Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Wikimedia list article}} {{DISPLAYTITLE:List of ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' characters}} {{use American English|date=July 2012}} {{use mdy dates|date=July 2012}} [[File:My little pony friendship is magic group shot r.png|thumb|300px|A 2011 [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]] poster depicting many characters from the first season.]] This is a '''list of characters''' from ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'', an [[Animated series|animated television series]] based on the [[My Little Pony]] toyline created by American toy manufacturer and multimedia company [[Hasbro]]. The series features characters and settings developed by [[Lauren Faust]], who sought to create more in-depth characters than the stereotypical "girly" icons used in previous iterations of the franchise. The series premiered on October 10, 2010, in the United States on the Hub Network [[cable channel]], which was rebranded as [[Discovery Family]] on October 13, 2014. The series follows a studious [[unicorn]] named Twilight Sparkle and Spike, her baby [[dragon]] assistant, as her mentor Princess Celestia guides her to learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville. Twilight becomes best friends with five other ponies: [[Pony|earth ponies]] Applejack and Pinkie Pie, [[pegasus|pegasi]] Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, and unicorn Rarity. Each represents a different facet of friendship, and Twilight discovers herself to be a key part of the magical artifacts known as the Elements of Harmony. The six ponies—collectively known as the "Mane Six"—share adventures, battle villains and help out other residents of Ponyville, while working out the troublesome moments in their own friendships. This eventually leads to Twilight ascending and becoming an [[Winged unicorn|alicorn]] princess. Main characters aside, every season has episodes focused on the exploits of recurring characters. This includes a trio of younger ponies (Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle) who call themselves the "Cutie Mark Crusaders" and share adventures trying to discover their talents in life and receive their "cutie marks" until the season five episode "Crusaders of the Lost Mark", where they finally receive their cutie marks. The alicorn princesses (Celestia, Luna and Cadance) frequently aid the Mane Six in their service to the inhabitants of Equestria. Since season three, the reformed villain Discord becomes a reluctant ally of the Mane Six. Since season five, the reformed villain Starlight Glimmer becomes Twilight's protégée. Beginning in season eight, the leaders of Equestria's allied nations send five of their heirs to Equestria to receive an education from Twilight. An extensive cast of over 200 minor and guest characters, designated as "background ponies",<ref name="AoE75">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=75}}</ref> are used to fill out crowd scenes and serve as [[visual gag]]s in episodes.<ref name="awn"/> The characters have been generally well-received by television critics and parental groups, and are cited as one of the reasons the series' older fans, called "[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|bronies]]", became attracted to the show. ''Friendship is Magic'' characters appear in numerous spin-off franchise media, including a [[My Little Pony (IDW Publishing)|comic book series]], a [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (video game)|Gameloft ''My Little Pony'' video game]], a children's book series, a [[My Little Pony: The Movie (2017 film)|theatrical film adaptation]] and a spin-off film series titled ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls]]'', where several ''Friendship is Magic'' characters are re-envisioned as humans in a [[high school]] setting. {{TOC limit|4}} ==Creation and conception== Hasbro initially hired Faust to create a [[Bible (writing)|pitch bible]] for the show, allowing her to get additional help with conceptualization.<ref name="eqd faust interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/09/exclusive-season-1-retrospective.html|title=Exclusive Season 1 Retrospective Interview with Lauren Faust|author="Tekaramity"|date=September 15, 2011|work=[[Equestria Daily]]|accessdate=September 16, 2011}}</ref> Faust said she was "extremely skeptical" about taking the job at first because she had always found shows based on girls' toys to be boring and unrelatable.<ref name="ms faust">{{cite web|url=http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/12/24/my-little-non-homophobic-non-racist-non-smart-shaming-pony-a-rebuttal/|title=My Little NON-Homophobic, NON-Racist, NON-Smart-Shaming Pony: A Rebuttal|last=Faust|first=Lauren|authorlink=Lauren Faust|date=December 24, 2010|work=[[Ms. (magazine)|Ms.]]|accessdate=July 6, 2011}}</ref> She was disappointed that what she thought of the toys at the time was nothing like the animated shows, in which the characters, according to her, "had endless tea parties, giggled over nothing and defeated villains by either sharing with them or crying". With the chance to work on ''My Little Pony'', one of her favorite childhood toys,<ref name="awn">{{cite web|url=http://www.awn.com/blogs/miscweant/ponies-and-bronies|title=Of Ponies and Bronies|last=Strike|first=Joe|date=July 5, 2011|work=[[Animation World Network]]|accessdate=July 6, 2011}}</ref> she hoped to prove that "cartoons for girls don't have to be a puddle of smooshy, cutesy-wootsy, goody-two-shoeness".<ref name="ms faust"/> To do this, she incorporated many elements into the show that subverted stereotypes of girls, such as diverse personalities, [[character flaw]]s and [[personality disorder]]s, the message that friends can be different and can get into arguments but still be friends, and the idea that girls should not be limited by what others say they can or can not do.<ref name="ms faust"/> Elements of the characters' personalities and the show's settings were based on her own childhood imagination of the ponies' adventures, in part inspired by the animated shows that her brothers would watch while growing up, such as ''[[The Transformers (TV series)|Transformers]]'' and ''[[G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero (1985 TV series)|G.I. Joe]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/05/lauren_faust_cartoons_for_girl.php|title=Lauren Faust on Her Favorite Childhood Toy and Pitching Animated Shows for Girls|last=Ohanesian|first=Liz|date=May 21, 2012|work=[[LA Weekly]]|accessdate=May 21, 2012}}</ref> Faust still aimed for the characters to be "relatable" characters, using stereotypical "icons of girliness" to broaden the appeal of the characters for the young female audience.<ref name="slate">{{Cite web|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/xx_factor/2012/07/03/bronycon_men_who_love_my_little_pony_.html|title=Why do These Grown Men Love 'My Little Pony?'|last=Wilson|first=Melody|date=July 3, 2012|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|accessdate=July 3, 2012}}</ref> ==Main characters== ===Mane Six<span id="Mane Six"></span>=== <!-- Please do not add foreign voice actors for the characters. Also, do not add irrelevant details like eye colors. The Mane Six are ordered by their appearance in the opening theme (i.e., their singing parts). --> ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' focuses on six core pony characters, identified as the "Mane Six",<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=47}}</ref> a group of friends who are brought together by the "Elements of Harmony", a set of six mystical jewels and an "unstoppable force of good"<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=80}}</ref> used to defend Equestria against powerful threats. A seventh main character, Spike, acts as foil to the Mane Six in terms of personality. Each pony character was designed to represent a different element and positive aspect of friendship—honesty (Applejack), kindness (Fluttershy), laughter (Pinkie Pie), generosity (Rarity), and loyalty (Rainbow Dash)—which come together to form the sixth element of "magic" (Twilight Sparkle).<ref name="EoH-Elements">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=80}}</ref> ====Princess Twilight Sparkle<span id="Owlowiscious"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> {{Infobox character | colour = #972297 | series = [[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic|Friendship is Magic]] / [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls|Equestria Girls]] | name = Princess Twilight Sparkle | image = File:PrincessTwilightSparkle.png | alt = | caption = | first_major = [[My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (season 1)#Episodes|Friendship is Magic (Parts 1 & 2)]] | first_minor = [[List of My Little Pony comics issued by IDW Publishing#My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (November 2012–Present)|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - Volume 1]] | first_date = October 10, 2010 | last_major = | last_minor = | last_date = | creator = [[Lauren Faust]] | based_on = [[My Little Pony (1982 toyline)|G1]] Twilight <!-- if not an original creation, use {{based on|character|author}} --> | adapted_by = <!-- for character adaption articles --> | designer = | portrayer = | voice = {{plainlist| * [[Tara Strong]] * [[Rebecca Shoichet]] (singing) }} | motion_actor = | extra-hdr = | lbl1 = | data1 = | lbl2 = | data2 = | lbl3 = | data3 = | lbl4 = | data4 = | lbl5 = | data5 = | full_name = Princess Twilight Sparkle of Equestria | nicknames = {{plainlist| * Twily/Twylie/Twilie * Sparks/Sparky * Egghead (Rainbow Dash) * Twily-Nanas (Shining Armor) * Twilightlicious (Tara Strong) }} | alias = {{plainlist| * Mare Do Well * Masked Matter-Horn * Purple Rose }} | species = {{plainlist| *[[Winged unicorn|Alicorn]] (currently) *[[Unicorn]] (formerly) *[[Human]] (temporarily) }} | gender = Female | title = Princess of Friendship | occupation = {{plainlist| * [[Head of government]] * [[Head of state]] * [[Regent]] * [[Ambassador]] * [[Head teacher]] * [[Mentorship|Mentor]] * [[Scientist]] * [[Librarian]] * [[Adventure|Adventurer]] * Celestia's [[protégée]] }} | affiliation = Equestrian Royal Family | family = {{plainlist| * Night Light (father) * Twilight Velvet (mother) * [[Prince Shining Armor]] (older brother) * [[Spike (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)|Spike]] (adopted younger brother) }} | spouse = <!-- or |spouses= --> | significant_other = [[Mane 6]] | relatives = {{plainlist| * [[Princess Flurry Heart]] (niece) * [[Princess Cadance]] (sister-in-law) * [[Princess Celestia]] (aunt-in-law) * [[Princess Luna (My Little Pony)|Princess Luna]] (aunt-in-law) }} | religion = | origin = [[Canterlot]] | nationality = [[Equestria]]n | lbl21 = Element of Harmony | data21 = Magic | lbl23 = Coat color | data23 = {{plainlist| * Light violet * Pale violet (as a human) }} | lbl24 = Mane color | data24 = [[Midnight blue]] with [[magenta]] and violet streaks<br />Pale olive (Rainbow Power) | lbl25 = Eye color | data25 = Deep purple | lbl31 = Aura color | data31 = [[Pink]] | lbl32 = [[Cutie mark]] | data32 = Magenta six-pointed star, surrounded by five smaller white stars | lbl33 = | data33 = | lbl34 = | data34 = | lbl35 = | data35 = }} *Voiced by [[Tara Strong]], singing voice by [[Rebecca Shoichet]] '''Princess Twilight Sparkle''' is the main central [[protagonist]] of the series, based on the first generation or "G1" unicorn toy of the same name.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406583985846763520|title=[Lauren Faust on Twilight's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 10, 2015}}</ref> Her cutie mark represents her talent for [[Magic (supernatural)|magic]] and love for [[astronomy]]; the five smaller stars indicates that her destiny is intertwined with her friends. Twilight is depicted in the first three seasons as a purple unicorn with a pink-streaked indigo mane, and as a [[winged unicorn]] called an "alicorn" after the season three finale "Magical Mystery Cure". Twilight is the most intellectual member of the Mane Six who leads them during their adventures and helps resolve her friends' differences. ;Traits Twilight's most defining character trait is her humility. She is a natural-born leader, an intelligent and dutiful scholar,<ref>https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/characters</ref> wise beyond her years, with an avid love of learning and [[Science|scientific]] discoveries. Her skills in magic rival that of [[Starswirl the Bearded]], having already mastered various advanced spells before her ascension to alicornhood. Director Jayson Thiessen describes her as "kind of a [[Neuroticism|neurotic]] [[Perfectionism (psychology)|perfectionist]]" who has "a touch [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder|OCD]]",<ref name="AoE-TS">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=48}}</ref> prone to suffering from [[Panic attack|nervous breakdowns]] when confronted with insurmountable problems or concepts that goes against her understanding. ;Story Twilight begins the story as the [[protégée]] of Princess Celestia, who tasks her with studying the magical properties of friendship and reporting her findings. Twilight detests her assignment in the two-part series premiere, owing her [[Recluse|reclusiveness]] to her obsession with books, but comes to form strong friendships with the rest of the Mane Six, which she realizes is key to harnessing the Elements of Harmony. She resides with her assistant Spike and pet owl Owlowiscious in Ponyville's Golden Oak Library, where she also serves as town librarian.