or alluded to could be (but not exclusively):

  • Ahri
  • Akali
  • Irelia
  • Jhin
  • Karma
  • Master Yi
  • Riven
  • Shen
  • Wukong
  • Yasuo
  • Zed
  • Yone

As a passionate admirer, I must say that while these esteemed champions might not have originated from the enchanting lands of Ionia, each one carries a profound bond or connection with this magical region.

Determining the Time Period of a Show Released After Arcane

After the conclusion of “Arcane” and moving forward with a potential new League of Legends show, it seems that Noxus has already launched an invasion into Ionia, suggested by the emergence of the raven demon, Raum. In accordance with earlier tales, characters Boram Darkwill and Swain from Noxus invaded Ionia following Chemtech bombings orchestrated by Singed. After suffering defeat at the hands of Irelia, Swain entered into a pact with Raum, gaining him otherworldly abilities. Some speculate that the appearance of Raum in the final episode of “Arcane” indicates that Swain was spying on the events unfolding between Piltover and Zaun through Raum’s perspective.

If the showrunners simply wanted to tease new characters and Noxus, this could be explained away as Raum simply surveying Piltover on his own without having met Swain. Conversely, Arcane has made changes to the lore in the past, and now that the series is confirmed to be canon, the writers are free to reshape these stories in any order they like. Therefore, the first Ionian War could still be the focus of a future show, even if Swain has already bonded with Raum.

“The first Ionian War could be the focus of a future show.”

League of Legends Next Show Will Introduce New Rivalries Between Nations

In a similar vein to the ongoing strife between Piltover and Zaun, I find myself drawn to the complex narratives unfolding in Ionia, Noxus, and Demacia. These realms will delve into themes of warfare, suppression, and unwavering principles amidst adversity. Given Swain’s subtle appearance in Arcane, it appears that Irelia, a resilient fourteen-year-old girl, will make her mark in the upcoming series. In the rich tapestry of League of Legends lore, Irelia emerges victorious against Swain on the battlefield, severing his arm as a symbol of her dominance. This act may mirror Jinx’s role in Arcane, where both characters initially resisted their leadership roles before embracing them wholeheartedly.

One way to rephrase that sentence in a more natural and easy-to-read manner is: “We can delve into how the Noxian-Ionian War impacted characters such as Kennen, Shen, and Yasuo on a personal level.

Furthermore, given his intense fascination with Shimmer, Singed is likely to play a crucial role in the upcoming series. His readiness to collaborate with anyone for personal gain suggests that even without Ambessa, he might form an alliance with Noxus. Despite his apparent contentment with Orianna, The Lady of Clockwork, there could be a significant event that triggers Singed to facilitate Noxus’ attack on Ionia, repeating a pattern from his past lore.

If Riot decides to leap over a twelve-year period following the war, viewers can look forward to finding the magical realm in a state of disunity. Certain characters will strive for peace once more, while others may pursue revenge. Themes of guilt, obligation, and retribution are likely to emerge, especially if champions such as Akali, Riven, Yasuo, and Yone are included in the main storyline.

Having numerous stories available, there are countless ways these tales could unfold. Importantly, in an interview with Polygon, Christian Linke emphasized that each series would launch with a unique flavor and mood. Intriguingly, with upcoming Arcane spin-offs and games on the horizon, it promises to be thrilling to witness how Riot Games and Fortiche Productions breathe life into the nation of Ionia.

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2024-12-04 18:37