Pain-Rikudo 21 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 Discord is male. Isn't that good enough? We are Pain , We are God - Nagato Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radiance64 7,053 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 The females dominate Equestria alright, but the girls doesn't seem to care about it and neither do the guys. So I'm cool about it. No, no, no, no, no... The most prominent male character in this show is Spike. He is the only male character with episodes on his own. I was about to correct myself about that, how could I forget Spike? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magicon 468 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 I'm fine with the amount of female characters on the show, but I would like to see more male background ponies and maybe a more pronounced male character just to help even the balance between male and female. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cain 24 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 As long as there's more Braeburn, I'm fine. But yeah, I've seen a lot of fanfics as to why there's such a gender imbalance in Equestria. I, myself, have an idea for a fanfic and a prequel for it concerning the matter, but in a rather darkish way. RP Character: Cain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zerul 554 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 The only half cool dude on the whole show is Big Mac and he doesn't even do much. "Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?" Ooh! Ooh! More guessing games! Um... Pokey Smokes! How about Queen Meanie? No! Black Snooty, Black Snooty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simcity11100 772 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 Just because there are less men in a show doesn't make it any worse then any other out there, I enjoy the show, and if your looking for more male ponies, then you can wait, because eventually there will be another, not that there needs to be another, in fact, I'm male and I play mostly female characters in mmorpg's and other online types, not because I like the way they look, but because I just have a bit more fun playing the opposite sex, but what I'm saying is that the show is already really good and doesn't need extra characters to be better then it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Finesthour 7,287 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 No. Feminism forever! Men are ugly and stupid! Long live women! </sarcasm> I honestly don't care. It's a cartoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digit Sums 42 July 16, 2012 Share July 16, 2012 More mares means more shipping opportunities for our male OCs. I for one welcome our new feminine overlords. Known everywhere else as some derivative of Pikalax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spas-ticShotty 3,584 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 The stallions always have the same, hideous hairdos. Only some of them, like SA, Mac and Braeburn, have something different. It makes them not as appealing to constantly look at . Not that the females' dos are a mile better (The Mane 6 have the best while many background females have some shitty dos). I think that there should be more stallions, just for some gender balancement, although I hope they give them better looking manes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SBaby 660 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) Besides the obvious, being a show for girls, I'd probably say it could be attributed to just being tradition that females seem to be in charge of everything. Of course, that doesn't mean they can't have the occasional male character show up from time to time. Edited July 17, 2012 by SBaby A Winner Is You!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AIMonkey 197 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Heh, plenty of countries in real life with Queens. I even life in one, so I probably wouldn't mind Celestia and Luna ruling the lands Though.. the power of Celestia is a lot bigger compared to real-life queens. (depending on country perhaps) But anyway, I bow before our pony overlords let them be Princesses or Princes, anyhow I will bow! I'm always sorry. Did not want to bother you I'll just sit over here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thewookie Wooker 64 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Don't forget Shining Armor who is in charge of the only known military body in Equestria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Discovery Dream 592 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Ahem. IT IS A SHOW FOR LITTLE GIRLS. MOST CHARACTERS ARE FEMALE. For once we need a place where girls are more prominent. Today, it's still a man's world, though that is changing. Just because a lot of the fans are male doesn't mean any more stallions are needed. 3 no rest for the wizardly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom The Diamond 1,830 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) Eh, I could care less. As long as the characters are entertaining, I could care less about their gender. Though Season 2 definitely at least tried to even out the gender ratio. Heck, I'd go as far as saying that characters like Iron Hoof and Roid Rage were so manly that they actually tipped the gender ratio in favor of the males. Edited July 17, 2012 by Tom The Diamond Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arylett Charnoa 4,919 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Hey, guys? This is how girls feel a lot of the time when we're watching most shows. There's something in the media that TVTropes calls the Smurfette Principle. It is when they include a token girl in there just because they're vaguely aware that females are watching. Maybe two or three if we're lucky. Is it fair for us? No. We're used to it though, even if it annoys the hell out of me. In many forms of media, not only are females lacking in quantity, but