Arkanis, located within the Arkanis sector of the Outer Rim Territories, was a planet known for its frequent rain. It served as the throneworld for Leeya, the Empress governing the Regency Worlds. The Galactic Empire chose Arkanis as the location for its officers academy. Furthermore, it was the homeworld of Armitage Hux, a significant leader within the First Order.
This planet featured at least a single ocean and prominent coastal cliffs. The watery areas of Arkanis were vital to its fishing industry. Scaparus Port served as a central location for those in the fishing trades, offering shops stocked with specialized supplies. Rainy days occurred frequently, approximately 2-3 times per week, with a constant drizzle being more common. The presence of sunshine was an infrequent event.
During the Imperial Era, the Venator-class Star Destroyer named Vensenor orbited the planet, functioning as the Vensenor Flight Academy and training Imperial Navy officers and pilots, many of whom became highly decorated. Arkanis was also the location of Project Harvester, an Imperial initiative focused on Force-sensitives. Zare Leonis's sister, Dhara, was dispatched to Arkanis after the Grand Inquisitor identified her as Force-sensitive.
In 3 BBY, Chassellon Stevis, an Apprentice Legislator, attempted to charter the vessel Mighty Oak Apocalypse from Arkanis to travel away from Coruscant during a speeder auction.
Following the Galactic Empire's defeat at the Battle of Endor, Imperial control over Arkanis persisted for a period. However, the New Republic targeted the system, liberating it from Imperial rule and incorporating it into the New Republic. Arkanis subsequently prospered within the New Republic, aligning itself with the Centrists and being represented in the Galactic Senate by Senator Carise Sindian. In 29 ABY, when the First Order emerged from the Unknown Regions, Arkanis, along with numerous other systems that had previously sided with the Centrists, seceded from the Republic to join the military junta alongside them. During the ensuing cold war between the First Order and the New Republic, Vi Moradi, an operative of the Resistance, believed that Arkanis concealed multiple secrets pertaining to the military junta.