Miraculous (franchise)
Miraculous is a French superhero media franchise created by writer and director Thomas Astruc and owned by Miraculous Corp., a joint venture of ZAG Entertainment and Mediawan. The franchise follows two Parisian teenage superheroes, Marinette Dupain-Cheng and Adrien Agreste, who use magical jewels known as "Miraculous" to transform, the power of these jewels is granted by Kwamis, ancient magical creatures that represent abstract concepts. Together, Ladybug and Cat Noir protect the city from akumatized villains.
The franchise began with the main animated series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, also includes web series, TV movies, animated films, video games, comic books, mangas and merchandising.
History
Origin
The original concept for the Ladybug character was conceived by French animator and storyboard artist Thomas Astruc around 2005. The initial spark arose casually after Astruc met a young woman wearing a ladybug t-shirt, leading him to create Ladybug's design on a Post-it note. Thinking the character worked, Thomas began developing her, drawing inspiration from the fake covers of Japanese comics like The Mini Menace Ladybug, and built a universe around the heroine, inspired by comic book universes like those of Marvel. The project gained momentum when Thomas Astruc teamed up with Jeremy Zag, a producer at ZAGTOON, allowing Astruc to refine the concept.Astruc drew inspiration from Franco-Belgian and American comics, as well as Japanese animation. His references included the French character Amélie Poulain, Spider-Man and Sailor Moon. The goal was to create a series that reflected the romance and beauty of France, with superheroes that would appeal to young girls, but without falling into feminine clichés.
Visual style
Graphic designer Nathanaël Bronn sought to create a universe with a French touch, moving away from the standard of "muscular superheroes" to design protagonists with slender and graceful silhouettes. The creators wanted to convey the elegant and refined image of Paris, fusing it with the modernity of superheroes. The Kwamis were inspired by the mascots of 1970s Magical Girls manga, with a touch of Japanese animation.Toei Animation participated in the production of an anime-style trailer in an attempt to promote this animation style. Due to technical reasons, such as animating the ladybug's spots, and to facilitate sales, the team opted for CGI animation. The promotional anime video, directed by Kohei Chikokal, and composed and performed by Noam Kaniel leaked in September 2012 and was a 2D OVA featuring Félix Agreste, later replaced by Adrien Agreste. The tone of the series also changed during development, shifting from a darker concept to a lighter tone suitable for a children's audience, with the help of script director Sébastien Thibaudeau. The first official CGI promotional videos were released on October 8, 2013, and in February 2014.
Production, premiere and global success
The project was announced in Cannes in October 2010 with an estimated budget of US$50 million. From the outset, the producers were developing a 360-degree strategy to build a comprehensive franchise, with plans to involve toys, comic books, and apps for Apple devices. The goal was to create "a series for girls that boys will love to watch."The production of the series became a complex international joint venture, co-produced by ZAGTOON, Method Animation, Toei Animation and SAMG Animation, as well as several international companies. The animated series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir premiered in South Korea on September 1, 2015, followed by the France premiere in October 2015. The show quickly achieved global success, being listed among the Top 10 most popular TV shows on Netflix in the United States and achieving record viewership in China. In August 2019, the Brazilian children's channel Gloob entered into a co-production partnership with ZAG for the upcoming seasons.
Currently, Miraculous is considered one of the most successful children's intellectual properties. The series, which includes TV movies and a 2023 feature film, has had six seasons available in over 150 countries, driven global retail growth with more than 230 licensees worldwide, and the seventh season is in production for release in 2026. The franchise's commercial success has reached over US$1 billion in retail sales worldwide.
Corporate structure
Due to the exponential growth of the franchise, producers ZAG and the French independent production company Mediawan joined forces to launch Miraculous Corp. on May 13, 2024. This new label was created to oversee all aspects of ZAG's most successful original intellectual property, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. The new corporation unites all facets of the franchise under one roof, with Mediawan holding 60% ownership and ZAG retaining the remaining 40%. Franchise co-creator and ZAG founder Jeremy Zag will continue as the majority shareholder and board member, overseeing the development and creation of new stories and characters within the franchise.Films
''Miraculous World''
Miraculous World is a television film series produced by ZAG, originally released on September 25, 2020, the series expands the franchise's universe by showing Ladybug and Cat Noir on international missions, where they discover that the Miraculous are not the only source of magical powers in the world, finding new allies, technologies, and ancient jewels.Merchandise
Toys, figures and games
Bandai was named the global master toy partner for the animated series. The toy line was formally unveiled at the 2016 US Toy Fair, with a global launch at mass and specialty retailers planned for Fall 2016.The toy line was strategically developed to inspire aspirational action, transformation, and friendship, targeting girls aged 4 to 8. The collection featured included plush toys, fashion dolls, and the Miraculous Ladybug toy line. Bandai expressed great enthusiasm in leading the development of a "new action doll market for girls," driven by the success of the series, which premiered on Nickelodeon USA in December 2015. Among licensed manufacturers, Playmates Toys released a line of action figures and dolls, including the Ladybug Fashion Doll.
