Is the show too slice of life?

[Thrond 3,264]

I don't hate adventure episodes in this show, but I think that focusing on adventure or action detracts from what makes this show work so well, which is for me the characters. I was impressed by more story-driven episodes like the two-parters back when they were rare and novel, but the slice-of-life episodes are much better at delivering plain old quality, and more of my favourite episodes are slice-of-life than adventure. It allows for more fun character interactions, but it also allows for what I think this show should focus on: character development. Slice-of-life episodes can provide down-to-earth problems that are not only more relatable but allow for deeper themes and reveal more about the character overall.

 

In other words: No, there's no such thing as too slice-of-life in this show. Slice-of-life is what My Little Pony *is* for me, and while it's not always done perfectly, the format just suits the show far better. 

Nope, I mean objectively. FIM isn't designed for Dragonball ripoffs or empty fight scenes. We're here because FIM's a character-driven show: If we didn't care about the characters, then FIM wouldn't blossom into popularity with staying power. What genre executes character-driven conflicts better? Slice of life. DHX uses the genre to its advantage. Most of the best episodes are slice-of-life. Collectively, the adventure episodes aren't as well-written as the slice-of-life ones.

That's a subjective statement. 

[Foxy Socks 2,600]

Not really. I am not sure, but even if it is, that isn't a bad thing. After all, it is based on friendship. However adventure adds to it as well. I think it is doing great!

Edited July 7, 2016 by Namae

[CastletonSnob 3,080]

Should the show stop doing adventure episodes altogether?

[Thrond 3,264]

Should the show stop doing adventure episodes altogether?

Nah, they're fun every now and then. Definitely happy to have fewer of them lately, though. 

[Lil Pip 775]

^{I didn't understand slice of life til I read some books with good character development, but I do like eventfulness and humor.}

[Babyyoshi309 1,829]

Slice of Life? More like Slice is Life!

[NullAccount 287]

I much prefer slice of life over adventure, but I do like the occasional episode like Gauntlet of Fire, which manages to be a bit adventurous, but still maintain the slice of life we love.

[Blackshirt Brony 415]

Yes and it's starting to bother me somewhat.

[Princess Book Horse 353]

While I do love SoL episodes, I seriously think we should see new areas more often. With the way the map was hyped up, I figured we would be seeing around 6-8 map episodes per season and I didn't think Manehattin or Canterlot would be one of them. Not to mention, this season's theme is "Explore Equestria" and 15 episodes in, we haven't seen one new area. (I'm counting the next 3 because we know where they are taking place.)

[CastletonSnob 3,080]

More adventure episodes would be more interesting than an episode like Applejack's Day off, where nothing happens, or an episode taking place in Manehattan for the 74th time.

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

Hmm.

Alright, let me put it this way: I LIKE slice of life. Slice of life is good, it lets us see development of the characters, and it can lead to some very good episodes.
But I also LOVE adventure episodes: Hell, I want the IDW comics to pretty much be 100% adventure arcs.

 

I would love for an increase in adventure to be done, up to like 40% or so, as I feel they can lead to some good episodes and also, ironically, help to pad things out since the lessons they learn in those episodes are drastically different than those that one can learn in a SOL episode (Compare how characters in the 2012 TMNT still learn a lesson each episode for example despite it being an action show). But I don't think that SOL episodes are inherently BAD.


now, one thing though, were they to go the Adventure route, I think they'd probably want to look again at the EOH and try and do a more magical girl function with the mane six and them in order to do Adventure episodes better, like power ponies or whatnot, since there IS a massive issue of Power discrepancy in that Twilight kind of amounts to the other 5 all combined more or less in an adventure scenario

 

 

Should the show stop doing adventure episodes altogether?

OH HELL NO! XD

Not to mention that would pretty royally screw over the guardians of harmony line they're trying to make if they suddenly stopped with adventure XD (That being said, I also wouldn't want them to divorce all adventure from FIM and put it in GOH: FIM has strong roots in having adventure aspects for the two parters, and would feel incredibly lessened if you deleted it)

[SolyWack 482]

Everyone's defending SoL because the show is "character driven", but that argument barely works 6 seasons later. The characters aren't developing anymore.

