Who ARE These Guys? (Licker & Howl) | 1min Analysis #Arcane #shorts

#Netflix #LeagueOfLegends

Very minor characters, but what’s the purpose of these guys? One of them is clearly a supporting character for Ambessa, but the other one just licks stuff. He’s a henchman for Silco, but he’s always just… licking his surroundings. But these characters are actually just as much part of the setting as they are actual characters. They show important aspects of the Undercity and Piltover that we don’t get from our main cast. Licker is there to remind of the Undercity’s wildness (all our Undercity characters are too serious and responsible), and Howl is there to remind us of Piltover’s indulgence (which Arcane’s nerds and politicians of the topside cast aren’t interested in). They’re necessary props for Arcane’s setting.

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[korio]

Sir, his name is Local Cuisine; thank you very much.

[bonrick_]

I like the idea that these characters were intentionally nameless and intentionally bit characters who have minimal stake in the plot, so that we the audience can get a view of the nameless average citizen of both cities as opposed to a named character who have stakes in the plot and have an element of being special in some way and hence slightly if not a little abnormal (even goddamn marcus in that regard).

[dubwubwubstek]

"Licky's" actual name in the concept art is Dustin
The more you know!

[ambessastwink]

So everyone agrees on calling pretty boy howl, im liking this fandom even more

[teacupkoala]

I didn't know the fandom gave Ambessa's twink a name, neat

[kaladn]

Interesting that the guy representing the indulgence of Piltover actually (potentially?) is from a brothel in the undercity. Symbolism for something or just chance?

[ironwolfthefirstandonly]

I read the title as “Who ARE these gays” and I think both titles still work

[nolanschotanus]

You just know if Howl and Licker had a scene together it would be so visceral that it would be stuck in the minds of viewers forever.

[laytonpro]

I love how everyone has just accepted this guy is called howl 🤣

[aliahpersonous]

There is a “theory” that Pretty-Boy is potentially the brother/relative of the Princess girl from Mels backstory.

[jaysi]

The mask the Howl is wearing in the brothel looks to be Lamb's mask from the representation of death in Runeterra, Kindred, represented by Lamb and Wolf. That might mean something in season 2

[saharahowell]

WAIT I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE HOWL WAS IN THE BROTHEL

[K-zy]

I just wanna say I'm super happy you noticed the guy with the lamb mask in the brothel was the "boy toy". But i gotta say, i don't think he was just wearing one of Kindred's masks just to wear it. I think he actually is Wolf. First of all, everyone who knows Kindred, knows Wolf wears Lamb's mask. But also, many people theorize that Wolf is deaf based on some of the dialog we hear from LoL. If that's true, it fits the "boy toy" in Arcane. We never once hear him speak. I could be wrong, but i think it's highly plausible.

[catinabeanbag_]

in a stream with all the voice actors, everyone just referred to howl as "gorgeous man" so that's what i've always called him

[CsySnw]

Howl's fucking his way to the top. Respect the hustle king 😌👑

[homunculusgrey]

Okay, to be fair, some weirdo coming at you with a knife he just slobbered on is kind of intimidating.

[bckends_]

I have a theory that Howl is a relative of the girl that was decapitated by Ambessa and is secretly planning a revenge. They look waaay too similar

[redsprite]

I thought of Howl as a symbol of how Piltover uses Zaunites as though they aren't people- "I'm off to sample the *local cuisine* "- and have no problem doing so because it fits in with their wealthy, luxurious lifestyle. And also, by being a brothel worker, Howl escapes Zaun, however temporarily, and as long as his employers are interested in him, he has a nice lifestyle (i.e. good clothes, looks clean- regular bathing? etc.) so he's an example of a 'traitorous' Zaunite

[NStormRider]

I find Howl's character very interesting. He arrives on an airship like he's the captain of it, he seems to be at the Undercity brothel, and he's clearly with Ambessa in the bath.

We're meant to see him as a pretty boy, and a symbol of indulgence, but let's not forget that Ambessa was introduced by Flynn talking about the powers-that-be being unsatisfied with Silco's progress. There's an implication there, that Ambessa represents one of the hidden manipulators pushing Zaun and Piltover toward war - a backer, if not of a particular side, at least of the technological development.

It's intriguing, then, that Howl is in her proximity so much. Because we might think of it as her being indulgent, but I don't think that there's any reason to ascribe simple indulgence to ANYTHING Ambessa does. There's a reason, when Jace meets her in the bath, that from the side view there's a painting that puts her in the center of a phalanx, spears directed toward him.

I think, honestly, that Howl's intelligence, and I don't mean that he's smart. He's in a great position to have his finger on the pulse of both Piltover and Zaun, and he's got an excellent reason to meet privately with Ambessa at length. If he's not some kind of spy, I'll be disappointed.

[_.-Skitterbug-._]

Okay but why did I immediately say out loud "They'd make a good chaotic couple" ✋😭