How Arcane Redefines Masculinity
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Arcane has amazed audiences all over the world with its incredible visuals, complex storytelling, and well-developed character arcs. Set in the cities of Piltover and Zaun, Arcane looks at themes like power, politics, social inequality, and identity. But one of the most interesting aspects of the show, for me, is how it deals with masculinity.
Masculinity, as it is often defined by society, usually includes traits like strength, dominance, emotional control, and, simply put, staying tough. While these traits are often highlighted in movies and TV shows, there's been a trend to break them down and show a wider range of male experiences, especially in newer shows and films. In Arcane, masculinity isn't one-dimensional or simple. Instead, it's shown in different ways—like being a caring father, an ambitious leader, a fragile thinker, or a rebellious young person. The show allows its male characters to show a wide range of masculine traits, including strength, vulnerability, ambition, and fragility.
In today’s essay, we'll look at how Arcane presents masculinity by analyzing important characters like Vander, Silco, Jayce, and Viktor. By examining the dynamics between these characters and the relationships they have with others, I'll try to show you how Arcane not only challenges traditional portrayals of masculinity but also offers a broader, more realistic, and relatable view of male identity that is much more enjoyable to watch.
Of course, this is going to be a spoiler-filled review. If you don’t want to be spoiled, go watch season one of Arcane and then come back to this essay.
So, without further ado, here is how Arcane portrays masculinity.
Understanding Masculinity in Media
First, let's take a step back and look at how media has historically portrayed masculinity. From classic movies to modern TV shows, male characters have often been shown through a limited set of traits: physical strength, emotional detachment, dominance, and a tendency to use violence when challenged. This idea of "traditional masculinity," as seen in characters like Superman, James Bond, and many action heroes, has been the standard for a long time. These characters are usually tough, independent, and focused on power or control. While this can be entertaining, it often leaves little room for emotional complexity or vulnerability. In short, these portrayals narrow down what it means to be a man.
But in recent years, there's been a shift in how masculinity is shown in media. Shows like Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, and The Mandalorian have started to dig deeper into male characters by showing them as vulnerable, flawed, and emotionally conflicted. This shift allows for a broader range of masculine identities, from nurturing fathers to morally conflicted antiheroes, to be explored on screen.
Animation, especially in Western media, has usually been slower than live-action TV and films in exploring these deeper aspects of masculinity. Animated male characters are often portrayed as larger-than-life heroes or villains, which makes their emotions simpler to fit into action-driven stories. But Arcane changes this by providing a more complex look at masculinity through its diverse cast of male characters.
In Arcane, masculinity isn't just about physical power or being able to dominate others—though these traits are still present, albeit not exclusive to the male character. Masculinity in Arcane is also about emotional depth, moral struggles, and the potential for change. Through its male characters, Arcane creates a story that challenges traditional ideas of masculinity by showing that strength can coexist with vulnerability and that ambition and power come with significant personal costs.
To understand how Arcane does this, let's take a closer look at each of Arcane's main male characters, starting with the man who started it all, Vander.
Vander—The Father Figure and Protective Masculinity
Vander is introduced in Arcane as a key figure in the undercity of Zaun. He acts as a father figure not only to Vi and Powder but also to the entire community he tries to protect. As the leader of Zaun, Vander represents a type of masculinity that revolves around responsibility, loyalty, and care. He embodies the archetype of the protector, a man who has experienced violence in the past but now wants to create peace, stability, and safety for the people under his care.
From the start, Vander's masculinity is shown through his physical strength and leadership. He earns respect and has a powerful presence—traits that are traditionally linked with masculine leadership. But what makes Vander unique is how he balances his physical power with emotional vulnerability. Unlike many male characters who think that power means using violence, Vander is dedicated to maintaining peace. He understands the destructive consequences of rebellion and wants to protect his community from more harm. His choice to abandon violent resistance in favor of diplomacy and protection is a major difference from the typical male hero who fights no matter what. Instead, Vander’s masculinity is about nurture and protection, even if it means giving up his own desires.