 

Twilight understands friendship,

Fluttershy sticks up for what she believes in,

Rarity figured out how to balance generosity and work (along with having 3 shops),

Rainbow Dash isn't a narcissistic POS, she understands humility. (a step back if you ask me, it was pretty funny)

Applejack was always perfect knows that you can't be protective and stubborn all the time, especially with family and friends.

Pinkie Pie knows her actions have effects on the world around her, and that making someone happy isn't always so B&W.

 

What more is there? Starlight? More people hate her than like her. Spike? Luna? Celestia? Cadance? Give me a break. They've had six seasons and Luna has 2 episodes, and Spike has 2 good ones. No one else other than the characters I've mentioned have ever gotten any development.

 

I know each of the characters inside out. The only way I could know more is to look up fictional pony anatomy and study it. I like the Slice of Life just as much as Joe Blow and John Doe, but I want to see my favorite characters kick a** for once.

Edited July 8, 2016 by SolyWack

[Jackie Snack 1,498]

This show being in the slice of life genre is the only reason I really liked it. I can rarely relate to the episodes anymore.

[Thrond 3,264]

Everyone's defending SoL because the show is "character driven", but that argument barely works 6 seasons later. The characters aren't developing anymore.

I'm going to hop on this point to further explain my position here. I like slice-of-life episodes more in theory than in practice, more for what I want them to do than for what they actually do right now. I do agree that the main characters aren't developing a whole lot anymore, but they should be, and slice-of-life episodes are simply a lot better at that. If adventure episodes don't replace character interaction and character development for worldbuilding and action, then sure, more of those, but I feel that's a fair bit harder to do in adventure episodes.

 

With that said, I still think recent slice-of-life episodes are on average much better than recent adventure episodes, particularly because they often have more fun character interactions. Right now the show needs to embrace its sitcom-y side, I feel. I'm sure not against adventure episodes existing, but adventuring and "kicking ass" aren't really why I watch the show in the first place. Plus, and here's what I argue every time this comes up: If there's no more room for the main characters to develop, then to me that means the show should end. I don't disagree that the main characters aren't developing much lately, but that's part of the problem. I feel that, in this character-driven show, if the characters have hit a ceiling, then the show itself doesn't really have anywhere left to go. 

 

More adventure episodes would be more interesting than an episode like Applejack's Day off, where nothing happens, or an episode taking place in Manehattan for the 74th time.

 

So many people complain about this but I have zero problem with seeing Manehattan again, especially because it furthers Rarity's character arc and provides a backdrop for some really entertaining episodes. Setting "The Saddle Row Review" in Manehattan is essential to some of that episode's best qualities. 

This show being in the slice of life genre is the only reason I really liked it. I can rarely relate to the episodes anymore.

I actually think the show's slowly pulling itself in the right direction now, but yeah, it's been way, way too long since I've really been able to relate to an episode or even understand how others might. That was this show's greatest strength once. 

[Jackie Snack 1,498]

I actually think the show's slowly pulling itself in the right direction now, but yeah, it's been way, way too long since I've really been able to relate to an episode or even understand how others might. That was this show's greatest strength once. 

The last episode I actually enjoyed in the series was 'Pinkie Apple Pie', where they go to find the possible family connection. Hilariously, the majority, if not all of AJ's episodes are my favorite, because they are by far the most relatable episodes, as well as the most real. AJ usually deals with real issues (especially early on in the series.)

 

I wouldn't know about anything after 'Pinkie Apple Pie', because the episodes generally stopped being interesting, so I stopped watching.

[Thrond 3,264]

The last episode I actually enjoyed in the series was 'Pinkie Apple Pie', where they go to find the possible family connection. Hilariously, the majority, if not all of AJ's episodes are my favorite, because they are by far the most relatable episodes, as well as the most real. AJ usually deals with real issues (especially early on in the series.)

 

I wouldn't know about anything after 'Pinkie Apple Pie', because the episodes generally stopped being interesting, so I stopped watching.

There's an occasional uptick but it's not improved much since season 4. I like what the show's doing now, but it's certainly not the kind of relatable story it did in earlier seasons. 

[Wind Chaser 4,768]

The adventure/fantasy/slice-of-life balance was one of the bigger draws of this show. One thing that's usually a constant in this show is the use of fantasy elements to bring new life to well-worn and classic slice-of-life plots.

