C.Discord's Rule 63 Mane Six Appeal Discussion

[NavelColt 22,875]

 

Rule 63 is an internet principle which states that for every fictional character, there exists a counterpart of the opposite gender. It is part of a list known as Rules of the Internet, and among that list it is the most popular after Rule 34.

 

When people bring up Rule 63, a lot of individuals look at it with a similar disgust they may give Rule 34. Naturally, when a cliche that goes beyond the status of viral meme grows big enough, many, many people are going to find it, and it's universal implementation, obnoxious. What doesn't help, is that a lot of the content out there truly -is- bad. Many, many characters from all sorts of fandoms are made subject of R63 simply because the artist wants to have an excuse to draw some porn of them as the opposite gender. Typically, guys to girls. Thus, Rule 63 is very famous for being paired with Rule 34 and causing a lot of scarring for poor individuals surfing around the net

 

> "Male character? Let's turn them female and make some grotesque Rule 34 :'D"

 

And you know what? I'm with those people for the most part. Rule 63 is very abused, and scarcely gets used in a genuinely artistic, worthwhile fashion. By no means is the rule completely innocent in its' implementation.

 

However, this view of mine was challenged when I stumbled upon the main embassy of Rule 63 in this particular fandom. The Mane Six have received male counterparts that are not only incredibly realistic and aesthetically pleasing in design and portrayed believably in all sorts of media they're represented in, but who's specific designs and names have become Fandom Canon from how popular and widely accepted they are.

 

It all began here, with a fan fiction called On A Cross and Arrow. After being sent to an alternate Ponyville in another dimension due to a spell gone wrong, the Mane Six encounter their male counterparts, and the twelve individuals seek a way to reverse the spell's effect. The fan fiction slowly but surely exploded with popularity throughout the fandom, and before long, official vector designs of the characters were created, by a fellow named Trotsworth.

 

Dusk Shine, Rainbow Blitz, Bubble Berry, Elusive, Butterscotch and Applejack.

 

Ever since, the 'Colt Six' have become a fairly reoccurring theme within the fandom, sparking popular conversions of other characters as well. (see end of the topic for a few examples of further art and fan fiction of the concept)

 

Now, for me, part of why I enjoy the Colt Six so much is for the very fact that we have a fandom that took something that usually results in nothing but badly done pornography, and turned it into a completely flushed out set of alternative characters, with their own unique designs and fitting personalities based from the Mane Six. The other reason, is that I truly believe a few of the Mane Six are cuter, or more unique in their male forms than they are as girls.

 

For example, my 'Best Pony' list for the Female Mane Six is vastly different from my Male Mane Six list:

F: Rainbow Dash > Applejack > Twilight Sparkle > Pinkie Pie > Rarity > Fluttershy

M: Bubble Berry > Rainbow Blitz > Dusk Shine > Butterscotch > Elusive > Applejack

 

Yes. Pinkie's personality is cuter and more unique as a boy, in my opinion

 

Our fandom tends to take concepts and refine them into something incredibly thorough and well done, and in my opinion, Rule 63 is the perfect example. Whether or not you're willing to look into the mountains of polished artwork, fan art and voice work I'll be linking below, it's rather hard to turn your cheek to the fact that you don't see something flimsy like gender swapping taken to such a level in other fandoms.

 

--

 

List of Mane Six (and some other) Rule 63 Fan Content:

> MLP: BHoA is a fan project by Trotsworth, that goes through the series' first two episodes in R63 form, adding plenty of extra humor to the storyline.

Page 1 - [link]

Page 2 - [link]
Page 3 - [link]
Page 4 - [link]

*Further pages coming soon*

 

> The 63rd Rune is another well-done fanfiction regarding the Mane Six screwing up a spell; but instead of meeting their alternate selves, they become them! They'll need to recover an ancient and powerful magic in order to revert to their normal lives. [link]

 

> philsterman10 is a Youtube voice actor pony fan who's made and participated in dozens of Colt Six voice overs. He's not only incredibly talented, but, in my opinion, nails what I believe their voices would sound like. He does both clips of the show and fan fiction, as well as voice overs for official songs from the show. Be sure to check out some of them!

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--

 

If you feel so inclined, check out our very own 'Are you ok with Rule 63 Ponies?' topic, where I also included the fourth page of Trotsworth's MLP:BHoA comic for people too lazy to click links

 

I encourage you to give the concept, and some of these ideas a try Even if you aren't particularly interested in adoring them, realizing exactly what the term 'R63' means in this fandom's higher-class content, and not knocking something without trying what it is at its' best is a healthy practice.

