Are the movies canon or not?

[Th3 Arb1tur 26]

So one thing I'm still confused about is are the movies considered cannon. If they aren't then are they just their own alternate universe or an alternate timeline or something? Anyway this has been kinda buggin me since I just rewatched them.

[BlinkZ 1,151]

Well they are seperate in a way but are also Cannon.  it jsu that the show never mentiones it.  I mean the end bit of Freindship games does kind of confirm it.  So yeah you won't be seeing Sunset Shimmer in MLP:FIM just equetria girls.

[Roughshod 719]

It's considered it's own separate canon for the most part. The writers have claimed they have no effect on the actual show's development and the events in the movies are never mentioned. Though strangely the show's events are mentioned in the ending of Friendship Games. So I guess the rule is Friendship is Magic can effect Equestria Girls to some extent but not the other way around.

[PiratePony 8,476]

Yes canon. The events of EQG just isn't enough to warrant mentioning in the show FIM, because nothing has directly affected anything in Equestria. If the movies directly affected something in Ponyland, then I'm sure it'd be mentioned in the show.

 

And who knows, there might be a crossover at some point, it just hasn't happened yet.

[cider float 2,538]

I suppose it is canon to the main storyline.

Edited March 5, 2016 by cider float

[Dark Qiviut 22,445]

Every EQG film is canon, but they're self-contained so you won't be forced to follow them.

[Megas 27,765]

According to Meghan, they are, but their self-contained enough so those who don't like it don't have to follow it

[Concerned Bystander 2,903]

The are allegedly canon, but so far they have never so much as mentioned the events of any of the EQG films in FiM, therefore their net effect on the FiM universe is precisely zero so to all intents and purpuses the EQG universe doesn't exist in FiM.  On the other hand, FiM has been heavily referenced in EQG and so there is definitely cross-canon but only really in one direction.

[Luminance 2,186]

EQG is cannon to Fim, but Fim is not canon in EQG.

[Sidral Mundet 1,666]

Well it's in a very grey spot. The movies are clearly tied into FIM's story and development and won't ever break from what the show has established, but the show won't be held to the same standard, mostly wanting to not alienate viewer who may have not seen said movies.  So technically the show is canon to the movies, but the movies aren't necessarily canon with the show. That being said they most likely are but aren't ever going to be mentioned in the show so we'll have no confirmation either way. 

[Metemponychosis 1,262]

I treat them, like the comics, as secondary canon. They are true until they contradict the show, and when they do, that particular thing that was contradicted is not canon, independent of the rest as far as logic dictates.

[Starlet Harmony 128]

I definitely think that they are cannon since it's a legit thing from the creators... but I would also consider it a "secondary cannon" like the comics like metempsychosis mentioned.

[Kyoshi Frost Wolf 41,727]

From what I know, they are apparently canon, but I seriously wish that they weren't. 

[KatonRyu 1,033]

I thought they were supposed to be canon, but since they're so isolated from the plot of FiM you can choose to disavow all knowledge of them, the way I do with certain comics like the Nightmare Forces and the Sirens' backstory in Fiendship #2.

 

Also, just because I can't resist: ARM THE MOVIE CANNON! (Please don't take this seriously, I do this every time I see 'canon' spelled as 'cannon'.)

[Th3 Arb1tur 26]

I thought they were supposed to be canon, but since they're so isolated from the plot of FiM you can choose to disavow all knowledge of them, the way I do with certain comics like the Nightmare Forces and the Sirens' backstory in Fiendship #2.

 

Also, just because I can't resist: ARM THE MOVIE CANNON! (Please don't take this seriously, I do this every time I see 'canon' spelled as 'cannon'.)

I meant cannon, take a look at my profile pic. I am cyborg cowboy do you doubt my cannons?

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

Not sure how EG can be used to shoot big ass projectiles . Joking aside, yes, they're canon, but they don't affect FiM overall (for now, I would like Sunny visiting Equestria, or human Pinks doing shenanigans there  )

[VengefulStrudel 1,495]

I think they aren't, but if they are, then there hasn't been any reference to 'em in the actual show. Personally, I don't mind the separation. I'd like to see Sunset Shimmer in the show though, but Starlight's probably gonna take her place in the new season.

[Castle Bleck 19,379]

They are, but in a way that doesn't affect the main show.

 

It's a little multiverse they've got going on there.

[Justin_Case001 4,903]

According to Meghan, they are, but their self-contained enough so those who don't like it don't have to follow it

And thank Celestia for that.  I like to pretend they're not canon.  Then again, I also like to pretend that Daring Don't isn't canon.  And I like to pretend the Cute Map isn't canon.  The map, not the episode.  That map is evil.  Yeah, I'm a real piece'a work.

