Possible new Mane 6 Character in Season 4?

[Wardaddy 470]

Sunset Shimmer? The name sounds like the alternate names for Twilight Sparkle. OMG I may have figured out this theory after all! The new toy is in fact either a recolor or redux of Twilight. Ok, so I think Sunset Shimmer won't appear in the show, but then who would take up the seventh element?

[GrifCannon 102]

Meghan McCarthy just tweeted denying that Sunset Shimmer will appear in season 4

Although, apparently, according to the box on one of Sunset's toys. She is a former student of celestia.

 

[Phoenix237 353]

Meghan McCarthy just tweeted denying that Sunset Shimmer will appear in season 4

Although, apparently, according to the box on one of Sunset's toys. She is a former student of celestia.

 

No disrespect, but this doesn't prove anything.

The last time they denied rumors, it was over Twilight the alicorn. Up until the official unveiling, they kept saying that Twilight won't become an alicorn, just to prevent spoilers. I get the feeling that they're doing this again, only this time with Sunset Shimmer.

(again not trying to be disrespectful, just putting my opinion in the topic).

 

Besides I like the design a lot

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Yeah, the Sunset Shimmer toy is a pallet-swap for Twilight Sparkle. There appears to have been a slight glitch in the communication between Hasbro and the China manufacturer, so that the manufacturer got the news about Twilight getting wings too late to change the masquerade toy line. So they did a quick swap-out of colors and re-wrote the packaging in order to fulfill the contract with minimal disruption.

 

Hasbro might put Sunset into their bullet list for the show, but in my opinion it's more likely they'll try to spin it into alternate media. Basically it's in their interest to diversify the franchise via things like the comic series, playsets, direct-to-online shorts, games, etc. And having additional characters with enough 'presence' to carry those things would be a big boost to that move.

[Nightfall Gaze 3]

Honestly I think there should be a new set of mane characters. Now that Twilight is a princess, she has royal duties to attend to, and all her friends have achieved their goals. Rainbow Dash is in Wonderbolts Academy, Rarity has had many fashion successes,  Fluttershy has learned to balance being shy and being assertive when necessary, Pinkie Pie is Pinkie Pie to the max, Applejack has already won the competitions she's wanted to win.....

 

It think it would be a wonderful new story direction to focus on whole new characters entirely, and to take a little more inspiration from the classic MLP, when they went on real epic adventures...Castles, dragons, sea ponies, monsters, magic (minus the humans of course). 

 

My fear is it honing in on the CMC. That would be beating a dead horse. I want them to either get their cutie marks or find out they wont get any at all. They can't be blank flanks forever. It'd also be nice to see Spike aspire to be more than just Twilight's little helper. Will he stay in Ponyville or will he become some sort of royal attendant or something? 

 

And can we treat Princess Luna more like a princess? Can the new main character maybe take tasks from her instead of Princess Celestia? Maybe Twilight can get some training or whatever from Luna? There are so many possibilities, but to be honest I don't want fans to have too much say in the direction of the show. That could end in disaster. I want to see Lauren Faust get back on board. Season 3 was a watered down continuation of the first 2.

[Twilicorn3777 13]

I don't know, but maybe. There have been many fanfics on this subject and I know a possible new element of harmony: forgiveness. Maybe the mane six will find a mysterious object in the everfree forest which turned out to be the seventh element of harmony or something. You never know. 

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

From what we know, and the fact her box says she's one of Celestia's old students, I'm going to hazard a guess she may end up like a mentor character, rather then a new addition to the Mane Six.

 

Which might be kinda cool. 

No disrespect, but this doesn't prove anything.
The last time they denied rumors, it was over Twilight the alicorn. Up until the official unveiling, they kept saying that Twilight won't become an alicorn, just to prevent spoilers. I get the feeling that they're doing this again, only this time with Sunset Shimmer.
(again not trying to be disrespectful, just putting my opinion in the topic).