 

Thanks for reading~

[Doctor XFizzle 8,651]

Colt 6 as played by actors 

 

Bubble Berry - Tom Kenny even though he's more known for VA work

Dusk Shine - Daniel Radcliffe

Rainbow Blitz - Robert Downey Jr.

Elusive - Antonio Bandaras

Butterscotch - Elijah Wood

Applejack - Matthew McConaughey

 

spoilers for a very sexy R63

 

 

Edited May 16, 2013 by Doctor XFizzle

[Doctor-Whooves 288]

I've encountered Rule 63 before, and, as you stated, it generally did not go down very well with me. However, I have read the fanfiction in question and was very impressed by it. This fandom is one of the few that actually did this right.

[Winona the Dog 1,981]

I was already a big fan of Rule 63 before the genderbent colt 6 was made. Even the philsterman videos was a big favorite of mine mainly because it was the first rule 63 content I've seen.

 

I find it intriguing to see the mane six as Colts. I'm not sure why though I just do. Maybe it's because it's interesting to see how the series takes place if everyone were the opposite gender. In this case most of the mares are just stallions. I pray for a genderbent episode for season 4.

 

 

Similarly Adventure Time does the thing with thier Fionna and Cake thing.

[Arylett Charnoa 4,919]

I'm gonna have to disagree with you there, pal. On a lot of counts.

 

Here comes Arylett, the Obligatory Devil's Advocate to Ruin Everyone's Fun. :3

 

One BIG major reason it seems less grotesque in this fandom than others is because males aren't as sexualized as females. So turning females to males doesn't really have the same implications. In society, women are seen as the sexy ones. The ones who are always associated with males in some way. Whether to be sexual objects, or romantic interests. Hence why they are poorly represented in most media. Whilst men are the "default" generic catch-all gender. 

 

Then there's the other reason: a hefty part of the fandom (I mean, online, and participating in communities/fanart. Females DO exist, of course, but they tend to be more quiet and less passionate about their like of the show. Further, these forums are kind of evidence of that. HEAVY SAUSAGE PARTY GOING ON HERE IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW) is strangely is composed of males. Many of these males are not homosexual, and in fact straight. So they have no sexual interest in the characters they convert genders in.

 

I'd even theorize that the reasons for doing so are different than many Rule 63 situations. A lot of the reason in other fandoms is because guys are thinking with their private parts - lust. They want to sexualize these characters, so they turn them female. It's less out of curiosity than it is so much "I NEED FAPZ MATERIAL"

 

Many of the reasons here may be different. Due to not only the large majority of males, but the fact that males are far less sexualized than females by comparison and so are not really thought of as sexual objects. Some may do it out of simple curiosity what the characters may look like. My personal theory is that others may do it so that they can relate more to the show, because they are simply not used to consuming media that has mostly females in it and can relate more to their own gender. (I know that I relate more to characters of my gender, but again, I'm not saying that's the case for everyone) The point is, whilst it CAN be done for sexual reasons, in comparison to other... Rule 63, because of gender double standards and society and the like, it is rarely done.

 

This makes it SEEM as though this fandom is doing things correctly, but really, I've outlined the sad truth of double standards. Because of these, less... raunchy material is made. It is made for the sake of curiosity and story and such, more thorough. Not to satiate fetishes. So I would say the fandom itself being more tasteful or talented is not really a reason at all. (If the former were the case, clopping itself wouldn't exist. In their regular form, the Mane Six ARE sexualized. Into humans or ponies. A lot of it being because they are female. And from what I've seen, a lot of it is... rather badly done.)

 

As for my own personal opinion on it? I think it's pointless, and dislike it. I already consume media full to the brim with males, and this is a breather from all of that. I don't really want to see actually good female characters get turned into guys, for one. Two, I prefer females to males. So seeing a girl turned into a guy... seems like a waste of awesomeness to me. (No offense, dudes! I just think of this more in terms of aesthetic appeal. Guys are uglier to me than girls) Three, the Mane Six's designs and personalities do NOT fit at all as males. (Although I'll admit Applejack does pretty well. Rainbow Dash in personality is also close, but her design is awful for a male character)They were designed whole-heartedly to be female.

