If you watched the Arcane’s last episode on Netflix, you probably caught the emotional moment when Caitlyn rests her head on Vi’s shoulder. It’s subtle but meaningful, showing how far their relationship has come. But guess what? If you’re in China, you didn’t see that part quite the same way.
What Happened in the Chinese Version of Arcane?
In the Chinese version of the Arcane finale, Caitlyn and Vi don’t appear in the same frame during this moment. The intimacy of Cait resting her head on Vi’s shoulder was straight-up edited out.
China gives Arcane a different ending the world is not ready for.#ArcaneSeason2 #Arcane #ArcaneSpoilers pic.twitter.com/pafpzFVIfj
— Gavin (@gavinincinema) November 25, 2024
This isn’t exactly shocking given China’s long-standing policies on LGBTQ+ representation in media, but it’s frustrating nonetheless. It’s not even the first time Arcane faced censorship in China.
Back in Season 1, scenes were tweaked or trimmed for similar reasons, but Riot Games and Netflix didn’t talk much about those changes publicly.
Changes to Caitlyn and Vi’s Jail Cell Scene
Outside of China, the much-discussed jail cell scene between Cait and Vi in Episode 8 also had a version that we didn’t get to see.
In a live stream with League of Legends streamer Necrit94, series co-creator Christian Linke revealed that the scene was originally much steamier. According to Linke, the sequence was the “dialed back” version, and the original cut was significantly longer and more intense.
Why was it changed? Linke admitted the team got a “slap on the wrist,” though he didn’t specify whether that came from Netflix or Riot Games.
Some speculate Riot wanted to avoid crossing a line that could change League of Legends’ public image. The game is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, and anything too mature in Arcane might have complicated that rating.
Is There Hope for a Director’s Cut?
During the same livestream, Linke joked about the original version of the jail cell scene being saved on “some French hard drive.” Fans are already clamoring for a Director’s Cut, and while it might just be wishful thinking, it’s not impossible.
Riot has been known to listen to fan feedback—sometimes. A Director’s Cut would be a huge win for CaitVi shippers and anyone wanting to see more authentic storytelling. But let’s be real: this is a corporate decision, and Riot’s priorities are more aligned with maintaining their global image than appeasing die-hard fans.
CaitVi romance is officially canon now, but it feels bittersweet. Fans waited years for these moments, only to learn they’ve been trimmed, tweaked, or removed altogether depending on where you live.
