|
| director = Jean Louis-Vandestoc
| voices = {{Plainlist| <!-- Organized by broadcast credit order, with new main cast added to the end of the list -->
* [[Kazumi Evans]]
* [[Ashleigh Ball]]
* Backup Films (S2)
}}
| animator = Inspidea<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/127487519943/inspideas-crew-lolirock-fanart-round-1-as-we|title=Inspidea's crew LoliRock Fanart (Round 1) | work=Team LoliRock | via=Tumblr | date=24 August 2015 | quote=As we just finished the production of season 1, we’d like to share some fanarts from the “lolirock malaysian team” at Inspidea, our animation studio in Asia. Without them, ''LoliRock'' wouldn’t exist. So thanks a lot everyone ! Thanks for your work, and enduring the hardship of this production.}}</ref>
| channel = [[France 3]] <br>[[Disney Channel (France)|Disney Channel]]<br>[[Gloob]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|2014|10|18|df=yes}}
| last_aired = {{End date|present|df=y}}
}}
'''''LoliRock''''' is a French animated television series produced by [[Banijay Kids & Family|Marathon Media]] and [[Banijay Kids & Family|Zodiak Kids]] with the participation of [[France Télévisions]] and [[The Walt Disney Company France]]. It was created by Jean Louis-Vandestoc along with David Michel and written by Madellaine Paxson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kidscreen.com/2013/03/25/marathon-to-bring-music-to-girls-ears-with-lolirock/ |title=Marathon to bring music to girls' ears with Lolirock |last=Getzler |first=Wendy Goldman |date=25 March 2013 |website=Kidscreen}}</ref> It first aired in France on 18 October 2014 on [[France 3]], and has expanded to television channels in Europe.<ref name="licensemag 20131001">{{cite web |url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/lolirock-gets-ready-rock |title=Lolirock Gets Ready to Rock |last=Jenkins |first=Bob |date=1 October 2013 |website=[[UBM plc|UBM]] |access-date=19 June 2016}}</ref>
A unique take on magical girls, the series focuses on a group of teenagers who live double lives as both idol singers and princesses, the latter of whom uses magical powers to fight against an ever growing threat.
[[File:Tabitha St. Germain.png|thumb|[[Tabitha St. Germain]] voiced several of the key characters in ''LoliRock'' including Auriana, Amaru, Aunt Ellen, and Carissa]]
<!-- The following are listed with star billing for the voice actors -->
* '''{{vanchor|Iris}}''' (voiced by [[Kazumi Evans]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/133994103918/lolirock-season-1-full-english-voice-cast-all |title=LoliRock Season 1 – Full english voice cast |last=Team LoliRock |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20160620190743/http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/133994103918/lolirock-season-1-full-english-voice-cast-all --> Lisa Caruso in the French version<ref name="french cast">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/133994170213/lolirock-season-1-full-french-cast-all-the |title=LoliRock Season 1 – Full french cast |last=Team LoliRock |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=17 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref><!-- save to archive https://web.archive.org/web/20160620190842/http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/133994170213/lolirock-season-1-full-french-cast-all-the -->) – The lead singer of LoliRock, Iris is a 15-year-old{{efn|The ages for the other characters are listed at the LoliRock production Tumblr: {{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/142466362148/i-always-wonder-how-old-is-izira-mephisto |title=Team LoliRock – I always wonder how old is izira, mephisto,... |date=8 April 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |author=Team LoliRock |work=[[Tumblr]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424163804/http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/142466362148/i-always-wonder-how-old-is-izira-mephisto |archive-date=24 April 2017 |url-status=dead }}}}<!-- save to archive https://web.archive.org/web/20160620190923/http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/142466362148/i-always-wonder-how-old-is-izira-mephisto --><ref name="issuu catalog" /> girl living in Sunny Bay; she has wavy blonde hair, fair skin, light blue eyes, pink lips and freckles. She is kind-hearted, selfless and willing to help everyone. Her singing seems to enchant everything around her; this power is coveted by Gramorr. She has a crush on her childhood friend, Nathaniel. After she meets Talia and Auriana, she discovers that she is the crown princess of Ephedia, a magical kingdom, and her duty is to find all the Oracle Gems of the Royal Crown and to reclaim the throne of all of Ephedia. When she transforms using a pink heart-shaped [[pendant]], her hair turns bright rose pink and her clothes turn pink, and she has a [[Heart (symbol)|heart symbol]] and a four-pointed star symbol.<ref name="tumblr 20160511" /> On Tumblr, the series' producers have stated that she has two symbols because she is of the royal family which rules the entire planet and are of a higher royal status than the other five realms of Xeris, Volta, Calix, and Borealis.<ref name="tumblr 20160429">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/143555226768/now-that-we-are-talking-about-magic-circles-i-need |title=Now that we are talking about magic circles I need... |last=Team LoliRock |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref><!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines on paragraphs
