Is Rainbow Dash an anti hero?

[Megachangeling12 109]

We all know Rainbow Dash not only is she the most loyal pony around but also one of the most egoistical. Throughout the series we've seen a good mix of heroic and jerky behavior from her. This attitude makes me come to the conclusion that Dash is MLP's original anti hero. If your not exactly sure what a anti hero is its a protagonist with antagonist traits or tendencies. I believe that if age was not a anti hero episodes like fall weather friends , trade ya and the mysterious mare do well would've never aired. Also I notice personality traits she shares with MLP characters commonly deemed anti heroes. Trixie , Lightening Dust , Sunset Shimmer and even Discord. So if she shares a personality with these characters who's to say she's not a anti hero?

So what do you think? Do you consider Rainbow Dash a anti hero?

.

[Megas 27,628]

 

Why would having an ego be considered antagonistic? No RD isn't an anti-hero, and having an ego, or "jerky traits", doesn't make her antagonistic. She makes mistakes from it but that's about it. If anything she's no different from most hot-headed Shonen lead heroes

Edited May 13, 2015 by Megas75

[The Awesome One 1,315]

She is a little over-confident sometimes and regards herself very highly. However, she is one of the bearers of the elements of harmony for crying out loud and she is actually a good Pony and doesn't do any messed up things like most Anti-Heroes do.

[Discordian 6,015]

The way I see it, an antihero could just as easily be on the villain side as they are the hero side. Rainbow Dash would never willingly work against the other main five during a world crisis. Especially considering her element.

[alpinefroggy 451]

More modern heros for all the different of the mane six if anything.

[Megachangeling12 109]

 

Why would having an ego be considered antagonistic? No RD isn't an anti-hero, and having an ego, or "jerky traits", doesn't make her antagonistic. She makes mistakes from it but that's about it. If anything she's no different from most hot-headed Shonen lead heroes

She is a little over-confident sometimes and regards herself very highly. However, she is one of the bearers of the elements of harmony for crying out loud and she is actually a good Pony and doesn't do any messed up things like most Anti-Heroes do.

Guys you don't need to be a pure antagonist to be a anti hero all it means to be one is that your not as pure hearted as the typical hero! I think we can all agree Dash is either chaotic good or chaotic neutral depending who you ask. These are the typical anti hero alignments.

Also on the element thing being a element dosn't make you perfect. In fact having a anti hero element wouid make sense because it wouid teach tolerance of different personalities. Personally I think being a anti hero majes her a better character.

[Discordian 6,015]

Rainbow Dash isn't really antagonistic. Haughty, brash, kinda dumb and competitive but she doesn't specifically antagonize others. If there was one thing she lacked that some other heroes have it's a sense of humility but that's not exactly a required trait of a hero. Piety is reserved for saints, not athletes and champions.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

@@Megachangeling12

 

As this topic deals with a character from the show it will be moved to Show Discussion. Please remember that Sugarcube Corner is largely reserved for topics on the fandom.

 

Thanks.

[The Awesome One 1,315]

She has done nothing chaotic at all. Loyal as hell and willng to fight for her friends. Tell me, where is the Anti-hero part you talk about?

 

If this is because she gets cocky sometmes then I'll have you know she has always apologized and redeemed herself rght after that

[Singe 2,111]

Rainbow Dash is a freedom lover who wants to do her own thing from time to time which can at times come into conflict with her Loyalty chains...I mean obligations.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

Rainbow Dash is a HERO.  It isn't your personality traits that determine whether or not you're a hero or anti-hero; it's your actions.  She doesn't hesitate to rescue ponies when their lives are in jeopardy.  She doesn't interfere with the Mane Six's efforts to save Equestria from villains.  Even though she had a moment in "Daring Don't" where she felt her own personal hero was better off without her intervening (which was a crisis of confidence), she still ultimately assisted Daring Do and helped thwart Ahuizotl.  And at no point was she deliberately preventing a pony in trouble from being rescued.  She even saved Soarin as numerous onlookers (several of which had wings, some of which were Wonderbolts) plummeted to his possibly-death or serious injury.  And even if you cite this or that episode or moment in your argument, Rainbow Dash is - most consistently, most often, and most truly - a good and brave pony who would help anypony in need.  She has a good heart, and you can always count on her in a pinch.

 

Starsquirm the Beergut has caused more problems for the Mane Six; there's an anti-hero for you.  He's like Gandalf - except everything he does is wrong lol.  He's to blame for the nonsense that occurred in "Magical Mystery Cure."  Him and his dangerous, unfinished spell that would've rendered the Elements useless.  His lousy time spell is why Twi was able to travel back through time in "It's About Time" and cause her past self anxiety.  I've heard he's also responsible for negative events in EQG and the comics.