Besides I like the design a lot

I don't think the writers ever denied it, it was the Hub themselves that kept doing that, the writers kept their mouths sealed about it to my knowledge. 

 

Also, I really like her design. 

Edited March 19, 2013 by Shoboni

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

Well, so it's looking like she won't be in the show then. Still, what an interesting concept for the show if it did incorporate this new character as well as whatever the masks and the celebration are for.

 

Then again, The Hub on Twitter said we wouldn't get Twilicorn, but we did. Meghan also said we'd get a Rarity episode in season 3, and we all saw how that turned out.

 

Also, someone on EQD posted this Equestria Girls style pic of Sunset. It could be anything, but it looks interesting nonetheless.

 

 

She could be an antagonist, or just an anti-hero type of character.

Edited March 20, 2013 by Sugar Cube

[Dr. Nefarious 195]

Meghan McCarthy (I think thats how you spell her name) tweeted that Sunset Shimmer will have no involvement in Season 4. Or atleast the storyline, she might still make an appearance. Maybe as a background pony?

[Wardaddy 470]

Well, so it's looking like she won't be in the show then. Still, what an interesting concept for the show if it did incorporate this new character as well as whatever the masks and the celebration are for.

 

Then again, The Hub on Twitter said we wouldn't get Twilicorn, but we did. Meghan also said we'd get a Rarity episode in season 3, and we all saw how that turned out.

 

Also, someone on EQD posted this Equestria Girls style pic of Sunset. It could be anything, but it looks interesting nonetheless.

 

 

She could be an antagonist, or just an anti-hero type of character.

She certainly does possess that evil "in-your-face" look about her. If she does get involved in the show after all, it may be that she will be the villain for Season 4, returning to Ponyville to get revenge on Twilight for upstaging her and on Celestia for forgetting about her, who trained for years under Tia's tutelage only to be totally forgotten about and replaced. Feels like a solid storyline for this character if I do say so myself

[Chickey 383]

Even though it's evidently been declined.

I think they put way too much character design and even made a toy to not put it into the show. But the anthro picture could easily mean they're putting it in the spin off show and not in season 4. That would be somewhat disappointing for me though.

[Pilot 40]

Just saying... That would be a gigantic animation error to make. For a scene that is that big, messing something like that up wouldn't make sense unless it had some sort of purpose.

[Stalliongrad 982]

So if you look at this new promo the Hub put out we can ... kinda infer a few things. First they seem to be doing a really good job at hiding Princess Twilights new wings. Hinting at she may not stay an alicorn. If she does i really don't care. But it is very odd they did nothing but show her off and now they release this and they are hiding them. Somethin ain't right about it. . And the fact of the matter is, whether you supported Alicorn Twilight or not the fact of the matter is if she does stay one the tone of the show is definatly going to change. Does not matter how you look at it. If she is a princess why does she need Spike to write to Celestia now? They are almost equals, the term "princess" being an earned title (as mentioned by Faust herself). Now the potential to add a different main character is more likely if Twilight were to stay a Princess because there is no way around it she will be much more busy. Why does Twilight need to study in Ponyville now? She doesn't she now has responsibilities and what not. Personally I would not like to see that happen and its very unlikely. But if a new main character were to emerge I think i would welcome it depending on how it goes. I don't see why we couldn't have 7 main characters honestly. The 7th representing a "lost" element of harmony or something i dunno.

[RetroDash 42]

Nobody or Nopony (whichever you prefer) worry, the Mane 6 will stay the original Mane 6. Princess Twilight Sparkle will remain with her friends until the very end. New responsibilities and missions await the Elements of Harmony...so just relax.

 

Sunset Shimmer looks promising, maybe she will become canon.

SHE BETTER NOT OVERSHADOW RARE OR AJ!

