In a recent article by Screen Rant, it was revealed that the English dub of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX had censored the series' first LGBTQ+ hero, Jaden Yuki [dd45ce60]. The dub changed Jaden's romantic relationships to platonic, effectively erasing his LGBTQ+ identity. This censorship of LGBTQ+ characters in anime dubs was more common in the past but has become less frequent in recent years [dd45ce60].
The article explains that the censorship of Jaden's sexuality in the English dub was a result of the time period when it was released. Having an explicitly LGBTQ+ character in a children's show was uncommon at the time, leading to the decision to remove or alter Jaden's romantic relationships [dd45ce60]. The English dub also changed the gender of another character, Yubel, and removed the romantic angle of their relationship with Jaden [dd45ce60].
However, the article highlights that there has been progress in LGBTQ+ representation in English dubs of anime in recent years. Characters like Yamato from One Piece, Hange from Attack on Titan, and Tiger from My Hero Academia have been presented with their LGBTQ+ identities intact [dd45ce60]. This shift in representation reflects a broader trend of increased visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ characters in media.
Despite the censorship in the English dub, fans now have access to more accurate subtitled translations of the series. Platforms like Crunchyroll provide subtitled versions of Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, allowing fans to appreciate the original representation of LGBTQ+ characters in the show [dd45ce60].
This revelation about the censorship of LGBTQ+ representation in Yu-Gi-Oh! GX's English dub highlights the ongoing struggle for authentic and inclusive representation in media. It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and challenging censorship, and advocating for LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance in all forms of entertainment.