A pivotal milestone occurred in 2022 when ZAG formalized its partnership with the renowned German brand Playmobil to launch toys featuring the characters from Miraculous. This agreement was expanded in January 2023 through a collaboration between ZAG Play and the Horst Brandstätter Group, with the agency WildBrain CPLG acting as intermediary. The goal was to develop a diverse global line that hit the market in 2024, adapting Ladybug, Cat Noir, allies, and villains to Playmobil's iconic aesthetic. The line focuses on detailed playsets that recreate Parisian settings and popular scenes from the series, promoting creativity and self-expression through the German brand's unique play principle.
In the collectibles segment, ZAG Play, a division of ZAG, is responsible for the Miraball surprise collectible line. ZAG Store also offers plush toys of characters such as Ladybug, Lady Wifi, and Evilustrator, as well as Kwami plush toys, including Tikki, Plagg, Nooroo, Fluff, Mullo, and Barkk.
The franchise has also expanded into tabletop and card games. The collectible card game Throwdown! was released in physical retail stores on August 17, 2016, followed by an online release on October 12, 2016. The board game Miraculous: Chasing Hawk Moth, developed by ZAG Educa, was released on February 14, 2018. Designed as a family game for 2 to 4 players aged 5 and up, it features an average playtime of approximately 15 minutes.
The product program quickly expanded to include several licensing partners: Rubie's, Accessory Innovations, H.E.R., Komar, Handcraft Manufacturing, and Franco Manufacturing.
The franchise's line of printed publications and entertainment is vast and aimed at various age groups. In 2021, the franchise launched Miraculous-themed coloring and activity books, consisting of 32 pages full of games, puzzles, mazes, and other interactive challenges for children. This material was released through partnerships with Crayola and Bendon, with the Bendon editions also including collectible stickers of the series' characters.
Clothing and costumes
Playmates Toys has released costume and accessory sets for the main characters. The Ladybug set includes the mask, yo-yo, the Kwami Tikki, earrings, and a color-changing Akuma. The Cat Noir set contains the mask, the staff, the Kwami Plagg, and the ring. For the complete costume segment, the franchise partnered with Spirit Halloween, which released costumes of characters such as Ladybug, Cat Noir and Rena Rouge.The American children's clothing brand ImagiKids has developed an extensive line of themed clothing featuring the characters from Miraculous. This line includes girls' shirts, skirts, pajamas, pajama sets, leggings, children's dresses, headbands, zip-up sweatshirts and graphic t-shirt & pants sets.
Cosmetics
The franchise has also expanded its merchandising into the cosmetics and beauty category, with products licensed by Wyncor and Horizon Group USA. Cosmetic products include items such as nail polish, hair chalk, pompoms, lipstick and lip glosses. The lip gloss line features a color-changing effect and fruit flavors, each themed around a character from the franchise. Hair accessories, such as different brush models, have also been licensed. Notable kits include the Miraculous Ladybug Kids Makeup Set and the Miraculous 7pc Lip Gloss Set from Wyncor, as well as the Sport-on Beauty Makemover and Lip Balm Maker from Horizon Group USA.Home, school and accessories
The licensed product line has expanded to include everyday items and home decor. For the home, there are reversible children's bedding sets, a Cat Noir-themed coffee mug, and a personalized Marinette keepsake box.In the school and beverage segment, the franchise offers rectangular lunchboxes, children's cups, sports tumblers with lids and straws and microfiber beach towels. ZAG Store has also launched the Marinette bag collection, in addition to Adrien Agreste School Bag and macaron-shaped soaps.
