Jinx is one of the major characters in Arcane, the animated series inspired by the hit multiplayer online battle arena video game League of Legends. However, Jinx is a complex character due to her emotional trauma, leaving some confused about whether she is a protagonist or a villain. She is more of an anti-heroine or a tragic antagonist, considering her past. In the final episode, Jinx sacrifices herself to save Vi by falling to her death. However, there are some signs suggesting that she seemingly made it out alive, which left fans confused about her fate. Arcane co-creator Christian Linke shared his thoughts about the much-talked scene, but his response is unlikely to end the debate whether Jinx is dead or alive.
Linke spoke with TechRadar and was asked about Jinx’s fate, as fans wondered if she was alive. “I can neither confirm or deny [the Jinx is alive]. I will say this: her whole story is about turning from the little, bumbling sister into someone who is able to take responsibility and do what a big sister needs to do,” Linke explained. According to him, Jinx grew up and matured after she saved Isha from the Chem Baron Chross’ men. Isha is an orphan who becomes loyal to Jinx after the latter saves her life. Jinx’s relationship with Isha starkly contrasts her relationship with Vi.
Jinx and Vi have a complex relationship because the former felt that the latter abandoned her when she needed her the most. Meanwhile, Vi acted as a protective and maternal figure to the former but left her after learning that Jinx, who used to be Powder, was involved in the explosion that killed their adoptive family Vander, Mylo, and Claggor because she didn’t listen as told. The incident paved the way for Powder to end up in Silco’s wing, the main antagonist in Season 1. In the final episode of Arcane Season 2, Jinx was ready to die for Vi after they reconnected and fought together against Warwick, just as how Isha sacrificed her life to save Jinx from the same villain. Linke stressed that Jinx’s sacrifice was a sign of her maturity, but he left fans to decide whether the anti-heroine survived.
Even in that scene [involving Vi, Jinx, and Warwick], there’s something where Vi is incapable of kind of sacrificing the ones she loves and leaving them behind. Jinx has a moment where she has grown and she’s capable of stepping in, and it’s a big decision that’s important for her. So, that’s I guess, where I’ll leave it.
The debate about Jinx’s fate, whether she’s alive or not, is understandable because some scenes suggest that she survived. When Jinx let go of Vi’s hand to fall to her death with Warwick, she pulled out one of her bombs and set it off. However, later in the show, a series of air vents leading directly out of Hexgate is shown, which means Jinx probably escaped the explosion. Also, when Caitlyn went over the Hexgate’s blueprints, she saw the tunnels branching off from the tower and a half-smile formed in her face. Many took it as another indication that Jinx survived.
Linke probably intended the show’s vague ending for Jinx to stir the viewers’ imagination, since her body wasn’t shown after the explosion, leaving it open for interpretation. Death is a huge sacrifice and will be a great way to end Jinx’s complex story arc. However, for hopeful fans, giving Jinx a second chance to live and reconcile with Vi is also a beautiful ending. So, it’s up to the viewers to choose their type of ending. Linke has already moved on from Jinx and is working on three new League of Legends shows focusing on Noxus, Ionia, and Demacia.
Arcane streams on Netflix.
