Gen 5 needs to take place in the past.

[Firedog 320]

One thing I have noticed about TV shows is when it tries to take on the future it always falls flat.

 

However, shows based in the past typically are far more interesting.

 

I think possibly starswhirl and friends could be interesting.

 

Possibly celestia and lunas childhood.

 

Thoughts?

Edited July 27, 2017 by Firedog

[CypherHoof 26,483]

I think some of the past is being kept deliberately vague so as to not tie down current storylines with having to be consistent with a huge and detailed history.  Still, we have had reenactments of legends before now, and those went well - if they do turn out to break a future plotline, then that's fine; as legends, they aren't guaranteed to be accurate.

Plus of course going back into the past implies you could CHANGE that past - that's pretty much the plot of re-mark after all, which illustrates nicely the risks, and broke the map for half a season.

[Firedog 320]

16 minutes ago, CypherHoof said:

Plus of course going back into the past implies you could CHANGE that past 

 

Probably should have worded the title better.

 

I meant gen 5 should take place in past.

[Megas 27,765]

A new generation doesn't have to take place in the same universe to work.

Honestly, that would show they rely too much on the past and what worked and not have much faith in the franchise as a whole if they keep relying on FIM

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

7 hours ago, Whompy Whomperson said:

A new generation doesn't have to take place in the same universe to work.

 

True, why people don't get the memo at this point  ? What's the point of changing generations if they'll explore past generation lore in the first place  ?

[Firedog 320]

11 hours ago, Whompy Whomperson said:

A new generation doesn't have to take place in the same universe to work.

Honestly, that would show they rely too much on the past and what worked and not have much faith in the franchise as a whole if they keep relying on FIM

There is really still so much to explore in this universe.

It would be a shame to throw all that potential to waste.

 

I'm sure there could be plenty of starswhirl stories we haven't even heard of.

 

Including episodes with his friends and the epic legends of starswhirl.

 

Exploring the origins of equestria and how canterlot, the tree of harmony and the entire government came too be.

 

All the different colonies and groups who seek to control equestria.

 

The exploration of powerful magic.

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

16 minutes ago, Firedog said:

There is really still so much to explore in this universe.

It would be a shame to throw all that potential to waste.

 

I'm sure there could be plenty of starswhirl stories we haven't even heard of.

 

Including episodes with his friends and the epic legends of starswhirl.

 

Exploring the origins of equestria and how canterlot, the tree of harmony and the entire government came too be.

 

All the different colonies and groups who seek to control equestria.

 

The exploration of powerful magic.

Then what's the point of changing generations  ?

[Firedog 320]

39 minutes ago, Steve Piranha said:

Then what's the point of changing generations  ?

Generation: "all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively."

 

It will be a different generation with different characters and in a different time period, just within the same universe.

Edited July 28, 2017 by Firedog

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

10 minutes ago, Firedog said:

Generation: "all of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively."

 

It will be a different generation with different characters and in a different time period, just within the same universe.

And I repeat: what's the point of changing generations if it'll deal with the same universe?

[Firedog 320]

Just now, Steve Piranha said:

And I repeat: what's the point of changing generations if it'll deal with the same universe?

You can still change generations and remain in the same universes.

 

What's the point?:

We need to change generations soon, this generation has about played its course with the characters. Their story archs are about over, they are developed.

Story of this generation is about over.

 

Whether people like it or not, we have to change generations eventually. 

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

4 minutes ago, Firedog said:

 

 

Whether people like it or not, we have to change generations eventually. 

It will, but next show will be a different universe. Maybe same name and colors, but no same ponies 

[Firedog 320]

2 minutes ago, Steve Piranha said:

It will, but next show will be a different universe. Maybe same name and colors, but no same ponies 

The next generation isn't REQUIRED to take place in a different universe.

 

I think you're misunderstanding my idea.

 

My suggestion is this:

Not that we keep the ponies in this generation. But that the next generation should take place before Equestria is developed.

 

With Starswhirl and his friends being the main characters.

Edited July 28, 2017 by Firedog

[Steve Piranha 29,432]

7 minutes ago, Firedog said:

The next generation isn't REQUIRED to take place in a different universe.

 

I think you're misunderstanding my idea.

 

My suggestion is this:

Not that we keep the ponies in this generation. But that the next generation should take place before Equestria is developed.

 

With Starswhirl and his friends being the main characters.

That sounds more like a spin-off show  

[Firedog 320]

Just now, Steve Piranha said:

That sounds more like a spin-off show  

:/ what

 

It's still a completely different generation with different characters and different timeline.

 

It's common for new generations in shows to take place in the same universe but in a different timeline.

[Prospekt 11,020]

I'm open to this suggestion. I think they should keep the same universe, but replace all the characters with the exception of the royal sisters. And maybe Discord, because he was also around long before G4. I want to see the Crystal Empire in its heyday before King Sombra appeared and screwed it up. I want to see an origin story for the alicorns. I want to see Starswirl outside of old legends and a Nightmare Night costume. I want to see how Equestria has changed from the events of the Hearth's Warming Eve play. I want some more context to explain certain aspects of that episode. Like this banner which appeared despite no mention of alicorns anywhere in the play:

[Thrond 3,263]

To my understanding, "generation" refers to the toyline more than the show, and while I know little about Hasbro toys, I'm not sure that continuing to sell products based on the same universe would constitute a new "generation" of the toyline. A spinoff show in the past would be neat, but I don't think that would be "G5" any more than what we call G3.5 is "G4."

