#Viktor analysis

[stardvstbby]

People like to dismiss Viktor’s dabbling in eugenics (in part because they like infantilizing him therefore robbing him of agency but I digress), but personally I love it because it’s a great parallel to how, irl, sometimes people in minority groups can be swayed by alt-right talking points due to the immense depth of their own internalized bigotry. They’ll hear these discussions and think “I can be fixed” (rather than learning they don’t need fixing because nothing is wrong in the first place), then throw themselves into that ideology thinking it will lead them to acceptance.

This is why Jayce’s speech saying that Viktor was “never broken” and that his “imperfections” are part of why he admired the man is so so important. The solution will always be love. You can’t shame yourself out of insecurities, they’ll just be buried so deep inside that you’ll start to believe it’s the natural way of things to feel that way.

I’m not saying Viktor is evil. He truly wanted to help people! But I believe this is a commentary both on the dangers of unchecked power as well as a warning of the paths we can fall into.

[opensesamepandemonium]

some aspects of Viktor's co-dependency (read as love) with Jayce:

Thinking about "in all timelines, in all possibilities" where mage!Viktor was talking about how Jayce is the only person who can stop him from becoming a reckoning god and turning the world into a sheer wasteland of puppet purgatory.

But really? All timelines? Did he not count the happy AU that Ekko and Heimerdinger were sent to? No, Viktor didn't count that timeline. Because in that timeline, Hextech was never invented because Jayce (likely) succeeded in taking his own life when the explosion killed Vi. Viktor wouldn't have had the power to become the Machine Herald without the hexcore, but he damn well could have done some sketchy ass shit (especially with Singed) if he wanted to "help people". Not apocalyptic, but y'know, questionable shit. Honestly, who knows what could have happened.

But mage!Viktor doesn't count this universe, why? Because he never visited it. He never travelled to a universe where Jayce Talis was dead.

Coincidently this also brings up the notion of, why did he keep going back in time to give baby Jayce the rune in the first place? Or, better yet, not save him and his mother and let them perish in the snowstorm? No Jayce Talis = no Hextech = no Machine Herald. Viktor could have just not intervened and prevented the chain of events that would lead him to the "dreamless solitude".

But no. Every time Viktor saved Jayce and gave him a runestone. Every time he gave Jayce a chance to save him from what he would become. Because even though Viktor knew he would do terrible things he'd come to regret, he still couldn't let Jayce die or deny each of them experience of being partners.

So "in all timelines, in all possibilities" Viktor chose to continually save Jayce so that Jayce could save Viktor. So that they could have those years together, no matter what happened.

[fresh-new-yoik-watah]

Viktor is ‘competing’ with Mel for Jayce’s attention (represented through his mimicry of her, them being literal character foils as well) is a metaphor which Jayce is meant to represent Piltover, the comparisons of the opportunities they both were given, their different expectations, Viktor is painting himself to be the ideal perfect image to win their praise. He’s fighting for Piltover acceptance to see him as he is by painting himself as one of them, when the point is that he literally is not and their ignorance of him as himself is the fault.

The working class fighting for the upper class’s attention, to notice them, to let them in, to give them equal opportunity, to stop benefiting at their expense, etc

Bc at the end of the day, even when Viktor makes his way through their ranks, they still don’t see him as equal. Bc Piltover can never, and will never. If they do, it would crack the system, and they make a message out of Viktor. Undercity boy helps invent magic by breaking their laws? You bet your asses they wish they could’ve got rid of him, they hated they needed him. And so they punish him, they remove his credit on Hextech projects (Hexgates), they tell him he has to wait for his projects, and then Jayce eventually falls into complacency because he gets comfortable, he himself doesn’t need. And he has his own arc where he learns but it doesn’t change that he still did at a point

I think in spite of a bit of the writing falling short in Season 2, there still are some really well done things that I will definitely take with me, and I wish Jaymelvik story wasnt diminished to just ship wars as often as it is when there’s so much more we could unravel and unpack, it really does a disservice to how complex some of the storytelling and character work is

[zairas-realm-gateway]

I am so, so sorry for hijacking your amazing comic with an analysis post but this comic has me fucking screeching! Fuckin' shaking!

Reading this comic made my insides ache and twist in indescribable ways. It makes my very soul scream out with need for others to understand the very delicate building blocks that make up Jayce Giopara. Before finding you, I have not seen another person that so openly picks up on the fragile pieces that Jayce is actually made up of under the inflated ego.

Word Count (below cut): 1.4k

I don't even know how to put into words all the feelings roiling up inside me. Panel 5 makes me want to scream. The insinuations and accusations facing Jayce so expertly expose little, subtle aspects of Jayce's character that are devastating flaws in the metaphorical armor that keeps Jayce safe and sane.

Down under the arrogance and self-importance is a bright and eager soul that's so, so naive (his voicelines are optimistic in a way that speaks of naivety to me) and a pushover. Jayce is easy to sway and throw off kilter. I see it two major places in the canon lore. Once is when Jayce doesn't defend Viktor when Viktor accuses Professor Stanwick (rightfully) of stealing credit for Blitzcrank's creation. It does not say in Viktor's lore that Jayce verbally denies Viktor's claims or call him a liar. It says that Jayce did not speak up at all, not even to ask for evidence. This tells me Jayce could not bring himself to go against his professor, a man of importance and high status above them both.

