Do OCs have to be show accurate?

[Kivil 1,721]

So I am on instagram and I am chatting, no arguing with this person about how ocs have to be show accurate. I'm telling her (her bio says they are a girl) not all OC creators want their oc to be show accurate. Like my oc Echo is a blind pony who uses echolocation to "see" her surroundings. She goes on to tell me that there are design rules that you have to abide by to make ocs (how you draw ears, wings, etc.). For one I don't think that is true and for second there is this thing call art style and everyone has their own art style they like to go on with.

 

 

I want to know what you guys think about this and I want to know if you think your oc is show accurate. I need to go drink some milk before I explode with anger.

[immortal storm 52]

not quite they just have to be beliveable

[Sporemane 546]

My personal preference would be a show accurate OC. I realy like the shows character design.

[PinkiePie97 913]

I prefer show accurate OCs, but as long as you can tell it's MLP, I don't have an issue if your OC isn't show accurate. Since you asked if we think our OCs are show accurate, I'd say this is show accurate.

[Sunny Fox 5,952]

No, I wouldn't say so. I mean, in fanart, characters are entirely recognizable, but style, medium and artistic expression often go far afield from what would be considered "show accurate". Do what you like with your OC... just don't make it an alicorn who is more magical than Twilight, faster than Rainbow Dash, friendlier than Pinkie Pie, kinder than Fluttershy, etc. Otherwise, I'd say anything goes.

[Raven Rawne 1,381]

Personal art style is one thing, and as far as I'm concerned, every artist is free to draw their ponies the way they want, not just show accurately. The key issue is whenever an OC made in specific, non-canon style could be translated into show accurate style without looking totally out of place, or like some mutant. So as far as looks are concerned, the artist's style is not an issue, but rather keeping the canon rules witch make the character believeable and normal looking when translated to canon style.

 

Example - making an OC with a high fantasy unicorn fetlocks and a long doglike tail won't pass the transcription into canon realities, but giving them spots on their coat like a Palomino horse may work.

[cmarston1 5,959]

Not really.  OC's are supposed to be a form of personal expression and thus anything goes.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

Unless you're planning on using the oc in the Equestrian Empire, I don't think it has to be that accurate. 

[ShadOBabe 19,003]

You don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to with your art.

 

Yeah, show accurate OCs are impressive looking, and giving them abilities that respect show canon lends a nice level of quality to them. BUT there's a lot of room for creativity in Equestria. There's a lot of things that we don't know of in that world.

 

But yeah, if your art style makes them look different than the show style that's fine.

Just as long as it looks consistent and appealing.

[Eiwly 77]

lol what that girl is doing is policing other peoples art and she needs to chill. having show accurate oc's is entirely up to the owner's opinion, and if someone want's to draw or write about their oc to fit show canon, that's entirely up to them. I've seen this before, and I honeslty don't get why some people get soooo upset over what other's do with THEIR characters. like people who get upset over other's characters need to take a deep breath and go outside.

 

not to mention there are some people (coughme) who don't always wanna draw their characters show style? it's fun but it's not for everyone. I like having backstories that fit show canon, but art-wise my style is faaar different. lol everyone's so sensitive now a days, getting upset over everything. sheesh it's called staying in your own lane~

[Moon Sugar 532]

My OC has a longer tail and appleoosa markings similiar to Luna. Not show accurate but can blend in a little better than some I guess.

But no, does not have to be show accurate at all!

[cider float 2,538]

Nobody can take away what you do to your OC but just know that there are people that prefer if any fan related material based on My Little Pony is still somewhat canon or believable in canon. It has more to do with how you will interact with others that are into My Little Pony.

 

 

[LHfunk 422]

Well, considering OC stands for original character, I think they should be at least acceptable in the universe of the show. It is supposed to be a character after all.

[cider float 2,538]

Here's the thing when you show your OC off, there will be people that prefer it to stay in canon so they will either criticize it or just move on. Then there will be folks that do the same thing as you who will either move on or say they like it if they like it.

[Comic Sans 401]

By my own personal preference, I prefer OC's to be show accurate.

[VengefulStrudel 1,495]

Nope, there's no correct or false ways when it comes to design, make them as you see fit. If you want to give your OC different wings, ears, muzzle or whatever, you're free to do it - that doesn't mean that its design would be bad (or good) solely based on whether or not a 'rule' was broken.

 

It also comes down to one's preferences. For example, I like it when artists use their own style to create OCs (and canon characters), while I usually skip past ones that are show-accurate.

[FizzyGreen 909]

Not exactly. If you want to put all of them in the same universe, then yes. They have to kind of live after the same rules. Like, everyone should have a good story and not be overly OP. The story should also tell like "Yeah, and he's like the son of Tirek and Discord 'n shit.", nah, that ain't work that way. Normal OCs, who are accurate with slight ajustments are ok. But not like... well... dunno. That. Mary Sue.

[Lonk Chase 255]

It's Van Goth Syndrome.

People hate it when it comes out but later people might like it.

 

So, HECK NO.

 

 

Thought it might prove a point maybe...

 

 

Edited December 22, 2015 by lonkfania