Vander’s relationship with Vi and Powder is a perfect example of his subversive protective masculinity. By becoming their surrogate father, he takes on a role that is emotionally involved, caring, and supportive. This part of Vander's character shows a form of masculinity that is based on care, not conquest. His bond with Vi especially shows how he tries to guide and mentor her with love and empathy, not through discipline or control. When Vi acts impulsively, Vander doesn’t respond with anger or punishment. Instead, he tries to teach her responsibility by reminding her how important it is to protect others. This interaction shows a kind of fatherhood that values emotional intelligence and moral guidance over physical strength.
At the same time, Vander's masculinity is not without its complexities. He is haunted by his past as a revolutionary leader and struggles with the fact that his past actions contributed to the violence in Zaun. This tension between his past and present shows a man torn between two sides of his identity—on one side, the fierce warrior who once fought for his people, and on the other, the father figure who now wants to protect his people from further suffering.
Vander’s vulnerability is especially clear during his moments of reflection. That's when his regret and self-doubt come to the surface. Unlike traditional male heroes, who are often shown as emotionally tough, Vander is willing to express his fears and concerns. He questions his decisions and struggles with the weight of leadership. In this way, Vander shows that strength is not only about physical power but also about facing one’s own limitations and uncertainties. This vulnerability makes Vander more human and creates a more relatable and realistic portrayal of masculinity.
Silco—Ambition, Power, and Fragile Masculinity
Silco's backstory is important for understanding his behavior and attitude. He used to be Vander's closest ally, fighting by his side to free Zaun from Piltover's control. But when Vander decided to work for peace instead of continuing the fight, Silco saw this as a betrayal. This feeling of being betrayed turned into deep resentment, which motivated Silco for the rest of his life. His masculinity is shaped by more than just his desire for power—it's also about proving himself after being rejected by someone he saw as a brother. Silco’s idea of masculinity is very different from Vander’s because while Vander thinks true strength comes from giving up power for the greater good, Silco believes in the strength needed to gain that power.
Unlike Vander, who tries to be caring and protective, Silco leads through manipulation, control, and violence. He uses fear and the promise of power rather than care and responsibility to keep people in line. This approach represents a toxic form of masculinity, where being dominant is seen as the same as being strong, and any sign of vulnerability is treated as a weakness. But even though Silco seems strong, his masculinity is actually very fragile because his personality revolves around his constant fear of losing control.
One of the most interesting parts of Silco’s character is his relationship with Jinx. At first, he takes Jinx in because he wants to use her destructive abilities for his own benefit. But over time, their relationship grows into something that is kind of like Vander’s fatherly bond with Vi and Powder, albeit more twisted. Silco does care for Jinx, that much is clear through his interactions with her, where he shows his softer side. But his care is also possessive and controlling. This complicated relationship adds more depth to Silco’s masculinity by showing that even though power-hungry men are capable of emotional connections they still can't form a relationship devoid of their obsession with dominance and control.
Silco’s downfall is largely because of his fragile masculinity. His need for power and control makes him blind to the emotional connections around him, especially with Jinx.
Jayce—Heroic Masculinity, Idealism, and Fallibility
Jayce's character represents the classic ambitious hero, someone who starts off idealistic but faces the challenges of leadership and power. He goes from being a hopeful young inventor to becoming a political leader with real responsibilities.
In the beginning, Jayce is shown as a visionary who wants to use science to control magic and help people. He works hard, aiming to create something that will change the world. His ambition and determination are traits that fit into the traditional idea of a "self-made man." Jayce is focused on innovation and achieving fame for his intelligence and inventions, much like other male heroes who use their skills to make a difference.
But, as the story goes on, Jayce's ambition starts to come with real problems. His invention, Hextech, makes him famous, but it also pulls him into the politics of Piltover. When he joins the council, Jayce has to learn about power, alliances, and making compromises. All responsibilities that test his morals.
A major part of Jayce's journey is dealing with moral challenges. He begins with good intentions—he truly wants to help people with his inventions. But once he becomes part of Piltover's leadership, he has to make tough choices that make him question his values. This shows one of Arcane's main themes: how power can change people and the heavy cost of being a leader. Jayce's masculinity is shaped by this struggle between doing what is right and keeping his power.
