LUKA IS A METAPHOR. (MARINETTE & FINALE ANALYSIS.)

Now that I’ve watched Miracle Queen again, fluidly, with proper subtitles, I’m actually very satiated with the ending. This episode gave us a lot to think about as viewers. Things that we maybe didn’t immediately see.

Here’s my hot little over-analytical take.





“Even when life doesn’t give you what you’ve hoped for,

the true gift is life itself.”

Let’s put one thing down, first. This finale was not about romance, in fact, it seems to be about breaking free from it, from expectations, and from soulmates. The internal focus of Miracle Queen actively steered us in a different direction than our dependence on romantic interactions driving the plot forward. This finale has a focal point on Marinette, her journey, and the choices and sacrifices that she has to make in order to truly accept herself for who she is as a person.

It seems like forever there’s been an outcry for some realistic and teachable stability in the relationship and personality dynamics in this show, and we’re FINALLY getting some of it. Marinette realising that she hasn’t fully found or accepted herself, and once again doubting herself and her capabilities as Ladybug.

“I’m the worst Ladybug ever.” Which seems to be a line paying homage to her attitude toward her capabilities in the Origins, Season 1 Finale.

As Marinette comes to find herself ‘let go’ from being defined by her ideal ending, she loses her identity because she finds she doesn’t quite know or trust who she is if she hasn’t got guidance in front of her. ‘Perfection’ in the form of a sunshine boy, with qualities she desperately strives toward because she doubts the admirable qualities within herself. (Yin and Yang, right? Who is she supposed to be if she isn’t with the other in order to be complete?)

Guidance, being said, marked by Fu as a character as well, pulls into a downward spiral of loss as she once again loses faith in her abilities and identity. Seeing her own ‘Marinette’-esque mistake in forgetting to transform back to visit Fu WHILE still Ladybug, comes down as her helplessness to the vulnerable, clumsy parts of herself. The moment she sees the ‘Marinette’ in ‘Ladybug’, she immediately becomes cloaked with the thought that ‘Ladybug’ is a facade that she keeps up, and that weak, powerless, clumsy part of herself is who she is on her own.

Which is exactly why you get the line:

“I’m so tired, Luka.

- Of all of these responsibilities,

of having to put up a front, all the time.

OF NEVER BEING ABLE TO BE WHO I TRULY AM.”



Not being able to be who she is, because her ‘true’ self; Marinette, just isn’t safe or acceptable with the life that she leads. Because she doesn’t think that she’s truly capable if she isn’t ‘whole’ or ‘complete’, and because ‘Marinette’ makes mistakes and can’t make it on her own.

And as Fu says, proceeding an aforementioned self-degrading Ladybug line, she IS capable, and she IS Ladybug. The insinuation is that in order to be so, she has to take the leap into believing it. Into finding that Ladybug IS strength that she has within herself in and out of costume, and that it’s time to find it and accept herself.

She must make the choice to move on from the people that she’s relying on, in order to be who she truly is and step forward to make her own path.

This true self, is represented, of course, in the form of a melody.

“The tune that matches you completely.”

“What do you think?”



“It’s amazing!”



“It’s still not quite right, I can do better.”



The song is Marinette’s true self. If the completion of his song IS representative of Marinette finally listening and accepting her true self by moving forward, then consider this part the reflection of Marinette’s lingering hope with Adrien. The desire to keep things ‘amazingly’ stagnant.

It isn’t quite right, though. She’s lingering as a bud where she’s meant to bloom, out of fear and self-doubt.

Later, crying from the stress of her mistakes- the responsibility of somebody else’s life, and that self-doubt POUNDING at the door even harder, you can VISUALLY see the LOSS of her song. The loss of her grasp on herself.

It crashes to the ground.

And the next shot, you can barely see her, because she’s shrouded by the burden of the choice she has to make.





This choice is represented by Luka, who twice asks Marinette if she’s ready to hear the completed version of her melody. An offering of two paths- one of which means giving up on Adrien. Or, to quote Fu’s letter, ‘what she hoped for’, and therefore what life won’t just give her until she understands the gift of life itself.

The first time, Marinette hesitates when he asks her if she’s sure she wants to hear it. Luka points out that she’s thinking about Adrien. Indecisive in the face of her choice.

–And surely enough, it isn’t the right time for her to pick. She’s wrangled with self-doubt and guilt. By the end of the revelation- upon understanding that she mustn’t doubt her capabilities, must TRUST that Ladybug IS within herself, and not just a facade, and must take the leap with both sides of herself in order to let go of her burdens and move on.

There’s pain before the choice, as sacrificial losses often come with-, but she sits down, asks about the melody, and Luka confirms to make sure that she’s sure, one last time.

She takes the leap, and opens her ears and her heart to the song that perfectly represents who she is.

This is her letting go.

This is her finally, finally accepting her own, 100% pure, ‘clumsy-girl-appreciation’ melody.

She’s accepting herself based on who SHE is. JUST her, on her own two feet.

She’s FINALLY listening to Marinette.