If you're a fan of KPop Demon Hunters, then you can't miss this new collection from the teams behind Arcane. The two-season animated show is among the more critically acclaimed pieces of animation from the streamer. Expanding on the characters and lore of League of Legends, Arcane was a massive critical hit for the streamer. However, there have been few updates on a prospective third season.
Fans have also embraced some of the more unexpected League of Legends collaborations, most notably three pop bands inspired by the game's staggering roster. Collected as the League of Legends: Music Video Collection - K-pop & More, it's a chance for Netflix and Riot (the studio behind League of Legends) to cement their connection and a perfect way to tide over K-Pop fans dying for more music.
Available on Netflix as of November 12, the League of Legends: Music Video Collection highlights just how important music has become to the franchise. The music videos feature one of the three bands that have been inspired by League of Legends characters, although they take more liberties than shows like Arcane.
The music videos recast some of the champions as music stars, with three distinct groups serving as the bedrock of the collection: the K-pop-inspired K/DA, the hip-hop-influenced True Damage, and the boy band-coded Heartsteel. Each of the three has its own band energy as a group that reflects their respective genres while taking cues from their game inspirations, like unique powers and distinct aesthetics.
Miyeon (as Ahri), Soyeon (as Akali), Sophie Powers (as Evelynn), Mimi Webb (as Kai'Sa)
Madison Beer (Evelynn), Jaira Burns (as Kai'Sa)
Soyeon (as Akali), Vic Mensa (as Ekko and Yasuo), Coco Jones (as Senna) Sofia Reyes (as Qiyana)
Thutmose and Duckworth (as Ekko), Keke Palmer (as Senna), Becky G (Qiyana)
Connor Price (as Sett), Anderson .Paak (as K'Sante), Baekhyun (as Ezreal), Cal Scruby (as Kayn)
ØZI (as Sett), Tobi Lou (as K'Sante), Nic D (as Kayn)
The music videos are all animated by Fortiche, the same company that worked with League of Legends and Netflix on the award-winning Arcane. That show featured plenty of musical interludes and asides, which should efficiently tease how well the group and the characters adjust to the music video aesthetic.
While most of the music videos are done in a style similar to Arcane, there are some tweaks and experimentation with visuals that make the videos pop -- especially K/DA, who have become the biggest breakout of the three bands featured in the shorts. "POP/STARS," the debut single for K/DA, hit platinum when it debuted. It helps that the bands consist of stars in their own right, each of whom brings their own energy to the roles and the music.
There's an inherent shared DNA between KPop Demon Hunters and the League of Legends music videos that makes the latter a must-watch for fans of the former. For one thing, they share a genuine connection to the music industry, with real craft and care put into each of the band's music and visual aesthetic.
The bandmates all have big, distinct personalities even just in the music videos, an attribute that the animated format lends itself well to. Those showcases of powers make them a fun contrast to the members of HUNTR/X, given their own clear personas and unique power sets that add unique visual flourish to the music videos.
The animation styles are largely similar, even if KPop Demon Hunters takes more cues from anime and animated films while League of Legends visuals prefer showy settings. The biggest connection, though, is the quality of the music. If you're a fan of the blend of rap, pop, and ballad that made up the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, there's a lot to love about the League bands.
All of those elements make for a really fun watch, especially if you like to imagine the three bands co-existing in the same space. The idea of HUNTR/X having a friendly rivalry with K/DA, a bit of history with Heartsteel, or admiration for True Damage is a fun way to imagine how KPop Demon Hunters will expand their universe.
With KPop Demon Hunters 2 in active production, fans are going to have to wait a while for brand new content from the band. In the meantime, though, the League of Legends collection boasts some truly great music and could be the gateway for fans of KPop Demon Hunters to discover stuff like Arcane.