<ref name="EoH-TS">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=18}}</ref> Her apprenticeship to Celestia ends in "[[Magical Mystery Cure]]" when she reverses an ancient spell by creating new magic based on her studies of friendship, transforms into an [[Winged unicorn|alicorn]], and is crowned a princess. Assuming the title of "Princess of Friendship", Twilight becomes responsible for spreading friendship across Equestria from the Castle of Friendship,<ref name="AoE52">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=52}}</ref> a tree-shaped crystalline castle that replaces the library after its destruction in "[[Twilight's Kingdom]]". After "School Daze", Twilight becomes "[[Head teacher|headmare]]" of the School of Friendship to teach other creatures the benefits of friendship, and appoints her friends as teachers. Later in season nine, she steps down from the position and appoints Starlight Glimmer as her replacement; in the series finale, Princesses Celestia and Luna retire and crown her the new ruler of Equestria. ;Aspects and forms *'''Twilight Sparkle (Sci-Twi)''' is the human counterpart of Princess Twilight and a student of Canterlot High School. Human Twilight's design differs slightly from her pony counterpart: she wears thick black glasses, her hair is tied up into a bun, and the pink highlight in her hair is wider than the pink highlight in pony Twilight's mane. :Like her pony counterpart, human Twilight is educated and exhibits logical problem-solving, having [[Grade skipping|skipped two grades]] in elementary school, and is the youngest student at her school. She holds a great interest in knowledge and science, being able to create intricate scientific devices and solve complex mathematical equations, and her intellect rivals that of Sunset Shimmer. Unlike her pony counterpart, human Twilight is a "[[Wallflower (people)|wallflower]]", acting very nervous and shy around others, especially the uptight students of Crystal Prep. :Her evil alter ego, '''Midnight Sparkle''', first appears in ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games|Friendship Games]]''; she haunts her in her nightmares and gives her severe anxiety of her previous actions in ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Legend of Everfree|Legend of Everfree]]''. However, with the help of her friends, she is able to overcome her fear of Midnight Sparkle and gain control of her magic. ====Spike<span id="Peewee"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Cathy Weseluck]] '''Spike'''<ref name="EoH-SD">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=19}}</ref> is a purple baby [[dragon]] with green spines who is based on the "G1" and "G3" character of the same name. Spike was orphaned as an egg<ref>Season 8 Episode 24 "Father Knows Beast": "I was orphaned as an egg and Twilight raised me. So these ponies are more than my friends, they're my family".</ref> and hatched by a young Twilight Sparkle as part of her entrance exam for Celestia's academy, he is raised among Twilight's family as his adopted sister and/or mother figure<ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp-idw/images/e/ea/Chaos_Ensues.png/revision/latest?cb=20170825115855 Raising Spike 1]</ref><ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp-idw/images/6/6c/Twilight_Stress.png/revision/latest?cb=20170825181529 Raising Spike 2]</ref>; he fulfills the role of Twilight's "number one assistant" to which he is named so for his loyalty and skill at helping Twilight solve problems and learn lessons.<ref name="EoH-SD"/><ref name="AoE-SD">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=76}}</ref> He is also described as having a crush on Rarity, an insatiable appetite for sparkly gems, and the ability to send letters via his fiery dragon breath.<ref name="EoH-SD"/> He gains wings in the season eight episode "Molt Down". Author Begin calls Spike a [[Foil (literature)|foil]] to the Mane Six in terms of personality, size and shape which "provides plenty of opportunity for exploring this difference in storylines".<ref name="AoE-SD"/> He adopts a newborn [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] named Peewee in "Dragon Quest" and returned Peewee to his family in "Just for Sidekicks". Faust envisioned the character as "the sensitive little boy who has a lot of sisters and just seems to get along better with girls".<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=79}}</ref> On Spike's role as a dragon outsider living among ponies, Meghan McCarthy says, "He's trying to figure out who he is. What beyond being Twilight's assistant is his role in this world? I think he really reflects how everybody feels at some point in their life".<ref name="EoH-SD"/> ====Applejack<span id="Winona"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Ashleigh Ball]] '''Applejack''' is an orange, blonde-haired earth pony based on the "G1" character of the same name.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406584261970362370|title=[Lauren Faust on Applejack's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 11, 2015}}</ref> Her cutie mark represents her talent for [[agriculture]] and love for her family. She is characterized as a "farm gal" who sports a cowboy hat and lasso and speaks with a [[Southern American English|Southern accent]].<ref name="EoH-AJ">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=23}}</ref> She works as an [[apple]] [[farmer]] at the Sweet Apple Acres [[orchard]] in Ponyville, using her strength to "buck" apples out of trees. She lives with her grandmother Granny Smith, older brother Big McIntosh, younger sister Apple Bloom, and pet [[collie]] Winona. According to Faust, Applejack's parents – Bright Mac (voiced by Bill Newton) and Pear Butter (voiced by [[Felicia Day]]), first seen in "The Perfect Pear" – are deceased.<ref name="faustq&a">{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/06/lauren-faust-ponychan-q-compiled.html|title=Lauren Faust Ponychan Q&A Compiled|author="Sethisto"|date=June 8, 2013|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=November 8, 2015}}</ref> Applejack is honest, courageous, forthright and the most "down-to-earth" of the Mane Six; being a trustworthy friend who is [[Optimism|optimistic]] and has good judgement.<ref name="EoH-AJ"/> She is also "too eager to please" and has a stubborn persona, with several episodes focused on her interaction with the Flim-Flam Brothers who exploit her vulnerabilities, or focusing on her taking up a "herculean task".<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=186}}</ref> Author Begin says that her apple-themed cutie mark "not only represents her name, but also is a symbol of the down-home simplicity found in a classic and common fruit". When asked if Applejack and Rainbow Dash were romantically involved in the future setting of "The Last Problem", series supervisor Jim Miller replied "It’s up to the individual viewer to decide what those two are to each other."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/thebiggestjim/status/1183421027797221376|title=@CitizenArtist55 It’s up to the individual viewer to decide what those two are to each other. Gotta leave you with some things to debate!|author=Jim Miller|publisher=Twitter|date=2019-10-13|accessdate=2019-10-25}}</ref> ====Rainbow Dash<span id="Tank"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Ashleigh Ball]] '''Rainbow Dash''' is a blue<ref name="AoE-RD">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=54}}</ref> pegasus with a rainbow-colored mane and tail who is based on the "G1" Firefly toy<ref>{{cite tweet|title=[Lauren Faust on Rainbow Dash's inspiration]|user=Fyre_flye|number=406583490495279104|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=October 14, 2015}}</ref> and shares her name with the "G3" earth pony. Her cutie mark represents her [[Athletics (physical culture)|athleticism]] and obsession with speed and adventure.<ref name="AoE-RD"/> Her goal at the beginning of the series is to join her heroes, the elite Wonderbolts aerobatic team,<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=183}}</ref> which she accomplishes in "Newbie Dash". She helps other pegasi manage the weather around Ponyville and spends her time practicing flight maneuvers such as the "Sonic Rainboom", a rainbow-hued [[sonic boom]]; it is shown in "[[The Cutie Mark Chronicles]]" that Rainbow Dash's first Sonic Rainboom as a filly caused a chain of events that produced the Mane Six's cutie marks. She lives with a propeller-fitted pet [[tortoise]] named Tank in a floating [[condominium]] of clouds called the Cloudominium,<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=56}}</ref> which is sparingly seen in the show because she "doesn't sit still for very long", according to director Jim Miller.<ref name="AoE-RD"/> Faust struggled to find a suitable aspect for Rainbow Dash's Element of Harmony, seeing the character as "self-absorbed and rather irresponsible". She eventually settled on the Element of Loyalty because it "brought out [Rainbow Dash's] positive traits".<ref name="EoH-Elements"/> When asked if Applejack and Rainbow Dash were romantically involved in the future setting of "The Last Problem", series supervisor Jim Miller replied "It’s up to the individual viewer to decide what those two are to each other."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/thebiggestjim/status/1183421027797221376|title=@CitizenArtist55 It’s up to the individual viewer to decide what those two are to each other. Gotta leave you with some things to debate!|author=Jim Miller|publisher=Twitter|date=2019-10-13|accessdate=2019-10-25}}</ref> ====Pinkie Pie<span id="Gummy"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Andrea Libman]], singing voice by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]]{{#tag:ref|Libman provides Pinkie Pie's singing voice for some songs.|group="note"}} '''Pinkie Pie''' (fully named '''Pinkamena Diane Pie''') is a pink earth pony based on the "G3" toy of the same name. Her character, summarized as "a frenetic sugar rush",<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=70}}</ref> was inspired by the "G1" pegasus toy Surprise.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406587363809177602|title=[Lauren Faust on Pinkie Pie's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 5, 2015}}</ref> Her cutie mark represents her talent for spreading hope and joy, and her desire to entertain her friends. She is a [[Party service|party planner]] at Sugarcube Corner, a [[bakery]] and [[confectionery store]] that resembles a [[gingerbread house]],<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=73}}</ref> and owns a toothless pet [[alligator]] named Gummy. A [[comic relief]] character who was raised on a "dreary rock farm", Pinkie is defined as a "hard worker" motivated in seeing people she loves smile and relieving them of stress, by randomly throwing parties and acting as outlandish as possible;<ref name="EoH-PP">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=20}}</ref> but has a lack of confidence and a fear of being rejected by others.<ref name="AoE182">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=182}}</ref> Pinkie is a source of much of the series' humor,<ref name="EoH-PP"/> and several of the show's "wacky gags" are kept exclusive to her<ref name="AoE182"/><ref name="faustint">{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/09/exclusive-season-1-retrospective.html|title=Exclusive Season 1 Retrospective Interview with Lauren Faust|author="Tekaramity"|date=September 16, 2011|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=November 8, 2015}}</ref> ([[running gag]]s include breaking the [[fourth wall]] and "appearing suddenly in [[Hammerspace|unexpected places]]",<ref name="faust dev">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=76–77}}</ref> as well as an ability to [[Precognition|predict future events]] through various body reactions, which she calls the "Pinkie Sense"). While Pinkie appears to be the [[Naivety|naive]] party animal of the group, she also displays admirable skill in science and engineering. In "Swarm of the Century", she devised a technical solution to Ponyville's infestation problems in a scenario where magic had failed, and built a flying machine to keep up with Rainbow Dash in the episode "Griffon the Brush Off". In early episodes, Faust worked to depict Pinkie as a "free spirit" to address concerns of the character being seen as too "hyper" and "ditzy". As the creative team grew more comfortable with Pinkie's character and humor, she became "really over-the-top strange and bordering on crazy, with a wacky cartoonish magic all her own".