Which brings me to a point that I really, really need to remind people: before becoming the Defender, social position wise, the only thing Jayce has over Viktor is that he's from Piltover. Fans use "Giopara" as Jayce's last name but that's not his last name. He has no last name that we know of. He has no family, no money. Pre-Defender Jayce is just a pretty young man with high intelligence that gets passed around the Piltover clans like an unwanted puppy.

If I remember correctly, it doesn't explain why Jayce never sticks up for Viktor. It could be that he's scared if he speaks up, they'll kick him out of the academy. Or it could be that because Jayce naively believes in his own moral code so greatly that he actually believes everyone else lives by it too. Therefore he can't even conceive of a professor stealing from his student. Which would mean Viktor was lying but Viktor is Jayce's partner so he obviously wouldn't want to believe his partner is a liar. This leaves Jayce tied in a knot about what to do resulting in him just not saying anything, causing his first unintentional betrayal towards Viktor.

Lore canon evidence of Jayce being a pushover is the short story with Amaranthine. As we all know, Jayce thinks very highly of himself. He thinks he's too good to give his attention to anyone, even a little girl whose doll he could literally fix in like a minute. He denies helping her and is going to kick her out before they're attacked. After the battle, Amaranthine bruises his ego with a comment. His ego is his armor in life. And the tiny, well-placed attack on it is enough to make Jayce cave. He fixes the doll.

This all tells me that with a well-placed phrase, it would be easy to bring Jayce to heel. It tells me that Jayce is very weak-willed and easy to manipulate if you can get past his ego. Something you can also see in the lore when he goes to get his crystal back from Viktor. He's not there on pretense of glory. He's not even the Defender yet. He just wants his fuckin' research back. It's afterwards that he's toted as the Defender of Tomorrow. A choice, title, and position that Piltover made for him. Not something he made for himself. A title that wiggled into his brain and became his very identity. He was just a scientist until the Defender devoured him and pulled his every thought, every choice to fulfilling that position. Submitting so easily to the choice of Piltover and becoming their puppet, their doll.

In all of Jayce's lore, the only area where he is never a pushover is his moral and ethics code. It's so strong, so foundational to his very being that can't be worn down. Which is what causes the conflict with Viktor. Jayce will do just about anything to secure that people are safe, happy, and have all their human rights intact. Even if it harms himself by destroying what miniscule relationships he has.

But, for someone that thinks so highly of himself, he doesn't seem to put himself in the same category as those people he's fighting for. This finally leads us into the analysis of the comic properly.

As we all know, to Jayce and Viktor, science is the most important thing in the universe. They have different reasons for using it but still, science is their very life's blood. To Jayce, the science used to help and provide for people must take precedence above all else. Including himself. Because he's not a people, not really. People aren't passed from clan to clan like a bought animal.

So, if people need science and inventions to go about their happy lives then isn't it Jayce's duty to make sure people have those inventions? Morally, it'd be wrong to deny them things that would make their lives better. As one of the smartest people in Piltover, isn't it Jayce's sworn duty to do whatever he can to provide those inventions since no one else is as good as him? But science is expensive, inventions cost money. Money that neither Jayce nor Viktor have. But Jayce is the best so for sure he can get what they need.

Now, wouldn't it be just so very easy for a silver tongue to whisper into the ear of an egotistical young man and explain how surly the very best currency is the perfect young man himself? After all, he has so much to offer. He's smart, he's strong, and skilled, and so very, very handsome after all.

Surely there's many things such a perfect young man has to offer those in power. Blueprints and plans, patent promises, a bright smile, some arm candy… a warm body perhaps. The crystal bright pieces of Jayce's very soul.

Would it really be hard to convince such a naive, optimistic young man that he has everything he needs to get the resources he and his partner require? Oh, all the things he could create with those resources!

Would it be difficulty for wealthy, well-spoken nobles and househeads to convince the young man to give more and more of himself?

And maybe it's nice to be wanted. No one wants Jayce, not really. The clans that hold his apprenticeship want his brilliance but they do not want him. They don't speak with him or work with him, not really. No one likes him because he's arrogant and rude and tactless. And fine, that's just fine by him. He doesn't need them either! He works just fine on his own or with Viktor.

And his resource providers want him. So, that's enough, right? What's wrong with giving them more than maybe he's strictly comfortable with. But who cares, it's for a good cause!

Surely the people, the lovely citizens of Piltover, need all those amazing inventions rattling around in brilliant Jayce's head to make their lives better. As the smartest person there, of course it's his duty to provide what others can't. What's a little discomfort, a little loss of self, when he could be helping so very many people?! Helping people can't be a bad thing ever, right?

And then there's Viktor. The one person in Jayce's life that gets to see all of Jayce through hours in their shared lab. They're partners, rivals, the closest thing either of them has had to a friend in their whole lives.

Viktor is from Zaun. He sees the world in a light that the optimistic people of Piltover do not. He knows that the world works on greed. But he also knows that some costs are too steep, even for progress. He can see the bright and shiny pieces of his partner being chipped away as the houses of Piltover pull their marionette's strings.

Under Viktor's cold and standoffish nature is a warm heart. A kindness and compassion that he'll never be able to curb. Viktor loves people. People should be allowed to live, to be happy and healthy.

Jayce is a people. Viktor knows this, why does no one else?!

People matter above all else. Above morals, above ethics… above science even, it would seem.

Viktor's heart is too big. He does not like to see suffering and death. So, how can he watch suffering and death move in tandem with him each day in their lab? How can he not raise his voice when he spends his days watching a brilliant and arrogant soul turn into an insufferable doll before his very eyes?

