Episode 33
- Anansi - Tales of Nora the Martial Artist
As Nino and Alya play a dancing video game, Marinette asks Adrien if his father objected to his coming over. Adrien affirms that Gabriel did, claiming it was "too dangerous"; however, he relented when Adrien showed off his collection of hair dyes, idly asking his pére what his favorite color was. Gabriel picked up on the implied threat and backed off.
Nino finishes off the song by striking a pose, prompting Nora to ask if she missed the ballet. Alya happily greets her big sister, asking if her match is over already; Nora brags that she ended it with a total knockout in the first round, "as usual." She also berates Alya for calling her Nora in front of others, preferring to go by her boxing alias Anansi. When asked if that means she's really tricky in the ring, befitting the Akan god of knowledge, stories, and trickery, the martial artist instead bluntly asserts that she's a tank, leaving them wondering why she chose such a name.
She asks why they're all hanging out there; isn't it a school night? Marinette reminds her that they're on spring break, and Alya declares that they're going to go watch the fireworks from the Place de la Concorde Ferris wheel. But Nora protests that it's far too dangerous, what with Hawk Moth akumatizing people all the time. Alya retorts that she's been dealing with this for seven months; she knows how to handle akumas, and anyway, she has their parents' permission. She doesn't have to listen to Nora here.
Yet Nora continues to insist, even as she dismissively declares that Nino and the others can go without her. Her blatant Double Standard is made even clearer as she claims Adrien, Marinette, and Nino are too weak to defend themselves. Nino interrupts her tirade, asserting that they're not going to stop living their lives just because of Hawk Moth, that he'd do anything to protect Alya, and that most importantly, Alya is a queen who can take care of herself.
Nora then offers a compromise: Alya can go... if they can beat her at arm-wrestling. So they do. By facing her all at once, four on one. Though Nora complains about them cheating, they point out that she challenged all of them, adding that, "You think akumas care about fair?! We have to do what we can to keep ourselves safe, even if it's not fair!" By working together, they can handle problems that they couldn't deal with alone, and they aren't afraid to get help when they need it, which they demonstrate by overpowering Nora together.
Sadly, Nora fails to get the point. Sensing her rising anger, Hawk Moth detects that her grudge includes Adrien, meaning that if he akumatizes her, he'll be putting his son directly in danger... but he doesn't care about that if it means he might get his hands on the Black Cat ring and Ladybug earrings. So off the black butterfly goes~
Tikki admires the fireworks show, but Chloé complains about how her spring break has been ruined: despite having the chance to visit New York and spend time with her mother, she has to stay in Paris due to her duties as Scarlet Lady. Tikki suggests that she could leave the earrings with Marigold or Chat Noir for the week, but Chloé refuses, laughing at the notion that either one could replace her even temporarily. The Kawmi silently laments the failure of her plan to trick Chloé into giving up the earrings for good.
Marinette and her friends are riding the Ferris wheel, taking in the view... but the Ferris wheel abruptly jerks to a stop. Looking down, Marinette sees that a spider-like akuma has webbed up the wheel; Alya is infuriated upon realizing that her big sister got akumatized and is coming after them, ranting about her hypocrisy. Ripping their car clear off the wheel, Anansi declares, "Nora's not here to protect you anymore!" challenging Alya to prove she can "take care of herself" without her friends around, kidnapping Nino and webbing up Adrien and Marinette. As she knocks the Ferris wheel free, sending it surging down the streets with all its passengers screaming, Adrien and Marinette encourage Alya to chase after her sister, both secretly desperate to transform. After freeing themselves, they split up, with Marinette claiming she'll try flagging down a hero while Adrien goes after Nino and Alya.
As people flee, Chloé complains about the noise, dismissing Tikki's fears that another akuma might be on the loose. Then the Kwami spots the Ferris wheel, realizing that it's going to crash into the hotel—and, Chloé realizes, into her room, prompting her to swiftly transform.
Alya's tracked down her sister and yells at Nora to, "Get your own boyfriend!" Anansi corrects her once more, then sends her flying with a blow—fortunately, Marigold catches her while Scarlet Lady orders them to leave this to the hero of Paris... before spotting Anansi and freaking out, summoning her Lucky Charm and handing the resulting spotted candle over to Marigold, claiming she needs to leave to recharge. Marigold asks the Ladybug heroine if she'll come back; Scarlet Lady refuses to answer.
Chat Noir accidentally gets snared in Anansi's web while trying to free Nino. As Marigold frets about what to do, Alya volunteers to distract Anansi for her, using Chat Noir's dropped baton to keep the akuma at bay. Marigold asks if she's sure about this, and Alya points out that this gives her a chance to get back at her sister—"for the greater good, of course."
