Applejack: actually a lot younger than we think?

[A Talking Dragon 257]

Discussions in other places have got me thinking about the mane 6's age, particularly Applejack's. It's widely speculated that AJ is on the older end of the mane 6 group due to her maturity.

 

However when considering some things in the show I think Applejack might be one of the youngest of the mane 6.

 

 

1. In Cutie Mark Chronicles the mane 6 are portrayed around the CMCs age in the flashback. Applejack said that she was younger than the CMCs during the incident. Yet this is never stated to also be true for the rest of the mane 6.

 

2. Applejack seems to be more in line with Pinkie's current position in life rather than further along like Rarity, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash: she doesn't yet own her own home, is staying with people who look after her, nor has she shown any spending power like that of Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow, or even Pinkie Pie. She more along the lines of someone in their late teens than one already out in the world.

 

3. Applejack doesn't own Sweet Apple Acres. AJ is credited with organizing Sweet Apple Acres in a Twilight fashion yet Granny Smith hasn't yet passed the reins over to either her or Big Mac. As such Applejack is still able to leave for over a week for contests or deliveries; is not needed to supervise events like that of the Sisterhoove Social when it's held on the farm; nor was she the one putting up the farm to the Flim Flam brothers for a bet. In fact, Granny letting AJ organize the family reunion alone was seen as a big deal. So while AJ works where she lives, she's not that along enough in life to take on big responsibility.

 

4. Appleblooms' birth/SweetieBelle's birthday: AJ and Big Mac were already alone with Granny Smith during the Cutie Mark Chronicles. It would be odd for AJ's parent not to be around or even mentioned during the massive changes in their daughter's life. If they had already passed on Applebloom would of had to have be been born already--just still too young to be out and about. Applebloom and Sweetiebelle are both in the same year in classes so are around the same age. But with Sweetiebelle's fifth birthday we see Rarity is already fully grown or near enough. And by this point we know for certain these ponies aren't going by our world's pony growth standards. So even at earliest if Applebloom was being born when AJ got her cutiemark, that only leaves five years between a filly even younger than the CMCs and a mare in adult form. By this alone Rarity has to be older than Applejack and by more than a year.

 

5. Trixie singling Applejack out in the crowd and calling her "little hayseed" in Boast Busters. A light point though I don't think Trixie would pick Applejack first out of a group of ponies and use that comment if Applejack looked older or was at least taller.

 

 

The mane 6 ages aren't stated in the show but I think these points give clues where AJ would fall in age among them or the rest of the cast.

 

What are your thoughts on these points? Where do you think Applejack would fall in age compared to the rest of the mane 6?

 

 

 

 

 

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

It's interesting, because I've seen good arguments for both sides. Most fans think that AJ is one of the older mares of the Mane Six, but you're not the only one I've seen argue her being one of the youngest. You presented good evidence, but I'll go ahead and share my thoughts on your points.

 

1. Actually, Applejack said that she was "even littler than y'all." While AJ could be referring to age in this situation, she could very well be talking about size. It really isn't that clear. The reason I think she might be talking more about size is the fact that being a late bloomer was stated to be something that ran in the family in the Call of the Cutie episode. Granted, they were talking about being late to receive their cutie marks, but perhaps size was part of it?

 

2. I attribute Applejack's position in life more to the fact that she is supposed to be the quintessential family-centric character of the cast, so it makes sense to have her with at least one parental figure, and despite that, Applejack has consistently shown herself to be as much of a matriarch of the Apple family, if not more so than even that of Granny Smith. As for spending power, she's never been shown to be lacking it, she's just very business minded and does what she can to make the best profit. Farming doesn't exactly lead to a life of luxury, so if she seems poorer than Rarity it's probably because she is.

 

3. All very good points, but I think Applejack is slowly being groomed to take Granny Smith's spot. The thing to remember though is that while Applejack is very much capable of running Sweet Apple Acres on her own, she still has the utmost respect and admiration for her Granny. She probably doesn't want to take over until it's the right time, and for all we know that could be when Granny passes.

