Are the MLP characters complex?

[Dark Bun 681]

We've known about the backgrounds of the mane 6 for awhile now, and as far as I can tell they all seem to get a bit more character every episode (some more than others).

 

So today I'd like to ask if you consider any character in MLP complex or near life-like. I'll hold off my own opinion for the sake of being biased.

[user1342342 143]

I consider the mane five to have somewhat realistic personalities. Twilight not at all.

[碇 シンジン 27,437]

Ponies are complex characters with lots of depth, like Rarity for example, fashionista type of girly girl character. Her parents look more like farmer ponies so she had set her goals high at young age, she wanted to be a fashion designer and she had the passion and determination to succeed. She didn't accept dresses that weren't near perfect, always trying to better herself in everything. 

 

She is still so generous giving and loving towards others doing anything for her friends, deep bonding between her and her sister. Running her own show already and continuing a great success on her fashion career.

 

She is also so artistically talented pony, crafting beauty out of  thin air, most beautiful pony you will ever meet, or see. She could go anytime to canterlot and be one with the high society, but she decides to be with the ones she loves with the most important ponies in her life. Her friends and family<3

 

Her loving passion of her work, affect also people around her she helped Fluttershy to assert herself more with her passion for her and she supported and bevieved in her. Rarity is simply amazing character

I consider the mane five to have somewhat realistic personalities. Twilight not at all.

 

What in Twilight's character gives her unrealistic personality in your opinion?

[user1342342 143]

 

 

What in Twilight's character gives her unrealistic personality in your opinion?

 

She's nearly perfect in terms of personality. Her flaws and quirks are so minor they can hardly be considered flaws.   

[Nerdy Luigi 2,065]

Some are, but very few. Rarity and Pinkie Pie are probably the only two of the mane six with a life-like personality IMO.

[shy0wl 484]

I would definitely say they are complex characters.  Compared to other characters on other animated TV shows, they have the most personality and charisma that I have noticed.  In which makes them very relatable and extremely lovable.

[ProjectRKA 2,848]

Over the years their personalities have become more and more complex, to be honest. Especially Twilight has developed a whole lot since the very first episode, where she was just a girl who didn't really enjoy talking to other ponies that much or hanging out with them. We also have to keep in mind that the mane 6's personalities are exaggerated a lot, so their personalities are realistic to an extend. 

 

 

 

I consider the mane five to have somewhat realistic personalities. Twilight not at all.

I hope you mean the mane 6

[#1FluttershyFan 206]

Other than Twilight, I think the mane 5 have complex personalities and believable flaws. Fluttershy live up to her name in the shy fashion, and while it may take her a while to get up the nerve, she can also stand up for herself. Rainbow is trying to get to her dreams which is something many people relate to but sometimes she can become full of herself and it could hold her back. Rarity and Pinkie and doing what they love for a living (even though no money exchange is actually shown) and when they feel they aren't good enough to live up to pony's expectations or to their own, they feel deflated (for Pinkie, I mean literally) and have to overcome that. Apple Jack wants to always be there for her friends and family and feels compelled to always keep her word her problems arouse when she can't keep up with herself and bites off more than she can chew. 

Twilight, on the other hand, is essentially perfect personality-wise and while she does have to deal with problems, they aren't usually caused by her. She was more flawed before Magical Mystery Cure with her constant struggle to be a good student but once she became an Alicorn, that wasn't a problem anymore. Her flaws that she still has are so few and far between that they don't usually pose a problem.

[user1342342 143]

I hope you mean the mane 6

 

Quit sure I mean the mane 5, and not Twilight at all.

 

Twilight was never a complex character to begin with. She started out nearly perfect, and her one major flaw was overcame within the first episode. 

[Prince Firemane 309]

Most definitely. They've shown an array of different traits and thoughts that make them well-rounded characters. But moreover, the subtext goes on to imply a deeper and shockingly dark psychological profile; to the point that they'd all be broken messes if it weren't for the Elements of Harmony and them all becoming friends. They all desired love and did whatever they thought they needed to get it.

 

Fluttershy is, by her name, incredibly shy. She was shown to have been bullied in the past, so much so apparently that she's scared into silent immobility if somepony even talks to her. She also seemed not to have a good life in Cloudsdale at all; after she was saved from death by the mass of butterflies, she seems to have stayed on the ground and never looked back, abandoning any kind of home she had in favor of animal friends.

