Don't worry. Nothing about EVA in here, in fact it exists as a good example of what this will NOT be about. I just saw it scrolling for an image and it gave me the idea to do this followup to my Nightmare Rarity blog post, as it occurred to me that saying Rarity has the kind of insecurity I argued she has can be a double edged sword for different people. Link: http://mlpforums.com/blog/1599/entry-12974-nightmare-rarity-and-how-it-affects-raritys-character-on-the-whole/

After all, people like her confidence. And seeing her as an insecure little girl can turn them off. But don't worry. It's not that simple.

Firstly it is worth mentioning that all of the Mane 6 have some kind of angst that people find endearing and argue makes them deeper characters. And I happen to agree. Moreover, the idea that Rarity has insecurities is not new. In fact it is rather unavoidable as it crops in her various episodes.

While taken to humorous exaggeration, it first showed up in "Suited For Success" when her fashion show fails. It also helps explain why Rarity would have been so acquiescent to her friends. Yes, Generosity and all that but remember in my last blog (and the one before) I pointed out that being insecure about pleasing people goes hand in hand with her generosity.

It also shows up in episodes like "Sweet & Elite" and "Rarity Takes Manehattan" beyond the ways I mentioned. In "Sweet & Elite", Rarity's motivation for going to the Garden Party was a directly stated fear that not going would ruin her chances in high society.

And in "Manehattan" when she fears having caused her friends to run out on her she walks around the rainy streets of Manehattan, clearly forlorn and distraught over this.

Even her role in MMC is consistent with this characterization. By the end Rarity was in tears over how horribly her mismatched role has gone for her. She can't make art to inspire people (a large motivation as a pony) without making the weather awful and making other ponies hate her (being a people pleaser is her other big motivation as a character).

Ultimately, Nightmare Rarity just crystallized the concept. And while perhaps the comics are not canon, the characters are still the same characters just being exposed to different events in a different continuity if that is the case.

So I don't think Nightmare Rarity can be rejected. Nor should it be since the comics have done quite a bit for Rarity's character.

But let us tackle what i think the main issue at the heart of this is: does Rarity's insecurity ruin her confident and determined nature?

Well, quite simply no. Part of being a determined person is moving forward despite your own insecurities and fears. It is not having no insecurities or fears.

And this is exactly what Rarity has done. She uses her goals and achievements to assuage her insecurity.

This is why she goes after admiration and adoration as shown in Becoming Popular. It is why she made her own business and affected high class mannerisms. This is dealing with her insecurity, not running from it or wallowing in it. If anything, it makes these efforts on her part more interesting and admirable.

That last part more than anything, it does not ruin her as a character rather it adds depth to her character. Yet more depth.

I realize this blog may not get to the heart of the issue so feel free to voice any concerns or problems, as this was not as well thought out and considerably more 'spur of the moment'.