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

[BluntySrBlunt 4]

Because they are butthurt that their waifu was stolen or some shit like that. Thus making up an excuse.

 

(I went off topic before, so I removed it)

Edited September 1, 2013 by BluntySrBlunt

[Zygen 6,066]

I think its because we don't seem them being romantic that often around any stallions, not only are they limited, but romance doesn't occur that often between the mane 6 and stallions.

 

And they also seem to be very involved in their friendships, which i guess is reasons why.

 

Idk, i just think that while i'm sure they'll get involved in romance, or they're interested to an extent, in the show idk. I don't want them all getting into BF drama or something, i can see it with Rarity, and maybe Twilight, but the other mane 6, idk something about it i don't know how to explain.

 

I dunno if its out of character its just, idk? Hard to explain.

[Katskratch 59]

I honestly don't think it would be that hard for some of the show's better writers to start developing hints of romance, and at the target demographic's age, in this day and age where children grow up faster anyways, romance isn't going to be so out of the blue as to not be something that can be demonstrated in a healthy way for their future, if anything I'd applaud a well done romantic sub plot in one of the future seasons because love is no less important than friendship in this world and people could use some reminders with both. I doubt it will happen, but I wouldn't be opposed to it if well executed. 

[Nulln 755]

I don't think it's out of character for any of them.  If they were to include an actual relationship in the mane 6, I'd say Rarity would be the obvious choice.  They wouldn't even have to be a major part of the show, maybe just an episode focused on not letting a guy get between you and your friends.  I think it would be really cute, but sadly probably unlikely that it will happen.

Edited September 1, 2013 by ScumCandy

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

Now that we're starting to talk more clearly about it, I think my mane problem with it all, as I stated before, was the fact that there just aren't any established stallions just laying around.

 

And that means that if romance was tossed in with new characters, it would feel so forced. It would make more sense if they had already established stallions that the Mane Six fell for. I dunno, I just think it would go much better that way. I mean, we have Big Mac of course, and then there's Braeburn. I guess Thunderlane as well. But other than that, I mean, there's Flim and Flam, but they're not exactly good ponies, and then there's Snowflake, but that would just be odd.

 

I guess what I'm saying is: I wish there were more male characters so that if romance was ever introduced, it wouldn't feel so out of nowhere.

 

Although I suppose saying that they need stallions assume that every member of the Mane six is straight...

 

But I'm going to be honest and say I doubt they'd cover that in this show.

[Declen 118]

 

 

And that means that if romance was tossed in with new characters, it would feel so forced. It would make more sense if they had already established stallions that the Mane Six fell for.

Well, remember "Mysterious Mare Do Well" and "Putting your Hoof Down"?

It's amazing, how the whole Ponyville waited untill PYHD to become assholes and cutthroats all of a sudden.

Oh how the new road has apeared in Ponyville in MMDW leading dirctly to the cliff. And overall rate of unfortunately accidents grew drastically in that episode.

Not to mention, how Shinig "BBBFF" Armor and princesse Mi Amore "Sunshine-sunshine" Cadenza have shown up out of nowhere in "Canterlot Wedding".

So, to force something for the sake story isn't new to the show.

[Dusknight Haze 161]

It's not OOC for the mane 6. It's OOC for the goals of the show, which are (or maybe was... I am pretty sure there are more bronies than young girl fans at this point...) to relay stories and fables of friendship, and give young girls the idea that they can indeed undertake all sorts of ventures in life without having to adhere to the stereotypes of femininity.

 

While it doesn't have to be, the idea of the mane characters getting into a relationship at some point, regardless of how well written it is and how natural the situation is, will always play to society's idea that females at some point should be in a relationship, since that's their generally defined role. Faust made it clear from the inception of the show that she was trying to shatter all of the perceptions of what girliness constitutes without throwing girliness away. 

 

Keeping a "no hugging no kissing" policy for the mane 6 is very important in that regard, in my opinion, and I am glad that it has stayed that way this long, and will continue this way.

 

But yes, it's not out of the question, they have forced things into the story of the show before, some characters could potentially have relationships without being OOC (I feel like Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and AJ would be marginally out of character if they were forced into that situation, though. I hate the Flash Sentry thing. I hope it stays trapped in the cesspool that was EqG), and with EqG already itself throwing out some of the rules of the show (in a cheap marketing ploy that I feel has damaged the reputation of the series even if DHX wasn't the one who made it), it's not impossible. I just really really hope it doesn't happen.

 

I don't even ship just to keep the idea coherent.