-->{{pb}} Character designer Bertrand Todesco initially considered Iris as having dark hair that would change to blonde in the transformation, but found that to be a cliché, and instead went with pop and girly colors like those of [[Katy Perry]]. Iris was based off actress [[Taylor Momsen]] from ''[[Gossip Girl]]'', and her wardrobe was based off a picture of [[Blake Lively]], also from ''Gossip Girl'', in a green dress.<ref name="design1">{{cite web |url=http://bertrandtodesco.tumblr.com/post/128296427777/back-to-2011-the-creation-of-lolirock-part-1 |title=Back to 2011! The creation of LoliRock – Part 1: Iris Genesis |last=Todesco |first=Bertrand |date=4 September 2015 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref><!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20151017092026/http://bertrandtodesco.tumblr.com/post/128296427777/back-to-2011-the-creation-of-lolirock-part-1 --> He also cited British singer [[Pixie Lott]] as a reference.<ref name="design3">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/128547659393/bertrandtodesco-back-to-2011-the-creation-of |title=Back to 2011! The creation of LoliRock – Part 3: Finalizing main characters |last=Todesco |first=Bertrand |date=7 September 2015 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Auriana}}''' (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Léopoldine Serre in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – She sings vocals and plays [[tambourine]] in LoliRock. She has waist-length auburn hair styled in a ponytail, tan skin, and green eyes. She is bubbly, optimistic, boy-crazy, and a bit air-headed, but a reliable friend. She is the princess of Volta. Her transformation item is a ring; her hair and clothes turn bright orange, and she sports a longer ponytail. Her symbol is a [[Crescent]] moon.<ref name="tumblr 20160511" /><!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines on paragraphs
-->{{pb}} Todesco wrote that Auriana's original name was Aurora and that he had pictured her as a black girl with a huge volume of hair, and that Talia was conceived as Asian with long straight hair, but he later changed the hairstyles.<ref name="design2">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/128391084118/bertrandtodesco-back-to-2011-the-creation-of |title=Back to 2011! The creation of LoliRock – Part 2: Talia and Aurora |last=Todesco |first=Bertrand |date=5 September 2015 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> He wrote that Auriana was "all the other cool things I like and I couldn't put on Iris and/or Talia." Auriana's character references were [[Leighton Meester]] from ''Gossip Girl'' and [[Cat Valentine (Victorious)|Cat Valentine]] (played by [[Ariana Grande]]) from the teen sitcom ''[[Victorious (TV series)|Victorious]]''. He said that the name choice was a coincidence.<ref name="design3" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Amaru}}''' (vocalisations by Tabitha St. Germain in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /><ref name="french cast" />) – A purple and white furry creature with dark blue hair and a fluffy little tail. He has the ability to transform into a winged horse and to transport the princesses and their enemies to a special arena to allow the princesses to fight evil away from any civilians.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tuauraslesyeuxcarres.wordpress.com/2014/10/15/lolirock-magical-girls-a-la-francaise/ |title=LoliRock – Magical Girls à la française |work=Tu auras les yeux carrés |date=15 October 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/143580614453/hello-i-have-two-questions-1-is-black-crystal |title=Hello, I have two questions, 1 is black crystal... |last=Team LoliRock |date=29 April 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | quote=Now, the Battle Arena. It's a pocket dimension that Amaru is able to summon at will, bringing with him the people nearby. How does he do it ? It's very mysterious. The main purpose for the Arena is to allow the princesses to fight with their full power without worrying of consequences : there are no civilians (usually) nor anything valuable (buildings, vehicules, etc) in the Arena.}}</ref> Todesco created Amaru out of the magical girl concept of having pets such as with Sailor Moon having a cat, and that Amaru would be able to transform into a keyring plush on her bag.<ref name="design1" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Lord Gramorr|Banes}}''' (voiced by [[Mackenzie Gray]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Gilles Morvan in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – The Grand Wizard of Chaos who is the series' main antagonist. He has green-blond waist-length hair and purple eyes, wears a [[crown]] as well as a [[mask]] that covers his eyes, nose and mouth entirely. After betraying the king and queen, Gramorr has taken control of Ephedia. However, to gain total control of the kingdom, he must have the royal crown, which is protected by a spell. He is thus unable to leave the castle area and must rely on Praxina and Mephisto to do his work.<ref name="tumblr 20160526" /><ref name="design7" /> He has a [[black panther]] minion named Banes, which is described by the production Tumblr as the anti-Amaru, and was created to give Gramorr more presence.<ref name="design7">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/132243960370/lolirock-characters-7-gramorr-and-banes-the-grand |title=LoliRock characters 7: Gramorr and Banes |last=Team LoliRock |date=31 October 2015 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> In early promotions for the series, Gramorr was named Gromar and he was depicted as Iris's evil uncle who imprisoned the king and queen, and had sent his two evil twin nephews to Earth to thwart LoliRock and take the gems,<ref name="licensemag 20131001" /> but the idea was scrapped as it would have made him more of a stereotype.<ref name="uncle gramorr rejected" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Praxina}}''' (voiced by [[Kelly Sheridan]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Karine Foviau in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – She has long burgundy-colored hair that typically covers one of her eyes. She loves to belittle people, especially her enemies and her twin brother Mephisto, the latter of whom she reminds that she was born earlier. She has a very affirmed personality and often bosses her brother around. Her theme colour is red. Her attacks tend to be demonstrations of raw power with explosions and large summoned monsters.<ref name="tumblr 20160602">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/145316083198/if-black-magic-harms-both-the-caster-and-the |title=If black magic harms both the caster and the... |last=Team LoliRock |date=2 June 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | quote=Praxina prefers demonstrations of raw power, like big explosion spells and huge monster summoning. And she's good at that. Mephisto prefers more elaborate spells and tricks (he likes to brag how he's a genius, remember ?), like trying to put all princesses to sleep, or removing Iris' memory, things like that. He however is as capable as her to summon monsters and freeze people in black crystal. And she is also capable of being more subtle when needed. That's why they make a pretty good team. }}</ref><!-- spoiler, also questionable as to whether it should be added : At the end of the two-part season 2 finale, she assumes the role of the primary antagonist and would have been the main adversary in the third and final season had it been made. --><!-- Crowning Glory Part II episode --><!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines on paragraphs
