Why Is Romance "Out Of Character" For Most Of The Mane 6?

[Shanks 10,816]

I have said once and I will say again when it comes to any of the mane 6 being in relationships in the show I am neutral, if it happens great so long as it is done right if not than there are plenty of fanfics that have it anway. But there is one argument against that that has been bugging me. It is the argument that doing so would somehow be out of character for most of the mane 6 which is of course an opinion but I am yet to really see anything other than 1 dimensional stereotypes about the characters to back it up. 

 

It is out character for Twilight Sparkle because "she is too much of a nerdy bookworm", it is out of character for Rainbow Dash because "she is too much of a brash rough and tumble tomboy", out of character for Applejack because "she is too much of a workaholic". It is true that they don't seek out relationships like Rarity has been shown to do, but the idea that it is out of character for them for those reasons is a little farfetched when you consider that character with similar personality traits have had relationships that have been pulled off well in other shows as well as real life.

 

What I like about this show and the ponies is that they have shattered stereotypes and really made these characters come to life. Twilight was and still is a nerdy bookworm and there is of course nothing wrong with that but she was very anti social in season 1 but though was still more introverted became more open to social situations. Rainbow Dash was and still is a rough and tumble tomboy and does often have trouble showing her emotions but does have a softer side to her that we have seen some subtle hints of throughout the series and we really saw big time in Sleepless In Ponyville. Applejack often overdoes things and has pushed herself too hard but has shown signs of improvement as the series has gone on as she has become less reluctant to ask for help.

Edited August 26, 2013 by EarthbendingProdigy

[Moonlight 7,287]

People just don't like shipping characters together and thus, must create a reason why.

 

Maybe it's because the characters seem more concerned with their friendships or their daily lives to be concerned about love or relationships?

 

I guess that's one way to explain it.

 

The characters would eventually find somepony to get with, though.

 

I could care less either way.

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

I don't think that it would be "out of character" myself, I just don't think the show needs it. It teaches great lessons to young girls, as well as manages to be very entertaining for all us bronies without involving romance. Why change it?

 

That's just my opinion.

[Shanks 10,816]

I don't think that it would be "out of character" myself, I just don't think the show needs it. It teaches great lessons to young girls, as well as manages to be very entertaining for all us bronies without involving romance. Why change it?

You could say it isn't needed, but at the same time I don't believe that it would automatically ruin the show and is of course for reasons I already pointed out not out of character which are the main reasons why I am neutral on this.

[IronPonyApplejack 318]

You could say it isn't needed, but at the same time I don't believe that it would automatically ruin the show and is of course for reasons I already pointed out not out of character which are the main reasons why I am neutral on this.

 

I don't think it would ruin the show either. I only meant that it isn't needed, as the show achieves what it sets out to do without it. It teaches young ones about the "magic of friendship" quite effectively without it. I'm not saying that romance would ruin that, only that it doesn't need it.

[Megas 27,743]

It's not really out of character at all. Most fans just use it as an excuse because they don't want romance in the show, either because they just don't like romance, worried about how the show will handle it, or be butthurt because their OTP was killed by canon

Edited August 26, 2013 by Damon Gant

[Scootalove 10,689]

I think that the romance is not needed, because since it is out of character for the Mane 6 to have romance it wouldn't ruin the show it wouldn't be needed to have relationships in the show.

[Shanks 10,816]

I think that the romance is not needed, because since it is out of character for the Mane 6 to have romance it wouldn't ruin the show it wouldn't be needed to have relationships in the show.

Okay fair enough but why in your opinion is it out of character for any of the mane 6 to be in relationships? I may not care one way or another if it is in the show but the only remotely convincing argument I have seen so far is that they are more focused on their friendships and daily lives. People forget that there are actual people in real life with similar personality traits to the ponies, I myself am a mix of Applejack and Twilight but I don't believe I am too much of a bookworm or a workaholic to find a girlfriend.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Okay fair enough but why in your opinion is it out of character for any of the mane 6 to be in relationships? I may not care one way or another if it is in the show but the only remotely convincing argument I have seen so far is that they are more focused on their friendships and daily lives. People forget that there are actual people in real life with similar personality traits to the ponies, I myself am a mix of Applejack and Twilight but I don't believe I am too much of a bookworm or a workaholic to find a girlfriend.

