The Original Mane Six of Bonnie Zacherle

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Bonnie Zacherle (creator of the MLP toyline of G1) Zacherle named the original six ponies: Snuzzle, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Bluebell, Minty and Blossom.

How would Bronies feel about having these six ponies taking action and jumping to action to save the G4 mane 6 from a villain they cant defeat? (they don't have to have buildup, they can just be pones with a sense of duty strong enough to help 6 complete strangers in need, and save the introductions for later.) Would it be a nice nod to BZ if Hasbro greenlit an entire generation to these 6, making them the g5 manes? Would they hire her as a writer for her original ponies? 

 

   

Edited March 2, 2017 by Nightmare Muffin

[Jeric 46,869]

Just a few observations ... they are all earth ponies, so I think that would need to be altered a little. Secondly, does Zacherle have any writing credits? If not she shouldn't be hired to write for animation, no.

 

Third, we have seen the Mane Six need help and to be rescued before. Any plot like that would likely have comparisons drawn to the Season Six finale. Comparisons of new undeveloped characters against fan favorites like Discord and Trixie? I think the fans would be apt to be fairly negative from go, and I doubt the show could make six new characters engaging enough to have you honestly care (a benifit of the Season Six finale is that it was both a novel idea for the show, and that the characters had already been given at minimum one episode to flesh them out already).

 

Unless you are talking slowly introducing the characters over the course of a season, I don't see it working narratively.

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Just a few observations ... they are all earth ponies, so I think that would need to be altered a little. Secondly, does Zacherle have any writing credits? If not she shouldn't be hired to write for animation, no.

 

Third, we have seen the Mane Six need help and to be rescued before. Any plot like that would likely have comparisons drawn to the Season Six finale. Comparisons of new undeveloped characters against fan favorites like Discord and Trixie? I think the fans would be apt to be fairly negative from go, and I doubt the show could make six new characters engaging enough to have you honestly care (a benifit of the Season Six finale is that it was both a novel idea for the show, and that the characters had already been given at minimum one episode to flesh them out already).

 

Unless you are talking slowly introducing the characters over the course of a season, I don't see it working narratively.

why would they need to be altered? Can't industrious earth ponies be given some hero time (what with all the op unicorns tearing shit up and all)?Sure would be a nice change of pace, especially since the show really hasn't given Earth ponies proper representation. I vote to keep them as earth ponies, if it ever happens. 

Secondly, for the viewers to care about them, the writers could have AJ or Pinkie secretly having always looked up to (ponies names here) from a certain incident where they met, or have dreamed of meeting in their past. Like how RD used to fangirl over the WB and Twilight over SS. They could be the 6 ponies a certain earth pony in the mane 6 always aspired to be like, and have them, in part, to thank, for becoming today, in spite of the fact they're not superheroes, but common earth ponies with a strong sense of justice.

Maybe not all of the mane 6, but maybe a villain gets cocky, thinking Earth ponies can't do anything about him, leave AJ and Pinkie out, and these original 6 get to work with them to save the day. Earth pony power!

Edited March 2, 2017 by Nightmare Muffin

[Jeric 46,869]

Nice change of pace, maybe. But I thought that your suggestion was making this the new standard. People that want a 'change of pace' really just want variety. Talking about variety comes with the assumption that there will be variety. Having them as all one race isn't exactly variety.

 

It limits things a little in world building two of the races beyond what we have already seen. You would need plot specific secondaries, which is again ... limiting from a narrative point of view. I would hope that any new show would expand the pallet ... not shrink it. It also limits how the animators would frame shots of characters. The current set up with three flying characters allows a greater degree of flexibility in animating a scene.

 

Here's the thing, NM. You specify tailored the post inquiring as to how the general fandom would approach the concept you prrsented. I'm pretty sure that the exclusion of a Pegasus would be instantly noticed and derided by current Dash fans. Those that do even basic analysis would jump all over the similarities to other G4 episodes, as they have done before with an episode ventures into familiar territory.

 

I mean, it's a rather pedestrian concept to be honest, but that is my opinion not how I would anticipate others reacting.