''Miraculous'' jewelry and replicas
ZAG Store has launched and specializes in the production and sale of high-quality replicas of the Miraculous, encompassing both their transformation forms and the camouflage versions used by the wearers in their daily lives. Within the ring line, the Cat Noir Transformation Ring and the Adrien Agreste Camouflage Ring are available. The earring collection offers replicas of Ladybug's stud earrings, as well as Marinette's Camouflage Earrings and the camouflage version used by Adrien.The necklace and brooch category features the Mouse Necklaces in their transformation and camouflage versions, the Dragon Necklaces representing Ryuko's transformation and Marinette or Kagami's camouflage, as well as the Fox Necklace in its camouflage state. In the antagonist and ally segment, the store offers the Hawk Moth Brooch and variants of the Peacock Brooch, including the camouflage used by Felix and the charged version. For bracelets and various accessories, the line includes the Carapace Transformation and Camouflage Bracelets, the Cobra Bracelet in Luka Couffaine's camouflage, and the Viperion Transformation version. Other notable items are the Purple Tigress Panjas Bracelet and the Goat Hair Clip in its camouflage form.
Print publications
Books
On June 1, 2016, the French publisher Hachette Jeunesse, under the La Bibliothèque Rose collection, launched the Miraculous book series. The series consists primarily of novelized adaptations of episodes from the animated television series Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, retelling televised stories in prose format for young readers. In addition to the main adaptations, the franchise introduced a spin-off line of books featuring original stories, titled Aventures sur mesure. Unlike the main series, these books present narratives written specifically for print, expanding the franchise’s fictional universe beyond direct episode adaptations. The book series remains ongoing.Graphic novel
The French publisher Soleil Productions published the graphic novel series based on the animated series of same name, which features illustrated retellings of episodes from the animated series, with art by Minte and script adaptation by Jean-Christophe Derrien. The series included volumes focused on the origins of the heroes, such as Les Origines: Tome 1 and Les Origines: Tome 2, adapting the episodes "Ladybug & Cat Noir" and "Stoneheart," respectively.In the United States, the comic book publisher Action Lab Comics, in partnership with ZAG Entertainment, launched the American comic and graphic novel series based on the franchise, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, which was originally published from July 6, 2016 to April 8, 2020. These graphic novels consisted primarily of adaptations of episodes from the first and second seasons of the television series, rewritten for comic book format by Cheryl Black and Nicole D'Andria. This release marked the initial expansion of the franchise into the North American graphic novel market.
America
In America, the franchise has an American comic book series based on the animated series, known as Miraculous: Adventures of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Originally, Action Lab Comics planned to publish Miraculous Adventures as part of a series of four monthly comic books containing original stories, along with titles such as Tales of Ladybug and Tales of Cat Noir. However, due to the cancellation of the other three series, Miraculous Adventures became the only known comic book series to contain original stories and not just adaptations of existing episodes.The series was published by Action Lab Comics in the United States. Production began in 2016, and the first volume was released on July 19, 2017. The series was canceled after the release of five volumes, although eight volumes had initially been planned.
As of 2021, Action Lab Comics lost the publishing rights in the US. In 2022, Mad Cave Studios took over the licensing, announcing plans to publish a new series of graphic novels starting in 2024. Strategically, in the initial development phase of the franchise in 2010, there were already plans for Univergroup to release 10 digital comic books for iPad and iPhone, written by Thomas Astruc.
;Releases
Italian comics
In Italy, Panini launched the comic series Le Storie di Ladybug e Chat Noir. This collection is part of the "Il mio primo fumetto" editorial line, aimed at children around 7 years old. The creative team consists of illustrator Giulia Adragna and colorist Fabs Nocera. Started on April 26, 2018, the series consists of 8 volumes of 80 pages that chronologically adapt the arcs of the animation.The first volume, "La magia dei Miraculous", focuses on the origins and villains. This was followed by the volumes "Caccia alle farfalle", "Eroi contro il male", "Cataclisma!" and "L'Unione fa la forza!". The collection continued with "Cuori in battagila" and "Super eroi a parigi", concluding with the eighth volume, "Amici e nemici", released on August 4, 2022.
Manga
In Japan, the franchise has a Japanese manga series based on the animated series, titled Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir. Toei Animation acquired the Miraculous license in Japan to create the manga in October 2019.The manga is published by Kodansha and began serialization in Monthly Shōnen Sirius magazine. The first chapter was released on January 26, 2021, with the first tankōbon volume published on June 9, 2021. Serialization in Monthly Shōnen Sirius ended with Chapter 14, but a new series of chapters was announced to be released on a manga app in 2025.