 

To me, it is very jarring to see a male rainbow pony, or a colorful pastel yellow and pink one with butterflies on his ass. I'd enjoy them more if they... actually masculinized them with male sensibilities instead of just keeping the same color schemes and making them copypaste versions of themselves. The show, for instance, keeps the colors of the males more toned down and masculine. So it seems a little... out of canon to me to see male ponies with such color schemes. Like it or not, males and females DO have general tropes in their personalities as well. There are things that separate us. You can tell, for instance, when there was a character who was designed to act like a male in every sense of the word, but just happens to be a female. Not just a tomboy like Rainbow Dash though. Just... some chick who's a plain dude because they're trying to avert girliness. All females have some bit of femininity in them. And the inverse is true. I don't think the fandom does it correctly. I'd like to see masculinity respected. Like it or not, we all do follow some of those stereotypes to an extent. I don't mean stereotypes, but actual bits of guy APPEARANCE and BEHAVIOR. You'd think that a fandom of males would be able to pull such off. 

 

So yeah, you can like it if you want. But I ain't interested in it at all. On a conceptual level (I like it when everyone stays the actual gender they are. Even males turning to females isn't something I'm into, though I do object to it a bit less), or in the execution I've seen. 

 

Oh and don't expect any real response from me should you decide to rip this post apart with quotes and object to it. I'm not here to argue, just to present a driveby opinion and then run off into the night.

[Zygen 6,065]

I do think it is often put to vain use I guess really, but I think that it has been better treated in this fandom.

 

I personally haven't read any of the fanfics, but I do think I may plan to do so after you bringing them up and recommending them(I have a couple fanfics I actually need to read in general really )

 

But I think their designs are pretty well done, and I certainly don't hate them or anything. I'll have to look into them more before I can get a better opinion I guess, but I don't find anything bad about them really. 

 

I actually think the Colt designs look pretty cool for the most part. From the ones i've come across, of course I don't come across this all that often, and I've not read into it much, so my opinion on this whole matter is a bit unjustified and shakey I guess.

 

I really just need to read some fanfics and stuff on it I guess to better my opinion, but I doubt I'll have a reason to have a problem with it, and I don't really have any reason now to dislike it, nor do i think I'll ever really dislike it anyways.

[NavelColt 22,875]

I pray for a genderbent episode for season 4.

 

Big Mac being Applejack in Magic Duel is the closest thing we've had thus far, but I hope we would, too. Wonder how the designs would compare xP

[Nohbdy 4,108]

To me, R63's primary appeal lies in its "what if?" factor. Part of the challenge of genderbending canonical characters is not simply the design, but also the characterization. The characters should retain their core personality, but also exhibit traits that reflect what is likely a different upbringing, gender identity, sexual orientation, or the like. For them to be successful genderbents, each of the Colt Six need to have significant ties to their female selves. It's what makes them identifiable as the same characters, only different. Based on my observations, this seems to be a success. However, I can't say I'm a huge fan of the Colt Six. 

 

I fully admit to liking R63 only if it's male to female. It's not because of the fap qualities or whatever; instead, I simply find females more aesthetically pleasing. This is just as true with ponies as it is with humans. Physically, the female ponies have smooth, gentle curves and petite frames. It's feminine in a soothing, rather than sexual, way. By both our nature and cultural upbringing, we generally see females as the prettier gender. For me, that holds true with ponies, as well. The female ponies are, in a word, cuter. 

 

Personality-wise, I have a hard time seeing the Mane Six as males. They just don't feel right to me, especially in the context of the show. Fluttershy's shyness, for example, appeals appeals to my brotherly instincts. When she's around, I immediately feel the need to protect her. It's far easier to feel this for Fluttershy than for Butterscotch. Similarly, I find Rainbow Dash's tomboyism one of her greatest appeals. The contrast between her "cool" exterior and girly heard serve well to enhance her cuteness. Once again, this simply does not work for me when she's a guy. A male Twilight Sparkle, meanwhile, is essentially my friends and me. Not quite as interesting--or as adorkable. I think you know where I'm going with the rest of the Mane/Colt Six. The bottom line here is that their personalities lose much of their appeal as males.

 

Of course, this is all how I see it. You do bring up some very good points, CD, so have a brohoof /)

 

EDIT: PC

Edited May 16, 2013 by Тwilight Sparkle

[NavelColt 22,875]

I'm saying this as a guy, however, so my views are skewed by my perceptions of gender.