[Roughshod 719]

According to Meghan, they are, but their self-contained enough so those who don't like it don't have to follow it

That's exactly what I said! In fact I actually expounded on the idea with more detail and observation, but you get brohooved and I don't?

 

That's some rank privilege right there.

_________________

 

The character Flash Sentry, who was first introduced in Equestria Girls, has appeared in the show in pony form. So they aren't completely seperated. There are at least nods to the some of the events in the films.

 

And then there was this little incident.

 

 

 

But it hasn't been mentioned in the show. Which isn't all that surprising when you consider all the crazy shenanigans that go on in Equestria.

 

The biggest cross-canon event influencing the show that could transpire would be if Sunset Shimmer and/or the Humane 6 came over to Equestria. It will most likely never happen, for one thing all the exposition and back story that would be required in order to explain everything going on would be immense. But it would be neat to see a Mane 13.

And I like to pretend the Cute Map isn't canon.  The map, not the episode.  That map is evil.

How exactly is the map evil? What's your contention with it?

[SolyWack 482]

What I really want, is for FiM to reference EQG directly. That way this issue can no longer be contested.

 

Then I'll sit back, and watch the world burn before me.

 

It would be magnificent.

[AlbaTross 1,586]

All B canon material is canon. That goes for the comics and novels as well. Due to its status however, no B canon material can directly influence the show, or else things would get way too complicated. We'd have a TV series that has to take a lot more material into account, and it would all form a really complex and difficult to follow canon. Some people enjoy more complex canons. I know I do. However, if the show was difficult to follow it would lose more fans than it would gain. Hence, B canon material exists as optional stuff that expands on the story of FiM. Now we have a canon that is as simple or complex as we want it to be. With the other series, we can choose to accept none of it, all of it, or just some of it.

 

EQG is the easiest side canon to follow. However, it has also become a bit of a nucleus for surrounding B canon material based on it. However, fans could just choose to follow the movies as extra stuff to enjoy between seasons, and that makes it the least intimidating additional series to check out. Moreover, it's also produced by some of the same staff that work on the show, and is complete with voice acting, music and of course, animation. However, it's still a spinoff series and it does have to follow the same rules as other B canon stuff. It can't directly impact the show in any way, and it's doubtful that it will ever be acknowledged directly in the show either. That led to an amnesiac moment on Spike's part in season 4, but...yeah, that's a thing.

 

The point is, EQG is canon, but it's a different part of the overall canon that has more rules surrounding it. It doesn't have to be a part of the canon you follow, so while it's incorrect to say it's non-canon it doesn't have to be a part of your canon. On the other hand, if you are a fan of it and want to follow it, it's there. I think that clears up one of the major myths surrounding B canon material.

[Justin_Case001 4,903]

What I really want, is for FiM to reference EQG directly. That way this issue can no longer be contested.

 

Then I'll sit back, and watch the world burn before me.

 

It would be magnificent.

Yeah, that'd be a thing all right.  I think I would go cry in a corner if this happened.

 

 

That's exactly what I said! In fact I actually expounded on the idea with more detail and observation, but you get brohooved and I don't?

Okay, okay, I'm sorry.  Here you go.  I just didn't notice that post before.  (I know you're just kiddin around.  So am I.)

 

 

How exactly is the map evil? What's your contention with it?

https://mlpforums.com/topic/136267-are-the-6-slaves-to-the-map/?hl=six+slaves+map#entry4040720

[Roughshod 719]

Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Here you go. I just didn't notice that post before. (I know you're just kiddin around. So am I.)

Hehe yeah. For one thing you're more well known around here than I am which could be a factor, plus people like concise, to the point answers. Something that can evade me in my... disputatious posting style.

 

https://mlpforums.com/topic/136267-are-the-6-slaves-to-the-map/?hl=six+slaves+map#entry4040720[/url]

Well that is quite a bit of headcanon you have there. I'm not sure I would qualify that as evil where the map is concerned but you did state your case considerably.

 

I think I will give a more elaborate comment on that thread.

Hence, B canon material exists as optional stuff that expands on the story of FiM. Now we have a canon that is as simple or complex as we want it to be. With the other series, we can choose to accept none of it, all of it, or just some of it.

This is the best summation I've seen of the issue of canon in the MLP universe. It's open to interpretation and doesn't need to be disputed or reconfigured. The canons are parallel and not firing at one another. You can choose which ones you want to party with.

 

Edit: Stupid phone...

Edited March 8, 2016 by Roughshod

[CT-1138 3,182]

If I recall, I remember one of the writers saying they're canon in the fact that they happen, but they do not affect or interfere with the main show in any way. 

Edited April 2, 2016 by Dinos4Ever