So, which G4 characters are original?

[Steve Piranha 29,453]

So, let me explain: we know many G4 characters came from previous Generations, either giving them slight alterations, being composite characters, etc. For example, Twilight Sparkle is based on a G1 pony simply named Twilight. Dashie is a G3 pony. Rarity also a G3 pony, with her peronality close of G3's Dashie. Applejack kept her name since G1. Fluttershy's appearance is based on G1's Posey and the name of a G3 pony reporter if I'm not mistaken, Sunset Shimmer might be Sunshimmer, etc. If we look further, many characters are from previous generations in one way or another, but I know there are many originating from this generation, and I think this number is increasing as the series progresses 

[superdogz1999 551]

One example of an original G4 pony is my favourite pony which is Minuette as she wasn't based on earlier generations.

[Steve Piranha 29,453]

One example of an original G4 pony is my favourite pony which is Minuette as she wasn't based on earlier generations.

Yeah, I think most background horses are original. Well, they weren't intended to be full fledged character in the first place  . I think Bon Bon/Sweetie Drops is an accidental aversion, it was just us who named her Bon Bon, but they kept naming her Sweetie Drops, until Slice of Life came, where Bon Bon is the cover name, and Sweetie Drops is her real name.

 

I think most toy exclusive ponies are from previous gen though  . I have to research on the matter 

[Justin_Case001 4,908]

Don't forget the villains, too.  I'm pretty sure Tirek was in G1, right?  Not sure about the others.  Isn't Nighmare Moon from 1?  Wasn't that the pilot?  Assault on Nightmare Moon's Castle or something?  Like, it was basically the same premise?

 

What about Discord?  He's gotta be original, right?  I don't think they ever had the idea to make Q before G4.  And I'm betting there was no Big Lebowski Ponies in G1-3.

[Malinter 3,064]

Rainbow Dash is a hybrid of G3 Rainbow Dash and an early gen pony named Firefly who is Lauren Faust's favourite pony and the one she uses as a DA name tho its slightly altered.

 

 I don't think they could get permission to use Firefly so they literally "Put Firefly's brain into Rainbow Dash's body" as she put it and that is how we have the Dashie we have now.

 

(In some of the concept designs on her DA i think it shows a Rainbow Dash in firefly's colour scheme)

Edited January 16, 2016 by Malinter

[Limeblossom 482]

Don't forget the villains, too.  I'm pretty sure Tirek was in G1, right?  Not sure about the others.  Isn't Nighmare Moon from 1?  Wasn't that the pilot?  Assault on Nightmare Moon's Castle or something?  Like, it was basically the same premise?

Tirek was G1 indeed. He appeared in Rescue at Midnight Castle together with Scorpan, who was also G1 Spike's friend.

[Steve Piranha 29,453]

Don't forget the villains, too.  I'm pretty sure Tirek was in G1, right?  Not sure about the others.  Isn't Nighmare Moon from 1?  Wasn't that the pilot?  Assault on Nightmare Moon's Castle or something?  Like, it was basically the same premise?

 

What about Discord?  He's gotta be original, right?  I don't think they ever had the idea to make Q before G4.  And I'm betting there was no Big Lebowski Ponies in G1-3.

Your Tirek question has been answered already. Nightmare Moon however, hasn't showed up in earlier Generations. In fact, pony villains in previous generations are practically non-existent, if at all

[zombienixon 330]

Your Tirek question has been answered already. Nightmare Moon however, hasn't showed up in earlier Generations. In fact, pony villains in previous generations are practically non-existent, if at all

 

G3 was the one with no villains.  G3.5 sort of had one.  But G1 had plenty, way more than G4 has.

[Steve Piranha 29,453]

G3 was the one with no villains.  G3.5 sort of had one.  But G1 had plenty, way more than G4 has.

Oh, sorry, my statement could be interpreted as previous gen had no villains, but what I meant to say, previous gen had no villains which are ponies. I think all ponies where good, maybe with the exception of some colts in MLP Tales, but they where probably just antagonistic to the demographic appeal rather than villains