<ref name="faust dev"/> Throughout the show, depending on the episode or scene, Pinkie's friends alternate between disliking and enjoying her company, both ignoring her when she tries to speak to them but doing things with her such as pulling pranks or playing buckball. In the future setting of "The Last Problem", Pinkie is shown to be married to Cheese Sandwich and to have a child named Li'l Cheese. ====Rarity<span id="Opalescence"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]], singing voice by [[Kazumi Evans]] '''Rarity''' is a white unicorn with a curled violet mane who was based on the "G1" ponies Glory and Sparkler<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406581739708882944|title=[Lauren Faust on Rarity's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 11, 2015}}</ref> and named after the "G3" pony Rarity. Her cutie mark represents her talent for prospecting gemstones and her love of art and beauty. She is a ladylike [[Fashion|fashionista]] and [[businessperson]] who speaks with a [[Mid-Atlantic accent]] and runs a franchise of [[Brand|brand name]] [[flagship stores]] throughout Equestria; she operates out of a ''[[haute couture]]'' salon in Ponyville called Carousel Boutique. Despite her arrogant and melodramatic tendencies, she has a generous spirit and strives to create dresses that capture their wearers' inner beauty.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=22}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=181}}</ref> She owns a pet [[Persian cat]] named Opalescence who is commonly nicknamed Opal. Faust's original idea for Rarity's Element of Harmony was "inspiration", but it was changed to "generosity" after the production team deemed the former "too much of a thinker, especially for kids". Faust was pleased with the change, saying it "really helped pull [Rarity] away from the stereotypical, unlikable [[debutante]]".<ref name="EoH-Elements"/> She cites [[Audrey Hepburn]] as her biggest influence for Rarity,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/05/lauren-faust-answers-bunch-of-questions.html|title=Lauren Faust Answers a Bunch of Questions|author="Sethisto"|date=May 27, 2013|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=November 13, 2015}}</ref> and also says that Tabitha St. Germain's [[Histrionic personality disorder|histrionic performance]] "added a humor to Rarity that was unexpected and wonderful".<ref name="faustint"/> ====Fluttershy<span id="Angel"></span>====<!--ordered by their appearance--> *Voiced by [[Andrea Libman]] '''Fluttershy''' is a yellow pink-maned pegasus based on the "G1" earth pony Posey.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406582513839005696|title=[Lauren Faust on Fluttershy's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 13, 2015}}</ref> Her cutie mark represents her love of [[nature]] and talent as an [[Veterinarian|animal caretaker]]. True to her name, she is "defined by her shy sweetness; soft, whispery voice; and tender, nurturing nature", as described by author Begin.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=58}}</ref> She possesses a unique affinity for animals that allows her to communicate with them. She lives in a secluded meadow cottage in Ponyville where she cares for forest creatures such as her "conniving and willful" pet [[rabbit]] Angel Bunny.<ref name="EoH-FS">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=24}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=47}}</ref> In many episodes, Fluttershy exhibits a tough personality that emerges whenever a friend or animal is harmed, in contrast to her normally timid and mild-mannered self.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=180}}</ref> Her most prominent ability, "the Stare", causes any creature that meets her gaze to become "powerless and moved to meekness" while it's in effect.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=60}}</ref> Faust enjoyed writing for Fluttershy the most out of the show's characters due to her "relatable" struggles with fear, which Faust says brings potential "not just for great storytelling but [also for] great filmmaking".<ref name="faust dev"/> When asked if Fluttershy and Discord were romantically involved in the future setting of "The Last Problem", Jim Miller replied that it was "Open to interpretation."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/thebiggestjim/status/1183455808597573637|title=@99akadams @CitizenArtist55 Open to interpretation.|author=Jim Miller|publisher=Twitter|date=2019-10-13|accessdate=2019-10-25}}</ref> ====Starlight Glimmer==== a pale light grayish heliotrope unicorn. ==Recurring characters== ===Royal Family=== The Royal Family are the highest-ranking ponies in the Equestrian nation. The novel ''Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell'' establishes that the Alicorn Princesses are "a special breed of pony able to harness the magical powers of the Unicorns, the flight abilities of the Pegasi, and the strength of a good, true heart of an Earth Pony".<ref name="crystal heart spell">{{cite book|last=Berrow|first=G. M.|date=2013|title=My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell|publisher=Little, Brown and Company|isbn=978-0-316-24755-9}}</ref> Faust states that Celestia "embodies the traits of all three [kinds of ponies]". ====Princess Celestia<span id="Philomena"></span>==== *Voiced by [[Nicole Oliver]] '''Princess Celestia''', based on the "G1" unicorn Majesty,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=406587739211980801|title=[Lauren Faust on Celestia's inspiration]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=November 29, 2013|accessdate=November 11, 2015}}</ref> is a white alicorn with a flowing, multicolored mane and tail and Equestria's benevolent ruler.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=79}}</ref> As detailed in ''The Journal of the Two Sisters'', Celestia is the eldest of the two Royal Sisters, the longest-lived and longest-reigning Equestrian monarch—older than anyone would dare guess—acting as head ruler of Equestria for over one thousand years due to the timeless aging of alicorns. Additionally, she is responsible for the raising and lowering the sun, working in tandem with her sister Luna to ensure a night and day cycle. She is perhaps the most beloved creature in the world, being a staunch proponent for international peace, kindness and cooperation. Very little of her past before Celestia's victory over Discord is known, except that she and Luna discovered the Elements of Harmony. With these artifacts and their bearers, Princess Celestia has secured millenias long, relative peace for a nation. Celestia's status as an alicorn is seen as a symbol of harmony between unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies.<ref name="jots">{{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Amy Keating|date=2014|title=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: The Journal of the Two Sisters: The Official Chronicles of Princesses Celestia and Luna|location=Boston, New York|publisher=Little, Brown and Company|isbn=978-0-316-28224-6}}</ref> She is responsible for magically raising the sun each day from her castle in Canterlot and lowering it to make way for the night; she also acts as a mentor and, as described by Faust, "a bit of a surrogate parent" to Twilight Sparkle,<ref name="ms faust"/> guiding her throughout the first three seasons to her eventual destiny as a princess of Equestria. She owns a mischievous pet [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]] named Philomena, who appears to be a "squawking old bird" before bursting into flames and renewing herself.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=48}}</ref> Faust's original concept for Celestia was a queen rather than a princess, but she was changed into a princess because Hasbro thought that "girls assume that Queens are evil [...] and Princesses are good", and that "the perceived youth of a Princess is preferable to consumers".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mommyish.com/2012/02/15/my-little-pony-princess-celestia-hasbro-sexist-248/|title='Oh, My Hair Looks Beautiful!' and Other Crap Girls Can Learn from My Little Pony Princess Celestia|last=Beck|first=Koa|date=February 15, 2012|work=Mommyish|accessdate=November 10, 2015}}</ref> ====Princess Luna<span id="Nightmare Moon"></span>==== *Voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]], singing voice by [[Kazumi Evans]] ("[[Twilight's Kingdom]]") and Aloma Steele ("[[A Hearth's Warming Tail]]" onwards) '''Princess Luna''' is a dark blue alicorn and Princess Celestia's younger sister, designed and developed by [[Lynne Naylor]].<ref name="EoH-PL">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=36}}</ref> She serves as co-ruler of Equestria alongside Celestia, using her magic to maintain the [[moon]] and safeguard her subjects' dreams during nighttime. Luna is introduced in the series' pilot as Nightmare Moon, a malevolent black mare who was transformed by bitterness and jealousy towards her sister; as expounded in the [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (comic book)|comic series]], her alter ego is a creation of the Nightmare Forces, a dark lunar miasma that preys on Luna's insecurities to convince her to become their host.<ref>{{cite comic|writer=[[Heather Nuhfer]]|artist=Amy Mebberson|story=Nightmare Rarity|title=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|volume=2|issue=5|date=March 27, 2013|publisher=[[IDW Publishing]]|id={{ISBN|978-1-61377-760-2}}}}</ref> Banished to the moon by Celestia in the series' past, Nightmare Moon returns from a thousand-year exile to create eternal night. The Mane Six use the Elements of Harmony to purify and reform Luna, who reconciles with her sister and resumes her royal duties.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=81}}</ref> Several episodes depict Luna's "difficulty living in her older sister's shadow", such as adapting to modern Equestrian customs and repairing her public image.<ref name="EoH-PL"/> Outside the television series, Luna owns a pet [[opossum]] named Tiberius that appears in several comics and chapter books. ====<span id="Princess Cadance">Princess Cadance</span>, <span id="Shining Armor">Shining Armor</span> and Flurry Heart==== {{section-stub|date=April 2019}} *Voiced by [[Britt McKillip]] (Princess Cadance); [[Andrew Francis]] (Shining Armor); [[Tabitha St. Germain]] (Flurry Heart)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Heldman|first1=Breanne L.|title='My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic': First Look at Baby Flurry Heart Will Warm Your Soul|url=https://www.yahoo.com/tv/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-baby-flurry-174837515.html|work=Yahoo!|accessdate=January 28, 2016|date=January 28, 2016}}</ref> '''Princess Cadance''' (full name Mi Amore Cadenza) and '''Prince Shining Armor''' are Twilight Sparkle's older sister-in-law and brother, respectively, who debuted in "[[A Canterlot Wedding]]". Cadance is Celestia's adopted niece and Twilight's childhood [[Babysitting|"foal-sitter"]];<ref name="EoH-CS">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=27}}</ref> according to the chapter book ''Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell'', she was a pegasus who became an alicorn after reversing an evil sorceress's love-stealing spell.<ref name="crystal heart spell"/> She married Shining Armor, the captain of Canterlot's royal guard who has a close relationship with his sister and is nicknamed her "Big Brother Best Friend Forever" (B.B.B.F.F.).<ref name="EoH-CS"/> In the [[The Crystal Empire|third-season premiere]], Celestia appoints Shining Armor and Cadance to rule the Crystal Empire, inhabited by Crystal Ponies who spread hope and love across Equestria.<ref name="EoH71">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=71}}</ref> In the season six premiere "The Crystalling", Cadance gives birth to an alicorn filly named '''Flurry Heart'''. Celestia and Luna both stated that "the birth of an alicorn, is something Equestria has never seen", and that it was "even beyond their understanding". ===Cutie Mark Crusaders<span id="Apple Bloom"></span><span id="Scootaloo"></span><span id="Sweetie Belle"></span>=== The Cutie Mark Crusaders are a trio of fillies bonded by their desire to earn their "cutie marks", symbols that appear on a pony's flank once they discover their special talents in life.<ref name="AVClub">{{cite web|url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic,55168/|title=My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic|last=VanDerWerff|first=Todd|date=April 29, 2011|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|accessdate=April 30, 2011}}</ref> They are each depicted as younger sibling figures to the main cast except Scootaloo.<ref name="AoE87">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=87}}</ref> Several episodes of the series focus on the Crusaders' misadventures in trying to earn their marks in "the most unorthodox and sometimes less-than-productive ways".<ref name="AoE87"/> This goal is achieved in "Crusaders of the Lost Mark", where the members gain similarly-themed cutie marks when they recognize their true purpose in life is helping other ponies discover or interpret their own cutie marks. In season eight, they begin mentoring and tutoring the students of the School of Friendship. *'''Apple Bloom''' (voiced by [[Michelle Creber]]) – A yellow earth pony filly with a red mane and a pink mane bow, and is named for being "full of potential" and having "a lot of growing to do". She is the sassy younger sister of Applejack and Big McIntosh who formulates and spearheads most of the Cutie Mark Crusaders' "missions".