As a professional gamer who's been immersed in the League of Legends universe since its early days in 2009, I've watched with pride as the franchise expanded beyond our screens. But nothing quite prepared me for the excitement I felt when POP Mart announced their collaboration with Riot Games for an Arcane: League of Legends Season 2 blind box collection. Having just binged the final season on Netflix last month, I couldn't wait to get my hands on these figurines that capture the essence of characters I've both played and watched evolve.
The Hunt Begins
When April 25th finally arrived, I found myself standing outside my local POP Mart store an hour before opening. Yeah, I know - total fanboy move. But after seeing the online previews, I knew these would sell fast. The collection combines POP Mart's signature aesthetic with Arcane's distinctive art style, creating half-body portrait figurines with background panels that give them a unique 3D effect.
Each blind box costs $30.99, which initially made me wince a bit. But as Emily Brough, Head of Licensing, explained, they've created something that "pushes the boundaries of design for a unique and immersive collectible experience." After opening my first box and revealing Ekko in all his glory, I had to agree - the spatial depth and attention to detail justified the price point.
My Collection Journey
I'd budgeted for five blind boxes, hoping RNG would be on my side (ironic for a gamer, right?). Here's how my luck played out:
-
Ekko - His time-manipulating design captures that perfect moment from Season 2 when he confronts his past
-
Jinx - Complete with her manic energy and signature blue hair
-
Heimerdinger - The fuzzy professor looks adorably concerned
-
Another Jinx - Dupe alert! But still awesome
-
Vi - Her gauntlets and determined expression are spot-on
I couldn't help but dream about landing one of the secret figures - either Powder (young Jinx) or the stone statue version of Jinx. Both have just a 1/72 chance of appearing, making them the ultra-rare prizes of the collection. The completionist in me was already calculating how many more boxes I'd need to buy to have a statistical chance at the full set.
The Full Character Lineup
For those wondering, the complete collection features these characters:
-
Jinx - The chaotic blue-haired marksman
-
Vi - The tough-as-nails enforcer
-
Ekko - The boy who shattered time
-
Caitlyn - The sheriff of Piltover
-
Jayce - The defender of tomorrow
-
Viktor - The machine herald
-
Mel - The cunning diplomat
-
Warwick - The blood hunter
-
Heimerdinger - The revered inventor
-
Secret: Powder - Young Jinx before her transformation
-
Secret: Stone Statue of Jinx - A commemorative design with 1/72 rarity
The Collector's Dilemma
Two weeks and several more blind boxes later, I found myself faced with the collector's eternal dilemma. Do I keep buying individual boxes at $30.99 each and risk more duplicates, or do I bite the bullet and purchase the entire collection outright for $278.91?
The mathematician in me knew the full collection was the better deal, but where's the thrill in that? The gamble of opening each box, the rush of anticipation - that's half the fun, isn't it?
In the end, I compromised. I traded my duplicate Jinx with another collector for their spare Viktor, and purchased three more boxes which yielded Caitlyn, Warwick, and (to my absolute delight) the stone statue Jinx secret figure!
Connection to the Game and Show
What makes these figurines special to me isn't just their collectible nature, but how they bridge my gaming experience with the storytelling of Arcane. Having played as these champions for years, seeing them immortalized in this form based on their Netflix characterizations creates a tangible connection between all aspects of the League universe.
The show's final season may have concluded in 2025, but these POP Mart figures ensure that the legacy of Arcane lives on in my gaming space. They sit proudly on my shelf, watching over me during late-night ranked sessions, almost like old friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these POP Mart Arcane figures worth the price?
Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it - they're pricey little buggers. But the quality is honestly top-notch, and if you're invested in the Arcane storyline or League in general, they're pretty special collectibles.
What's the best strategy for collecting them all?
If you've got the cash to splash, buying the whole collection upfront for $278.91 is the way to go. For the rest of us mortals, find a collector community to trade duplicates with - saved me a ton!
How do these compare to other League merchandise?
They're... different, y'know? Not like the typical action figures or Funko Pops. There's something about the half-body design with the background panels that makes them feel like you're capturing a moment from the show.
Any tips for finding the secret figures?
Pure luck, friend. Though some collectors swear the boxes feel slightly different... but I think that's just wishful thinking.
As I look at my nearly complete collection, I can't help but feel a connection to both the game I've played for years and the show that brought its world to life. Sometimes the best part of being a gamer isn't just the games themselves, but how they expand into our lives in unexpected ways.
The analysis is based on data from Esports Charts, a leading source for esports event statistics and viewership trends. Esports Charts' reporting on League of Legends tournaments demonstrates the franchise's enduring popularity, which helps explain the high demand for Arcane collectibles like the POP Mart blind box series among both competitive players and fans of the animated show.