quality. They all have the same characterization: as love interests for male characters. Motherly, overbearing, naggy, bossy, or sex objects. Take your pick. But that's how many females are depicted in media. I don't mean to sound like that type of girl, but it's honestly true. Whilst I'm all for equality in shows between females and males rather than just black and white female/male dominance, to see a show like this that depicts female dominance not as something overly sexualized for males/just plain overly girly as just a normal thing is honestly refreshing. It gives girls a LOT of characters to identify with. I personally cannot identify with a character of the opposite gender as much, which means most media is full of characters I can't identify with well. I'm not sure if this is just a me-thing, but some other girls could feel the same way. It gives little girls good characters with great variety to identify with, and it does its job well. I'm so happy to have a show where there's so many characters of my gender that I can identify with. They aren't just shallow love interests and don't exist for the purpose of males or to try to boost ratings slightly with females. Lauren Faust made it like that for that purpose, because she was disgusted at how media for women is inferior to mainstream/male media. Basically: whilst I would like to see a few more males of importance, I'm totally fine with the way the show is. It's ultimately designed for females. The fact that so many males could even get into it and create bronies is a testament to how the show probably doesn't need anymore male characters. The characterization is good enough to pass beyond the boundaries of both genders. 6 Aether Velvet is the name of the OC in my avatar. Drawn by me. Deviantart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AIMonkey 197 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) I got to agree that it's a wonderful thing that MLP is breaking stereotypes. The amount of characters (not just female mind you) gives A lot of room for everyone to find their own pony they connect with. Since the main target group is girls it makes sense to have the primary cast be mostly female. But of course that doesn't mean the males aren't important, for all we know there could be plenty of girls that connect to a male character more easily. And it also gives the chance to break up the general idea that a girls show must be filled with just girly girls. Heh, the bodybuilder pegasus was a funny welcome to it And besides, the real world is filled with both parties as well and I think MLP does a fine job portraying that reality instead of some fantasy stereotype of girly girls in girl shows and muscular men in boy shows. Not every mare or colt is a nice/good pony either. (Diamond Tiara, Prince Blueblood) Or at least have Some traits that are perceived negatively by some (not all, it's almost never "all" or "everyone") In the end, I'm also on the side of, MLP is just fine as it is. But change should/is always be welcome. Try not to turn away a change before you even looked at it. Edited July 17, 2012 by AIMonkey I'm always sorry. Did not want to bother you I'll just sit over here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Titan Rising 2,156 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) Eh the lack of stallions doesn't bother me too much, I'm just glad they didn't take the typical little girls show route and make all guys look like douches/idiots. Except they kinda do lol... I think every major male character is portrayed as either an idiot or a jerk... I mean you got snips and snails? And that white stallion Rarity fell in love with at the Gala? That's pretty much it lol Well I guess Shining Armor is the exception to this Edited July 17, 2012 by Hollowshield 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiliscael 3,960 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 I think it's fine. I like girls... 1 I tend to take the high road, get stoned, and fly low . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evilshy 5,090 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) I don't see how this is a problem. Women are awesome. Would a male main character be awesome? Most likely. Do we need one? Not really. And I think you all know my opinions on female dominance... Edited July 17, 2012 by Evilshy Signature now 99% less edgy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreaper 136 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 It surprises me how many people here tend to forget Spike, the goddamn main male character. Just give Spike more screentime and awesome moments, and that will be enough. We don't need any aditional main male characters in this show, specially if they're just going to be a love interest for any of the main 6. The cast is great just the way it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Akemi Homura 7,680 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Hey, guys? This is how girls feel a lot of the time when we're watching most shows. There's something in the media that TVTropes calls the Smurfette Principle. It is when they include a token girl in there just because they're vaguely aware that females are watching. Maybe two or three if we're lucky. Is it fair for us? No. We're used to it though, even if it annoys the hell out of me. In many forms of media, not only are females lacking in quantity, but quality. They all have the same characterization: as love interests for male characters. Motherly, overbearing, naggy, bossy, or sex objects. Take your pick. But that's how many females are depicted in media. I don't mean to sound like that type of girl, but it's honestly true. Whilst I'm all for equality in shows between females and males rather than just black and white female/male dominance, to see a show like this that depicts female dominance not as something overly sexualized for males/just plain overly girly as just a normal thing is honestly refreshing. It gives girls a LOT of characters to identify with. I