-->{{pb}} In early concepts of the series, Praxina and Mephisto were considered the two evil twin nephews of Lord Gramorr.<ref name="licensemag 20131001" /> Todesco began designing the twins on Halloween 2011, and originally designed Praxina dressed in black-and-white with a x symbol in her eyes. His character designer partner Benedicte Claravino went with a night butterfly/moth concept, with a bun hairstyle that extended to long twin tails. Her eyes became butterflies instead of x's, of which the butterfly brooch stayed with around.<ref name="design5">{{cite web |url=http://bertrandtodesco.tumblr.com/post/138488920678/back-to-2011-the-creation-of-lolirock-part-5 |title=Back to 2011! The creation of LoliRock – Part 5: Villains! |last=Todesco |first=Bertrand |date=1 February 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> Her design was originally approved, but then the producers thought she was too "Japanese" and scary, so Todesco and Benedicte redrew her and came out with a more suitable design.<ref name="design6">{{cite web |url=http://bertrandtodesco.tumblr.com/post/138674753202/back-to-2011-the-creation-of-lolirock-part-6 |title=Back to 2011! The creation of LoliRock – Part 6: Finding Mephisto and Praxina |last=Todesco |first=Bertrand |date=4 February 2016 |access-date=13 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> The production Tumblr describes Praxina as an "anti-Iris", so she was given two symbols: lightning for her magic, and butterflies for herself.<ref name="tumblr 20160429" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Mephisto}}''' (voiced by [[Vincent Tong (actor)|Vincent Tong]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Nessym Guetat in the French version<ref name="french cast" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rsdoublage.com/comedien-108-Nessym-Guetat.html |title=Nessym Guetat |website=RS Doublage.com |language=fr}}</ref><!-- rsdoublage.com is to confirm the spelling of Guetat -->) – He and his twin sister Praxina are sent to Earth by Gramorr to prevent the princesses from thwarting his master's plans at any price. He has short burgundy-coloured hair. He enjoys destroying things, but sometimes acts cheesy, incompetent, and has a short attention span. His theme colour is green. Of the two, Mephisto prefers elaborate spells and tricks and bragging about how he's a genius.<ref name="tumblr 20160602" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines on paragraphs
-->{{pb}} He originally had a black-and-white motif along with + symbols in his eyes. Like Praxina, he had a butterfly motif, but it was rejected. Director Jean-Louis Vandestoc then suggested a snake symbol and a half-hidden face.<ref name="design5" /> Mephisto's design was eventually approved without the hidden face part.<ref name="design6" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Missy Robins|Suzy Robins}}''' (voiced by Ashleigh Ball in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> named Suzy Robins and voiced by Audrey Sable in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – Iris's childhood rival who debuts in episode 2 "Flower Power". She has greyish-black hair and yellow-green eyes. As the daughter of the mayor of Sunny Bay, she acts spoiled and vain. When asked whether Missy was based on the rival character [[List of Totally Spies! characters#Mandy|Mandy]] from ''[[Totally Spies!]]'', the production Tumblr wrote that Missy was not based on her, even though she looks like her. They wanted a character that would be a love rival and a pest, and went with a brunette hair colour to contrast Iris being a blonde, calling it a "classic trope".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/145148556178/sorry-if-youve-been-asked-this-before-but-was |title=Sorry if you've been asked this before, but was... |date=30 May 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | quote=You might find it surprising, but no. Missy was not based on Mandy. However, we fully admit she looks a lot like Mandy, and knew a lot of people would notice that too. ... We needed a love rival / pest for Iris, and most of the time, when your heroïne is blonde, you get a brunette as a rival… And vice versa. ... It's just a "classic trope" here. ;) }}</ref>{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
<!-- Less than a handful of appearances but seem to be relevant for season 2 -->
