Wasted Potential in Miraculous - Also Known as - Bad Miraculous Combos of canon
Ever since I reviewed Queen Banana, I have been rethinking many of Marinette's (and the crew's) choices about how the miraculous was distributed among the characters.
When I sort the miraculi in my AU, I usually try to think of ways that the character can use the power based on their personality, how the kwami can impact the personality, the akuma they debut in, and how much the concept of the miraculous or the symbolism of the animal fits the character.
When it comes to the show, I feel like some combos are actually interesting. Kagami with the Dragon, Kim with the Monkey, Ivan with the Ox, Rose with the Pig, Nathaniel with the goat, Marc with the rooster, and Juleka with the tiger.
However, there are others that I have never been too sure about. Because, don't get me wrong, I feel like one character can be compatible with more than one miraculous; that's why we have AUs like Scarlet Lady, Scarlet Beetle, and Miraculous Descendant.
(By @zoe-oneesama , @booksrbetterthanpeople and @natedogx15 respectively)
But I feel like some choices that canon made were very bland, confusing, purposeless, or just took away the chance of a more interesting arc.
My main complaints are for the following characters:
Alya Cesaire and the Fox:
When we were introduced to the gimmick of secondary heroes, Alya was the first one to gain a miraculous. Which made sense: she was the protagonist's best friend and in love with superheroes.
And, back then, the fox made sense to her. The power of illusions was indeed helpful against Sapotis; it kind of matched her color scheme, and it was interesting for her to be using the real version of the copy that Lila used in the past season.
And Alya did kind of learn the lesson on the importance of secret identities.
But, honestly, after Sapotis... Alya's connection with the miraculous doesn't go anywhere. She doesn't have any interesting relationship/rivalry with Lila, we don't see her getting slowly more sneaky, and, although they did a great job on season 4, with Alya using her illusions to help Marinette (who she now knows the secret), I still am not sure of that combo.
I always said that a lot, and I will say it again, but... I think Alya should have gotten the dog. The concept not only fits her love and loyalty to her friends, but the power of fetch matches how she is always looking for info.
The color palette is also similar to the fox, so the design wouldn't even have to change that much. Maybe Chienne Rouge.
As for how it could be used in her arc... I feel like Barkk would have been interesting for the Lila scandal. In a world where Marinette had better writing, and dealt with the Lila situation better, it would have been interesting during an occasion where Marinette and Alya are a bit separated due to Lila, but Ladybug still calls Chienne Rouge to help, Alya could ask Barkk for advice after the battle.
Barkk could say something about how Alya and Marinette are friends, and that Alya should try listening and understanding Mari's side before a conclusion...
Again, in an AU where Marinette is dealing better with Lila's antics.
However, since season 6 started developing more on her use of the fox, I feel like it isn't one of the worst combos ever...
I just feel like the Fox would have fit someone else better.
I have also seen some people, like my friend Nate and @maddascanbe-blog, suggesting the bee for her. I think it's also a good combo!
Alix Kubdel and the Rabbit:
Being honest with you, if it wasn't for Alix receiving a pocket watch on Timebreaker, she and this miraculous would have no connection.
The color scheme doesn't fit, the concept doesn't as well, and the rabbit has no meaning that I can associate with Alix.
But, to me, the worst is how the powers don't match her. Although Burrow is a very cool power... It's overly passive/supportive for an active character like Alix.
Alix is always speaking her mind, acting against injustices, and not letting anyone step on her. But Burrow keeps her trapped in a void where all she does is watch and send Ladybug on missions.
You can try to argue that this miraculous helps Alix learn about patience, but, since we rarely see her, and she doesn't appear to change that much, can we even call that an arc?
I honestly feel like the miraculous that would fit Alix the best is the snake. It fits her color scheme, her dynamic with Sass would be interesting, and, since she is the most reasonable in her friend group, I think that even the concept of intuition fits her.
And since she is always attentive in burrow about any problem... I feel like she could also be very attentive during fights to come up with plans while using second chance.
As for how I think the rabbit fits better? Well...
Although Max and the Horse is a combo that is... fine, but I think it's a waste for his character.
The power of the horse is so versatile that, honestly, there isn't a special set of skills or traits that match it. Maybe Mylene, cause she seems interested in geography, but... I don't know.
The only two criteria that I think can match a holder for the horse are: the holder is a main character who Ladybug and Chat Noir are close to (cause they frequently need the horse), or the holder doesn't live in Paris.
I feel like the best miracle for Max is the rabbit.
Max is your smart nerdy kid, who is great at Math and physics, and knows how to calculate risks. Besides, he has a great sense of responsibility.
I will just change it so he wouldn't be sent away by adding the rabbit's miraculous an alarm for when the holder is needed on Burrow.
I also think that the rabbit's miraculous would give Max more importance by helping and advising the heroes on time missions... because, at the current state... Pegasus is mostly a device Ladybug and Chat Noir use when they need transport.
Also, imagine Max going to the future to learn more about their futuristic technology and use it to develop the present? Would it be a temporal mess in other shows? Yes, but Miraculous's time travel is a mess, so who cares?
(Also, Fluff's eccentric behavior with Markov?)
Luka, to me, is the perfect horse. He lives away from Paris (and the horse would allow him to come back anytime for missions), and he is close to Adrien and Marinette (besides knowing their identities and being a part of the main cast).
Also, the color of Voyage matches his color palette, his interactions with Kaalki would be fun, and his episode of focus on season 5 was Migration.
This combination is AWFUL! I have no idea why Canon made it (besides wanting to piss off Chloe fans).
The miraculous was not that useful on Queen Banana, Zoe and Pollen's few interactions are boring, and as @nerdy-chocomallow commented, yellow isn't a color that represents Zoe or her arc.
The miraculous doesn't do anything for her. The concept, the power, and it gives the fandom the impression that she is just Chloe's replacement.
The PERFECT miraculous for Zoe is the fox.
The miraculous has a blue variation (which, as Choco said, fits Zoe better than yellow), the concept of illusion matches Zoe's love for acting, and Trixx's personality would be very helpful for her arc (since they are similar to Plagg, who was the one who helped Zoe's arc), and the way Trixx acts even matches Zoe's small banter as Vesperia, or how she manipulated Chloe into using the anti-akuma charm.
It's a shame how we haven't seen enough AUs where Zoe gets the fox, because it's perfect!
Okay, originally, I used to love the idea of Sabrina getting the dog miraculously... however, the only reason she matches the concept of the miraculous is due to her adoration of Chloe.
Adoration is not a bad concept to wield. Like, it can be given to a good friend, a natural leader, or a hopeless romantic.
The reason why I think the dog was perfect for her is in my friend @natedogx15 's Miraculous Descendant.
But the ONLY thing that links Sabrina to the dog IN CANON... is how she was Chloe's pet.
To me, Sabrina should have gotten the bee.
Some might say that the Bee isn't a good combo for Sabrina cause she would just stick to Chloe's shadow... but to me, it's actually the other way around.
To me, Sabrina using the bee represents her overthrowing Chloe and getting her crown. Becoming the queen of her own destiny.
And Pollen's behavior could help Sabrina be more confident in herself, seeing herself as an actual queen.
And bees not only represent royalty, but also teamwork, and it could represent Sabrina's desire to make new friends.
Anyway, those are my opinions. If you guys have any better combination suggestions, comment here.