 

Rarity is a fashionista, she wants her name sparkling in lights in the centers of Manehattan and Canterlot. But it seems that she does it so ponies will know her name and shower her with praise. She might not have a good home life, or she displays a shocking level of narcissism. Either way, she's looking for love and in her mind, getting showered with praise by making extraordinary garments is the best way to get it. But it also causes her to slightly neglect Sweetie Belle, who she might've set down the same path if it weren't for her meeting Applebloom and Scootaloo.

 

Rainbow Dash, like Rarity, is trying to gain love from others' praise. She puts 110% into everything she does. She's always striving to be the best, to gain the praise and "love" she so desperately desires. Even from a young age, she knew she was capable, she performed a Sonic Rainboom which was always thought to be a mythical impossibility. She not only wanted to be the best, she knew she could be the best. This is why she idolizes the Wonderbolts so much, they represent the epitome of athletic greatness. To be one with that group would mean a share of that greatness, a share of that love.

 

Twilight Sparkle always dove into her books, devouring one after another in order to sate her demonic, gluttonous hunger for knowledge. She probably tried to make friends in her youth, with the help of Cadance or Shining Armor. But as so many highly intelligent young ones are, she was probably an outcast. She always had Cadance, Shining Armor and her parents, but that often isn't enough. After she became Celestia's student, she finally had a taste of love sourced outside her family and she wanted more. She does whatever she can to maintain that love, not risking anything that could damage it. When she was faced with a situation where she thought she could lose Celestia's love, she completely broke down. For this reason, she's probably the most mentally unstable of all the mane six. Even an absurd reason for losing Celestia's favor and love was enough to push her over the edge. In fact, it was directly shown that losing Celestia's favor and love was Twilight's greatest fear.

 

Pinkie Pie loves to create smiles and make ponies happy. Throwing elaborate parties for ponies is a way to gain their favor and love. She was directly shown not to have a good home life. She was constantly depressed on the rock farm and nopony in her family even smiled before the Sonic Rainboom. After that, she knew what real happiness was and after she threw her first party, she knew what it was like to gain ponies' love. Thus she takes these bonds exceptionally seriously and violating them in any form is an affront and betrayal to her very being. When she perceives a betrayal, she reacts with a volatile mix of rage and depression. When she believes her bonds to be permanently broken, it's such a shock that her mind actually splinters into separate personalities in an attempt to supplement those bonds. At the end of the day, she's incredibly insecure and is willing to do anything for somepony to even look at her.

 

Applejack works on her farm, but family is the most important thing in the world to her. She even considers the farm itself as a member of her family. This makes sense, considering the loss she's gone through. Her parents are gone, she's suffered a great loss that nopony her age should. Now she does everything she can to keep what's left of her family, what's left of her love. She lost her mind and traveled half-way across a continent to make sure Applebloom wasn't in danger, she was willing to drive herself to death in order to save her farm. She even ran to the ends of Equestria when she believed she failed her family, when she believed she lost their love. She was not going to return until she felt she did right by them.

 

Even if all this is bullshit, the really amazing thing about these characters is that they've shown an incredible ability to grow and mature. Fluttershy's not so shy anymore. Rarity and Rainbow Dash are more comfortable with themselves. Twilight and Pinkie Pie have learned to love themselves. Applejack lets others love her. This is a level of maturity and growt that's a rarity in children's programming.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Prince Firemane

[Celli 4,341]

Wow, can we not go into how "perfect" Twilight is? They all have complex personalities, including Twilight, regardless of what you might think.

[user1342342 143]

Wow, can we not go into how "perfect" Twilight is? They all have complex personalities, including Twilight, regardless of what you might think.

 

Regardless of what you might think, not everybody agrees that Twilight is complex, or even that good of a character.

[Mesme Rize 15,687]

Regardless of what you might think, not everybody agrees that Twilight is complex, or even that good of a character.

 

Oh shit, here we go again. This ride surely never ends.

 

I think they are rather complex by cartoon standards, since all 6 have great personalities that everybody can relate or look up to. But i wouldn't say that they are incredibly complex to the point, that they're like the greatest personalities in TV history.

[Nature's Spell 526]

Regardless of what you might think, not everybody agrees that Twilight is complex, or even that good of a character.