 

I think we can all agree Dash is either chaotic good or chaotic neutral depending who you ask.

And now we're bringing D&D alignments into it. xD  Depending on who you ask, those don't apply at all.  Rainbow Dash also isn't a level seven rogue with a mysterious past and a +1 dagger; just putting that out there.

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

>Implying that Rainbow Dash is antagonistic

 

Since I don't believe she has antagonistic traits and her ego thing in some episodes is no worse than say, Pinkie coming on too strong or Rarity being selfish at times, I'm going to have to say no.

[SteveMorison 404]

Minor anti-hero at worst. I do believe that RD is a genuinely moral pony and wants to do good with her abilities, but sometimes she gets carried away.

Edited May 13, 2015 by DashBandicoot

[Shanks 10,816]

The original definition of an anti hero is a hero with tendencies that you wouldn't expect a typical "hero" to have meaning that an "anti hero" could be what is called a protagonist villain which Rainbow Dash is clearly not, a hero who is a tad cynical and dark like Batman for example or a bit "cowardly" like Usopp (One Piece) or perhaps some other type. In other words an anti hero is not a protagonist with evil motives like Kratos (God of War) as that is merely one type of anti hero but simply a protagonist or "hero" who is not a complete goody two shoes.

 

This dosen't mean a typical "hero" character is perfect as we see the most heroic like heroes like Superman or Captain Marvel and even they struggle and make mistakes but what makes an anti hero different is that they are simply the darker half of the hero archetype but in this case dark dosen't always necessarily mean evil. Because of this a case can be made for Rainbow Dash being an anti hero but one can also be made for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie not necessarily because they are darker or more cynical but that they are not as serious or "brave" as your "typical" hero.

 

Of course because of just how popular the anti hero trope has become and how much it has seeped into even more idealized "heroes" the lines between hero and anti hero are much much more blurred than they were before. Take Superman the Animated Series and compare it to the cartoons from the 40's and 50's and you will notice that Superman the Animated Series often has much darker story lines and the villains Superman takes on are much much more of a significant threat to him. Case in point is the series finale where he fights Darkseid who brainwashed Superman into doing his evil bidding, Superman got the upper hand in the fight and nearly killed Darkseid only to turn him over to the people of Apokalypse expecting them to either imprison or execute him but looked on in shock and horror as they actually helped him instead.

[Megachangeling12 109]

The original definition of an anti hero is a hero with tendencies that you wouldn't expect a typical "hero" to have meaning that an "anti hero" could be what is called a protagonist villain which Rainbow Dash is clearly not, a hero who is a tad cynical and dark like Batman for example or a bit "cowardly" like Usopp (One Piece) or perhaps some other type. In other words an anti hero is not a protagonist with evil motives like Kratos (God of War) as that is merely one type of anti hero but simply a protagonist or "hero" who is not a complete goody two shoes.

 

This dosen't mean a typical "hero" character is perfect as we see the most heroic like heroes like Superman or Captain Marvel and even they struggle and make mistakes but what makes an anti hero different is that they are simply the darker half of the he

ro archetype but in this case dark dosen't always necessarily mean evil. Because of this a case can be made for Rainbow Dash being an anti hero but one can also be made for Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie not necessarily because they are darker or more cynical but that they are not as serious or "brave" as your "typical" hero.

That's a very good well thought out point I didn't think of that before but you're right. That's the best post I've seen in a while.

 

Of course because of just how popular the anti hero trope has become and how much it has seeped into even more idealized "heroes" the lines between hero and anti hero are much much more blurred than they were before. Take Superman the Animated Series and compare it to the cartoons from the 40's and 50's and you will notice that Superman the Animated Series often has much darker story lines and the villains Superman takes on are much much more of a significant threat to him. Case in point is the series finale where he fights Darkseid who brainwashed Superman into doing his evil bidding, Superman got the upper hand in the fight and nearly killed Darkseid only to turn him over to the people of Apokalypse expecting them to either imprison or execute him but looked on in shock and horror as they actually helped him instead.

Rainbow Dash is a HERO.  It isn't your personality traits that determine whether or not you're a hero or anti-hero; it's your actions.  She doesn't hesitate to rescue ponies when their lives are in jeopardy.  She doesn't interfere with the Mane Six's efforts to save Equestria from villains.  Even though she had a moment in "Daring Don't" where she felt her own personal hero was better off without her intervening (which was a crisis of confidence), she still ultimately assisted Daring Do and helped thwart Ahuizotl.  And at no point was she deliberately preventing a pony in trouble from being rescued.  She even saved Soarin as numerous onlookers (several of which had wings, some of which were Wonderbolts) plummeted to his possibly-death or serious injury.  And even if you cite this or that episode or moment in your argument, Rainbow Dash is - most consistently, most often, and most truly - a good and brave pony who would help anypony in need.  She has a good heart, and you can always count on her in a pinch.