 

4. This is a really interesting case. Unfortunately, I think there's too many plotholes in the show to know for sure. When Applejack left the farm as a filly, Apple Bloom was nowhere in sight, which leaves us to wonder if she was born yet and if so, where she was. The growth rates of the ponies is also unknown, so while these points are interesting, I don't know if there's enough clues to come to that conclusion. Rarity could simply have grown quicker, or maybe Sweetie Belle is a bit younger than Apple Bloom. Seeing as she's the de facto sweetheart of the CMCs, it isn't unreasonable to think Sweetie is the youngest, even if they're in the same class. That being said, I CAN see Rarity being a year older than Applejack just as Fluttershy is to Pinkie Pie. I think most fans acknowledge Rarity as being one of the eldest.

 

5. I can't really put much stock into what Trixie says. She likely said that to make Applejack feel small and inferior to fire her up. Applejack later calls Trixie "missy" which is just as diminutive. I don't think age was being alluded to by either pony.

 

I tend to headcanon Applejack as being one of the three older ponies along with Rarity and Fluttershy, and this is mostly going by maturity level. I believe Twilight sits in the middle (4th to be precise) simply because that seems like a happy medium for the lead character. I could be wrong though. Glad to see another thought-provoking topic from you, A Talking Dragon. Been too long.

[cider float 2,535]

Going by what you said about Trixie calling Applejack a small hayseed sounds more or less calling her "small fry" as meaning Applejack has less worth than Trixie. Small fry is a term referred to people who have less merit than others regardless of body size.

 

Because I mean if what you say refers to age than that means Applejack and Rainbow Dash are older than Twilight because Rainbow Dash refers Twilight to a small pony in comparison to Applejack and Rainbow Dash when they were racing together.

[sweetolebob18 724]

In Apple Family Reunion  Granny tells Apple Bloom that reunions are every 100 moons & this is her 1st reunion.   Yes AJ says there was a reunion in episode 1 (during Griffon the Brush Off? ICR, but I think it was during season 1) but I think AJ misspoke there.  (If only because AB would remember being there).  IMO, there were a lot of Apples present, but it was NOT the official reunion.

 

They showed some of AJ's baby pictures & she looked about a year old.  If they were from 3 reunions back, that would mean she was 26 during that episode & 15 during the events of the Cutie Mark Chronicles.  (I think it occurred about 10 years before the pilot -but that is another thread) Remember, she was the last in her class to get her Cutie Mark & was old enough to hitch to Manehatten.

 

If you assume she was 17 during the Reunion, that makes her 7 at the time of the Chronicles.  That seems a little young to be hitch hiking & the last for a Cutie Mark 

 

The writers are damn near as careless of the details as Watson was about the Holmes stories.

Edited July 28, 2015 by sweetolebob18

[cider float 2,535]

The only indication of how old the ponies are is from Pinkie Pride when Rainbow Dash is blowing out 21 candles in the front, that would mean there's probably 20 candles at the back meaning Rainbow Dash is about 41 years old.

 

Edited July 28, 2015 by cider float

[A Talking Dragon 257]

It's interesting, because I've seen good arguments for both sides. Most fans think that AJ is one of the older mares of the Mane Six, but you're not the only one I've seen argue her being one of the youngest. You presented good evidence, but I'll go ahead and share my thoughts on your points.

 

1. Actually, Applejack said that she was "even littler than y'all." While AJ could be referring to age in this situation, she could very well be talking about size. It really isn't that clear. The reason I think she might be talking more about size is the fact that being a late bloomer was stated to be something that ran in the family in the Call of the Cutie episode. Granted, they were talking about being late to receive their cutie marks, but perhaps size was part of it?

 

2. I attribute Applejack's position in life more to the fact that she is supposed to be the quintessential family-centric character of the cast, so it makes sense to have her with at least one parental figure, and despite that, Applejack has consistently shown herself to be as much of a matriarch of the Apple family, if not more so than even that of Granny Smith. As for spending power, she's never been shown to be lacking it, she's just very business minded and does what she can to make the best profit. Farming doesn't exactly lead to a life of luxury, so if she seems poorer than Rarity it's probably because she is.

 

3. All very good points, but I think Applejack is slowly being groomed to take Granny Smith's spot. The thing to remember though is that while Applejack is very much capable of running Sweet Apple Acres on her own, she still has the utmost respect and admiration for her Granny. She probably doesn't want to take over until it's the right time, and for all we know that could be when Granny passes.

