China Has Supposedly Censored All Gay Scenes in ‘Arcane’ Season 2

Avatar photoByArthur S. Poe Published on
0 Comments
China Has Supposedly Censored All Gay Scenes in 'Arcane' Season 2
Our Editorial Policy.

Share:

The second season of ‘Arcane’ dropped recently, and it’s been a big deal for those who love the ‘League of Legends’ world. The show, brought to life by Netflix and Riot Games, has hooked viewers with its sharp animation and deep character stories. But over in China, things look a bit different. Word is, all the gay scenes got cut out, leaving the version there missing some key moments.

‘Arcane’ follows the messy lives of sisters Vi and Jinx, played by Hailee Steinfeld and Ella Purnell, in the rival cities of Piltover and Zaun. This season, we finally saw Vi and Caitlyn, voiced by Katie Leung, take their bond to a romantic level. Their relationship kicked off in season one with hints and tension, but season two sealed it with a kiss and even a bold prison cell scene. I was pretty excited to see them get together after all the buildup. That final moment by the fireplace, where they lean on each other, felt like a quiet win for the pair.

In China, though, that fireplace scene doesn’t hit the same. Vi and Caitlyn don’t even share the frame. Instead, it’s edited to look like they’re alone, talking to thin air. The kiss? Gone. The intimate jail moment? Cut completely. There’s even a scene with Caitlyn and another character, Maddie, that got turned into something like a friendly chat, stripping away the romance. It’s a jarring switch for a story that leans hard on these connections.

China’s strict rules on LGBTQ+ content in media aren’t new. The government has long clamped down on showing gay relationships on screen, part of a broader push to control what people see. Shows like ‘Friends’ and movies like ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ have faced similar chops in the past, losing bits that hint at anything queer. With ‘Arcane’, it’s clear they didn’t want Vi and Caitlyn’s love story making the cut either.

The show’s roots make this tricky. Riot Games, the muscle behind ‘League of Legends’, is owned by Tencent, a massive Chinese company. That tie means they’ve got to play by China’s rules if they want the show to air there. It’s a business call, and it’s left some moments feeling off. Caitlyn leaning on an invisible shoulder isn’t just weird—it pulls the heart out of what the creators built.

I can’t help but feel for the Chinese viewers who miss out. We get the full emotional ride, while they’re stuck with a patched-up version. Social media’s been buzzing about it, with clips showing the awkward edits getting laughs and groans. Some say it’s so clumsy they’d rather the scenes were skipped altogether. Others point out Tencent’s hand in this, calling it a predictable move.

‘Arcane’ season two wrapped up its run on November 23, 2024, with those last three episodes tying up Vi and Jinx’s tale. The queer storyline wasn’t just a side note—it shaped how Vi and Caitlyn grew. Cutting it doesn’t just change a few scenes; it messes with the whole vibe. Still, the show’s a hit, and I’m betting we’ll hear more about its world soon. For now, though, China’s take on it stands out as a strange twist in an otherwise killer season.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments