Riot Games just released one of the most visually stunning cinematics in League of Legends history. Twilight’s End dropped on November 7, 2025 as the Season 3 opener, and it’s a wild ride that changes everything we thought we knew about Xin Zhao. The 4-minute epic was created in partnership with Fortiche, the award-winning French animation studio responsible for Arcane, and it absolutely shows in every frame.
The cinematic centers on a massive battle in Yunara where Xin Zhao faces off against Atahan, a Darkin warrior. But this isn’t just another fight scene. An ancient entity named Zaahen takes control of Xin Zhao’s body during the battle, granting him overwhelming power to defeat his demonic opponent. The question is whether Xin Zhao can handle what comes next, because Zaahen made a fateful choice centuries ago, and now the Seneschal of Demacia must make his own.
What Happens in the Cinematic
The video opens with Xin Zhao confronting what appears to be ancient powers beyond mortal understanding. Senile mortals should not meddle with the power of gods, he’s told. His response? Is that what you are? Gods? Right from the jump, we know this isn’t going to be a typical League cinematic.
Xin Zhao seeks out Zaahen’s power deliberately, knowing full well the risks. The temple’s defenses are destroyed, Yunara has fallen, and there’s no one left to stop the Darkin threat. Your power will darken the world with or without your permission, Xin Zhao declares. He’s not asking for help. He’s demanding it.
Zaahen warns him. You know not what you ask. But Xin Zhao fires back with I know exactly what I ask. You sacrificed everything to save this world once. Let me do the same. It’s a powerful moment that shows just how desperate the situation has become.
When Zaahen finally takes control during the battle with Atahan, the transformation is spectacular. Xin Zhao’s body erupts with golden energy, his eyes glow with supernatural power, and he gains what looks like a third eye. The fight goes from evenly matched to completely one-sided in seconds. Even demons can be undone, the cinematic ends, leaving massive questions about what this possession means for Xin Zhao’s future.
LeBlanc’s Master Plan Revealed
While Xin Zhao’s struggle takes center stage, the cinematic also reveals important details about LeBlanc’s long-term strategy. She’s been orchestrating this entire confrontation to answer a specific question: can a Darkin kill a Demon? This isn’t academic curiosity. She’s testing whether this method could work against Swain in the future.
LeBlanc has identified another potential target as well, a demon named Raum. The Black Rose leader is clearly playing a much longer game than anyone realized, manipulating champions and ancient entities like chess pieces to achieve her goals.
This ties into the motion comics and previous cinematics from earlier in Season 3. The Darkin corruption storyline, glimpses of LeBlanc and Vladimir, and voice teasers for Zaahen have all been building to this moment. Riot has been setting up this payoff for months.
Who Is Zaahen
Zaahen is being positioned as potentially the first uncorrupted Darkin in League of Legends lore. The Darkin were once noble Ascended warriors who lost their leader and fell into corruption through internal wars. Most ended up sealed within their weapons, like we see with Rhaast in Kayn’s scythe and Varus in his bow.
But Zaahen appears different. The cinematic suggests this entity sacrificed everything to save the world once before, which doesn’t fit the typical Darkin profile of corrupted, power-hungry demons. If Zaahen really is an uncorrupted Darkin or some other form of ancient protector, that would be massive for League’s worldbuilding.
Riot confirmed on Reddit that Zaahen will appear in the game during Act Two, though whether that means as a playable champion or in some other capacity remains unclear. The community is already speculating about abilities, role, and how the possession mechanic with Xin Zhao might translate to gameplay.
Fortiche’s Animation Excellence
Anyone who watched Arcane knows what Fortiche is capable of, and Twilight’s End showcases that same level of artistry. The animation is buttery smooth with incredible attention to detail in every movement. Character expressions convey emotion without dialogue. The action choreography feels weighty and impactful.
The transformation sequence when Zaahen takes control is particularly stunning. Golden energy flows through Xin Zhao’s body, his armor morphs, and the camera work captures the shift in power dynamics perfectly. It’s the kind of visual storytelling that elevates game cinematics beyond just marketing tools into genuine art.
Fortiche’s involvement also suggests Riot is taking League’s narrative content as seriously as they took Arcane. If this is the quality bar for seasonal cinematics going forward, the League community is in for a treat.