<ref name="EoH-CMC">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=38–39}}</ref> *'''Scootaloo''' (voiced by [[Madeleine Peters]]) – An orange pegasus filly with a purple mane, based on the "G3" pony of the same name. She suffers from an inability to fly, and instead uses her wings to propel her specially fashioned scooter. She idolizes Rainbow Dash as an older sister figure, is president of the "Wonderbolt Dash" fanclub, and often tries to imitate Rainbow Dash's attitude and athletic skill; Rainbow Dash loves and mentors Scootaloo, calling her the "most awesome kid sister ever".<ref name="EoH-CMC"/> Scootaloo lives with her Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty (voiced by Jackie Blackmore and [[Saffron Henderson]] respectively), whom Michael Vogel confirmed to be a married [[lesbian]] couple.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=mktoon|number=918280280376561664|title=When I say "cute couple" I'm saying that Aunt Holiday and Auntie Lofty are a cute couple. Yes|first=Michael|last=Vogel|date=October 11, 2017}}</ref><ref>https://www.equestriadaily.com/2017/10/scootaloos-lesbian-aunt-confirmed-by.html</ref><ref>https://www.equestriadaily.com/2017/10/scootaloo-lives-with-her-lesbian-aunts.html</ref><ref>https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/06/14/in-honor-of-pride-month-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-introduces-scootaloos-lesbian-aunts/</ref> *'''Sweetie Belle''' (voiced by [[Claire Corlett]], singing voice for seasons 1–3 by Michelle Creber)<ref>{{cite tweet|user=IanJames007|number=331240901387120642|title=[Ian James Corlett on Sweetie Belle's singing voice]|last=Corlett|first=Ian James|date=May 5, 2013|accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref> – A "sweet-natured and sometimes spacey" white unicorn filly with a white coat and a lavender and pink-striped mane, based on the "G3" pony of the same name. She has "a blossoming talent for singing", and strives to become a fashion designer and gain the approval of her older sister Rarity.<ref name="EoH-CMC"/> ====Honorary members==== In addition to the main trio, there are others who are accepted into the Cutie Mark Crusaders across the series: *'''Babs Seed''' (voiced by Brynna Drummond) – A dark orange earth pony filly and "tough-talkin' Apple cousin from Manehattan",<ref name="EoH-CMC"/> debuting in "One Bad Apple". The character was created as a "blank flank" bully of the Cutie Mark Crusaders "whose behavior was the result of an insecurity that the Crusaders could relate to and ultimately help her overcome". She joins the Crusaders and forms her own branch of the club in Manehattan because, according to McCarthy, "We've got our three Crusaders in Ponyville and didn't want to add a permanent fourth".<ref name="EoH-CMC"/> Babs earns her cutie mark as a hairstylist in the season five episode "Bloom & Gloom". *'''Gabby''' (voiced by [[Erin Mathews]]) – A friendly and enthusiastic female [[Griffin|griffon]] featured in the show's sixth season. Introduced as a social outcast from the griffon city of Griffonstone, she joins the Crusaders at the end of her debut episode, "The Fault in Our Cutie Marks", following her failed attempts to obtain her own cutie mark. ===Friends/allies=== ====Discord==== [[Image:John de lancie bronycon summer 2012 cropped.png|thumb|right|Actor [[John de Lancie]] (pictured at [[BronyCon]], 2012) voices Discord, a character based on his television role as [[Q (Star Trek)|Q]] from ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.]] *Voiced by [[John de Lancie]] '''Discord''' is the spirit of chaos and disharmony who first appeared in "[[The Return of Harmony]]". Primarily characterized as a nonsensical [[trickster]],<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=98}}</ref> he is a "draconequus" ({{IPAc-en|d|r|ə|ˈ|k|ɒ|n|ɛ|k|w|ʌ|s}}, from the Latin words meaning "dragon" and "horse"), a serpentine being with a pony's head and numerous different animal parts.<ref name="EoH54">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=54}}</ref><ref name="AoE3132">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=31–32}}</ref> Celestia and Luna opposed him in the past for tormenting ponies with his reality-bending powers and he similarly faces the Mane Six during the premiere; both times, the ponies use the Elements of Harmony to turn him into stone. In the season three episode "Keep Calm and Flutter On", Discord is released once again from his stone imprisonment by the Mane Six under Celestia's orders to change for the better, which succeeds after Fluttershy befriends him. Following this, he appears in subsequent episodes as a reluctant ally of the Mane Six, occasionally still causing mischief whilst struggling to become a better friend to them.<ref name="EoH54"/> When asked if Fluttershy and Discord were romantically involved in the future setting of "The Last Problem", Jim Miller replied that it was "Open to interpretation".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/thebiggestjim/status/1183455808597573637|title=@99akadams @CitizenArtist55 Open to interpretation.|author=Jim Miller|publisher=Twitter|date=2019-10-13|accessdate=2019-10-25}}</ref> Faust based Discord's character on [[Q (Star Trek)|Q]], an omnipotent trickster played by John de Lancie in ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''. The production team considered casting a soundalike of de Lancie to voice the character, and were surprised to learn that de Lancie himself was available.<ref name="DisQord">{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/09/massive-jayson-thiessen-q-from-bronycon.html|title=Massive Jayson Thiessen Q&A From Bronycon|author="Cereal Velocity"|date=September 24, 2011|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=September 23, 2012}}</ref> The creative team developed Discord as "the one character who could break all of the rules of the show", by making him put more modernized or contemporary pop culture references than usual in the series' "fantasy storybook" setting.<ref name="AoE-DC">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=96}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=9}}</ref> He was not intended to have a recurring role;<ref name="AoE-DC"/> according to McCarthy, "'reforming' him allows us to tell new stories with his character. He gets to be the not-always-reliable ally instead of the known enemy".<ref name="EoH54"/> Author Begin commented on the "chaotic" settings that accompany the character, such as his home dimension called Chaosville, likening them to "dream-inspired [[Salvador Dalí]] paintings".<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=97}}</ref> ====Big McIntosh==== {{section-stub|date=March 2019}} *Voiced by [[Peter New]] '''Big McIntosh''' (commonly called Big Mac) is a large earth pony who is Applejack and Apple Bloom's older brother. He "generally doesn't have much to say", and often speaks only by replying "eeyup" and "nope".<ref name="EoH28">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=28}}</ref> Starting in season seven, he starts a relationship with Sugar Belle, and eventually marries her in the season nine episode "The Big Mac Question". ====Granny Smith==== {{section-stub|date=March 2019}} *Voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]] '''Granny Smith''' is an elderly earth pony who is the paternal grandmother of Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Big McIntosh. She is depicted as a "wise matriarch" who has sharp wit and a "fuzzy" memory, and stated to be one of Ponyville's first settlers.<ref name="EoH28"/> ====Starlight Glimmer==== *Voiced by [[Kelly Sheridan]] '''Starlight Glimmer''' is a unicorn who debuted in "[[The Cutie Map]]". Initially appearing as a "perfectly pleasant-looking unicorn", Starlight is a sinister figure who wishes to build a "perfectly equal society" by magically removing other ponies' cutie marks because she believed that differing degrees of ability cause disharmony between friends.<ref name="AoH108">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=108}}</ref> This stemmed from her anger at her childhood friend Sunburst after he earned his cutie mark before her. She later appears in "The Cutie Re-Mark" to take revenge against the Mane Six by [[Time travel|traveling to the past]] and preventing their friendship before it starts by stopping Rainbow Dash from performing the Sonic Rainboom. After realizing the catastrophic changes this causes in the present, Starlight is convinced to change her ways and make new friends. She appears in season six as Twilight's pupil, a role she graduates from in "Celestial Advice". Twilight appoints her as guidance counselor for the School of Friendship in Season 8, then promotes her to headmare in Season 9. According to Miller, Starlight's design was chosen to parallel her role as a "proto-Twilight character".<ref name="AoH108"/> Her original name during production was "Aurora Glimmer", which was changed due to the [[The Walt Disney Company|Walt Disney Company]]'s trademark of the name "[[Aurora (Disney character)|Aurora]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/03/starlight-glimmer-was-originally-aurora.html|title=Starlight Glimmer was Originally Aurora Glimmer|author="Sethisto"|date=March 25, 2016|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=March 19, 2016}}</ref> ==={{visibleanchor|Young Six|Gallus|Ocellus|Sandbar|Silverstream|Smolder|Yona}}<span id="Silverstream"></span><span id="Sandbar"></span><span id="Gallus"></span><span id="Yona"></span><span id="Ocellus"></span><span id="Smolder"></span>=== The "Young Six"<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=978123591916052480|date=March 25, 2018|title=We refer to them as the "Young Six" internally.|accessdate=March 27, 2018}}</ref> are six adolescent creatures who attend the School of Friendship run by the Mane Six. They consist of: *'''Smolder''' (voiced by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]]), a cocky and competitive dragon. She was initially resistant to the idea of friendship, until she gets to know her new friends, and gotten to secretly like cute things, like dresses, makeup, and tea parties. *'''Ocellus''' (voiced by [[Devyn Dalton]]), a timid and studious changeling who has the ability to change her appearance into that of other creatures, much like the other changelings. *'''Silverstream''' (voiced by Lauren Jackson), Queen Novo's hyperactive niece who can alternate between the forms of a [[hippogriff]] and a [[Hippocampus (mythology)|seapony]]. She is similar to her cousin, Princess Skystar, in terms of personality, and has shown interest over the littlest things like stairs and indoor plumbing. *'''Yona''' (voiced by Katrina Salisbury), a friendly and clumsy [[yak]]. Yona is shown to be excitable, but she has her own vulnerabilities. Being a yak, Yona is one of the strongest members of the Young Six, often using her strength to help out. In the show's final episode, an older Yona is seen running Carousel Boutique alongside Sandbar. *'''Gallus''' (voiced by Gavin Langelo), a sarcastic griffon. Initially unfriendly toward others, Gallus becomes more friendly and warm, while maintaining his sarcastic personality. He is revealed to be claustrophobic, and is actually an orphan. *'''Sandbar''' (voiced by [[Vincent Tong]]), a laid-back earth pony. He usually serves as "straight man" to counterbalance his friends' more eccentric personalities. ==Other characters by region== Most recurring characters established within the fictional universe of the television show are expanded and more prominent in the comics, presented with complex, multi-issue story arcs. The comics provide stories based on the established fictional universe of the television show; the comic faithfully follows the show canon, but the show doesn't technically follow comic canon.<ref>https://www.equestriadaily.com/2015/02/clarification-on-mlp-comics-vs-show.html</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLndvIfRgM</ref> Though the comic, like the show, is aimed at young children, the writers and artists have consistently taken creative risks, including expanding Sombra's backstory, introducing Scootaloo's aunts as a married [[LGBT]] couple, and more.<ref>https://comicwow.tv/reviews/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-48-comicwow-review/</ref> ===Equestrian characters by region=== {{main|Equestria}} ====Federal government characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Chancellor Neighsay}}''' (voiced by [[Maurice LaMarche]]) – A male unicorn who serves Equestria as Chancellor of Education and headmaster of the Equestria Education Association (EEA) that strictly regulates the schools and colleges within Equestria. Neighsay is strict and conservative, preferring to do things by the EEA guidelines. He is also very prejudiced against anyone who is not a pony, openly referring to non-ponies as "creatures" or "savages" in a dismissive manner. He has a [[fascism|fascist]] and [[speciesism|speciesist]] world view, is critical of Princess Twilight's reformist agenda to expand higher education outside of Equestria's borders, and has denied accreditation in light of the Mane Six's questionable qualifications for the teaching profession. In particular, he openly disapproves Twilight's School of Friendship unsegregated inclusiveness of non-pony creatures, which he considers a foolish act that threatens Equestria's national security. It is not until the events of "School Raze" that he begins to change his mind about non-pony creatures. *'''{{visibleanchor|The Inkwell family|Raven Inkwell|Raven|Professor Inkwell|Inkwell}}''' – The Inkwell family have faithfully served Princess Celestia for generations as archivists, historians, accountants, bureaucrats, professors and secretaries; their cutie mark depict an ink pen and/or inkwell. :'''Professor Inkwell''' is a female unicorn who first appears in IDW's ''My Little Pony Micro-Series Issue #8''. She is a personal friend of Princess Celestia, senior instructor at the School for Gifted Unicorns, and one of Twilight Sparkle's teachers.<ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp-idw/images/b/b5/Late_for_class.png/revision/latest?cb=20170825120452 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Issue #40]</ref> :'''Raven Inkwell''' is a female unicorn and recurring event planner who is amongst Princess Celestia's most trusted aides.<ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mylittleponyccg/images/b/b8/CrystalGames_054.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20141203070310 Raven, Event Organizer card - My Little Pony Collectible Card Game]</ref><ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/0/0e/Celestia_talks_to_a_Royal_Guard_S3E01.png/revision/latest?cb=20121113131832 The Crystal Empire - Part 1]</ref> As Royal Chief of Staff/Secretary, she scrutinizes all official documents before they are forwarded to or from them. In "Luna Eclipsed", Raven is among the numerous other ponies that cower in fear of Princess Luna; she dresses as a devil for Nightmare Night. Raven served as an archivist during the Convocation of the Creatures ceremonies;<ref>[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mlp/images/a/a1/Comic_issue_62_page_1.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180127040641 My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Issue #61-62, Convocation of the Creatures!]</ref> she mentions to Twilight Sparkle that she often has to handle the [[documents|paperwork aftermath]] of her and her friends' adventures from "behind the scenes", such as writing up the peace treaty between the ponies and buffalo of Appleloosa. *'''Kibitz'''<ref>[https://www.ponywiki.mlpwiki.net/wiki/images/f/fa/MS10_Canterlot_Kitchen.jpg Princess Luna and Kibitz in the kitchen]</ref> is a recurring male unicorn who serves as Royal Office of the Curator, [[Majordomo]] of Canterlot Castle, and as Princess Celestia's Royal Timekeeper and Scheduling Advisor in various ''Friendship is Magic'' comics. For generations, Kibitz' family have faithfully attended to Celestia's every need as butlers, maids, and valets.<ref>[https://derpicdn.net/img/view/2017/4/8/1407037.jpeg Kibitz compares the Royal Sisters]</ref> Kibitz is a strict but well-meaning aide who is not above using force to keep the Princesses from neglecting their duties: he holds them to fast-paced and unforgiving schedules; he discourages the royal sisters from indulging in bad habits; speaks boldly in the sisters' presence; and often snaps the royal sisters into terrified silence.<ref>[https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_aYP9HVwn_Y/WPeM5jr-xhI/AAAAAAAAE-c/4VcCH7dfAQsr6Lhr2dqe6n3Q0HQTLGwrACEw/s1600/scared_of_kibitz-01.png Scared of Kibitz]</ref> He maintains the Castle's vast collection of fine art, furniture and decorative objects used to furnish both the public and private rooms. His cutie mark is a pocket watch or a stopwatch. ====Ponyville characters==== Ponyville is the primary setting of the television series and home of the show's main characters. The town's unique locales were designed to reflect their characters, while the overall style of the town was largely influenced by [[Pennsylvania Dutch]] design, [[steampunk]] artwork, and [[European folklore|European]] and [[Bavaria|Bavarian folklore]].<ref name="AoH140">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=140}}</ref> The town also incorporates pony design elements such as horseshoes, hay bales, and troughs.<ref name="AoH142143">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=142–143}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Mayor Mare}}''' (voiced by [[Cathy Weseluck]]) – An earth pony who serves as the [[mayor]] of Ponyville.<ref name="EoH29"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Cake family|Mr. Cake|Mrs. Cake|Pound Cake|Pumpkin Cake}}''' – Mr. Carrot Cake (voiced by [[Brian Drummond]]) and Mrs. Cup Cake (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain), both earth ponies, are the owners of the Sugarcube Corner bakery. In the season two episode "Baby Cakes", Mrs. Cake gives birth to twin foals, a pegasus colt named Pound (voiced by St. Germain), and a unicorn filly named Pumpkin (voiced by [[Andrea Libman]]).<ref name="EoH29">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=29}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Cheerilee}}''' (voiced by [[Nicole Oliver]]) – An earth pony based on the "G3" toy of the same name, appearing as a school teacher at the Ponyville Schoolhouse.<ref name="EoH29"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Snips and Snails|Snips|Snails}}''' (voiced by [[Lee Tockar]] and [[Richard Ian Cox]]) – Two dimwitted unicorn colts who create mischief in Ponyville. The short and pudgy Snips is "known for his enthusiasm" while the taller Snails is "slightly more relaxed".<ref name="EoH40"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon|Diamond Tiara|Silver Spoon|Filthy Rich|Spoiled Rich}}''' (voiced by [[Chantal Strand]] and [[Shannon Chan-Kent]]) – Two wealthy, snobbish earth pony fillies who tease the Cutie Mark Crusaders for not having their cutie marks, calling them "blank flanks".<ref name="EoH40">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=40}}</ref> It is shown in "Crusaders of the Lost Mark" that Diamond Tiara's behavior stems from her stress about meeting the expectations of her father Filthy Rich (voiced by Brian Drummond) and mother Spoiled Rich (voiced by Strand). By the episode's end, she and Silver Spoon make peace with the Crusaders. *'''{{visibleanchor|Pipsqueak|Pip Squeak|Pip}}''' (voiced by William Lawrenson in "Luna Eclipsed" and [[Graham Verchere]] in all other appearances) – A [[Pinto horse|pinto]] earth pony colt who hails from Trottingham, a location outside of Ponyville.<ref name="EoH40"/> He speaks with a Cockney accent in most of his appearances. *'''{{visibleanchor|Cranky Doodle and Matilda|Cranky Doodle Donkey|Cranky Doodle|Matilda}}''' (voiced by [[Richard Newman (actor)|Richard Newman]] and Brenda Crichlow) – Cranky Doodle Donkey is a [[donkey]] and "crotchety old grouch" who rejects Pinkie Pie's friendship until she reunites him with his long-lost "special friend" Matilda, a female donkey.<ref name="EoH4445">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=44–45}}</ref> The two marry in the one-hundredth episode "[[Slice of Life (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)|Slice of Life]]". *'''{{visibleanchor|Bulk Biceps}}''' (voiced by Jayson Thiessen/[[Michael Dobson (actor)|Michael Dobson]]) – A muscular pegasus stallion with small wings. His design was partially based on [[John Kricfalusi]]'s animation style.<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Sabrina Alberghetti and Raven Molisee|date=July 6, 2013|title=Everfree Northwest 2013: Meet the Storyboardists|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2j-xLZkWcA|accessdate=November 19, 2015|time=0:12:00|location=Seatac, Washington|publisher=Everfree Network}}</ref> He first appears as a nameless gag character in "Hurricane Fluttershy", where his shouts of "Yeah!" are recorded by Thiessen.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=orangemeerkat|number=248288987339436033|title=[Cindy Morrow on Bulk Biceps' creation]|last=Morrow|first=Cindy|date=September 18, 2012|accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> Dobson performs the character in full speaking appearances starting with "Rainbow Falls". *'''{{visibleanchor|Trixie Lulamoon}}''' (voiced by [[Kathleen Barr]]) – A unicorn [[Magic (illusion)|magician]] and braggart who exaggerates her magical abilities, calling herself "The Great and Powerful Trixie". She makes appearances in the show and various spin-offs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2459|title=My Little Pony Fair 2013|last=McNeil|first=Sheena|date=August 26, 2013|work=Sequential Tart|accessdate=November 14, 2015}}</ref> beginning as a rival to Twilight Sparkle in "Boast Busters", but becoming more apologetic after seeing the error of her vengeful actions in "Magic Duel".<ref name="EoH55"/> She makes recurring appearances beginning in "No Second Prances", where she befriends Starlight Glimmer, another reformed unicorn; in the ninth season, Starlight appoints her as guidance counselor for the School of Friendship. ====Canterlot characters==== Canterlot is the mountainside capital of Equestria, named after the castle [[Camelot]] of [[King Arthur|Arthurian legend]]. The city is home to the country's upper-class elite, including Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, who reside in the local castle. Canterlot was designed to give the sense of its residents' royalty and nobility.<ref name="AoH162">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=162}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Prince Blueblood}}''' (voiced by [[Vincent Tong]]) – A unicorn who is Princess Celestia's distant nephew and an object of Rarity's affection until he proves to be "quite vain" and "a pompous fool".<ref name="EoH33">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=33}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=135}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Hoity Toity}}''' (voiced by [[Trevor Devall]]) – An earth pony "fashion guru" who gives make-or-break critiques to designers.<ref name="EoH32">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=32}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Photo Finish}}''' (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]]) – A famed earth pony fashion photographer who speaks with an Austrian accent.<ref name="EoH32"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Sapphire Shores}}''' (voiced by Rena Anakwe) – An earth pony singer known as the "Pony of Pop", based on the "G3" toy of the same name.<ref name="EoH32"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Fancy Pants|Fancypants}}''' (voiced by Trevor Devall) – A good-natured unicorn [[socialite]] with the highest position in elite Canterlot society, often appearing with a readily agreeable entourage.<ref name="EoH32"/> *'''{{visibleanchor|Sassy Saddles}}''' (voiced by [[Kelly Sheridan]]) – A unicorn who is the manager of "Canterlot Carousel", Rarity's boutique in Canterlot that opens in the season five episode "Canterlot Boutique". Her design was inspired by [[Emily Blunt]]'s character Emily Charlton in ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (film)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=keatingrogers|number=643072366927474688|title=[Amy Keating Rogers on Sassy Saddles' design]|last=Rogers|first=Amy Keating|date=September 13, 2015|accessdate=November 10, 2015}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Songbird Serenade}}''' (voiced by [[Sia (musician)|Sia]]) – A pegasus pop star and celebrity who appears as the headlining act for Canterlot's Friendship Festival in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. ====Cloudsdale characters==== Cloudsdale is the home and birthplace of several pegasus characters such as Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. It is depicted as a floating city of clouds where pegasi produce Equestria's clouds, weather and [[rainbow]]s inside a specialized "weather factory".<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=70}}</ref> The city's design was influenced by [[Ancient Greek architecture|Greek]] and [[Ancient Roman architecture|Roman architecture]], which author Begin states "harks back to the original Olympic Games, [...] a fitting reference for Rainbow Dash".<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=150}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|The Wonderbolts|Spitfire|Soarin|Blaze|Fleetfoot|Misty Fly}}''' – A squad of pegasi that perform "aerial feats of wonder", based on the [[Blue Angels]].<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=90}}</ref> They are captained by Spitfire (voiced by [[Nicole Oliver]] in the episode "Sonic Rainboom" and [[Kelly Metzger]] in all other appearances), a "spirited competitor" and "no-nonsense instructor" at the Wonderbolts' training academy,<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=34}}</ref><ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=200}}</ref> and her second-in-command Soarin (voiced by [[Matt Hill]]). Their costumes were designed by [[Craig McCracken]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=Fyre_flye|number=312697221302853633|title=[Lauren Faust on the Wonderbolts' design]|last=Faust|first=Lauren|date=March 15, 2013|accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> According to writer [[Amy Keating Rogers]], the name of the Wonderbolts' founder, General Firefly, is a tribute to Faust's online username "fyre-flye", in turn named after the "G1" toy Firefly.