How Dark do you want FiM to be?

[Singe 2,111]

They could make the friendships more realistic by giving the Mane 6 more of individuality. Differences of opinion and views. 

[Fractured 2,684]

Honestly, they could turn it into an epic like The Last Airebender, and I wouldn't mind. They could still keep the general light-hearted tone, but the inclusion of serious stakes would give you a deeper connection to the characters.

 

Basically, turn the entirety of FIM into one of its season openers. Maybe have them travel throughout Equestria on a mission; it seems like they're already headed that direction in S5 anyway.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

I think PG level would be nice.

"It's a kids' show" kills your opinion right here. There have been many great family shows with very dark backgrounds. Courage the Cowardly Dog is at least twenty times darker than what we have in FIM, and Hey Arnold isn't afraid to get quite dark every now and then. FIM's tone, on the other hand, is relatively safe because of Hasbro's treatment, but even that didn't stop DHX from putting in serious subjects and moments multiple times.

 

This leads me to you:

FIM may be silly, but it's not as innocent as you or everyone else here thinks. There have been so many moments where FIM's tone shifted towards dark, quality notwithstanding.

1. A Bird in the Hoof: Philomena catching fire.
2. Party of One: Pinkie becoming crazy and depressed at the end of Act 2 and deep into Act 3.
3. Return of Harmony: Twilight losing her color and quitting her fight for harmony and friendship.
4. Lesson Zero: Twilight's whole ordeal is black comedy through and through.
5. Hurricane Fluttershy: Fluttershy's imagery of stage fright becoming a crippling phobia.
6. Sleepless in Ponyville: Scootaloo waking up from her nightmare in Act 3.
7. Magical Mystery Cure: During "I've Got to Find a Way," Ponyville turned gray and depressing.
8. Flight to the Finish: Self-explanatory.
9. Rarity Takes Manehattan: Suri's blatant plagiarism greatly impacting Rarity's creative viewpoint and friendship.
10. Testing Testing 1, 2, 3: It may be the funniest episode in season four, but it tackled a very sensitive issue about how people learn differently.

And these are just some examples.

Lol I didn't even think about this.

And that scene with the headless mare actually creeped me out quite alot. That actually scared me alot more than anything I ever saw in Courage The Cowardly Dog. And Courage The Cowardly Dog has NEVER scared me even as a kid...

[Wulfgar Von Heltzer 42]

You know, assuming they're bad because they mix comedy and horror without even watching/playing any of them is like judging a book by its cover. Also, you want good of mix of comedy and horror. Look no closer to Courage the Cowardly Dog.

 

I assume it's bad because I know you shouldn't mix comedy in a story that's mean to be scary, it destroys the mood completely. Why would you even want to add humor to a horror? I'm talking Silent Hill type here, would you honestly think that comedy would be a good idea at all in such a story? If you're writing a horror story that's based on a feeling of suspense, eeriness, and terror, all comedy would do is break any feeling of that, and for what purpose? What does it add, besides shattering the mood? That would just ruin it.

 

I'm sorry, but I stand by what I said.

 

Anyone remember in Full metal alchemist when that little girl is crying " Why are they putting my daddy in the ground, why are they putting all that dirt on daddy?" " If they bury him, he wont be able to do all his work!" "No! He has a lot of work to do! Stop putting dirt on my daddy! DAADDYYYY!!"

 

It needs to GO there. Just like Full metal Alchemist did. 

 

Again, why would something like this be a good idea? Why do so many people want the show to go in a direction like this? It'd be too jarring to suddenly change the tone this far in, and the character designs are far too silly looking to be taken seriously (plus, the names don't help: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, etc.). Like just picture that scene you described with MLP characters, could you honestly watch that with a straight face?

 

The want for a darker, edgier, more mature MLP is a silly idea that would never work and people should stop pushing for it.

[BuzzBuzzTheBee 14]

A teensy bit darker would be nice, but It's fine as is.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

 

 

I assume it's bad because I know you shouldn't mix comedy in a story that's mean to be scary, it destroys the mood completely. Why would you even want to add humor to a horror? I'm talking Silent Hill type here, would you honestly think that comedy would be a good idea at all in such a story? If you're writing a horror story that's based on a feeling of suspense, eeriness, and terror, all comedy would do is break any feeling of that, and for what purpose? What does it add, besides shattering the mood? That would just ruin it.   I'm sorry, but I stand by what I said.

So, you're assuming that any horror story that even has a hint of comedy is instantly the worst thing ever? Even after getting examples of some? Also, even if you know the basics of what's a good idea and bad idea to put in a story, you still shouldn't generalize all of them as and without seeing them. People won't take arguments seriously if you don't watch the thing you are trying to argue is bad. 

