foreseensomeone

[foreseensomeone]

I Have So Many Thoughts About Viktor in Arcane

I’ve been sitting on this for a while and I need to get it out. Let’s talk about Arcane. I KNOWWW I probably am late to the party (usual me) but let this be permanent in a realm of what we called Internet. I don’t know much about League of Legends lore—I watched Arcane mainly for the queer representation (CaitVi forever, though I wish there was more of it). But what really drew me in was the storytelling—much less, or the character study? Of the themes of body horror and autonomy, and, of course, Viktor.

As a literature major, particularly in French literature, I’ve often drawn on ideas from French-speaking philosophers in my analysis of books and films. Watching Arcane, I couldn’t help but ask: what even is a human without their body? Does the loss of a human form create a new kind of entity? And what defines something as “God”?

My favorite character is Caitlyn, even if I don’t always agree with her choices. However, the character I find most fascinating is Viktor. I’m not familiar with his League of Legends lore or how powerful he is in the game, but the Viktor we meet in Arcane—a scientist from Zaun who crosses into Piltover to pursue his dream—is captivating. He represents the idea that the imperfections of humanity often hold us back from progress, but also remind us of our limitations.

Body Horror and Viktor’s Lack of Autonomy

I find scientists, particularly those like Viktor, compelling because they seek to break through the constraints of humanity. It shows how the “lack” of humanity—our imperfections—can lead us to diminish what makes us human. I’ve never understood the notion of ‘overstepping the boundaries’ especially in the standpoint of humanity slash social science because ‘not overstepoing’ often suggests that being imperfect will always cause a certain progression. Yet, these scientists challenge the laws of nature and, in doing so, risk crossing into dangerous territory. Rather than embracing human’s inherent imperfections, they try to “solve” them—even when there’s nothing to solve. This hubris often leads to disaster, as we see in Arcane.

Arcane Viktor’s transformation is haunting, especially when you consider how much of it was beyond his control. From the start, his autonomy is stripped away.

Viktor’s line, “Jayce, what am I?” resonates deeply with me. It reminds me of Sartre’s existentialist philosophy, which suggests that choice is what makes us human. But what happens if you’re reborn as something not human? Do you still get to make choices, or do you need to abandon the concept of choice altogether? Viktor’s rebirth wasn’t his choice; it was Jayce’s decision to save him. Yet Viktor is the one who has to live with that new reality.

The Loss of Humanity in the Pursuit of Perfection

This lack of bodily autonomy is a recurring theme in Viktor’s arc. His transformation, meant to grant him power, ultimately strips away his humanity. Immortality in Arcane is portrayed as a double-edged sword—an end to pursuits and growth, which are fundamental to being human. Viktor’s rebirth is not empowering but rather a tragic loss of self, orchestrated by external forces.

The parallels between Viktor and Singed are also striking. Singed’s desperation to save his daughter by resurrecting her at any cost mirrors Viktor’s struggle. Both characters are driven by love and ambition, but their actions reveal the devastating consequences of tampering with life and death. Singed’s daughter, much like Viktor, is reborn into a state that is no longer her own. These stories illustrate how the pursuit of control over the body often leads to its destruction. Considering how Viktor potentially perceived himself as a human Rio, something stale that was resurrected only to just suffer for a little bit more time.

Viktor’s lack of autonomy also stems from his origins as a Zaunite (CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS!!). His struggle to gain acceptance in Piltover—a place that looks down on his people—forces him into constant compromise. His dream of advancing science is only achievable within a system that marginalizes him. Even his resurrection seems tied to this dynamic; it amplifies his ego but does nothing to restore his humanity.

What’s tragic is how Viktor continues to strive for perfection, even when his imperfections are what make him who he is. Jayce, ironically, seems to realize this only after Viktor’s transformation, when the damage has already been done. Viktor’s journey reveals the dangers of placing the pursuit of perfection above the acceptance of one’s humanity.

I also find Viktor and Jayce’s relationship fascinating. Over time, Jayce becomes consumed by politics and power, losing sight of his original goal to help people. This mirrors Viktor’s own transformation, where ambition overtakes his sense of self. Both characters demonstrate how humanity’s imperfections—our greed, ego, and insecurities—drive us toward the very obscenity we seek to overcome.

My Final Take

Ultimately, I see Viktor as someone desperately trying to reclaim autonomy over his body, even as he never truly had it to begin with. His transformation into a herald is a chilling metaphor for how the pursuit of progress can dehumanize us. Viktor’s story challenges the idea that consciousness exists independently of the body, suggesting instead of being **just** independent, our physical limitations are integral to who we are.

Arcane invites me to question what it means to be human and whether we as humans can ever transcend our physical selves without losing our humanity in the process. Viktor’s loneliness, coupled with his struggles for acceptance, adds an emotional depth to his arc that makes his story hauntingly relatable. It’s unsettling that this aspect of his character isn’t discussed more often, as how it only seeks as power hunger notion and nothing to be talked about, when his journey serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the costs of progress and the fragility of human autonomy.

I could go on forever about the themes of body horror, humanity, and sacrifice in Arcane. Viktor’s transformation is terrifying not just because of what he becomes, but because of what he loses along the way.

Goddd I really like talking about body horror especially having too often surround myself in my own dysphoria. Anywaaayy what do you think?