What can be said, be done, when that doll stands so tall on self-importance that it cannot see that it is only a puppet on a frayed string?

[viktorthemachineherald]

What actually happened to Jayce and Viktor in the end? And why didn’t Ekko’s Z-drive destroy everything within its blast radius?

TL;DR: the only timeline that could have worked was the one where Viktor gives Jayce the Acceleration rune, where Ekko invents the Z-drive, and where Jayce saves Viktor and gets his partner back.

Something we’ve seen pointed out is that the world rune that worked in this timeline was the Acceleration rune, which has the function of transportation through time and space. 

Ekko’s Z-drive was built by inverting Jayce’s Acceleration rune (this is important later).

We know from his experiments that the limit for reversing time is only 4 seconds. Any further back and it causes catastrophic harm to his surroundings. It’s implied that the further he overextends his Z-drive, the more disastrous the damage and radius of effect.

In the final battle against Viktor, we see Ekko overextend his Z-drive far beyond 4 seconds. Then, he yeets it at Viktor, whose mask is shattered from the impact.

We know that turning back time beyond 4 seconds causes catastrophic destruction of the surrounding areas: Jayce and Viktor, and perhaps countless others should have been caught up in the blast. But instead, we see something different:

Time stands still for a moment, courtesy of the boy who shattered time. 

Now things happen all in a manner of seconds: In the astral plane, we see Viktor comment on the anomaly that Ekko has created.

It’s something that Viktor as smart as he is, couldn’t have conceived— leave it to Ekko (and lest I forget, Heimerdinger and alt-Jinx) to show them all up.

This is debatable, but I firmly believe that Viktor with his awareness of all time and space, could have escaped or even survived the explosion.

It’s only Jayce, the only person who could show him what he showed him, that gets through to him in the end and convinces him to give up his Glorious Evolution.

"In all timelines, only you can show me this". Ekko is the catalyst but Jayce was the key.

Jayce returns the Acceleration rune to Viktor which kicks off a chain of events. The souls under Viktor’s control are freed from his grasp. Back in the real world, and back to the explosion, we see the following happening almost simultaneously: 

The blast from the Z-drive extends from Viktor’s reach to Jayce’s

The Acceleration rune embedded in Jayce’s wrist starts to glow from being activated by Jayce and Viktor in the astral plane

Jayce and Viktor are absorbed into the gem and the gemstone blips out of existence 

Recall that the Z-drive was created through an inversion of the Acceleration rune. To multiply something by its inverse, is to divide it by itself. The Acceleration rune multiplied by the Inversed Acceleration rune, cancels out the effect of the other: nullifying both the anomaly from the Z-drive but also the rune.

This explains why there was no larger explosion. Viktor and Jayce (who chose to stay) sacrificed themselves and took themselves out of the equation. Jayce and Viktor were the anomalies— just like the Z-drive should not have existed, neither should have Hextech.

Through all the timelines and permutations of runes that Viktor tried, the only combination that could have worked was in the timeline with the Acceleration rune. It couldn’t have worked if it was any other rune, if Ekko had never invented the Z-drive, or if Jayce had never convinced Viktor to give up his path of destruction, and got his partner back.

In short: Boy Savior saves the day; Love Wins

[iminmywritersdungeon]

Been thinking about Arcane and good parents v loving parents. Parents who care so so deeply but are toxic and poisonous.

Silco loves his daughter but he put a gun in her hand. He would give his life for that girl but he wouldn’t heal for her. He would burn the world to the ground but he wouldn’t plant a tree.

Vander seems cold and uncaring but he fights for those kids until his dying breath. He’s gruff and mean, he takes his kids things and he punishes them but he shows them what it means to live the way they do, what it means to be angry and to see where that anger goes.

Ambessa Medarda loves her daughter but she is a warlord, a conqueror. If her daughter fails to fit the mold then she will be conquered too. She will chisel away at the marble of her children and when the cracks become visible she will toss them out, and when golden tears bleed through the chips in the stone she will cry out “I did it for you!” And yet they are empty words. The golden sunburst of her daughter will wilt in her shadow.

Cassandra kiramman is so cold and venomous and like a disease to everything her daughter loves, but she also gets them a meeting with the council. She spreads her vulture wings over her daughter, clouding the sun, drowning her, and still dutifully feeds her when she asks oh so nicely, when she can no longer deny her.

Ximena Talis is both loving and good because she does what she needs to keep her son safe and by god does she love him. She will make the sacrifices and make the choices and make sure her son can live the life that he almost lost.

Singed is like Viktor’s father, but Viktor will be crushed underfoot if he cannot make sacrifices, love and legacy. He will tear his own body to shreds and he will look into that scarred face and he will feel his body destroy him.

And of course, there are Jinx and VI’s birth parents. We know nothing about them, not their names, who they were, whether they were cold or warm or caring or cruel. What we know is that they were on that bridge. What we know is that they wanted better.

Parenthood will rip you to shreds if you cannot handle it. It will riddle you with bullets and it will cry over your corpse are you willing to lose them, are they willing to lose you?

Is there anything so undoing as a daughter?