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=KeatingRogers|number=456220157229010945|title=[Amy Keating Rogers on General Firefly's name]|last=Rogers|first=Amy Keating|date=April 15, 2014|accessdate=November 12, 2015}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Boy Bullies|Hoops|Dumb-Bell|Billy|Score}}'''<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=35}}</ref> – A trio of pegasus stallions introduced in "Sonic Rainboom" serve as Rainbow Dash's childhood bullies. They consist of Hoops (voiced by [[Kathleen Barr]] in "Sonic Rainboom" and [[Terry Klassen]] in all other appearances)<ref name="bb1">{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=466738950074163200|title=[Jim Miller on Hoops' voice actor ("Sonic Rainboom")]|last=Miller|first=Jim|date=May 14, 2014|accessdate=May 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name="bb2">{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=466738950074163200|title=[Samuel Vincent on Hoops' voice actor ("The Cutie Mark Chronicles")]|last=Vincent|first=Samuel|date=May 14, 2014|accessdate=May 10, 2016}}</ref> and two nameless ponies nicknamed "Billy/Dumb-Bell" (voiced by [[Richard Ian Cox]] in "Sonic Rainboom" and [[Brian Drummond]] in "The Cutie Mark Chronicles")<ref name="bb1"/><ref name="bb2"/> and the unvoiced "Score". ====Las Pegasus characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Flim Flam Brothers|Flim|Flam}}''' (voiced by [[Samuel Vincent]] and [[Scott McNeil]]) – Traveling unicorn [[Retail clerk|"salesponies"]] and [[Confidence trick|con artists]]-turned-"respectable business people" operating a successful [[resort]] and [[casino]] in Las Pegasus. They are proficient at "liberating the burdens of wealth" from their patrons and exploiting legal loopholes to avoid getting caught. They often use song and dance to manipulate ponies into either purchasing their usually faulty products or patronizing questionable "[[Get-rich-quick scheme|get-rich-quick]]" venture schemes.<ref name="EoH56">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=56}}</ref> Writer [[M.A. Larson]] said he "particularly enjoyed" writing for Flim and Flam, saying that "their energy and optimism infuses the actual writing".<ref name="EoH56"/> ====Manehattan characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Coco Pommel|Miss Pommel}}''' (voiced by [[Cathy Weseluck]]) – An earth pony [[Costume designer|costume]] and [[fashion designer]] who works in Manehattan. She is introduced in "Rarity Takes Manehattan" as the assistant to Suri Polomare (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain), Rarity's chief rival in a fashion competition, and quits after observing Suri's unscrupulous tactics for winning. Rarity's generosity was a huge inspiration for Coco, who grew up being told "It's everypony for themselves!" Coco designs costumes for plays over in [[Theater District, Manhattan|Bridleway Theater District]] and is currently chief manager of Rarity's Manehattan branch of fashion stores, Rarity For You. Her name is a reference to fashion designer [[Coco Chanel]]; it was later changed to "Miss Pommel" for "legal reasons".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=735328706655342594|title=[Jim Miller on Coco Pommel's name change]|last=Miller|first=Jim|date=May 24, 2016|accessdate=June 16, 2016}}</ref> ====Crystal Empire characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Sunburst}}''' (voiced by [[Ian Hanlin]]) – A male unicorn and Starlight Glimmer's childhood friend who first appeared in "The Cutie Re-Mark". Following the events of "The Crystalling", he is appointed as Flurry Heart's "crystaller" and magic advisor. Later in season nine, Starlight hires him as vice-headstallion for the School of Friendship. *'''{{visibleanchor|King Sombra}}''' (voiced by Jim Miller/[[Alvin Sanders]]) – A tyrannical unicorn king who first appears in "[[The Crystal Empire]]". Described as a "snarling black-hearted monster", he enslaved the crystal ponies in the past until Celestia and Luna banished him.<ref name="EoH53">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=53}}</ref> His efforts to reclaim the Crystal Empire in the present are thwarted when the magical Crystal Heart that protects the city destroys him. Sombra returns in "The Beginning of the End" after being resurrected by Grogar. He refuses to team up with him and the other villains in favor of conquering Equestria by himself. He destroys the Tree and the Elements of Harmony and takes over Ponyville and Canterlot, but is vanquished once again by the Mane Six. Miller based his performance on the vocals of the [[Mastodon (band)|Mastodon]] song "Crystal Skull".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=268603888318431234|title=[Jim Miller on the voice of King Sombra]|last=Miller|first=Jim|date=November 13, 2012|accessdate=February 19, 2014}}</ref> ====Everfree Forest characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Zecora}}''' (voiced by Brenda Crichlow) – A [[zebra]] shaman and herbalist who always speaks in rhyme and lives in the Everfree Forest, a "mysterious" forest on the edge of Ponyville.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|pp=70–71}}</ref> The townsfolk misjudge her as an "evil enchantress" until the Mane Six befriend her in "Bridle Gossip", often turning to her for her wisdom afterwards.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=44}}</ref> Her appearance and mannerisms are influenced by [[Culture of Africa|African tribal cultures]].<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=88}}</ref> *'''King Aspen''' – The deer leader of the Everfree Forest village of Thicket who appears in various comics. ====Hope Hollow characters==== Hope Hollow is a town in Equestria located some distance from Ponyville, most noted for an annual celebration known as the Rainbow Festival. The town and its inhabitants appear in the TV special ''[[My Little Pony: Rainbow Roadtrip]]''. *'''{{visibleanchor|Sunny Skies}}''' (voiced by [[Ian Hanlin]]) – A kindhearted, enthusiastic unicorn stallion who serves as the current mayor. He cares deeply for all of his citizens and tries to nurture their talents whenever possible, always praising them even if they themselves might not care about their work. His father and grandfather served as mayor before him. *'''{{visibleanchor|Petunia Petals}}''' (voiced by [[Kelly Metzger]]) – An optimistic, hardworking, and intelligent earth pony mare who never gives up hope on the ponies she cares about. Petunia holds several different jobs within the town, including librarian, innkeeper, and historian, and takes pride in ensuring that the town's residents are well-read. *'''{{visibleanchor|Torque Wrench}}''' (voiced by Rhona Rhees) – An earth pony mare who provides repair services. She is highly skilled at fixing a range of items, both ordinary and magical, but does not really take pride in her work until Applejack encourages her to do so. *'''{{visibleanchor|Kerfuffle}}''' (voiced by Racquel Belmonte) – A pegasus mare and fashion designer who operates a boutique in Hope Hollow. She has used Rarity's outfits as a starting point for her own designs, but hesitates to put them on display until Rarity encourages her to exhibit her talents. Kerfuffle wears a wooden [[prosthesis]] to replace the lower half of one hind leg. *'''{{visibleanchor|Mr. and Mrs. Hoofington}}''' (voiced by [[Michael Daingerfield]] and Veena Sood) – A middle-aged unicorn couple who moved to Hope Hollow from Manehattan. They provided baked goods for the Rainbow Festival in past years, but the quality of their pies has suffered due to the color loss, making it difficult for them to tell ripe fruit from unripe. *'''{{visibleanchor|Moody Root}}''' (voiced by [[Terry Klassen]]) – An elderly, grouchy earth pony stallion and the neighbor of the Hoofingtons. He grows lush apricot trees, but keeps all the fruit to himself until Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie persuade him to share the crop in exchange for a share of the Hoofingtons' pies. *'''{{visibleanchor|Barley and Pickle Barrel|Barley|Pickle}}''' (voiced by Sabrina Pitre and David Kaye) – Fraternal twin pegasus foals who greatly admire Rainbow Dash and try to copy her moves. Their inexperience with stunt flying foils their attempts until Rainbow gives them lessons, showing them the basics and then moving on to more advanced techniques. ====Background characters==== The show features an extensive cast of over 200 minor characters, also designated as "background ponies",<ref name="AoE75">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=75}}</ref> that are used to fill out crowd scenes and serve as [[visual gag]]s in episodes.<ref name="awn"/> Several background ponies have been well received by the show's [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom|brony fanbase]], who have assigned names and personalities to them.<ref name="awn"/> As a response to fan interest, the series' creative team have given these characters expanded roles in later episodes and media,<ref name="AoE75"/> including being featured as the "main characters" in the show's one-hundredth episode "[[Slice of Life (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)|Slice of Life]]", which presents the characters' daily lives as the episode's central focus.<ref name="AoE-9293">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=92–93}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Derpy/Muffins|Derpy|Muffins}}'''<ref name="S02E14">{{cite episode|title=The Last Roundup|series=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|serieslink=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|network=[[The Hub (TV channel)|The Hub]]|airdate=January 21, 2012|season=2|number=14}}</ref><ref name="S05E09">{{cite episode|title=Slice of Life|series=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|serieslink=My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|network=[[Discovery Family]]|airdate=June 13, 2015|season=5|number=9}}</ref> (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]]) – A cross-eyed pegasus with frequent background appearances throughout the franchise. Originally the subject of an overlooked animator's joke in the first episode, the character was dubbed "Derpy Hooves" and characterized as a well-meaning klutz by [[4chan]] board users.<ref name="awn"/> The creators have since recognized "Derpy" as the fandom's mascot and included her in [[Easter egg (media)|easter eggs]] throughout the show.<ref name="awn"/><ref name="csm">{{Cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2012/0320/Is-TV-paying-too-much-attention-to-fans|title=Is TV paying too much attention to fans?|last=Turner|first=James|date=March 20, 2012|work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]]|accessdate=March 20, 2012}}</ref> She was addressed by name and given lines during the initial broadcast of "The Last Roundup" as a direct call-out to the fandom. Following complaints from viewers who felt her appearance and actions negatively reflected those of mentally handicapped people, the scene was modified to remove the character's name, alter her voice, and reduce the degree to which her eyes are crossed.<ref name="derpygate">{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/5889084/bronies-furious-after-minor-my-little-pony-character-is-changed-to-seem-less-mentally-disabled|title=Bronies Furious After Minor My Little Pony Character Is Changed to Seem Less Mentally Disabled|last=Chen|first=Adrien|date=February 28, 2012|work=[[Gawker]]|accessdate=February 28, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301182732/http://gawker.com/5889084/bronies-furious-after-minor-my-little-pony-character-is-changed-to-seem-less-mentally-disabled|archivedate=March 1, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Amidst concerns that Derpy would be removed from the series due to these responses, the character was re-introduced in the fourth season as a "surprise" for fans after having been reduced to background cameos in previous episodes.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=424582482239832065|title=Jim Miller on Derpy|date=2014-01-18|accessdate=2014-01-18|first=Jim|last=Miller}}</ref> According to Miller, the character was renamed "Muffins" for "legal reasons that I don't understand" prior to "Slice of Life".<ref>{{cite tweet|user=TheBiggestJim|number=609757573550612481|title=[Jim Miller on Derpy's name change]|last=Miller|first=Jim|date=June 13, 2015|accessdate=August 13, 2015}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|DJ Pon-3/Vinyl Scratch|DJ Pon-3|Vinyl Scratch}}''' – A unicorn [[disc jockey]] rarely seen without headphones and sunglasses, first seen in "Suited for Success".<ref name="EoH33"/> The names "DJ Pon-3" and "Vinyl Scratch" were created by the fan community, with the former being used in official products, such as the "Equestria Girls" music video parodying [[Katy Perry]]'s song "[[California Gurls]]".