Your thoughts on the Main Characters

[Galex Dj 173]

I do feel like the character are losing their personality a lot of the course of the new season. I feel like every pony is becoming some pony that they were not at the beninning of season 1. Their characters are changing so much since the first season. I also feel like Pinkie Pie is way more attached to Rainbow Dash then she was in Season 1 or 2.

 

But I'm not sure if the new changes of the main 6 are good or bad. It's kinda neutral for me to be honest.

[Shanks 10,816]

Fluttershy: Fluttershy does seem to have more trouble retaining alot of the lessons she has learned, someone with a personality as drastic as Fluttershys is difficult to change though so I can forgive it a bit more than I can with most other characters.

 

Twilight Sparkle: I have often noticed that her attention to detail has often been taken to such extremes that she can sometimes fail to see the big picture. She has obsessions with "checklists" has a serious phobia about failing and being "tardy" but seems to gradually be getting better. She was still afraid of failing her "test" in the Crystal Empire two parter but still saw the big picture enough to do the right things and have spike get the crystal heart.

 

Applejack: The only reason why I think people consider her a boring character is because her character is seriously underdeveloped, what we do see of her though is largely her positive traits though some negative traits have come out most notably stubbornness this is especially the case in the episode where the Mane 6 visit Appleoosa and she takes the side of the ponies without even bothering to hear the other side.

 

Rarity: Rarity is also underdevloped but for different reasons than Applejack while she is not relegated to almost background pony status it seems like almost every trait that is emphasized is her negative traits like her shallowness and vanity and it really get annoying.

 

Pinkie Pie: She never fails to make me laugh though it was interesting to see a more serious side to her in Too Many Pinkie Pies that I think should be brought out a bit more not all the time but just a dash will do.

 

Rainbow Dash: I have liked Rainbow Dash but often felt she was overrated, if we get more episodes like Sleepless in Ponyville and Wonderbolt Academy I might just have to rethink that.

[NavelColt 22,881]

When watching older episodes from season 2 and comparing them with season 1 and 3, I noticed something in the development of the characters of the mane 6.

 

While they resemble their element, some things haven't been worked out enough and others way too much. I even noticed that with season 3, they seem to deliberately try to exaggerate the behaviour and characters of the pony galls.

 

Fluttershy:

While they preserve her shy and kind nature extremely well, they fail to kind of progress with her character. Every time she learns something new, or gets a new point of view on things she seems to have forgotten it all in the next episode and she starts off again as good old Fluts. This doesn't really bother me since her element is well represented through her and she remains cute.

 

Twilight Sparkle:

In the season 3 premiere, she was exaggerated WAY too much. The fate of an entire empire wasn't nearly not important than for Twily to pass her test...? I more expected her to be the one that would understand that sometimes there are things more important than your own personal gain. I also think they could do more with the element of Magic. Although it came forward in the episode 'Magic Duel', it could be pressed more that she resembles magic. Otherwise she's just 'some unicorn that can do spells and stuff'.

 

Applejack:

She has really been reduced to a background character. She represents 'hard labor' better than 'honesty'. They really need to think about what they want to do with her. Her character could be so interesting but in no episode has it really been worked out. If you ask me now to summarize her in 2 lines, I couldn't do it.

 

Rarity:

In the older episodes she expressed generosity very well in my opinion. Her character is also one of the best. She the old familiar drama-queen of Equestria. Yet she seems to kind of fade away in the background in season 3. My advice: give her an entire episode to bring her back to her old glory.

 

Pinkie Pie:

She is changing from a happy, cheerful pony, to some overly-attached, on-the-brink-of-mentally-collapsing borderline case. I really despise this development. I get the feeling her laughs and jokes aren't 'natural Pinkie' anymore, but just forced jokes to keep her interesting. I will come back to this shortly.

 

Rainbow Dash:

I never thought she was a bad character and she never faded away or was too much in the spotlight. I really loved the last episode 'Wonderbolt Academy'. Her moment to really shine was some moment. In terms of her element, they hit it spot-on.

 

To come back to my last line in Pinkie's part, I get the feeling the whole show is being made a bit 'fake'. The feeling I get from the ponies is not natural anymore, things just seem to be made so that bronies like it. In my opinion, the show is loosing some of it's essence.

 

Share your thoughts!

