PlayMates Toys - MIRACULOUS!

ZAG Heroz - Miraculous - Ladybug, Marinette, Cat Noir - PlayMates Toys 2020

Sometimes I find myself totally obsessed with a line of action figures, but be completely indifferent to the source material. This happens all the time with video game properties (since I am not a gamer at all), but it's pretty rare with comics and cartoons (since I am fully immersed in both genres). But Miraculous is a big exception. I adore these character designs. Most of the figures have simple animal-themed and brightly colored costumes. And the base body type is definitely an animated style with spindly limbs and big heads, but they are actually more naturally proportioned than a lot of animation figures on the shelves. I was very excited to watch the cartoon when I first got the Bandai toys back in 2016, but I quickly realized I am very far from the target demographic of that show. I couldn't relate and I just didn't enjoy it. But my appreciation for the toys has been growing ever since. Last year at Toy Fair they announced that the Bandai figure line was ending and a new one from Playmates was launching. 

Although the first offerings from PlayMates are repeat characters from the Bandai line, I was still very excited to get them. I'm lumping Ladybug, Marinette, and Cat Noir into this one post. And I will post Rena Rouge tomorrow. I'm impressed by the quality and fun accessories. But PlayMates has a habit of letting me down.. I'm still mourning the cancelled-too-soon Mysticons and Voltron lines.

I'll start with the namesake title character...

LADYBUG

PlayMates 2020

I was surprised to see the Bandai logo on the front of the packaging. But you can see PlayMates on the top of the cardback. I'm not sure what kind of joint effort this might be, but I'll refer to these as the PlayMates line and the taller 2016-2019 line as Bandai.

From what I can tell, these PlayMates figures have the same articulation that the Bandai line had. Except that these new ones have double-jointed elbows.

Ladybug comes with her yo-yo like weapon and a backpack with ladybug wings. The wings have translucent underwings which are articulated and can be lowered.

Here is Ladybug with her taller Bandai version from 2016.

MARINETTE

PlayMates 2020

Marinette comes with a mirror, a purse, and the Kwami Tikki. Tikki can fit in the purse.

Here is Marinette with her taller Bandai version from 2016.

And the Playmates Marinette alongside her alter-ego Ladybug.

CAT NOIR

PlayMates 2020

Cat Noir comes with a bo staff and a backpack with green translucent wings.

Here is Cat Noir with his taller Bandai version from 2016.

Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!

Here is Cat Noir and Ladybug with their taller Bandai versions.

Here are the four new PlayMates figures together: Marinette, Ladybug, Rena Rouge, and Cat Noir.

And here are the four PlayMates figures with their taller Bandai versions.

Cheers!