Line #12 Creator/Zagtoon


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/zagtoon_logo.jpg]]
2	Zagtoon is the TV animation division of the French production company "ZAG Entertainment", which specializes in producing children's media. The division was founded by Jeremy [[TitleDrop Zag]] and Jacqueline Tordjman, and their partners include Method Animation Studios, Creator/ToeiAnimation, Bandai, Creator/{{SAMG}}, MNC Animation, Creator/SabanBrands, Creator/FourKidsEntertainment, and Creator/ManOfActionStudios. Both Zagtoon and ZAG are subsidiaries of Univergroup.
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4	As you can see below, Jeremy Zag is a [[AttentionDeficitCreatorDisorder very ambitious entrepreneur]]. Having founded the company in 2009, Zag was inspired by the worldwide success of animation giant Creator/SabanEntertainment ([[Creator/SabanBrands and its successor]], both famous for ''Franchise/PowerRangers''), and future colleagues Haim Saban & Jacqueline Tordjman (''[[WesternAnimation/{{WITCH}} W.I.T.C.H.]]'', ''[[WesternAnimation/AlphaTeensOnMachines A.T.O.M.]]'', among others) on the French M6 business show, ''Capital''. Zag managed to persuade the animation industry veteran Tordjman to his cause, which soon led to the birth of Univergroup and Zagtoon. (Much of Zagtoon's staff came from Saban's former French animation house, Creator/SIPAnimation, which was closed in 2008 under Disney's ownership.)
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6	[[folder:Released projects]]
7	[[index]]
8	!!!Animated works
9	* ''Rosie'' (2011-2014): An AnimatedAdaptation of a [[ShortRunners short-lived]] French comic strips of the same name. Co-produced with 2 Minutes. An English dub is unconfirmed, but the series originally aired in France on Gulli.
10	* ''Kobushi'' (2012-2015): A television series based on a TV pilot that was originally pitched at Creator/{{SIP Animation}}. Following the studio's liquidation, ZAG revived the project and owns the full rights to it. Co-produced with 2 Minutes and Inspidea.
11	* ''Sammy & Co'' (2014-2017): A sequel/spin-off TV series of the ''A Turtle's Tale'' duology. Co-produced with Creator/{{StudioCanal}}.
12	* ''Popples'' (2015-2016): A wacky comedy about a unique bunch of creatures called Popples, as they engage in misadventures in attempts to help their fellow townspeople. Co-produced with Creator/{{Saban Brands}}.
13	* ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' (2015-present): Two Parisian teenagers, Marinette and Adrien, are beheld with the ancient power of the Miraculous and are tasked with protecting the city from Akuma as Ladybug and Cat Noir... all while balancing it with their home and school life, [[TwoPersonLoveTriangle with the duo falling for the other without knowing their true identities]].
14	* ''WesternAnimation/ZakStorm'' (2016-2018): A co-production with Creator/ManOfActionStudios, the show's creator. Zak, a young teen who, when in the middle of a surfing competition, gets sucked into the Seven Seas of the Bermuda Triangle, and becomes the captain of a ship of misfits. He teams up with a magical talking sword named Calabrass, which allows him to power up into various protective armors with weapons that help him face the numerous perils of the mysterious world.[[note]] A second season is [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=468&v=ZeP3b7NETxQ greenlighted]] in 2018, and the scripts [[https://www.instagram.com/p/ByYqaZhAz5D/ were already written]] in 2020. However, as of 2021, Man of Action has moved onto other projects, which causes the series to end on a Cliffhanger despite its first season finale ending with a SequelHook. As of 2024, there is no news or announcements from WordOfGod if the series will continue. [[/note]]
15	* ''WesternAnimation/DenverAndCliff'' (2018-2019): A reboot of [[/index]]''WesternAnimation/DenverTheLastDinosaur''[[index]]. In Bones Town, a small city in the southern United States, lives the Scott family. They've become famous after adopting a small dinosaur named Denver, who they raised together with their son, Cliff. The exploring the daily life of Denver and the Dinopals: Cliff, Charlotte and Super Dan, it's always extraordinary when a dinosaur is thrown into the mix.