Well, the Mane 6 are too busy with their duties and lives to have any relationships. I don't mind them having relationships, it can't be that bad for them to have romance.

[Cwanky 17,600]

Romance, even in a "kid's show," in and of itself isn't bad per say. However the way the show's set up, any major romances could cause a lot of problems. At least for right now the main interaction for the Mane 6 are between each other and Spike. Having a major romantic interest that is canon like oh say THIS GUY:

 

Muddles up any interactions that develop between the Mane 6 characters individually and among themselves. The show is friendship is magic, and as far as we're concerned that doesn't quite extend to major long term romances. It might even complicate the show unnecessarily or worse yet, detract from major character developments.

 

At least for now the show needs to stay far far away from romances. We haven't even seen in depth Twilight's relationships and developments with her friends yet, nor the fact that Hasbro and co opened another can of worms on how that significant relationship is further complicated by the fact that she's now a princess. Adding a romantic interest to ANY of the Mane 6 as a major character, ESPECIALLY Twilight would be like dropping an atomic bomb on the show.

 

For now Shining Armor and Cadence and Spike and Rarity, as well as to the lesser extent Cheerilee and Big MacIntosh, can suffice as the major side romantic affairs. Spike and Rarity is acceptable by the way since its a developing casual relationship, and moreover Spike is already a major character since the show's start. I'm still surprised no one has made any weird clopfics with Cadence and Shining Armor yet....    

[Shanks 10,816]

At least for now the show needs to stay far far away from romances. We haven't even seen in depth Twilight's relationships and developments with her friends yet, nor the fact that Hasbro and co opened another can of worms on how that significant relationship is further complicated by the fact that she's now a princess. Adding a romantic interest to ANY of the Mane 6 as a major character, ESPECIALLY Twilight would be like dropping an atomic bomb on the show.

I agreed with most of that, but even that dosen't though it may not be the best idea at this point in the story at least for Twilight due to already going through the major change of becoming an alicorn princess but none of this makes it out of character except for maybe making a case that it is simply not a priority for them right now. This is why I am glad that you know who though I don't mind him being in the show later is not going have any significant role in season 4. The purpose of this thread though is to simply state that their own personality types being a dis qualifier for getting into relationships is a bunch of baloney.

[Evilshy 5,090]

It's not out of character, it just doesn't fit with the goals of the show.

 

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that Lauren said at some point that she was specifically avoiding romance in the show, past Spike's crush on Rarity, which is honestly more of a comedic thing than a major facet of his character. Even in the episode that it features most prominently (Secret of my Excess), it's more of a side thing that's tied in at the end than a major plot line.

 

If romance was introduced, I think it could be done without ruining the show, but it would be difficult. The problem with introducing romance is that in order to keep the psuedo-continuity the show has going (episodes aren't direct sequels, but they do happen chronologically and do reference each other), you have to start including romance-ish stuff in episodes not specifically about it in order to make sense. This can be done well or poorly.

A good example of it being done well, IMO, is in Daria; she has a pretty big crush on Trent, but it doesn't take over the show. It barely even has any episodes dedicated to it. Sure, there are a few, but they're always about some other set of circumstances that brings them together into places where the relationship (or lack thereof) can develop. It always makes sense and is believable.

 

I actually can't think of any specific examples of romance done wrong (because I only watch good shows ), but I know it's out there.

[Magic Man 222]

Romance, even in a "kid's show," in and of itself isn't bad per say. However the way the show's set up, any major romances could cause a lot of problems. At least for right now the main interaction for the Mane 6 are between each other and Spike. Having a major romantic interest that is canon like oh say THIS GUY:

 

Muddles up any interactions that develop between the Mane 6 characters individually and among themselves. The show is friendship is magic, and as far as we're concerned that doesn't quite extend to major long term romances. It might even complicate the show unnecessarily or worse yet, detract from major character developments.