 

Gender doesn't have a ton to do with it :3 I'm a guy, too, and here I am, feeling the opposite of a lot of your thoughts. Just different beliefs and opinions based on what we've experienced and dislike/like.

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Gender doesn't have a ton to do with it :3 I'm a guy, too, and here I am, feeling the opposite of a lot of your thoughts. Just different beliefs and opinions based on what we've experienced and dislike/like.

Perhaps, but my judgments arise based on how I'm conditioned, by a male upbringing, to perceive femininity and masculinity. Essentially (and this probably would've been a better way to phrase my earlier comment), what I find attractive in a female is not necessarily something I find attractive in a male, if that makes any sense. 

[NavelColt 22,875]

Perhaps, but my judgments arise based on how I'm conditioned, by a male upbringing, to perceive femininity and masculinity. Essentially (and this probably would've been a better way to phrase my earlier comment), what I find attractive in a female is not necessarily something I find attractive in a male, if that makes any sense. 

 

Thus, exactly what I said How we're raised, how we're different in belief and thoughts and perception, and less about male VS female.

[Nohbdy 4,108]

Thus, exactly what I said How we're raised, how we're different in belief and thoughts and perception, and less about male VS female.

In that case, that's pretty much what I meant to imply when I brought my gender in to the discussion. If I offended--and I by no means intended to do so--then I apologize. 

Edited May 16, 2013 by Тwilight Sparkle

[NavelColt 22,875]

In that case, that's pretty much what I meant to imply when I brought my gender in to the discussion. If I offended--and I by no means intended to do so--then I apologize. 

 

Didn't offend :3 Just making the point that gender does not equal orientation, so gender thus cannot be used as an accurate factor for something like this. It's all external forces that teach us to believe what we decide to believe.

[King 5,625]

 

 

The other reason, is that I truly believe a few of the Mane Six are cuter, or more unique in their male forms than they are as girls.

Well I always think Rainbow Dash and her Male counterpart are the best lookers

Just cause they both work, whether male or Female.

 

Bubble Berry is cute too if i do say so :3

[Champion RD92 8,653]

I don't really care a whole lot for r63 usually, I guess it just seems odd to me or something. Plus I like girls, so I don't want them to be guys D:

 

I guess I don't mind it if it's like r63 of the male characters because they turn into cute girls hehehe. Like r63 Shining Armor is pretty cute lol

[hawkflame 3,308]

I think it's fascinating because it offers something of a window into how we still perceive genders today and the ways inw hich we are "allowed" to be male.   Rainbow Dash and Applejack are tomboys, so they more or less cross over okay,and Pinkie Pie and Twilight's most defining qualities are fairly gender neutral.  Even Rarity's vanity and fashion sense translate into a foppish metrosexuality for Elusive. 

 

The odd one out here is Fluttershy, whose personality as the easily frieghtened, but kindhearted and shy wallflower doesn't really have a male equivalent.  So on reading On a Cross and Arrow (which I really like, by the way), the character of Butterscotch made me... not uncomfortable, but not really sure how to react to it.

 

By the way, my favorite in colt form?  Still Rarity/Elusive.  It's that mix of vanity and generosity that takes a character from being some upper class twit to genuinely being likeable.  Plus the RarityxElusive parirng perfectly suits the character.  Not only would it totally feed each other's rather large egos, but also Elusive really is the ideal guy she failed to find in Prince Blueblood- Handsome and high class, but also caring and gentlemanly.

[Dave247 568]

I've seen the mane 6's male around here and there but never really thought much about until now. Also, before the joining the fandom I was oblivious to the general things that went on in the internet so I never had any negativism attached to Rule 63 because, bascally I never even knew what it was beforehand, along with a hell of other things too.

So because of that, when I first happened to come across the male vectors of them it didn't mean anything to me because if I recall correctly they were shown to me via a friend, who provided little explication most likely assuming I was already familiar with the concept, but as I was not I just gave him a generic response of it being OK.

 

I agree Arylett does have a point saying they may not have necessarily originally been created with the intent of it becoming what it has, but that's irrelevant now because it's exactly the same thing situation with the show and this very fandom.

We all grew to like and appreciate the show, despite it being made for girls, and it us, the same people who went and spawned a whole thing off a few vectors, just as we did with the show.