 

A great post! Just thought I'd commend you for the detail! Fortunately, I've found a topic that yours not only fits into already, but that also shares posts of equally commendable detail. 'Thoughts on the Mane 6' has been merged with 'Your thoughts on the ponies', and has been renamed 'Your Thoughts on the Ponies', as they more or less describe what you think of the main characters, Mane Six, and sometimes the secondary characters.

[Shanks 10,816]

My views have evolved a bit of a few key characters so it is time for a bit of an update

 

Rainbow Dash: I no long believe that Rainbow Dash is overrated as a matter of fact she jumped to my 3rd and then 2nd favorite pony in large part because of Sleepless in Ponyville and Wonderbolt Academy, I started to like a bit more after watching them the first time but watching them again really did the trick. Rainbow Dash is still cocky, brash and arrogant but she has shown a softer side in those episodes and has grown and matured the most of the mane 6.

 

Twilight Sparkle: She has also climbed up quite far on my list, I overlooked her a bit because I have a bit of a habit of doing that with "leader" characters but once those blinder were removed she became my second favorite pony and eventually tied with Applejack for my favorite.

 

Rarity: Though I still think that she is not living up to her full potential as a character she is slowly growing on me a bit more.

 

Fluttershy: I like Fluttershy and still understand why she would develop a bit more slowly than the other mane 6 but it is getting more and more obvious to me that she is being written in a very inconsistent manner which really drags her down as a character. She is not retaining anything really, it seems kind of pointless for her to "learn" a lesson and then that lesson gets forgotten a few episodes later never to be brought up again.

 

Pinkie Pie: I didn't make the connection right away but I liked Pinkie Pie a lot in large because she reminds me of my Dad, they both appreciate a good joke, try to make everyone smile and it really dosen't take that much to make either of them happy.

 

Applejack: My opinion of Applejack hasn't really changed at all, unless you count me liking her even more than I already did which was already quite a bit as a change.

[Homura Akemi 974]

Twilight Sparkle - My favourite. At first she was only 4th on my list, but she bumped up to #1 because I feel she is a different kind of protagonist. Most main characters are like Sailor Moon; clumsy and lovestruck (not that she isn't awesome or anything). Twilight is just about the opposite. I like how she's not chasing some boy like most main characters do.

 

Applejack - Always has been one of my favourite characters.

 

Pinkie Pie - My original least favourite. I used to hate her. I like her a lot now, though. 

 

Rainbow Dash - My original favourite character. I relate to her the most.

 

Rarity - I like her, but she doesn't thrill me as much as some of the others.

 

Fluttershy - Cute, but likely my current least favourite. I don't like how she doubts herself. I consider to be the most "normal" one. I know usually people think that's Applejack to me that's Fluttershy.

 

My preferences list has changed a lot since I first became a fan in mid-2011.

 

Then:

 

1) Rainbow Dash

2) Fluttershy

3) Applejack

4) Twilight Sparkle

5) Rarity

6) Pinkie Pie

 

Now:

 

1) Twilight Sparkle

2) Applejack

3) Pinkie Pie

4) Rainbow Dash

5) Rarity

6) Fluttershy

Edited April 21, 2013 by Captain Sparkle

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

I love all of the main characters. They all bring so much to the table. Brace yourself for a text wall if you dare to click on the spoiler.

 

 

Twilight Sparkle: I liked her immediately, being that purple is my favorite color, and she boasted everything I wanted in a main character. She isn't a lovestruck protagonist, like Captain Sparkle mentioned. One thing I hate in most female leads is that they're almost always chasing a guy, so right off the bat, Twilight was huge breathe of fresh air. Twilight started off very independent and intelligent, but socially awkward around others, so I really relate to her. She has grown into someone who deeply values her best friends and has developed the most of any character in the show, but I've never felt as if she's ever stopped being Twilight. She's got just the right amount of power and ability being the lead character, but she's never been someone who I have seen as overpowered or perfect, and that's a trait seen often in main characters, and it tends to be incredibly off-putting. She has her demons that she has to face, she's not incredibly brave, she's got OCD-like tendencies, and she's a huge worrywart who tends to overreact. Not to mention, she can be a little bit high and mighty. But she's still got a heart of gold, and knows just what to do because she studies everything that she can and puts her mind to good use, and I've always enjoyed smart characters who weren't blatant nerd stereotypes. Twilight is believable, likable, and a great lead character.

