Jinx (League of Legends)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jinx
League of Legends character
JinxLeagueOfLegends.jpeg
Official artwork of Jinx
First gameLeague of Legends (October 2013 update)
Created byKatie De Sousa
August Browning
Graham McNeill
Voiced by
Developed byChristian Linke
Alex Yee
In-universe information
Full namePowder
AliasThe Loose Cannon
NicknamePow-Pow
SpeciesChemically-altered human
GenderFemale
OccupationCriminal
FamilyVi (elder sister)
Mylo (adoptive elder brother) †
Claggor (adoptive elder brother) †
Vander (first adoptive father) †
Silco (second adoptive father) †
OriginZaun (formerly the undercity of Piltover)

Jinx (born Powder) is a character in Riot Games' League of Legends franchise. She was introduced as a playable champion for the video game in October 2013, and has appeared in subsequent installments as well as the 2021 Netflix animated series Arcane. Jinx is depicted as a manic and impulsive criminal from Zaun and the younger sister and archenemy of the Piltover enforcer Vi.

Jinx has become one of the most popular and iconic characters in League of Legends, and her portrayal in Arcane garnered widespread acclaim from fans and critics.

Concept and creation[]

Illustrator Katie De Sousa posted conceptual artwork of the "gun-toting, braid-rocking criminal" that would end up being Jinx on a bulletin board for potential ideas at Riot Games.[4] De Sousa wanted to create a "completely insane female villain who is beyond any kind of reform or rehabilitation" for League of Legends.[5] De Sousa was also a fan of "Attack Damage Carry" (ADC), a term used to describe champions that deal high levels of continuous damage in matches. The character was given the codename "Psycho Arsenal" and remained on the board for months until August Browning, seeking to make a weapon-swapping ADC, decided to work on her with De Sousa. They avoided giving her a "sexy persona" and instead depicted her as a pale and slender woman who wielded disproportionately oversized weapons to make her stand out from other female League champions.[4] The Joker, Gollum, and actress Helena Bonham Carter served as primary inspirations for Jinx's character.[5][6]

Jinx's backstory was written by novelist Graham McNeill.[7] To build up to her debut, a music video starring the character titled "Get Jinxed" was released on the League of Legends YouTube channel.[8] Jinx would officially join League of Legends in the October 2013 update.[9] Voice actress Sarah Anne Williams provided Jinx’s voice for most of the games and videos she featured in.[1] The character's origin was later expanded upon when she was adapted by Christian Linke and Alex Yee for the animated series Arcane.[10][11][12][13] The first season was released on Netflix in 2021.[14][15] Ella Purnell voices Jinx in the series, while Mia Sinclair Jenness voices a younger version of the character in Act 1.[16]

Appearances[]

League of Legends[]

Main article: League of Legends

Jinx was added as a playable champion to the marksman roster of League of Legends in October 2013.[9] As established in the lore written by Graham McNeill, Jinx was once a young innocent girl from Zaun, the seedy underbelly of the utopian city of Piltover. She harbors a dark and mysterious past with Vi, another champion from the game.[7] Following a childhood tragedy, Jinx grew up to become "manic and impulsive" and her capacity for creating mayhem "became the stuff of legend". Her most notorious crimes include releasing a stampede of exotic animals, disrupting trade by lining the city's bridges with destructive explosives, and pulling a heist on one of Piltover’s most secure treasuries.[7] The game’s developers ensured the character moved quickly during gameplay to portray her chaotic personality and energy.[4]

Jinx’s primary weapons include her minigun nicknamed "Pow-Pow"; her shock pistol "Zapper"; her explosive grenades called "Flame Chompers"; and her customized rocket launcher dubbed "Fishbones" for its shark-inspired design.