 

At least for now the show needs to stay far far away from romances. We haven't even seen in depth Twilight's relationships and developments with her friends yet, nor the fact that Hasbro and co opened another can of worms on how that significant relationship is further complicated by the fact that she's now a princess. Adding a romantic interest to ANY of the Mane 6 as a major character, ESPECIALLY Twilight would be like dropping an atomic bomb on the show.

 

For now Shining Armor and Cadence and Spike and Rarity, as well as to the lesser extent Cheerilee and Big MacIntosh, can suffice as the major side romantic affairs. Spike and Rarity is acceptable by the way since its a developing casual relationship, and moreover Spike is already a major character since the show's start. I'm still surprised no one has made any weird clopfics with Cadence and Shining Armor yet....    

Yeah, I think that pretty much covers the issue. Well said, my friend. All I can add is that I think it isn't necessary because the theme the show wants to focus on and convey is the power of friendship, not the power of love, and they are quite two different things.

[Shanks 10,816]

A good example of it being done well, IMO, is in Daria; she has a pretty big crush on Trent, but it doesn't take over the show.

Romance taking over the show for sure would be a bad thing, as to whether it would conflict with the goals of the show or not would depend on how it is handled. DBZ for example has several of its main characters in relationships, yet the show had even less focus on that than Daria did. Due to the nature of the show I believe MLP could explore it a bit more than DBZ could without it conflicting too much with the spirit of the show but it of course wouldn't have to be in every episode and probably shouldn't anyway. 

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Well, I suppose some folks say it's out of character for a myriad of reasons, but I actually have my own reasons for being kind of like that, although I definitely won't bash anyone if shipping is their thing.

 

For some reason, romance just doesn't seem to fit into the show that well. What I mean is, say Rainbow Dash and some random stallion, let's say Snowflake for the sake of comedy, start to hit off and go on dates to the gym and stuff.

 

That would just seem... out of left field. There hasn't been any build up for romance with the rest of the Mane Six, save for Rarity and Spike, and it would just seem forced.

 

As for your concerns, Earthbending, I wouldn't say that romance can't be handled on the show. It definitely can, as it is actually an issue that can strain friendships, and they could definitely have an episode about one of the Mane six becoming distant to her friends due to a coltfriend or something. But in my head it just doesn't look right, so I'd have to trust the writers to do it right.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

It isn't. People just think romance is out of character for the show itself, and they are conveying their displeasure by saying it's out of character for the characters themselves.

[Abstract 832]

I'm still surprised no one has made any weird clopfics with Cadence and Shining Armor yet....    

You clearly haven't done enough searching around for them then; there's more than one or two fantastically written ones out there. 

[Shanks 10,816]

Well, I suppose some folks say it's out of character for a myriad of reasons, but I actually have my own reasons for being kind of like that, although I definitely won't bash anyone if shipping is their thing.

I am not even that much of a shipper to be honest, though I will admit this fandom for some reason seems to bring a bit of that out of me.

 

 

For some reason, romance just doesn't seem to fit into the show that well. What I mean is, say Rainbow Dash and some random stallion, let's say Snowflake for the sake of comedy, start to hit off and go on dates to the gym and stuff.

LOL now thanks to you I am not going to be able to get that picture out of my head. Seriously though mane 6+random stallion=disaster I of course agree with that. It would take buildup and said stallion would likely be a close friend at first assuming it is done right which would of course not be all at once and it shouldn't be forced. 

 

 

As for your concerns, Earthbending, I wouldn't say that romance can't be handled on the show. It definitely can

 

I would call them more gripes than concerns and yes if it didn't have any effect whatsoever on their friendships it of course would not be believable. As to what effect would depend on a lot of factors.

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

I am not even that much of a shipper to be honest, though I will admit this fandom for some reason seems to bring a bit of that out of me.

 

I understand that, and I do think that some of the problems people have with romance on the show is that it will take away of lot of their so called "ships", but I personally don't see a problem on that end. Like I said, my problem is with it feeling awkward or forced.