16	* ''WesternAnimation/PowerPlayers'' (2019-2021): A co-production with Creator/ManOfActionStudios. There’s a new team of secret heroes in town and they're the least likely of champions -– toys! Brought to life by the power of Minergy, these little problem solvers bring all the fun of ''Film/MissionImpossible'' as they follow the mission plans of their creator, esteemed toymaker Andrew. Now, Axel and his toys can change the world – and for his friends.[[note]] The series only has 78 episodes which consists of one entire season, and there are no plans for a second season. However, an Animation Magazine article [[CowboyBeBopAtHisComputer incorrectly wrote]] that [[https://www.animationmagazine.net/people/ian-lambur-upped-to-zag-evp-production-distribution-co-pros/ the series has two seasons instead of one]]. As mentioned earlier, Man of Action moves on to other projects, which causes the series to end on a Cliffhanger despite its first season finale ending with a SequelHook. As of 2024, there is no news or announcements from WordOfGod if the series will continue. [[/note]]
17	* ''WesternAnimation/GhostForce'' (2021-present): Andy, Liv, and Mike, three high school kids working as a team of superheroes known as the Ghost Force, are tasked with secretly hunting down and capturing the ghosts that terrorize New York City.
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19	!!!Movies
20	* ''Ladybug & Cat Noir'' film trilogy (2023-present):
21	** ''WesternAnimation/LadybugAndCatNoirTheMovie'' (2023)[[note]] A musical film retelling the origin story of ''Miraculous Ladybug''. Two sequels were confirmed to be in development.[[/note]]
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23	!!!Web series
24	* ''Miraculous: Tales from Paris'' (2017): A [[ShortRunners short-lived]] web series about the everyday lives of Marinette, Adrien, and their classmates.
25	* ''Miraculous Chibi'' (2018-TBA): Comedic shorts about the characters of ''Miraculous Ladybug'' in chibi form.
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27	!!!Comics
28	* ''Miraculous Adventures'' (2017-2018): A comic book series licensed by Creator/{{Action Lab Comics}}. It takes place in an AlternateContinuity where Ladybug and Cat Noir travel to New York City to fight a supervillain called the Trash Krakken. The comic series was [[ShortRunners prematurely canceled after five issues]] and Action Lab Comics later [[ScrewedByTheLawyers lost the publishing rights]] for the franchise in 2021.
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30	[[/folder]]
31
32	[[folder:Upcoming projects]]
33	!!Works that are confirmed to be in development include:
34	* ''Choco'': A feature-length live-action/CGI hybrid film. Part of a co-production with Cross Creek Pictures. [[note]] The existence of the project was [[http://web.archive.org/web/20101016230556/http://www.univergroup.com/music.html first revealed]] on the official ZAG website in 2011. It was later [[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGqyQUGyQ09/ teased]] on Jeremy Zag's Instagram on June 2016. Later confirmed to be in development in a Deadline [[https://deadline.com/2022/06/katy-perrry-musical-melody-cross-creek-zag-10-movie-deal-michael-gracey-1235047550/ article]][[/note]]
35	* ''[=LadyLion=]'': A feature-length musical film. [[note]]Confirmed in a Deadline [[https://deadline.com/2022/06/katy-perrry-musical-melody-cross-creek-zag-10-movie-deal-michael-gracey-1235047550/ article]]. [[/note]]
36	* ''Fairy Force'': An animated movie. A retool of the shelved ''Pixie Girl'' TV series project. [[note]]The movie is confirmed [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtolVDDj_hc&t=130s&ab_channel=ZAGStudios to be in the development process]] as seen in an Inside ZAG promotional video. [[/note]]
37	* ''Miss Rose'': A magical spy and her partner... in London! [[note]]The series is confirmed [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0rQUt4odnQ&t=18s&ab_channel=Netflix%3ABehindtheStreams to be in the development process]] as seen in a [[FreezeFrameBonus FreezeFrameBonus]] from a behind-the-scenes promotional video for ''WesternAnimation/LadybugAndCatNoirTheMovie''. [[/note]]
38	* ''Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie 2'': The second film of the ''Ladybug & Cat Noir'' film trilogy.[[note]]Confirmed in this [[https://www.tiktok.com/@mathildeandbirds/video/7251608610772389147 TikTok video]].[[/note]]