[TwilightDreamer 69]

That all depends on how the darkness added can add to story elements that were found in some of the season premieres and finales and those that were sprinkled throughout the season at some points like with the events of Crystal Empire, Return of Harmony, Twilight's Kingdom and Princess Twilight Sparkle.

 

If they can take inspirations from others shows of the past that have gone down that route but done in a way that kids and adults can relate to and take away the more mature lessons from just as Digimon Tamers had done, it could work if the story, as I said before, can complement the story line and not drive away from the elements that made MLP the phenomenon it is today.

[Tetrakemy 221]

I assume it's bad because I know you shouldn't mix comedy in a story that's mean to be scary, it destroys the mood completely. Why would you even want to add humor to a horror? I'm talking Silent Hill type here, would you honestly think that comedy would be a good idea at all in such a story? If you're writing a horror story that's based on a feeling of suspense, eeriness, and terror, all comedy would do is break any feeling of that, and for what purpose? What does it add, besides shattering the mood? That would just ruin it.

 

I'm sorry, but I stand by what I said.

 

 

Again, why would something like this be a good idea? Why do so many people want the show to go in a direction like this? It'd be too jarring to suddenly change the tone this far in, and the character designs are far too silly looking to be taken seriously (plus, the names don't help: Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, etc.). Like just picture that scene you described with MLP characters, could you honestly watch that with a straight face?

 

The want for a darker, edgier, more mature MLP is a silly idea that would never work and people should stop pushing for it.

 

 

So, what you are saying is that it is impossible for MLP, with their characters really expressive eyes and voice actors ability to convey emotion, It is impossible to have just one single really sad moment in the show? Not even one sad moment? 

 

Your honestly trying to say that it is impossible because of how they "look?"

 

Need I remind you that they are colorful girly ponies with names a 3 year old came up with that we the fans of the show view as having character depth, real meaningful emotions? Many of the characters in the show are very relateable. I relate quite a LOT to the cutie mark crusaders, and so don't many others. They, just like me, are still trying to find their place in life and what they want to do that will make them special and set themselves apart from the rest of the world. 

 

If you think that the characters are incapable of showing the degree of emotion that would be required to make all of us cry, Then you are sorely mistaken. A little filly of any kind losing their mother and having a genuine acted out sad moment is not only what the show needs in a sense that we need more real world problems and genuine strong emotions added to the show to not only flush out the characters, but the world itself. This in a way has already happened a couple of times that were not fully realized.

 

Take fighting for example. Tirek vs Twilight? Need I say more? Colorful, girly, PONIES, With names a 2-3 year old could come up with, That Fully convinced us that the fight we were watching WAS NOT a fight between a couple of 2 year olds throwing a hissy fit!

 

NO! It was two GODS, Blowing up mountains and wrecking up the place! If they can convince us that a fight that "could" had ended up in character death ( evil villain of course ) Which even Disney has done for movies made for little children, then I am sure mlp could do better in the emote side. 

 

A ultra sad character scene would be perfect!

 

Edited October 23, 2014 by Ramsey the Goat

[PinkieAwesome 65]

This isnt anime so i think its fine as is

[azbat 306]

If you adjust the contrast on your TV, you can make this show as dark as you want it to be.

[PacificGreen 1,163]

Maybe Crystal Empire dark, but only sparingly.

 

Alternatively, since they might be running out of friendship lessons to give, maybe they can address lighter versions of real world problems like how to respond to slander or rumors about yourself, or dealing with addiction to a hobby. So it may not be "dark" but it can still avoid being too saccharine.

Edited December 6, 2015 by PGNatsu

[InfectedPone 1,550]

I like having a serious or dark premiere and finale, and maybe once or twice throughout the middle of the season, but I still like the lighter episodes and feel that it should still be a fun and happy show. After all, it's still for kids.

[cmarston1 5,959]

I am perfectly fine with the show's current tone.

Personally I don't really want the show to get much more darker and edgier.

I also don't think that the show would be well off if it tried to become as dark as something like The Legend of Korra.

[Mesme Rize 15,686]

I never understood the fascination of people, who want to make a show about pastel colored ponies, that has one of the most positive messages in TV today, so dark.

 

If you want to watch something dark and edgy, go watch Walking dead, or whatever. This is not the show you're looking for.