[Tropico 226]

they appearing from nowhere and just saving the day its not a good plot. not only for MLP but for any show/movie/videogame/book.

as jeric said, we need proper introduction and development like discort & starlight had to have before being them the mains of the big finale. even introduced quick would be bad (like they did with rainbow powers)

 

i just can see them as a cameo for only one episode. then as for them as G5 main, i can see some shorts G4.5 specials, like 5 episodes or so. but not a whole G5 show. maybe if some were pegasus and unicorns for variety.

 

and imo i dont like their names tbh Butterscotch sounds naaasty   

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Nice change of pace, maybe. But I thought that your suggestion was making this the new standard. People that want a 'change of pace' really just want variety. Talking about variety comes with the assumption that there will be variety. Having them as all one race isn't exactly variety.

 

It limits things a little in world building two of the races beyond what we have already seen. You would need plot specific secondaries, which is again ... limiting from a narrative point of view. I would hope that any new show would expand the pallet ... not shrink it. It also limits how the animators would frame shots of characters. The current set up with three flying characters allows a greater degree of flexibility in animating a scene.

 

Here's the thing, NM. You specify tailored the post inquiring as to how the general fandom would approach the concept you prrsented. I'm pretty sure that the exclusion of a Pegasus would be instantly noticed and derided by current Dash fans. Those that do even basic analysis would jump all over the similarities to other G4 episodes, as they have done before with an episode ventures into familiar territory.

 

I mean, it's a rather pedestrian concept to be honest, but that is my opinion not how I would anticipate others reacting.

talking about both. Options are nice. If they can appear in g4 in an episode, that's great. If they can be given their own generation 5, even better. (G1.5 was nothing but Earth ponies, fyi) True, there might be upsets over lack of horns and wings if this was given its own generation, but there could always be pegasi and unicorn secondary or background characters that the earth pony 6 interact with. If it happens. If. It. Happens. 

[chaosprincess 1,067]

We've seen earth ponies have their own powers which were quite strong Pinkie Pie and Applejack being examples of those traits and even Maud Pie has been shown to have powers so earth ponies are far from weak, but thrusting those 6 in from out of nowhere would not be so well, but if they were to be slowly introduced and were given characteristics and time I believe the viewers could see them as a good introduction to the story line and fans of generation 1 would most likely love to see their original ponies in there it would be cool if it could be like Rescue from Midnight Castle.

[PiratePony 8,485]

I saw a nice interview of her last year at Ponycon. She said she's just a toy creator and that's all. She wasn't even at hasbro when the toy line was released I don't think

[ManaMinori 4,146]

I saw a nice interview of her last year at Ponycon. She said she's just a toy creator and that's all. She wasn't even at hasbro when the toy line was released I don't think

she's a writer , illustrater, and designer. She wrote the book "My Lil' Pony Tale' and designed the g1 ponies

[PiratePony 8,485]

This is what she said and how she presented herself in that interview.

I think someone put it on youtube if you want to check it out

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

The bronies would hate it. Why you are even asking how they would feel is a surprise.. did you not see some of the complaints about the S6 finale? These characters have no history (not in G4 at least) and you want them to pop out of nowhere and "rescue" the Mane 6? The term backlash would be an understatement. They do have to have build up.... otherwise it is a huge plot disaster....I mean seriously, the mane 6 are captured and 6 random earth ponies pop out of nowhere and rescue them? If you could see them all, the WTF look on virtually every single viewers face would be the only possibly positive outcome one could hope for from that shenanigan. If they were worked into the show somehow over a couple of seasons.. maybe.... but as it stands no. And they have already a lot of main characters and a whole TON of back and side characters they can go to that people love, so pulling in 6 random characters from nowhere would be even more insulting. You could introduce them how ever you wanted to afterwards, and no one would care. If this forum were a house and we were all living in it,  it would literally detonate from the massive rage that would form.

 

As far as Zacherle goes, no they would not hire her to do anything. She did her part in history to the MLP brand and her time with it is is over. She designed the original toys and that was it. Yes I know she did some other things as well, but mainly that is what she did and is most known and respected for. Hasbro does not need to reinvent the wheel and only she has the skill to do it or anything. If they make a G5... it will most likely star ponies.... and there a ton of talented arts in their own stable *ahem* that could do that just as easily. Not to discredit Zackerle or anything since she did play a big role in it's history, but like Faust her role in it is done.