 

Also, fun fact for those who didn't know, Trixie was originally created as a male, then changes to a famale on the request of Hasbro without the story changing at all. Lauren Faust was answering some questions on Twitter 2 months ago which. EQD complied.

http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/05/lauren-fausts-twitter-questions-and.html

(Hint: Look for the big Trixie surprised face ;3).

 

I have to say you make a very fair point CD and spiked my curiously in the process. I'll deferentially be looking into this more now with interest thanks to you.

[duidamasterXD 9,626]

I don't really like the Colt Six as much as the canon characters, but I enjoy them in their own ways and Cross and Arrow is a very fun story

 

My favorite duet isn't mentioned in the OP, so I'll go ahead and post it here.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5LKKMVYxBY&list=FL-Iw7ny-pLDiVmb_zoOsEzA

 

And it feels weird to do this, but my Colt Six preferences are different from my Mane Six ones. Not entirely sure why.

 

Rainbow Blitz (by a much smaller margin)>Bubble Berry>Elusive>Dusk Shine=Applejack> Butterscotch. 

 

In terms of shipping with their female counterparts, some ships feel really different as well. Pinkiedash is by far my favorite ship, but somehow I don't enjoy Berrydash nearly as much (although Dash did briefly in Cross and Arrow , too bad they went more into the Appledash and Blitzdash stuff). I think my favorite cross gender pairing is Elusivedash.

[NavelColt 22,875]

Found some rather awesome artwork recently for R63 Mane Six pones :3 Thought I'd share it, given that this is almost the equivalent of a fanclub thread in some respects. Just a gigantic-OP one xD

 

I'm sometimes picky about pony humans, but the first drawing has a design that is very anime-reminiscent and I love the outfits :3 The second, I only stumbled upon moments ago, and love for how it's a colored pencil sketch

 

 

 

 

--

 

I've personally revisited some avatars for them as well, lately. Had a Blitz one a few weeks ago or so. His hair style is different than fanon-accepted Blitz, but I love it all the same.

[Flutterscotch 2]

Just feel like posting my own Favorite Character List:
F: Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle
M: Butterscotch, Berry Bubble, Dusk Shine, Elusive, Rainbow Blitz, Applejack

[RubyVesper 100]

To me, R63's primary appeal lies in its "what if?" factor.

100% agreed. Many human beings are very interested in the strangest of situations. It's just having your mind think "what the f*ck would I do in that situation?" Here in the Netherlands, we even had a show dedicated to "What if...", appropriately titled "What If". It wasn't really going as far as R63's but it did the most hilarious things like: What if everyone was into spiritualism? What if bakers were doctors? What if your wife actually knew what you were doing there in front of the computer at night? (poke) What if Santa Claus was in the FBI? What if everyone had to speak in rhyme? What if office people worked at a butcher's store? What if bullying was fun? What if being a parent was an office job? What if everyone had to speak backwards? What if Facebook went down for a day? (god that one was hilarious.) 

 

People like thinking and laughing about stupid "what if" situations. It's a human thing.

 

[Malinter 3,064]

I love the colt 6. You can't deny alot more effort as been put into them both by the original creator and the fandom itself, certainly more care has been given to them then the R63's of other characters that just end up in fap-limbo with no development whatsoever.

 

It is true that some of the mane 6's attributes do not cross over perfectly with there male counterparts but i've seen some folks bee abit clever with this with the mane6 actually being aware of this.

 

Blitz's mane for example and the rainbow trail he leaves behind as "a signature to prove what kind of a stallion I am" Not implying anything at all. xD

 

I also find it kind of funny how Flutter's shyness manifests as "forever alone" in her male self.

 

I also like that while the royal sisters are very considerate of each others feelings, there male counterparts seem so somewhat enjoy taking the piss out of each other.

Edited November 3, 2013 by Malinter

[FNGRpony 655]

Colt 6 as played by actors 

 

Bubble Berry - Tom Kenny even though he's more known for VA work

Dusk Shine - Daniel Radcliffe

Rainbow Blitz - Robert Downey Jr.

Elusive - Antonio Bandaras

Butterscotch - Elijah Wood

Applejack - Matthew McConaughey

 

spoilers for a very sexy R63

 

 

 

 

I like this guys kind of crazy lol.  Daniel rad cliff as another magic lead.  heh i would totally watch that but i'm not sure he can play out a male twilights frustartions right.

[Scootalove 10,684]

I'm pretty into Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash's R63 counterparts, since they do look pretty attractive. Don't judge me but, I'm glad that R63 exists at least.