Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir

Aired stateside on Nickelodeon, this cheeky, action-packed English-language version of a French anime-style series is a fresh, sparkling, and most welcome addition to the superhero genre. Awkward Parisian teen Marinette solves problems as superhero Ladybug, morphing with the help of her powerful talking “Kwami” object Tikki. Marinette's school crush Adrien (who doesn't know Ladybug's true identity) is also often alerted for duty by his Kwami, which turns him into the heroic Cat Noir. Ladybug and Cat Noir go up against Hawk Moth, an evildoer who preys on upset or lonely people, sending out his moths to turn them into villains to do his bidding. Highlight episodes among the seven compiled here include the time-travel doppelganger rollerblade escapade “Timebreaker” (a hilariously over-the-top Hawk Moth chortles “Do I see double-vision in my future? Or should I say, double villain!”) and the technologically savvy “Lady Wifi.” Co-produced by Toei Animation, and full of light banter, acrobatic fight scenes, and high-energy music, this captivating popular series set against a backdrop that includes the Eiffel Tower and boulangeries is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams-Wood)