Is Link Click BL? Character Relationships Explained

Link Click (Shiguang Daili Ren) is not officially classified as BL (Boys’ Love) content. The series presents itself as a supernatural drama focusing on time travel and emotional human stories. However, the profound relationship between protagonists Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang has sparked significant fan interest and interpretation regarding the nature of their bond.

This deep connection between the main characters exists in an intentionally ambiguous space that neither confirms nor denies romantic possibilities. The anime prioritizes their complex partnership and emotional dependency while leaving room for viewer interpretation, which has led to diverse readings of their relationship.

Defining the Spectrum of Relationships

Before analyzing Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang’s relationship specifically, it’s important to understand the spectrum of character dynamics in anime:

1. Platonic Friendship
   Relationships built on mutual respect, shared experiences, and emotional support without romantic elements.

2. Ambiguous Relationships
   Connections that contain elements that could be interpreted as either deep friendship or romantic interest, often intentionally left open to interpretation.

3. Canonically Romantic
   Explicitly confirmed romantic relationships where characters demonstrate clear romantic or sexual interest.

4. BL/GL Content
   Works that specifically focus on same-sex romantic or sexual relationships as a central theme.

Link Click positions itself in the second category, offering an ambiguous relationship that supports multiple readings while never explicitly confirming any romantic elements.

Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang - Their Dynamic

The relationship between Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang forms the emotional core of Link Click. Their partnership extends beyond mere colleagues or friends, demonstrating:

1. Profound Emotional Intimacy
   They understand each other’s vulnerabilities and provide emotional support during difficult missions.

2. Physical Proximity and Touch
   The series features moments of physical closeness that, while not explicitly romantic, demonstrate comfort and trust.

3. Life-Risking Dedication
   Both have shown willingness to sacrifice their own well-being to protect each other, going beyond typical friendship obligations.

4. Complementary Personalities
   Their opposing traits (Cheng Xiaoshi’s empathy versus Lu Guang’s rationality) create a balanced partnership where each fills the other’s gaps.

Key Moments That Sparked BL Interpretation

Several pivotal scenes in Link Click have been particularly significant in fueling BL interpretations:

Official Stance vs. Creator Intent

“We wanted to create a relationship that felt real and profound, where viewers could see the deep connection between two people who truly understand each other.”
— Haoling Li, Director

The official marketing and materials for Link Click do not position it as BL content. The series is categorized primarily as supernatural drama with elements of mystery and psychological exploration. However, the creators have intentionally crafted a nuanced relationship that allows for multiple interpretations.

This approach—creating space for interpretation while avoiding explicit confirmation—is increasingly common in contemporary animation. It allows the series to appeal to:

• Traditional audiences seeking complex friendships
• BL enthusiasts who appreciate the subtextual elements
• Viewers who value emotional complexity regardless of romantic implications

The Cultural Context of Relationship Portrayal

Understanding how Link Click portrays its central relationship requires acknowledging the cultural context of Chinese animation production. Several factors influence how same-sex relationships are depicted:

• Regulatory Environment
  Chinese media regulations impose restrictions on explicit LGBTQ+ content, encouraging creators to work with subtextual approaches.

• Broader Appeal
  Ambiguous relationships allow for wider audience reach across different demographic groups.

• Storytelling Traditions
  Chinese narrative traditions often emphasize sworn brotherhoods and profound same-sex friendships that occupy a space distinct from Western relationship categories.

This context helps explain why the creators might intentionally craft a relationship that exists in an interpretative gray area, allowing viewers to see what resonates with their own perspectives.

Other Relationships in Link Click

To fully understand Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang’s relationship, it’s valuable to compare it with other relationships in the series:

1. Cheng Xiaoshi and Qiao Ling
   This relationship contains more explicitly romantic elements, with clear attraction established. It serves as a contrast to his relationship with Lu Guang.

2. Lu Guang and Emma
   Their complicated past introduces romantic elements for Lu Guang’s character, demonstrating his capacity for romantic attachment.

3. Supporting Character Relationships
   The series features several unambiguously romantic relationships that provide context for how romance is portrayed within the world.

These alternative relationships don’t negate BL interpretations, but they do create a more complex relational landscape within the series, showing that the creators are comfortable with explicit romance when it serves the story.

Fandom Response and Interpretation

The ambiguity in Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang’s relationship has led to a thriving fandom that explores various interpretations:

• BL Shipping Community
  A significant portion of fans interpret their relationship as containing romantic or sexual tension, producing fan fiction, art, and analysis supporting this reading.

• Platonic Interpretation
  Other viewers emphasize the importance of deep male friendships in media, appreciating their bond without romantic elements.

• Character-Focused Analysis
  Some fans focus on how their relationship, regardless of classification, illustrates the characters’ psychological development.

This diversity of interpretation demonstrates the success of the creators in crafting a relationship complex enough to support multiple readings.

What the Series Shows Us

When examining the question “Is Link Click BL?”, it’s important to look at specific textual evidence from the series:

Evidence Supporting Platonic Interpretation:

• Both characters show romantic interest in female characters
• Their professional relationship provides a clear foundation for their closeness
• Cultural context of “sworn brothers” offers a non-romantic framework for intense male bonds
• The series emphasizes their complementary abilities rather than romantic tension

Evidence Supporting BL Interpretation:

• Emotional intimacy that exceeds typical friendship depictions
• Physical proximity and touch that creates visual parallels to romantic scenes
• Willingness to sacrifice everything for each other
• The intensity of their reactions when the other is threatened
• Visual framing and musical cues during key moments together

Intentional Ambiguity as Artistic Choice

The question “Is Link Click BL?” ultimately has no definitive answer, which appears to be by design. The series creates a relationship that:

• Prioritizes emotional depth and complexity
• Allows viewers to interpret based on their own perspectives
• Functions effectively regardless of how it’s classified
• Serves the thematic exploration of connection and understanding

Rather than seeing this ambiguity as a flaw or an attempt to avoid classification, it can be understood as an artistic choice that enriches the narrative. The relationship between Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang transcends simple categorization, offering a bond that feels authentic precisely because it isn’t forced into conventional relationship categories.

Whether viewed through a BL lens or appreciated as profound friendship, their connection remains one of the most compelling aspects of Link Click, demonstrating how emotional resonance often matters more than strict categorization.