Twilight Sparkle Alicorn/Princess Speculation [SPOILERS]

[Twinhead B 482]

 

Business: As a business decision by Hasbro, Princess Twilight makes no sense to me. I don't see any reason why little girls would differ from bronies in the sense that they, too, might have their own favorite character(s). By suddenly casting Twilight as a princess, Hasbro is favoring one over the others, and, subsequently, overlooking those in their target demographic that might favor Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash. 

 

 

 

That's simple. Hasbro felt they needed another stupidly expensive talking-princess toy (because they totally couldn't of made one for Luna), so they went to Studio B and said:

 

"Hey look this Twilight thing is cool, but what if she had wiiiiinnnnggggsss? Make it happen or you're fired"

 

So, Studio B said "well shit" and now they have to make it work canonically while still keeping the already sketchy power balance between Twilight and her friends in check.

Edited January 31, 2013 by Twinhead B

[EmmerichWolfe 47]

That's simple. Hasbro felt they needed another stupidly expensive talking-princess toy (because they totally couldn't of made one for Luna), so they went to Studio B and said:

 

"Hey look this Twilight thing is cool, but what if she had wiiiiinnnnggggsss? Make it happen or you're fired"

 

So, Studio B said "well shit" and now they have to make it work canonically while still keeping the already sketchy power balance between Twilight and her friends in check.

 

XD I'd certainly hope it wasn't that simple. 

 

But you're right. They have plenty of options within the show to sell princess toys. Not every person will identify with Twilight. 

 

It's a slippery slope to be sure. If they overdo this and constantly have Twilight overshadow the others, then they risk leaving a portion of their demographic feeling dejected. 

 

But, like I said, I have a good amount of faith in the writers. 

[SBaby 660]

If Twilight abandons her friends then the entire show was meaningless and meant nothing from the start. I wouldn't mind if she became an alicorn. But the way they would most likely go about it in terms of writing seems off. Because if she was an alicorn she would be better than her friends by default. They are all supposed to be equals. If all of the mane 6 became princesses than I wouldn't have an issue here

 

I am reminded of a certain Anime, where one of the female protagonists found out that she was a princess.  Yet after that happened, her life, and her friends' lives pretty much returned to normal. 

[Twinhead B 482]

XD I'd certainly hope it wasn't that simple. 

 

But you're right. They have plenty of options within the show to sell princess toys. Not every person will identify with Twilight. 

 

It's a slippery slope to be sure. If they overdo this and constantly have Twilight overshadow the others, then they risk leaving a portion of their demographic feeling dejected. 

 

But, like I said, I have a good amount of faith in the writers. 

 

A slippery slope indeed, but it's not the writers I'm worried about...

 

Hasbro has stick their figure in the pie (metaphorically speaking) on two major occasions now. At the end of the day though, enough little changes amount to a big one..

 

 

I am reminded of a certain Anime, where one of the female protagonists found out that she was a princess.  Yet after that happened, her life, and her friends' lives pretty much returned to normal.

 

Comparing Sailor Moon to My Little Pony would be applicable if they weren't hyping this to be a BIG change to the whole show. They have plans for Twilight as a princess, and it's gonna be prevelent in Season 4.

Edited January 31, 2013 by Twinhead B

[SBaby 660]

A slippery slope indeed, but it's not the writers I'm worried about...

 

Hasbro has stick their figure in the pie (metaphorically speaking) on two major occasions now. At the end of the day though, enough little changes amount to a big one..

 

You do realize that we've gone two seasons with relatively no changes to the overall status quo.  Things were bound to get shaken up at some point.  It happens all the time in kid's shows.

 

Not to mention, there's still a chance that there could be some sort of catch to this.  Granted, now it's less likely, but I'm still going to wait and see the episode before assuming anything.

Edited January 31, 2013 by SBaby

[Twinhead B 482]

You do realize that we've gone two seasons with relatively no changes to the overall status quo.  Things were bound to get shaken up at some point.  It happens all the time in cartoons.

 

It seldom works out well. Remember Venus from the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cartoon? What about Dragonball GT? 13-year old Princess Bubblegum? Card games on motorcycles?

 

Changing the whole show abruptly is a very bad idea, even if it's as simple as giving one character wings.

