Fluttershy Isn't going to magically lose her shyness, guys

[Pony Of The Month 534]

A lot of people have criticized how Fluttershy acted in Magic Duel. Some say that she shouldn't have acted so.... shy. Now, I know that she has had some character development in previous episodes, but none of the events in those episodes could possibly cure her of her shyness. Just because she learned how to be assertive, doesn't mean she can't be shy. It is very possible to be shy with an ability to be assertive. Her ability to be assertive however, is still not that great if you think about it. In Putting Your Hoof Down, she was only able to use assertiveness correctly ONCE, which was at the end. She hasn't been assertive the CORRECT way ever since. (By correct, I mean being assertive without being mean or nasty). You can't just expect her to lose her shyness after only learning a few lessons. Plus, you can't just take introverted Fluttershy, and magically turn her into an extrovert. 

 

And some people believe that Fluttershy shouldn't be shy anymore after making all these friends. I understand where they're coming from, however, they may not exactly understand how shyness works. Shyness can be a personality trait, and it can also be a symptom of a mental disability. Some people are more shy than others. Shyness cannot be cured simply by friendship. You may not be AS shy with your friends as with other people, but you're still shy. Some people can let go of their shyness, while others find it more difficult.

 

The reason Fluttershy is my favorite character in this show, is because I relate to her more than I've related to any character in any form of media ever. I'm shy just like her, because I have High Functioning Autism. I find it difficult to communicate with others, and express my emotions. Fluttershy is a lot like this. (I'm not saying she's autistic.) Sure, she can get assertive or angry, but it doesn't take away the fact that she is shy, and has a hard time communicating with other ponies.

 

There is a scene in Magic Duel that many people have criticized, where Fluttershy finds a book about the Alicorn Amulet, and is trying to get everypony's attention. Because of her shyness, she is never noticed by the other ponies. Some people think that just because she has the ability to be assertive, that she can use it whenever she wants. I also have an ability to be assertive, but I can't be assertive in every situation. She had a very quiet voice during the scene. Just like her, I have a hard time projecting my voice loud enough for people to hear me, but when I'm angry, I can yell loud enough to be heard. So, for those of you who think that her ability to project is an inconsistency, it's only as inconsistent as mine.

 

To summarize, Fluttershy has the ability to be assertive, but that doesn't mean she isn't shy, so for all of you who criticize the show whenever Fluttershy still acts shy, please stop. Shyness doesn't just magically disappear. 

 

And to those of you who think Fluttershy is "bi-polar," I think you should do some more research.

[Carolina 212]

I wasn't bothered by the fact that Fluttershy was still shy in "Magic Duel" (I mean of course she is! It's right in her name!) as much as I felt some of her actions were out-of-character and didn't mesh with her previous characterization. I'm not talking about the book scene, but rather, the part where she is tasked with finding Twilight in the Everfree Forest.  In most scenerios, although afraid, FS is willing to temporarily put her fears aside if her friends need her (see: "Dragonshy," "Stare Master," etc), but here she had to be dragged and would have gladly given up on Twilight if she had the opportunity just because she was scared.  Not to mention, Fluttershy has already been to the Everfree Forest. In "Stare Master," she put her fears aside to rescue the CMC, so it felt weird that she wasn't able to buck it up to help Twilight (who she is most likely closer to than the CMC).

[Scootalove 10,689]

I don't really think there is something wrong with Fluttershy. Her shyness and caring for animals is part of her character. People need to learn to deal with it.

[Qty - Cutie 20]

Fluttershy is much more cute than she would be if she wouldn't be shy. Am I right? And especially in that episode that was mentioned in the topics' creators post, she was so funny and cute. "I want to be brave, at my home, in closet, with my teddy bear". Why hate her somemuch if it's only her character? She's just one cute little pony

[~Vallo~ 409]

Yes, most of the time she's mean and rude when she's assertive, but there are a couple exceptions. For example, in Dragonshy, she wasn't mean, she was just being straightforward. Also, when she had the CMCs sleep over, the "stare" wasn't being nasty, it just meant that she was serious.