 

I guess what I'm saying is: I wish there were more male characters so that if romance was ever introduced, it wouldn't feel so out of nowhere.

 

Although I suppose saying that they need stallions assume that every member of the Mane six is straight...

 

But I'm going to be honest and say I doubt they'd cover that in this show.

 

I kinda like the dearth of male characters, but I definitely see your point if they ever intend to introduce such an idea into the show.

 

I feel like in 2013 if they aren't willing to show a gay or ambiguous relationship in the same light that they would a hetero one, they probably shouldn't make a hetero one. Kinda unfair and erasing considering the nature of the show itself. Not to say that they would do it, because they won't, but it's still disappointing. 

[Rainblow H. Ash 5,091]

@@Dusknight Haze, Oh don't get me wrong, I quite enjoy the fact that this show flips the script and has far more female characters than males, which is definitely an oddity in cartoons, shows, and movies, but I'm just saying that if romance ever became a point, they would have to introduce more stallions.

 

And yeah, it is quite disappointing that something like that wouldn't happen. I'm not saying one has to have every kind of relationship in a show, but I always wonder when something like that will become normalized enough to appear in a cartoon.

[long gone 8,929]

 

 

(or maybe was... I am pretty sure there are more bronies than young girl fans at this point...)

Nope, not by a long shot. We are still a minority audience.

 

I think that what I could say has already been said by other members.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Personally, I think the "out of character" thing is hypocritical because they praise the characters for being detailed and multi-dimensional then they say they shouldn't do something the characters fit certain stereotypes and doing so would break them. 

 

It's also cynical because it's claiming that certain personality types will never find love. 

[Dusknight Haze 161]

Personally, I think the "out of character" thing is hypocritical because they praise the characters for being detailed and multi-dimensional then they say they shouldn't do something the characters fit certain stereotypes and doing so would break them. 

 

It's also cynical because it's claiming that certain personality types will never find love. 

 

Hm.... I can see this. My only replies to this would be that 1. I don't think the characters are "stereotypes" at this point, although I see what you mean. You may want to find a better term. But as an actual talking point, I would say that many people base this argument off of the fact that we have no evidence of the mane 6 inside the show itself ever having ideas of romantic relationships aside from Rarity (at least as far as I have seen... I haven't gotten all the way through the show yet) so in a way, any romantic feelings that they could have are automatically OOC since it's it's never been brought up in any great detail and not something sought out by the main characters often, to the point of almost never happening at all.

 

and 2. Cynical? Sure, I'll give you that in the context of the show, but I do know that in many frameworks of understanding personality and how that effects behavior, in both fiction and in real life, there are indeed personalities that are greatly disinclined to romantic love or sexual attraction, and there are also sexual orientations that exist regardless of personality or behavior that also make one disinclined to love or sexual attraction.

 

So while cynical in a view point itself applying to a children's show, objectively it's more of an observable, semi-factual (since there are always those nay-saying psychologists) thing that exists. The question is whether that type of analysis applies to the mane 6, and that's something that will always boil down to opinion.

 

In my opinion? It does. I don't think some of the mane 6 (the ones I enumerated before) are written with personalities that are not geared towards romantic relationships, or at the very least, not geared towards romantic relationships that won't damage the tone of the show if portrayed in a naturalistic manner.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

H

 

In my opinion? It does. I don't think some of the mane 6 (the ones I enumerated before) are written with personalities that are not geared towards romantic relationships, or at the very least, not geared towards romantic relationships that won't damage the tone of the show if portrayed in a naturalistic manner.

 

But that comes back around to playing on stereotypes of how those personality types "should work". I may not be versed in romantic relationships, but love tends to be anything but rational and predictable, which is really true about "human" nature in general. There are certain constants and ways to read to people, but there's always that one thing that goes against logic and reason.

 

Such as me being just short of a redneck yet being somewhat of a technology and computer buff.

 

As for being out of character because we haven't seen it, just because you don't see a part of someone doesn't mean it isn't there, some people just treat it as a "when it happens, it happens" thing and don't obsess over it. 

Edited September 2, 2013 by Shoboni

[Shanks 10,816]

While it doesn't have to be, the idea of the mane characters getting into a relationship at some point, regardless of how well written it is and how natural the situation is, will always play to society's idea that females at some point should be in a relationship, since that's their generally defined role.