Upon arriving at Master Fu's, Marinette quickly summarizes the situation and asks to borrow his Miraculous. He asks if she's got somebody specific in mind; she affirms as much, telling Wayzz that she hopes he likes interviews.
Anansi taunts Alya, sneering, "Not so easy on your own, is it, Alya?" Alya responds by nailing her square in the chin with Chat Noir's baton, retorting, "It's easier when my opponent's so slow!" Vaulting away from Anansi's counterattack, she hears Marigold calling for her and excitedly asks if she saw what she just did, which Marigold nervously affirms.
Anansi turns back to her web and gets right in Chat Noir's face, sneering that, "It's just you and me, kitty-cat." Chat Noir retorts, "You, me and Cataclysm!" activating his power without using it on a target. Marigold notes that this means they're now on a timer—he's holding his shot but needs to be extremely careful with it. She asks Alya if she still wants to help her boyfriend, then presents her with the Turtle Miraculous... though she has to ask Alya to calm down after the reporter starts shaking Marigold out of sheer excitement.
Wayzz emerges and introduces himself; when Alya recognizes that beings like him are what gives the Miraculous users their powers, he notes that Marigold wasn't kidding about how bright she is. Alya's ecstatic to hear that they've talked about her, and a heavily blushing Marigold yells for her to hurry and transform. After doing so, Alya is bursting with even more questions, but Marigold says they need to locate Scarlet Lady.
Attempting to call the Ladybug heroine reveals their supposedly "fearless leader" is hiding nearby. Peeking out, she asks if they've beaten the spider lady yet, then complains about their failure to do so, asking who the newbie is and demanding to know where Marigold's been getting all the Miraculous. Koki Marina is surprised to learn that Scarlet Lady is Locked Out of the Loop, but Marigold flatly explains that, "She can't be trusted with anything, let alone secrets of that magnitude." Scarlet Lady naturally protests, but Koki Marina silently notes that she's starting to understand why.
Summoning her Lucky Charm again, Scarlet Lady passes the resulting boxing gloves over to Marigold, much to Koki Marina's shock. Scarlet Lady smugly dismisses dealing with the akumas as "grunt work," boasting about how she calls the shots. She then asks the new heroine what her name is, musing that she can't think of a way to twist Koki Marina into an insult just yet... but she'll figure it out with time. Fuming, Koki Marina vows that she'll be writing such an article about the Ladybug heroine later.
Meanwhile, Nino asks Chat Noir why he isn't using his Cataclysm against the web they're both trapped in. Chat Noir points out that that's exactly the problem: they're so firmly attached to said web that they'd wind up severely hurt. Like it or not, they're stuck there.
Koki Marina and Marigold charge at Anansi, the new Turtle heroine keeping the akuma distracted while Marigold partitions off a makeshift arena before challenging Anansi to a one-round bout. If the akuma wins, she'll get their Miraculous, but if Marigold wins—or rather, if Koki Marina wins—Anansi will have to release her prisoners. Through agile dodging and taunting, the Turtle heroine gets Anansi to punch her way through the walls. When Anansi yells at her to stop hiding in her shell and fight back, Koki Marina casually tugs on the wires, causing the whole structure to start shaking. She then summons Shellter, protecting the heroes and hostages from the resulting collapse.
As Marigold hefts up Chat Noir like a human dart, aiming for Anansi's helmet, Koki Marina checks on Nino, casually calling him handsome. Nino awkwardly tells her that while he's flattered, he already has a girlfriend, who's kind of the most amazing person ever, unaware that he's actually addressing said girlfriend.
Nino then whips out his cell phone and starts filming her for the Ladyblog. Seeing a camera in play, Scarlet Lady complains that he's not paying attention to the real hero, to which he bluntly replies, "I don't remember you trying to save me." Chat Noir compliments Marigold's choice; she agrees, but nervously notes that she's got to stop Koki Marina from sharing all of the Turtle's secrets.
While Alya briefly pouts, making a show of asking if Marigold is really taking her baby, she quickly admits that she's kidding. As much as part of her wants to make a fuss, she doesn't want to be as untrustworthy as Scarlet Lady has proven herself to be. Wayzz tries to comfort her by pointing out that her blog is a still major source of information and that she can surely use that to great ends; Alya realizes that she could potentially help track down Hawk Moth, praising the Kwami as a genius and asking if they're sure she can't keep him, much to Marinette's annoyance.
When Marinette and Adrien arrive, Nino mockingly complains about how only Alya came to save him before brushing it off, revealing that he got footage of the new hero. Alya embraces and kisses him... right in front of Nora, who quietly fixes him with a Death Glare. Nora then apologizes for losing her cool, noting, "Even superheroes don't work alone! Why should you have to?" The four friends invite her to join them at the ice rink, only for her to declare that she's going to skate circles around them.