[PoniesPlease 365]

Gais. Srsly.:

 

 

THE CHANGE IS ONLY FOR ONE EPISODE.

 

You seriously can't expect to want to kill yourselves because a character from a TV show gets wings. You know what? I'm done. I'm retiring from the Internet until this episode airs. Goodbye.

[SBaby 660]

It seldom works out well. Remember Venus from the old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cartoon? What about Dragonball GT? 13-year old Princess Bubblegum? Card games on motorcycles?

 

Changing the whole show abruptly is a very bad idea, even if it's as simple as giving one character wings.

 

First off, Venus was only in Next Mutation, a badly made Japanese Tokusatsu version of TMNT.  Fans already didn't consider it canon, due to the fact that it incorporated the idea that the turtles weren't biological brothers.  Not to mention the dub was only 26 episodes, and two of them were clip shows.

 

13-year-old Princess Bubblegum was only around for a few episodes before returning to her normal age.  Not exactly a change to the status quo, if the change is temporary.

 

Card games on motorcycles is just as funny as the prospect of trying to rule the world by playing a children's card game.

 

GT wasn't so much a change to the status quo, as it was a bad decision to continue a series that should've ended with Majin Buu (if you ask me, Dragonball should've ended at the Cell Saga, but that's just me).

 

 

But for every time it was done badly, there was a time when it was done well:

 

When Lord Zedd showed up to change things in Power Rangers, fans loved it.

 

X-Men had the Phoenix Saga where they shook up the status quo.  It's considered one of the greatest sagas in comic history.

 

DC Comics killed Superman for awhile and added a bunch of new characters.  Death of Superman is praised as being one of the greatest graphic novels of all time.

 

Do I even have to tell you what happened with the original Transformers cartoon?

 

 

My point is, don't panic until we see something to panic about.  And if it's permanent, it's permanent.  I have enough faith in the writers, that I believe they will find a way to make this work.  Personally, I'd add a new villain or threat.  But we'll see what happens.

Edited January 31, 2013 by SBaby

[Twinhead B 482]

Gais. Srsly.:

 

 

THE CHANGE IS ONLY FOR ONE EPISODE.

 

You seriously can't expect to want to kill yourselves because a character from a TV show gets wings. You know what? I'm done. I'm retiring from the Internet until this episode airs. Goodbye.

 

It's hard to say if permanent or not, as they never explicitly say, but Meghan McCarthy's wording in the press release definitely sounds like it's a permanent change. This whole thread is speculation though, and speculating is what we bronies do best!

 

@SBaby:

 

While you have good examples, it still shows that change the formula is hit or miss. I know MLP's writers are good, but they're not perfect. Even The Beatles had a few bad songs, and I'm just worried Studio B is doing risky things earlier than they should. If FiM's popularity was beginning to wane, I could see this kind of change being a welcome refresher. But the show is still firing on all cylinders.

Edited January 31, 2013 by Twinhead B

[EmmerichWolfe 47]

You do realize that we've gone two seasons with relatively no changes to the overall status quo.  Things were bound to get shaken up at some point.  It happens all the time in kid's shows.

 

Not to mention, there's still a chance that there could be some sort of catch to this.  Granted, now it's less likely, but I'm still going to wait and see the episode before assuming anything.

 

I try to be of the same mindset. People--especially bronies--are very protective of what they love. But let's not forget that there were a lot of rather frightening rumors floating around before the premier of Season 3; one was confirmed. 

 

If Hasbro does indeed become more active in the production for all the wrong reasons, then they--and we--might very well see this fandom start to slowly crack and crumble.

 

I'll say this, at the risk of sounding a bit over-dramatic (possibly depressing): I love the show and the people of the fandom, but I hold no loyalties to vested interests. Hasbro got something completely unexpected and beautiful when this all began, and now they're stepping in, tossing the dice, and making a gamble that might cost them. 

 

With that said, if it does decline and Hasbro's involvement proves to be something ill, then I will not stick around to complain and watch the show die. I'd rather leave it with the good memories I have, than leave it feeling completely disappointed. 