[None42069 520]

I'm shy just like her, because I have High Functioning Autism.

 

Welcome to the club. Actually, that paragraph as a whole basically summed me up nicely.

As for fluttershy, you're right. She's shy. She can be assertive but will still be shy. Though that escape scene went a tiny bit too far. About a centimeter though.

[FruitRiver 355]

Fluttershy wasn't too assertive in that episode. I mean at the beginning she was, but that was a joke. And the part where she was too quiet was pretty much supposed to be funny too. (it was so cute!)

 

I feel like people a lot of the time take things in the show and think about them way too much (not you, some other people) Like (a made up example) Rainbow dash will swirl around and bump into a wall and people will make threads saying "Rainbow dash isnt a good flyer anymore?" and "Rainbow Dash lost her skills!" It was a joke, don't take it too seriously, It dosent mean their personality changed.

 

But I do agree, I don't think Fluttershy could ever just 'lose' her shyness. Its a personality trait, and I love it about her!

Edited January 3, 2013 by Pinkie

[DrAltaica 13]

 In Putting Your Hoof Down, she was only able to use assertiveness correctly ONCE, which was at the end. She hasn't been assertive the CORRECT way ever since. (By correct, I mean being assertive without being mean or nasty).

Avoiding confrontation then being mean or nasty when they are finally assertive.  Like someone else?

The reason Fluttershy is my favorite character in this show, is because I relate to her more than I've related to any character in any form of media ever. I'm shy just like her, because I have High Functioning Autism.

Which is why I like Gilda.

I find it difficult to communicate with others, and express my emotions. Fluttershy is a lot like this. (I'm not saying she's autistic.) Sure, she can get assertive or angry, but it doesn't take away the fact that she is shy, and has a hard time communicating with other ponies.

"she can get assertive or angry, but it doesn't take away the fact that she .... has a hard time communicating with other ponies," Gilda again. but with Gilda it's depression not shyness.

[PinkiePai 181]

That is not shyness. Fluttershy is suffering from a severe case of Social Anxiety Disorder. She needs professional help, and If that doesn't work, she needs pills to help her cope with everyday life. And yeah, loosing it through pills is kinda of magical, so the thread title doesn't hold any water. :/

Edited January 4, 2013 by PinkiePai

[Qty - Cutie 20]

That is not shyness. Fluttershy is suffering from a severe case of Social Anxiety Disorder. She needs professional help, and If that doesn't work, she needs pills to help her cope with everyday life. And yeah, loosing it through pills is kinda of magical, so the thread title doesn't hold any water. :/

Well, that was one intelegent post. But you kinda scared me when you said that Fluttershy is "ill". But it was a goooooooood dose of laught too.

[~Lawful Sturdy Wing~ 522]

I would say that Fluttershy would fall into the realm of mentally ill in regards to her social anxiety. Not that it is really severe or "Mentally ill" is used in a negative light, but it is what it is. I don't know if she could be cured for a couple of reasons, first off it is her distinct personality trait and MLP has not shown a desire to stray away from these traits too much, and if it is a disorder; it cannot be changed.

[XUNUSEDXXX 3,459]

Of course. Nobody magically loses their attributes unless brainwashed. *evil grin*

 

But seriously, Fluttershy could possibly lose her shyness after a lot of practice CONTROLLING her assertiveness (which she didn't do in the Iron Will episode *Iron Will pose*) but for the time being shes a shy, cute little pwny :3

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

Yeah, Fluttershy definitly couldn't lose her shyness, no one is that good.  Plus it's in her name.  I like how we see some character development, but in reality she still is the same shy pony we all know.

[dad george 105]

In magic duel she was just over-the-top. Instead of making her just shy, the writers made her go full retard.

Same with Pinkie being over-the-top sad in too many Pinkie Pies and The Wonderbolt Academy.

I'd let the one in Too many pinkies slip because she had a logical reason there, but her being over-the-top sad and hysterical again in wonderbolt academy is just not right.