The first episode of Pixar's Win or Lose is now available to watch on YouTube.
It is the studio's first original series and found itself at the center of controversy following the announcement that Disney removed dialogues related to a trans character...
The first episode of Win or Lose, Pixar's first original series for television, can be watched for free on YouTube. The plot revolves around a mixed-gender high school softball team (the Pickles), with each episode focused on the perspective of a different character. This includes the animated representation of their insecurities and defense mechanisms.
The inaugural episode centers on Laurie, the coach's daughter and the right fielder for the Pickles. Despite being part of the team, she does not excel at softball, largely due to her insecurities, which are symbolized as a conscious blob of sweat named "Sweaty."
If you're interested in Win or Lose, you'll need to subscribe to Disney+ to enjoy the remaining seven episodes (the last two will premiere on March 12). There is currently an offer to save on the subscription with the ad-supported tier of a Disney+ and Hulu bundle.
Regarding the pre-launch controversy, Win or Lose became the subject of criticism months before its premiere on February 19. Originally, a character named Kai, who is openly transgender and played by trans actress Chanel Stewart, was set to be included. Although the character remains in the series, Disney decided to remove several lines of dialogue that referenced their gender identity.
This move sparked a strong backlash online, especially because it occurred right after Donald Trump's electoral victory. Additionally, one of the characters, Laurie, is openly Christian and prays before games, leading some to interpret it as a way to appease the elected president in a context where business leaders were criticized for favoring less inclusive policies.
Disney justified its decision by arguing that it was about respecting parents' freedom to address LGBTQ+ topics on their own terms and timeline. A company spokesperson noted that they recognize many parents prefer to discuss certain topics with their children in their own way. Meanwhile, another source connected to the project mentioned that the lines were removed months in advance, during a period when the electoral outcome was uncertain.
In any case, if you're interested in the series, you can enjoy the first episode available below.