 

 

LOL now thanks to you I am not going to be able to get that picture out of my head. Seriously though mane 6+random stallion=disaster I of course agree with that. It would take buildup and said stallion would likely be a close friend at first assuming it is done right which would of course not be all at once and it shouldn't be forced. 

 

No problem, Earthbending, enjoy images of Rainbow and Snowflake bench pressing while making lovey-dovey eyes at each other.

 

And see, that there is one of the mane issues with this: there's not a lot of significant stallions just laying around. Shining Armor is taken, Big Mac is a bit older and he can work for five out of the six Mane Six, but other than those two, males just aren't that big on the show.

 

One reason that Flash Sentry feels forced is that it just seems like he existed to be a romantic interest for Twilight in Equestria Girls. If he was an established character, he would've been received a lot better by some of the more vocals critics.

 

So I think the issue really boils down to the writers introducing some good male characters, building them up, and then initiating a romantic plot-line once they're established in the show.

 

 

I would call them more gripes than concerns and yes if it didn't have any effect whatsoever on their friendships it of course would not be believable. As to what effect would depend on a lot of factors.

 

Hey, we all like to gripe sometimes!

 

And yeah, that's what I was saying. I can really see the show approaching it from that angle since the biggest part of it is the struggles of friendship.

[Declen 118]

To cut it short.

If you say it's not in someone's character to have a romance, is must be something very, very VERY WRONG with that person. And even that isn't a guarantee: think about "Fight Club".

But! For once we have a show made by girls, for girls and about girls, where girls

• don't go shopping,
• don't gossip (well except of those two times),
• and don't get obscessed with boys

It's great, isn't it?! So, let's take it and be happy

 

P.S: BTW, I'm for Flutterdash and Applesparkle.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I'm still surprised no one has made any weird clopfics with Cadence and Shining Armor yet....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIcr5rg15gs

 

Or not hang out on FIMFiction as much as I do

 

I don't think I've ever heard anyone say it's out of character. There are hundreds of fanfics that keep the Mane Six characterized scarily close to how they are in the show, yet are dealing with romantic feelings for other ponies and even each other. One of the endearing qualities about the Mane Six is that they feel like real people to me, and isn't falling in love a very realistic thing for someone to do? There are aspects of how it could be handled that could make it feel out of character, like Pinkie Pie going all tsundere for somepony, but the idea of one of them having a crush is in no way inherently out of character.

 

I have heard many people say that it is against the spirit of the show, or that they just don't want it. I'm fine with people not wanting it to happen, but so long as it doesn't monopolize the screentime or episodes of the characters involved, I think it could be handled in a perfectly enjoyable and fun way . A poorly written and unenjoyable romance could take a lot away from the show, sure, but I'm not predisposed to hate the idea of seeing what the writers could do with one.

Edited August 30, 2013 by DashForever

[Shanks 10,816]

 

• don't go shopping,
• don't gossip (well except of those two times),
• and don't get obscessed with boys

Yes I too am glad that MLP isn't that, but who is to say that a mane 6 character getting into a relationship would turn the show into that? Once again I am neutral on romance in the show, but these assumptions people make about it being out of character or that it will automatically ruin the show is a bit silly to me.

[Inactive01 5,299]

It's not that it's out of character to make them romantically interested in a stallion. Every mare can be romantically interested eventually. Exhibit A: Twilight and Flash Sentry. It's that the show wasn't intended for that. They're trying to show young girls about friendship. They're not trying to get them romantically interested in a jiffy. Remember that the show was still targeted for younger audiences. That's why the show's on Treehouse in Canada and not on YTV or Teletoon.

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

I don't think it's out of character so much as it's not a real important theme in a kid's cartoon show. In MLP specifically, romance isn't necessary to get the show's messages across; friendship is.

 

We're the ones who care about romance.   And for the record, my favorite pairings are PinkieDash and Rarijack.

[HunterTSN 1,444]

Because they are all obviously super hardcore asexuals! Did none of you pick up on all the obvious hints that the writers have been leaving, come on people they were in plain sight!