* '''{{vanchor|Izira}}''' (voiced by [[Chiara Zanni]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Jessica Monceau in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – Talia's older sister from the Ephedian kingdom of Xeris. She possesses a great mystical power, and is deemed to be a powerful, responsible and intelligent princess. Talia lost track of her since the attack of Lord Gramorr on Xeris. It is later revealed that she was imprisoned in the prison fortress Krozak on Ephedia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/142692932593/talias-realm-from-s01e06-xeris-backgrounds |title=Talia's Realm (From S01E06 "Xeris") Backgrounds... |last=Team LoliRock |date=12 April 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> In the show, she first appears in "Xeris". She has white hair, dark skin, and mulberry blue eyes. She returns in the season 1 finale episode "Home", where she leads a resistance movement against Gramorr. The production Tumblr revealed that she is nine years older than Talia, and her design was based mainly on imagining what Talia would look like in the future. To distinguish her from Talia, she was designed with a slightly darker skin tone and lighter hair.<ref name="tumblr 20160526">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/144926824663/s01e06-xeris |title=S01.E06 – Xeris |last=Team LoliRock |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016}}</ref> Her symbol is three diamonds.<ref name="tumblr 20160427" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Lev}}''' (voiced by [[Sam Vincent (voice actor)|Sam Vincent]] in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Yoann Bellot Sover in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – An Ephedian thief who initially appears as a fellow prisoner of Gramorr in the season 1 finale episodes and goes with Iris when they try to escape from their cells. However, it is soon revealed that he has been working for Gramorr all along (as he was the highest bidder) to get her to release the crown. He returns in the season 2 episodes "Stop in the Name of Lev", where he goes to Earth and convinces Iris to come back with him to Ephedia to visit her supposedly free king, but this turns out to be another trick to send her to Gramorr. However, Lev has a genuine change of heart at the last minute, seemingly sacrificing himself so LoliRock can escape Gramorr's clutches. His magic crest bears the symbol of an eagle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/143948520688/lev-character-model-sheet-a-mysterious-ephedian |title=Lev – Character model sheet A mysterious Ephedian... |last=Team LoliRock |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Lyna}}''' (voiced by Kelly Sheridan in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Marie Nonnenmacher in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – A princess of Borealis, who debuts in "Home, Part I". In her magical princess state, she has light green hair. She is shy, but brave, light-hearted, and sophisticated. She loves crystal tea and is proud that her castle had won awards for being the most beautiful. She and Carissa helped free Izira from Gramorr and joined her resistance movement. Her transformation item is a [[Barrette|hair pin]],<ref name="tumblr 20160330" /> and her symbol is a [[fleur-de-lys]].<ref name="tumblr 20160427">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/143491298338/magic-circles-part-3-the-resistance-team-here |title=Magic Circles part 3 – The Resistance Team Here... |last=Team LoliRock |date=27 April 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> Her weapon is a [[chakram]] (ring),<ref name="tumblr 20160330">{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/141944474425/lyna-carissas-resistance-cloak-and-magical |title=Lyna & Carissa's Resistance Cloak and Magical... |last=Team LoliRock |date=30 March 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> but she prefers to use [[Levitation (physics)|levitation]] in her spells. At the end of the first season, she joins the LoliRock girls on Earth where she takes on a civilian appearance of long straight black hair, medium skin, and violet eyes.<!-- ep 26 --> As with Carissa, she is neither part of the band nor lives with them at Aunt Ellen's, but appears in some of the episodes. Lyna's transformation sequence was inspired by ''Sailor Moon'', specifically and [[Sailor Neptune]]'s, and her and Carissa's are shorter transformations than the main three girls for production reasons and because it would have been boring.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/151663213618/lyna-princess-of-borealis-transformation |title=Lyna, Princess of Borealis : Transformation... |last=Team LoliRock |access-date=10 February 2017 |work=Tumble|date=272 }}</ref> Her colour theme is teal. According to the character designers, Lyna was depicted as snooty and delicate. During the development of Carissa and Lyna's characters, the designers wanted to make one of them styled like an Asian princess, and settled with Lyna, while the original Caucasian design of Lyna was used for the guest character Debra in season 2.<ref name="lyna and carissa dev" />{{pb}}<!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
--->
* '''{{vanchor|Carissa}}''' (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain in the English version,<ref name="english cast" /> Fanny Bloc in the French version<ref name="french cast" />) – A princess of Calix, who also debuts in "Home, Part I". In her magical princess state, she has purple hair, and purple is also her general colour theme.<ref name="lyna and carissa dev" /> She likes to show off her fighting skills, enjoys having bruises, and is fired up whenever she's fighting. After she and Lyna free Izira, she joins the latter's resistance movement. Her transformation item is an armlet<ref name="tumblr 20160330" /> and her symbol is a [[compass rose]].<ref name="tumblr 20160427" /> Her weapon is a pair of clubs,<ref name="tumblr 20160330" /> and she prefers close-quarters combat. At the end of the first season, she joins the LoliRock girls on Earth, where she has red-orange hair styled in a fishtail braid, light skin and blue eyes. Storyboarder Christelle Abgrall wrote that Carissa's transformation was inspired by [[Sailor Uranus]] and her main attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/152063065773/happykuri-aaaand-heres-carissa-i-love-this|title= happykuri: Aaaand here's Carissa!! I love this...|author=Team LoliRock|date=20 October 2016|work=[[Tumblr]]|access-date=10 February 2017}}</ref> The character designers depicted Carissa as a fiery tomboy. Carissa's hair was a brunette in some early depictions so as to not confuse her with the redhead Auriana, but the designers later went with her original Irish redhead hair colour. Some of the drafts had also depicted her with dark skin or styled like an Asian princess.<ref name="lyna and carissa dev" />
{{pb}}<!-- ep 26 --><!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines
==Production==
===Conception===