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40	!!Works that are confirmed to be in production include:
41	* ''Melody'': An animated movie. For as long as she can remember, Melody has been a dreamer with a passion for music. But she doesn't believe in her voice. She doesn't see herself as starting material. Not like her idol, Rose Stellar. One day, while playing music at the park she gets an unexpected visit from the queen of pop herself and that was when her life was about to change forever. [[note]][[https://www.instagram.com/p/CZVCiOxgAVY/ Production started in January 2022]]. [[/note]]
42	* ''Fairyon'': An anthology TV series features fairy tale characters—Little Red Riding Hood, Aladdin, Gretel, Cinderella, and Jack of the Beanstalk fame—who unite to prevent a mysterious knight from freeing a terrible adversary imprisoned in a Magic Mirror. [[note]] [[https://www.instagram.com/p/Cd5KhtrtR2Q Production started in May 2022]]. [[/note]]
43	[[/folder]]
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45	[[folder:Unknown projects]]
46	This folder is for a list of projects that were announced, but [[DevelopmentHell there hasn't been any status on the production or development progress for five or more years]]. While it's unconfirmed, the projects below are presumably shelved but not canceled.
47	!!!Animated works
48	* On April 29, 2024, Thomas Astruc, the creator of ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'', [[https://twitter.com/Thomas_Astruc/status/1785032848346415231 confirmed]] on Twitter that he has ideas for two SpinOff television series that focuses on a hero who debuted in the ''Miraculous World'' TV movie series. However, they could not get greenlighted due to a lack of interest from executives wanting to purchase the rights for it.[[note]] Despite plans for the two projects being shelved, Thomas Astruc encourages fans to let executives know that they are interested in them in the hope they could get greenlighted.[[/note]]
49	** ''[=LadyDragon=]'': A spin-off television series focuses on Fei Wu (a.k.a. [=LadyDragon=]) after the events of "[[Recap/MiraculousLadybugSP02MiraculousWorldShanghai Miraculous Shanghai]]".
50	** Untitled ''Miraculous Rio'' spin-off: A spin-off television series focuses on a Brazilian superhero from "Miraculous Rio". However, "Miraculous Rio" itself could not get greenlighted too, indirectly causing the spin-off to get shelved.
51	* ''Pixie Girl'': A Pixie enters the urban jungle of New York City, battling the tyrannical rule of the city’s evil wytches who scheme to forever cast away the city’s ties to pixies and the purity of nature. It's a race against time to thwart the wytches’ evil plots and return to the safety of Central Park before her glow is gone forever. Will special powers, sheer willpower, and a human partnership be enough to revive the city’s lost ties to nature? (May have been shelved when ZAG retooled it to a film project called ''Fairy Force'').
52	* ''Superstar'': Extremely talented musicians, singers, dancers, and actors have gone through an extensive auditioning process to attend the prestigious Hollywood School of the Arts in Hollywood, California. Not only are they here to further their respective artistic careers, but also to compete for a spot in a worldwide concert, towards the goal of achieving ultimate fame and unlocking their full potential.
53	* ''Gayajin'': With the threat of destruction at the hands of an extraterrestrial villain, the planet reaches out to two young kids, offering them the powers of the earth with which to fight back. Assuming total control of both creatures and flora/fauna, with the weight of the world in tow, proves to be quite a heavy load... but also comes with copious amounts of kick-earth fun and adventure.
54	* ''Kosmic Wrestle: Space League'': When an intergalactic champion wrestling coach comes calling, the ambitious, 12-year-old wrestling-fanatic, Frog Legs, is ready for action. Further emboldened by learning of his family’s deep roots in the Galaktik Wrestling Federation, he embarks on a crash course training regimen and commences a long, bruise-riddled journey to defeat champions from all planets, to become the best wrestler in the galaxy.