Plays and live performances
The Miraculous franchise has already featured numerous adaptations for theatre and live musicals around the world. Its journey on stage began in 2016 with a pioneering musical adaptation in South Korea, later expanding to Latin America and Europe, culminating in large-scale productions and global tours.| Year | Title | Type | Country/City | Dates | Observations |
| 2016 2018 | Ladybug | Theatrical musical | South Korea | November 4–27, 2016 January 27–28, 2018 | The first theatrical adaptation of the Miraculous franchise. A pioneering musical presented in South Korea, with an original story based on the animated series. |
| 2017 | Miraculous Ladybug | Theatrical musical | Brazil | Rio de Janeiro: June 24–25; July 1–2, 2017 São Paulo: July 8–9; July 22–23, 2017 | An official Brazilian production aimed at children and families, featuring songs and choreography inspired by the series. |
| 2019 | Miraculous: The Ladybug Show | Musical arena show | Spain | December 2019 | A large-scale world premiere, produced by ZAG in partnership with DeAPlaneta, featuring LED screens and acrobatic flight systems. |
| 2020–2023 | Miraculous: The Ladybug Show | Live show | Europe and Latin America | Variable dates | A touring version of the arena show, presented in various countries, consolidating the franchise's presence on international stages. |
| 2027 | Miraculous Live Stage Show | Large-scale theatrical spectacle | World tour | New production announced by Miraculous Corp. in partnership with Canadian production company Monlove, developed by Ella Louise Allaire and Martin Lord Ferguson. |
Discography
The Miraculous franchise features an official discography consisting of soundtrack albums released for television specials and cinematic productions. Music has always played an important role in the identity of the series, particularly in special episodes and in its musical feature film.The franchise’s soundtrack discography began in December 2016 with the Christmas-themed album Miraculous Christmas Album, released by ZAG Records. The album includes songs and musical themes from the series’ Christmas special and represents the first official music release within the Miraculous universe.
In 2023, the franchise significantly expanded its musical presence with the release of the animated musical film Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie. Two separate albums were released in connection with the film: the Original Soundtrack, featuring the songs performed in the movie, and the Score Album, which consists of the instrumental score. Both albums were released by ZAG, TF1 Musique and Muzeek One.
As of now, no complete official album compiling the instrumental soundtrack of the regular television series has been released, despite the large number of original compositions created throughout its seasons. Additional soundtrack releases may occur as the franchise continues to expand through films, specials, and new formats.
| Album name | Year | Type | Record label | Format |
| Miraculous Christmas Album | Soundtrack | ZAG Records | Digital | |
| Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie (Original Soundtrack) | Film soundtrack | ZAG / TF1 Musique / Muzeek One | CD Digital | |
| Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie (Score Album) | Film score | 22Dmusic | Vinyl |
Games
Mobile games
The Miraculous franchise has developed a robust and diverse lineup of mobile games available for iOS and Android, spanning multiple genres and gameplay mechanics.| Game title | Publisher | Developer | Release date | Platform |
| Miraculous Ladybug & Cat Noir | TabTale | TabTale | April 25, 2018 | iOS, Android |
| Miraculous Crush: A Ladybug & Cat Noir Match 3 | ZAG Entertainment | ZAG Entertainment, WayForward | November 7, 2019 | iOS, Android |
| Miraculous: Color by Numbers | ZAG Entertainment | PSV Studio | February 10, 2021 | iOS, Android |
| Miraculous Puzzle Hero Match 3 | ZAG Games | ZAG Games, CrazyLabs | October 10, 2022 | iOS, Android |
| Miraculous Life | ZAG Games | ZAG Games, Budge Studios | Soft launch: December 2022 January 9, 2023 February 23, 2023 | iOS, Android |
Console video games
The Miraculous franchise expanded into console and PC gaming with the release of action-adventure titles based on Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir, featuring original stories set within the series’ universe.| Game title | Publisher | Developer | Release date | Platform |
| Miraculous: Rise of the Sphinx | ZAG, GameMill Entertainment | Magic Pockets | October 25, 2022 | Xbox One, S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| Miraculous: Paris Under Siege | Miraculous Corp., GameMill Entertainment | Petit Fabrik | October 25, 2024 | Xbox One, S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PC |