[Firedog 320]

29 minutes ago, AlexanderThrond said:

To my understanding, "generation" refers to the toyline more than the show, and while I know little about Hasbro toys, I'm not sure that continuing to sell products based on the same universe would constitute a new "generation" of the toyline. 

1

I don't see any reason they would have to continue the same toyline.

[Marimo 555]

6 hours ago, Firedog said:

With Starswhirl and his friends being the main characters.

Some problems with that idea. Starswirl is too old for them to consider him being used as a main character in a series targeted at kids. If it was Starswirl when he was younger, then this would take place during a period where the three races are still hostile towards each other. And I think most importantly, they're not going to take a show that's targeted at the female demographic and make the lead a male. In a world where people are caring more about diversity and men are usually given more leading roles than women, that's just going to attract negative press if you take a role for a female lead and give it to a male character.

[Firedog 320]

1 hour ago, Marimo said:

 If it was Starswirl when he was younger, then this would take place during a period where the three races are still hostile towards each other. And I think most importantly, they're not going to take a show that's targeted at the female demographic and make the lead a male. In a world where people are caring more about diversity and men are usually given more leading roles than women, that's just going to attract negative press if you take a role for a female lead and give it to a male character.

 

Yes, it would obviously take place when he was younger.

 

He doesn't have to be the MAIN character.

 

There are 6 main characters in friendship is magic, no reason that can't be the same here.

[CypherHoof 26,483]

12 minutes ago, Firedog said:

Yes, it would obviously take place when he was younger.

He doesn't have to be the MAIN character.

There are 6 main characters in friendship is magic, no reason that can't be the same here.

I think, for the same diversity reasons, it would be nice if the historic "mane 6" had at least one token male

[ZethaPonderer 2,199]

Eh, well my argument is radically different as I politely disagree with Gen 5 taking place in the past and instead should take place in the future.

 

Based on my line of reasoning Gen 4 could be considered as the Classic Megaman series while Gen 5 can do its own thing and be like the Megaman X/Zero series where its darker.

 

Many years have passed in the land of Equestria and the friendship lessons the Mane 6 learned to spread their teachings have become corrupted as time went on by a mysterious dark force. This caused the land of Equestria to change and become an individualistically heartless wasteland where every single creature inhabiting the land gave in to loneliness and would only use their so called 'friends' for their own selfish benefits.

But, there's hope as a heroine mare (Earth Pony) with a Joan of Arc like personality is born to restore the friendship lessons in their proper context and also make friends to resemble pretty much what the Mane 6 are. Some of the characters will be relevant e.g. The CMCs all grown up helping out the heroine mare find her purpose (aka Cutie Mark) and forging friends in a corrupt version of Equestria.

 

Yeah I have Mega Man on my mind . I'm on a Mega Man-athon.

Edited July 28, 2017 by ZethaPonderer

[Marimo 555]

1 hour ago, Firedog said:

Yes, it would obviously take place when he was younger.

 

He doesn't have to be the MAIN character.

 

There are 6 main characters in friendship is magic, no reason that can't be the same here.

While 6 characters make up the main group, Twilight is unarguably the main character. Lauren Faust, the creator of the show, even refered to her as such.

And I feel like since he's such a historic figure in the show with lore, anyone else who is placed in the main character role is going to feel somewhat overshadowed, since in the end its going to be Starswirl who will have the greater legacy and impact on the world and history.

[Drunkfrank 1,125]

We don't need a new generation to explain the past, I prefer lore centered episodes that give us insight into what happened back then but still leave room for theories like the upcoming Campfire Tales should do.

I don't see why this forum seems to have such a huge focus on gen 5, I have seen it brought up constantly since season 4, I get that it is somewhat interesting to speculate on, but it is pretty obvious the show isn't going anywhere yet.

[Marimo 555]

10 hours ago, Firedog said:

The next generation isn't REQUIRED to take place in a different universe.

Thinking about it, actually yeah I think it probably would be required to take place in a different universe if the transition from gen 3 to gen 4 is anything to go by. One of the mandates Hasbro had for Lauren was that Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, major characters from the gen 3 cartoons, be used in gen 4. The major characters in the cartoons also serve as mascots for the brand itself on merchandising. I don't think Hasbro is willing to throw away all the recognizable characters when the only one that will be recognizable in your idea is Starswirl, and he's only known by name not really by appearance. Even if he was, I don't think a bearded guy wearing a wizard hat is someone Hasbro would use to market their brand.

It's probably just more appealing to have the next gen be a new universe so they can have reason to sell new toys of already known names. Doesn't even matter if the character has to remain the same since Rainbow Dash can go from fashionista in one gen to a tomboy in another. And I'm sure whoever's the creative lead for the new generation would rather come up with their own world and their own take on recognizable characters instead of being restricted to just further developing a world created by Lauren.

Edited July 28, 2017 by Marimo

[CypherHoof 26,483]

42 minutes ago, Marimo said:

While 6 characters make up the main group, Twilight is unarguably the main character. Lauren Faust, the creator of the show, even refered to her as such.

And I feel like since he's such a historic figure in the show with lore, anyone else who is placed in the main character role is going to feel somewhat overshadowed, since in the end its going to be Starswirl who will have the greater legacy and impact on the world and history.

And yet the Alicorn sisters were clearly his contemporaries, and for all his learning, the legends are of his knowledge, not his deeds. No reason why the group's focus shouldn't be Celestia.

He can be the group's Velma