Not necessarily, any of the mane 6 being in a relationship dosen't automatically give the message that girls must be in relationships. Whether it gave this message or not would depend on how it is handled, relationships can be started in many different for many different reasons. I can understand the wiliness to avoid stereotyping, but the irony of this is that stereotypes are being fought with other stereotypes. Even Rarity who is the only mane 6 character before Equestria Girls to have a crush, was still able to flip that stereotype on its head. She was disappointed that her prince wasn't as charming as she was hoping for, but she didn't let it get her down.

[Dusknight Haze 161]

Not necessarily, any of the mane 6 being in a relationship dosen't automatically give the message that girls must be in relationships. Whether it gave this message or not would depend on how it is handled, relationships can be started in many different for many different reasons. I can understand the wiliness to avoid stereotyping, but the irony of this is that stereotypes are being fought with other stereotypes. Even Rarity who is the only mane 6 character before Equestria Girls to have a crush, was still able to flip that stereotype on its head. She was disappointed that her prince wasn't as charming as she was hoping for, but she didn't let it get her down.

 

I didn't phrase my argument exactly how I meant it there, so I apologize. I meant more along the lines of the mere fact of having a female character entering a relationship usually changes the perception of an audience to meet the stereotype of a female being defined by their relationship to a partner, regardless of whether the creators intended that or not. It is a great challenge and a very important challenge of the creators of the show to prevent the relaying of information that could potentially cause unfortunate implications even if it means removing certain aspects from the story that might appeal, and to this end, I am extremely congratulatory of the writers and directors to make sure this hasn't happened in MLP. 

 

I think you're arguing a bit of my point there. They very idea that Rarity so immediately gets over the issue because Prince Blueblood is a douche is representative of the idea that a female does not need a relationship to define them. That's like half the feminism of the show right there, and I would prefer that it stays that way, and if I were a parent and had a young daughter watching the show, I'd prefer it even more. 

 

That's not to say that the idea of a female entering into a relationship automatically means such. It just means so in the minds of many in general public, and writers and directors, and especially the audience, are not immune to this bias. Even if they went out of their way to have a truly healthy and dynamic romantic relationship on the show that very explicitly doesn't fall into that concept, it'd be extremely difficult to manage in a kid's show, in a way that kids could understand.

 

Not to mention that I loathe the idea of a kid's show even broaching the topic of romance in any major way. Kids, even teenagers, and even to some degree young adults, should not associate themselves with ideas of romance to any degree in the framework of our society. It produces overwhelmingly negative and sometimes dangerous experiences (see: abuse, teenage pregnancy, self-esteem issues, etc).

 

That's why I like the Canterlot Wedding setting; it's with background characters, that are surely depicted positively (when actually themselves) and in a healthy way, but it's distant, far-off, and not too involved, even if celebratory. 

 

God forbid if the mane 6 were ever entered into this situation. Teaching girls to aspire to romance? I just don't like the idea.

 

Now, as for the characters, there are characters that the writers would have immense trouble writing romance for. Pinkie Pie is the first to come to mind since she's so incessantly non-chalant about everything. Applejack is a little better since she's a lot more "normal" but I feel her toughness and integrity shouldn't be compromised by something as silly as romance.

 

Twilight Sparkle is especially the one I don't want to see getting involved in any romance, since she's so greatly intelligent, level-headed, logical, and central to the series. I feel the show would be doing a great disservice to both young fans who need a good, individual, and willful role model, and old fans who don't want to see their ships sink for something as silly as a canon mane 6 romance/don't want children to get the wrong ideas about romance.

 

tl;dr: romance in girl's shows = not that feminist. some characters = no romance for them because both OOC and bad for fans

[Guest]

Well probably because it's not a romance-focused show, it being a cartoon and all. It's just not that kind of show, it's a life-lessons; adventure comedy sort of show.

[ChoroChii 284]

This seems like a ridiculous claim to me, I've never actually heard it before but it really doesn't make any sense. Surely they wouldn't seek out love but if they find somebody they like or become involved with somebody? How is that so strange? 

[Valynne 2,734]

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!

What fo you mean hints? Pardon my ignorance but what are those hints? I agree that ponys aren't made for love but i never realized that there was hints of the writers

[HunterTSN 1,444]

What fo you mean hints? Pardon my ignorance but what are those hints? I agree that ponys aren't made for love but i never realized that there was hints of the writers

Oh they were just everywhere! I can't believe you didn't pick up on them, I mean they were so totally obvious it was almost painful! 

[Valynne 2,734]

Oh they were just everywhere! I can't believe you didn't pick up on them, I mean they were so totally obvious it was almost painful!

