Cococinel

Cococinel DVD cover

Cococinel

Cococinel was a French-Belgian children's television cartoon created by Nicole Gorgeon. Directed by Raymond Burlet and written by Yolande Baillet and Jean Montagné, 78 episodes of the animated cartoon were made in 1992, divided into 2 seasons The main character is a ladybird who has a magic four-leaf clover with incredible powers, it made her strong and thanks of this Cococinel defends her forest city called Cocoland from terrible threats. Also some times, aided by her friends, she teaches about ecology and the environment.

Cococinel is a ladybug heroine who gains magical powers after discovering a mysterious four-leaf clover. She uses these powers to protect her world from the forces of evil while balancing her mission with a regular life alongside her friends in Cocoland (Cocoland in the original version), the village where she lives. Through her adventures, she teaches children about the importance of nature and the necessity of protecting it.

Oscarabus, the beetle bus, takes a lively group to school every morning, including Ben-Yes and Ben-No, the funny twins; Cocoblue, the absent-minded poet; Cocomauve, the perpetual complainer; and, of course, Cococinel, the magical heroine of Cocoland, always ready to help her friends solve their problems. Everything would be perfect if Cocoland wasn't constantly threatened by envious predators. Fortunately, Cococinel uses her four-leaf clover powers to maintain the balance in their small community.

In Season 2, the series progresses significantly with the introduction of a beloved character: Babicinel, Cococinel’s sister. They live together in the Clover House. Babicinel also possesses a magical amulet, a magical heart. Like her sister, Babicinel is tasked with saving the world while juggling her mission with everyday life. However, being very romantic, she often falls in love easily, making her everyday moments as interesting as her action-packed ones. This also greatly increases the dramatic situations. New characters such as Levallois, the envious and egocentric bee; Bambee, the clumsy bee; Mayor Bumblebee, an authoritarian and grumpy figure; Cocograss, the gossipy and mocking ladybug; and Cocofleur, a traumatized ladybug who heals with Babicinel’s help, also join the series.

Episodes in Season 1 are five minutes long, while Season 2 episodes are eleven minutes long. Special episodes last 21 minutes.

The animated series "Cococinel" is a classic that combines magic, bravery, and the essence of ladybugs, tiny creatures known for their protective role and good fortune. Cococinel follows the adventures of a ladybug heroine who gains magical powers by finding a four-leaf clover. This detail is not coincidental; ladybugs are widely considered symbols of good luck in various cultures. By integrating this natural characteristic into the narrative, the creators infused Cococinel with powerful and charming symbolism.

Cococinel (known as Cococinel in the original version, closely resembling the French word for ladybug, "Coccinelle") is known as the lucky bug, thanks to her magical four-leaf clover that grants her special powers. Besides being symbols of good luck, ladybugs combat harmful insects in real life, protecting gardens and crops. This natural trait of ladybugs is reflected in Cococinel's character, who fights against evil forces and protects her home, embodying both a defensive and protective nature. This duality of defense and protection is central to her character, making Cococinel a heroic figure both on-screen and in symbolism.

Babicinel, Cococinel’s sister and also a protagonist of the series, adds another layer of symbolism. With her magical heart and romantic inclinations, Babicinel represents love. In some cultures, ladybugs are also considered guides for lovers. Babicinel, the love bug, embodies this belief, using her magical heart not only to fight evil but also to guide and protect others' hearts.

Choosing ladybugs as protagonists in "Cococinel" and "Babicinel" is deeply rooted in the positive symbolism these insects represent: luck, love, and protection. Through their magical adventures, these characters not only entertain but also convey values and beliefs about the importance of caring for and protecting nature, echoing the true nature of ladybugs in our gardens and hearts.

Cococinel had an entire line of toys and plushies that are now extremely rare to find. This collection was primarily focused on plushies with rubber faces, but it also included figures, books, and other merchandise. All these products were produced by Jemini, a Toy French brand.

