Will Sunset Shimmer ever make a meaningful return to Equestria?

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

I think there is assumption made on Hasbro's part that the people that watch EQG also watch FiM, but not everyone that watches FiM will watch EQG.  That means that events in FiM can occasionally be referenced without losing the audience, but if they were to introduce a character developed in EQG into FiM it would be awkward.  They would either have to regress Sunset to the point where she would no longer be the same character, or throw in a horrendous amount of exposition to explain where this good friend of Twilight's has suddenly sprung from.

Basically, if Sunset was to return to Equestria I think it would have to happen in EQG itself (much as it did in Mirror Magic) to be done well as trying to shoehorn her into FiM would be a painful thing to watch.  Of course doing this in EQG would probably not be a good idea either, as it would detract from the setting and make EQG less able to stand on its own, not to mention turning it into the Sunset Shimmer show.

(You might want to skip this next bit if you haven't seen up to the end of season seven yet)

Spoiler

If they wanted to open the door for Sunset to make an appearance in FiM then they really should have mentioned the human world in Shadow Play.  It doesn't make sense for Twilight to have not mentioned that she had faced the Sirens in the human world during the sequence where their banishment from Equestria was being described.

 

Edited November 12, 2017 by Concerned Bystander

[bwrosas 252]

1 hour ago, Concerned Bystander said:

I think there is assumption made on Hasbro's part that the people that watch EQG also watch FiM, but not everyone that watches FiM will watch EQG.  That means that events in FiM can occasionally be referenced without losing the audience, but if they were to introduce a character developed in EQG into FiM it would be awkward.  They would either have to regress Sunset to the point where she would no longer be the same character, or throw in a horrendous amount of exposition to explain where this good friend of Twilight's has suddenly sprung from.

Basically, if Sunset was to return to Equestria I think it would have to happen in EQG itself (much as it did in Mirror Magic) to be done well as trying to shoehorn her into FiM would be a painful thing to watch.  Of course doing this in EQG would probably not be a good idea either, as it would detract from the setting and make EQG less able to stand on its own, not to mention turning it into the Sunset Shimmer show.

(You might want to skip this next bit if you haven't seen up to the end of season seven yet)

  Hide contents

If they wanted to open the door for Sunset to make an appearance in FiM then they really should have mentioned the human world in Shadow Play.  It doesn't make sense for Twilight to have not mentioned that she had faced the Sirens in the human world during the sequence where their banishment from Equestria was being described.

 

Spoiler

Point taken, but the scene shows that as the other pillars were saying this (through flashback), she wasn't in the room at the time, the pillars were telling the story to Starlight and the other Mane 6 (minus Twilight)

 

[Concerned Bystander 2,902]

4 minutes ago, bwrosas said:

  Reveal hidden contents

Point taken, but the scene shows that as the other pillars were saying this (through flashback), she wasn't in the room at the time, the pillars were telling the story to Starlight and the other Mane 6 (minus Twilight)

 

Spoiler

True, she wasn't there, I'd forgotten that when I commented.  But even given that my point still stands that it would have been a good opportunity for the writers to introduce the EQG universe prior to introducing one of its characters into the FiM universe

Her introduction would require an entire, exposition-heavy, episode dedicated in its entirety to explaining her existence for it to make any sense.  They would have to bring her through the portal, explain the existence of the portal and the EQG universe, cover Sunset's background and how she happens to be friends with Twilight all in one sitting, and all that just to give us a character that is not dissimilar enough from Starlight to really stand out.  Between the two of them half the dialogue of that episode would consist of the mane six saying 'no offence' to one or the other.

[bwrosas 252]

24 minutes ago, Concerned Bystander said:

  Reveal hidden contents

True, she wasn't there, I'd forgotten that when I commented.  But even given that my point still stands that it would have been a good opportunity for the writers to introduce the EQG universe prior to introducing one of its characters into the FiM universe

Her introduction would require an entire, exposition-heavy, episode dedicated in its entirety to explaining her existence for it to make any sense.  They would have to bring her through the portal, explain the existence of the portal and the EQG universe, cover Sunset's background and how she happens to be friends with Twilight all in one sitting, and all that just to give us a character that is not dissimilar enough from Starlight to really stand out.  Between the two of them half the dialogue of that episode would consist of the mane six saying 'no offence' to one or the other.