Edited January 31, 2013 by EmmerichWolfe

[SBaby 660]

It's hard to say if permanent or not, as they never explicitly say, but Meghan McCarthy's wording in the press release definitely sounds like it's a permanent change. This whole thread is speculation though, and speculating is what we bronies do best!

 

@SBaby:

 

While you have good examples, it still shows that change the formula is hit or miss. I know MLP's writers are good, but they're not perfect. Even The Beatles had a few bad songs, and I'm just worried Studio B is doing risky things earlier than they should. If FiM's popularity was beginning to wane, I could see this kind of change being a welcome refresher. But the show is still firing on all cylinders.

 

Speculating is what we do best, because this is one of the few forums on the Internet where we can actually speculate without a mod closing the topic.

[Twinhead B 482]

Speculating is what we do best, because this is one of the few forums on the Internet where we can actually speculate without a mod closing the topic.

 

I'm not sure if you meant that negatively.

 

But, what do you expect from a fandom that's driving creative force is speculation. We speculate, then take those ideas and turn them into fan art, fan fictions, music, animations...

 

I don't see what's so bad about speculation when it leads to awesome things like that.

[SBaby 660]

I'm not sure if you meant that negatively.

 

But, what do you expect from a fandom that's driving creative force is speculation. We speculate, then take those ideas and turn them into fan art, fan fictions, music, animations...

 

I don't see what's so bad about speculation when it leads to awesome things like that.

 

Oh no, it's not a bad thing at all.  I just wish more sites let people speculate on things.  Fans should be able to speculate on the franchises and shows they enjoy.

Edited January 31, 2013 by SBaby

[NavelColt 22,881]

That's an extended synopsis that was released today. Original article: http://www.derpyhoovesnews.com/princess-coronation-press-release-promo-video-and-extended-synopsis/

 

Interesting new synopsis. Still doesn't confirm anything about it being permanent though; the entire episode is talking about changing destiny. When destiny is changed to something new, everyone -inside- that new reality believes in the current destiny, usually, minus yourself. Anything can happen, frankly the 'changing everything back' bit isn't really cancelled out of the equation yet.

 

That said, I'll leave you all to sweat and bite your nails while I have faith in the writers and relax in other topics :3

[Twinhead B 482]

Don't know how legit this may be, but I'm posting it in a spoiler to be safe:

 

 

 

 

Seems like the finale's already floating around the internet...

 

That, or it's a REALLY convincing looking edit...

[MandelSoft 29]

Well, this could always happen:

 

 

 

 

Would be funny if it actually did, but we'll see what the writers come up with. I was completely surprised by last season's finale...

Edited January 31, 2013 by MandelSoft

[Batbrony 16,055]

Wow, seriously, everypony still thinks that the change is going to be permanent and that "Princess Coronation" refers to Twilight?  *facehoof*  Guys, have ya'll forgotten about a certain character who's already been confirmed for about a week?

 

 

Ya know, PRINCESS Skyla, the pony that we've only thus far seen in merchandise and images as a filly, the pony that many have inferred is most likely Shining Armor and Princess Cadence's daughter, and, what's that one last thing?  OH YEAH, SHE HAS PRINCESS IN HER BUCKIN' NAME!!!!!!!!!  Seriously ya'll, if you just use your brains and analyze all the other evidence before us BESIDES the fact that we know that Twilight will be an alicorn at SOME POINT in the season finale, as I said earlier, all evidence, despite certainly not being definitive at this point, points to the change as being only temporary!!!  So yeah, fine, it's OK to speculate what the change being permanent would be like, but seriously everypony, STOP just assuming that Twilight is, FOR SURE, going to be an alicorn permanently.  Just use your brains, think it through for five minutes, and you'll come to the exact same conclusions as I have.

[That One Techpriest You Used To Know 2,286]

Sorry, @@Batbrony, but the official description actually states that she will become a princess. Now, that princess Skyla might be coming out later is almost a guarantee. but until then...

 

You might be right, you might be wrong. I could care less either way. But I'm hoping for either a denial of princesship but Twi or a temporary wings.

 

 

 

Well, this could always happen:

Would be funny if it actually did, but we'll see what the writers come up with. I was completely surprised by last season's finale...

 

Hilarious. Just hilarious.

