Arcane fans are buzzing with theories suggesting that the League of Legends champion Jhin made an appearance in Season 2 of the show. But how credible are these theories? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Return of Arcane
After a three-year wait, the second and final season of Arcane premiered on Netflix in November, concluding the arcs of beloved characters like Jinx, Vi, Jayce, and Viktor. However, this season is just the beginning, setting the stage for the ongoing development of a new cinematic universe for League of Legends.
Arcane Season 2 is filled with Easter eggs and callbacks to previous episodes, featuring subtle references to well-known LoL villains and introducing new characters. Fans are meticulously combing through each frame to uncover hidden messages and connections.
The Jhin Theory
Among the many fan theories circulating online, one particularly controversial claim suggests that Jhin, a fan-favorite champion from League of Legends, was subtly introduced in Arcane Season 2.
Who is Jhin?
Jhin is an antihero who embodies the darker side of the League of Legends universe. He perceives murder as an art form and spent a significant portion of his life imprisoned in Ionia before being liberated by the region's council.
In the lore, Jhin serves as an assassin for Ionia's council, driven by his passion for violence and his past experiences. He has gained considerable popularity in the game, wielding his hand cannon, Whisper, which inflicts significant damage and is imbued with dark magic that executes enemies. Jhin falls into the Markman/Mage category within League of Legends.
The Arcane Season 2 Fan Theory Explored
While Jhin is not explicitly named or shown in Arcane Season 2, fans have speculated about his presence. The most talked-about theory suggests that Jhin's introduction was subtle and unexpected.
In Act 3 of Arcane Season 2, Caitlyn, Vi, and their allies recruit various soldiers to combat Ambessa and Viktor. One character, who remains unnamed in the credits, bears a striking resemblance to Jhin, according to a now-deleted post from a user on X/Twitter. The post described him as “an introvert, aesthetic, plays the piano before going to war; his role was to be a sniper, and he did it flawlessly.” This post quickly went viral, garnering over 1.8 million views and 60,000 likes within a day.
Another Reddit discussion highlighted key moments that support this theory. In Season 2, Episode 8, a piano piece plays while Jayce delivers a stirring speech to the citizens of Piltover, rallying them to join the fight. As the music concludes, the mysterious piano player is revealed to be a young man speculated to be Jhin. Notably, the piano featured in this scene resembles the one from the 2019 League of Legends cinematic associated with Jhin.
In Episode 9, this character has a significant moment, teaming up with Vi to destroy Viktor's cocoon. They succeed only after the fourth shot, echoing Jhin's signature ability, where his fourth bullet typically delivers the final blow.
Skepticism Surrounding the Theory
Despite the compelling arguments for this theory, not everyone is convinced. Popular League of Legends streamer Necrit94 shared the aforementioned post, questioning the authenticity of the 60,000 likes it received, implying they might be bots. Others have criticized the theory, suggesting that the character's actions do not align with Jhin's established persona.
One user remarked, “People are reaching hard,” while another pointed out, “No way Jhin would voluntarily draft himself to protect a city. If anything, he would be joining the Glorious Evolved, mesmerized by their haunting beauty.”
Looking Ahead
Whether this mysterious character is indeed Jhin remains a topic of debate. However, with three new Arcane shows currently in production, each set to explore different regions of the League of Legends universe, there may be future opportunities for Jhin to make an appearance.
For more insights into the League of Legends series, check out discussions on why Arcane Season 3 will never happen, theories about Heimerdinger's fate, and recommendations for the best animated series to watch next.
