Every child whether still little or merely one at heart, they all love a good story. Many grew up with Disney movies or well-known bedtime stories, and now animated series have conquered the world. Since the 90’s, everyone has at least one favourite animated series that has a special place in their childhood memories.
For me, Sailor Moon and Digimon makes me squeal with joy each time I see a rerun on a TV channel or some merchandise. When my best friend mentioned to me that there is a new animated series that is kind of similar to Sailor Moon, I had to put it on my to watch list. Shame on me, I forgot about it until a rainy afternoon when I scrolled through Netflix and discovered it once more. So, buckle up and be prepared to get to know your new favourite series to binge watch!
The French-Japanese production Miraculous premiered in 2015 and aired on various channels all over the world such as TF1, Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and Family Channel. The 20 minutes long episodes can be also found on Netflix.
Marinette Dupain-Cheng is a normal girl with a normal life living in Paris who attends high school with a focus on fashion design and different arts in general. Adrien Agreste has to fight his father to finally be able to attend school and not be home schooled anymore. Over the course of the series, they become friends, but neither of them know that they both become superheros at the same time with the same mission: to protect Paris from the villain who calls himself Hawk Moth. Every time a person gets possessed by one of his moths, they transform into Ladybug and Cat Noir to stop his evil plans and turn the person back to their usual selves.
The mythology of the Miraculouses is an interesting on which has not been fully revealed yet. All we know at this point is that the over 5000 years old Kwamis, mysterious little creatures with magical power, have the power to change their holder to their Miraculous personas. Most of the Kwamis are under the protection of the last Great Guradian of the Miraculouses, a 186 year old healer named Master Wang Fu.
A long time ago, Fu made a mistake which lead to the destruction of a Chinese monk temple and the Peacock and Buttefly Miraculouses being lost together, along with the Miraculous spellbook. Since then, Fu and his Kwami Wayzz are trying to find them until one day Wayzz feels the presence of his fellow Kwami Noroo. Fu decides that it is time to find two people worthy of wearing the two most powerful Miraculouses, Ladybug and Cat Noir, to fight the evil.
To transform, Marinette wears earrings which are charged by her Kwami Tikki. As Ladybug she has the power of creation and the name Tikki means “happiness”. Adrien wears a silver ring which is charged by his Kwami Plagg. As Cat Noir he has the power of destruction and the name Plagg means “plague”.
According to the creator, Thomas Astruc, Ladybug and Cat Noir symbolise Yin and Yang. Both are the holder of the most powerful Miraculouses in the world. At this point, it is not known how many Kwami’s exists but there have to be quite a lot. We’ve seen Noroo (Butterfly Miraculous – transforms the holder into Hawk Moth), Trixx (Fox Miraculous – transforms the holder into Rena Rouge), Wayzz (Turtle Miraculous – transforms the holder into Carapace), and Pollen (Bee Miraculous – transforms the holder into Queen Bee)
Sounds interesting, right? So why should you give this series a chance? Let me give you some more reasons!
Protecting Paris
Usually such series are placed somewhere in America or Japan or in a made up world. This story takes place in the middle of Europe, in France. The battles take you through the town and you can recognise the most famous sights. What a sight!
Friendship
Miraculous is about two teenagers who have to go to school with normal teenage problems. Everything is easier to bear when you have an awesome friend next right by your side and so Adrien has Nino, and Marinette has Alya. While Adrien only has a normal life when he is in school, it becomes the most important part of his day. To feel normal and be around his friends, being seen as himself and not the “son of” gives him a space to breath. Marinette can be friends with anyone and believes in the good inside everyone. If it would not be for Alya who grounds her, stops her from doing something stupid and encourages her, Marinette would fall on her nose a bit too often.
Diversity
I applaud the creators for showing the world as it is today. What I love about Miraculous is that there is a character for everyone to identify with.
Marinette is half-Chinese, half-French; Alya is from Martinique, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean; and Nino is from Réunion, an island and region of France in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar. Ever heard of these little places? Did a character ever came from there?
Then you have a skater girl, two shy people, a nerd, a sportsman, and a goth. Everyone labelled? Yes and no because they are so much more as their labels. You may be seen as one thing but you are many at the same time and have big dreams and the wish to make them happen, to find your own identity and it does not have to be just one. The message is clear: Look closely, you might have missed that the person in front of you can be your next best friend.
Encouraging
She’s beauty. She’s grace. She will land on his face. He’s beauty. He’s grace. He will land on his face. This saying sounds funny at first, but it is true. You have big dreams and you will not fulfil them at the first attempt and that is okay. Just do not give up. Lie on the ground and work on standing up and try again. A lesson that we all have to learn to deal with through our life’s more than once.
That is no different for the characters in Miraculous when they are in school, at home, or out at night protecting the city. You will not be able to succeed always. Losing is a part of winning.
Love Is In The Air
Of course, there is love in the air. While Alya and Nino are instantly together after being open about their feeling for each other, two other love birds just cannot find the way into each other’s heart. Well, actually they already are, but lets just call it complicated. Marinette has a crush on Adrien, but Adrien is crushing on Ladybug. While the audience is constantly facepalming, they are clueless that they both want the same person.
When Will They Know?
Soon I hope. No matter if it is an animated series or a comic adaption, just because Supergirl wears glasses that does not change her appearance and voice. My hopes are up that the current story of Season 2 will lead to the fact that Marinette and Adrien will soon know their true identities. I mean, even in Sailor Moon you only had to wait until the end of Season 1, but that kept the audience waiting for over 40 episodes.
Pound It
Fist bump. Town safe. Day saved. Let’s get some macaroons and ice cream! The series is currently in the middle of airing season 2 and a third season has been already ordered.
I am in love with this beautifully made cartoon with the cutest storylines and the most fashionable and real characters. Full figured, thin, tall, short, blonde, brunette, and all the colors of the rainbow hair and skin and interests and backgrounds. The loveliest ever !