 

Think that actually happened to me the first time I tried it... *flashback*

[Emerald Glow 40]

There's no denying, though, that even if there was a difference, that difference is going to be *magnified* by this change. a difference that could have been tolerable to some before, but might be too great now.

 

Another point you didn't really address is the change in the status quo. I can't see how this is going to be anything *but* the end of her rather simple life in Ponyville. As Princess I seriously doubt that she's going to still be living in the library, hanging out at Sugarcube corner, etc. The ordinary "slice of life" episodes are going to be very different when your friend is *royalty*.

 

Oh, differences will definitely be magnified, and the shift might be too great for the relationships to survive. But not neccessarily, and I think I've convinced myself to withhold judgment till we see how this is handled. Remember the subtitle of the show. In Equestria, Friendship is pretty strong Juju, to say the least. Your second point, actually, is the biggest reason why this might NOT work. Even if she stays in Ponyville her life may well be very different and it might take the air out of a lot of the plotlines. I wish we knew more about what Cadence's life is/was like when she's not being hurled off balconies by her new husband (that came out wrong). Her daily life pre-Crystal Empire probably holds a clue for what's next for Twi in the short term, especially since I suspect the short term (AKA season 4) is all that's left in the series. Unfortunately all we know for certain is that she spent a goodly amount of time as a foalsitter, fell for Shining armor, and was kidnapped by Chrysalis from under the nose of her warrior fiance and two "goddesses". Too bad she never had any nightmares about her predicament, Luna would've sprung her from jail before the invitations went out. I am still concerned, but I'm beginning to think that this is not neccesarily a portent of doom, and that we need to give the friendship of the Mane 6 and the skills of the writers a wee bit more benefit of the doubt till the show airs.

 

It seems like most the objections amount to "change is bad". Twilight will leave her friends or take on more responsibility or get special training or will just plain be more special than her friends. The sacred balance of having two of each kind of pony will vanish forever!

 

And, even if that is a bad thing, I don't necessarily think it shouldn't be on the show. It's silly to say that only good things are allowed to happen on the show or that the status quo must remain forever unchanged. I'm saying this with the caveat that the bad things should be acknowledged and dealt with rather than swept under the carpet. If Twilight is more special than her friends, how do they deal with it? What's the new status quo now that she's got wings? Do her responsibilities pull her away from her friends more and more? What kind of stress does that put her under? There's a lot of story opportunities here as the ponies grapple with this event.

 

Now, I'm not particularly a fan of Alicorn Twilight, as I doubt that the show will portray her elevation as anything but an unalloyed good once she gets over her nerves. And that silly pink and yellow dress! That bothers me more than anything. Dozens, if not hundreds of artists have imagined what an alicornized twilight might wear and this is the best the actual show can come up with? Unbelievable. Less pettily, I feel that the Twilight becoming an Alicorn is entirely unnecessary as she shifts from Celestia's student to her agent. There are any number of reasons why her growing wings isn't so bad, but I haven't yet heard a reason why it's good.

 

Well said! If I had to guess (which I do, really), the writers will take this opportunity to explore what really happens when there's a big change in the power dynamic between friends, something which does happen in real life. That said, these are the Elements of Flipping Harmony we're talking about here! If it's possible to navigate what will absolutely be a new, changed landscape, they have a good chance to pull it off, if not without some bumps in the road. Much will hinge on the exact nature of Twi's new powers and responsibilities. We won't know that till the season finale at the earliest. It'll probably be something related to spreading the wonders ot friendship, rather in the same way that Cadence spreads love in her role up in the Crystal Empire. If that's the case, why wouldn't she and her team of crack lieutenant friendship experts be tasked to travel the land together, meddling in dysfunctional friendships via the power of their awesome Harmony?

 

I'm not saying this is a good development for the show, and I am pretty sure this portends that season 4 will be the last. However, I think they can make good enough lemonade from the lemon handed to them by Hasbro that the show can still end on a reasonably high note.

[ceri 0]

Don't know how legit this may be, but I'm posting it in a spoiler to be safe:

 

 

 

 

Seems like the finale's already floating around the internet...

 

That, or it's a REALLY convincing looking edit...

Not sure how legit that is, but if it was, it seems that each of the mane six switch with their counterpart (earth, pegasus or unicorn), with the exception of Twilight and Rarity (since Twilight probably switches with Cadence?). This would explain the leaked image of Rarity's shop being in ruins as there was no one to switch with her.