Later on, Alya settles down in front of her computer, thanking Nino for his footage and stating that she's got a few things she's got to finish up before bidding him goodnight. But these projects are much larger in scope than she was letting on. She has a folder filled with transcripts of Scarlet Lady's various interviews, with colored tabs to denote various points of interests, and pulls some string taut between her fingers before adding it to her pegboard, marking locations on a map as she mutters, "Where are you m***r f***r." The hunt for Hawk Moth is on...
This episode contains examples of:
- Attack! Attack! Attack!: Anansi is all about power, which ultimately works against her when faced with an opponent she can't easily hit... and who lures her into dealing Monumental Damage to her surroundings.
- Big Sister Instinct: Deconstructed; the whole conflict is kicked off by Nora being overprotective and trying to bar Alya from going out, getting herself akumatized and becoming the very threat she intended to save her sister from.
- She's also shown to be getting upset when Alya kisses Nino on the mouth, despite the fact that Nino's been nothing but protective and supportive of his girlfriend the entire episode.
- Brains Versus Brawn: Anansi pits her power and fighting strength against Marigold and Koki Marina, who wield their wits and skill to defeat the akuma.
- Broken Pedestal: What was left of Alya's regard and respect for Scarlet Lady crumbles away after she gets a taste of what it's like to deal with her as one of her fellow superheroes—or, as Scarlet Lady sees it, her "sidekicks".
- Chekhov's Gun: In "Sapotis", after Fox Trot suggests her to concentrate on what she can do to fix things, Alya considers talking with previous Akuma victims. At the end of this chapter, she's working on that - using testimonies from previous victims to (a) expose Scarlet Lady's true nature and (b) track down Hawk Moth.
- Comically Missing the Point: After the Anansi incident is resolved, the four friends invite Nora to join them in ice skating... which she takes as another challenge.
- Continuity Nod: Adrien now has a collection of hair dye that he uses to threaten his father into letting him hang out with his friends, a nod to "The Bubbler" and "Captain Hardrock."
- Curb-Stomp Battle: According to Nora, her big offscreen match was one in her favor, with her scoring a TKO in the first round.
- Curse Cut Short: Alya's response to being sent flying by Anansi to spit, "Oh, you bi—," getting cut off by Marigold swinging in to save her.
- Dramatically Missing the Point: Alya and her friends team up in order to beat Nora's blatantly unfair challenge while telling her that they're stronger together and can keep each other safe. Nora just gets upset by them "cheating," leading to her akumatization and Anansi subsequently trying to "prove her point" by deliberately isolating Alya.
- Fastball Special: Chat Noir has Marigold throw him at Anansi so he can hit her helmet and deakumatize Nora.Marigold: Ultimate Chat Noir technique! Aim for the helmet!
- Fatal Flaw: Nora is incredibly proud of her strength, assuming she can force Alya to capitulate to her unfair demands by declaring she'll only let her go if she and her friends can beat her at arm-wrestling. When they succeed, she's so upset at being outplayed that she gets akumatized and sets out to get her revenge.
- Foreshadowing: When discussing her boxing alias, Nora dismisses the idea that she's a tricky fighter, declaring herself to be a tank instead. This straightforward, strength-centered style ultimately proves to be Anansi's downfall when she's pitted against Koki Marina and Marigold, who use trickery and clever manipulation of their surroundings to bring her down.
- Funny Background Event:
- Koki Marina can be seen feeling her fluffy hair buns as Marigold tries to contact Scarlet Lady.
- Marigold prepares to do a Fastball Special with Chat Noir as Koki Marina flirts with Nino in the foreground.
- Hypocrite: Nora only cares about keeping Alya safe. She even argues against Alya accompanying the others by insisting they're too weak to protect themselves yet dismissively declares the three of them can still go.
- In Spite of a Nail: The Turtle Miraculous is still lent out despite Nino being captured by Anansi instead of Alya, with the latter using it to become Koki Marina.
- Internal Reveal: As Koki Marina, Alya learns that Scarlet Lady is Locked Out of the Loop when it comes to where the other Miraculous are hidden. She also sees firsthand how lazy the Ladybug heroine is.
- Jumped at the Call: Alya eagerly embraces her chance to become a real-life superhero as Koki Marina.
- Loophole Abuse:
- When Nora challenges Alya and her friends to arm-wrestling, they invoke Exact Words and The Power of Friendship by facing her together.