 

I wouldn't say that the show's gone too deep into the slice-of-life territory. If there's anything wrong with Season 6, it's not the style but the actual content of the stories, which have largely become more predictable and pedestrian than the best of seasons before. This shifts more of the burden onto the technical presentation to deliver a satisfying episode and makes said fantasy elements more laudable when they actually are implemented.

Edited July 8, 2016 by Wind Chaser

[Dark Qiviut 22,514]

Everyone's defending SoL because the show is "character driven", but that argument barely works 6 seasons later. The characters aren't developing anymore.

Wrong.

1. Twilight has to adjust to being Starlight's teacher and figure out the best methods to guide her without sabotaging her.
2. Fluttershy used her growth from past episodes to stand up to Zephyr and deliver the tough love needed to straighten him up.
3. Rarity had to figure out how to succeed in Manehattan amidst severe time pressure.
4. AJ needed to learn that just because you're used to the methods of successfully doing your job doesn't mean the others can replicate it nor are there no better methods.

You get the rest. The characters don't develop as much as before, but they still develop, and they can star in an episode while playing into their strengths instead of their weaknesses.

 

What more is there?

1. What about the Cutie Mark Crusaders? On Your Marks followed up Crusaders of the Lost Mark and allowed Apple Bloom to try out a hobby not being confined to searching for others' talents. The CMCs are the most developed characters in the show, yet their journey isn't over. There's still more room to explore.
2. Again, playing into the characters' strengths is something you still don't see in this show too often. Most of the time, it's the characters overcoming a personality flaw in order to triumph. Why not challenge the status quo by highlighting more about what the characters are good at to achieve a goal? Wonderbolts Academy, Lost Mark, The Mane Attraction, The Cutie Re-Mark, and Gauntlet of Fire each played into the main characters' strengths more than their weaknesses and executed them soundly. The Celestia Micro analyzed one of Celestia's strengths of trusting her instincts and used it to make the ponies in Canterlot realize how valuable one of the school's teachers is. In secondary roles, Spike in Lesson Zero, Simple Ways, and EQG1; Rainbow Dash in HF; Pinkie in The Cutie Map; and Fluttershy in FB are excellent.

Storytelling opportunities exist everywhere in this show. You have to know where to find them and when to properly use them.

 

Starlight? More people hate her than like her.

Bad argument. Starlight is a main character now with a huge fanbase if you know where to look. If you take the time into developing a new mane character, dropping her just because of her popularity (or lack thereof) tells the audience, "I quit." It's as lazy as reverting Twilight back to a unicorn. SG's there. Now she's good friends with Trixie and has a close friendship with Spike. Use her strengths and weaknesses to make her grow.

 

I like the Slice of Life just as much as Joe Blow and John Doe, but I want to see my favorite characters kick a** for once.

Yes,way too much. If I wanted to watch friends and dilemmas,I'd watch a sitcom. But,this is a cartoon. We should be getting more adventure,more action,and more bad guys to love/hate.

 

The only time we ever see that it is in the season finales.

Friendship Is Magic is, supposed to be, and will always be a character-driven show. We're here because we care about the characters in some capacity: The characters drive the story. Content like comedy, horror, and drama are accentuated by how the characters respond. Again, the best episodes, from season one to now, are usually slice of life. Why? Because slice of life does a better job executing character-driven narratives than ones with adventure or action. Time and time again, DHX has proven to not execute action/adventure episodes as well as SoL episodes for the reasons already provided. Anyone who expects or wants this show to be more about booming action, brawls, and laser shows like Power Ponies, A Canterlot Wedding, or Twilight's Kingdom is going to be disappointed!

 

Characters can still kick ass without sacrificing personality in favor of adventurous or action-based fluff. If DHX can figure out how to consistently execute character-driven adventure stories well, fine. Otherwise, stick more to SoL.

Edited July 9, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[CastletonSnob 3,080]

Is the show bad at doing adventure episodes?

[Grtxkkyz 388]

Well yeah, in all honestly there aren't just enough World Building episodes, which is a bit jarring considering Equestria has established itself as a vast, fantasy world with many places to visit and races inhabiting it. But then again, as many have pointed out, the true main bulk of the show is the constant developing of its characters, and even if most arcs have wrapped up alright, there are still other ones which the show can explore, such as the CMC and their mission to help other ponies find out their special talent. Plus, truth be told, most adventure episodes have had a lukewarm reaction at best, but they've also given us quite a good deal of sweet things, such as pie-loving chimeras with sibling problems. After all, the slice of life formula is what made the show gather its strenght in its early days, so yeah, it won't go away soon. But who knows, there could possibly be a spin-off dealing with the world of Equestria, perhaps in the form of a book or animated shorts teaching us about the whole FiM world.

