Is Twilight Sparkle leaving the show and being replaced by....

[Dashabel 381]

I keep hearing rumours and seeing photos of a new pony named Sunset Shimmer, and that she is to replace Twilight as she leaves to start a new life as a princess. Sunset Shimmer is a unicorn alike Twilight, with her own unique design and mane style, not some tossed up background pony, and her name is another version of Twilight Sparkle. I hardly believe this, but I'm worried.

The more I think about it, the more I know that Twilight would never leave her friends - their friendships are too powerful. And what could be so special about Sunset Shimmer that can take the place of Twilight in the mane 6 and act as magic in the elements of harmony? It just... Doesn't make sense.

This is inevitably false, but I just wanted to know more about it and what other people think. I really hope this doesn't happen.

Edited March 8, 2013 by (\ScootaDash/)

[SparklingTwilight 109]

Tara Strong has confirmed that Twilight will be staying in Ponyville, with her friends in Season 4. So I'm not too concerned at all. I think that this is just a rumour to stir people up, personally. Hopefully I'm right.

[Proton 565]

No. Simply no. They cannot leave out Twilight for the rest of the show, she is like one of the most loved ponies among loved ponies, so first, the bronies will start rampaging on Hasbro, and second, the show would lose a huge part of its audience. Probably you should classify what you heard as "Just Rumors", because I believe Twilight leaving the show is something that is not going to happen even in a thousand years.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

It's entirely possible that this is a new character to the show; perhaps, for example, she's going to be the main focus of an episode where she comes to Ponyville to ask for help and the mane six decide to help her out. And after hearing this, people got their knickers in a knot and blew it all out of proportion, tacking on the bit about Twilight leaving.

[kirbyboi 588]

Replace Twilight?! No way! And yeah. Tara strong did confirm that she'd stay in Ponyville with the rest of the mane six. I saw someone else post a thread about a toy figure they saw of this pony...so maybe she might play some important role in the show somehow, but not replace Twilight.

 

 

From the looks of her, she might be some unicorn from Saddle Arabia or something. She has the color types, and the cutie mark kinda suggests it. So maybe a possible Saddle Arabia episode? I like her cutie mark and design though. But I know for sure Twilight won't be replaced, so don't worry!

[Gone Airbourne 21,977]

Replacing twilight with a new character yeah no worries there because that will not happen. Think about it how could they replace the mane 6 best friend with someone completely new at this point in the show. Now this character could have an episode specifically for her in the new season but I have no idea though.

Replacing twilight with a new character yeah no worries there because that will not happen. Think about it how could they replace the mane 6 best friend with someone completely new at this point in the show. Now this character could have an episode specifically for her in the new season but I have no idea though.

[deadprofile 1,122]

Sadly there is a possibility if Hasbro is out for toys (which it is).  However, with the backlash of pretty much the entire adult fandom (kids will not be happy either) I doubt they will put a new main character in until Twilight's story is done.  They may make this (and other "to-be" characters the new focus for a new generation, but not now....if anything, this unicorn is just going to be another point for an episode or something....

[~Chaotic Fireball~ 499]

Wow she is so beautiful. I doubt she'll replace Twi, but she might be added, and make the Mane 6 into the Mane 7. I'd actually be pretty happy if she is added. I think I'd be very interested in getting to know her better.

And anyways, what would her element be if she is added? Maybe humility? She looks like a pretty humble, slef-giving pony. I can't wait for her to be added if she is.

And anyways, I wouldn't bet on Twi being replaced, Tara Strong already confirmed that she's gong to stay in Ponyville

---

BTW, Hi ScootaDash!

Edited March 8, 2013 by Fireball Rush

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well she does look beautiful but, she won't replace Twilight. Tara Strong even confirmed that Twilight will be staying in Ponyville with her friends. It's better to leave this as a rumor only.

[Zygen 6,066]

While I do think she has a pretty beautiful looking design, its already been confirmed by Tara that Twilight isn't leaving her friends or ponyville, whether the character shows at all is kinda unlikely to seeing as they already have a pretty large cast of main and supporting characters, but I suppose its possible.

 

I wonder what this is all for though. If its not for the show or anything, or atleast its not to replace Twilight.

 

I like her design, but I still don't think she'll be in the show.

[Thundershock 310]

The rumors you're hearing are probaly people trying to troll others.I seriously doupt that they'll replace one of the main characters.It just does'nt make sense.

[Dr. Love 88]

If Twilight were to be replaced, it would probably be Trixie filling in her place, and that would actually be really interesting considering that replacing Twilight Sparkle completely contradicts the message of the show

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

I do believe that this is one of the places where the rumour originated: http://www.mylittleponynews.com/2013/02/playful-pony-sunset-shimmer.html This is most certainly not the first "new" pony to be featured in a FiM set and won't be the last. I don't see the show's creators replacing a mane character this late in the game.

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Information we have on this character:

 

Masquerade Sunset Shimmer is a toy in the Playful Ponies: Crystal Pony (Masquerade) line, appearing along side a Masquerade Rainbow Dash, a Masquerade Rarity, a Masquerade Pinkie Pie, all to ship in May. Supposedly there will be an Masquerade Applejack and a Masquerade Fluttershy in the next set.

