Why is Izzy Moonbrow Having a Tennis Ball on Her Horn a Thing?

[Misty Shadow 7,863]

Every time I go to Derpibooru now, the home page always has at least one image of art featuring Izzy Moonbrow with a tennis ball on her horn.  How has one leaked screenshot inspired a fad? Dr. Wolf did a whole video attempting to explain this latest craze and I still don't get it. 

Just because Izzy acted vibrant in an animation does not mean you're going to like her actual personality and the screenshot is very likely just from a comedic scene, nothing more. Am I the only one who doesn't get it?  

[SharpWit 2,647]

I'm betting since magic is supposed to be less common in G5 that she's at best considered an oddity and even potential threat to certain branches of pony society. Short of cutting it off, this is the only thing they could immediately think of to blunt the pointy spell shooter while in the presence of someone of importance. After all, this shot had them flanked by guards in what looked to be the equivalent to a royal chamber of sorts. But also comedic purposes.

[Landi 600]

Considering we only have two movie images to go off of, it's hard for some, including myself, to not go theorizing away. For instance, maybe the ball was put there by the pegasi to keep her horn from poking some pony, or maybe it's a magic nullifier (if ponies do still have some of their innate magic left). There are many theories to create based off of this image, and it's fun to speculate. Plus, it wasn't too often in g4 when we got to see a unicorn with an object on his/her horn. The overall idea of this is funny to think about, and it makes this a very meme-able concept. So it is understandable why this concept sparks so much interest and discussion.

[Misty Shadow 7,863]

12 minutes ago, Califorum said:

Because it is really cute, and hilarious and we haven't seen much else of anything so far. 

Problem is though, every time something simple like this becomes a fad, it creates a counter culture of contempt that destroys the legacy of what it was originally intended to be. 

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

I don't know for certain, but I guess it's there just because she wanted something to play with. I think it's cute!

[Megas 27,622]

This is the same fandom that latched on to split second animation errors and made small gags given to characters their entire personality

Remember Trixie's obsession with wheels and peanut butter crackers and how the fandom drove that to the ground?

It just looks funny and the fanbase will milk it till everyone gets sick of it before the movie even shows its first trailer

Edited March 6, 2021 by Megas

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

It's there because hasbro knows we exist.....

[Dark Qiviut 22,393]

We don't know, and right now, it doesn't even matter. Having the ball jabbed into her horn (along with the expression) makes her look really cute and innocent; it's a lot of fun seeing bronies toy with ideas or faving them when I see them come up.

[Jeric 46,851]

8 hours ago, CloudMistDragon said:

Problem is though, every time something simple like this becomes a fad, it creates a counter culture of contempt that destroys the legacy of what it was originally intended to be. 

From my vantage point this is only a problem for those that have their enjoyment of a medium changed by this type of thing. Remember years ago when the idea that Indiana Jones had no impact Raiders debate came out and was popularized on Big Bang Theory? More than a few people said that revelation really changed their opinion of the film, then you had some who made a lot of counters to this argument using some interesting logic. 
 

I read both. It didn’t change the smiles and enjoyment of that classic one iota. I don’t expect that a tennis ball on a unicorn causing glee and disdain will have much impact on me in any way outside of the initial smile, and the curiosity of how that goes down. 
 

8 minutes ago, Dark Qiviut said:

We don't know, and right now, it doesn't even matter. Having the ball jabbed into her horn (along with the expression) makes her look really cute and innocent; it's a lot of fun seeing bronies toy with ideas or faving them when I see them come up.

That it is. 

[Will Guide 21,360]

11 hours ago, The Wife of Hawks said:

It’s because we don’t know why it’s there and it looks like a silly moment. Those two facts combined makes for a breeding ground of speculation.

In my opinion, it getting so much attention is annoying. There is a tennis ball on her horn, we get it. We’ll figure out what happens when the movie comes out.

Well said.

Next thing you know, we'll be making dated memes out of molehills. 

I rather just see for myself what will happen

[Misty Shadow 7,863]

1 hour ago, Jeric said:

From my vantage point this is only a problem for those that have their enjoyment of a medium changed by this type of thing. Remember years ago when the idea that Indiana Jones had no impact Raiders debate came out and was popularized on Big Bang Theory? 
 

