I just read through your tags on that yin-yang ml thing you just reblogged, and have you noticed how devilish Chat's facial expressions can be (most prominent throughout the Copycat episode)? It's like, dark isn't inherently evil, but you can't ignore that it's still dark, y'know?
(that one’s not from Copycat but I had to add it cause look at that expression, man, god damn)
Out of context, without Ladybug, it’s honestly pretty easy to mistake Chat Noir for a bad guy. Just looking at the above pictures I have to admit even I’d probably think he was a villain if I hadn’t seen the show.
That could be why practically all of Paris is quick to accept Chat as a serious thief in Copycat. Maybe they don’t hold Chat to the same regards as Ladybug. Maybe they aren’t sure he’s as much of a good guy as Ladybug is. I doubt the public would be so quick to judge Ladybug if it was Ladybug’s imposter caught stealing something.
But, where Copycat does have some great expressions, I definitely think Chat’s wicked side is even more prominent in Jackady, when his father has been threatened.
“Chat Noir says, zip it!”
like holy fuck is that a sadistic look. Adrien looks like he’s thinking about torturing Jackady for fun, before Jackady’s even reached Gabriel.
The most telling part of this episode is how serious Chat is the entire time though. Unlike usual, there’s no joking or playful banter coming from him. Gabriel is in danger, and suddenly Adrien is all business, becoming cold, focused, and incredibly controlled to keep the only parent he has left alive and safe.
He’s downright ruthless fighting his bodyguard, to the point where he lies about Ladybug being there so he can use Cataclysm to push the Gorilla down an elevator shaft. Granted, Chat had to get the Gorilla out of the way, but its still a pretty harsh way of going about it, especially when the Gorilla is someone Adrien knows firsthand.
“Oh! Hey there, Ladybug.”
(Yo Adrien, I know you’re proud of yourself and imma let ya finish, but I don’t think smiling is the proper response to sending your bodyguard down an elevator shaft you broke, mmkay my guy.)
I very much implore you to compare English Adrien’s shout of Cataclysm here to the one near the end of the episode btw. There’s a significant difference of tone. You can hear the raw
literally echoing in Adrien’s voice later when he destroys Jackady’s pack of cards.
At the mansion, Chat remains incredibly tense and serious, constructing a plan and giving orders to the others in a matter of seconds. And later, when Chat and Ladybug face Jackady together, Chat again doesn’t miss a beat. He’s right on target, deflecting attacks and holding his own when Ladybug’s yo-yo is temporarily made useless. He kicks some serious ass.
(even LB is like jfc who are you and where is my silly kitty partner)
Nobody really takes Chat all that seriously, but when it comes down to it he’s a darker character than Ladybug is. Adrien himself has the potential to be a terrifying villain.
He’s got the tragic backstory complete with his missing mother and emotionally abusive father. He’s rich and famous which means he has all kinds of connections and social control. His homeschooling and strict upbringing indicate he must be really intelligent and get excellent grades. Chat’s proven how sly and cunning he can be in and outside of battle. Adrien’s even the one that comes up with the idea to be in Nino’s ear during Animan–the exact same idea unbeknownst to both parties that Alya comes up with for Marinette. Hell, even Chat’s power, the ability to destroy anything (or anyone), is something a typical super-villain would have. (Not to mention, his daddy might be the show’s big bad, Hawk Moth.)
But I guess that’s what I think is so interesting and beautiful about Adrien/Chat’s character? That he has every reason to fight for the wrong side and use his powers for the wrong reasons, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t try to hurt the world for hurting him. Instead, he helps and protects others. He’s not happy and he’s not flawless, but he has a good heart in a life that’s trying constantly to blacken it, and that’s just so touching and inspiring. I digress.
Yes, nonnie, Chat Noir is a great embodiment of the idea that darkness isn’t inherently evil, but you can’t deny that darkness is still dark.
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