The Arcane Success: Authentic Struggles vs. Contrived Challenges in Storytelling

One of the key reasons Arcane was so successful is its commitment to authentic struggles. The characters face real challenges—poverty, trauma, and societal divides—and their responses to these issues are grounded in their personal experiences. Vi and Jinx’s contrasting paths reflect the complex realities of growing up in a divided society, and their struggles feel real and earned. In contrast, stories that rely on contrived challenges—where problems are created just to move the plot forward—often lose the emotional investment of the audience. Characters who face challenges that are shallow or conveniently placed can feel disconnected from their journey, and their growth lacks impact. In Arcane, the struggles feel intrinsic to the characters’ arcs. Vi’s desire to protect her sister and Jinx’s eventual spiral into chaos are not random—they come from deeply personal places. This approach makes the story compelling because viewers understand the weight of the characters’ choices and can empathize with their journeys. Contrived challenges often lack this depth, making the narrative feel artificial and undermining the character’s emotional journey. Authenticity in struggle not only makes a story more believable, but it also keeps the audience emotionally invested in the characters’ growth and development.