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Every Hidden Reference in League of Legends Worlds 2024 Anthem ‘Heavy is the Crown’
League enjoyers and Linkin Park enjoyers alike can rejoice with the official release of the Worlds 2024 Anthem: ‘Heavy is the Crown’.
Linkin Park co-founder Mike Shinoda is a massive fan of Riot’s tactical FPS title VALORANT, so a collaboration between the game company and the legendary band was not completely out of the realm of sober possibility.
“[‘Heavy Is the Crown’] is a real highlight of this new era for us, harnessing our signature sound and infusing it with fresh energy,” Shinoda said in a statement when asked about the collaboration.
Fresh energy indeed as ‘Heavy Is the Crown’ truly delivers with Linkin Park’s signature powerful chorus reminiscent of some of their classic older hits such as ‘In the End’.
The Opening Scene - A Tapestry of History
Tapestries are often grandiose, they're grand by the very nature of their design and often depict moments in history. Such is the opening tapestry of the anthem.
We open with a gorgeous image of individuals ascending a mountain range. On its face, it likely symbolizes the incredible hardship and climb necessary for the crown at the peak.
However, it could also symbolize the Irworobongdo, South Korea’s “The Painting of the Sun, Moon, and the Five Peaks” referenced last year in T1’s teaser trailer for their series against JD Gaming in the semifinals of Worlds 2024.
We see the armies of T1 and LNG facing off in reference to the ‘first battle’, the quarterfinals between LNG and T1, Scout vs Faker.
Faker’s Azir shuffle/flash predict against Ruler’s Varus from Game 3 JDG vs T1 can next be spotted, followed by Zeus’ 1v4 against Weibo Gaming’s TheShy, Weiwei, Xiaohu, and Crisp. Kennen’s shuriken, the pauldrons from Azir, the Bel’Veth, and Bard’s horn can all be spotted in the image.
Lastly, we see the five T1 players lift the Summoner’s Cup. The tapestry is a recollection of Worlds 2023 and T1’s journey/ascension to the peak to claim the crown.
Castle for the Kings, Throne for the Emperors
All 5 T1 members stand in front of the throne. They face forwards, showing that they’re the current holders of the throne, the current holders of the Worlds title.
As they await, 2 attendants approach the dais. One carries the royal scepter, Azir’s staff. The other carries the titular crown. All seems well, until…
Challengers Approach
Bilibili Gaming’s Chen “Bin” Ze-Bin rides hard for the castle. He is the first ‘challenger’.
We see FlyQuest Fahad “Massu” Abdulmalek next as Varus. An extra little neat detail is the inclusion of Massu’s necklace, a token he is frequently seen with in the LCS.
Red Canids’ Diego “Brance” Amaral also makes an appearance as Zeri.
Lastly, we have G2’s Rasmus “Caps” Borregaard Winther as Twisted Fate.
The challengers all gaze at the castle, the goal of their conquest within touching distance.
Racing for the Gates
With the epic moment of just looking cool standing still having passed, now all the challengers make a break for the castle gates. Massu on the Varus swings like Sam Raimi’s Spiderman, chased closely by Brance.
The two make their way to the entrance, where Massu jettisons himself high on the castle walls, where he comes face to face with an Akali. Somehow, he lives, a privilege few ADCs who encounter Akali get to enjoy.
Caps next makes a grand entrance with Twisted Fate’s ultimate ability: Destiny.
He then shifts to Sylas’ chains (somehow) to bring down the castle wall, rather forcefully and visually fighting his way into the castle. (METAPHOR OMG).
T1 Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong, Ryu “Keria” Min-seok and Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun are attending to Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, when they sense a disturbance in the Force (am I allowed to say this, Disney don’t sue please). They hear the approaching challengers and their front door literally being brought down by the LEC’s 2024 MVP.
Meanwhile, Zeka (we think) on Akali scales down the castle walls. Caps now on LeBlanc enters the castle alongside Bin on Jax.
The pivotal shot now arrives, of the 5 challengers, the first seeds from 5 regions: G2 from the LEC, FlyQuest of the LCS, Hanwha Life or Gen.G (we still can’t tell) from the LCK, Bilibili Gaming from the LPL and Red Canids of CBLOL.
4 of the T1 members answer the initial challenge. In classic solo queue fashion, their mid laner was not grouping. Gumayusi can be seen on the Xayah, Keria on his signature Nautilus. Oner and Choi “Zeus” Woo-je on Viego and Aatrox respectively.
Where the Heck is Faker? T1’s Dying Man
While T1 and the challengers prepare to do battle, we find Faker within the castle walls, contemplating the ‘weight’ of the crown (Title reference high-five).
Zeus takes on Bin, Aatrox vs Jax.
Massu dodges Guma’s feathers and returns fire with a Piercing Arrow, only for it to be blocked by Keria (does Nautilus’ hook block projectiles now? W support in any case).
Akali (Zeka most likely) faces off against Oner’ Viego in a possible reference to the Worlds 2022 Grand FInals, where their 2 teams clashed.
We flash back to the throne room and Faker’s left the crown on the throne. A possible reference to the intent of ‘not clinging to past glories and forging onwards for new glory’. If T1 wishes to have the crown now, they’ll have to earn it again type-vibe is what I got from that scene.
One of our eagle-eyed reporters also spotted this little Easter egg of Oner changing from Viego to Lee Sin. It references the 2 World finals that Oner has attended. In 2022, in the final game against DRX, Oner locked in Viego and lost to DRX. in 2023, he slammed in the Lee Sin instead against Weibo and lifted his Worlds title.
From exhausted to determined, Oner’s Lee Sin goes hard. A pushed-to-the-limits T1 look nearly beaten against their opponents - but there’s now an approaching footstep.
FAKER. HAS. ARRIVED.
My god. I had chills when Muzan entered the Wisteria Palace in style. But this… this went beyond. Faker’s entrance signals a rejuvenation in spirit for T1. The full T1 roster now make ready for a second bout.
Surrounded and Besieged
The climax of the anthem is truly the ending, where it delivers the scope of the conflict that is to come with Worlds 2024. The banners for the LCS, LEC, LCK, LPL, LLA, CBLOL, VCS, and PCS are all visible.
The world’s best have arrived in Berlin. Who will take the crown?
For the latest League of Legends news, follow Strafe Esports. To follow everything on Worlds 2024, check out our full guide. Also, follow the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews with players and coaches.
Credit: Riot Games
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