Arcanehas always been aqueer show.

You know, that gets to be that OTP.

OTP in this case means official true pairing.

A collage of Kuin Hachisuka and O’Clock in My Hero Academia: Vigilantes.

But like any love worth fighting for, studio Fortiche didnt want to make this journey an easy one.

It takes the whole series for them to get together, Overton adds.

God, I played so many video games, Overton tells me.

The whole Sailor Moon group stood talking to the camera in Cosmos with Sailor Venus at the front.

You cared so much about all the characters in that game.

And then, of course, I sobbed my way through [The Last of Us] Left Behind.

Im gonna do it!

A split image showing characters from Little Witch Academia, Mary and the Witch’s Flower, and Witch Hunter Robin.

And I had the support of the entire team around me.

Im so happy everyone connected with it because I just poured my heart and soul into it.

The idea of her heart and soul is key to what makes Caitlyn and Vi work.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview On Queerness

This is what Ive been dreaming for, Overton admits.

I still write stories for my 16 year old self.

I love video games.

Amanda Overton Interview - Queerness in Arcane.

I love big sci-fi and world-building shows, but I so rarely saw myself in those spaces.

And if I had seen myself more in those spaces, maybe I would have come out sooner.

I would have had an easier journey.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

Like all the little touches.

One of my favourite notes Christian gave me was during episode six where Cait and Vi lean in.

Shes giving her a potion to heal her wounds, and she holds her face.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

They hold their faces together.

Overton makes specific mention of the queerbaiting allegations the show faced following its first season.

I worked very hard in the writing to check that it wasnt left in the subtext.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

During a brief yet vulnerable moment of respite, they fall into one anothers arms.

Caitlyn responds in a way where she wants this to be true, Vi wants this to be true.

Both of them want this to be true, so kissing was their way of covering that up.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

Vi and Caitlyns respective journeys throughout the second season are both driven by grief, hate, and insecurity.

Caitlyn wanted to kiss her.

Sometimes thats what you oughta get through life and to heal.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

I always knew it would be Caitlyn who reached out to Vi for the first time with that kiss.

You see that a lot in season one, too.

Caitlyn is the one telling Vi this is okay, its okay to be attracted to someone.

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

Can I be what my mom wanted me to be?

I didnt just want that to be professional, it needed to be personal.

Like, should I date someone my mom wanted me to date?

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

If it was easy, that would undersell the relationship.

But she pulled the trigger on Caitlyn which is unforgivable, she would have died.

Caitlyn would have died if it wasnt for Mel, so that justifies her death.

Arcane Season 2 - Amanda Overton Interview

But it had to be true to both characters and presented in a way that felt passionate yet authentic.

We strip away everything from her in episode five, and she has to start answering those questions.

It isnt until then that Vi [realises].

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

She even says at the top of that scene, I make the wrong choice every time.

So with her action of kissing Cait, she answers that question for her and her character arc.

If I had no one left to protect, I would fall in love.

Arcane Season 2 - Amanda Overton Interview

For just a moment, Caitlyn and Vi can be happy.

If you dont, how do you ever break that cycle?

How do you ever stop it?

Arcane - Amanda Overton Interview

Either way, [Vi and Jinx] would have to be separated to break that cycle.

Next:ND Stevenson And Molly Ostertag On The Future Of Queer Storytelling

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