Side Characters getting more attention.

[BrawnyCharger 511]

IMHO I have a feeling that the main characters of the show are getting a little stale. The Mane 6, the CMC, Spike, Discord and Starlight Glimmer have gotten so much focus that I'm beginning to I'm starting to, I'm very sorry to say, resent them a little bit.

 

I figure that one way to keep the show fresh would be to focus on characters that haven't gotten storylines or episodes focused on them such as the stallions and colts (which I've probably mentioned so much already). 

 

But then how about just plain side characters in general regardless if they're a mare or stallion, filly or colt. 

 

They did manage to use Trixie well by having her be a part of the team that saves the day back in the season 6 finale.

 

Why not have more episodes focusing on other side ponies such as Spitfire and the other Wonderbolts, Cheerilee, Big Macintosh and the other Apples, Shining Armor, Cadance, Daring Do, etc?

 

This would be fresh, something new, and these characters have plenty of potential for development and crowning moments of awesome for them.

 

Should the series focus on some side characters?

 

If so, which side ponies have the most potential for story arcs or development?

[cmarston1 5,951]

And we have yet to see a single Celestia episode and the show is approaching the 150 episode mark. I hope she can finally get a chance to shine in season 7, but going this long makes it hard to believe.

[Lambdadelta 1,462]

If you reply to those 6 mane characters to write 6+ seasons, it not gonna work. 

[NightmareLuna800 1,383]

Celestia really could use an episode for herself, and I would love to see another Luna episode as well.

[Zachary 5,517]

I really want to see a Princess Celestia Episode, Just one Princess Celestia Episode please!

[St3venp 37]

What im trying to say is that, i heard a lot of people say that the show should focus more on side characters, to focus on something new. But i've also heard people say that they wouldn't like it if the main 6 dont get as much attention anymore. But we can learn about side characters with the help of main 6. For example, rainbow dash could be at wonderbolts HQ, then she hangs out with soarin(cuz soarindash FTW, she's probably the closest with him anyways), then we can learn about soarin!! EZPZ. This way, we will be learning about side characters and focusing on the main 6 at the same time.

[Mothra 540]

Absolutely, it's kinda been done before, maybe not to the extent of having their own character arc or full on breakdown of their struggles and whatnot, but in episodes like amending fences for example, we get some info on Moondancer, Colgate (Yes I call her colgate, not Minuette) and the rest of her friends. I'd love to see them focus some character development on side characters for sure, with or without the mane 6 involved

Edited January 24, 2017 by Magistrate Mothra

[ManaMinori 4,143]

I wanna see Twi and Shining parents. let's get to know them a little bit, eh? and RarityBelle parents. and FlutterBreeze parents

[AlbaTross 1,581]

I think the mane six still have potential for growth and development, but I also think a big part of why Starlight Glimmer was created is because the show was getting a bit stale. I do want an episode starring Celestia and I'd love to see some new side characters introduced, and maybe the return of some existing ones. However, I would still prefer for the focus to remain on the mane six and Starlight and Spike. If the writers don't feel they have it in them to write good stories about the mane six then I think they should end the series and start a new one.

 

Besides, in regards to Starlight there's a lot I still want to see. She needs more development in general, but I also want to see more of her and Trixie, and most of all I want to see more of her interacting with the rest of the mane six on an individual basis and not just as part of a general episode with all of them. Granted there are even pairings within the mane six that have been neglected. I want to see more of those too. But if we're to accept that Starlight is now a part of the group, she ought to not just interact with Twilight and have just a short scene here and there with the others. I want her to have a full episode with one or two of them, if not all of them on a 1 to 1 basis, or with just a couple of them at once. There has been a lot of missed opportunity there so far.

[Ganondorf8 11,117]

The Mane Six are the main characters for a reason. The show was developed to focus on their exploits in particular and the marketing that has been done reflects this as well. They still have many aspects of their characters that have yet to be revealed and as long as the writers are able to explore these, they will continue to use the Mane Six as much as possible. Side characters can hold their own in a story provided it was written for them specifically, but they don't have the kind of star power the Mane Six possess. This is unfortunate as some side characters have so much potential that's being ignored, Princess Celestia being the most obvious.