<ref name="bnet">{{cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505123_162-49640313/my-little-pony-the-hip-new-trend-among-the-geekerati/|title=My Little Pony: the Hip, New Trend Among the Geekerati|last=von Hoffman|first=Constantine|date=May 31, 2011|work=[[CBS News]]|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=May 31, 2011}}</ref> In derivative fanworks, Jesse Nowack<ref>[https://twitter.com/Nowacking Jesse Nowack's Twitter profile]</ref> voices DJ Pon-3, and is considered the "official voice" of Vinyl by the fan community. *'''{{visibleanchor|Dr. Hooves/Time Turner|Dr. Hooves|Time Turner}}''' (voiced by [[Peter New]]) – An earth pony who was named "Doctor Whooves" by fans for his purported resemblance to [[David Tennant]]'s portrayal of the [[Tenth Doctor]] in the British television series ''[[Doctor Who]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.neontommy.com/news/2013/04/hive-mind-fandom-traveled-through-time-and-space|title=Into The Hive Mind: The Fandom That Traveled Through Time And Space|last=Bancroft|first=Christine|date=April 10, 2013|work=[[Neon Tommy]]|accessdate=October 23, 2015}}</ref> He appears in later episodes as an eccentric scientist, and he exhibits similarities to his namesake in episodes such as "Slice of Life". He is voiced by various actors besides New, who voices him in "Slice of Life". *'''{{visibleanchor|Lyra Heartstrings}} and {{visibleanchor|Sweetie Drops/Bon Bon|Sweetie Drops|Bon Bon}}''' (voiced by [[Ashleigh Ball]] and [[Andrea Libman]]) – The unicorn Lyra and earth pony Sweetie Drops (also named Bon Bon after the "G1" pony) appear together as best friends in several scenes. One such scene in "Slice of Life" outs Secret Agent Sweetie Drops, a disavowed secret agent living in Ponyville under the assumed identity "Bon Bon". They are voiced by various actresses, with Ball voicing Lyra and Libman as Sweetie Drops in "Slice of Life" and the ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games|Friendship Games]]'' film and shorts. Having been popularly paired by fans as a lesbian couple, they were officially confirmed as such in Season 9, proposing to each other in the background of one scene in “The Big Mac Question” and shown to be married in “The Last Problem”. *'''{{visibleanchor|Minuette/Colgate}}, {{visibleanchor|Twinkleshine}} and {{visibleanchor|Lemon Hearts}}''' (voiced by Rebecca Husain, Tabitha St. Germain, and Ashleigh Ball) – Three unicorns who are given focus in "Amending Fences" as Twilight Sparkle's friends from before her move to Ponyville, while Minuette and Twinkleshine appear alongside Lyra Heartstrings as Princess Cadance's bridesmaids in "[[A Canterlot Wedding]]". Among various other actresses, they are voiced by Husain (Minuette), St. Germain (Twinkleshine), and Ball (Lemon Hearts) in "Amending Fences". *'''{{visibleanchor|Octavia Melody|Octavia}}''' (voiced by [[Kazumi Evans]]) – An earth pony who plays the [[cello]], originally seen in "The Best Night Ever".<ref name="EoH33"/> She is featured in a scene in "[[Slice of Life (My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic)|Slice of Life]]", where she rehearses an "electric cello dubstep" number with fellow musician DJ Pon-3 for Cranky and Matilda's wedding; Octavia's portion of the song was performed by [[Tina Guo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://instagram.com/p/1Kazj5D-RB/|title=[Tina Guo on 100th episode]|last=Guo|first=Tina|date=April 7, 2015|work=[[Instagram]]|publisher=(Self-published)|accessdate=April 7, 2015}}</ref> ====Extended families of main characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Apple family|Aunt and Uncle Orange|Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose|Braeburn|Goldie Delicious|Hayseed Turnip Truck}}''' – Applejack's [[extended family]] of earth ponies that live throughout Equestria. Family members include Braeburn (voiced by [[Michael Daingerfield]]), Applejack's cousin from Appleloosa;<ref name="EoH28"/><ref name="EoH72">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=72}}</ref> her "high-society" Aunt and Uncle Orange (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]] and [[Brian Drummond]]) from Manehattan;<ref name="EoH72"/> Hayseed Turnip Truck (voiced by [[Trevor Devall]]), a [[yokel]]-type odd-job worker; Babs Seed (see [[#Cutie Mark Crusaders|Cutie Mark Crusaders]]); Auntie Applesauce and Apple Rose (voiced by St. Germain and [[Ashleigh Ball]] in "Apple Family Reunion", and Marcy Goldberg and Shirley Millner in "Grannies Gone Wild"), two older relatives and friends of Granny Smith; Goldie Delicious (voiced by [[Peter New]]), an old [[cat lady]] who hoards family heirlooms; and Grand Pear (voiced by [[William Shatner]]), Applejack's maternal grandfather and patriarch of the rival Pear family. A possible distant relationship between the Apple and Pie families is uncovered in "Pinkie Apple Pie", but never confirmed. *'''{{visibleanchor|Pie family|Igneous Rock|Cloudy Quartz|Maud Pie|Limestone Pie|Marble Pie}}''' – The Pies are Pinkie Pie's family who live on a rock farm outside of Ponyville. They are depicted as a clan of dour, drably colored earth ponies in contrast to Pinkie's bright appearance and personality.<ref name="EoH-CMC"/> They consist of Pinkie's father Igneous Rock (voiced by [[Terry Klassen]] in "[[The Cutie Mark Chronicles]]" and Peter New in "Hearthbreakers"), mother Cloudy Quartz (voiced by [[Andrea Libman]] in "Hearthbreakers"), and three sisters (all voiced by Ingrid Nilson): Limestone Pie, the surly oldest sister; Marble Pie, Pinkie's withdrawn, younger twin; and Maud Pie, an older sister who rarely expresses emotion and is obsessed with rocks. ====Equestrian characters of unspecified origin==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Daring Do}}''' (voiced by [[Chiara Zanni]]) – A pegasus and the main character of the ''Daring Do'' adventure novel series parodying [[Indiana Jones]].<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=190}}</ref> Author Begin describes her as "essentially a different-colored Rainbow Dash in a hat".<ref name="AoE188">{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=188}}</ref> In "Daring Don't", the books' author A.K. Yearling (a parody of [[J. K. Rowling|J.K. Rowling]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/My-Little-Pony-Video-Harry-Potter-JK-Rowling-1074301.aspx|title=Exclusive Video: ''My Little Pony'' Pays Tribute to ''Harry Potter'' Author J.K. Rowling|last=Nguyen|first=Hanh|date=December 6, 2013|work=[[TV Guide]]|accessdate=December 7, 2013}}</ref> is discovered to be Daring Do herself, who writes her books after her real adventures, such as her encounters with the [[Aztec mythology]]-inspired villain [[Ahuizotl (mythology)|Ahuizotl]] (voiced by Brian Drummond) and criminal pony Dr. Caballeron (voiced by [[Michael Dobson (actor)|Michael Dobson]]).<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=103}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Sugar Belle}}''' (voiced by [[Rebecca Shoichet]]) – A unicorn baker who lives in a village founded by Starlight Glimmer. She begins a romantic relationship with Big McIntosh and becomes Mrs. Cake's part-time apprentice in Ponyville before marrying Big Mac in "The Big Mac Question". ===Non-Equestrian characters by region=== ====Tartarus characters==== [[Tartarus]] is a [[supermax prison|supermax]] [[penal colony]] administered by [[prison warden]] [[Cerberus]], a monstrous multi-headed dog. Anyone may enter Tartarus, but no one can leave through its entrance doors; ''"[[Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate]]"'' are inscribed on them. Tartarus provides housing for extraordinarily dangerous creatures; for these reasons, its exact location is classified. *'''{{visibleanchor|Lord Tirek}}''' (voiced by [[Mark Acheson]]) – A red [[centaur]] who first appears in "[[Twilight's Kingdom]]". Based on the character of the same name from the animated [[My Little Pony]] special ''[[Rescue at Midnight Castle]]'', he is depicted in ''Friendship Is Magic'' as a villain who escapes from [[Tartarus]], manipulating Discord to help him steal magic from Equestria's ponies. The Mane Six eventually defeat and reimprison him with "Rainbow Power", a powerful magic acquired from the Tree of Harmony. He also appears in "School Raze", where he helps Cozy Glow with her plan to drain Equestria of its magic. The plan fails, and Cozy Glow is locked up in Tartarus with him; however, he and Cozy Glow are later freed by Grogar and join his team of villains. In "The Ending of the End", he, Chrysalis and Cozy Glow use the magic of Grogar's Bewitching Bell to make themselves all-powerful, and then betray him and begin their attack on Equestria, but are eventually defeated and turned to stone. Character designer Phil Caesar strove to make Tirek appear as intimidating as he could without being deemed "too scary" for younger audiences, giving him design elements such as a black upper body to "tone down the intensity".<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=106–107}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Cozy Glow}}''' (voiced by Sunni Westbrook) – A female school-age pegasus and former student of the School of Friendship who first appears in "Marks for Effort", and later reveals her villainous nature in "School Raze", where she steals all of Equestria's magic in a plan to rule it. She is foiled by the Young Six with the aid of the Tree of Harmony, leading to her imprisonment in Tartarus with Tirek, her partner in crime. She and Tirek are later freed by Grogar and join his team of villains. In "The Ending of the End", she, Chrysalis and Tirek use the magic of Grogar's Bewitching Bell to make themselves all-powerful, and then betray him and begin their attack on Equestria, but are eventually defeated and turned to stone. ====Changeling characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Queen Chrysalis}}''' (voiced by [[Kathleen Barr]]) – The former queen of the [[changeling]]s, a race of insectoid "grotesque shape-shifting ponies" that feed off of ponies' love for each other.<ref name="EoH53"/> She first appears in "[[A Canterlot Wedding]]", where she invades Canterlot by impersonating Princess Cadance to control her fiancé Shining Armor, only for the changelings to be driven off by the couple's combined magic. She also appears in "To Where and Back Again", where she is deposed by Thorax. She later joins Grogar's alliance of villains. In "The Ending of the End", she, Tirek and Cozy Glow use the magic of Grogar's Bewitching Bell to make themselves all-powerful, and then betray him and begin their attack on Equestria, but are eventually defeated and turned to stone. Character designer Rebecca Dart drew Chrysalis and the other changelings with an insect-like design after reading the character's name in the script, drawing inspiration from [[manga]] artists [[Junko Mizuno]] and [[Hideshi Hino]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/08/interview-with-rebecca-dart-queen.html|title=Interview with Rebecca Dart - Queen Chrysalis Designer|author="Sethisto"|date=August 20, 2012|work=Equestria Daily|accessdate=February 18, 2014}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Thorax}}''' (voiced by [[Kyle Rideout]]) – The leader of the changelings succeeding Chrysalis. He first appears in "The Times They Are a Changeling", where he befriends Spike after explaining that he is different than other changelings and doesn't want to cause harm. In "To Where and Back Again", he helps depose Queen Chrysalis after appealing to his fellow changelings and becomes their new king. He has an older brother named Pharynx (voiced by Bill Newton), who acts as chief of security for the hive. ====Griffonstone characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Gilda}}''' (voiced by [[Maryke Hendrikse]]) – A female [[Griffin|griffon]] who first appeared in "Griffon the Brush Off". She is introduced as a childhood friend of Rainbow Dash, who later ends their friendship when Gilda tries to assert herself over Rainbow Dash's pony friends by bullying them.<ref name="EoH55">{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=55}}</ref> The two later reconcile in "The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone". *'''{{visibleanchor|Grampa Gruff}}''' (voiced by [[Richard Ian Cox]]) – A grumpy old griffon who first appeared in "The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone". ====Yakyakistan characters==== {{section-stub|date=February 2019}} *'''{{visibleanchor|Prince Rutherford}}''' (voiced by [[Garry Chalk]]) – A temperamental male [[yak]] and the prince of Yakyakistan. He first appears in "Party Pooped" as part of a Yakyakistani delegation to Equestria. ====Dragon Lands characters==== {{visibleanchor|Dragons|Garble|Dragon Lord Torch|Princess Ember}} are a species of [[apex predator]]s generally depicted as nomadic, selfish and reclusive creatures; their level of greed determines their physical size, power, lifespan, and territory.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=155}}</ref> Many dragons accumulate wealth through the use of force, threats, or coercion to intimidate or aggressively dominate other "lesser species". Due to their egotistical nature, dragons don't have any formal "[[border]]s or government" by traditional definitions, functioning rather like [[adhocracy]]. Under dragon laws and customs, the term "Dragon Lands" is whenever or wherever a dragon chooses to roost its young or hoard its treasures determines its [[Westphalian sovereignty|sovereign territories]] for centuries. Being [[Kraterocracy|kraterocratic]] however, all dragons acknowledge (and adhere out of fear) to arbitration by the Dragon Lord—the sole monarch of the "Dragon Lands", who is traditionally the oldest, strongest and greediest [[Despotism|despot]]. Begin describes the dragon designs used in the show as "traditional", while finding that their "exaggerated noses and large heads resting on exceptionally skinny necks" is evocative of the show's humor.