Deconstructing Rainbow Dash - A critical opinion discussion

[Light Diamond 950]

I don't really like her either, she's my least liked out of all the ponies due to her rudeness and arrogance.

 

Although she has saved Rarity and Scootaloo, so i guess there's a nice side to her.

[Princess Oceangem 61]

Don't worry you are not alone! I dislike RD because of multiple factors, just to name a few In Cutie Mark Chronicles she is more concerned about the race than saving Fluttershy, she is often very rude to other characters, her "I'm too cool to give a straight answer to a friend" attitude, her arrogance, how easily she falls and I cannot relate to her at all! I see a little in myself in just about every character except Rainbow Dash (the only exception is when they shoehorned in the idea that RD loves books but that was too forced to count).

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

 

 

Rainbow Dash has the most flaws out of the mane 6 that's for sure. But the only flaws I can think of for Twilight are that she's too obsessive compulsive at times and how she acted in Lesson Zero. But that's only 2 flaws/mistakes. Same goes for Fluttershy. How she acted in The Best Night Ever and in Putting Your Hoof Down. That was only in 2 episodes. It wasn't her fault when Discord changed her.

 

Big question, why are flaws in a character a bad thing?

 

Obviously they are, in an objective sense, but how likable and interesting a character is doesn't necessarily directly relate to how flawed they are. I take that back, actually. Some characters are unlikeable for how flawed they are, and some are unlikable for how flawed they aren't. Flaws are what make a character human, flaws are what allow you to connect to them, and seeing a character overcome or succumb to their flaws is one of the more interesting parts of any story. At least, in my opinion. How they're handled is important of course, but Rainbow Dash hardly ever acts out of malice and frequently has to deal with some kind of consequence afterwards.

 

If RD were less of an asshole at the beginning, but also didn't have that process of slowly becoming the very compassionate and sweet (if still sometimes insensitive) person she is now, she would be a lesser character.

[Megas 27,563]

So this what, the third one of these types of threads?

 

Basically, what DashForever said. Why is it that there's such vial hatred to people like RD and Rarity? Usually resulting from people taking something this character did or said out of context, or not realizing that good characters aren't saints who never do wrong. That's called, a Mary Sue, and that's a big no no when it comes to writing. Characters have to be flawed and make mistakes and learn from them to be a good character. And that's exactly what Rainbow Dash does in her episodes.

Don't forget the part where people bash characters for things that don't apply to them or things they made up

[Moved to Elsewhere 11,331]

Don't forget the part where people bash characters for things that don't apply to them or things they made up

I've seen so many times where people go, "Pinkie is a jerk!" for like one or two things she unintentionally did.

[LZRD WZRD 1,929]

Big question, why are flaws in a character a bad thing?

 

Obviously they are, in an objective sense, but how likable and interesting a character is doesn't necessarily directly relate to how flawed they are. I take that back, actually. Some characters are unlikeable for how flawed they are, and some are unlikable for how flawed they aren't. Flaws are what make a character human, flaws are what allow you to connect to them, and seeing a character overcome or succumb to their flaws is one of the more interesting parts of any story. At least, in my opinion. How they're handled is important of course, but Rainbow Dash hardly ever acts out of malice and frequently has to deal with some kind of consequence afterwards.

 

If RD were less of an asshole at the beginning, but also didn't have that process of slowly becoming the very compassionate and sweet (if still sometimes insensitive) person she is now, she would be a lesser character.

To add to this, some of my favorite characters are terrible people who if I met them in real life would be people I would avoid. But when the phrase "favorite characters" is said, people like Tuco from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly pop into my mind. Or heck, any of the characters in Sergio Leone's movies! Characters with problems can be endearing and strangely lovable if written and acted well.

[MysticShine 529]

Rainbow Dash used to be lower on my favorites list, but now she's worked her way up to #2.

[Sazama Ichida 2,367]

Big question, why are flaws in a character a bad thing?

 

Obviously they are, in an objective sense, but how likable and interesting a character is doesn't necessarily directly relate to how flawed they are. I take that back, actually. Some characters are unlikeable for how flawed they are, and some are unlikable for how flawed they aren't. Flaws are what make a character human, flaws are what allow you to connect to them, and seeing a character overcome or succumb to their flaws is one of the more interesting parts of any story. At least, in my opinion. How they're handled is important of course, but Rainbow Dash hardly ever acts out of malice and frequently has to deal with some kind of consequence afterwards.

 

If RD were less of an asshole at the beginning, but also didn't have that process of slowly becoming the very compassionate and sweet (if still sometimes insensitive) person she is now, she would be a lesser character.

I was merely stating why she is least likeable of the mane 6. But flaws in a character are not a bad thing no. All of the mane 6 have flaws. But it's also part of what makes them good characters.