- Referenced in the tags for the page where Chloé and Tikki discuss the former's duties as Scarlet Lady.#tikki: it would go against my duty to remove the earrings myself when the ladybug is necessary
#also tikki: now if she gave them away HERSELF—
- Malicious Misnaming: Scarlet Lady openly acknowledges that she twists around everyone's hero names and turns them into insults when she can't immediately think of a way to do so with Koki Marina, bluntly asking the Turtle heroine to "give her time."
- Multi-Armed and Dangerous: Anansi has three sets of arms.
- The Nicknamer: Nora rarely refers to others by their actual names; she calls Alya "p'tite soeur"; dismisses Marinette, Nino, and Adrien as "Baguette," "Cappy," and "Billboard Boy," respectively; and even prefers to be called "Anansi" over her real name when she's in her boxing gear.
- Non-Indicative Name: Nora uses the alias "Anansi" as a kickboxer, but unlike the Trickster God, she relies on overpowering her rivals through brute force.
- The Power of Friendship: Alya, Nino, Marinette, and Adrien invoke this while arm-wrestling Nora in order to make a point about how they're stronger when working together:Adrien, Nino, Marinette, and Alya: As long as we have each other, we can do anything! We're not ashamed of asking for help! That's love and friendship, B$#%H!
- Precision F-Strike: When Alya starts making her corkboard to track down Hawkmoth, she pulls this trope.
- Scary Shiny Glasses: Alya's turn into these at the end of the episode as she works on her new dual projects of exposing Scarlet Lady's incompetence and tracking down Hawk Moth.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Upon realizing they're dealing with a "spider lady," Scarlet Lady immediately summons her Lucky Charm and hands it over to Marigold, claiming she needs to go recharge.
- Shame If Something Happened: When Gabriel tries to forbid Adrien from going to the festival with his friends, Adrien shows him his hair dye collection and asks what's his favorite color, saying he's partial to pink.
- Simple Solution Won't Work: As they're both trapped in Anansi's web, Nino asks why Chat Noir doesn't just free them by using Cataclysm on it. Chat Noir explains that the web is firmly attached to their entire backsides, so they'd wind up severely hurt by the Cataclysm as well (not to mention they're high up off the ground and might not survive the fall if the web is suddenly gone).
- Skewed Priorities:
- Hawk Moth himself acknowledges that akumatizing Nora will put his son in the line of fire but justifies it by declaring, "that ring and earrings would look so sick on me, so, off you go, my little akuma!"
- Tikki notices the out-of-control Ferris wheel that has Lila, her mother, and Sabrina trapped in one of the cars, and that it's going to crash into the hotel. Chloé, however, only cares about the fact that her room is in the line of fire.
- Smug Snake: Anansi engages in a lot of Evil Gloating about her supposedly unstoppable strength, repeatedly taunting Alya, only to find that her sister's far stronger than she's ever given her credit for.
- Sore Loser: Nora isn't just akumatized out of fear for her sister's sake; she's also pissed off by how Alya and her friends beat her by "cheating."
- Spiders Are Scary: Chloé is revealed to be arachnophobic, freaking out the moment she sees Anansi.
- Splash of Color:
- The bottles in Adrien's hair dye collection are rainbow-colored.
- As always, Lucky Charm objects and the magical ladybugs created by the Miraculous Cure are red.
- Wayzz's eyes are chartreuse.
- Koki Marina's Shell-ter has a light green glow.
- At the end of the episode, Alya is preparing a binder of instances of Scarlet Lady's bad behavior using color-coded tabs: purple for "akuma," blue for "insult," green for "helpful," yellow for "partner," orange for "late," and red for "no show."
- String Theory: The final scene shows Alya working on a pinned-up map of Paris, denoting where various victims were akumatized.Word of God
- Tempting Fate: Anansi challenges Alya to prove she's capable of defending herself without the help of her friends. Alya proceeds to do just that, holding her own against her akumatized sister with only Chat Noir's baton.
- This Is for Emphasis, Bitch!: When the four overpower Nora, they declare, "That's love and friendship, B$#%H!"
- Too Dumb to Fool: Tikki tries to trick Chloé into leaving the earrings with the other heroes while she goes to New York for spring break. Chloé doesn't fall for it, not because she saw through Tikki's ruse, but because she thinks no one would be able to really replace her.
- Verbal Backspace: Scarlet Lady starts to call Marigold her usual nickname of "Marimold" but cuts herself off at "Marimo" and uses her real name instead.
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Evidently, Chloe/Scarlet Lady is afraid of spiders. Meaning that she freaks out when she sees Anansi and is even less help than usual (which is REALLY saying something).
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Alya declares this upon seeing that Nora was akumatized after all her ranting about wanting to protect her sister from akuma attacks.Alya: Oh, you've got to be kidding me! After all that grief, you became an akuma, you stupid—
