Arcanemay have only lasted two seasons, but it proved to be one of the most well-received video game adaptations yet. The series became a major success on Netflix, bringing together both hardcoreLeague of Legendsfans and non-gamers alike. Although the short lifespan ofArcaneis bittersweet, the series will hopefully serve as a blueprint for future animated game adaptations.
Now thatArcanehas come to an end, it will be interesting to see which games, if any, get a similar animated treatment. There are plenty of franchises that could bring forth the same character-driven intrigue asArcane, but there is one series in particular that may be a shoo-in for the same approach.Mortal Kombathas boasted plenty of adaptations, but getting theArcanetreatment may be just what the former needs in order to finally get a worthy spin-off series.
Mortal Kombat Could Be the Perfect Franchise to Follow in Arcane’s Footsteps
A Treasure Trove of Characters and Lore
TheMortal Kombatroster is filled to the brim with great characters. From Liu Kang and Johnny Cage to Mileena and Scorpion, some of gaming’s most iconic characters are the product ofMortal Kombat. Even better, there is a deep well of lore for writers to pull from if a fresh animatedMortal Kombatseries ever comes to fruition. The intertwining stories of these characters present the perfect stage for drama and twists, but unfortunately,Mortal Kombathas yet to have a non-game adaptation that pulls this off well.
Arcanewas nominated for Best Adaptation at the 2024 Game Awards.
Mortal Kombat’s Live-Action and Animated Spin-Offs Have Struggled
This is a significant number of adaptations, but unfortunately, they have mostly either faced mixed or negative reviews. While some of the animated films have received better feedback than their live-action counterparts, a streaming series may bea better path forMortal Kombatto take.
With a series likeArcane, it’s easier to dive deeper into character dynamics and their backstories, while movies only allow for a short amount of time. Fora series as character-focused asMortal Kombat, multi-episode seasons could finally give the fighting franchise the gripping adaptation it deserves. Even more important, though, aMortal Kombatspin-off is in need of the right team behind it.
Mortal Kombat 2, the next live-action film, is scheduled to release on May 31, 2025.
The Team Behind Arcane Was the Secret Ingredient Mortal Kombat Needs
Series creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee worked alongside French animation studio Fortichein order to bringArcaneto life. While a hypotheticalMortal Kombatseries may not be able to secure the same team, since the franchise is under Warner Bros. ownership and not affiliated with Netflix, producers and animators with a similar vision could potentially make an adaptation that is just as special.
With rumors suggesting thatMortal Kombat 1may be nearing its endsooner than expected, it’s unclear what the franchise’s next move might be. The next movie is slated for the latter half of the year, but beyond that, it’s a mystery.Mortal Kombathas a lot of potential to put forth an emotionally driven series or film, but it has struggled to hit the notes thatArcaneexcelled at.Mortal Kombatmay never get a similar animated series, but it has nearly all the ingredients needed to be a worthyArcanefollow-up.
