Overwatch 2's latest hero, Shion, is characterized by elaborate revenge plots and a penchant for vehicular destruction, but she also harbors a surprising disdain for classic American literature. According to Blizzard's narrative team, a specific voice line attributed to Shion is a deliberate jab at poet Emily Dickinson.
The voice line in question, "I would not stop for death," is delivered with a notable inflection of disgust. This delivery choice was not accidental. Blizzard confirmed that Shion's writer had Dickinson's famous poem "Because I could not stop for death" in mind, crafting the line to express Shion's aversion to the poet.
The poem's opening lines, "Because I could not stop for death / He kindly stopped for me," depict Death personified patiently escorting the speaker. Shion's interpretation, as conveyed by her voice actor Mariko Baika, reframes this encounter as an unwelcome intrusion, implying that Shion, unfazed by even death, would simply refuse to yield.
This deliberate critique of Dickinson is presented as a facet of Shion's characterization, highlighting her resilience forged through years of torture by the Hashimoto. The narrative team’s intention was to develop characters who feel like normal people, capable of everyday actions like reading and forming opinions on literature. Shion's ability to engage with and critique classic poetry, juxtaposed with her violent in-game activities, adds a unique layer to her persona as a "tortured, vengeful soul."