June 10, 2024

GKIDS Acquires Global Video and Transactional Rights To The Critically Acclaimed Hit Series “ARCANE”

First Season of the Emmy ® Award-Winning Series from Riot Games to be Released on Videogram and Home Entertainment Platforms Worldwide in 2024

GKIDS, the Academy Award ® -winning producer and distributor of artist-driven and award-winning animation, announced today that it has acquired worldwide (excluding China) videogram and digital transactional rights to the first season of the critically acclaimed animated series, Arcane, from Riot Games. GKIDS alongside international partners will release a full product array later this year, ranging from digital to premium editions, including a 4K version exclusive to the home entertainment release, with further details to be announced. In celebration of the announcement, GKIDS and Riot Games have released the all new Arcane Season 1 Home Entertainment Release Artwork.

GKIDS’ partnership with Riot Games on this modern classic marks a further expansion in the company’s focus on celebrating the best of animated series alongside feature films.

“GKIDS is thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Riot to bring the global hit series Arcane to fans worldwide,” said GKIDS founder and CEO Eric Beckman. “We are MONSTER fans of the series, and our team is having a blast collaborating with the creatives at Riot and Fortiche to put together an amazing package for the fans. This project was dreamt up on the lawn by the lake at Annecy, so we are extra happy to be able to announce this collaboration at the festival and true home of animation.”

Arcane is set in the universe of the massively popular video game League of Legends, made by Riot Games and Fortiche Productions for Netflix. The series is co-created by Christian Linke and Alex Yee, and follows the origins of iconic League champions Vi and Jinx, as they become caught in the power struggle between the utopian city of Piltover and the oppressed underground city of Zaun. 

The series debuted in November 2021 to rave reviews, garnering widespread praise for its striking animation, emotionally complicated characters, thrilling music, and overall production quality. It has been praised by critics as one of the best video game adaptations ever created. The series went on to win four primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program, as well as nine Annie Awards, including Best Mature Animated Television Broadcast Production.