Jinx's alternate character skins in the game originate from parallel realities separate from the main lore. In the “Odyssey” universe, Jinx is a member of an intergalactic crew that travels the cosmos.[17] In the “Star Guardian” universe, she is part of a magical girl squad.[18]

Arcane[]

Main article: Arcane (TV series)
Jinx, as she appears in Arcane

The first season of Arcane reveals that Jinx was originally named Powder.[16] She and her older sister Vi were orphaned following the repressed undercity's failed uprising against the utopian city of Piltover, after which they were taken in by Vander, the leader of the rebellion.[10][11][19]

At the start of the series, Powder and Vi rob a penthouse owned by Piltover scientist Jayce. Powder steals a set of arcane crystals and causes an explosion.[20] They escape back to the undercity but the enforcers of Piltover relentlessly search for the culprit.[21] Vander turns himself in to protect them only to be taken by Silco, his former brother-in-arms. Powder follows Vi and her adopted brothers, Mylo and Claggor, when they leave to rescue Vander and, attempting to help them fend off Silco's forces, uses the stolen crystals to cause a massive explosion that results in the deaths of Vander, Mylo and Claggor. In her grief, Vi hits Powder and calls her a "jinx" before walking away. Believing herself to be abandoned, Powder seeks comfort in Silco's arms.[22]

Years later, a teenage Powder goes by the name of 'Jinx', having been raised by Silco as his daughter. Silco has taken control of the undercity, now called Zaun, and Jinx is trusted to oversee the smuggling of 'Shimmer', a chemical stimulant that Silco plans to use in his second revolt, into Piltover. When a job goes awry due to the interference of insurgents known as the Firelights, Jinx attempts to impress Silco by stealing an arcane 'Hextech' gemstone from Jayce, killing six enforcers in the process.[23] Rookie enforcer Caitlyn recruits Vi, who has been imprisoned for years, to help track Jinx down.[24] Jinx turns on Vi upon realizing that she is working with an enforcer. The Firelights intervene and take Vi, Caitlyn and the gemstone.[25]

Jinx kills the enforcers on the bridge connecting Zaun to Piltover and recovers the gemstone, though she is grievously wounded during an encounter with Ekko, the Firelights' leader and her former childhood friend.[26] Silco finds Jinx and brings her to Singed, a scientist who injects her with Shimmer to heal her injuries. Jinx hallucinates Vi and Caitlyn inflicting her pain so she kidnaps them both.[27] She abducts Silco as well upon hearing him lament choosing between Zaun's independence and her as part of an ultimatum offered to him by Jayce. Jinx forces Vi to choose between Caitlyn and herself. Both Vi and Silco appeal to Jinx, causing her to suffer a panic attack. Silco breaks free and almost shoots Vi before Jinx, in a manic fit, guns him down. In his final moments, Silco reaffirms he never would have betrayed Jinx and comforts her by telling her she is "perfect". Jinx finally accepts her new identity and, having weaponized the gemstone to power a rocket launcher, fires at the Piltover council just as they approve to grant Zaun its independence.[28]

Other appearances[]

Jinx has also featured in various League of Legends spin-off games, including Teamfight Tactics, Legends of Runeterra, and League of Legends: Wild Rift.[29][30][31] As promotion for Arcane, Jinx was added as a playable character in PUBG Mobile, Fortnite, and Among Us.[32][33][34]

Music videos[]

Jinx was one of the first champions from League of Legends to feature in her own video in the lead-up to her in-game release. The animated music video "Get Jinxed" by Agnete Kjølsrud from the band Djerv was released on October 8, 2013. It follows Jinx’s destructive exploits in Piltover. It has received over 115 million views on YouTube as of February 2022.[8][35]

The character is also the main focus of the music video "Enemy" by Imagine Dragons and JID, which depicts "the parts of her childhood that led her to a life of crime". "Enemy" was released to promote Arcane, in addition to being featured as the series' opening theme. It has garnered over 109 million views on YouTube as of February 2022.[36][37][38]

Reception[]