[Emerald Glow 40]

You do realize that we've gone two seasons with relatively no changes to the overall status quo.  Things were bound to get shaken up at some point.  It happens all the time in kid's shows.

 

THIS. Seriously folks. It's also what happens in real life friendships as girls grow and change into young women (some inevitably becoming more successful than others), and could make for interesting stories if handled well. That's the question, and we probably will not know the answer until next season. There is middle ground between staying friends and staying the same forever and ever. As others have stated, we simply don't know what Alicornification does to a pony apart from giving her wings. Alicorn powers and Alicorn immortality, for instance, seem to be two different matters.

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I am starting to get calm about this issue. I have accepted it and I only hope this is handled well. Because if this change is permanent then that means the show will go for a drastic change. I really don't want to see a new line of characters introduced. These characters are still new and they have plenty of time to be fleshed out. If they make her immortal then I will be pissed since she will outlive her friends. I know that's not what she would want. So they better keep her in character and not force her to break character just so she can be an alicorn.

[Batbrony 16,055]

Sorry, @@Batbrony, but the official description actually states that she will become a princess. Now, that princess Skyla might be coming out later is almost a guarantee. but until then...

 

You might be right, you might be wrong. I could care less either way. But I'm hoping for either a denial of princesship but Twi or a temporary wings.

 

*goes and reads official description released 2 BUCKING DAYS AGO*

 

 ...

 

 ...

 

 ...

 

Bucking Hasbro.  Don't get me wrong, I'm sure that Studio B is going to handle this perfectly well, it's just... buck, can't the bucking company just leave well enough alone and let those folks do their thing?!?!  *sigh* Whatever, and sorry if I came across sounding a bit asinine in my last two posts.  Ya know, if Sibsy managed to get Derpy into the season finale, then I won't even bucking care, seriously, I won't, not in the slightest!    Besides, who says she's leaving Ponyville now anyway?  What if she becomes the princess of Ponyville?  Quite a few of these cities/towns in Equestria seem to have royal heads of state, depending on their size, so maybe Twilight will become Ponyville's princess!  I could live with that! 

[Metatora 37]

THIS. Seriously folks. It's also what happens in real life friendships as girls grow and change into young women (some inevitably becoming more successful than others), and could make for interesting stories if handled well. That's the question, and we probably will not know the answer until next season. There is middle ground between staying friends and staying the same forever and ever. As others have stated, we simply don't know what Alicornification does to a pony apart from giving her wings. Alicorn powers and Alicorn immortality, for instance, seem to be two different matters.

You have a point. People are always changing, so having the status quo shaken up a bit could very well be a good thing. 

But since it's Hasbro calling the shots and not the creative team...I still have my doubts. 

 

But the thing is, Alicorns ARE better then the other pony races by far. No one pony could ever hope to match Celestia or Luna. Hell, even Cadance is more powerful than the average pony. So turning Twilight into one would completely negate the rest of the main characters as she would become better than them in every way. How many of the episodes would have been over in seconds if Celestia or Luna had been present to deal with the problem? The answer is most of them. And there's nothing to prove that Alicorns AREN'T immortal. Celestia is at least 1000 years old, and Luna seems to share the same longevity. So unless there are different types of Alicorns, Twilight is going to watch all of her friends and grow old and die. 

 

But your first point still stands. Change is good if handled well, and it adds a nice touch of realism...in a show about candy colored ponies   

 

The writers have proven that they are more than competent. But until we see the episode, there's no point in getting too worked up about it. At least until this goes one way or the other, I can totally see the fandom exploding (more so than usual) the second the episode is over.  

[Agent505 661]

Guys guys guys GUYS! 

GUYS LISTEN! 

 

Think about this. 

If you're getting down with the subject of Twilight becoming an Alicorn - all that means is she grows wings, right? 

So why was there no gigantic uproar during "Sonic Rainboom" when Rarity was given wings for that episode? 

 

Technically, she was an Alicorn for the episode - she had wings and a horn, and they where both fully functional. 

Sorry if this has already been said, but i'm not reading 33 pages...I read 3, that will do.