personally cannot identify with a character of the opposite gender as much, which means most media is full of characters I can't identify with well. I'm not sure if this is just a me-thing, but some other girls could feel the same way. It gives little girls good characters with great variety to identify with, and it does its job well. I'm so happy to have a show where there's so many characters of my gender that I can identify with. They aren't just shallow love interests and don't exist for the purpose of males or to try to boost ratings slightly with females. Lauren Faust made it like that for that purpose, because she was disgusted at how media for women is inferior to mainstream/male media. Basically: whilst I would like to see a few more males of importance, I'm totally fine with the way the show is. It's ultimately designed for females. The fact that so many males could even get into it and create bronies is a testament to how the show probably doesn't need anymore male characters. The characterization is good enough to pass beyond the boundaries of both genders. I commend you for sticking up for your beliefs. Faust made it possible for girls to relate to the show MUCH more than the previous incarnations of MLP - which were rather stereotypically defined as girls "enjoying tea parties, playing with dolls, and doing a whole bunch of other girly guck" that no one gave a hoot about. It was infuriating for both sides involved, really - thus the harsh criticism if one tries to make shows fully intended for girls, provided that they follow all that stereotypical nonsense. "Girly"-natured shows therefore truly belong in the gutter as it's not only disrespectful to women, but also fail to provide any real sense of entertainment... which is what they were trying to do. Now that we have characters which are relatable, and not just icons of girliness, even males can identify with each of the Mane 6 (whether it be fully or to an extent) and do not have to feel strange about doing so, because after all, these are human traits we find in the characters. Thus, if cartoons serve as role models, then the Mane 6 would have to top the list as young girls (and women) can look up to them and say, "wow, I don't have to be stereotype after all"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuteycindyhoney 13,307 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) True, MLP is a show for little girls, so many female characters are neccessary. But there are hardly any stallions. The two ruling princesses are female, the town mayor of Ponyville is female, the captain of the Wonderbolts is female, and has there ever been a male alicorn? Prince Blueblood is just a unicorn, yet Princess Cadence is an alicorn. That's seriously unfair. And episode one (season 1) says that Celestia and Luna "maintained balance". That's contradictory because only female rule is not equal and therefore not balanced. I'm not saying that all the superior females should be dumped out and replaced with males, no, that would make nothing better. But more stallions governing or leading or even making frequent appearances in the show (we actually don't see Big Mac that much) should come in. Just because it's for little girls doesn't mean that there should be so few males. (they seem to be introducing more, though) Like you said, the target audience is little girls. If they lost the prime viewers, there wouldn't be enough bronies to keep the show a viable prospect. Besides, what's so wrong with having just ONE SHOW that isn't dominated by male characters? Edited July 17, 2012 by cuteycindyhoney 1 Thank you Sparklefan1234!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrooveBroove 680 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 I have no issues with it being primarily female. Since lets be honest here the male character's don't exactly work out very well. Spike I think fits that void nicely. If anything maybe they should just make up some reason why we don't see them often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegoodhen 698 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 Actually, although I'm a guy, I STRONGLY dislike the fact that women in movies are usually just a sex symbol (take James Bond for an example). And I respect Lauren Faust for actually delivering the ideas of feminism to the audience, without it being unnatural. I mean, women who sue Lego for gender stereotyping, just because they make hairdresser a girl, or who accuse Faust of being sexist (real cases) are just overly affected and make themselves look stupid. (although, in male world, I can say I don't sort of understand this extremism.) But this show makes girls look good in a very natural way, and I could even say it boosted my respect towards women (hey, don't get me wrong, I've never openly disrespected a girl, I'm talking more about what I think about women in general). Kudos to L. Faust for that. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abaddon 95 July 17, 2012 Share July 17, 2012 (edited) In regards to fizzydog's comment: It's a start, but it's not enough. Sexism still exists in all faucets of society and it is compounded by the sexist and degrading shows, ads, magazines etc that exist (unfortunately we still live in a patriarchal society and it needs to change). Finally there is a show that presents young girls with an example of strong and capable women. A cartoon that shows girls that it doesn't matter if you are strong or meek, eccentric or calm, you are unique and capable of anything. We need more shows like this, more ads, and more stories, more examples of strong/amazing women. Young girls deserve to see positive role models, not the degrading crap that exists out there. I hope one day, true equality can exist. Women deserve it and men should be ashamed for the horrible things they have done to women over the last hundreds of years. Edited July 17, 2012 by Abaddon Sig by Midnightive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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