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[baileyagreste]

Has the Miraculous Team really Forgotten About Cat Noir?

It feels like an understatement to say that the Miraculous fandom has been frustrated lately, especially when it comes to Adrien/Cat Noir’s character. Throughout seasons 4 and 5, something shifted, and many of us have noticed the glaring imbalance in how much screen time and plot relevance Ladybug has compared to Cat Noir. I mean, let’s face it. Miraculous Ladybug is a show with two main characters—Marinette and Adrien, Ladybug and Cat Noir. But recently, it feels like the writers have focused so much on Ladybug’s journey and left Adrien by the wayside. Sure, he still has his moments here and there, but they feel like token gestures rather than the central, meaningful arcs he deserves.

Now, I’m not saying that Ladybug doesn’t deserve attention—she absolutely does! Marinette’s character development has been amazing to watch, and her struggles with responsibility and leadership have made for some fantastic storytelling. But, there’s an issue when one half of the duo is barely included in the show’s most crucial plotlines. It’s almost like the writers have forgotten that Adrien is supposed to be Ladybug’s equal. He’s a main character, too. Why does it feel like the writers are pushing him out of the spotlight?

And it’s not just me noticing this—people across the fandom have been vocal about how Adrien has been sidelined. There’s been so much focus on Marinette’s choices and challenges that Adrien’s role feels like it’s shrinking more and more. Cat Noir, once portrayed as Ladybug’s inseparable partner, has been relegated to the background in a show that once thrived on their dynamic partnership.

What makes this sting even more is the way Season 5 ended. When Ladybug defeated Monarch (Gabriel Agreste), the world was led to believe that Gabriel was a hero—including Adrien. Marinette lied about Gabriel’s true identity as Monarch, hiding the fact that Adrien’s father was responsible for so much pain and destruction. And, for a lot of fans, this felt like a betrayal—not just to Adrien, but to the character’s journey that we’ve all been invested in. Gabriel Agreste got away with everything, leaving Adrien in the dark about his own father’s villainy.

So, why did the writers do this? It almost feels like they’re deliberately leaving Adrien out of the narrative. But could it be on purpose? Could this be setting up something much bigger?

Interestingly, if you look at the Season 6 promotional poster, you’ll notice something odd. Cat Noir, who is usually standing right beside Ladybug in previous posters, is positioned much farther away from her. This is a huge shift that didn’t go unnoticed by the fandom. Many fans saw this and thought, “Are they still leaving him out?” But, looking closer, it might actually be intentional. The way he’s depicted feels almost threatening. His posture is defensive, almost aggressive, and his facial expression is unsettling—he’s smirking, but not in his usual charming way. It gives off a much darker vibe.

Nothing is ever done by accident in shows like this, so it’s worth thinking about what the creators might be hinting at. Could this distance from Ladybug, both in the narrative and in the visuals, be foreshadowing something? If Adrien does eventually learn the truth about his father, it could trigger a major shift in his character, maybe even pushing him down a villainous path. This poster could be teasing that possibility, and the more you think about it, the more it seems plausible.

It doesn’t make sense for Adrien to just forgive and forget the fact that Ladybug completely lied to him about his father’s true identity as Monarch. This is huge. We’re talking about his entire worldview being shattered if he ever finds out. Ladybug keeping the truth from him, even if she thought it was for his own good, is a massive betrayal of trust. Adrien has always been portrayed as someone who values honesty and loyalty, especially when it comes to his relationships with the people he cares about most. For him to just accept that Ladybug lied about something as monumental as his father’s actions would feel out of character and undermine the weight of this reveal. It’s not something you just move on from without serious emotional fallout. This could (and should) create a major rift between them, and that’s what makes it so frustrating for fans who feel like Adrien hasn’t been given the depth or focus he deserves in this narrative. If the writers are heading toward a redemption arc or even a villain arc, this betrayal would play a key role in shaping his future decisions.

I believe the writers might have something planned—something that involves a possible redemption arc for Adrien. With how Gabriel’s story ended, there’s definitely room for Adrien to eventually learn the truth about his father, and the fallout from that could be massive. Could this lead to a villain arc for Adrien? It’s not impossible. There’s so much unresolved tension there, and if Adrien does find out the truth, it would change everything for him.

But, even if the writers have grand plans for Adrien, it doesn’t excuse the fact that they’ve almost completely sidelined him. If this is all part of some long-term character development plan, the least they could do is throw the fans a bone by giving Cat Noir the attention he deserves. We want to see him play a more active role in the show—not just be Marinette’s supportive sidekick. Cat Noir is a hero in his own right, and he deserves to be treated as such.

At this point, it feels like the fandom’s frustrations are more than justified. If the writers are setting up something big for Adrien, great. But until then, it feels like we’re being robbed of the incredible character arc he could have had across these last two seasons.

What do you guys think? Is this all part of some master plan, or have the writers genuinely forgotten what makes Adrien and Cat Noir so essential to the show? lmk!