[Dark Qiviut 22,514]

Is the show bad at doing adventure episodes?

No. Gauntlet of Fire, Wonderbolts Academy*, Return of Harmony, and Sleepless in Ponyville are great adventure stories. The Cutie Map is an excellent adventure/SoL hybrid. Unfortunately, adventure stories are usually mediocre than good for varying reasons, from derailing the characters to contriving the plot to sometimes sacrificing characterization/logic for action-y fluff.

 

*Yet, WA feels more like an action episode than adventure.

Edited July 9, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[Unlikeable Pony 2,700]

Is the show bad at doing adventure episodes?

No no, I wouldn't say so: there's been vastly more Bad Slice of life episodes than bad adventure episodes; I don't think we've had a single adventure episode that's been on par with episodes like MMDW or AJ's day off for example, so at worst, the adventure episodes have just been Middling compared to "OMG ITS HORRIBLE" with some Slice of life.

 

 

Look at episodes like power ponies for example: its a single episode plot, but despite this people really liked that episode and latched onto the events of it for fanart and fan fiction to the point that hasbro's made quite a few Toys of it and a couple comics even.

The show can do Adventure just fine, it just takes the writers out of their comfort zone: Plus, I doubt hasbro was really on board with alot of adventure until recently when they realized just how much of a money maker that could be for the show.

[Thrond 3,264]

Is the show bad at doing adventure episodes?

Not necessarily. I think the show is bad at worldbuilding, and that it can often be misguided in adventure-driven episodes, but a lot of adventure driven episodes are still very fun. Some action/adventure episodes are able to do a good job of relating back to the characters. However, I think that, especially lately, they tend to be rather fluffy and lightweight, and even struggle to really flesh out the places they're exploring (hello, Griffonstone). Plus these are the episodes that seem most prone to putting the spotlight on brand new characters rather than the ones we actually care about, which is probably one of the show's biggest issues right now. "Gauntlet of Fire" gets a lot of praise but to me it's a pretty archetypical example of an adventure episode that seems to mistake its new setting and adventurous focus for actual substance. Fun, but kinda empty and doesn't do a lot to move the show forward or reinforce what we really like about it in the first place. If there's gonna be more adventure episodes, then I need them to have more substance and to not take so much attention away from the main characters. 

 

 

No no, I wouldn't say so: there's been vastly more Bad Slice of life episodes than bad adventure episodes; I don't think we've had a single adventure episode that's been on par with episodes like MMDW or AJ's day off for example, so at worst, the adventure episodes have just been Middling compared to "OMG ITS HORRIBLE" with some Slice of life.

 

 

Look at episodes like power ponies for example: its a single episode plot, but despite this people really liked that episode and latched onto the events of it for fanart and fan fiction to the point that hasbro's made quite a few Toys of it and a couple comics even.

The show can do Adventure just fine, it just takes the writers out of their comfort zone: Plus, I doubt hasbro was really on board with alot of adventure until recently when they realized just how much of a money maker that could be for the show.

I actually happen to think that "Power Ponies" has a fair bit less going for it than "Applejack's 'Day' Off". It's faster paced, but the designs are garish, the superhero parody is stale, and it's shallow as a puddle. 

 

Meanwhile, I thought that some of season 5's action/adventure episodes were utterly terrible. If we count specifically action-oriented episodes, then I have to comment that "Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?" is possibly my least favourite in the entire series. 

[powerpuff-tsubasa 448]

i do feel mlp nowadays feel like a slice of life cartoon. almost like arthur (if anyone remembers that cartoon) which always rehashes the same life lessons

[Pony Flutters 536]

Besides the two-parter episodes, most of the first two seasons of the show had a much more slice of life feel that is quite entertaining to watch, especially if it relates to common life issues. I would say that the later episodes developed more action oriented storylines even within episodes that would be considered "slice of life".

 

The episodes that don't have any central antagonists and the conflict mostly involves one of the mane cast are ones that I would clearly consider slice of life.

Edited July 20, 2016 by Floyd