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Announcement: (via AnimeWorld Insider, AnimeNation)

The magical girl phenomena is still casting its spells on audiences worldwide. French animation company Zagtoon has partnered with Japan’s Toei Animation to bring Miraculous, a new French magical girl series, to French and Belgium television.

Miraculous, which was previously titled Lady Bug, follows a girl named Marinette and her black cat. The Paris-based action-comedy series follows justice-seeking Marinette, who happens to have super powers. The animation style will be reminiscent of other Toei productions such as Mamotte Shugogetten, Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne and Sailor Moon.

Miraculous will be co-produced by Aton Soumache’s Method Animation, well-known for The Little Prince.

Miraculous has already been pre-purchsed by French television network TF1. ”Paris will finally have its superheroes,” said Jeremy Zag, creator of Zagtoon.

According to the Zagtoon official website, Zagtoon has numerous partnerships internationally including Korea, Belgium and the United States. International audiences could expect an English translation and international release of Miraculous in the future.

Paris-based children’s animation studio Zagtoon, in association with French animation studio Method Animation, have contracted Japan’s Toei Animation to co-produce an original French action/comedy superhero animated television series tentatively titled “Miraculous,” originally conceived as a 3D CG movie titled “Ladybug.” The 26 episode series has an $11.2 million budget and is in production now.

Synopsis: (via Zagtoon)

Marinette Cheng, a shy high-school student, has inherited some magical ladybug-shaped earrings. The ornaments grant the power of Luck to whoever wears them. Yet there is one condition : they have to be worn in an altruistic manner, or else, beware of the consequences !

l Whenever the situation needs it, Marinette turns into LADYBUG, the guardian angel.

Ladybug saves the World every night thanks to the power of Luck alongside her clingy ally, the Black Cat who has the opposite power. He needs a kiss from Ladybug to free him from his unlucky ring. Ladybug is the first character originated from the Quantic universe.

Full-on budget and Marinette's character design. You can consider me pretty excited.