[vampiristar]

GUYS, I WAS RIGHT! THEIR SEPARATION CREATED CHAOS BUT TOGETHER THEY CREATE ORDER. THEY ARE THE ORDER THAT EMERGES FROM CHAOS 😭😭‼️

[reallifetangent]

Arcane related comment

Have we noticed that making Jayce sign with "Viktor and Jayce Talis" as a subtle version of him giving his last name to Viktor, it's also keeping his name together and in case someone cof Piltover cof or the academy cof wants to take Viktor out of the picture, they can just crop out his name without fixing any blank spaces, just cover it up and you have all the credits going to Jayce Talis.

Jayce did it with the intentions of having Viktor's name mentioned first, hard to ignore. Viktor once pointed out that it looked like they were married or something. Time later Jayce probably notices that Viktor's name was taken out and he starts signing "Jayce and Viktor Talis" and see who dares now because his calligraphy would be difficult to replicate on purpose and they must keep their names in the credits. Plus some lettering intertwines so you can't tell which letter decoration belongs to Jayce or Viktor.

[apollognese]

"I was supposed to die..."

[smallandangry24]

The additional symbolism of this scene that no one talks about

The shot of Jayce looking down from Piltover vs Viktor’s looking up from Zaun

Viktor’s Night being the antithesis of Jayce’s Day, the night coming when Viktor saves Jayce and the day shining when Jayce saves Viktor

Focusing on Jayce’s shoulders: his responsibilities vs Viktor’s cane: his disability. These are the main things the characters struggle with or against in their main character arcs. Both the shoulder and cane are also forms of support offered to the other carry the burden of being alone. They complete each other.

Despite their differences if not outright dichotomy, they both stand in the same place over the same drop for the same reason alone in the same halo shaped portal to a permanent last stop

Viktor takes hold of the rune stone, the magic that will both doom and save him, tying his fate with Jayce’s. Jayce puts down his hammer and grasps Viktor’s shoulders, choosing him over his duty, dream, and Piltover…. Any of that sound familiar:

Anyway this is beautiful and we are in eternal debt to all of the writers, animators, and artists who worked on this bless

[melanchovy]

I'm sure this has already been talked about/is glaringly obvious but the names of the characters in arcane are such a good detail in showing the class difference between Zaun and Piltover. like how those from Piltover have last names (Caitlyn Kiramman, Jayce Talis) while those from Zaun... don't (Jinx, Ekko, Vi, Viktor). ALSO, from a character design perspective, the names of those from Zaun are sharper, less-syllabled, easily recognisable, and uncommon (Sevika, Silco). meanwhile, those from Piltover rely on last names to be differentiated (e.g. the Kiramman legacy, how people reacted immediately to Caitlyn pulling her family background up, and how she gains status just by being in the family, nepo baby style) showing the differences in how status is determined. the people from Piltover are allowed to have identities in their family (most openly seen in Ambessa Medarda), while families from The Undercity aren't seen as families at all (Silco & Jinx being seen in Piltover as an alliance rather than an adoption). it's SO GOOD!!! names will always tell you so much about culture, status, purpose, and the creators of arcane (or LOL(?)) have utilised that perfectly.

[neo--queen--serenity]

I think it was a very fascinating and deliberate choice on the creators’ part to give the two people closest to Jayce—Viktor and Mel—the same imagery that evokes the mystery mage who helped Jayce when he was a child.

We see this visual callback first in Viktor, in Act I:

This makes sense, of course, once we know the mystery mage is Viktor—albeit a future version of himself. But what struck me is the fact that they also gave Mel Medarda the same treatment.

When Jayce first sees her after the awakening of her magic, he sees that image—a being whose mere presence caused his weapon to light up in recognition, paired with a robe covering their identity—and I think there’s a great possibility that he asked himself if this was the one; the mage who saved him when he was young.

Once she reveals herself, he visibly relaxes, and they reconnect. But the physical change in her is clear in her body language. She now moves like the mage in Jayce’s memory. She hides her face in her hood often, something she never used to do before. And her mannerisms are slightly different, which could easily be accounted for due to her not being used to the magic now alive in her body. But it’s the change itself that makes the viewer do a double-take.

It could just be that Mel and Viktor are the only mages we see up close in the series. Perhaps it is simply what happens when magic transforms their wielder in subtle, physical ways.

But I think the parallel holds narrative weight as well. The two people with the most affection and influence over Jayce both end up touched by the Arcane in ways that are both transformative and involuntary. The are changed after their bodies become vessels of magic.

I think that’s why the creators gave both Mel and Viktor the same iconography that would invoke a clear memory from Jayce’s childhood as the symbol that started him on the path to magic.

Viktor actually was the mystery mage from Jayce’s memory, and after the finale, the viewer knows why. But I think, implicitly, the point was that either one of them could have been.

[dancingdaffodils08]

Omfg Jayce coming to understand the destruction that magic can cause and resenting it AFTER two of his loved ones manifest themselves in it is so…

[hexhomos]

The 'Talis' hypothesis

So I think the S2 trailer confirms something central about Arcane I've wondered for a while. This has plot bearings to it, namely what nebulous purpose 'Magic' serves in the story -- how they're changing the role Hextech has in the game lore, incl. its power system & ruleset -- and what kind of hubris is associated with it historically. But it also answers something that has always nagged at me: why the fuck did they change Jayce's name?

So let's talk about this picture. And I'm going to give you the rosetta stone in 5 seconds:

This is Hextech now. Like that is just an incredibly concise and complete descriptor of Hextech-in-Arcane, right. It 'harms' Jinx, it 'protects' Jayce in the snowstorm, it 'heals' Viktor to a degree. It is installed permanently in architecture; the Hexgates ARE the brand.