Viktor—Vulnerability and the Struggle with Power
Viktor's character arc looks at masculinity in a unique way. It focuses on his ambition, vulnerability, and his struggle between physical weakness and mental strength. As Jayce's partner in science, Viktor acts as a contrast to Jayce's more typical heroic masculinity by showing that there are different ways for someone to be strong.
From the start, Viktor is shown as physically weak. His health problems and disability are very different from Jayce's physical strength and energy. In a world where power and masculinity are often linked to physical strength, Viktor stands out because of his physical frailty. This challenges the typical idea of what it means to be a "strong man". But Viktor doesn’t let his physical limitations define him. Instead, he relies on his intelligence and passion for science to try to improve the world. His creativity and knowledge are at the center of his identity. This gives an example of masculinity that isn't about physical power, but dedication and intelligence.
Viktor's relationship with Jayce also helps us understand their different types of masculinity. Jayce is often focused on fame, recognition, and the political impact of their inventions, while Viktor is driven by his personal goals. He wants to cure his illness and make life better for the people of Zaun, which shows a kind of masculinity based on empathy and using knowledge to help others.
But, as Viktor’s illness gets worse, he becomes more desperate to find a cure. This shows a bigger theme in Arcane—the conflict between ambition and morality, and how the pursuit of power can corrupt even good people. Viktor’s struggle with his health can even be seen as a symbol of his struggle with his own self-worth. Not unlike Silco, Viktor often feels like he isn't good enough and fears losing control over his life. His growing dependence on Hextech, and his willingness to push scientific boundaries, reveal a darker side of his character that is driven by fear and insecurity.
Viktor's story gets even more complicated as he grows apart from Jayce and the elite of Piltover. As Jayce becomes more involved in council politics, Viktor feels more and more isolated, both physically and mentally. Viktor’s sense of isolation and his obsession with overcoming his physical limitations symbolize the pressure men face to meet society’s expectations of strength and independence as embodied by Jayce. For Viktor, his drive to advance science is a way to prove himself in a world that often values physical power over intelligence.
Brotherhood, Friendship, and Male Relationships in Arcane
One of the main themes in Arcane is how male relationships shape the characters and their ideas of masculinity. The connections between characters like Vander and Silco or Jayce and Viktor allow Arcane to show the complex nature of male bonds in a world full of conflict by examining behaviors like loyalty, betrayal, competition, and support.
The relationship between Vander and Silco is a clear example of brotherhood turning into rivalry. They were once close allies, fighting together for Zaun’s independence. But their bond broke when Vander chose peace and stability instead of continued rebellion. Silco saw this as a betrayal, and that fueled his drive for power and control, which ultimately just comes from this sense of being let down. Their rivalry isn't just about political differences—it’s about the emotional pain of losing someone who was like a brother. This shows how male relationships can be fragile, especially when pride and power get in the way.
Jayce and Viktor’s friendship is different; it explores male bonds that are based on intellectualism rather than physical strength. They start off with a shared vision for using technology to help people. But as they face pressures from politics, power, and personal goals, their friendship starts to fall apart. Jayce becomes more focused on his political role, while Viktor becomes obsessed with his own survival and scientific breakthroughs. This creates tension between them that highlights two different types of masculinity—Jayce's idealism and physical strength versus Viktor's intellect and vulnerability. Their friendship shows how male relationships can be both supportive and competitive.
Conclusion
Overall, in Arcane, masculinity is portrayed in a way that challenges traditional stereotypes and provides a deeper look into male identity. Vander’s protective nature, Silco’s ruthless ambition, Jayce’s heroic ideals, and Viktor’s intellectual struggles all add to a broader and more complex view of what it means to be a man. The show isn’t afraid to show vulnerability, moral challenges, or the emotional costs of power. Instead, it embraces these traits to provide a more complete portrayal of masculinity. By doing this, Arcane breaks away from traditional masculine stereotypes and shows more diverse ways that men can be represented in modern storytelling.
And that's it—how Arcane writes men. But I want to hear from you! Who is your favorite character in Arcane? Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe to my newsletter. Until next time, Salam!