 

Pinkie Pie: She's the source of the majority of the show's comedy. I consider her to be the most consistently humorous and uplifting character in the show. A lot of times characters who fill the comedy relief role just come off as annoying, unlikable, and in your face. With Pinkie Pie, I've never found her to be bothersome. She's genuinely funny, and the show would never be the same without her. A lot of what makes this show so cheery and fun to watch is Pinkie and her clever, funny, and downright cute antics. She reminds me of when I would watch cartoons as a kid, because she can literally be apart of any fun joke the writers want to put in. Comedy aside, I still think she has plenty of depth, and there's more to her than just being the silly one. She still has her doubts, fears, and worries like anyone else. I really admire her for being the heart of Ponyville, always putting smiles on faces through her parties, jokes, silly songs, and activities.

 

Rainbow Dash: She was my initial favorite because of her daring personality. I usually cling onto the tomboy types because they have a kind of strength that you don't see in your run-of-the-mill female characters, and Dash is no exception. She has the most glaringly obvious flaws of the cast, and it has made for some great character growth over the three seasons. Not only that, but I love that she has aspirations to join the Wonderbolts. Having a dream and pursuing it is something that should speak to people, and watching her grow one step closer each season has been very endearing to watch. I'm excited to see Dash's character arc unfold. Rainbow just oozes personality, and is by far the standout cool character. And while I have been off-put by some of her actions, that makes her all the more believable as a character to have those "jerk" moments. For all of her weaknesses however, she's got some amazing abilities and a lot of key personality traits that keep her lovable.

 

Fluttershy: Probably the character I relate to the best. She's shy, quiet, and not very assertive, but she's so compassionate and kind.  I can relate to her because of her well-documented love of animals and nature. Also, she prefers peace and quiet, and isn't interested in having lots of friends, and I'm usually the same way. Fluttershy is probably the cutest of the main characters, not only in her design, but in her actions, her voice, and her personality. I almost never like the "kawaii" types or the shy characters, but Fluttershy is an example of the archetype done right. I've noticed a lot of people love Fluttershy because she's a symbol of hope. She embodies all of the warm and understanding character traits that so many people in the world lack. And while she's not strong or brave, she will come through for those she loves in the end. I never have much to say about Fluttershy, so I can't do her as much justice as I'd like to, but make no mistake, she's definitely a favorite of mine.

 

Rarity: The one character I simply cannot relate to, but that's what makes her so intriguing. She's very nuanced and complex, and she's full of quirks that I find either hilarious or adorable. She's a bit misunderstood among some fans who dislike her, adding to her complexities, but I see her as a huge stereotype killer. She's got the role of being the beautiful character, and even though she's vain, and a bit conceited, she's still got a wonderful heart, and she knows when she's messed up. She's not stuck up, and she can handle herself in tense situations. Her episodes have always been very engaging, and she has so much potential and room to grow, and her growth thus far has been consistent. I'm liking her more and more every episode. I love her for her colloquialisms and her Mid-Atlantic English accent. 

 

Applejack: And speaking of accents, Applejack's got tons of fun expressions and an adorable Southern American accent of her own! She is, without a doubt, my favorite character so I saved her for last. I'm not sure where to start. I could go on about how she's a role model to me, for she has so much integrity. Moral character is important to me, because there's a severe lack of it in the world, and in a show like MLP which is about positive messages, Applejacks has spoken to me the loudest of any. I don't care that she's the "Average Joe" or that she's "too normal". I embrace that. I have always seen Applejack as the most human-like and relatable because, for all of her good qualities, she has constantly demonstrated that she has her limits to just how far she can go before she starts making mistakes. Not to mention, she's a bit too stubborn and proud, and even a bit overprotective of those she loves. She pushes herself too hard to keep her promises to her friends and family. She's so ethical and practical, and she's tough as nails. She's not super girly and she could care less how she looks. She knows where to put her priorities, and I'm totally with her on all fronts. She shows that women can do hard labor and be a sort of "handyman" figure just fine. Sure, the other five have more quirks than AJ does, but her country charms and her speech are quirks of their own, and shouldn't be overlooked. Her place in the group as the earthly one helps balance things out. She's the only main character who is in position to to give us messages about family, which is important to me, because I grew up similarly to her. One adult, and two siblings. I was the middle kid like she is, so I feel a bit of a connection in that sense. Then there's all the little things I love about her, such as the fact that she's a dog lover, she is associated with all things apples (yum), and she's got that bit of country culture that I tend to like. I'm fascinated with the idealized version of cowboys/girls so that helps. She's a bit stereotypical, yes, but not in an offensive way.