First off, we have this fucker carrying around a talisman from back when he was 7, and the cinematography of the show agonizes over showing you this throughout all of ep2:

Jayce's bracelet is a bang-on definition of a historical talisman. The way hextech *functions* in the show is inextricable from the promises and rites associated with talismans, a word appropriated/popularized by the French - which I'm going to conservatively argue Fortiche would be familiar with;

Which brings me to the subject of what Hextech is, and how Hextech was changed for the tv show (and what its possibly being retconned to in the game)

Hex'tech' is not technology. The name is a carryover from a bygone era of leagueoflegends speak; Hextech in Arcane, and presumably in expanded lore going forward (given Skarner's rework and other things) - is the study, development, and the building of an industry around the craft of practical Talismans. If you want to understand how this shit works you need to promptly abandon the assumption that it is 'manufactured' magic -- its pure magic. It's raw magic. The tech part is a red herring misnomer.

The beliefs around this already cover links to 'the Arcane' as another, ethereal destination realm with Inhabitants that learn and change, ontop of rune-carving as magical instruction;

This also covers Viktor's impending transformation and the changes made to his character.

IN MY OPINION, via the content released so far and what we've already witnessed in S1, Viktor has been shifted away from becoming 'the machine herald' and re-positioned to become the Herald of Divine Rune Alchemy or whichever name they end up using.

I don't doubt that he'll get the armor at some point, because that's a recognizable visual and as much fanservice as they owe his decade-long fans, but... I would temper my expectations around the thought of machine evolution. It's not what this Viktor does, and it's not what he (or the narrative,) is interested in -- My guess is that the armor comes into play as a secondary way to AVOID overusing limited magical power, as we've seen runes can be depleted, and the hexcore tends to kill things in exchange.

Now that we've established all that, here is the bridge that I'm going to sell you.

Now, for today's homework, I expect you to run off to do something useful and homoerotic with this information.

[rabbiitte]

Queer Coding in Media: Jayce and Viktor's Case.

Let's address what Christian Linke recently said about Jayce and Viktor's relationship because this is making some noise in the community:

According to the co-creator, Jayce and Viktor love each other like “brothers”.

Christian states that he doesn't understand why people see their relationship as a romantic one.

Linke also added, after the end of the series, that Viktor is canonically asexual and dismissed a possible romantic relationship with Jayce due to that reason.

We'll expand on these points next. But first, some context.

| About queer coding...

If Jayce and Viktor's relationship is seen as beyond brotherly, it's because it was portrayed that way. Their relationship is very queer coded.

Queer coding refers to the practice of subtly implying that a character in a piece of media is part of the LGBTQ+ community without explicitly stating or confirming it. This is often achieved through subtext, symbolism or specific character traits associated with queerness. This often arises due to societal restrictions, censorship or creators intentionally embedding queer elements into their work.

Queer coding for a couple in media involves using subtle visual, narrative or dialogue-based cues to suggest a romantic or deeply intimate connection between two characters without explicitly confirming their relationship as romantic or LGBTQ+. This type of queer coding focuses on the dynamic between the two characters rather than just one individual's traits.

When discussing queer coding in media, the examples can include both the content of the relationship itself (dialogues, interactions and dynamics) and visual and non-visual narrative (cinematographic techniques, narrative techniques and the use of music). Both aspects—content and narrative—are essential to queer coding because: a) Content provides the material that audiences can latch onto (dialogues, dynamics or gestures) and b) the narrative guides how the audience perceives this material (through visuals or music, for example).

Below are examples and methods used to queer code couples:

Relationship's Content (character dynamics and dialogues):

These are the in-universe moments or dialogues that give romantic or emotionally intense undertones to the relationship. For Jayce and Viktor, this includes:

1. Use of subtext in dialogue or relationships:

Ambiguous or "more-than-friendship" dynamics: Characters have intense emotional bonds or interactions that go beyond typical friendships but stop short of being explicitly romantic. Jayce and Viktor’s connection, for example, is filled with vulnerability, admiration and devotion beyond brotherhood. Their willingness to risk everything to save each other in each timeline adds a tragic, almost romantic layer to their bond. Jayce’s comment calling Viktor “beautiful despite his imperfections” and their mutual sacrifices suggest a deep connection that goes beyond friendship or platonic relationships. Their bond, tied to time loops and destiny, feels more like a soul bond with a cosmic significance that transcends a typical brotherly dynamic. In other cases, this would be a romance.

Loaded Dialogue: Lines of dialogue may carry double meanings or suggest emotional or physical intimacy without being overt (e.g., characters use ambiguous terms like partner, special or soulmate, which can suggest deeper feelings without explicitly labeling the relationship). For example, if one says, "I’d sacrifice everything for you," it resonates beyond platonic territory. Dialogue between Viktor and Jayce is filled with layered meanings that suggest a connection deeper than traditional friendship. Here are some examples:

When Viktor’s former mentor warns him about sacrificing love and legacy, Viktor instinctively replies "Jayce will understand," directly associating Jayce with love and signaling how central Jayce is to his emotional world. Similarly, Jayce’s decision to abandon politics to return to the lab is encapsulated in the line "my place was always here in the lab with you," which emphasizes that his devotion isn't just to their work but specifically to Viktor. The repeated use of "partner" by Jayce further blurs the lines between professional collaboration and emotional intimacy, as the word carries dual meanings, suggesting equality and closeness. The term is somewhere between friends, brothers and more than that. Hence, the term can be freely interpreted. Viktor later reflects on their bond by stating, "it was affection that held us together," acknowledging that their relationship transcended shared goals and was rooted in genuine emotional warmth. Finally, Jayce telling Viktor, "there is beauty in imperfections," as he admires Viktor’s struggles and physical challenges, conveys profound validation and care, elevating their bond to one of deep emotional resonance. These lines collectively demonstrate how their dialogue is charged with a sense of intimacy and mutual admiration, allowing the relationship to be interpreted as more than platonic, hinting at queer coding through its emotional depth and layered expressions.