Regardless what you think not everybody agrees with you either. I happen to dislike Pinky Pie and often Rainbow, but I don't shout it from the mountain top as some like to do with Twilight. I accept them for the role they play in the show. We all have opinions, but we don't have to always share them.

 

Yes they are all complex, but the writers don't always use that complexity and don't use it equally. The individual story seems to come first and can override continuity and past lessons.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Nature's Spell

[Tao 8,284]

I think we have seen more layers given to the Mane Six as the show has gone

on and having to change and evolve given the moments in their lives they had to

question things.  

 

Fluttershy have over come fears such as singing in public a bit

and now says no and puts her hoof down while at the at the start of the show she was

a weepy and weak and have little backbone in dealing with fights and stress.  

 

While with Dash (not my fav pony) seems to work better in a team and to even ask for help when needing

it while in the start was all: I'M THE BEST! ITS ALL BOUT ME ME ME!.

 

So they have changed a bit here and there...

[Celli 4,341]

One more thing. The idea that Twilight is now, or has ever been perfect, is both wrong and complete and utter nonsense.

[Concerned Bystander 2,904]

I love the mane six on the whole, they are all good characters, they have easily relatable personalities, charisma, charm and each has their own endearing quirks and traits.

 

However, I don't think I'd go as far to call any of them complex.  Their charm lies in their simplicity, their behaviour is largely predictable and governed by the element that each of them represents.  I don't mean that as a criticism, I mean it as a compliment.  The characters are largely realistic, but the program itself is pure fantasy, and although complex and deep characters are essential in some places, the very opposite it what works so well in MLP.  They're not shallow by any means, they have their own depths, but those depths are generally within the limits of a tightly defined character.

 

Again, I love them all, to a greater or lesser extent (even Rarity).

[Megas 27,860]

All of the mane 6 have their traits that make them complex, unique, and give them their quirks. Anyone who says otherwise are either blatantly lying to themselves or so damn blind that spend way too much time whining about flaws that really aren't as significant as they think

Edited July 1, 2015 by Megas75

[Justin_Case001 4,907]

I think they're all complex and dynamic.  They've all shown multiple sides to their personalities.

 

Twilight was never a complex character to begin with. She started out nearly perfect, and her one major flaw was overcame within the first episode. 

Well, I disagree that she's not complex.  I relate to her a lot.  But is a character only good if they're irreparably broken?  She doesn't need to be Dr. House to be a good character.  (Not trying to change your mind.  You don't have to like her.)  Now, I do agree that the writers don't always handle her as well as they could, and she's sometimes portrayed as overly perfect.  The last two episodes made me think this in particular.  I especially didn't care for how Pinkie singlehoofedly saved the day in Party Pooped, yet the credit went to "Twilight and her friends."  But I still think she's a great character, and I don't think it's fair how she's constantly attacked like she's the worst fictional character ever created.  I also don't think it's entirely fair to say that she's completely unrealistic in terms of personality.  I feel like I'm very similar to her in terms of personality.  So I guess I'm completely unrealistic.

[Midnight Justice 70]

One more thing. The idea that Twilight is now, or has ever been perfect, is both wrong and complete and utter nonsense.

 

She tries to be, but she's not.  When things don't go perfectly Twilight has the tendency to go a little bonkers.  Don't tell me no one knows anyone with a Type A+ personality that goes stir crazy when things start going wrong.  Twilight also has a deep seated need for validation, especially from Princess Celestia that while it has been muted somewhat since becoming an alicorn is still there.  

[Concerned Bystander 2,904]

1CJB makes a fair point, although perhaps a little harshly.

 

This is a highly subjective topic, and everyone's opinion is valid.  Those that have to resort to attacking the opinions of others instead of expressing their own views in a rational manner lower the tone of the discussion for everyone.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Concerned Bystander

[Cloud Strife 928]

Quit sure I mean the mane 5, and not Twilight at all.

 

Twilight was never a complex character to begin with. She started out nearly perfect, and her one major flaw was overcame within the first episode. 

 

Considering the fact that Twilight's major flaw of anxiety is the central focal conflict of Lesson Zero, that is not only opinion-wrong but is also just simply factually incorrect.

