How Arcane ended me (spoilers!!)

Can we talk about Arcane? That show and universe have me in a chokehold. I binge watched it - as I do with almost every show - and then spiraled into a rabbit hole of YouTube deep dives on character and story arcs. It has to be one of most brilliantly executed stories in animation. The production, the narrative, the music - oh, the music - the fight scenes, all of it. You forget you're watching something entirely fabricated.

But I came here to talk about something specific. (Spoiler alert!!)

I've been rewatching this scene that absolutely wrecked me in the aftermath of the show. The tragedy of what could have been.

Powder and Ekko's Scene from Arcane S2 - Ma Meilleure Ennemie

Ekko and Powder meet in the middle, in this alternate universe. For this fleeting moment in time, they're radiant, happy. You see them dance and tangle, feel the thrill of first love. You root for the boy who's lost more than he's ever gained. Do you ever feel nostalgia for something that you've never experienced? It's like a phantom limb - you feel everything all at once, and then suddenly, you're left with nothing.

That is what Ekko's story does to you.

Here he is, in a universe so incredibly good to him and to everyone that he loves. But he can't stay. And it hurts, more so than words can express. It hurts as the audience rooting for this kid who has had everything taken from him, who's repeatedly made the tough decisions for survival, who's a protector above all, who's created something beautiful in a world ridden with pain and suffering.

And yet, he leaves it all behind. Not in defeat, but in determination - not giving up on his reality, but fighting with everything in his power to save the people and the city he loves. He blazes ahead with relentless fighting spirit. He powers on in quiet grief.

The Boy Savior.

What ifs and endless, unconditional love are what make (the story) and break you (the audience).

I love you 3000.