[Thespian 78]

We're doing this again? These kinds of posts are boring. It is just a circlejerk of "I don't like this character for x reasons. Anyone else?" I dislike every character for different reasons and like every character for different reasons. I like rainbow because I think she has the most interesting look and animations. I dislike her because her vocabulary is limited to "awesome". You're not the first, and you wont be the last person to like or dislike her. 

[Cleverclover 1,526]

 

 

Flaws are what make a character human, flaws are what allow you to connect to them, and seeing a character overcome or succumb to their flaws is one of the more interesting parts of any story.

 

Exactly. 

 

Not only do flaws make characters relatable, but they also drive them away from perfection, which is most certainly a good thing because perfect characters are boring (and this is exactly why I like Twilight so much less now). 

 

In any case, Rainbow Dash used to be one of my favorite characters in the show, but I eventually came to realize that she was a bit shallow compared to the likes of Applejack and Rarity. So now she's basically my third as far as the mane six goes. 

[1Bit 1,531]

I do dislike Rainbow somewhat. Although, I do believe that she has got better in later seasons. I just can't help but be annoyed at how she behaves in 'Fall Weather Friends'. It just...annoys me so much the way she acts. 

[StitchandMLPlover 930]

She messes up Twilight's mane and doesn't even apologize and instead laughs in her face...

 

Rainbow Dash said "Excuse me, let me help you" just a moment before which I thought was quite sweet of her. Rainbow isn't my favorite but as the seasons progress she gets way more interesting and I don't hate or dislike her.  

Edited February 18, 2015 by StitchandMLPlover

[Shanks 10,816]

Rainbow Dash is a character with some interesting contradictions she is one of the most loved and hated ponies at the same time. Honestly my opinion on her was a bit more neutral at first but went way up after Sleepless In Ponyville and Wonderbolt Academy. I am not denying any of the claims made in the OP, they are all true but I think Rainbow Dash deserves quite a bit of credit for being the pony that matured the most aside from Twilight. I suppose Rainbow Dash's ego can get on certain people nerves and I can understand that but as for me I think a cocky character done right can be a good character and Rainbow Dash is an example of that.

[Mutemutt 773]

I used to really dislike Rainbow Dash but not because she did something mean that one time, way back when or any other crazy one time moment that critics seem to focus entirely on and pick at incessantly like some sort of scab or itch, as if the entirety of the character is found only at those few, select points. It's really weird how often this fandom seems to do this.

 

No, I disliked Rainbow Dash for a very, very simple reason. She's the token "cool" character and I just didn't like those types. Of course, I've mostly lightened up on her now.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

 

 

Took Scootaloo under her wing.

I guess. Did anything ever come out of that? Seems like they didn't bother to follow through or else Dash would have had to get some pony else to coach the foals for the Equestria Games.

 

My least favorite character is Rainbow Dash still. As a character, she is extremely flawed and not very relatable. I am not sure if her egotistical mindset would get even worse now that she is a wonderbolt but she is still an important part of the main cast. I don't think I dislike her necessarily although there is a lot to dislike about her.

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

your obviously not alone... her personality was tolerable at first but now she is just unlikable.... how she is still loved by many is beyond me

[NavelColt 22,879]

Hah! That title. Oh OP, you so funny.

 

Dash has a shitton of fans, and likewise, has a shitton of haters and general not-fans. :3

 

Her personality is a take or leave. You either like her for her good traits and her bad ones, or you get turned off by her bad ones and label her as someone you don't like. Me, her faults just make her all the more realistic. That much farther away from the Mary-Sue spectrum.

[Alan Crytex 165]

I still like her but not one of my favorite....

[Celli 4,337]

While I can see why some hate her, she's my 3rd favorite pony. I love her design, and she's really passionate about her goals, much like Rarity. But, hey, I don't hate, or even dislike a single character on the show. 'Cept maybe Diamond Tiara, and Snips/Snails. I will say some of the complaints thrown against her are very petty. I will say that the complaints against her are the most valid, though. Unlike Rarity, such as, "Oh, she's girly, oh, she's such a drama queen. Oh, she likes dresses, therefore, she is a shallow character, and the worst." Uh, what? I'd say that I despise the hate against Rarity more than any of the mane 6, as most of it is extremely petty. Looking at you, PastAnalysis  :okiedokielokie: And Twilight's my favorite.

[CinnamonPop 3,350]

Nope, I really don't like RD because sometimes... She can get really, really aggressive toward other ponies. Also, mostly like all of the "great" athletes in this world, she brags about her skill.

I, honestly think Pinkie Pie is barely, if not faster than Rainbow Dash, my evidence being in "Party of One"

[Buck Testa 5,505]

What about her relationship with Scoots though? She is more than an admirable pony when she's dealing with that filly. Also I wouldn't judge a character strictly based on their element (in fact I feel its a weak point in the show itself to confine them to something as vague as the elements are)

 

Would it be all that interesting if RD didn't have struggles and difficult choices? If she was just a model citizen all the time then she really wouldn't be all that engaging of a character. She has flaws, all of the mane six has them. 

