League of Legends ‘Salvation’ 2026 cinematic previews Shyvana rework and new champion
Riot Games has released a new League of Legends (LoL) cinematic called ‘Salvation’ to kick off the new 2026 season.
The new video commemorates the release of the massive LoL Patch 26.1, which is making major changes to the MOBA.
The cinematic was Demacian-focused like the 2026 LoL season theme, though Yunara appeared to continue from last year’s story.
Many Demacians appeared in the cinematic, including Shyvana, whose rework is due to release soon, and potentially LoL’s next champion.
After last season’s cinematics, Riot finally have allowed Arcane’s Fortiche studios a rest, with Unit Image working on the recent trailer.
The trailer was directed by Swiss animation director Ben Hibon, and the song was performed by American singer Forts (Mary Clare “Mars” Clemons).
The cinematic features Garen battling enemies in a forest, Sona trying to protect people, and Yunara fleeing strange creatures.
However, the headline is a new-look Shyvanna battling alongside Quinn against an even larger dragon.
Shyvanna is due to be reworked in LoL this year, with an all-new look and different abilities.
This trailer served as a first look at the upcoming update. However, the leaked in-game version now has fans disappointed.
Community reaction to the new Shyvanna VGU
While the response to Shyvana’s appearance in the new LoL cinematic was largely positive, it led to disappointment in the in-game model.
Leakers have released what Shyvana will look like in LoL after her visual and game update (VGU).
Compared to the cinematic and other art previously released, many are disappointed at how ‘normal’ Shyvana looks with no scales or freckles.
Some even accused Riot of focusing too hard on making Shyvana attractive rather than a unique, dragon-like character.
There is still time for Shyvana’s VGU to be updated again as the rework isn’t expect until Act 2 of Season 2026 later in the year.
Who is the character at the end of the Salvation LoL cinematic?
Towards the end of the new LoL cinematic, a male figure dismounts a Silverwing bird and approaches Yunara.
Continuing from last year’s cinematics, Yunara gives Xin Zhao’s weapon to the rider, and there are two strong theories as to who this male character is.
LoL fans have been theorising that the next LoL champion will be a Silverwing Rider from Demacia.
This was mostly due to repeated references towards this military group in PR packages recently sent to content creators.
The best example of this is Cithria, the powerful character from LoL’s lore and the Legends of Runeterra card game.
Some thought it was going to be here in the cinematic but it proved to be the mystery male character instead.
This could potentially be a first look at the upcoming champion.
But it is more likely a weird recreation of LoL champion, Jarvan IV.
With the long spear and the crown, this was likely a long-haired version of J4.
Following the story of Yunara and Xin Zhao, we know that it’s too late in the timeline to possibly be his predecessor, Jarvan III.
Considering Jarvan IV’s own connections to Xin Zhao, some LoL fans were then frustrated with J4’s reaction to being given the dead Xin’s weapon.
Because of this, there is a theory that this was actually a Le Blanc clone and this year’s story will link even more to previous cinematics than expected.
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