UPDATE: 2025-06-24 18:35 EST
An earlier version of this story suggested that Disney may have removed the episode in reaction to the recent U.S. election. A Disney source has since clarified, and the article has been updated with added clarification.
Things change quickly in the media landscape, and it seems that members of the animation industry are fearful of censorship following recent political events in the United States. An episode from the hit animated seriesMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaurhas leaked online following claims that Disney removed it over the inclusion of an LGBT+ storyline.
News of the episode’s removal hit social media this week, after a member of the Disney series' team, storyboard revisionist,Derrick Malik Johnson, shared anow-deleted Bluesky post, that read:
“So guess I finally got hit with one of the projects (episode) I worked on is getting shelved because of which party that won the recent election. It breaks my heart knowing this impactful and amazing is now about to be consider a lost media episode.”
The animation news outletToon Hivespeculated that the episode’s removal was due to the new political climate, as the episode centers around a transgender character named Brooklyn (Indya Moore), who is a recurring character in the series. A Disney source clarified that the decision to hold this episode was made over a year ago, and that it had nothing to do with the current political climate or the incoming administration. Based on what the source shared, it seems like the episode is on hold, rather than officially “banned,” though it is currently unclear if the episode will ever be officially released. The source also noted that Disney has a level of care that they take very seriously, and “are respectful of the role parents play in making choices for their children, and having discussions on their own timeline.”
At the time of our initial reporting, the episode, entitled “The Gatekeeper,” had been leaked online. Lost Media Bustersrevealed on X (formerly Twitter)that the well-known illegal streaming site,Owlphibia, released the episode on YouTube. The plot revolves around Brooklyn, who is competing on a girl’s volleyball team, facing discrimination from a “narrow-minded coach” who wants to have her removed from the game.
Animation Creators React to the News About ‘Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’s Pulled Episode
The news ofMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaur’s pulled episode isn’t sitting well with creatives in the animation industry. It’s coming at a tumultuous timewhen The Animation Guild is currently in negotiationswith the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for better wages and protection against AI. Multiple animation creators shared their reactions to the news, includingEmma Cicirega,storyboard artist onGravity FallsandDuckTaleswho posted to herher X account, saying, “Disney should be ashamed of themselves for canning this episode. You don’t get to approve, approve, approve something and then destroy it at the last minute, shattering the crews’ hard work and hopes.”
AmphibiacreatorMatt Bralyresponded to Cicierega’spost with insight about the behind-the-scenes process of the episode’s creation, saying, “If an episode got this far, it was approved multiple times by multiple divisions, only to suddenly be struck down at the last second? Total breakdown of process and spitting on your team’s careful/thoughtful work. S&P approved this ep. It was good to go.” For context, S&P is short for “Standards and Practices,” which is Disney’s review board.
Braly thenadded his own feelings on the matter, “The action being preemptive makes it so much worse to me. The absolute cowardice and second guessing when actually this is when this content is needed most.” Braly wasn’t the only creator with strong opinions. A post fromindie animation writerDave Capdevielle, who worked on the pilot forHazbin Hotel, was shared byThe Owl House’sDana Terrace, whodid not mince words.
Season 2 ofMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaurwill premiere in 2025. Despite having a100% rating on Rotten Tomatoesand beingwidely praised by critics, the series was cancelled ahead of the second season. According to the source at Disney, they remain very proud of the series.
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
After 13-year-old super-genius Lunella accidentally brings ten-ton T-Rex, Devil Dinosaur into present-day New York City via a time vortex, the duo works together to protect the city’s Lower East Side from danger.