 

 

Well if they were so totally obvious, show me a few of them, that's not big deal if they are too obvious, i just didn't notice them

[HunterTSN 1,444]

Well if they were so totally obvious, show me a few of them, that's not big deal if they are too obvious, i just didn't notice them

Well there was that one time when the ponies did that one thing, yeah that was a reference. I know mind blowing right? Well that was just one of many, I would list them but that could take all day.

Edited September 7, 2013 by TheSteampunkNinja (TSN)

[Declen 118]

Well if they were so totally obvious, show me a few of them, that's not big deal if they are too obvious, i just didn't notice them

There was a story once.

A famous campaign manager gave an interview on the radio. He described some political situation and wanted to make an analogy. So, he sayd: "It's like in that joke about The Bad Boy and Rénmín Rìbào (chinese newspaper). Do you know it?" Host sayd: "No I don't. Tell me." "I wont tell you. It can't be sayd on the radio." After that, of course, every listener wanted to know, what was the joke.

The only problem was... ther is no joke about The Bad Boy and Rénmín Rìbào.

 

And I brong it up now because it seems to me, that there are no "obvious hints" to Mane Six asexuality.

Edited September 7, 2013 by Declen

[Nature's Spell 526]

I think there is a strong cultural meme that romance, and even more so marriage, is the end of something and this is especially strong in TV shows. Most TV heroes aren't married with kids because they can't be and still live the hero fantasy. Imagine (I'm dating myself here) MacGyver, Magnum PI, or Indiana Jones being married. It just doesn't work. Maybe it should because real life heroes often have families, but we don't want our TV shows to show real life.

 

It's even more complex for females. Deep down we don't want to have mommies and wives saving the world. Maybe we should, but cultural norms are hard to shake. The truth is family and romance do change things and you can't really escape it and in the case of MLP:FIM I don't expect the writers would try to take on the sticky nature of work and love.

[Katana 298]

Futurama kind of got the expectations of this right.

 

 

Fry: It was just a matter of knowing the secret of all TV shows: At the end of the episode, everything's always right back to normal.

 

Every writer on the staff is going to have ideas for an episode. Many of them are going to be really good ideas. Anytime something changes for the permanent (ie, a loving, committed relationship) that's going to make it more difficult to tie in existing ideas with new, changed characters.

 

Your bumbling loser has decided to sober up? No more bumbling-loser jokes. The diva finds the love of her life? Well, now anytime the 'hopeless romantic' wants to try to win her attention, it's going to get awkward and even malicious. Your computer-obsessed nerd decides to step away from computers and take on more responsibility in life? You get the idea...

 

Also: Love is a powerful emotion, and it's not a one-way thing; it is not always one-hundred-percent positive. The slightest mishap in a relationship could turn it deadly serious; is one member planning for a committed, family relationship? Do they both truly understand each other? Do they both respect each other's wishes fully, or is someone being put on a pedestal? Ignoring those makes a fictional relationship disingenuous and weird. Putting attention on them means it's not a humorous, watch-without-thinking type of show.

 

This happens all the time in fanfiction, and it doesn't bother me much because it's fanfiction - not to be offensive, but I usually don't expect much quality from it. But so many people misinterpret their "Saturday fun" shows for a "persistent, dramatic character arc" show. They're almost completely mutually exclusive; Looney Tunes never got better for Bugs Bunny revealing his lifelong search for his father.

 

When there's some sort of large, cohesive story arc, in a series like Breaking Bad or whatever anime you'd care to name, often it's kept down to a core team of writers, or even just one. At those times when somebody wants to make a crucial drama with the character knowledge they know; great? Maybe make a separate show about it, because trying to intersperse it with everything else just makes things messy.

[FNGRpony 658]

well,

 

I think it would hardly be out of line to have rarity hook up with whom ever.  she seems open to the idea.

Hooking up rainbow dash leads to numerous problems likely 1/2 the brony populace would storm out if she ever came home with a stalion lol.  (see Anthony C reveiw)

 

as for her being officially gay, i'll buy it when i see it.

Having apple jack hook up would give the character a new look, maybe even some depth.  but you'd need some writing to get from point a to point b.

 

Where would twlight ever find the time relistically? 

Pinkee hum, who could handle pinkee pie non stop 24-7? 
As for flutter shy, i don't that could possibly work.

[Splashee 28,589]

Because the show is about magic and friendship!

It wasn't until Lauren Faust got fired, when Hasbro wanted romance between Twilight and Flash. They also removed the "Friendship is Magic" brand and made them humans. Outrageous!