Jinx is often labeled as one of the most iconic champions from League of Legends,[39][40] and has become one of the most popular characters for fanart and cosplay.[41][42] Dot Esports contributes Jinx's continued popularity towards the "Get Jinxed" music video and her "magnetic" design.[35] PC Gamer listed Jinx as the 23rd most iconic character in PC gaming, citing her as the mascot for League of Legends.[43] Jinx has been featured in multiple videos for Riot Games' League of Legends YouTube channel, and was even the focal point of the cinematic launch trailer for the mobile game League of Legends: Wild Rift.[31][44]

Jinx's portrayal in Arcane garnered widespread acclaim from critics and fans.[45][46][47] Rafael Motamayor of IGN described the character as "compelling" and "what keep[s] you engaged episode after episode".[48][49] Fans have lauded the show's serious treatment of Jinx's mental illness to make her a more tragic character, rather than using it as a quirk for comedy.[50] Similarities have been noted between Jinx's characterization in Arcane and the DC Comics supervillain the Joker (who served as an inspiration for Jinx from the League of Legends game), specifically with regards to her actions in the season finale.[5][6]

The vocal performances of Ella Purnell and Mia Sinclair Jenness as Jinx and young Powder, respectively, received significant praise from critics;[51][52] Purnell won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production for her performance in the sixth episode of Arcane.[53][54]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Jinx — League of Legends — Behind The Voice Actors". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2019. A green check mark indicates that the role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. ^ "Jinx Voice — League of Legends (Video Game)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019. A green check mark indicates that the role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ^ a b "Jinx Voice — Arcane (TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 November 2021. A green check mark indicates that the role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of the title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  4. ^ a b c "Origins: Jinx - Forging the Loose Cannon". Nexus. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "9/26 PBE Update: Here Comes Jinx!". Surrender at 20. September 26, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "'Arcane: League of Legends' y la escena que cita a 'Batman: Death of the Family' (y 'La matanza de Texas')". Esquire. November 23, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  7. ^ a b c "Jinx - The Loose Cannon". Riot Games. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Get Jinxed (ft. Djerv) Official Music Video - League of Legends". League of Legends YouTube Channel. 8 October 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  9. ^ a b "League of Legends's reporting in Champion select feature set for July launch". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on October 25, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  10. ^ a b Conditt, Jessica (December 26, 2021). "'Arcane' creators explain why Jinx and Vi are the stars of the Netflix series". Engadget. Retrieved December 28, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ a b Capel, Chris J. (October 16, 2019). "League of Legends Arcane animated series will show the origins of Jinx and Vi". PCGamesN. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Marshall, Cass (October 15, 2019). "League of Legends is getting its own animated series called Arcane". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  13. ^ Shanley, Patrick (October 15, 2019). "Riot Games Developing Animated Series Based on 'League of Legends'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  14. ^ Summers, Nick (June 11, 2020). "'League of Legends's TV show 'Arcane' has been pushed back to 2021". Engadget. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  15. ^ Goslin, Austen (May 3, 2021). "League of Legends animated series is heading to Netflix". Polygon. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  16. ^ a b Cremona, Patrick (November 3, 2021). "Arcane: release date, cast and trailer for the League of Legends Netflix series". Radio Times. Retrieved November 21, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ "Odyssey - The Universe Needs Heroes". Riot Games. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  18. ^ "About Star Guardian Jinx". Riot Games. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  19. ^ Palmer, Philip (October 22, 2019). "League of Legends Arcane TV series: Release date, story, characters, and everything we know". PC Gamer. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  20. ^ "Welcome to the Playground". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 1. November 6, 2021. Netflix.
  21. ^ "Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 2. November 6, 2021. Netflix.
