Reflections on Adrien’s arch in the story
Okay, so I just finished binge watching the last two seasons of miraculous ladybug and there are a few things I noticed I’d like to share with other fans.
Adrien’s arch in the story
What do the writers plant to do with Adrien’s character? I had a vague idea of what it could be since season one, and later episodes confirmed it for me.
1. Adrien needs to break free from his father’s hold and tell him “no”
One thing I noticed in the show is that Adrien and Kagami shared a similar family issue. They both had over-controlling parents who isolated them from the rest of the world and pressured them to be who they wanted them to be. However, unlike Adrien, Kagami had no qualms lying and going behind her mother’s back to gain a little freedom, which is a healthy and normal behavior for an adolescent. She tricks her mother to participate in the treasure hunt in order to make friends, and makes fake phone calls to squeeze a little alone time with her boyfriend in-between fencing classes.
Adrien never opposes his father; their exchanges inevitably end with the words “yes, father.” He never actively tries to argue with him, lie to him, or trick him (except when he’s cat noir)- if it happens, it’s always because a friend made it happen. Even for someone who is desperate for love, the obedience he shows toward his dad is excessive. Adrien is his father’s puppet, unable to be his own person- he does everything he is told (model, go to fencing, learn Chinese, stay home, and behave) and never complains, but we know Adrien hates most of it.
What sold the whole thing for me was seeing how the events in “Cat Blanc” and “Ephemeral” coincided. In both cases, it’s not Adrien and Marinette knowing each other’s identities which causes their defeat- it’s Adrien being akumatized after the shock of discovering his dad is Hawk Moth and his mum is being kept in a case. Whether the kids know their secret identities or not, Adrien is bound to be manipulated by his dad the moment they discover the truth; their identities being revealed only seems to accelerate the process. Let’s be realistic, in the ultimate showdown, even if their secret remains intact, the moment Adrien realizes what his father had done, he’s bound to react and give himself away.
Then, what does Adrien need to do to avoid being his father’s pawn? He needs to be able to oppose him. We know that people can fight akumatization, and reject them, but until he breaks free from his father influence, Adrien has no hope to succeed.
2. Cat noir is the true Adrien
There is one word which all the girls in love with Adrien like to repeat: perfect. Lila wants Adrien because he’s perfect, Chloe too wants him to herself because he’s perfect, and even Kagami and Marinette use the word many times. Now, I don’t want to place Kagami and Marinette on the same level as Lila and Chloe, but I think it is fair to say that none of them sees the true Adrien.
Adrien doesn’t want to be perfect- that’s how he believes he needs to be in order to be accepted and loved. The “perfect” Adrien is a restrained version who controls himself. Whereas, Cat noir is a powered-up version of Adrien’s true self. He says so in the miniseries “secret.” When he transforms, he can finally be himself. Adrien is a dork who likes joking and fooling around. Whenever he’s shown at home alone (and not saddened by his father’s attitude), he behaves like chat.
In “wishmaker,” Luka tells Adrien his true music is muffled by a sad piano tune, but that his song is cheerful and rock-n-roll. Silly cat noir is closer to his true self than controlled everyday Adrien.
However, he believes everybody prefers his constrained persona. His father wants him that way, Kagami liked him that way, and even ladybug did not take him seriously.
I think that to be able to break free from his father, Adrien needs to learn to accept and love his true self, which is also why I believe it’s more likely for ladynoir or marychat to be a couple before adrienette. Marinette/ Ladybug falling for Adrien’s cat self would help him see he’s worthy just as he is. (Both in “cat blanc” and “ephemeral,” Marinette got in a relationship with “Adrien.” I think things would be different if she started the relationship with “chat.”)
3. Adrien def needs to work on his self-esteem
This boy has very low self-esteem, which is why he’s always so unsure about his and ladybug’s relationship. He needs to know that people will love him for who he truly is- even if he’s not perfect, blurts too many joked, and cannot keep still.
4. Cat noir’s chaotic energy is indispensable for the team
Ladybug is a responsible person, who strives to perform her duty perfectly and have everything under control. Sometimes, she loses confidence in herself, but most of the time she is a perfectionist girlboss with great leading skills. Marinette, except when Adrien is present, is the same. She is a good person, but sometimes she’s so taken by the greater picture that she misses major clues about other people’s feelings.
On the other hand, Chat Noir is a chaotic person, who has this explosive energy and playfulness that makes him enjoy every moment, even fights with the akumas. He’s loud and silly, but he’s also very sensitive and very attentive toward other’s people feelings.
They complement each other perfectly.
I think that one of the episodes where Chat Noir’s role in the team is most well depicted is the gamer one. Marinette is so overwhelmed that she gets into her own head, but Chat helps her find her groove and reminds her how to have fun.
His clownery is essential to their success, even though it’s not always properly showcased. They need the other characters to acknowledge that.
That said, I think that Kuroneko will be essential in putting all the above in motion. Personally, I think that it only makes sense for Cat Walker to be Adrien. But, I’m pretty sure Ladybug will not know that.
Cat Noir’s miraculous is special- and we know Marinette believes the holder’s identity should be a secret to her. She’s not going to choose a permanent holder, and I don’t think she would risk making do with a temporary holder. Which makes me think she’ll let Plagg pick his next holder- Adrien.
So, Adrien feels like he failed as himself (chat noir) and decides to retry as a perfected version of himself (cat walker). It makes perfect sense.
If Ladybug chooses Chat over the new “perfect” version, that could be the nudge Adrien needs to let go of his restraints even out of costume.
Sorry for the massive post XD Needed to let it out.
