Mel Medarda, one of the main characters from the League of Legends show Arcane, is officially joining the game’s roster with the start of the game’s 2025 Season 1, Welcome to Noxus.
Developer Riot announced the news in its latest Dev Update video. After the events of Arcane Season 2, Mel returns to Noxus, and her new in-game appearance shows her embracing her Noxian heritage. Riot says the development team and those working on Arcane came together to define Mel’s new look and how it should be portrayed both in-game and in the show, with “game inspiring show and vice versa.”
But Mel’s big entrance is more than just looks. While Riot has not yet revealed her full ability kit, she will have a unique type of ability never before seen in the MOBA–projectile reflection. She’ll be able to bounce back projectiles at enemies with a well-timed button press.
The cinematic for League of Legends’ first season of 2025 was made in collaboration with Arcane animation studio Fortiche, and serves as a continuation of certain Arcane storylines. Mel is shown returning to Noxus, while the leaders of the mysterious Black Rose discuss the events of the show and what their next plans will be.
Riot is adopting a new approach for League of Legends seasons going forward, with strong seasonal themes that will tie into both the game’s story and its gameplay. For Welcome to Noxus, that means adding Mel as a playable champion as well as visual and gameplay changes to the game’s Summoner’s Rift map.
While Arcane officially ended with Season 2, there will be future spin-off projects that will continue to tell stories with the same characters, with Riot co-founder Marc Merrill stating that multiple new shows and games are being explored.