55	* ''Kosmic Dancer'': (possibly shelved) Ipoh and Mia are French teenagers. The great love for the dance of the two is the same. And, only the best dancer in the world can become the "Kosmic Dancer"!
56	* ''Legendary Books'': (possibly scrapped) Four heroic kids with the powers of legends in their hands battle history’s greatest myths for the fate of the modern world! In modern day Alexandria, a group of energetic kids are about to discover that the fantasy books they’ve been reading and loving aren’t fantasies at all. Powered by mysterious devices called “occulos” these four heroes in the making are about to take their place alongside the most legendary stories ever told.
57	* ''Sweet Power'': (possibly scrapped) The heroes have magical vitamin powers to combat the Glucido baddies and thwart their diabolical plans to get rich by hypnotizing children by making them addicted to sugar and sweets.
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59	!!!Movies
60	* ''Adventure Park'': An animated film. Once there was a magical park where kids of all ages could take all of its fantastical rides, they could run the Serengeti with the Great Beasts, ride the haunted rails of a Wild-West Ghost Train, explore Lost Atlantis, shrink to the size of a Hard Candy, and journey to the heart of a Black Hole...all in a single, magical day! But after an accident, the doors to Adventure Park slammed shut forever. Now, three friends must embark on a daring adventure of their own: returning to the long-abandoned fantasy park to save their missing friend. Rumor says the park is haunted by its late designer –- Silicon Valley billionaire Dalton Grabow -– and that the marvels of the park run rampant through its decaying streets, turning the former dream place into a living, breathing nightmare... [[note]]While it's unconfirmed, this project may be part of ZAG's [[https://deadline.com/2022/06/katy-perrry-musical-melody-cross-creek-zag-10-movie-deal-michael-gracey-1235047550/ ten-picture deal]] with Cross Creek Pictures.[[/note]]
61	* ''Abominable'': An animated film. At the behest of an eccentric billionaire, a struggling cryptozoologist named John Marx joins a team of esteemed specialists –- their skills ranging from biology to mountaineering – to traverse the Himalayas in search of the elusive "Abominable Snowman." But everyone gets more than they bargained for when John's 7-year-old daughter, Shannon, secretly tags along. Exiled from the team, this unlikely father-daughter duo must now set out on their own –- with the help of an adventurous local guide -– to track down the Yeti themselves.[[note]]While it's unconfirmed, this project may be part of ZAG's [[https://deadline.com/2022/06/katy-perrry-musical-melody-cross-creek-zag-10-movie-deal-michael-gracey-1235047550/ ten-picture deal]] with Cross Creek Pictures.[[/note]]
62	* ''Kobushi'': An AllCGICartoon feature film based on the 2012 TV series of the same name.[[note]]A [[https://vimeo.com/243139840 teaser trailer]] was revealed on Vimeo in 2018. However, while it's unconfirmed, this project may be part of ZAG's [[https://deadline.com/2022/06/katy-perrry-musical-melody-cross-creek-zag-10-movie-deal-michael-gracey-1235047550/ ten-picture deal]] with Cross Creek Pictures.[[/note]]
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64	!!! Other unknown projects
65	** ''Balloons'': An unknown project from the ZAG Toon brand. [[note]]This project was [[https://www.instagram.com/p/BGqyQUGyQ09/ first announced]] on Jeremy Zag's Instagram. However, there's a severe lack of information about this project since that's the only source we know about its existence.[[/note]]
66	** ''Peter Hawk'': A television series from the ZAG Adventure brand. [[note]]This project was [[https://web.archive.org/web/20161004020011/http://www.zag-inc.com/releasedates first announced]] on the official ZAG website in 2016. However, there's a severe lack of information about this project since that's the only source we know about its existence. It also doesn't have its own web page on the official ZAG website back then.[[/note]]
67	** ''Space Fighters'': A television series from an unknown brand. It was going to be a co-production with Method Animation. [[note]]Just like with ''Peter Hawk'', this project was [[https://web.archive.org/web/20161004020011/http://www.zag-inc.com/releasedates first announced]] on the official ZAG website in 2016. However, there's a severe lack of information about this project since that's the only source we know about its existence. It also doesn't have its own web page on the official ZAG website back then.[[/note]]
68	** ''Powearth''[[note]] This project was [[https://animesuperhero.com/zagtoon-expands-into-the-united-states/ first announced]] to have made its North American debut at the 2014 Licensing Expo. However, there's a severe lack of information about this project since that's the only source we know about its existence. It is possible that ''Powearth'' is ''Gayajin'', but nothing is confirmed yet. [[/note]]
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70	[[/folder]]
71
72	[[folder:Canceled projects]]