2. Body language and interactions:

Lingering gazes or physical proximity: Close, lingering touches, extended eye contact or standing too close for “just friends” —common romantic cues—are often used. For example, long hugs, holding hands or standing closely during emotional moments are subtle ways of suggesting attraction or intimacy. In Jayce and Viktor's case, Jayce is almost always the one who initiates the physical contact. Jayce's non-verbal language with Viktor is marked by gestures of reassurence with a hand on his shoulder, hugs without centimeters of distance and fast moves to help Viktor in the face of his weakening due to his illness. An important detail to take into account is Jayce's reaction to Viktor and Mel's return. When Viktor returns from the dead, Jayce surprises his friend with a hug that knocks him off balance by his strength. When Mel returns after no one knew of her whereabouts, Jayce doesn't even hug her, but instead complains about why she didn't save Viktor.

Protective gestures: Scenes of one character sacrificing for, protecting or expressing deep vulnerability to another can suggest more intimate feelings. Jayce and Viktor's relationship also has the presence of hundreds of moments in which they both profess for the safety and well-being of the other. In season one, after having sex with Mel, she wakes up in an empty bed. It turns out that Jayce was with Viktor, waiting on the side of the bed for him to wake up. This detail alone shows where Jayce's loyalty lies. But, overall, Jayce is very delicate and helpful towards Viktor. In turn, the only moment in which Viktor initiates physical contact is to reassure Jayce so that he doesn't feel pain on the astral plane. Both join their foreheads in a significant gesture of appreciation and affection and console each other at the end of their existences.

3. Avoidance of heteronormativity:

Lack of romantic interest in the opposite sex: A queer-coded character may show no explicit attraction to the opposite sex while forming deep emotional bonds with same-sex characters. This is especially true for Victor, who has had no interest in any character of the opposite gender during the two seasons. The guilt Viktor felt over Sky's death shouldn't be confused with sexual, romantic or aesthetic attraction. Viktor practically didn't even know Sky's name during the first season and, despite knowing each other since childhood, Viktor continues to call her "Miss Young" during the second season. As you may already know, Sky's presence in the second part of Arcane represents what Viktor has left of humanity. Jayce is a separate case, since he did have a sexual-affective relationship with Mel, despite not being officially a couple. However, he always put Viktor's well-being above his relationship with Mel.

Unconventional partnerships: Instead of marrying, having children, or living “normal” lives, queer-coded characters often follow nontraditional paths. The unconventional partnership between Jayce and Viktor lies in their shared path of devoting their lives to science and progress instead of following more traditional societal expectations. Their bond, rooted in their shared ambition and mutual understanding, creates a life partnership that revolves around innovation, discovery and reshaping the world. Together, they prioritize their intellectual and creative pursuits over conventional relationships, with their lab becoming the core of their connection and purpose. This can be seen, for example, in the moment when Jayce decides to resign from politics because he realizes that his place is next to Viktor in the lab. This partnership not only defines their lives but also strengthens their relationship, making it deeply meaningful and unique in its intimacy and shared vision.

Visual and non-visual narrative (cinematographic techniques, narrative techniques and music):

These are the deliberate storytelling choices that imply deeper subtext or allow the audience to interpret a couple's bond as queer. Examples include:

1. Visual narrative:

Symbolism (in scenes): are visual and narrative moments intentionally designed to evoke ambiguity, emotional depth or hidden meanings in a relationship. These scenes often rely on subtext, metaphor or visual framing to suggest intimacy or connection between two characters, leaving their nature open to interpretation. For example, Jayce's campfire scene. Fire might symbolize Jayce's internal turmoil. Mel appearing first may reflect her role as a significant figure in Jayce's life, while Viktor appearing next could symbolize a deeper, enduring connection. The fire "burning away" Mel and transitioning to Viktor might suggest that, in this moment, Jayce's thoughts are consumed by Viktor, representing a priority or emotional focus shifting toward Viktor. So, Viktor isn't simply a colleague or friend but someone whose presence looms large in Jayce's thoughts, surpassing Mel's. While the scene might not explicitly state anything romantic, the visual choices align with tropes often used to convey profound emotional connections, making it easy to interpret the subtext as romantic or deeply personal.

The decision to interweave Viktor’s scene with Jayce and Mel's scene while having sex is highly unusual too. If Jayce and Viktor are purely platonic friends, such a juxtaposition does feel strange. I understand, both Jayce and Viktor are "merging" with something beyond themselves, but can you imagine a similar scene with Jinx and Vi? If Jayce and Viktor's relationship were purely professional, friendly or brotherly, such imagery wouldn't normally feel warranted in storytelling.