 

As for your examples

 

1st one

Rainbow Dash meets Twilight

She also tried to fix the mistakes she made with a pony she never met before. She knocked Twi into the mud, so she cleans her off, and blowdries her hair with comical results, which even SPIKE laughed at. I suppose that means spike is "worst pony" as well? She also says she is looking forward to hanging out with Twi, meaning she likes her and thinks her as someone she finds interesting enough to share her hobbies and dreams with. That doesn't sound all that malevolent to me. She's a rough housing type, likes to rib the new pony, it's a sign of affection, a "welcome to ponyville" if you will. This is also before she gets any kind of character development

 

2nd one 

Rainbow dash says no

 

Sure she liked the sound of joining a group like that, UNTIL they said she had to leave her newly found friends, at which point she turns them down, politely I might add, and continues on to helping her friends out. Seems pretty loyal to me. 

 

3rd one

Its a holiday, she's having some fun pranking, which both she and Pinkie have been known to do.

 

4th one

Its the WONDERBOLT's, the group she's been pining for the whole time, granted its not her best moment in the series and the whole her faking an injury thing felt a bit forced, but I can at least see where believable conflict would arise from that. 

 

There is another thing in any of these points that is not being brought up, and its her insecurity which really defines who she really is. Yes Rainbow is loud and boisterous and can seem like a big ol jerk at times, but for everything you could possibly bring up against her I could bring up counters to prove she means well. 

 

Her pivotal moment for me that showed me who she really was was in an episode that was universally hated by bronies: Mysterious mare do well. I despise the episode as well but its not because of RD, its because of how awful her friends were in that episode. 

 

This scene though, this scene is her in a beautiful nutshell. It tells you everything you need to know about who she is, how she thinks, what her motivations are, and why she is the element of loyalty

 

 

Dash does what she does because she wants to be seen, she wants to be validated, she wants ponies to be LOYAL to her. She gives the same to others because she wants to validate them, like she does with scoots or with Flutters in later episodes. Her insecurities make her crave loyalty, and her understanding of what its like to not have ponies stand by her makes her want to be loyal to them. Yes she has struggles, yes she doesn't always make the right decision right away, but who does? I know I don't. 

 

 

I hope that helps show her in a different light than "worst pony", I really hate that term being used for any of them mane six just because there really aren't any bad characters among them, or in the show for that matter except for a couple really flat background ponies like Diamond Tiara. 

[Fractured 2,684]

Please keep in mind that I said "dislike" not hate. I just really don't see the appeal of her as a character and why people like her other than them having a tomboy fetish...She's selfish and conceited and doesn't seem to care at all about anypony but herself...

 

And I can name some reasons why Rainbow Dash is most certainly NOT best pony and is the least admirable out of the mane 6 and isn't loyal:

 

To name a few things. I could go on but I don't want bother.

 

And she's supposed to be loyal? These acts right here show the complete antithesis of her Element of Harmony if anything...

 

Sure Rarity sometimes shows Greed which is the complete antithesis of her Element of Harmony but she still lives up to her Element of Harmony way more than Rainbow Dash does and gets way too much hate just like how Rainbow Dash gets way too much love if you ask me. But I digress.

There's something really wrong with the above.

 

When you imply that Rainbow Dash(or any Mane Six) is a bad character because she doesn't follow her element, you clearly missed the point. The elements, like cutie marks, are given to the ponies who got them because they exemplified that element above anyone else. They weren't given to them because they were perfect at it, because if that's the case, then they never earned it. That makes the idea pointless.

 

In the end, you need the bad because it makes the good shine even brighter. Rarity can struggle with selfishness, but she represents Generosity because, even when she does, she'll still make the choice to help others over herself. Pinkie Pie's jokes can sometimes hurt others and make them sad, but she represents the element of Laughter because even if she messes up, she'll keep trying her hardest to make ponies smile. Likewise, Rainbow Dash often she struggles with the temptation of betraying others (usually for personal benefit,) but, at the end of the day, she'll still choose to stick by her commitments and her friends. That's why she represents loyalty; not because she's perfect at it, but because she tries her best in spite of that fact. Because loyalty is what's most important to her.

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

RD is the least cuddly and gentle goat cat.

[Tao 7,526]

Personally Im not a fan of show offs or those who seek attention which

Dash does more than once.  Now I do like her designed but not her

personality and she seems to keep repeating the same mistakes over

and over not learning from them..

[Zhortac 1,474]

I can't stand Rainbow Dash half the time, and her rabbid fanbase is even worse. I swear, she could get away with murder, as long as she went "oops, I guess I was wrong" at the end of the episode, only to have it mean nothing from the next episode on, like every other "lesson" she supposedly learned.