Never heard of this, makes me glad I always listened to people telling me The Big Bang Theory was terrible. 

I'm not one of those people who lets memes affect their opinions on entertainment either. In fact, I have been a staunch advocate of objective criticism of entertainment for as long as I can remember. Dig up my old posts on the decline of review sites if you don't believe me. If you don't believe I practice what I preach, skim through my short reviews on any MLP episode from the past five seasons, most notably ones done on controversial, fan-least favorite episodes. You'd probably be surprised. 

I talk about this stuff out of boredom, and that's pretty much it. I like to be cynical about stuff like this for fun. I don't care if people don't agree with my opinions, especially with something as trivial as an opinion on a meme I feel is going to become dated and tick people off, all I care is that people enjoy the discussion. 

[Jeric 46,851]

2 hours ago, Will Guide said:

Next thing you know, we'll be making dated memes out of molehills. 

 

 

Yes, yes we will! 

 

They need an internet for for "If something exists .... there is a meme for it" The question on how something like this becomes popular as an art fad in a fandom is a very interesting one to me, as is the psychology behind the resistance of art fads. Also, I'm glad that somepony still plays tennis in this dystopian Equestria! No friendship ... but it's your turn to serve!

 

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Our girl Izzy is a tad clumsy. One day she stumbled, and well...You could put an eye out with that!

[AveryGamerDude 4,640]

I'd say it's just to look cute, and it does that job rather effectively IMO.

[Solar Power 299]

We've had so little information so far about generation 5 that the fans are always going to go crazy about the bits we do have. It reminds me of what I've read about the fans in the early days of generation 4, the way they would immediately make a ton of fanart or games based on things that had occurred in the latest episode. I wasn't there to witness it at the time since I didn't become a fan until late 2015. I'm guessing it's going to be the same for generation 5 and I'm glad that I'll be here to see it all this time. I must admit I too find it a bit irritating the way the tennis ball thing has blown up so big, but on the other hand I'm happy to see the fans are as enthusiastic about Pony as ever. There's already been songs made about generation 5 and there's even a game inspired by Izzy and the tennis ball.

[Goat-kun 2,527]

I don't think this qualifies as a meme. It's just primates being excited at novelty.

 

Anyhow, the crown was throwing stuff at her when they were being escorted to the Ministry of Friendship cause she's a filthy unicorn. Or it's the result of that big accident that gets them in trouble.

[ProfVenturer 94]

This is definitely gonna be on Know Your Meme.

[Pipp 17]

Simple magic blocker/anti-stab. If something is stuck on her horn, then she cannot use any magic (not like as if she could lol.) Also, it avoids stabbing somepony on the way -- simple, but practical.

Plus, meme potential. That's always worth it.

[Evil Pink One 13,506]

Is the leak true!? Did twilight messed up big time!?

[ShadOBabe 18,997]

2 hours ago, Kujamih said:

Is the leak true!? Did twilight messed up big time!?

Well she could have just died. Or been sealed away. We have no way of knowing yet.

[Misty Shadow 7,863]

13 minutes ago, ShadOBabe said:

Well she could have just died. Or been sealed away. We have no way of knowing yet.

This is what I'm leaning more towards as well, unless future evidence says otherwise. 

9 minutes ago, Califorum said:

Maybe into a constellation? 

Not gonna lie, I would enjoy the irony of that. 

[Octavian 5,421]

I like the 'it's because she's a unicorn' idea, although you would think pegasi would have something more official than a tennis ball to stick on their pointy nemeses?

Also like the 'it's because she keeps chasing balls' like an an excited dog and so somepony stuck it on her horn idea or the 'she kept poking Sunny with her horn and so he stuck it on her' idea.  

[Passion 3,484]

Because she's an implied free-spirited airhead. I am amused seeing people try ro reverse-engineer this as if it was a complex rocket science example, but in reality it's most probably an indicator that one of her personality traits will be that of a reckless ditzy-do.

[Northern Star 1,024]

I'm going to to with(since there are guards) "anti-horn-as-a-weapon" since isn't G5 the "magic has gone out" generation?

Or the "one ruined it for all" thing.

[ZiggWheelsManning 10,259]

Remember when Family Guy hit it big with Peter dancing to Surfin' Bird?  There's some song to go with the tennis ball