If you're not a teenager, don't bother. This show is emo-overload. Think Lonely Island's "I Threw It on the Ground".

Welcome to the real world! JACKASS!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAYL5H46QnQ

It's interesting that you compare this show to the Transformers movies. In my opinion that's a false comparison. The first Transformers, which happens to be the highest rated of the Michael Bay franchise, is the first and only movie I've ever walked out of DURING the climactic battle at the end. By that time I'd lost all interest and nothing could redeem the movie.

And yet as a 37 year old I thoroughly enjoyed Arcane, including it's unusual story and the fact that none of the characters are straight up good or bad. To compare this show to Transformers is disingenuous. It would be more accurate to compare it to Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, a film that also has great animation and a really weird teen-centric story that might not appeal to some older viewers.

I disagree.
I thought it was amazing.
Great cinematography, direction, lighting, plot, music, action...

My 18 yr old Daughter recommended it to me, and this 55 yr old Dad loved it.
But then again, I'm a cool gamer Dad (never played LOL tho)

Agreed.
There's a similar tactic that's employed in a number of adult anime as well - lots of gore/violence, but with a story designed for 10 year olds in terms of complexity/dialogue/etc. It's like taking 'care bears' and changing only one thing - their hearts cause mass slaughter with tons of blood splashes everywhere. The story/dialogue remains idiotic and childish, but by mere inclusion of violence and blood, you've upgraded it to an R rating in an instant. It's still a children's story, but it is now advertised to adults which is quite ridiculous.

This anime is the same - the story is written for kids/teenagers - the very ones who play the game. Adults should stay away, simply because the story/characters/dialogues are immature.

It's basically GoT for teens. And it managed to be better.

Translation: I am incapable of seeing anything beyond the surface, therefore, I will preemptively assume that's all there is.

There is certainly style to be had here, tons of it. But if think the story is nothing but style, you're not looking hard enough. The animation is a tool used in tandem with the themes to explore the psyche of its characters. Jinx's style is a façade, because she has no real identity to cling onto. We see the style slowly melting away in many scenes to showcase the inner turmoil and chaos, and its done with with harrowing authenticity and rawness. Jinx's failure to return to her old self is one of the best subversions I've ever see. She can never be Powder again because her memories bring about pure mental anguish and torment.

In truth, I avoided the fact that Arcane is a YA story entirely. It's elevated to something better than what it is. The depth of story-telling here was awe-inspiring. It doesn't rely on its style as a crutch, but fuses it with the atmosphere, the tone, the themes to create stunning examples of pure visual story-telling that can rival the best classics.