Miraculous rec

[primsong]

So, my daughter introduced me to "Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir" which she discovered while learning some French - hee hee! Yes, the episodes are predictable and have about as much content as a bag of potato chips but I'm finding I'm quite enjoying the characters. Ended up watching the entire first season on Netflix over the course of a week, quite pleased to see the second season is supposed to be out this summer. Also, I realize now I'd seen their 'miraculous' sidekicks as keychains at some point but didn't know what they were then.

You do have to allow that in this universe the "Superman Effect" is functioning, i.e. that Clark Kent's glasses have the ability to somehow keep everyone from knowing he is Superman. The two leads work as a superhero team without knowing each other's identities but are also classmates at school - she has a crush on him as her classmate and he has a crush on her as Ladybug but they never figure out they are the same people because....well... because a mask changes everything? The only explanation given is "magic" - works for me.

I get the distinct impression that the illustrators just really like to draw Paris. Also, it's way better in French with subtitles than with the dubs. Want some light superhero fun? I recommend!

Comments

[dbskyler]

Sounds interesting! Is it available in French from Netflix? I'm working on re-learning French, so this could be perfect for me.

[primsong]

You can set the audio to French with English subs and it's just right.

[everchangingmuse]

My anime club students turned me on to Ladybug this year, and I've just gone through the series for the second time on Netflix. It is adorable and I love it! I love the animation, I love how Paris is very much a character in its own right, and I love the diversity of characters.

The "Superman Effect" doesn't bother me too much - it's like with Sailor Moon or other mahou shoujo series. I just assume the magic that transforms them keeps people from making that connection.

I've heard rumor that the French version will end up on Netflix subbed within the year, but I don't know how true the rumor is - I'd like to see the differences in better quality than what youtube can offer. I'm enjoying the dub, though.

[primsong]

What I was seeing was obviously French, so maybe that's what it was? Even with what little French I know I could tell the English translation in the subtitles was not always quite what was being said, I wish my French were better because it's obviously more suitable that way.

[clocketpatch]

It doesn't seem to be on Canadian Netflix, which is utterly bizarre given that there's probably a way bigger market for French-language cartoons up here (maybe one of the French language channels bought all the streaming rights?). But I think I'll be looking for it elsewhere because it sounds great and I'm always looking for French-language things that are interesting enough to watch but basic enough not to completely lose me.

[primsong]

This would totally fit the bill for you, one of those "kids shows" that probably has more adult fans than they ever reckoned on.

[clocketpatch]

I'm clicking around youtube for clips now. :)

Thank you for the rec.

[dbskyler]

psst -- I found whole episodes on youtube. Depending on the uploader, they are in the original French with no subtitles, in French with English subtitles, or dubbed in English. I am addicted! I even watched one in French without the subtitles and probably understood only 5% of the dialogue, but could still follow the story and enjoyed it a great deal.

[primsong]

Aren't they fun? Look up "So This is Basically Miraculous Ladybug" on youtube, I concur with them that the real enemy in this series isn't the cackling HawkMoth, it's Chloe. ;-D