Parallelism: In storytelling, parallelism refers to the use of comparable or mirrored elements—such as characters, themes or visuals—to draw connections or contrasts. It often involves showing two or more situations, characters or relationships side-by-side to highlight their similarities, differences or shared significance within the narrative. In Arcane, the creators align Viktor with Mel through parallels. Through this technique, creators seem to suggest that Viktor holds a similar or even equivalent place in Jayce’s life. Since Mel’s relationship with Jayce is explicitly romantic, this framing subtly implies that Viktor could also occupy a romantic or emotionally intimate role.

2. Non-visual narrative:

Music and Lyrics: are powerful tools to subtly hint at romantic or emotional dynamics between characters without explicitly stating them. By selecting specific songs or using lyrics that carry layered meanings, creators can invoke emotions or associations that resonate with queer themes, intimacy or romantic undertones. Songs that have lyrics with open-ended or ambiguous lines, when placed over scenes with queer-coded characters, allow for multiple interpretations. This creates a sense of queerness without labeling it outright, allowing the audience to interpret the relationship as they see fit. As is the case of the song The Line by Twenty One Pilots. Through the line "pull the blanket tight now" you can interpret the song from Viktor's point of view and dedicated to Jayce (since Jayce was the one who gave the blanket to Viktor).

Comparisons and mirroring: narrative parallels with romantic couples, either in character arcs, sacrifices or framing. For example, Jayce and Viktor share a significant bond across multiple timelines. Jinx and Ekko, meanwhile, also share a significant bond in another timeline. This could be interpreted as both couples choosing each other, even, in alternate universes. This is an idea that is commonly related to romantic relationships. Love across different universes is seen as something beyond fraternal and worthy of epic romantic love. In the same episode that Ekko meets Jinx in another timeline, Jayce meets Viktor in another timeline too. The same thing happens in episode three of season two. In the same episode where Vi and Caitlyn fight and part ways, Jayce and Viktor also fight and part ways. In this way, Jayce and Viktor follow a similar pattern and theme (albeit on a larger scale) to that of the other canonically romantic couples in the series.

Subtext in dialogue: refers to lines with double meanings that subtly suggest emotional or romantic undertones. The choice by the creators of lines that are commonly associated with romantic relationships such as "beautiful despite the imperfections", "in all timelines, in all possibilities, only you can show me this", "my place is in the laboratory, with you" or "it was affection that held us" convey an ambiguous message that leaves the possibility of multiple interpretations open. The use of the term "partner" was not accidental either. This word is commonly used by queer individuals to signify a romantic relationship while avoiding gendered language. Jayce and Viktor not calling each other “brothers” is significant because it leaves room for ambiguity, suggesting that the creators might not have wanted to firmly define the relationship. Jayce only called Viktor "brother" once and then insisted on the term "partners" until the end of the series.

As you noted, these aren’t accidental choices—they are purposeful creative decisions made by team members who do support the romantic interpretation of Jayce and Viktor's relationship. Animators, voice actors and designers contributed to shaping this relationship through subtle creative choices. For example, animators might have chosen specific expressions or gestures to convey deeper intimacy, even if this wasn’t explicitly stated in the script. Leaving their relationship ambiguous might have been seen as a “safe” route in the face of disagreements.

In collaborative works like Arcane, no single individual (not even Christian Linke) dictates the entirety of what's canon or not. Creative contributions from diverse team members with their own agenda and interpretations also shape meaning.

If the intention was to show a “brotherly” relationship but the execution led to widespread interpretation of a romantic one, it's failure in storytelling. If the intention was to show a "queer coded" relationship and the execution led to widespread interpretation of a romantic one, then it's success in storytelling.

Death of the author: Viewers also have their own interpretations and that's valid. Varied interpretations shouldn't be dismissed. Here the death of the author applies. This term refers to the fact that, after an author publishes a piece of work, that piece ceases to belong exclusively to the author. Once a work is released, it belongs to the audience as much as the creators. If significant parts of the fanbase interpret Viktor and Jayce as more than friends, that interpretation becomes part of the narrative’s cultural impact, regardless of authorial intent.

The interpretation in media of queer codes is deeply influenced by cultural cues. Although this changes from society to society, social cues are the same for everyone. If Viktor and Jayce’s interactions evoke a sense of romance, it’s because the storytelling taps into those cues, whether intentionally or not. The relationship between them two integrates cultural and social codes typical of queer relationships.

Cultural codes: are tied to traditions, beliefs and shared understandings within a specific culture or subculture. They include symbols (objects, gestures, or imagery that carry specific meanings within a culture —e.g., a wedding ring symbolizing commitment—), narrative patterns (storytelling conventions that audiences recognize, such as the "star-crossed lovers" trope or visual parallels that suggest a connection between characters), expressions and language (words, phrases, or metaphors that carry connotations shaped by cultural usage —e.g., the word "partner" often implying romance in contemporary Western culture—.

Social codes: are the behaviors and norms that define interactions and relationships between individuals or groups. These codes are often context-dependent and include: body language (physical gestures or proximity that suggest intimacy, power, or affection —e.g., lingering touches or intense eye contact indicating closeness—), relationship norms (expectations about how certain types of relationships—platonic, familial, romantic—are expressed in actions and language) and contextual cues (the way relationships are framed by their environment, such as a candlelit dinner indicating romance or playful banter suggesting friendship).

The way Viktor and Jayce interact is coded in a way that aligns more with romantic love than familial or platonic love. So, asking to associate Jayce and Viktor's relationship with a “brothers” type of relationship would mean having to disregard cultural and social codes.

| Romantic Undertones as "Canon Adjacent”.