Yes, but as crazy as this sounds, the best way to probably get around that, is to do a crossover movie between both MLP Properties or some kind of crossover event, where you would have to tune into the EG Series on The YT (possibly Discovery Family in the future) and FIM to get the whole low down on what's going in the overall story arc.

[Cahead2015 72]

2 hours ago, bwrosas said:

Yes, but as crazy as this sounds, the best way to probably get around that, is to do a crossover movie between both MLP Properties or some kind of crossover event, where you would have to tune into the EG Series on The YT (possibly Discovery Family in the future) and FIM to get the whole low down on what's going in the overall story arc.

I'll be surprised if all of what you there, will happen in season 8.

[Toon4Thought 274]

5 hours ago, Concerned Bystander said:

  Reveal hidden contents

True, she wasn't there, I'd forgotten that when I commented.  But even given that my point still stands that it would have been a good opportunity for the writers to introduce the EQG universe prior to introducing one of its characters into the FiM universe

Her introduction would require an entire, exposition-heavy, episode dedicated in its entirety to explaining her existence for it to make any sense.  They would have to bring her through the portal, explain the existence of the portal and the EQG universe, cover Sunset's background and how she happens to be friends with Twilight all in one sitting, and all that just to give us a character that is not dissimilar enough from Starlight to really stand out.  Between the two of them half the dialogue of that episode would consist of the mane six saying 'no offence' to one or the other.

Well, one thing I'd do is to not even mention the portal or the human world, and just have the Mane 6 find her standing in the front of the castle. Maybe drop in a few lines as "bonus gags" for the EqG fans, like Sunset saying that Twilight's friends remind her of her own or showing one or two moments of her nonchalantly standing on her hind legs, but no references that would make non-EqG viewers feel lost.

The background thing would probably be the toughest thing to cover, since it would require considerable exposition. But I think I came up with a good way to make it work - a song. Have Sunset belt out a tune on her guitar about how she fell out with the Princess, tried to steal from her successful pupil for revenge, only for Twilight to show her the light, and they've been fond pen pals since. That way, the exposition will be able to disguise itself as something entertaining, and get a lot of the more key points out of the way while still allowing it to leave a meaningful impact.

As for conveying a clear character - visual cues and vocal inflections can communicate a LOT. Show her lightly guitaring a couple times, her struggling to paint with her magic while in the train to Canterlot, and maybe show her be smug yet timid around the Princess, and you've pretty much already got something fairly strong.

So yes, with all this in mind, it can definitely work in the main show.

Edited November 12, 2017 by Toon4Thought

[KatonRyu 1,033]

I'm still hoping for a plot similar to that of the Reflections arc in the comics, where Equestria and the human world begin to merge and everyone needs to go back to their own universe to stop it. That would necessarily mean that Sunset would have to come back as well. Doing such a thing would also logically be the end of the EQG franchise though, so they probably won't go that route anytime soon.

[Justin_Case001 4,881]

On 11/12/2017 at 0:58 AM, CypherHoof said:

  Concerning Sunset though, I think the opposite - in EqG she has what she never had in Equestria - friends that care about her and support her. That THAT was largely of her own making is fairly probable; after all, Twi was the same at first - but Celestia managed to engineer the Mane 6, and didn't do anything similar for Sunset (perhaps the time just wasn't right, or perhaps her personality was wrong; Twi seemed to be the linchpin that brought the group together, both ponyside and in EqG, Sunset's selfishness would have gotten in the way of that, and it was only at her low, after her defeat by Twilight, that she was able to find a new path).  In any case, going back to Canterlot, even with her unicorn powers restored and a place at the palace, would still be a sacrifice and a terrible step backwards for Sunset.