 

Starsquirm the Beergut has caused more problems for the Mane Six; there's an anti-hero for you.  He's like Gandalf - except everything he does is wrong lol.  He's to blame for the nonsense that occurred in "Magical Mystery Cure."  Him and his dangerous, unfinished spell that would've rendered the Elements useless.  His lousy time spell is why Twi was able to travel back through time in "It's About Time" and cause her past self anxiety.  I've heard he's also responsible for negative events in EQG and the comics.

 

 

And now we're bringing D&D alignments into it. xD  Depending on who you ask, those don't apply at all.  Rainbow Dash also isn't a level seven rogue with a mysterious past and a +1 dagger; just putting that out there.

soggy a good first rule of argueing a point f it's there use it. Alignment charts are used to put characters into groups based on behavior and actions that's why I brougt them up.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,302]

soggy a good first rule of argueing a point f it's there use it. Alignment charts are used to put characters into groups based on behavior and actions that's why I brougt them up.

"If it's there, use it."  That's not a solid rule of arguing.  The D&D alignment system is meant to be utilized in the context of D&D; it's directly relevant to the progression of the game.  Would you also apply D&D alignment to, say, a murderer in real life?  Will making the case that he was chaotic neutral stay his execution?  If it's irrelevant it's inapplicable.  If it's inapplicable, it serves no purpose other than to fatten your forums post.  It also potentially puts you at risk of being openly refuted in a reply quote.  Which is what happened.

[colt_following 169]

I think the biggest factor is that she doesn't INTENTIONALLY harm others for her own gain. She wants to help and enjoys helping others, and I think since her personality shows a bit of immaturity compared to the others, she doesn't always take others into account when she makes choices.

She DOES have an ego and she WILL work hard to get what she wants, but she doesn't like to see others suffer and has plenty of a conscience to know when something she does actually hurts someone else in some way.

[Megachangeling12 109]

I think the biggest factor is that she doesn't INTENTIONALLY harm others for her own gain. She wants to help and enjoys helping others, and I think since her personality shows a bit of immaturity compared to the others, she doesn't always take others into account when she makes choices.

She DOES have an ego and she WILL work hard to get what she wants, but she doesn't like to see others suffer and has plenty of a conscience to know when something she does actually hurts someone else in some way.

You knkw I think you've hit the nail on the head. I don't doubt she wants to help others I'm saying that that combined with ego and ambition Serbs to combine tye zeal of heo with the ambition of a antagonist. She's not the worst anti hero I've seen but that drive to help others combined with that selfish ambition makes me think anti heo. Because like most anti heroes she hells ponies but also helps herself. It seems like must of you were taking the " hero out of " anti hero."

[cider float 2,538]

Due to her gung-ho attitude, positivity and her need for attention she doesn't strike me as an anti-hero. She's no girl scout but not an anti-hero either. Anti-heroes don't show off and they don't drag their friends/allies onto adventures. She fits the mold of a certain hero type.

[Megachangeling12 109]

Due to her gung-ho attitude, positivity and her need for attention she doesn't strike me as an anti-hero. She's no girl scout but not an anti-hero either. Anti-heroes don't show off and they don't drag their friends/allies onto adventures. She fits the mold of a certain hero type.

Yeah now that I think about selfish hero is a better definition for her.

[Castle Bleck 19,361]

His lousy time spell is why Twi was able to travel back through time in "It's About Time" and cause her past self anxiety.

 

And indirectly release a certain 6-limbed devil.

[They call me Loyalty 1,948]

I don't think so. She's just stubborn and childish. Quaint, isn't it?

 

Some people with low-esteem might find her slightly annoying, since they must be starving for recognition, as much as RD.

 

Nothing wrong with that.

[Scootaloo9074090 501]

On 2015-05-13 at 1:52 PM, Discordian said:

The way I see it, an antihero could just as easily be on the villain side as they are the hero side. Rainbow Dash would never willingly work against the other main five during a world crisis. Especially considering her element.

I see Rainbow dash as a Anti Heroes because deadpool Red x Redhood all are anti hero I would see Dashie would be a chaotic neutral  character being on both the villain side and the heroes side  

and anti heroes are morally grey character