Cococinel plushie

Cococinel plush doll suction cups version (not all of theme have suction cups)

Synopsis

Cococinel is an adorable heroine who acquires magical powers by finding a mysterious four-leaf clover and uses it to protect her world against the forces of evil. She balances her mission with a common life with her core group of friends in Cocoland, which is the name of the village where she lives, throughout her adventures. She knows how to familiarize children with the life of Nature and show them that protecting it is an absolute priority today. Oscarabus, the beetle bus, takes a jovial gang to school every morning, including, among others, Ben-Yes and Ben-No: the funny twins, Cocoblue: the absent-minded poet, Cocomauve: the eternal complainer, and, of course, Cococinel, always ready to help her friends solve their little problems. Everything would be fine if Cocoland were not regularly threatened by envious and jealous predators. Fortunately, Cococinel watches over and, thanks to the powers of her magical clover, preserves the balance of the small community. In Season 2, the series advances significantly, and a very remarkable and beloved character arrives. Named Babicinel, she is Cococinel’s sister. Together they live in the Clover House. Babicinel also possessed an amulet with magical powers, a magical heart. Like her sister, she had the mission to save the world while balancing her mission with a common life, but being very romantic, she falls in love easily, making the moments of common life as interesting as those of action.

The episodes of Season 1 have a duration of five minutes, and in Season 2, a duration of eleven minutes. The special episodes last 21 minutes.

Cococinel (characters)

Episode List

Season 1:

1. The Magic Clover

2. Ambush

3. Storm at Cocoland

4. Hold Up at School

5. The Forbidden Path

6. The Great Shadow

7. Panic at the Pond

8. Cococinel and the Décorticus

9. The Departure of Hirondella

10. What a Champ This Cricket Is

11. The Apprentice Cricket

12. The Fire

13. Investigation at Cocoland

14. The Rosebuds

15. The Infernal Machine

16. The Typographe

17. The Revenge

18. The Friendly Modiste

19. Biotope in Danger

20. A Frog’s Hunger

21. The Champion of Cocoland

22. Fly Alert

23. Garnished Bouquets

24. Beware of Temptation

25. The Great Invasion

26. Storm at Cocoland

27. He Who Believed to Trap, Got Trapped

28. Adventures Underground

29. For a Few More Blueberries

30. Crash

31. Dory the Strong

32. Failed Escape

33. The Punishment

34. Full Sun

35. The Moonbeam

36. The Weather is Crazy

37. Lady Cicada Seeks Her Voice

38. Icebreaker

39. Singing Contest

40. Just a Kiss

41. Cocomedia Dell'Arte

42. Wave of Soul and Life Bubble

43. Cheating is Not Playing

44. Dream Holidays

45. Funny Back-to-School

46. General Panic

47. Hunger Justifies the Means

48. One Good Turn Deserves Another

49. The Great Drought

50. There is Water in the Air

51. A Golden Voice

52. A Crazy Crazy Clover

Season 2:

1. A New Beginning Part 1

2. A New Beginning Part 2

3. A New Governor

4. Vote

5. Fraternal Deception

6. The Deception

7. Football

8. A Cruel Trap

9. The Curse of Photos

10. The Arrival of Cocoflower

11. Pink Transformation

12. Autumn Promise

13. The Return of Cocoflower

14. The Precious Object Thief

15. A Bad Reputation

16. Villainous Forces

17. Cocorose or Babicinel?

18. The Guardian of the Pond

19. Cocoland Celebrations

20. A Positive Feeling Destroyed

21. Butterflies (Special Episode)

22. Trapped

23. A Bad Delegate

24. Valentine’s Day

25. The End of a Non-Relationship

26. Christmas Special

Home video releases

• In the UK, the English version was released on six VHS cassettes with each of them containing eleven episodes. Exactly the same as the French VHS version with eleven episodes separated by title cards in each episode.
• In Germany it had a single release on VHS. Combining many of the episodes dubbed in German to form a kind of film, the German dubbing was released exclusively for VHS, it was not broadcast on television.
• In 2008, Europacorp released a DVD with the complete series, with quite good resolution. Unfortunately, very few units were manufactured, so few that to this day none can be found, not even second-hand. and it was the first non-vintage article in the series and also the last. Only Season 1 is incluyed in this DVD.
• Many of the Cococinel episodes were not edited on VHS video just 1-33, in addition to the fact that more Cococinel episodes were made in addition to the first 52, about 26 more in total in 1993, but these were never edited and Events from these episodes are remembered by many people.

TV Broadcasting

• France : TF1 (1992-1997)
• UK : Tiny TCC (1995-1997)
• Spain : Canal Panda (1997)
• Argentina : Magic Kids (1996-1997)
• Namibia : NBC (1993-1994)
• Slovakia : STV (1993)
• Poland : TVP1 (1993)
• Greece : Makedonia TV (1992)

External links

• Link to theme music and lyrics.
• Theme video on Dailymotion.

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