 

Also, we have a whole generation now used to the idea of Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns (and alicorns I suppose) and you want them to go backwards to regular ponies again? Are you sure you are watching the forums.. because I still see the occasional question asking what good Earth ponies even are.. I mean I love them personally and their are some awesome characters out there, but it is not like they can actually do anything pegasi and unicorns cannot do if they truly wanted to or had to. That whole BS about them working the land or being stronger is just that... BS... a plot device if you want to call it that to give them some sort of relevance and be able to try to explain why anyone should pay attention to regular horses when magic welding and flying horses are a lot more interesting in the long haul. The people who love certain Earth ponies love them because of their appearances and the personalities... not because they have any sort of interesting gimmick over the other races.

[Johnny1226 14,674]

If they were put into the series the best way would be as ponies from an alternate dimension as they are an alternate mane six and they would show up to help the other mane six defeat a villain that caused problems in both worlds and that needed both teams to defeat them this would also add more plot to the show as an alternate reality can have much to offer for new adventures just like it is in equestria girls and there could be a quick discussion about it from twilight and the other teams brainiac to let everyone know what's going on and the alternate dimension could explain why there are six earth ponies perhaps there aren't pegasi or unicorns in that dimension it could work in theory

[ManaMinori 4,146]

The bronies would hate it. Why you are even asking how they would feel is a surprise.. did you not see some of the complaints about the S6 finale? These characters have no history (not in G4 at least) and you want them to pop out of nowhere and "rescue" the Mane 6? The term backlash would be an understatement. They do have to have build up.... otherwise it is a huge plot disaster....I mean seriously, the mane 6 are captured and 6 random earth ponies pop out of nowhere and rescue them? If you could see them all, the WTF look on virtually every single viewers face would be the only possibly positive outcome one could hope for from that shenanigan. If they were worked into the show somehow over a couple of seasons.. maybe.... but as it stands no. And they have already a lot of main characters and a whole TON of back and side characters they can go to that people love, so pulling in 6 random characters from nowhere would be even more insulting. You could introduce them how ever you wanted to afterwards, and no one would care. If this forum were a house and we were all living in it,  it would literally detonate from the massive rage that would form.

 

As far as Zacherle goes, no they would not hire her to do anything. She did her part in history to the MLP brand and her time with it is is over. She designed the original toys and that was it. Yes I know she did some other things as well, but mainly that is what she did and is most known and respected for. Hasbro does not need to reinvent the wheel and only she has the skill to do it or anything. If they make a G5... it will most likely star ponies.... and there a ton of talented arts in their own stable *ahem* that could do that just as easily. Not to discredit Zackerle or anything since she did play a big role in it's history, but like Faust her role in it is done.

 

Also, we have a whole generation now used to the idea of Earth ponies, pegasi and unicorns (and alicorns I suppose) and you want them to go backwards to regular ponies again? Are you sure you are watching the forums.. because I still see the occasional question asking what good Earth ponies even are.. I mean I love them personally and their are some awesome characters out there, but it is not like they can actually do anything pegasi and unicorns cannot do if they truly wanted to or had to. That whole BS about them working the land or being stronger is just that... BS... a plot device if you want to call it that to give them some sort of relevance and be able to try to explain why anyone should pay attention to regular horses when magic welding and flying horses are a lot more interesting in the long haul. The people who love certain Earth ponies love them because of their appearances and the personalities... not because they have any sort of interesting gimmick over the other races.

did Party Favor, Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Double Diamond get backlash for appearing out of nowhere and saving the mane 6? 

Besides- it's a two sided question in the op- reaction to the original 6 in an episode, OR getting their own generation. There's no one option here. Just because this generation is used to 3 races doesn't mean the next one in the next generation will. It will be geared not toward the people who grew up with g4, and are adults now, but a new generation. As with every gen, they wipe the slate clean for the new audience. So backlash with its intended audience has little to nothing to do with it.  (even if you put them in g4). Bronies and adult fans aren't the primary audience. 

[Ganondorf8 11,427]

I saw a nice interview of her last year at Ponycon. She said she's just a toy creator and that's all. She wasn't even at hasbro when the toy line was released I don't think

 

I remember reading about this one time. She created the initial toys that would eventually become My Little Pony, but sold the rights to Hasbro before the brand became what it's known as now. As such, Bonnie Zacherle only has a very small connection to MLP but it's enough to make her part of its history.