So if you look at this new promo the Hub put out we can ... kinda infer a few things. First they seem to be doing a really good job at hiding Princess Twilights new wings. Hinting at she may not stay an alicorn. If she does i really don't care. But it is very odd they did nothing but show her off and now they release this and they are hiding them. Somethin ain't right about it. . And the fact of the matter is, whether you supported Alicorn Twilight or not the fact of the matter is if she does stay one the tone of the show is definatly going to change. Does not matter how you look at it. If she is a princess why does she need Spike to write to Celestia now? They are almost equals, the term "princess" being an earned title (as mentioned by Faust herself). Now the potential to add a different main character is more likely if Twilight were to stay a Princess because there is no way around it she will be much more busy. Why does Twilight need to study in Ponyville now? She doesn't she now has responsibilities and what not. Personally I would not like to see that happen and its very unlikely. But if a new main character were to emerge I think i would welcome it depending on how it goes. I don't see why we couldn't have 7 main characters honestly. The 7th representing a "lost" element of harmony or something i dunno.

I would not mind seeing 7 main characters, but instead we'll only see 6.  

(Now with 6) Screen Time: RD, Twi, Pinks, Flutters> AJ and Rare

(Possibly with 7) Screen Time: RD, Flutters, Sunset Shimmer, Pinks, Twi> Rare and AJ

 

  I'd rather stick with six characters in hope that AJ and Rare will eventually be redeemed...at some point.

[Michael DeSanta 258]

A BIG BROHOOF TO EVERYONE FROM THIS POLITCALLY MINDED PONY. ((now speaking in ye Olde caplocks are done.))

 

Season 4 if there is a season 4 is going to be awesome. I wouldnt mind seeing a new character I find MLP friendship is magic more stimulating to the mind not elsewhere *o.O*((you know who im talking about.)) But I do wonderwhat new villians will there be in season 4. Will king sombra actually speak and be more evil. Could a pony actually die I mean life lessons of life Who knows what is going to happen in the next season. I expect to see less of twilight however. Dueto the fact sheis an Alicorn and going to be away at canterlot most of the time. Still guys keep your eyes peeled out.

[Sir.Flutter Hooves 2,953]

Well, so it's looking like she won't be in the show then. Still, what an interesting concept for the show if it did incorporate this new character as well as whatever the masks and the celebration are for.

 

Then again, The Hub on Twitter said we wouldn't get Twilicorn, but we did. Meghan also said we'd get a Rarity episode in season 3, and we all saw how that turned out.

 

Also, someone on EQD posted this Equestria Girls style pic of Sunset. It could be anything, but it looks interesting nonetheless.

 

 

She could be an antagonist, or just an anti-hero type of character.

Well technically Megan was right about the Rarity episode. Meriweither Williams wrote it, but it was so horrible for Rarity's character they had to rewrite it fast, and called it "Spike at your service"

 

And maybe she didn't know about Twilight becoming an Alicorn yet? Maybe Habro dropped that on them last second.

 

 

Thanks and bro hoof /)

[GrifCannon 102]

If I remember correctly, the writers never denied Twilicorn, only Tara did, and she only denied it once, not multiple times like everyone seems to think.

[Stalliongrad 982]

I got so interested in this character i went looking for some answers and well. I found this tweet by meghan mccarthy that kinda squashes all of this.

 

[Tank the tortoise 262]

There was something a while back about Hasbro pushing the team to make a background pony a main character.  When asked about the 6 stars at the con that shall not be named the writers said that must have been added by Jason Theeison in post production.  While Twi becoming an alicorn possibly screws with the 2,2,2 balance (unless you follow the belief that Alicorns are simply a higher level of unicorn which Hearthswarming and Magic duel do kinda hint towards) bringing in a new character would only work if the character had retroactive appeal.  For this reason I always felt the additional character, likely being a unicorn, would be Trixie.  Outside of the Princesses and the CMC she has a really high following.  While Derpy is a popular character they would likely avoid her to avoid further issues, besides the where's waldo scenes with her are quite fun.

 

Now as to this Sunset Shimmer character.  The fact remains that the only thing the character has going for her as evidence is her mask.  However, I would like to point out that as some others have stated she seems more akin to a villain/antagonist than a main character.  For that reason I return back to my addition of Trixie as a 7th cast member.

