When Arcane premiered in 2021, it set a new benchmark for what a Netflix video game adaptation could be. Set in the rich, dystopian world of League of Legends, Arcane delivered striking animation, emotionally grounded characters, and a story that resonated with both fans and newcomers alike. With Ella Purnell’s captivating performance as Jinx and Hailee Steinfeld bringing layered depth to Vi, the show was a near-universally praised hit. It redefined what viewers expected from video game adaptations, proving they could be more than just fan service or shallow rehashes. Arcane became one of Netflix’s most critically acclaimed animated series, earning a Primetime Emmy and setting the bar impossibly high for the genre.

However, Arcane didn’t appear out of nowhere. Long before Piltover and Zaun blew audiences away, Netflix had already dipped its toes into adapting video games with surprising success. Hidden beneath the shadow of Arcane’s explosive reception is another beautifully animated, lore-rich, character-driven series based on a competitive strategy game with a massive player base. Although it didn’t spark the same mainstream conversation, Dota: Dragon’s Blood is a Netflix video game adaptation that deserves far more attention than it ever received.

Dota: Dragon's Blood Is An Animated Show Set In The World Of Dota 2

Netflix Brings Dota 2’s World And Heroes To Life With Surprising Depth

Dota: Dragon’s Blood is an animated fantasy series that debuted on Netflix in 2021, the same year as Arcane. It’s based on Dota 2, the massively popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve. While Dota 2 is known for its strategic gameplay, enormous hero roster, and steep learning curve, Dragon’s Blood takes a narrative approach, diving into the lore behind some of the game’s most iconic characters and factions.

The series primarily follows Davion the Dragon Knight, voiced by Yuri Lowenthal, a noble warrior haunted by a traumatic past and drawn into a conflict far bigger than himself. After a deadly encounter with an Eldwurm (a powerful ancient dragon), Davion becomes a host to the dragon Slyrak, a being of immense power. This dual existence makes him a target in a divine war that spans gods, demons, and mortals. Alongside him is Princess Mirana (voiced by Lara Pulver), a moon priestess on a mission to reclaim stolen artifacts linked to her goddess, Selemene. The series also features the mysterious elf Fymryn (Freya Tingley), whose journey challenges everything Mirana believes.

Dota: Dragon’s Blood proves that even a game as mechanically focused as Dota 2 can serve as the foundation for a compelling story

Dragon’s Blood weaves together multiple narrative threads - political intrigue, personal revenge, divine conflict - set in a high-fantasy world teeming with lore. While Dota 2 itself doesn’t have a centralized story mode, Valve has gradually expanded its lore through comics, short stories, and character bios. Dragon’s Blood pulls from these fragments, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative that appeals to both longtime fans and total newcomers. The series spans three seasons, known as “Books,” and escalates in scope and intensity with each installment.

As a Netflix video game adaptation, Dota: Dragon’s Blood proves that even a game as mechanically focused as Dota 2 can serve as the foundation for a compelling story when paired with strong writing, character work, and world-building.

Like Arcane, Dragon's Blood Tells An Original Story Inspired By The Game

Both Shows Create Brand-New Stories That Honor The Source Material Without Being Limited By It

One of the reasons Arcane stood out among Netflix’s original programming was its decision to tell a completely original story within the League of Legends universe. It didn’t retell an existing plot from the game, but instead expanded the lore by focusing on characters like Jinx (Ella Purnell), Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), and Viktor (Harry Lloyd), giving them rich backstories and believable emotional arcs. The result was a layered, emotionally charged narrative that felt fresh even to long-time League players.

Dota: Dragon’s Blood follows a similar path. Rather than directly translating any particular match or hero origin, it uses the world’s mythos as a jumping-off point. Davion’s story as a Dragon Knight may draw inspiration from in-game lore, but the plot he’s swept into - filled with political turmoil, divine clashes, and existential questions - is an original creation developed specifically for the series. Mirana and Fymryn, too, are given new motivations and complexities beyond their in-game roles, turning them into fully realized characters.

This approach is part of what makes both Arcane and Dragon’s Blood work so well. They treat their video game worlds as living, breathing settings full of narrative potential, not as mere backdrops for nostalgia-driven storytelling. That freedom allows each series to explore mature themes, emotional journeys, and high-stakes conflicts without being bogged down by trying to follow pre-established game events. For fans of Arcane looking for another Netflix video game adaptation that prioritizes storytelling and character development over flashy references or shallow action, Dota: Dragon’s Blood absolutely fits the bill.

You Don't Need To Have Played Dota To Enjoy Netflix's Dragon's Blood

Like Arcane, This Series Is Completely Accessible To Newcomers Unfamiliar With The Game

One of Arcane’s most celebrated achievements was how easily it pulled in viewers who had never touched League of Legends. Its storytelling was so strong and its characters so relatable that no prior knowledge was required to appreciate the stakes. That same strength holds true for Dota: Dragon’s Blood, as the Netflix video game adaptation stands entirely on its own.

Even lore-heavy concepts - like the goddess Selemene’s influence, the ancient Eldwurms, or the conflict between the Dire and Radian - are woven into the story of Dota: Dragon’s Blood with enough exposition to guide new viewers without overwhelming them.

The series doesn’t expect viewers to know what “Roshan” is, how “Radiant vs Dire” mechanics work, or why Invoker (voiced by Troy Baker) is such a fan-favorite character in the game. Instead, it introduces these elements gradually and organically within the plot. Characters like Davion, Mirana, and Fymryn are written in a way that makes their goals and personal dilemmas instantly understandable, regardless of a viewer’s familiarity with the source material.

Even lore-heavy concepts - like the goddess Selemene’s influence, the ancient Eldwurms, or the conflict between the Dire and Radian - are woven into the story of Dota: Dragon’s Blood with enough exposition to guide new viewers without overwhelming them. At the same time, there are enough easter eggs and subtle nods to keep veteran Dota 2 players engaged.

The show’s stunning animation and cinematic action sequences also help ground its fantasy elements in a visual language that’s easy to follow, even when things get mythic and metaphysical. Whether you’re here for epic battles, complex characters, or high-concept fantasy, Dragon’s Blood delivers. If you loved Arcane but never gave Dota: Dragon’s Blood a chance, now’s the perfect time to fix that. It's an ambitious, well-crafted Netflix video game adaptation that proves there’s more than one animated fantasy series worth binging on the platform.