73	This folder is for a list of projects confirmed to be canceled from production.
74	!!!Animated works
75	* In September 2009, it was announced that ZAG (then known as Univergroup) was involved with the production of two {{Animated Adaptation}}s based on titles published by Glénat. {{Pilot}}s were [[https://www.catsuka.com/news/2010-01-08/pilote-du-p-tit-cosmonaute-et-autres-adaptations-de-bd-le-petit-spirou-samson-et-neon-job-academy-basile-et-melba created and were shown at MIPCOM 2010]]. However, plans for developing them into full-fledged series were canceled due to a lack of interest from any French TV channel who would purchase the broadcasting rights at the event. [[note]]Both ZAG and Europa-Glénat only had the licensing rights to produce the two series. But after plans were canceled and the latter company went defuncted, the rights for both [=IPs=] were [[ScrewedByTheLawyers reverted]] back to Glénat. [[/note]]
76	** ''Basile & Melba'': A planned AllCGICartoon television series based on the French graphic novel series of the same name. The pilot was co-produced with 2 Minutes and Europa-Glénat.
77	** ''Job Academy'': A planned television adaptation of the French graphic novel of the same name. Like ''Basile & Melba'', the pilot was co-produced with 2 Minutes and Europa-Glénat.
78	* ''Arthur and the Book of Life'': A planned AllCGICartoon television series that would have been a sequel to the ''Film/ArthurAndTheInvisibles'' franchise. Planned to be a co-production with Creator/{{EuropaCorp}}. [[note]]ZAG only had the licensing rights to produce this series. While it's unknown what the causes for the production to be canceled, it leads to the rights for the IP to be [[ScrewedByTheLawyers reverted]] back to Creator/{{EuropaCorp}}. Later, an unrelated but [[ShortRunners short lived]] television series was produced by Studio 100 and Creator/{{EuropaCorp}} Animation, which was released in July 2018. [[/note]]
79	* ''Transylmaniak'': A planned 2D-animated television series. Planned to be a co-production with 2 Minutes.
80	* ''Legendz'': A planned live-action/CGI hybrid television series. Planned to be a co-production with Creator/{{Man of Action Studios}}. The project was only able to get into the development process. However, after the partnership between ZAG and Man of Action ended with the latter moving on to other projects starting in 2021, plans for the project's production were cancelled.[[note]] Jeremy Zag [[https://www.instagram.com/p/4S_9G9SQ6C/ confirmed]] Man of Action's involvement on his Instagram.[[/note]]
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82	!!!Movies
83	* ''Popples'': (co-production with Creator/{{Saban Brands}}) A planned film adaptation of the 2015 Netflix TV series. However, plans for the film were canceled after Creator/{{Hasbro}} [[ScrewedByTheLawyers purchased the rights]] for the franchise in 2018. This caused both Saban and ZAG to no longer be able to produce any more media based on the Netflix series.[[note]] The film was [[http://web.archive.org/web/20160916102808/http://www.zag-inc.com/brands/popples first announced on the official ZAG website]] in 2016.[[/note]]
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85	!!!Comics
86	* Creator/{{Action Lab Comics}} was originally going to publish the following comic book series for ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug''. However, plans were later canceled after the company [[ScrewedByTheLawyers lost the publishing rights in 2021]].
87	** ''Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug'': A comic book series following Marinette's adventures in China, meeting her heritage, and as Ladybug, meeting Chinese superheroes along the way.
88	** ''Miraculous: Tales of Cat Noir'': A comic book series following Adrien's adventures in America, from cities ranging from New York City to Los Angeles, also running into other superheroes along the way as Cat Noir.