Community Reactions
The League of Legends subreddit exploded with over 2,980 upvotes and nearly 1,000 comments analyzing every frame of the cinematic. Fans are dissecting dialogue, theorizing about Zaahen’s true nature, and debating what this means for Xin Zhao’s character arc.
Some players are excited about the possibility of playing as Zaahen, while others worry about what happens to Xin Zhao if he becomes permanently possessed. There’s speculation that this could lead to a champion rework or a whole new champion release that ties into this storyline.
The consensus seems to be that Riot nailed the spectacle and storytelling. Even players who don’t normally follow League’s lore are impressed by the production quality and dramatic stakes.
What This Means for Season 3
Twilight’s End sets up some major narrative threads for the rest of Season 3. Xin Zhao’s fate hangs in the balance. LeBlanc’s plans against Swain are accelerating. The Darkin threat remains active. And Zaahen’s arrival as either a new champion or major story presence will reshape the game’s universe.
Riot has been pushing League’s story forward more aggressively than ever before with motion comics, cinematics, and in-game events all connecting to tell cohesive narratives. This isn’t just disconnected lore anymore. It’s an ongoing saga that players can follow season by season.
The emphasis on Noxian politics, the Black Rose, and ancient entities suggests Season 3 will explore the darker corners of Runeterra’s history. We’re moving beyond straightforward good versus evil into morally complex territory where heroes make terrible choices for the greater good.
How to Watch
The full Twilight’s End cinematic is available on League of Legends’ official YouTube channel and has already racked up millions of views. At just over 4 minutes long, it’s a quick watch that’s absolutely worth your time even if you don’t play League. The production value alone makes it one of the best game cinematics released this year.
Riot also tends to hide Easter eggs and references in these videos, so frame-by-frame analysis is already underway in the community. If you’re into League lore, checking out the Reddit threads and YouTube breakdowns will give you deeper insight into all the details you might miss on first viewing.
FAQs
When did the Twilight’s End cinematic release?
The cinematic was released on November 7, 2025 at 8 AM PT as the opening video for League of Legends Season 3. It’s available on the official League of Legends YouTube channel and runs just over 4 minutes.
Who made the Twilight’s End cinematic?
Riot Games created the cinematic in partnership with Fortiche, the award-winning French animation studio responsible for producing the Arcane series on Netflix. Their involvement explains the exceptional animation quality.
What happens to Xin Zhao in the cinematic?
Xin Zhao deliberately seeks out and accepts possession by an ancient entity named Zaahen to gain the power needed to defeat a Darkin warrior named Atahan. The possession grants him overwhelming supernatural abilities but leaves his future uncertain.
Who is Zaahen in League of Legends?
Zaahen is an ancient entity that may be an uncorrupted Darkin or another type of protector. Centuries ago, Zaahen sacrificed everything to save the world. Riot has confirmed Zaahen will appear in the game during Act Two, though it’s unclear if that means as a playable champion.
What is LeBlanc’s plan in the cinematic?
LeBlanc orchestrated the confrontation between Xin Zhao and Atahan to test whether a Darkin can kill a Demon. She needs this information to potentially use against Swain in the future, and has also identified a demon named Raum as another target.
Is Twilight’s End connected to previous League cinematics?
Yes, the cinematic is the culmination of storylines set up through motion comics and previous Season 3 content, including the Darkin corruption arc, glimpses of LeBlanc and Vladimir, and voice teasers for Zaahen. It’s all part of an ongoing narrative.
Will Zaahen be a playable champion?
Riot confirmed on Reddit that Zaahen will appear in the game during Act Two but hasn’t specified whether that means as a playable champion or in another capacity. The community is speculating about potential abilities and how the possession mechanic might work in gameplay.
What are the Darkin in League of Legends lore?
The Darkin were once noble Ascended warriors who became corrupted after losing their leader, resulting in internal wars. They were eventually sealed within their own weapons. Examples include Rhaast in Kayn’s scythe and Varus in his bow.
Conclusion
Twilight’s End raises the bar for what League of Legends cinematics can be. With Fortiche’s animation prowess, compelling character drama, and massive lore implications, it’s a must-watch for anyone invested in Runeterra’s stories. Whether Xin Zhao can control Zaahen’s power or if he’s lost himself forever remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Season 3 is shaping up to be one of the most narratively ambitious periods in League’s history. As the community eagerly awaits Act Two and Zaahen’s official debut, speculation will run wild about what other surprises Riot has planned for this ongoing saga.