Jean-Louis Vandestoc drew inspiration for ''LoliRock'' from watching anime in his childhood that was broadcast on French TV channels, including ''[[Sherlock Hound]]'', ''[[Space Adventure Cobra]]'', ''[[The Mysterious Cities of Gold]]'' and ''[[Dragon Ball]]'', but the most influential anime was ''[[Magical Princess Minky Momo]]''. He wrote "I loved the very core of it: a child transforming into an adult, helping people and making good deeds, the nice chara design, and finally the tone of the show: it could be funny and light, but also dramatic and tearful at other times. My soul was marked forever." After working on French cartoons ''[[Monster Buster Club]]'' and ''[[Rekkit Rabbit]],'' he wanted to make a [[magical girl]] show. He chose ''[[Sailor Moon]]'' and ''[[Pretty Cure]]'' as references for the magical girl part, and ''[[Jem and the Holograms]]'' for the music career part.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/124158192967/back-to-the-roots |title=Back to the roots |last=Jean-Louis Vandestoc / Team LoliRock |date=15 July 2015 |access-date=19 January 2017 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>
===Character design===
In designing Talia and the then-named Aurora, Todesco originally started with a black girl and an Asian girl with typical hairstyles, but later changed his mind.<ref name="design2" /> He then found inspirations from other ''Gossip Girl'' characters as well as actresses [[Amber Stevens West]] and [[Ariana Grande]], the latter of whom was how she acted in the teen sitcom ''[[Victorious (TV series)|Victorious]]'' rather than her current pop singer image. He also referenced [[Keri Hilson]] and [[Alicia Keys]]. ''Victorious'' was also the inspiration for some of the key visuals he used in promoting the series to get funding.<ref name="design3" />
Early promotions of the series pictured the antagonist named Gromar to be an evil uncle of Iris who imprisoned the king and queen, and that he sent his two evil twin nephews to Earth to thwart Lolirock and take the gems.<ref name="licensemag 20131001" /> Paxson said that they abandoned the idea as it would have made him more of a stereotype.<ref name="uncle gramorr rejected">{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/124071399250/interview-with-writer-madellaine-paxson-behind|title=Interview with Writer Madellaine Paxson – Behind the Scenes – LoliRock|author=Team LoliRock|date=14 July 2015|work=[[Tumblr]]|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> Todesco originally conceived of antagonists Praxina and Mephisto to have guitar playing sound powers that would counter the girls' singing voice powers but the idea was abandoned.<ref name="design5" /> After several iterations, Praxina's final design was approved where she would have a butterfly brooch and motif, while Mephisto's was approved later, after director Jean-Louis had suggested he have a snake motif and a half-covered face.<ref name="design5" /><ref name="design6" /> Eventually Gramorr would have the covered face,<ref name="design7" /><ref name="design6" />
The design for the crystal [[magic circle]]s and related animation was first done in 2D based on some reference pictures. Different colours and symbols were assigned to each character. It was later created in CGI.<ref name="tumblr 20160511">{{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/144189468088/lolirock-research-development-the-crystal | title=LoliRock Research & Development : The Crystal Magic | date=11 May 2016 | access-date=15 June 2016 | author=Team LoliRock |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> Animation tools used include [[Toon Boom Animation|Toon Boom Harmony]], [[Adobe After Effects]], and [[Blender (software)|Blender]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/147387459038/hello-i-started-watching-lolirock-on-netfilx-with#notes | title=Hello! I started watching Lolirock on Netfilx with our daughter. We really enjoy it:) I was wondering what program is used to animate Lolirock? | quote=LoliRock is animated with Toonboom Harmony. The compositing is done with Adobe After Effect. And the CGI parts (vehicules, crystals, and some props) is created with Blender. | date=14 July 2016 | access-date=4 October 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | author=Team LoliRock }}</ref>
Lyna and Carissa were created in response to a request from the producers when the writing for season 1 was nearing completion. The request was to add two new princesses to increase the member count to five. However, the LoliRock developers thought they already had too many characters so they made Lyna and Carissa supporting characters that were "outside the main gang but always ready and willing to help when needed". The two girls' transformations resemble Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. The designers considered making one of the two girls look Asian to balance out the overall group's look; they applied the look to both girls, and chose Lyna. There was also a concern that Carissa might be confused with Auriana as the show's redhead, they decided to go with giving her an Irish redhead theme anyway.<ref name="lyna and carissa dev">{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/162714405036/lyna-carissas-developpment|title=Lyna & Carissa's {{sic|Devel|oppment|nolink=y}} |author=Team LoliRock|date=7 July 2017 |work=[[Tumblr]]|access-date=13 September 2017}}</ref>
===Themes and writing===