89	** ''Tales of Miraculous'': A comic book series about the previous Miraculous holders before Marinette and Adrien became Ladybug and Cat Noir.
90	[[/folder]]
91
92	-----
93	!!Tropes associated with ''Zagtoon'' and their work:
94	* {{Animesque}}: Most especially ''Miraculous Ladybug'', which takes cues from MagicalGirl anime in its romance and transformation scenes.
95	** ''Zak Storm'' follows suit, complete with its own [[CoolSword magical artifact]] and [[TransformationSequence transformation scenes with the hero]], though more "HenshinHero" than "MagicalGirl."
96	* CreatorThumbprint: CGI {{Animesque}} kid characters with Saturday morning morals and comedy like that of ''Power Rangers''? Check and mate.
97	* LoveTriangle:
98	** ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'' takes this up a notch by making it the one of the most well-known usages, if not ''the'' most well-known usage, of a TwoPersonLoveTriangle: Marinette/Ladybug loves Adrien, Adrien/Cat Noir loves Ladybug, but neither of them know the other's true identity. Ladybug doesn't love Cat Noir and Adrien doesn't love Marinette.
99	*** Season 2 throws a curveball in it by introducing Luka and Kagami: Marinette and Luka fall in love and so do Adrien and Kagami, and it puts a strain in Marinette/Ladybug and Adrien/Cat Noir's relationships. Although they do try to invoke IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy, but their obvious attractions to individuals they refuse to identity in order to protect their identities creates PoorCommunicationKills. Namely, Kagami believes Adrien was in love with Marinette but Marinette keeps leading him on, unaware that Adrien was referring to being rejected by Ladybug as Cat Noir, causing Kagami comes to view Marinette as "the other woman" and believes she's a BitchInSheepsClothing. Additionally, while Adrien seems to grow more aware of Marinette's possible attraction of him (such as her StalkerShrine of him), once he sees her with Luka, he concludes that he (Adrien) and Marinette are JustFriends.[[spoiler: All if this ends after season 4 however, and comes back to the TwoPersonLoveTriangle formula where Marinette/Ladybug loves Adrien, and Adrien/Cat Noir loves Ladybug.]]
100	** Another from ''Miraculous Ladybug'': [[spoiler:Nathalie loves Gabriel, but Gabriel loves Emilie. In spite of this, [[IWantMyBelovedToHappy Nathalie wants to help Gabriel bring back Emelie]]. Gabriel seems unaware of Nathalie's attraction to him, [[LikeFatherLikeSon which makes you wonder if this runs in the family.]]]]
101	** According to ''Pixie Girl'' press material, the Sorcerer is in an "impossible love" with Pixie Girl, and Pixie Girl seems to be attracted to another boy according to an animatic.
102	* MacGuffin:
103	** ''WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug'': The Miraculous pieces. The story is driven by Hawk Moth's attempt at stealing Ladybug and Cat Noir's Miraculouses, as combining their specific pieces gives the user great power by [[spoiler:allowing them to grant a wish]].
104	** Lady Butterfly and Lady Dragon's story involves a magical object that they must defend against supervillains.
105	* MagicalGirl: Including [[GenderInvertedTrope the boys]], this is the main genre of ''Miraculous Ladybug'' and ''Pixigirl''.
106	** MagicalGirlWarrior: What they specifically fall into, as they're all {{superhero}}es that fight evil and crime.
107	* MerchandiseDriven: Toys and other merchandise are a heavy focus for Zagtoon.
108	* SharedUniverse: "The Quantic Universe", with the more superhero/action shows being branded as "ZAG Heroez", the more princess/girl-oriented non-action shows being "ZAG/Power Princesses", and animated films that involve action as "ZAG Adventures". The more comedic ones (like ''Kobushi'', ''Popples'', ''Rosie'', ''Denver & Cliff'') are "ZAG Toons" and are not considered a part of this. So far, there are plans for a ''Miraculous Ladybug'' special that crosses over with ''Ghostforce'' and ''Pixie Girl''.

Context Creator / Zagtoon