As I previously said, the romantic undertone of Jayce and Viktor's relationship would result in a canonically established couple in any other series. So, what I see here is a double standard in romantic representation in the series. For example, many think that Ekko and Jinx are canon after (a conversation that wasn't added to the series and after...) Ekko gave his jacket to Jinx. Jayce and Viktor’s dynamic features more romantic subtext than that but they still are dismissed as "brothers". Is this homophobia? No, of course not. How could it be homophobia if Arcane shows an established lesbian couple? Well, let me tell you, lesbian representation is more socially accepted in male-dominated spaces due to fetishization, whereas romantic relationships between men are less embraced. The idea of two men in love can lead many people to question the masculinity of these men and the masculinity associated with characters like Jayce or Viktor is vital to League of Legends. Making a canonically gay male character is riskier for the franchise because, in lol, masculinity is an element that, many times, determines the election of one character over the other.

Unlike Vi and Cait, among whom (I understand) there was the belief of a romantic relationship, Jayce and Viktor were never associated in that way. So, I can see the risk.

If Linke intended to focus on male friendship, that’s fine, but dismissing other interpretations, especially in a story as emotionally charged as Jayce and Viktor’s, can come across as limiting or dismissive of queer readings, whether intentional or not. It would have been better for Christian Linke to shut up and let everyone have their own interpretation about Jayce and Viktor's bond. Instead of insisting on interpreting Jayce and Viktor’s bond as “brotherly”, it would be more inclusive and respectful to let viewers interpret their relationship freely. By insisting on framing Viktor and Jayce as just “brothers” or “friends,” the show risks falling into the “no-homo” trope, where creators deliberately steer clear of portraying characters as gay despite clear romantic subtext.

| Linke's arguments.

Arguments like "media lacks non-romantic platonic relationships" feel insincere because these type of relationships aren't underrepresented in media. That crisis never existed. Many popular shows and movies focus on deep, platonic male bonds (e.g., Sherlock Holmes, The Lord of the Rings, Supernatural). While it’s admirable to showcase strong male friendships, it’s not a groundbreaking theme. In such a case, there is a lack of representation of non-romantic platonic relationships between men and women. These type of relationships are equally rare and more deserving of advocacy, but we still have timebomb (Jinx and Ekko). In conclusion, media has no shortage of non-romantic male-male bonds, but LGBTQ+ male romantic relationships remain underrepresented. So, Christian Linke's dismissal about JayVik was even more noticeable after that argument.

Also, I would like to add that referring to a relationship as a "romantic" one doesn't diminish the importance or depth of a bond. Friendship isn’t erased by romance. In fact, many memorable romantic relationships in media are related to friendship (e.g., Anne and Gilbert from Anne with an E). But, to call it a brothers-like relationship would diminish the profound, cosmic depth of their connection because their bond is about recognition, unconditional support and shared purpose, even at the cost of the world. It’s poetic and tragic, resonating with themes of love, identity, and the human condition. The time loops, their repeated choice to find each other and their interconnected destinies make their relationship feel larger-than-life. For many viewers, this mythic quality resembles soulmate narratives rather than simple friendship or brotherhood.

Another argument that reveals Christian Linke's rejection of Jayce and Viktor as a possible romantic relationship, is the statement about Viktor being asexual. I would like to ask what is the point of revealing this information after the show ended? Representation works best when it's woven into the narrative, not dropped as an afterthought. Beyond that, I think Mr. Linke should educate himself. Experiencing little or no sexual attraction doesn't mean that romantic attraction cannot be experienced. Being asexual doesn't mean that a person can't be gay.

Asexuality: is a sexual orientation characterized by the lack of sexual attraction to others. This means that an asexual person typically doesn't experience the desire to engage in sexual activities with anyone, regardless of gender. However, asexuality exists on a spectrum. Asexuality as a spectrum refers to the understanding that asexuality encompasses a wide range of experiences and expressions of little to no sexual attraction. Rather than being a single, fixed identity, the asexual spectrum includes various orientations and preferences regarding sexual and romantic attraction.

Many asexual people form deep, meaningful romantic bonds and there's no inherent contradiction between being asexual and experiencing romantic feelings. To use Viktor’s supposed asexuality as a reason to dismiss any potential romantic undertones between him and Jayce feels reductive and dismissive—not just of their dynamic, but also of the diverse experiences of asexual individuals.

Let's end this post on a more positive note with Arcane team members who do support Jayvik.

Posts from animators + Jayce's voice actor with a JayVik fanart.

Viktor's character designer + posts from animator.

Moose is the creative director + AgentR is an animator + Mel's voice actress.

[nabexis]

So like. Did anyone else notice that Jayce doesn't immediately shoot Viktor? He only powers his hammer on AFTER Viktor has opened his eyes. Below is Jayce's reaction to seeing Viktor (his Viktor, from his universe, not the future version of him) for the first time after walking into the dome. For the first time in months. That's like. A look of wonder. Almost reverence.

Assuming the Jinx/Rictus/Vander fight is cut to real-time after Jayce has gone into the dome, he's staring at Viktor for like. 5 minutes.

My interpretation here, of Jayce's expression just before Viktor finally opens his eyes to see Jayce in the room with him, he's committing Viktor to memory, before he has to kill him.

Edit: I almost missed it but like. HE IS SMILING For like 2 frames it's an outright smile. He leans in towards him, too. I cannot handle this.