 

 

 

Okay, that's it. I gotta learn to narrow my thoughts down a bit.

Edited April 22, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[Forlong 1,726]

Pinkie Pie

Because she's nuttier than a peacan pie.  I love how crazy Pinkie is.  I also like the fact that she's not crazy all the time.  There are times when she can be serious.  The fact that she'll snap if you push her to far just reinforces how important happiness is to her.  And her Eidetic Memory was a stroke of genious.

 

Rainbow Dash

She's tied with Rarity, so I'll go alphabetically with these two.  They are also probably tied for best pony.  Rainbow Dash has gone through the most developement.  In the first episode, she was lazy, arogant, and self-absorbed.  Does that sound like the Rainbow Dash we've seen in season 3?  No.  She has grown so much over the course of the series.  She's grown up now.

 

Rarity

One of the most responsable of the mane six.  She has her own small business and is quite capable of holding her own against those who have been in her profession for much longer than she has.  The best part is that they resisted the erge to use the "carrier vs men" trope.  She has her own carrier, but has not let that stop her from pursuing potential relationships.  This sends a brilliantly subtle lesson to the girls watching the show.  The fact that Rarity is a character type so often prone to female stereotypes only makes it all the more brilliant.

 

Twilight Sparkle

Making Twilight the main character was a huge risk.  She's a character type more suited to being a sidekick that delivers exposition.  The writers have been able to make her relatable by having her completely new to friendship.  This means that they could get away with her learning any lesson.  But having her be a quick study meant she wouldn't be completely in the dark.

 

Applejack

I don't think the writers really know what to do with AJ.  They seem to be trying to contrive lessons for her to learn.  I think this is the wrong aproach.  She is deffinately the most responsable of the main six.  This is most likely because of the death of her parrents.  She had to grow up fast.  So she's very level-headed and the straight man to all the crazier aspects of the other ponies.  Best thing to do with her is just find situations she wouldn't be comfortable in (like in Look Before You Sleep) and go from there.  AJ is so mature already that it would make more sense for her to teach lessons than be taught them.

 

Spike

Like AJ, I think the writers are having trouble figuring out what to do with Spike.  I do like Spike, but not as much in episodes focused on him.  Whenever they make an episode about him, they always seem to contrive something about dragons that was never touched on before, and its starting to get inconsistant.  How do "growth through greed" and "honor code" work in conjunction?  And how did Spike even KNOW about "Dragon Code"?  When I read the synopsis, I thought it was something he just made up.  But no, it was a real thing and Twilight says its a big deal.  I thought ponies knew next to nothing about dragons.  When did they find time to understand the finer points of dragon life debts?

 

Fluttershy

Nothing against any fans of Fluttershy, I just don't think shyness is all that cute.  I love the demure jokes, like her flat joy in Sonic Rainboom and the stuff in Green isn't Your Color.  But I kept seeing inconsistancies in season 2.  So in Return to Harmony, all-powerful Discord is unable to corrupt her, but Iron Will could indirrectly do it in Putting Your Hoof Down with almost no effort?  Yeah, that didn't help.

Edited April 22, 2013 by Forlong

[hawkflame 3,310]

1) Rarity. IMO the most interesting of the Mane Six.  I love the fact that she combines the qualities of vanity and generosity, which would usually seem incongruous, but she makes it work.  There's more to her than an initial glance gives off. She's vain and prissy, but she's also hardworking, kind, resourceful, generous, and will sully her well-maintained hooves for the sake of others.  Everything she has, she has because she's *worked* for it.   Yes she has a huge ego, but not in a mean spirited way, and she's perfectly aware of it.  In fact, I think she's probably the most aware and apologetic regarding her own faults among the mane six.  Plus I love the relationship she has with her sister. 

 

2) Pinkie Pie.  Pretty much a laugh a minute.  Was my favorite pony until I realized how great Rarity was.  It's impossible for me to *not* smile when she does her thing, and she gets some of the best lines and gags in the show.  The laws of physics and nature just don't apply to her.  I love Fourth Wall breaking cloudcuckoolanders, and Pinkie's among the best of them. 