  22. ^ "The Base Violence Necessary for Change". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 3. November 6, 2021. Netflix.
  23. ^ "Happy Progress Day!". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 4. November 13, 2021. Netflix.
  24. ^ "Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 5. November 13, 2021. Netflix.
  25. ^ "When These Walls Come Tumbling Down". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 6. November 13, 2021. Netflix.
  26. ^ "The Boy Saviour". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 7. November 20, 2021. Netflix.
  27. ^ "Oil and Water". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 8. November 20, 2021. Netflix.
  28. ^ "The Monster You Created". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 9. November 20, 2021. Netflix.
  29. ^ "Hextech Heroes - Chibi Champion Showcase - Teamfight Tactics". League of Legends YouTube Channel. November 9, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  30. ^ "Jinx Champion Showcase - Gameplay - Legends of Runeterra". Legends of Runeterra YouTube Channel. April 17, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  31. ^ a b "You Really Got Me - Cinematic Trailer - League of Legends: Wild Rift (ft. 2WEI)". League of Legends YouTube Channel. 27 October 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  32. ^ "Runeterra Enters PUBG Mobile to celebrate RiotX Arcane". Riot Games. November 5, 2021.
  33. ^ "Fortnite Gets Jinxed to celebrate Arcane". Riot Games. November 5, 2021.
  34. ^ T., Victoria (November 12, 2021). "Announcing: The Among Us x Arcane Cosmicube!". Innersloth. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  35. ^ a b "Yesterday was Get Jinxed's five-year anniversary, so let's celebrate Jinx". Dot Esports. October 9, 2018. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "Imagine Dragons & JID - Enemy (from the series Arcane League of Legends) - Official Music Video". League of Legends YouTube Channel. 28 October 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  37. ^ Nattress, Katrina (October 29, 2021). "Imagine Dragons' New Song 'Enemy' Sounds Like Nothing They've Done Before". iHeartMedia. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  38. ^ Goslin, Austen (October 28, 2021). "Imagine Dragons released a new song for League of Legends: Arcane's music video". Polygon. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  39. ^ Walser, Andrew (November 17, 2021). "How 'Arcane' Changes 'League of Legends' Lore". Collider. Retrieved December 15, 2021. "In League of Legends, the young girl Powder will grow up to become one of League’s most iconic champions, Jinx."{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  40. ^ Hermanns, Grant (November 5, 2021). "Ella Purnell Interview: Arcane League of Legends". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 15, 2021. "Screen Rant spoke exclusively with Arcane star Ella Purnell to discuss bringing the fan-favorite Jinx to life..."{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  41. ^ Chapman, Christian (March 29, 2021). "League Of Legends: 10 Jinx Cosplay That Are Too Accurate". Screen Rant. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  42. ^ Kennedy, Matthew (November 29, 2021). "Arcane fan's Jinx cosplay is spot-on". Dot Esports. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  43. ^ Lane, Rick (12 November 2021). "The 50 most iconic characters in PC gaming". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  44. ^ "Official Gameplay Trailer - League of Legends: Wild Rift". League of Legends: Wild Rift YouTube Channel. 27 October 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  45. ^ "Arcane — TV Review". www.commonsensemedia.org. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  46. ^ "Netflix's Arcane: League of Legends Series Is a Surprisingly Vital Videogame Adaptation". pastemagazine.com. 2021-11-05. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  47. ^ Tassi, Paul. "'Arcane' Is Still Putting Up Review Scores Like Netflix Has Never Seen Before". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  48. ^ Motamayor, Rafael, Arcane Season 1 Review — IGN, retrieved 2021-11-21
  49. ^ Webster, Andrew (2021-11-06). "Netflix's Arcane is a slick and exciting intro to League of Legends". The Verge. Retrieved 2021-11-21.
  50. ^ "What League Of Legends Fans Think Netflix's Arcane Got Right About Jinx". Looper. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  51. ^ "Arcane: League of Legends: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  52. ^ "Squid Game Finally Toppled on Netflix Top Ten by New Series". TV Shows. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
  53. ^ Pedersen, Erik (December 21, 2021). "Annie Awards Nominations: 'Raya And The Last Dragon' & 'Encanto' Lead Field For Animation Prizes". Deadline. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  54. ^ Hipes, Patrick (March 12, 2022). "Annie Awards: 'The Mitchells Vs. The Machines', 'Arcane' Dominate; 'Flee' Takes Best Indie Film – Full Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
Retrieved from ""