''LoliRock'' head writer Madellaine Paxson, who had worked on children's shows ''[[Making Fiends (TV series)|Making Fiends]]'', ''[[Power Rangers RPM]]'' as well as the horror film ''[[Blood Punch]]'', described the themes of the show as: friendship and love, magic, singing / music, and good vs. evil. She said the hardest part in writing an episode is the beginning and also in integrating the themes along with a story with a person that needs help. Her favourite scenes from the show were where the princesses are together doing ordinary teenage girl things as they had opportunities for comedy. She summarised the show as having something for everybody, very girly, but good action too.<ref name="paxson interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efZf6fDXjqw |title=Interview with Writer Madellaine Paxson – Behind the Scenes – LoliRock |last=LoliRock |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=18 June 2016 |publisher=YouTube}}</ref> In the press release, Zodiak Kids describe the show as having a "cast of characters that are aspirational role models for a generation of children for whom justice has become a core value".<ref name="press 20150327" /> Jean-Louis Vandestoc chose a band concept for the series as it was different from his other shows which involved characters that went to school and then saved the world. The school part was replaced by the girls training or rehearsing for the concert.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/155290204503/from-where-will-come-the-idea-of-this-band |title=From where will come the idea of this band?? |last=Team LoliRock |date=2 January 2017 |access-date=16 January 2017 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> The developers later commented in their production blog [[FAQ]] that Iris was still attending school and that the episodes aren't all during summer vacation.<ref name="faq">{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/faq|title=F.A.Q.|author=Team LoliRock|work=[[Tumblr]]|access-date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
According to posts on the production Tumblr, ''LoliRock'' is classified as somewhere between a script-driven and storyboard-driven show. They started with a full script and then recorded lines with scratch voices or final voices, as re-recording after storyboarding would be costlier. The storyboard is then worked on, and some of the storyboard artists and supervisor adding and changing things they felt were important such as with the kiss scene in the Shanila episode and the Iris becoming a dark princess. Storyboard stage also included fixes for continuity and plot holes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/144656358703/hi-i-hope-you-had-a-good-day-d-i-was-wondering |title=Hi! I hope you had a good day :D I was wondering,... |last=Team LoliRock |date=20 May 2016 |access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref>
===Music and voice-over===
The music score was composed and produced by Norbert "Yellowshark" Gilbert, with about 600 tracks over the course of the 52 26-minute episodes.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/142998972173/lolirock-score-show-reel-by-yellowshark-and | title=Team LoliRock – Lolirock Score Show Reel (by Yellowshark) And... | date=18 April 2016 | access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]]}}</ref> Five recurring songs (including the theme song) were recorded for each season. Due to limited resources in production, the team posted that Iris would be the only one singing on those songs, so they recorded Yasmin Shah in English and then developed the music videos. After realising that it would be unnatural for the other girls to not sing, they designed Iris to have a microphone while the others would just sing along. They considered recording singing for Talia and Auriana but were constrained by budget. Cassandre Berger provided the singing on the French dub. The voices were then mixed. As the dialogue was done later, the voice actors only sang on the incidental bits such as rehearsals.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/133350263328/lolirockers-fanquestions-songs-and-lyrics | title=Team LoliRock – LoliRockers FanQuestions : Songs and Lyrics | date=16 November 2015 | access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | author=Team LoliRock}}</ref>
The episodes were written and voice-recorded in English first and then adapted into French.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/153883769745/whoiam989-its-official-lolirock-is-written-and#notes|title=Team LoliRock – whoiam989: It's official. LoliRock is written and...|date=193|publisher=tumblr.com|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> For season 1, the English voices were recorded at Vida Spark Productions in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada,<ref name="english cast" /> while the French voices were recorded at Lylo studios in Paris, France.<ref name="french cast" />
===Marketing and promotion===
Zodiak Media officially announced ''LoliRock'' in April 2013 at the [[MIPTV]] event in Cannes, France.<ref name="licensemag miptv" /> Early promotions included the idea of princesses with magical singing voices.<ref name="issuu catalog">{{cite web | url=https://issuu.com/zodiakmedia/docs/zodiak_kids_catalogue_2012/23 | title=Kids Catalogue | date=20 February 2013 | publisher=issuu.com | access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> The demographic target audience is girls ages 6 to 12, and the group partnered with France Televisions and Disney Channel France.<ref name="licensemag miptv">{{cite web | url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/miptv-kids-rule-cannes | title=MIPTV: Kids Rule in Cannes | work=License! Global | publisher=[[UBM plc|UBM]] | date=1 May 2013 | access-date=18 June 2016 | last=Davis | first=Nicole}}</ref> Marathon Media CEO [[Vincent Chalvon-Demersay]] and general manager David Michel said that "LoliRock is a fresh, contemporary take on what it is to be a girl today, infused with music and magical adventures and the all-important notion of justice in today's teenage world. It's a perfect companion piece to ''[[Totally Spies!]]'', which has been so successful in this same space."<ref name="animation magazine 20130325">{{cite web | url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/zodiak-to-launch-lolirock-at-miptv/ | title=Zodiak to Launch 'LoliRock' at MIPTV | work=Animation Magazine | date=25 March 2013 | access-date=18 June 2016 | author=Milligan | first=Mercedes}}</ref> In comparing the promotion of the show to that of ''Totally Spies!'', Zodiak senior vice-president Patricia de Wilde said that Zodiak made sure the premise was made clear for the new show.<ref name="licensemag 20131001" />