Fair point, but: Sunset wouldn't be friendless in Equestria.  She's already friends with Princess Twilight, and now, as of the EG special Mirror Magic, Starlight.  The pony mane 5 haven't met Sunset, so they have no reason to dislike her, and given that the human mane 6 like Sunset, and that the ponies and humans are dopplegangers of each other with the same base personalities, logic dictates that the ponies would take an instant liking to Sunset.  My point is, given a little time, Sunset would have the same friends in Equestria that she does now.  However, I am over simplifying it.  I'm making sound like it's no big deal to just dump the friends she has and trade them in for copies that are basically the same, and start over with them.  (Pack your sh*t, Morty.  We gotta move to a new reality.  I said we could only do that a couple of times!)  It would definitely be a hard emotional sacrifice.  Personally, I think it would be worth it, but that's because I'm biased and coming from the position of hating the world irl, and wishing I could live in a place like Equestria.  Sunset has the opportunity to go back to Equestria and have magic again, and probably learn much more as she would be able to train with Twilight and Starlight, and now, Starswirl.  The prospect of that is just so incredible, and it's not like she'd have to trade friends for magic.  She'd have both.  It would just take some time to start making memories with the ponies.  But, you know, that's what I'd do.  I understand that to Sunset, it's probably far more important to be with the friends that gave her a second chance, guided her, and helped her get her life back on the right path.  *Sigh*  God dammit.  It makes perfect sense, now.  And here, I was just trying to make a funny with that first post! 

[Thrond 3,263]

On 11/12/2017 at 1:03 AM, Justin_Case001 said:

I mean, if you were in her position, would you rather go to friggin high school and diddle around with your smart phone, or live in a magical castle with a magical princess?

Someone else explained pretty well why Sunset wouldn't feel the same way as you -- basically, she likes her life in the human world, so going back would be a pretty big sacrifice for something she could understandably not deem worth it. But I also don't think the human world of Equestria Girls is the world we live in so much as an idealized version of it, and it seems to me that there are far fewer magical threats there compared to Equestria, so perhaps Sunset feels at least a little safer. 

But one thing which would make me not want to move to Equestria is that the sciences governing it are completely different, and that's something I'm surprised Sunset doesn't struggle with. Does she never struggle with the loss of magic? Does she never feel weird about how nothing makes sense in the way it used to? I guess her inquisitive personality could counterbalance the latter, but what about the former? The series likes to pretend she isn't living in a completely different physical form from the one she spent most of her life in, and I would like to see that explored a bit more. 

Anyway: I think there's still a possibility of a special or a movie revolving around Sunset visiting Equestria, which I'd like just to tie up some loose ends (where is her family?) and provide some closure (reuniting with Celestia), as well as to confront any issues which come from her living in a very different alternate dimension. What I don't want is an action episode with a big threat to Equestria, or for her to be forced to visit. If we could get her to simply visit Equestria on her own terms, without needing the crummy big villain formula to create artificial conflict, then I will be very pleased. It's probably not outside the realm of possibility, but I dunno if the powers that be have much interest in this. 

[Justin_Case001 4,881]

On 11/17/2017 at 11:15 AM, AlexanderThrond said:

But I also don't think the human world of Equestria Girls is the world we live in so much as an idealized version of it

That is definitely true.  I mean, holy frigging Celestia, the EG human world is a flipping paradise compared to the real human world.

On 11/17/2017 at 11:15 AM, AlexanderThrond said:

The series likes to pretend she isn't living in a completely different physical form from the one she spent most of her life in, and I would like to see that explored a bit more. 

Oh yes, me, too.

On 11/17/2017 at 11:15 AM, AlexanderThrond said:

What I don't want is an action episode with a big threat to Equestria, or for her to be forced to visit.

Omg, yes.  You said it.  Being summoned to Equestria to do battle against a supervillain would be crap.  I completely agree that she should visit on her own terms, it should be her idea, and she should tie up loose ends, make amends with Tia, etc.  Maybe she'd even visit her family, and we could find out what the deal is there.  You also pointed that out--that we don't know where her family is.  That's a great point.  It seems to me that the only way she would have turned villain in the first place is if she was estranged from her family.  I mean, has there ever been a villain with a positive, supportive family?  Either the family is dysfunctional, or the character in question abandons them.  One way or the other, she must not have been on good terms with her family.  So, in a return to Equestria special, she could make amends with them as well.  That, or they're all dead.