 

4. This is a really interesting case. Unfortunately, I think there's too many plotholes in the show to know for sure. When Applejack left the farm as a filly, Apple Bloom was nowhere in sight, which leaves us to wonder if she was born yet and if so, where she was. The growth rates of the ponies is also unknown, so while these points are interesting, I don't know if there's enough clues to come to that conclusion. Rarity could simply have grown quicker, or maybe Sweetie Belle is a bit younger than Apple Bloom. Seeing as she's the de facto sweetheart of the CMCs, it isn't unreasonable to think Sweetie is the youngest, even if they're in the same class. That being said, I CAN see Rarity being a year older than Applejack just as Fluttershy is to Pinkie Pie. I think most fans acknowledge Rarity as being one of the eldest.

 

5. I can't really put much stock into what Trixie says. She likely said that to make Applejack feel small and inferior to fire her up. Applejack later calls Trixie "missy" which is just as diminutive. I don't think age was being alluded to by either pony.

 

I tend to headcanon Applejack as being one of the three older ponies along with Rarity and Fluttershy, and this is mostly going by maturity level. I believe Twilight sits in the middle (4th to be precise) simply because that seems like a happy medium for the lead character. I could be wrong though. Glad to see another thought-provoking topic from you, A Talking Dragon. Been too long.

 

Thanks. It feels great to be doing this again. Hopefully I can make more of these in the near future.

 

1. I see what you're saying. I believe AJ meant age; how many times have you heard the phase "when I was little"? While it can be taken for size, often not people use it to refer to a stage in one's life. So when AJ says "even littler" than the CMCs, she refers to her growth state in life and being younger. And if you think about it there's no point in AJ comparing sizes within the same ages when someone with a large enough growth spurt like Big Mac is around.

 

2. Applejack has never been shown spending money. It's not from a lack of wanting either; from the Gala events we know there are things she wants but never had the bits for. Even when promising it she had to get it somewhere else instead of pulling from her own pocket.  No matter what the farm takes in it seems AJ is handed down money rather than taking from the top of the pile. Recall the only person we've seen in the family put forth large amounts of bits is Granny Smith.

 

3. As for responsibility, AJ's main role looks to be that of stall seller, with her helping around the farm in other tasks as a secondary role. In Applebuck season Big Mac headed the role for applebuck season with AJ learning about underestimating the job when he handed it down to her. Granny Smith does all the zap apple jam making--one of the two big income pulls--all by herself. And cider making is a team effort. AJ still organizes, though she's more new to it and has been overruled by Granny a couple of times.

 

So while I agree AJ more than Big Mac is moving to towards taking over the farm, when mlp started she was more third string there and was still quite inexperience at parts of her own job. Compare this to Rarity, Rainbow and Fluttershy who had already settled well into their roles and in two cases have moved up the chain.

 

4. I think there are enough clues for a guess. Sweetie Belle was five during her birthday--and half the size--years later SB is still a filly, just learning magic and going to school. How many other species can you think of that has about tens years go by and not have the creature in question grown up by that point?

 

5. Maybe, but Trixie doesn't know AJ personally to know what insults would stick. And did she refer to Twilight, Rainbow and Rarity the same?

 

Despite my arguements I can't say for certain where AJ would fall exactly in the group--Twilight is hardest to guess with privilege and studying masking the clues that would help. Though I don't think AJ would be in the upper end where Fluttershy and Rarity would be. Pinkie Pie and her would certainly be near each other age wise if I'm right.

 

 

The only indication of how old the ponies are is from Pinkie Pride when Rainbow Dash is blowing out 21 candles in the front, that would mean there's probably 20 candles at the back meaning Rainbow Dash is about 41 years old.

 

 

Visual media like this is about showing, and since heavy mystery isn't the point of mlp I think we were meant to see the 21 candles. Otherwise why 21 and why not just do the big one candle thing other shows do to get past listing the age? 21 matches Rainbow not being in school and gives enough time for her to make the upper positions of the weather team. 

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

I think they are young adults, as they work at jobs and are pretty young looking compared to other adult ponies.