 

​As for those characters, they would need to be given extensive backstories that explain why they would be the ones needed to get involved because audiences won't care about them unless they are able to invest in them. The kind of ponies they are isn't really an issue for me so I could let that slide.

[GrimGrimoire 4,973]

did Party Favor, Night Glider, Sugar Belle, and Double Diamond get backlash for appearing out of nowhere and saving the mane 6? 

Besides- it's a two sided question in the op- reaction to the original 6 in an episode, OR getting their own generation. There's no one option here. Just because this generation is used to 3 races doesn't mean the next one in the next generation will. It will be geared not toward the people who grew up with g4, and are adults now, but a new generation. As with every gen, they wipe the slate clean for the new audience. So backlash with its intended audience has little to nothing to do with it.  (even if you put them in g4). Bronies and adult fans aren't the primary audience. 

 

No, they did not. Know what else? They did not appear out of nowhere, they had build up, their saving of the Mane 6 made sense. The mane 6 were not sitting in a cave trapped when suddenly low and behold those characters came out of nowhere and rescued them. In fact the mane 6 HELPED them first in the story, and they upon getting their cutie marks back returned that good deed. So really they are no where near the same thing.

 

 

And I think I stated my case pretty well and stand by what I said. They have to go forward, not backwards. Sure, Hasbro can do anything it wants to.... they can reboot the series with JUST Earth ponies... but hmmm... what will be the first questions out of bronies mouths? Where are the Pegasi and Unicorns? Why destroy a dynamic that is part of the reason your brand had such a massive growth in the last decade? You are right, bronies are NOT the intended target for the show... however, they are a part of the demographic.

 

 

If a G5 series did begin, and as of this writing the soonest we would see one would be 2019, then even though it would be a reboot, it would have to build upon what came before. MLP was aimed at a young girl audience, however, with clever writing, slick animation and the interesting character dynamics it gathered a much much larger unintended audience. The fact is Hasbro honestly most likely at best hoped to just get the small core audience like they had in years past, sell a few toys and then move on. Even today we are just seeing them starting to react to this newer much larger audience... there are people in board rooms still probably unsure what direction to go in with it all. A new series would HAVE to appeal to 3 different sets of people... the brony community, the young children that grew up with G4 and are now checking out the new generation for nostalgia purposes (or even with children of their own), and the new generation... young children themselves. Obviously I don't know what Hasbro is thinking except that they will want to do what will be the most profitable and in the best interests of the brand in their eyes. Reverting all of the dynamics and interesting races back to vanilla horses would NOT be in the best interests of the brand, since MLP once upon a time was nothing but vanilla horses, and it was no where near as popular as the current G4 layout. I am not saying the original characters will not ever see life in a future generation of MLP, but they will NOT see it like they did in the original series.

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

They would certainly have to be altered. Plus, their names are certainly targeted for younger girls like 3-5. 

[ManaMinori 4,146]

They would certainly have to be altered. Plus, their names are certainly targeted for younger girls like 3-5. 

the only name that sounds remotely like that is Snuzzle. 

 

Oh, and btw, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash also sound like they're targeted for a younger audience. FYI, BECAUSE THEY ARE!!!!

[Leave a Whisper 703]

So earth ponies are mostly incapable of being heroes? They have to just cower and wait until their more specialized members come into save the day or figure out a solution?

 

Nevermind that they can jump higher and farther are physically stronger and make up the largest chunk of the population period.

[Leave a Whisper 703]

They would certainly have to be altered. Plus, their names are certainly targeted for younger girls like 3-5.

 

Why? The names are perfectly fine. Are you going to tell me that names like Pinkie Pie and Quibblepants are so mature and hardcore they make Solid Snake look like a Telatubby?

 

Butterscotch, Minty and Cotton Candy-Sweets themed ponies are common all across the board. Plus Butterscotch and Cotton Candy have seen two generational incarnations and Minty has seen three.

 

Bluebell and Blossom-Flower themed ponies are common all across the board. Are you gonna sit there and tell me otherwise?

 

Snuzzle-Its cutesy sure, but unique. You do realize that Hasbro does target this franchise at younger girls first and foremost don't you? Adult fans old and new

are just extra money in their bank account. I honestly don't know why some adult fans think a kid's franchise is geared solely towards them.

Edited March 8, 2017 by Leave a Whisper