 

She has retroactive episodes with several mentions in the eps she does not appear in.  She also serves as a potential magic replacement if Twilight ascends for some reason beyond the elements (this I find highly dubious).  Her episodes do cleanly represent a transition from antagonist to understandable and another ep or two could ease that into friend.  For this reason I give my thoughts on her potential element, Forgiveness.  Forgiveness isn't something that one acquires as easily as the other elements.  You have to be with someone for a longer time for it to show.

 

Now while all this about Trixie is just spitballing theories I tie this back into the discussion so as to explain my tangent.  If a recurring antagonist like Trixie becomes a 'good'/main character, you need to have a replacement rival in magic for Twilight.  That is where I would see this Sunset character coming into the mix.

 

Also keep in mind that Season 4 has also likely already been written with them in the process of working on Season 5 now.  If this character is going to be introduced in a movie or later season than Meghan didn't lie, but you also misinterpreted what she said.  The question asked was 'Will she be in Season 4?'  Meghan responded 'Nope'.  This does not exclude possible later seasons or the rumored movie that has been floating around.

[Loona 287]

It was confirmed on a twitter page that Sunset Shimmer isn't going to be on the show... But I'm doubting that

 

I doubt it was an animation error. How could they miss something like Twilight's cutie mark?

[Nature's Spell 526]

It was confirmed on a twitter page that Sunset Shimmer isn't going to be on the show... But I'm doubting that

 

I doubt it was an animation error. How could they miss something like Twilight's cutie mark?

I need to look at it again, but I thought that the banners of her cutie mark, during the processional, showed 7 stars and not the normal 6 stars.

[Loona 287]

I need to look at it again, but I thought that the banners of her cutie mark, during the processional, showed 7 stars and not the normal 6 stars.

 

Twilight's cutie mark has 5 stars, not 6. http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6482068/il_fullxfull.266466817.jpg

 

That's her cutie mark. Some fans think that the 6 stars in the sky resemble a new member of the mane 6, since I'm guessing the 5 stars on her cutie mark resemble her 5 friends.

[Thedoctorholmes 0]

The thing that makes My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic so popular is that the creators listen to the fans. I think they know not to get rid of Twilight. She is THE mane, mane pony. But I think the idea of having a new mane pony is something I haven't heard. Nice catch, I'll have to think about this.

[Nature's Spell 526]

Twilight's cutie mark has 5 stars, not 6. http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/6482068/il_fullxfull.266466817.jpg

 

That's her cutie mark. Some fans think that the 6 stars in the sky resemble a new member of the mane 6, since I'm guessing the 5 stars on her cutie mark resemble her 5 friends.

No it does have six stars. The five small stars represent her friends and the center star repersents her. The sky mark showed one extra small star for six and the large one bringing the total to seven. Now the two rumors are that it was a mistake or added by director without the writes knowledge. I'm not sure what it means and if we don't see it again I'd be less sure of a new mane pony. Edited March 24, 2013 by Nature Spell

[Fhaolan 4,484]

Just saying... That would be a gigantic animation error to make. For a scene that is that big, messing something like that up wouldn't make sense unless it had some sort of purpose.

 

I need to look at it again, but I thought that the banners of her cutie mark, during the processional, showed 7 stars and not the normal 6 stars.

 

When Twilight's talking to the rest of the Mane6 and Celestia shows up to proclaim her a princess, right before everyone curtsies/bows, Twilight turns enough that you can see her cutie-mark. It still has five little white stars (plus the big purple one, of course).

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately every other scene after that has her in a dress, so you can't see her actual cutie-mark.

 

The banners at the coronation have six, the symbol that floats in the sky before Twilight re-appears has six, but her actual cutie-mark still has five as far as I can tell.

 

So either the five-star one on her flank is an animation error, or the floaty version was an error (which got copy-pasted to the banners).

Edited March 24, 2013 by Fhaolan