 

3) Applejack.  There is something very "grounded" about her that I like.  I like her stubborn pride- it's one of the more realistic faults that the characters have in the show.  I also like how she's very dependable and clearly the most mature of the cast, having to help take care of the farm and her family.  She doesn't have as much of an "extreme" personality as the rest, but I like her sincere and straightforward "down home" friendliness.  Not a very flashy character, but every show needs a straight man, and she's great at that. 

 

4) Twilight Sparkle  I think that she's slipped for me as of the last season or so; earlier on she had something of a snarky, sarcastic quality that i liked but is no longer there.  Still, she gets points for being a loveable dork, and in some ways her faults are probably the closest to my own.  I too am known to freak out over relatively small things (One time I had a paper due by email at 6 PM, and I freaked out when I saw that  the time on the email said 6:02.  Very Lesson Zero of me) and still prefer staying at home to going out with friends. 

 

5) Fluttershy.  Another one that, like Twilight above, is kind of like me in ways that I'd rather not admit.  I'm someone who is *extremely* uncomfortable with direct confrontation, to the point where one of my coworkers joked that I was basically a Yes Man, and this has led to people taking advantage of me from time to time. I can see why others like her so much, she's very kind and cute and more clever and brave than she gets credit for, but there are certainly times when I wish she'd just grow a spine.  Thatlast bit may or may not be projection on my part.

 

6) Rainbow Dash.  Yep, sorry RD fans, she's bringing up the rear here.  I know, I know, typical Rarity fan who doesn't like Rainbow Dash.  I get why she's so popular; she's brave and loyal, very goal oriented, a great friend, great athlete, and a "cooler" pony than the rest (20% cooler, if I say so myself ).  She's probably the one who's grown the most on the series, from being rather cocky and reckless, to still being cocky but being much more mature and thoughtful of others.  It's just that... her personality is very pushy and abrasive and not for me, really.  When others think of RD, they might first think of her saving Rarity in Sonic Rainboom, or putting Scootaloo under her wing in Sleepless in Ponyville, but for me it's stuff like her bullying Fluttershy into jousting at the Crystal Fair.  She's a great character, just not for me. 

 

Ironic thing is, I actually see a lot of the qualities in her that I see in Rarity, just with a more tomboyish slant.  They're both at the same time the most self centered and the most selfless ponies in the group.  Both their elements have to do with putting the needs of others ahead of themselves, but at the same time both of them have huge egos that manifest themselves in different ways- Rarity's comes off as her vanity, while Rainbow Dash's comes off as cockiness.  They are both character types that in other shows would be antagonists- Rarity is the "good" version of the "Alpha Bitch" while Dash has some qualities of the Jerk Jock.  Both are great characters, it's just a matter of personal taste that separates them, and I love rarity but Dash just doesn't do it for me.

[Pinguino~ 85]

I am automatically friending you, dear sir.

Applejack fans a certainly in short supply, and yet the "background pony" phrases are not.

There are only four Applejack fans including me that I know here, while I see Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fans everywhere on this forum.

This is like finding diamond ores in Minecraft!

You really don't look to hard lol there are a LOT of Applejack fans, although there are more of the other mane six, related fans.

 

 

But yes Applejack is the best pony, she is honest and down to earth and very kind (a lot more but i am very lazy right now and don't feel like hurting myself. But Fluttershy is close to second just becuase of the adorableness.

[ZStrike37 107]

You really don't look to hard lol there are a LOT of Applejack fans, although there are more of the other mane six, related fans.

 

 

But yes Applejack is the best pony, she is honest and down to earth and very kind (a lot more but i am very lazy right now and don't feel like hurting myself. But Fluttershy is close to second just becuase of the adorableness.

 

I see a lot more AJ love now after S3 than I used to at the end of S2.  I dunno, maybe it was just me and I wasn't looking hard enough.  I think S3 really helped her out by giving her more to do than hang around a farm, even though her star episode was her hanging out on her farm.  But hey!  She sang her first song!  I actually started out not liking it too much, but as I hear it more and more, it seems to be growing on me.  It gets my blood pumping with its fast paced rhythm and pure energy. 

 

Also, Rarity has replaced Pinkie on my fav list.  Strange since she didn't get much love from the show staff for S3, but she still had her moments.