 

The package blurb for Sunset Shimmer is slightly different from the blurb on the other three. While the others all say something about being 'ready for adventure' or the like, the Sunset Shimmer one says 'knows a magical path to faraway adventure'.

 

Sunset Shimmer's name, colours and cutie-mark are from a previous generation toy 'Sun Shimmer'.

 

Speculation appears to run in two directions:

 

1) The current toy is actually a pallete-swap on Twilight Sparkle as the licensed manufacturer got the info that all Twilight Sparkle toys are to have wings *and* horn too late to make a new mold for this specific model line, but were required by contract to produce six different toys for said line. So they took the easiest route and did a colour-swap rather than attempt a new mold build in the time they had. The blurb they made up on the spot to add 'interest'.

 

2) The character is pre-planned to be added to the series, either as a balance to the 2 Earth/2Pegasis/2 Unicorn dynamic that is now off because of Twilight's alicornification, or as a re-occuring 'ambassador' type from a country outside of Equestria that will appear first during a 'Masquerade in the Crystal Empire' episode.

 

My money is actually on 1. That doesn't mean she won't appear in the show at some point, as in many cases the toy comes first and then the writers have to scramble to get something in-place due to Hasbro 'decree' (which is more like a bullet list, supposedly, and doesn't go into the level of detail people seem to think.)

[poniesforfun 716]

If Sunset Shimmer is added in the mane 6 she would probably be like the green/white ranger. Like it's kind of odd she was put in there in the first place. :/

[SBaby 660]

Tara Strong said she was staying on as a main character.  If it does come to pass that this new pony is a permanent character, then it's more likely that she'll either be a seventh member of the mane cast, or she's just going to be a new recurring character.  Personally, either way is fine with me.  New friends are made every day, so it would make sense that after all this time in Ponyville, there's a chance that the mane 6 would befriend a new character.

 

Bear in mind that there has been previous speculation and rumors concerning the possibility of Celestia having a daughter.  If those rumors turn out to be true, then perhaps this is her.

Edited March 10, 2013 by SBaby

[cuteycindyhoney 13,316]

I keep hearing rumours and seeing photos of a new pony named Sunset Shimmer, and that she is to replace Twilight as she leaves to start a new life as a princess. Sunset Shimmer is a unicorn alike Twilight, with her own unique design and mane style, not some tossed up background pony, and her name is another version of Twilight Sparkle. I hardly believe this, but I'm worried.

The more I think about it, the more I know that Twilight would never leave her friends - their friendships are too powerful. And what could be so special about Sunset Shimmer that can take the place of Twilight in the mane 6 and act as magic in the elements of harmony? It just... Doesn't make sense.

This is inevitably false, but I just wanted to know more about it and what other people think. I really hope this doesn't happen.

People are talking about Twilight becoming an Alicorn was only to sell toys. Dropping her from the show would totally defeat any marketing plans Hasbro may have had. Besides, Tara Strong already stated in an interview that Twilight was remaining in Ponyville. You have nothing to worry about.  Oh, and not to forget. That image is from a DeviantArt page. It IS NOT anything official from Hasbro.

http://katlyon.deviantart.com/art/Sunset-Shimmer-Do-you-REALLY-like-me-356871363

[Wingnut 7,005]

Sunset Shimmer isn't going to replace Twilight but all signs are she will become an important season 4 pony.  I hope she doesn't get Mane 6 (Mane 7?) billing.  But she is clearly designed to play a pivotal role going forward.  

 

Consider the parallels between Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle.  They're very strong practitioners of magic.  Sunset's name, cutie mark, and color all show a strong connection to Twilight.  On a color wheel, yellow is the spectral opposite of purple.  The image of a revised Twilight cutie mark showing SIX supporting stars instead of just five for Rarity, Fluttershy, RD, AJ, and Pinkie Pie give me the most pause.  Whatever happens, PLEASE don't let her become MLP:FiM's equivalent of The Brady Bunch's cousin Oliver! 

[Freefall 5]

I read somewhere that this 'new pony's blub mentioned that she was Celestia's former student. That seems like a pretty significant detail, and I believe that with such an eye catching design she will surely be in at least one episode. Most likely she wont be a mane character, just an interesting side character, like Zecora.

[Suzaku 88]

^ from EqD

 

That implies that she's probably not going to be on the show, sadly.  I like her design, but it doesn't look like she'll be showing up.

[Veylon 255]

Oh come on guys. For all you know, you'll like Sunset even more than Twilight!

 

More seriously, I really do like her design. If and when I get around to writing fanfic, I'll have to be sure to include her. I kind of envision her as being more extroverted and energetic, offering an alternative approach to magic from Twilight's more scholarly methods.

[Stormwind 53]

while i know twilight is staying with her friends, i am not opposed to the idea of a new mane character. maby shes not replacing twilight, maby sunset shimmer is just going to be a new side character. Imagine if Celestia sent her to be twilight's student, not replace her.

[NavelColt 22,882]

Tara stated Twilight won't be leaving the show and will remain in Ponyville with her friends (maybe she'll be the Princess of Ponyville ), and I'm Meghan stated that Shimmer isn't in the show. I think we're done here :3