What are Sunset Shimmer's flaws?

[KH7672 1,604]

In "Fame and Misfortune" I really liked the message that these characters need to have flaws in order to learn these lessons and have these stories. I agree because overcoming and working with flaws helps o make a character compelling and then it made me realize why I'm not as invested in Sunset Shimmer as much as other characters be it from the show or Equestria Girls.

I remember everyone was saying Sunset's character growth and redemption was fantastic in Rainbow Rocks. I completely agree with the "redemption part" but where exactly was the growth? How did her character really change from the beginning to the end? She became more assertive to be a part of the group? I mean that was more everyone else grew to accept her. I really hope I'm maybe not seeing something that others do but that's why I ask what are Sunset Shimmer's flaws?

What characterization does she bring to the group that clashes with them, that she can overcome and grow more as a character? When can we get a scene like in The Cutie Map where the Mane 6 argue because of their contrasting personalities? The closest I can see is worrying about Magic in the world but the rest just shrug it off anyway avoiding any conflicting opinions.

[Ganondorf8 11,311]

Perhaps one of her biggest flaws would be her temperament. Whenever Sunset allows her anger to get the better of her, it results in her lashing out against those who didn't deserve and she becomes less likeable as a result. I can understand where she is coming from as everyone gets frustrated with something but she really takes it to heart. I believe it is due to her past being filled with sadness that reflects in her current attitude to make up for her mistakes.

[Suukorak 354]

Sunset doesn't have flaws. Best ponies don't get flaws.

I would say one big contrast is between her personality in the original Equestria Girls and in Rainbow Rocks; it just takes the movie some time to show us the difference. It takes a while to prove to us that she's not the villain anymore, that she doesn't have the same goals that she used to, and doesn't even use the same means. A good way to defeat the Sirens in old-Sunset style would have been to take them down from inside, sow discord between them, etc. And we see that this could work. None of the Sirens is all that happy with the other two, and when they talk to Sunset, she could have joined them. But she doesn't, and instead chooses to defeat them with straight-up friendship and harmony. Not to mention the fact that she calls for help when she thinks she needs it, admits ignorance when faced with something she doesn't understand, and trusts her friends to help her. I'd say Sunset's redemption is already complete by the beginning of Rainbow Rocks.

Instead, what we see of her character growth is her understanding of friendship, trust in herself, and confidence. Rainbow Rocks is like her graduation from friendship school. She watches the Rainbooms spiral out of control and nearly tear themselves apart, and doesn't interfere because she still thinks of herself as the student. Finally, when it's critically important, she has to say something, and she realizes that she was right all along. She learns to trust her instinct more, gains an equal footing with the other girls (both in their estimation and in her own), and learns to speak up not only for herself, but for her friends' interests as well. It's a lot like Starlight Glimmer's character arc in season 6: her crimes were so bad and her change so complete that she doesn't trust herself to have changed, even when she really has. But she learns to get over it and carry on, to do what has to be done in the present and not be trapped by the past. In fact, I think it's that aspect that speaks to people (including me): we all have points in our lives where we screwed up (maybe not as bad as Sunset, but exaggeration is the key to drama), and she reminds us: not only are mistakes are not irredeemable, but learning from them doesn't mean losing confidence in ourselves.

Thanks for asking this, in answering it I thought a good deal about the movie and I think I understand it better now, how it works, why I like it. I think I might even enjoy it more next time I watch it. Plus I sort of wrote a mini pep talk into the end there.