The first five songs were publicised as music videos on YouTube.<ref name="licensemag 20131001" /> Plans were also made to create live-action ''LoliRock'' bands in various markets,<ref name="animation magazine 20130325" /> such as [[Super!|Super TV]]'s contest held online<ref>{{cite web | url=http://magiclolirock.blogspot.com/2016/04/super-tv-holds-lolirock-contest.html | title=Super TV! Holds a LoliRock Contest! | date=12 April 2016 | access-date=18 June 2016 | author=MagicLoliRock |work=Blogspot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.supertv.it/home/video-e-foto/Canta-con-le-LoliRock-Piu-Su.html | title=Canta con le LoliRock: Più Su! – Super! TV | work=supertv.it | access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> and among major cities in Italy. A website was launched with videos, games, and message boards. Promotional toys were also offered at [[Quick (restaurant)|Quick restaurants]] as well as [[McDonald's]].<ref name="press 20150327">{{cite press release | url=https://www.zodiakkids.com/mcdonalds-signs-as-promotional-partner-for-lolirock/ | title=FRANCE: McDonalds signs up as promotional partner for Zodiak Kids' Lolirock | date=27 March 2015 | author=Zodiak Media | access-date=20 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.zodiakmedia.com/press_detail.php?id=747 | title=LoliRock Success in France & Italy | work=Zodiak Media | date=31 March 2016 | access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>References to Quick restaurant:
* Bertrand Todesco announces Quick toys: {{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/138538365158/bertrandtodesco-from-today-feb-2nd-of-2016 | title=Team LoliRock – bertrandtodesco: From today, Feb 2nd of 2016 | date=2 February 2016 | access-date=18 June 2016 | last=Todesco | first=Bertrand | work=[[Tumblr]] }}
* Dutch version of website showing LoliRock promotion: {{cite web | url=https://www.quick.be/nl/pagina/heldenkindermenus | title=Quick – De smaak en meer | work=[[Quick (restaurant)|Quick]] | access-date=18 June 2016 | language=nl | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808051416/https://www.quick.be/nl/pagina/heldenkindermenus | archive-date=8 August 2016 | url-status=dead }}
* French version of website showing LoliRock promotion: {{cite web | url=http://www.quick.be/fr/enfants | title=Quick – Le gout d'en faire plus | work=[[Quick (restaurant)|Quick]] | access-date=19 June 2016 | language=fr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214065602/http://www.quick.be/fr/enfants | archive-date=14 February 2016 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.licensemag.com/license-global/lolirock-arrives-happy-meals | title='LoliRock' Arrives in Happy Meals | work=License! Global | publisher=[[UBM plc|UBM]] | date=30 March 2015 | access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> An app was developed for the music which Zodiak senior vice-president Patricia de Wilde said was a "sort of cross between K-Pop and Katy Perry."<ref name="licensemag 20131001" />
== Broadcast ==
The show premiered on [[France 3]] on 18 October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france5.fr/et-vous/userdata/a_augure_file/9/9955/France-3-Jeunesse-Toussaint-2014.pdf|title=France 5 : emissions, programme tv, infos et jeux|work=france5.fr|access-date=26 November 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france3.fr/emission/lolirock/diffusion-du-18-10-2014-10h21 |title=LoliRock – L'audition – Samedi 18 Octobre 10h22 – Accueil |date=21 October 2014 |work=[[France 3]] |language=fr |access-date=20 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021194855/http://www.france3.fr/emission/lolirock/diffusion-du-18-10-2014-10h21 |archive-date=21 October 2014 }}</ref> running for 13 episodes until March 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france3.fr/emission/lolirock/diffusion-du-07-03-2015-07h26|title=LoliRock – Coup de foudre – Episode 7 – Samedi 7 Mars 07h27|work=[[France 3]] | language=fr|url-status=live |access-date=20 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620180108/http://www.france3.fr/emission/lolirock/diffusion-du-07-03-2015-07h26 | archive-date=20 June 2016 }}</ref><!-- NEED SOURCE in April 2015, it started airing in Spain on [[Disney Channel (Spain)|Disney Channel]], and started airing in [[Portugal]] on [[Canal Panda]], and in Italy on [[DeA Kids]]. The series seeks to extend throughout Europe and the songs have English versions. --> On 26 January 2016, [[Zodiak Kids]] published an article officially announcing that BatteryPOP had acquired AVOD (streaming) rights to LoliRock for one year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zodiakkids.com/batterypop-picks-up-avod-rights-to-lolirock-and-get-blake/|title=batteryPOP picks up AVOD rights to LoliRock and Get Blake!|work=Zodiak Kids}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.c21media.net/batterypop-unwraps-lolirock/|title=BatteryPop unwraps LoliRock|publisher=c21media.net|access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>
On 1 April, France Televisions announced the release of episodes on [[France 4]], and [[Disney Channel (France)|Disney France]]. Zodiak also reported that Italy would launch LoliRock on [[De Agostini]] Editore's [[Super!]] DTT channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/lolirock-attunes-to-france-and-italy/|title='LoliRock' Attunes to France and Italy|date=1 April 2016|publisher=animationmagazine.net|access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref> France 4 began broadcasting the 13 episodes on 4 April 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.france4.fr/emission/54084b8970676526583bbe03/56ea37f6706765442ab60802 |title=LoliRock – L'audition – Saison 1 – Episode 1 – Lundi 4 Avril 13h35 |work=france4.fr |access-date=20 June 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160620191029/http://www.france4.fr/emission/54084b8970676526583bbe03/56ea37f6706765442ab60802 |archive-date=20 June 2016 }}</ref><!-- save to archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20160620191029/http://www.france4.fr/emission/54084b8970676526583bbe03/56ea37f6706765442ab60802 --> On 1 May, the first season of the series was released on [[Netflix]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/4/29/11536358/netflix-amazon-prime-hbo-now-new-movies-tv-shows-may-2016|title=Everything coming to Netflix, Amazon Prime, and HBO Now in May|work=[[The Verge]]|last=Bishop|first=Bryan|date=29 April 2016|access-date=2 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/143676391688/todays-the-day | title=Team LoliRock – Today's the day. :) | date=1 May 2016 | access-date=15 June 2016 |work=[[Tumblr]] | author=Team LoliRock }}</ref> in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.<!-- netflix global search -->