[Orablanco Account 3,706]

The only indication of how old the ponies are is from Pinkie Pride when Rainbow Dash is blowing out 21 candles in the front, that would mean there's probably 20 candles at the back meaning Rainbow Dash is about 41 years old.

 

 

Seems legit.

 

Count me as one the folks who think Applejack is one of the oldest in the group. It was indicated that she's a late bloomer, so the lack of cutie mark and being "even littler" than the CMC during her flashback wouldn't be a solid indicator of age. Also, she probably still lives on the farm because, well, it's a family farm and she works on it. Not much need for her to be out on her own, and not much need to take over the farm when Granny Smith is still kicking and Big Mac is probably next in line anyway. Maybe. I dunno. Do apple farms work on the same system of inheritance as monarchs?

 

Anyway, basing it off "The Cutie Mark Chronicles," I'd say the order from oldest to youngest goes:

 

-Applejack: Based on the hints I've mentioned. As to why her parents aren't around during her decision to move to the city, it's possible she's moving there in the first place because she recently lost them and she's probably bummed out that they didn't get to see her earn her cutie mark and she's trying something new to see what happens. Maybe.

 

-Rarity: I'd assume she's around the same age as Applejack, as they appear to be on the same level mentally, if not personality-wise. She's old enough to have already have a boutique open when the show begins. As for the flashback, I always saw it as Rarity knowing for a long time that she wanted to get into fashion, but it took her awhile to really hit her stride with that school play, so she probably earned her cutie mark later than the others in the class. Plus it seems she's in the same class as Cheerilee, who's probably in the same age-range as Big Mac, who's older than the all the Mane Six.

 

-Fluttershy: Forgot if this was mentioned in the show or just my imagination, but I'd think she's be held back a little in flight school, and it probably took her longer to find her mark as well. Physically, I think her lankiness was due less to her age and had more to do with her general awkwardness.

 

- Pinkie Pie: Fluttershy is a year older, so that's easy to figure out.

 

- Twilight: Between her drive to learn all she could about magic as early as possible and her inherent talent as a prodigy, Twilight would earn her mark faster than other ponies.

 

- Rainbow Dash: Her voice is still cracking in Season 1, and she always struck me as someone right out of high school (dropping out or otherwise) who already thought they knew how everything was gonna work out for them and that her talent was gonna carry her through life without much trouble. She was actively rushing her cutie mark and actually brags about getting it before the others in her class.

 

On a side note, I think Applebloom was already born by the time Applejack got her cutie mark, it's just that she wasn't present when AJ left the farm. Sweetie Belle would be born shortly after Rarity got her mark, and then Scootaloo was born last.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 40,269]

I think the point of Applejack being on the farm still does not work mainly because that is the Apple Family Farm, that is where she works. 

 

It is amazing how detailed many of you can get with these analysis though, it is rather impressive. 

[sweetolebob18 724]

I mostly agree w Citrus King about the order of ages for the Mane 6 except I would say Twilight is younger than Dash.  In the Cutie Mark Chronicles she is applying for school.  That makes her 5 (for kindergarten) or 6 (1st grade) at that time.  The others (except perhaps Pinkie.  She was at home & not in a school activity) were all in school at that time & thus older.  Pinkie's age depends on "how much older than Dash is Fluttershy?"  Pinkie might be Dash's age or a year or 2 older

 

But, IMO, AJ is not only the oldest but is 4 or 5 years older than either Rarity or Fluttershy (the 2 next oldest)

[cuteycindyhoney 13,283]

1. In Cutie Mark Chronicles the mane 6 are portrayed around the CMCs age in the flashback. Applejack said that she was younger than the CMCs during the incident. Yet this is never stated to also be true for the rest of the mane 6.

 

To me, filly Twilight looked just a bit younger than filly Applejack in her "Cutey Mark Chronicles" flashback.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBJ4e6MeTfA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXmnWDyO44c

[Quinch 1,119]

I don't think anyone's thrown this wrench into the discussion, so I might as well.

 

Have you considered the possibility of different lifespan and rate of maturation in Equestria?

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

My theory is that her parents are dead and Granny Smith helped raise her and her siblings and Applejack runs the farm for her.