Countdown to Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Is On

I must say, it feels the like the wait has been never-ending! But at long last “Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” has finally arrived!

There is so much I can say about this series, and I even have.  The series that is filled with magic, adventure, and characters battling the difficult feat of leading normal lives, “Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir” has so much to offer its fans. I myself have seen the first half of the first season already and am in love. To some levels it has a reminiscing aura of “Kim Possible” and even a bit of the magical girl series of the likes of “Sailor Moon.”  There is no question that this series is beyond, well, miraculous, and is only going to grow.

Here at BSCKids we got the fantastic chance to get a few questions on the series answered by two of the passionate folks over at ZAG. Andre’ Lake Mayer the President of Brand Strategy and Consumer Products along with Thomas Astruc, the author and producer of Miraculous with other credits such as “Totally Spies” and “Code Loyko.”

As someone who has been following this for a great while I must say how grateful I am to be able to interview Andre’ and Thomas.

And without further ado…

BSCkids: Andre and Thomas

For anyone who has not yet heard of Miraculous,  why should they be hyped?

Andre’- A really cool relatable magically transforming comic-book like super hero girl, ground breaking 3d-CGI animation and action scenes for girls and Paris.

How did Ladybug come about? What was the creative process like?

Thomas- Years ago, I worked as a story artist on a series, There’s this new girl, and she wear a tee-shirt with a ladybug drawing on it. We become friends and start exchanging ladybug-themed sticky notes. One of them is a portrait of her as a ladybug super-hero… Et voilà! Ladybug is born. I say to myself: “Wow, this character is awesome!”, so I build an universe around her by creating fake comic book covers. I add Cat Noir, villains, the earrings…

It has been noted that Miraculous is a cousin to Lolirock, is there a possibility that we might see a crossover in the future?

Thomas- Between the two French companies there is a similar interest in the “magical girl” stories (from Japan), and since it’s a small community the two companies, of course, share the same love of animation, we joke about being cousin shows. But these are two different companies, so a crossover is unlikely to occur.

Back when the news of the series broke years ago fans were treated to a PV with 2D animation- how has the series changed over time?

Andre’- 2D anime to 3D CGI, Ladybug is younger than originally, Paris is depicted more in the day than in the night, with incredible color and light, more light hearted comedy and the Disney touch has been incorporated.

Might we someday get to see a 2D anime version of the series?

Andre’- With Toei Animation as a co-production partner seeing the series in 2D anime still exists as a possibility.

It is rumored that Cat Noir has changed from Felix to Adrien. What is the story behind that, will we meet Felix someday?

Thomas- Félix was an early love interest for Marinette, The typical cold-and-snobbish-guy anime trope who stay aloof from the heroin. The contrast with Chat Noir personality worked well, but it didn’t allow to build great stories on long-term. So we erased him and created Adrien. We wanted him to be a modern prince charming: handsome, smart, brave, but also very sensitive. The guy everybody would naturally fall in love with. You’ll tell us if we succeeded. As for Félix, well, maybe if we ever need this kind of character one day…

Ladybug is a massive collaboration with a lot of fantastic companies working hard on the series, what is it like being such a global affair?

Andre’- An AMAZING Experience just to know that big companies from the East to the West globally believe in Miraculous and have contributed and collaborated to create this completely fresh Ladybug world and incredible story with compelling visuals.

The series has aired in Korea and France and proven to be a hit. Kids love it, teens, even adults like myself; what do do you make of this success?

Andre’- At first sight, Ladybug is instantaneously empowering to all women, all ages- Ladybug is mesmerizing both as Marinette and as Ladybug.

Even without knowing the story she is instinctively familiar, authentic and strong—Ladybug is an icon for wholesome girl empowerment.   Females and males of many ages are intrigued to know more about Miraculous Ladybug and the story told through the animation is a big plus for the audience to become more invested fans.

Paris is not only the main setting of the series, but also noted to be a full-fledged charter of the story.  How much of life in city influence the stories we see?

Andre’-You are right, Paris is a full-fledged character and she is strongly and authentically depicted and honored throughout the series…..

Thomas- We wanted the viewers to crave France after watching the show. So we tried to depict in our stories the beauties of the French Art de Vivre: food, arts…

Let us talk about the characters. Marinette and Adrien are great, and relatable characters. How did they become to be as they are now and where do you hope to see them as the series progresses?

Thomas- I’m a huge fan of superhero comic books since I was a kid. Superman has always been my favorite character, because despite he’s an alien, he represents all the good thing you can find in human beings. A larger than life role model. Something that has been abandoned by most capes comics which became too dark for my taste. I wanted Miraculous to go back to the roots, and present sunny characters who could inspire people all around the world in this new century. Season one showed the way. Now I hope we’ll be able to make this universe grow in the same positive and light-hearted spirit.

That love triangle- ear, square. The dynamics between Ladybug and Cat Noir’s two selves is incredible. What is it like playing with that situation?

Thomas- A lot of fun! It’s what we call in France “la comédie de boulevard!”

As of now the first glad of the first season is out, and America is getting their first taste of the grand series and two more seasons have been confirmed. What might we see come next?

Thomas- As I always answer to the fans when they ask me about what’s coming next… No spoilers!

Even though you have to love Ladybug and Cat Noir, there are other Miraculous users-right? What might they be like and will we meet them?

Thomas- Same answer 🙂

Zag has a lot of shows being worked on, what should fans of Miraculous be keeping a eye out for?

Andre’- Zak Storm is the next big 3D-CGI animated TV series for Zag Animation…..

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us, is there any final words you want to share with the readers of BSCKids?

Thomas- I hope they’ll enjoy the show and become true miraculers!

No worries Thomas, I am positive everyone will!

Yet again massive thanks to the great people over at ZAG not only for allowing this interview, but crafting such a fine show. I hope someday our paths might meet once more. Again, so much I can say. But why say it when you all can see for yourselves? Tune in this Sunday, December 6^th on Nick for the American debut of Ladybug! (Check your guides for listings!)

MIRACULOUS LADYBUG TRAILER from ZAGTOON DEV on Vimeo.

Be sure to also jump on social media and show Thomas, Andre’ and everyone else who works to tirelessly on Miraculous how much you love the series.

Join the conversation: are you planning on watching Miraculous?