OH!  You know what?!  I just thought of something incredible, but I don't think the timeline lines up.  When did the first EG movie take place?  Was it between S3 & 4?  I think so.  Too bad.  If it was between S4 & 5, then I thought of an amazing story they could have done.  They could have opened the first EG movie with the battle between Tirek and  Twilight, but show it from Sunset's perspective, who happened to be an innocent bystander, and we could find out that her parents were killed by one of the explosions in the crossfire, and that's why she's pissed at Twilight.  It would be like the opening to Batman v Superman, except, y'know, the rest of the movie would actually be good.  But, omg, wouldn't that be an amazing villain origin story?!  People often complain that Twilight's magic never has consequences; well there ya go, that would be flippin' consequences.  That would have been so awesome.  Too dark for the franchise, though.  But you could lower the rating by just having it where Sunset's house was destroyed or something.  It wouldn't be as good, but better than nothing.  But damn, man...that would have been so cool.  Now I'm gonna daydream about that...

[Thrond 3,263]

8 hours ago, Justin_Case001 said:

They could have opened the first EG movie with the battle between Tirek and  Twilight, but show it from Sunset's perspective, who happened to be an innocent bystander, and we could find out that her parents were killed by one of the explosions in the crossfire, and that's why she's pissed at Twilight. 

I thought Sunset went to the human world before Twilight was Celestia's student. 

[Thrond 3,263]

10 hours ago, Justin_Case001 said:

Omg, yes.  You said it.  Being summoned to Equestria to do battle against a supervillain would be crap

I think it's worth noting that I mostly don't want a big villain involved because I'm burnt out on all the big epic stuff and just don't want anything too grandiose. Keep it small and relatable. 

[Justin_Case001 4,881]

On 11/21/2017 at 10:17 AM, AlexanderThrond said:

I thought Sunset went to the human world before Twilight was Celestia's student. 

Yeah, she probably did.  That sounds right.  The timeline for my idea wouldn't work out at all.  But it would have been so awesome.

On 11/21/2017 at 1:01 PM, AlexanderThrond said:

I think it's worth noting that I mostly don't want a big villain involved because I'm burnt out on all the big epic stuff and just don't want anything too grandiose. Keep it small and relatable. 

Yes, I agree.  I'll also point out that while the epic villain episodes are a necessary part of the universe, all of the best episodes (imo) are the relatable, character driven, emotional, non-villain related stores.  (e.g. The Perfect Pear, The Mane Attraction, Amending Fences, etc.)  Sunset's return story would be much more meaningful if it was about her emotions and NOT The Return of Worldender.

[Thrond 3,263]

8 hours ago, Justin_Case001 said:

Yes, I agree.  I'll also point out that while the epic villain episodes are a necessary part of the universe, all of the best episodes (imo) are the relatable, character driven, emotional, non-villain related stores.  (e.g. The Perfect Pear, The Mane Attraction, Amending Fences, etc.)  Sunset's return story would be much more meaningful if it was about her emotions and NOT The Return of Worldender.

On the other hand, I think the show's best episodes are mainly comedic with sympathetic problems ("Lesson Zero," "The Last Roundup," "Wonderbolts Academy"), but I do think Sunset's return might work better as something more straightforwardly emotional.

[Toon4Thought 274]

Without giving too much away, the new book "A Friendship to Remember" does something with this.

[titanhades70 14]

Won't happen because most of everyone she cares about is in the human world. I don't see her leaving them.

 

The Equestria chapter of her life is over. People have to accept that. She most likely has made her peace with Celestia offscreen.

 

 

By the way, I'very seen the descriptions of every episode in season 8, and I am happy to say that Sunset isn't in any of them. 😈

Edited January 28, 2018 by titanhades70

[Flutterlina 21]

17 hours ago, titanhades70 said:

The Equestria chapter of her life is over. People have to accept that. She most likely has made her peace with Celestia offscreen.

More likely onscreen

Spoiler

in Forgotten Friendship if it is anything like book...

 

[titanhades70 14]

I don't see her going back, because that would mean abandoning her friends, which goes against everything the show and characters stand for.

 

Plus, they already have 40 + characters to giving meaningful roles to in only 26 episodes. Especially with the 6 new kids.  Sunset will never be seen in the MLP series.

Edited April 11, 2018 by titanhades70