 

Six seasons later and she still hasn't had a lead role in an episode. I know many want her to finally be given one, myself included, but the writers appear to be hesitant about it. It might be because Celestia is a difficult character to write for, but then that doesn't explain how she has given lead roles in several comics. Maybe the comic writers know something that the show writers don't.

[Swifty 249]

It might be because Celestia is a difficult character to write for, but then that doesn't explain how she has given lead roles in several comics. Maybe the comic writers know something that the show writers don't.

 

Frankly, i can't hear this anymore from them. This is so lame.

You can do a lot with a character like Celestia. Luna is the obvious proof and she didn't just get her dream night thing, because she is so misunderstood and sad. I even know Cadance better. Comic writers seem to be just more motivated, creative and less biased against certain characters.

Edited January 24, 2017 by Swifty

[GrimGrimoire 4,970]

As it stands you already have people who literally count the episodes Pinkie or Applejack for example appears in per season that they consider a "starring role" and then stage a protest if it is one less than any of the others. Which to a degree I can understand, since if you are a big time Rarity fan, then of course you want more Rarity... of course this kind of sucks for Fluttershy fans possibly since every episode Rarity gets is a potential one lost for Fluttershy. And now on top of that you add what seems an endless amount of side and background characters that fans like for whatever reason and just want to see more of in some truly meaningful ways such as:

 

Celestia

Luna

Big Mac & Cheerilee

Wonderbolts (Spitfire & Soarin mainly)

Various family members

Gilda & Gabby

Ember

Lyra & BonBon

Twilights old friends

DJ Pon3 & Octavia

Whooves & Derpy

 

and the list goes on and on...

 

You essentially end up with an overload of characters and possibilities. This is great for fans of those characters, but again just annoying for those who just don't care about said character and just want to know where THEIR favorite(s) are. With only 26 22-minute shows to work with each season, you have limited real estate to tell interesting meaningful stories that help you not only get attached to the characters, but be able to understand and relate to them. Many people here can relate to Fluttershy... not nearly as many to Colgate. That does not mean she could not have a very intriguing story in her somewhere.

 

But let's say they had done this from the get go.... would people still be as attached to Rainbow Dash if she only appeared in 1 or 2 episodes that season (1) and been just a background character the rest of it due to needing to work in 50 other characters around the show... then maybe 1 or 2 episodes in season 2? Obviously they might have given her more, but who is to say Lyra might not enchant the fans and writers with her amazing sitting skills and made this a cause for her getting 3 or 4 of those 26 episodes that season which would steal time away from someone else that somebody else would feel is far more deserving.

 

 

So really, this will always be an ongoing feud between those who want to see more of the other characters, and those who just want to stick with the Mane 6 (11 if you add in the CMC, Starlight & Spike). Personally speaking, I would love to see episodes utilizing several of the side and background characters more... but I do understand and see why they don't. I see them tossing a few episodes per season to other characters but they also seem to prefer to just make those characters the usual suspects (Big Mac, Discord, Luna... not complaining since i like all of them). I still would love to see a meaningful Celestia episode along with a couple involving other characters I am fond of.. but I am not holding my breath.

 

Oh.. and to top it off, the best possible chance for it happening in some form has been possibly killed with the cancellation of the friends Forever comic book. On the plus side it might give Celestia fans a lot to get excited about, albeit not in show form.

[Ganondorf8 11,117]

Frankly, i can't hear this anymore from them. This is so lame.

You can do a lot with a character like Celestia. Luna is the obvious proof and she didn't just get her dream night thing, because she is so misunderstood and sad. I even know Cadance better. Comic writers seem to be just more motivated, creative and less biased against certain characters.

