On MLB and being a Protagonist
Iâm not going to say things that havenât been discussed already, honestly. But given those past few daysâ talks, I kinda felt like writing my thoughts/other peopleâs thoughts down on the subject.
Some people donât appreciate a number of fans criticizing Adrienâs decision to threaten Plagg with quitting while Paris was flooded in Syren, because they relate to him on an emotional level. And itâs true, Adrien had reasons to be upset and doing this. Him doing it was a good development for his character in itself. It showed, however, something that is noticeable throughout the series, and that is that Adrien is not put on lead characterâs standard by the show, in spite of his importance to the plot.
In other words: heâs not the main protagonist.
And itâs easy to see too. All we have to do is imagine another character in his position, and ask ourselves if the narrative would have been as lenient with them as it was to Adrien. You put Marinette as threatening to quit in front of Tikki, for example, and you can imagine how the narrative would punish her for her decision to do so. It would work if you put some other characters as well, like Spider-Man, or Danny Phantom. This kind of setup would be used for a life-lesson of a sort with an actual lead character like Marinette is, especially on a superhero show.
What most people who criticize Adrienâs action here want is for Adrien to have a main protagonist treatment, in other word (or even a secondary lead treatment, because even secondary characters gets life-lessons on occasions).
I personally donât really mind it that much compared to other things, but itâs an understandable want.
I am more interested in Marinetteâs issue here, however:
Marinette is the main lead. Sheâs the main point of view of the series, and sheâs the one who gets the life-lessons and the onscreen character growth.
Adrien is the secondary lead, as per the fact that he does not get the majority of life lessons the show gives, and is not the showâs viewpoint. However, Adrien also has the closest connection to the main antagonist, and thus, the most interesting plot development (as shown with the massive amount of fics/comics in the fandom about this), even if his lack of onscreen lessons makes him seem more stagnant as a character than Marinette.
My thoughts on this is that Marinette should be getting more connections to the main antagonist. Something which makes her struggle as a hero more central to the overall plot.
I already mentioned the Peter Parker/Norman Osborn comparison in regard to Marinette Dupain-Cheng/Gabriel Agreste, because to me, this would be one way to connect Marinette to the main plot and give it an emotional affect which goes further than her attachment through being Adrienâs love interest.
Having attachments to the main villain is a central part of a lot of stories in our medias aside from Spider-Man. In Danny Phantom, for example, we have Vlad Master, multi-billionaire who is half-ghost like Danny, and whose goal is to kill Dannyâs dad, take Dannyâs mother as a wife and become Dannyâs mentor. Thereâs a lot going on in their relationship which makes their dynamics as archenemies interesting.
Another more recent example happens in Trollhunters, wherein season one, Jim has an important connection to the most involved antagonist. Strong connections to the antagonist is important to rise up the stakes, basically.
What I can think of aside from giving Marinette a strong connection to Gabriel, is if sheâs instead emotionally invested with some yet unseen antagonist in a way Adrien isnât, which would raise the dramatic stakes of her heroic journey.
Another thing that could happen would be something happening to Chat Noir, but Iâm not gonna delve on this.
Anyway, the showâs far from over, but basically right now: Marinette has all the protagonist mental development, and Adrien has all the protagonist plot development. The show is sorta due for balancing those things so that both characters get each some.