 

Twilight not only has a flaw, she has something that could be considered an outright disability. She shows very, very blatant signs of having something like obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Lesson Zero highlights it perfectly; her mind took these huge leaps of mental gymnastics to reach a ridiculous conclusion (Magic Kindergarten, seriously?) just because she would be 'late' for a friendship lesson, and that is how obsessive-compulsive disorder actually works. That trait also resurfaces in It's About Time, in which a majority of the conflict there is also created by her worrying too much over something she shouldn't worry about, obsessing about the future and using compulsive behaviors in order to alleviate those worries within her own head, only to come to the conclusion that she was freaking out over nothing later.

 

And while it hasn't been the driving force of a plot since then, it has definitely shown in other episodes. Swarm of the Century had an example of her visibly freaking out and trying to delude herself that everything is fine in order to comfort herself. In both the Equestria Girls movie and the finale of season 4, she's obsessively troubled over her role. There's another episode in season 4 she also freaks out in, but I can't remember it right now... Also, Twilight drives a lot of conflict within Bats! as well.

 

She likes to make you believe she's perfect and level-headed, and you've fallen for it. But she isn't. She's a perfectionist. While Twilight can handle a good amount of pressure, once she snaps, she snaps really bad. The easiest way to demonstrate this is through Applejack, who is much more easygoing, and her stubbornness is her only real negative trait. Applejack barely ever folds under pressure, except when it comes to her family, and even then she tends to maintain it to a greater degree than Twilight does.

 

...In fact, why haven't these two have a solo episode? It would make it much easier to bring out Twilight's flaws with Applejack's far more level-headed and sensible demeanor.

Edited July 1, 2015 by Luigi

[Celli 4,341]

Not completely, but damn near.

 

 

Wrong. Not even close to perfect. I could see your point after season 3, but the first 2, don't kid yourself. Name me points where she was so perfect.

Considering the fact that Twilight's major flaw of anxiety is the central focal conflict of Lesson Zero, that is not only opinion-wrong but is also just simply factually incorrect.

 

Twilight not only has a flaw, she has something that could be considered an outright disability. She shows very, very blatant signs of having something like obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Lesson Zero highlights it perfectly; her mind took these huge leaps of mental gymnastics to reach a ridiculous conclusion (Magic Kindergarten, seriously?) just because she would be 'late' for a friendship lesson, and that is how obsessive-compulsive disorder actually works. That trait also resurfaces in It's About Time, in which a majority of the conflict there is also created by her worrying too much over something she shouldn't worry about, obsessing about the future and using compulsive behaviors in order to alleviate those worries within her own head, only to come to the conclusion that she was freaking out over nothing later.

 

And while it hasn't been the driving force of a plot since then, it has definitely shown in other episodes. Swarm of the Century had an example of her visibly freaking out and trying to delude herself that everything is fine in order to comfort herself. In both the Equestria Girls movie and the finale of season 4, she's obsessively troubled over her role. There's another episode in season 4 she also freaks out in, but I can't remember it right now... Also, Twilight drives a lot of conflict within Bats! as well.

 

She likes to make you believe she's perfect and level-headed, and you've fallen for it. But she isn't. She's a perfectionist. While Twilight can handle a good amount of pressure, once she snaps, she snaps really bad. The easiest way to demonstrate this is through Applejack, who is much more easygoing, and her stubbornness is her only real negative trait. Applejack barely ever folds under pressure, except when it comes to her family, and even then she tends to maintain it to a greater degree than Twilight does.

 

...In fact, why haven't these two have a solo episode? It would make it much easier to bring out Twilight's flaws with Applejack's far more level-headed and sensible demeanor.

That's pretty much spot on.

[Jeric 46,867]

Full disclosure, the topic has been cleaned up. Watch the aggressiveness guys. 

 

 

---

 

 

Yes, they are written complexly and can be interpreted as such. Each has demonstrated additional levels of motivation and flaws. That alone is one of the defining traits of a complex character. The fact that some of the flaws are actually in opposition to their element makes it deliciously complex for me.   So which ones?

 

All of them. 

[ponylaces 1,870]

I find Scootaloo an incredibly realistic character becau-

Sorry, back to the mane 6. ;P

 

Yeah, I think they're complex. That's a reason why so many people love the show and feel connected to the characters. Because they're relatable, have had great character development, and have many layers to their personalities.

 

Just to toss my opinion out there: Twilight is complex like the rest of the mane 6. She has flaws now and has always had flaws, just like the others.