 

Celestia has just as much character as Luna yet she (Celestia) hasn't been given a chance to prove that she can hold her own in an episode by playing a lead role. On the outside, she's a regal ruler who on occasional cuts loose and has fun, but deep down, what if she is a tormented soul who holds deep regrets that continue to plague her. Sure, the age demographic wouldn't be able to go too deeply into such thoughts but it's better than not doing anything.

[Swifty 249]

Celestia has just as much character as Luna yet she (Celestia) hasn't been given a chance to prove that she can hold her own in an episode by playing a lead role. On the outside, she's a regal ruler who on occasional cuts loose and has fun, but deep down, what if she is a tormented soul who holds deep regrets that continue to plague her. Sure, the age demographic wouldn't be able to go too deeply into such thoughts but it's better than not doing anything.

Exactly, Celestia = Luna in terms of plot possibilities. I am not a Big Fan of Me-Sad-plots, especially if it's about NMM, but it's still better than Seth's bullshit idea. How would he like an episode about his precious Trixie, who gets older pretty quick causing her to give up on her career? I Start to think that this guy is a brick...

 

G M Berrow is actually one of the Non-show-writers (which could give someone hope after all) but by now i think she is just doing two Pinkie eps and thats it. -.-

[Ganondorf8 11,117]

Exactly, Celestia = Luna in terms of plot possibilities. I am not a Big Fan of Me-Sad-plots, especially if it's about NMM, but it's still better than Seth's bullshit idea. How would he like an episode about his precious Trixie, who gets older pretty quick causing her to give up on her career? I Start to think that this guy is a brick...

 

G M Berrow is actually one of the Non-show-writers (which could give someone hope after all) but by now i think she is just doing two Pinkie eps and thats it. -.-

 

Not sure how Seth got into this topic all of a sudden but I get the idea. The show writers might want to take a look at how the comics portray Celestia, and they should also look at the book G.M. Berrow wrote about her as part of the princess series of books. Maybe that could give them some ideas on how to portray Celestia and write an episode about her based on what they find? They'd still need to implement their own ideas of course so as to not be reduced to copy and pasting.

[ChocolateCrane 155]

IMHO I have a feeling that the main characters of the show are getting a little stale. The Mane 6, the CMC, Spike, Discord and Starlight Glimmer have gotten so much focus that I'm beginning to I'm starting to, I'm very sorry to say, resent them a little bit.

 

 

Can't agree enough with every character you mentioned outside of Starlight. I think Starlight basically serves as a "new" character and in season 6 they fleshed her and her personality out to the point that she became one of the most exciting parts of season 6 in its entirety. 

[The Gear Spinner555 126]

Honestly, I agree. If the show wants to go past S7, fleshing out side characters would be a good way to do it. Maybe delve deeper into the Canon personalities of DJ PON-3, Octavia, Lyra & co, have an episode focusing on Coco Pommel or The Wonderbolts, there's a GOLDMINE of story there. Though, I wouldn't want that to come at the expense of the main cast however. They're too ingrained in the story (and our hearts for that matter) to just do away with. IMO, if the show had a narrative that had a balanced mix of Mane 6 adventures/ side character adventures, that'd be freakin' AWESOME.

[Steve Piranha 28,724]

I agree that the Mane6 are getting a bit stale, but I also think that changing them at this point would do more harm than good. Though, as suggested, I think that a good way to solve it is having a Mane6 solving a problem with the help of a side character, as it, they'll be a main character for a day and stuff 

[BrawnyCharger 511]

I agree that the Mane6 are getting a bit stale, but I also think that changing them at this point would do more harm than good. Though, as suggested, I think that a good way to solve it is having a Mane6 solving a problem with the help of a side character, as it, they'll be a main character for a day and stuff 

A perfect compromise. 

 

Just have certain side ponies have a big hero moment for just one episode and then let them get back to being them.

 

What are some episode ideas for any specific ponies such as Celestia, Luna, Big Mac, Cheerilee, Wonderbolts, etc, that would give them a crowning moment of awesome?