[ANGEL33 87]

I don't want it dark. If it gets too dark. I'm afraid some pony may end up 6 feet under and I don't want that. No one wants that. Regardless of what they say. They don't want any pony or dragon to die. There's only one I want to die. That's because he's a devil. Pure evil, and has hurt so many ponies, Tirek. He's the one that should die.

Edited December 6, 2015 by ANGEL

[Number62 1,258]

If a good story can be told, then I wouldn't mind a darker tone. That darker tone should look organic, of course.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

 how to respond to slander or rumors about yourself

 

Didn't they kind of do that with Gabby gums though?

I don't want it dark. If it gets too dark. I'm afraid some pony may end up 6 feet under and I don't want that. No one wants that. Regardless of what they say. They don't want any pony or dragon to die. There's only one I want to die. That's because he's a devil. Pure evil, and has hurt so many ponies, Tirek. He's the one that should die.

 

Eh, to be honest I don't find Tirek that bad. He's violent and a brute, but he's not that horribly evil. He comes across as pretty 1 dimensional in his evil, not really that sadistic.

Honestly I almost find Discord in ROH more evil than discord.

 

Not saying that Tirek should be redeemed, nothing of the sort; he doesn't really have any good characteristics that I could see. but He's just a criminal thug at heart, not really what I'd view as a really sadistic or evil villain.

[PacificGreen 1,163]

Didn't they kind of do that with Gabby gums though?

Yeah, but that episode placed more emphasis on the CMC's end. I was thinking along the lines of somepony somehow managing to convince everypony else that the Apple Family's methods of farming, etc. are unethical because of what some apple farmers somewhere else did, and AJ/one of the others defending their farm. Sort of like how extremist groups often end up representing a larger group to the general public, and thinking about how to create a more open, honest dialogue in the face of that.

Edited December 6, 2015 by PGNatsu

[ANGEL33 87]

Didn't they kind of do that with Gabby gums though?

 

 

Eh, to be honest I don't find Tirek that bad. He's violent and a brute, but he's not that horribly evil. He comes across as pretty 1 dimensional in his evil, not really that sadistic.

Honestly I almost find Discord in ROH more evil than discord.

 

Not saying that Tirek should be redeemed, nothing of the sort; he doesn't really have any good characteristics that I could see. but He's just a criminal thug at heart, not really what I'd view as a really sadistic or evil villain.

Criminal? He's a monster! He hurt so many ponies it's not even funny and it's not.

[EddG 554]

I want it to keep it's light-heartedness honestly :3

-EDIT-

Server crash made it send the post twice lol.

Edited December 7, 2015 by Edd :3

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

Criminal? He's a monster! He hurt so many ponies it's not even funny and it's not.

He hurt them because that was needed in his plan, but he didn't show sadistic pleasure in doing so. It was more just "business" than that he reveled in it.

on the other hand Sombra seemed to take glee in his actions past it helping him achieve his plan, and the same with chrysalis in the comics when it came to eating characters.

 

A villain getting off on their actions compared to one who's doing it as a means to an end comes off as more vile to me.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

Ehhh I actually think they hit the sweet spot of tone in being able to delve into dark places without it seeming to harsh or out of place but they always bounce back. I mean I don't want Avatar or Batman: the Animated Series dark but I'm glad that some episodes show a more harsh side of the fantasy world than normal.

[1Bit 1,531]

I like how FiM is currently. There are plenty of shows out there that I watch which are very dark, offer dark themes or narratives, etc. FiM is a show I can watch and is just generally feel-good and heartwarming.

 

so I'd like it to stay as it is

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I never understood the fascination of people, who want to make a show about pastel colored ponies, that has one of the most positive messages in TV today, so dark.

 

If you want to watch something dark and edgy, go watch Walking dead, or whatever. This is not the show you're looking for.

I agree halfway. I guess the reason people want a darker tone in some cases is because it's a fantasy land. Magic, unicorns, dragons and you get the deal. In those type of worlds, governments are purely a monarchy and we connotate thos settings with sone sort of medieval look and tone. I don't mind the show having some dark tone, but not being dark just for the sake of it. Should it be somewhat dark? Yes. How dark? I will settle with the recent canon of Chrysalis's alternate timeline. I wished we would spend more time there, but it got to the point. She is now the queen of Equestria, the ponies are now slaves.....Rainbow Dash, AJ and Rarity are gone, I will use my imagination on what happened to them. That's a fine level of dark, I don't need to be depressed all the time.

[ANGEL33 87]

I like how FiM is currently. There are plenty of shows out there that I watch which are very dark, offer dark themes or narratives, etc. FiM is a show I can watch and is just generally feel-good and heartwarming.

 

so I'd like it to stay as it is

I think I'm in love with you