Since its debut, Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir has appealed to younger and older audiences alike. From its international collaboration increasing the show's diversity to its unique blend of genres, Miraculous has gained worldwide success. By far its greatest strength, though, lies in the appeal of the "will they, won't they?" dynamic between its two main characters.
While Cat Noir has continuously made his feelings for Ladybug clear and Marinette's fawning over Adrien is painfully obvious to everyone except him, the two actually have fallen for each other -- in both of their identities.
Their big confession occurs in Season 3, Episode 10, "Oblivio," thanks to amnesia. But while this outcome is completely negated when Ladybug's Lucky Charm reverts everything to how it was before, the episode proves that, if given the chance, there's nothing stopping the show's OTP from finally becoming canon.
The episode begins with Ladybug and Cat Noir waking up in an elevator, without any memories from their superhero or civilian lives. They soon realize the supervillain Oblivio is after them, prompting the amnesiac heroes to quickly figure out who they are. Along the way, their secret identities are revealed to one another and they become infatuated with each other, rediscovering their crushes -- without any extra barriers. In fact, they both confess and reciprocate each other's feelings. Before things are returned to normal, Ladybug and Cat Noir share a kiss, which neither one remembers once Oblivio is defeated.
Though the Miraculous protagonists have spent seasons dancing around their feelings, they managed to get together in an episode that began with neither one fully knowing the other. So why is that? For starters, there are complications in their individual lives that interfere with their romantic pursuits. However, once they lose all their memories, they forget about those complications and are able to be themselves without anything holding them back.
One complication in their dynamic is the love square that arises from the web created by feelings and secret identities. Ladybug can't reciprocate Cat Noir's feelings because she's head over heels in love with Adrien. At the same time, Adrien can't return Marinette's feelings because of his hardcore crush on Ladybug. As superheroes, it is mandatory that their identities remain a secret to prevent harm from befalling their loved ones. But in the Oblivio episode, they accidentally reveal themselves and then decide not to keep secrets from each other. As such, they are able to fall in love with both sides of each other -- if only without the constraints that they must abide by as Miraculous holders.
There are also barriers prevalent in how they act as superheroes versus civilians. Adrien is kind, charismatic and reserved. He has a lot to uphold as a model for his father, Gabriel Agreste's, highly successful brand as his actions and behavior reflect back to Gabriel. Additionally, Gabriel is a distant, yet strict, parental figure and what Adrien does in his spare time is often influenced by his father's approval. Consequentially, Adrien is incredibly restricted in his day-to-day life. But as Cat Noir, Adrien has the freedom to do and act as he pleases. And so, he becomes witty, optimistic and a bit more carefree.
Marinette is outgoing, cheerful and clumsy. While she has a great love for her friends and is eager to be helpful to them, she struggles with self-confidence, which feeds into her clumsy tendencies -- especially around Adrien. However, as Ladybug she is able to be the best version of herself, radiating confidence and bravery while saving Paris. But again, in the Oblivio episode, these barriers no longer exist in their amnesiac states, paving the way for the two to fall in love without ramifications.
While Ladybug and Cat Noir becoming canon did not prevail past this singular episode, their love did overcome Oblivio's powers. With the two constantly going back and forth, teasing the audience on when they will finally get together, Miraculous has more than proved it is possible, but only under the correct circumstances when they can blissfully love both sides of each other. That being said, as the story and characters develop, it's only a matter of time before Miraculous's ultimate OTP becomes canon permanently.