The ''LoliRock'' producers pre-released the four episodes of season 2 on YouTube in December 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/154596804053/omg-season-2-the-first-episode-it-was-so|title=Omg season 2, the first episode, it was so...|publisher=tumblr.com|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> Netflix released the English version of the season 2 episodes on 5 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://teamlolirock.tumblr.com/post/155486278533/so-season-2-on-netflix|title=So, Season 2 on Netflix...|date=272|publisher=tumblr.com|access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref><!-- 5 January confirmed by actual visit to Netflix website, 6 January is provided here as acknowledgement by LoliRock tumblr production team --> It was broadcast on France 4 in February with two episodes per weekday.<!-- see episodes list -->
In the United States, the show premiered on the streaming service Netflix in 2016 with an English-language track and the second season premiered on the service in 2017. In 2020, Amazon's Prime Video service acquired the show and it was subsequently removed from Netflix in select countries.
==Reception==
Ella Anders of BSC Kids wrote that ''LoliRock'' "plays it clear as a magical girl series and even nods other iconic shows in the genera" such as ''[[Pretty Cure]]'' and ''[[Sailor Moon]]'', but that it is "grand in its own right and should be held up as a great magical girl series". She liked the diverse cast, plot, humor, and background story, the last of which she had not seen since ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|Friendship Is Magic]]'', and that it was a type of show she would have loved growing up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsckids.com/2016/04/lolirock-arrives-long-last-us/|title=Lolirock Arrives at Long Last to US|date=27 April 2016|publisher=BSC Kids|first=Ella | last=Anders|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
Heather Newman of ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine described the series as "A French animated series about an impossibly thin, stylish, magical girl who sings."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hnewman/2016/04/29/new-on-netflix-sherlock-doc-grace-and-frankie-sixteen-candles/|title=New on Netflix: 'Sherlock' Doc, 'Grace And Frankie,' 'Sixteen Candles'|first=Heather|last=Newman|work=[[Forbes]]|date=29 April 2016|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref>
Emily Ashby of [[Common Sense Media]] described the series as "fun" and "entertaining." However, she argued that the dual storyline felt "a little awkward and forced at times" and wondered if promoting the music of the show was a motivation for these storylines. Even so, she concluded that the series would "garner some fans among kids."<ref>{{cite web|last=Ashby|first=Emily|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/lolirock|title=LoliRock Review|date=October 2, 2020|website=[[Common Sense Media]]|access-date=April 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517224954/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/lolirock|archive-date=May 17, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
When asked whether ''LoliRock'' would have a cross-over episode with French superhero show ''[[Miraculous: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir]]'' from Zagtoon, Thomas Astruc, who was the creator and director on ''Miraculous'' and a storyboarder on ''LoliRock'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-astruc-48b3a311|title=Thomas Astruc|publisher=[[LinkedIn]]|access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/Thomas-Astruc/824031/|title=Thomas Astruc|website=www.blu-ray.com}}</ref> said it was unlikely given they are from two different production companies, but that the animation community is small and that both companies share the same love of animation. He has posted about the two being cousin shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bsckids.com/2015/12/countdown-to-miraculous-is-on/|title=Countdown to Miraculous Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir Is On|date=5 December 2015|first=Ella | last=Anders | publisher=BSC Kids|access-date=18 June 2016 | quote=Thomas- Between the two French companies there is a similar interest in the “magical girl” stories (from Japan), and since it’s a small community the two companies, of course, share the same love of animation, we joke about being cousin shows. But these are two different companies, so a crossover is unlikely to occur. }}</ref>
== Other media ==
A ''LoliRock'' video game, available on iOS and Android, was released by Bulkypix in 2014. The game lets players sing to the songs featured on the show, record performances, and customise a sound studio and pick the girls' outfits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.droidgamers.com/index.php/game-news/android-game-news/8054-lolirock-arrives-onto-android-so-you-can-sing-along-to-their-songs|title=LoliRock arrives onto Android so you can sing along to their songs|author=AndrewH|publisher=droidgamers.com}}</ref>
Zodiak has also worked a deal with publishing company Hachette Jeunesse to create novels, activity books, stationery, and e-books.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.zodiakmedia.com/press_detail.php?id=551 | title=Zodiak Kids and Hachette Jeunesse sign LOLIROCK Publishing deal | date=15 October 2013 | work=Zodiak Media | access-date=20 June 2016 | archive-date=8 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308115652/http://www.zodiakmedia.com/press_detail.php?id=551 | url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Notes==
|
