If you’ve ever locked in the Rogue Assassin, you know that feeling. The loading screen pops up, and there she is—hunched over, muscles tensed, green kama gleaming in the rain. It’s iconic. But honestly, the lol akali splash art we see today is a far cry from where she started back in 2010.
Most people just see a cool ninja. If you look closer, though, you’re looking at one of the most successful visual overhauls in Riot Games' history. It wasn't just a "glow-up." It was a complete tonal shift.
Why the 2018 Rework Changed Everything
Before the massive VGU (Visual and Gameplay Update) in 2018, Akali’s art was... well, it was a product of its time. You remember the old base splash? She was basically standing in a generic martial arts pose, looking more like a Mortal Kombat reject than a runaway shadow warrior. Her proportions were a bit "pyramid-esque," and let’s be real, she didn’t exactly scream "stealthy assassin."
Then Jessica Oyhenart happened.
When Riot decided to rework her, they didn't just tweak her kit. They hired Oyhenart to lead the charge on the new base splash art. This is the one you see now: Akali sitting on a rooftop in the rain, bowl of ramen nearby, looking like she’s about to ruin someone’s day.
It’s cinematic. It tells a story. You see the tattoos on her back—the ones that fans spent years theorizing about after seeing a glimpse of them in an old Pool Party splash art. Those tattoos aren't just for show; they represent her break from the Kinkou Order. The composition uses a "low-angle" perspective to make her feel dangerous, even though she's just sitting there.
The Death of Crimson Akali
One of the weirdest bits of trivia about Akali’s art history is the disappearance of Crimson Akali.
If you owned this skin before 2018, you essentially owned a red chroma. But when the rework hit, Riot decided "red ninja" wasn't a strong enough fantasy. They deleted the concept entirely and replaced it with Infernal Akali.
The new splash is incredible—she’s literally a fire elemental now. But for the OGs, it was a shock. You went from a girl in a red jumpsuit to a flaming demon. It’s arguably the biggest "value jump" any skin has ever received in League, taking a 520 RP "recolor" and giving it the visual weight of a 1350 RP Epic skin.
🔗 Read more: GTA San Andreas Gangsta Culture: Why the Grove Street Legacy Still Hits Different
The Cultural Phenomenon of K/DA Akali
We can't talk about Akali without talking about that neon spray paint.
When K/DA "POP/STARS" dropped in 2018, the splash art for K/DA Akali broke the internet. It wasn't just gaming news; it was lifestyle news. The artist, Bo Chen, captured something lightning-in-a-bottle with that piece.
- The Neon Aesthetic: The use of blacklight-reactive colors in her shroud became an instant cosplay staple.
- The Attitude: Unlike the base splash which feels "traditional Ionia," K/DA feels "global superstar."
- The Evolution: This single splash art was so successful it spawned a second version (K/DA ALL OUT) and eventually a Prestige Edition.
Some fans still argue that the original K/DA splash is better than the ALL OUT version because of the sheer grit and urban "street" feel. The ALL OUT art is cleaner, sure, but it loses some of that "underground rap star" energy that made the first one go viral.
Ranking the "Best" Akali Splash Arts (Subjectively, Of Course)
Look, "best" is a trap. But if we’re talking about technical execution and storytelling, there are a few standouts that most mains agree on.
1. Silverfang Akali (The "Kakashi" Tribute)
This one is a fan favorite for a reason. It leans hard into the "hidden village" ninja tropes. The way the light catches the metallic mask and her silver hair? It’s peak assassin fantasy. Fun fact: many players find the in-game model for this one to be the "smoothest" to play with, even if the splash is older.
2. Blood Moon Akali
This used to be the gold standard. The old version had a very traditional, painterly feel. The new version is much more "League-modern," with heavy contrast and deep reds. It’s one of the few skins that manages to look both elegant and terrifying.
3. Star Guardian Akali
This was a controversial one. People weren't sure if the "edgy" Akali would fit the "magical girl" theme. But the splash art sold it. It shows her as the "rebel" of the group, trailing behind the others. The lighting is much softer here, emphasizing her internal conflict rather than just her lethality.
Let's Talk About the "Food" Skins
Sashimi Akali is basically a meme that turned into a masterpiece. The splash art is chaotic—she’s literally cutting up a giant crab (which is actually a reference to Urgot, if you look at the design of the claws). It’s a great example of how Riot uses splash art to inject humor into a character that is otherwise very serious.
How Riot Actually Makes These
It’s not just one person sitting at a tablet.
Riot's "Splash Team" works with outside studios like West Studio to polish these pieces. They start with "thumbnails"—tiny, messy sketches that test out different poses. They might do 20 of these before picking one.
Once a pose is chosen, they do "lighting passes." This is where they decide if the light is coming from a moon, a neon sign, or a magic spell. They actually use real-life references too. Artists will literally take photos of themselves holding broomsticks to see how a hand would grip a kama. It sounds silly, but it’s why the anatomy in the modern lol akali splash art feels so much more "real" than the stuff from 2012.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re an artist or just a lore nerd, don't just look at the loading screen. Go to a site like ArtStation and search for the artists I mentioned—Jessica Oyhenart and Bo Chen.
You can find the high-resolution "raw" files there. Seeing the brushstrokes and the hidden details in the background (like the small symbols on Akali’s weapons) gives you a whole new appreciation for the character. Also, if you’re a collector, keep an eye on the Mythic Shop. Skins like Prestige Coven Akali or the 2022 version of Prestige K/DA rotate in and out, and their splash arts are some of the most detailed files in the entire game client.
Go check your collection. You might find a detail in the background of a skin you've owned for years that you never noticed before.
🔗 Read more: Paco HyDra Rusiewiez: Why the French Phenom is Modern Warfare's Greatest Problem
Actionable Insights:
- Check ArtStation: Look up "Akali Splash Process" to see the discarded sketches that almost became her official look.
- Monitor the Mythic Shop: High-tier splash arts like Prestige Coven are only available for limited windows.
- Analyze the Tattoos: If you’re a lore fan, compare the tattoos in her base splash to the ones in her "The Lesson" cinematic—they tell the story of her leaving the Kinkou.