<ref>{{harvp|Begin|2015|p=124}}</ref> *'''{{visibleanchor|Dragon Lord Ember|Princess Ember|Ember|Dragon Lord}}''' (voiced by Ali Milner) – The daughter of Torch and the youngest dragon to obtain the title of Dragon Lord. Unlike her father, Ember is diplomatic and compassionate, with genuine concern for the welfare of her people. Ember desires to learn more about the ways of friendship, and agrees to share letters with Twilight regarding the ways of dragons. In Season 8, she sponsors the teenage dragon Smolder for enrollment in the School of Friendship. *'''{{visibleanchor|Torch}}''' (voiced by Matt Cowlrick) – A gargantuan elder dragon and former Dragon Lord, who is succeeded by his daughter, Ember, in "Gauntlet of Fire". Currently the oldest and largest dragon in existence, Torch used his wealth, size, and experience to extort and intimidate his way up the dragonkind hierarchy to become Dragon Lord. *'''{{visibleanchor|Garble}}''' (voiced by [[Vincent Tong]]) – A teenage dragon who leads a gang of dragon bullies and an adversary of Spike.<ref>{{harvp|Snider|2013|p=57}}</ref> He is also Smolder's older brother, as revealed in the season nine episode "Sweet and Smoky". It is also revealed that Garble acts like a tough dragon to hide his talents as a beat poet. *'''{{visibleanchor|Clump}}''' (voiced by [[Richard Ian Cox]]) – A large brown-colored dragon. *'''{{visibleanchor|Fume}}''' (voiced by [[Nicole Oliver]]) – A tangerine-colored dragon. *'''{{visibleanchor|Spear}}''' (voiced by [[Matt Hill]]) – A purple-colored dragon with hair over his eyes. ====Klugetown characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Capper}}''' (voiced by [[Taye Diggs]]) – An anthropomorphic cat and con-artist who appears in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. He meets the Mane Six when they arrive at the desert town Klugetown and pretends to help them while hiding his true intention of selling them to a local crime boss to settle a debt. However, after Rarity demonstrates generosity towards him, he has a change of heart and helps Twilight's friends rescue her when she is captured and free Canterlot from the Storm King's control, after which he joins the ponies in their celebration at the Friendship Festival after the Storm King is defeated. ====Ornithia characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Captain Celaeno}}''' (voiced by [[Zoe Saldana]]) – An anthropomorphic parrot and pirate captain with a [[Prosthesis|prosthetic limb]] who appears in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. She meets the Mane Six after they stow away on her ship while escaping from Tempest Shadow. Celaeno and her crew initially intend to throw the ponies overboard, as they have been forced into the Storm King's service, but Rainbow Dash inspires her to defy orders and take her and her friends to Mount Aris. Later in the film, Celaeno and her crew join Twilight's friends to rescue her after her capture and defeat the Storm King, and she joins the ponies in their celebration after the Storm King's defeat. ====Hippogriffia and Seaquestria characters==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Princess Skystar}}''' (voiced by [[Kristin Chenoweth]]) – A cheerful hippogriff and Queen Novo's daughter who appears in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. She first meets the Mane Six when they arrive at Mount Aris and leads them to Seaquestria, where she tries to convince Novo to help Twilight and her friends save their home from the Storm King. When Novo refuses and banishes the ponies from their kingdom, Skystar disobeys her mother and joins Twilight's friends to save her after her capture by Tempest Shadow and to defeat the Storm King's army, after which she joins the ponies' celebration in Canterlot and is grounded by Novo for leaving their home. She and her mother later appear in "The Ending of the End, Part 2". *'''{{visibleanchor|Queen Novo}}''' (voiced by [[Uzo Aduba]]) – The ruler of Seaquestria and Hippogriffia. She is first seen when her daughter Skystar leads the Mane Six to her throne room, and refuses to use her magic pearl to aid them against the Storm King. She is later convinced by Skystar to help the ponies, but banishes them from her kingdom when Twilight tries to steal the pearl. In the film's ending, she joins the ponies' festival in Canterlot after the Storm King has been defeated and grounds Skystar for her disobedience. She and Skystar reappear in "The Ending of the End, Part 2". *'''{{visibleanchor|General Seaspray}}''' (voiced by [[Christopher Gaze]]) – Leader of Queen Novo's navy. *'''{{visibleanchor|Terramar}}''' (voiced by [[Cole Howard (voice actor)|Cole Howard]]) – Silverstream's younger brother. *'''{{visibleanchor|Sky Beak}}''' (voiced by [[Brian Dobson (actor)|Brian Dobson]]) – Silverstream and Terramar's father, a hippogriff. *'''{{visibleanchor|Ocean Flow}}''' (voiced by Advah Soudack) – Silverstream and Terramar's mother and Queen Novo's sister, a seapony. ====Non-Equestrian characters of unspecified origin==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Tempest Shadow}}''' (voiced by [[Emily Blunt]]) – Tempest Shadow, real name '''Fizzlepop Berrytwist''', is the Storm King's lieutenant in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. She is a cold and ruthless unicorn with a scarred right eye and a broken horn—having lost it to an ursa minor attack—who leads the Storm King's takeover of Canterlot and captures the four alicorn princesses to empower his staff with their magic, with the promise of the Storm King using it to restore her horn. However, she is betrayed and nearly swept up by the tornado he creates, only to be saved by Twilight Sparkle, inspiring Tempest to befriend Twilight and help her and her friends defeat the Storm King. Tempest reappears in "The Ending of the End, Part 2". *'''{{visibleanchor|The Storm King}}''' (voiced by [[Liev Schreiber]]) – A [[satyr]]-like conqueror of lands who invades Equestria in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. He tasks Tempest Shadow with capturing Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight to use their magic to empower his Staff of Sacanas in exchange for him restoring her broken horn. After absorbing the four princesses' magic, the Storm King conjures a massive tornado to destroy Canterlot and betrays Tempest as well. He is defeated by the combined efforts of the Mane Six and Tempest, and his body is turned to stone and shattered to pieces. *'''{{visibleanchor|Grubber}}''' (voiced by [[Michael Peña]]) – A bumbling, gluttonous hedgehog who appears in ''My Little Pony: The Movie''. He is a minion of the Storm King and Tempest Shadow's sidekick who accompanies her through the film in her quest to capture Twilight. ===Historical characters by region=== These characters lived centuries in the past at minimum. They are often mentioned posthumously for historical context to the plot. ====Pillars of Old Equestria==== {{visibleanchor|The Pillars of Old Equestria|Star Swirl the Bearded|Rockhoof|Mistmane|Flash Magnus|Somnambula|Mage Meadowbrook|Stygian|Pony of Shadows}} are six legendary ponies responsible for creating the Elements of Harmony. With the Tree of Harmony, they strived to ensure future generations could defend Equestria in its darkest hours. In "Shadow Play", the Pillars are brought into the present era after the Mane Six release them from a millennial imprisonment in [[limbo]] alongside the Pony of Shadows, forming a tense alliance with them to defeat and ultimately rekindle the Pillars' friendship with the villain. As with the Mane 6, each Pillar represents one of six traits similar to the Elements of Harmony—strength (Rockhoof), healing (Mage Meadowbrook), hope (Somnambula), beauty (Mistmane), bravery (Flash Magnus), and sorcery (Star Swirl the Bearded). *'''Star Swirl the Bearded''' (voiced by [[Christopher Britton (actor)|Christopher Britton]]): The unicorn leader of the Pillars. Originally envisioned as an archetypal wizard character with a prominent beard, similar to [[Merlin]], he was considered by Celestia to be the "wisest and most powerful pony; a wonder that rivaled an Alicorn".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roundstable.com/2012/10/11/new-york-comic-con-panel-details/|title=New York Comic Con Panel Details|author="kefkafloyd"|date=October 11, 2012|work=The Round Stable|accessdate=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081641/http://www.roundstable.com/2012/10/11/new-york-comic-con-panel-details/|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> As detailed within the series and various tie-in media, Starswirl is a brilliant [[polymath]]: with a lifetime spanning over one thousand years, he had extensive knowledge of all creatures, legends, artifacts, and every known spell. Starswirl's greatest contribution was in his service to Celestia and Luna—as their mentor, [[father figure]] and royal advisor.<ref name="jots"/> Starswirl's spellbook is a key figure in "[[Magical Mystery Cure]]", where Twilight is directed by Princess Celestia to finish Starswirl's "unfinished masterpiece" written within, resulting in her ascension as an alicorn princess. *'''Rockhoof''' (voiced by Matt Cowlrick): A male earth pony whose clothing is inspired by [[Scandinavia|Scandinavian]] culture; his first appearance was in "Campfire Tales". When every guard abandoned their kind and fled in panic to escape an erupting [[volcano]]; Rockhoof did not move. Shovel artifact in hoof, he stayed and fought to protect, lent his strength to make a barrage against the lava. Fast and powerful, many lives were saved—thus Rockhoof succeeded in becoming the unwavering hero he is known for. *'''Mistmane''' (voiced by Ellen-Ray Hennessy): A female unicorn whose clothing is inspired by [[Feudal Japan|Japanese]] culture. She makes her first appearance in ''My Little Pony: Legends of Magic Issue #3'' and her first in-show appearance was in "Campfire Tales". Mistmane was kind and generous as an angel: she was gracious, magnificent, and loved by all. An ugly empress, overcome with jealousy, stole the lifeforce from the land to achieve [[eternal youth]], and allowed nature to perish. When Mistmane saw the pitiful decaying state of the land, she fought and defeated the empress, sacrificing her beauty to restore nature to its proper balance. *'''Flash Magnus''' (voiced by [[Giles Panton]]): A male pegasus who wears [[Roman legion]]naire-inspired armor; he makes his first appearance in ''My Little Pony: Legends of Magic Issue #4'' and his first in-show appearance was in "Campfire Tales". Thanks to his fortuitous spirit, Magnus saved members of his platoon from a flock of dragons; knowing reinforcements would never arrive in time, Magnus bravely drove them into a trap of thunderclouds, thus defeating them. *'''Somnambula''' (voiced by Murry Peeters): A female pegasus who wears [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]]ian-inspired clothing. She is first mentioned in season six's "The Crystalling"; she makes her first appearance in the IDW comics' ''My Little Pony: Legends of Magic Issue #5'' and her first in-show appearance was in "Daring Done?". Courageous and proud, Somnambula was the only one who dared encounter the sphinx, which kidnapped her prince. For his release, the sphinx gave her a riddle to solve: she found the answer, which enraged the beast. Fearing for her prince's life, Somnambula asked for another challenge: limbs bound, blinded by her own blindfold artifact, she had to [[Leap of faith|cross a dangerous bridge]]. However, she smiled, for she remembered [[Wikiquote:My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (season 7)#Daring Done?|the riddle and its answer]], and successfully rescued her prince. *'''Mage Meadowbrook''' (voiced by Mariee Devereux): A female earth pony who wears [[West Africa]]n-inspired clothing. She is first mentioned in season five's "The Cutie Map"; she makes her first appearance in ''My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Issue #58'' and her first in-show appearance was in "A Health of Information". Regarded as the greatest doctor to have lived, Meadowbrook used her knowledge and skills for the greater good: she cured innumerable diseases, and created many antidotes, vaccines and potions. Meadowbrook is best remembered for having discovered a way to heal a deadly [[pandemic]]; legends stated that her shamanic [[Plague doctor costume|plague mask]] was the reason for her miracles. *'''Stygian''' (voiced by Bill Newton): First mentioned in "Castle Mane-ia" as the subject of a [[ghost story]], the Pony of Shadows first appears in "Shadow Play". He is the alter ego of Stygian, a resentful unicorn who is mistaken for a traitor and shunned by the Pillars of Old Equestria, and bonded with an evil entity that takes the form of a shadowy alicorn-like monster. The Mane Six inadvertently free him alongside the Pillars, thwarting the Pillars' millennium-long effort to contain him in [[limbo]]. The Pillars eventually recognize Stygian's innocence and work with the Mane Six to separate him from the shadow creature, which is returned to limbo in the Pillars' place. ====Founders of Equestria==== *'''Princess Platinum''' – Daughter of the Unicorn King and assistant leader of the unicorns. Played by Rarity in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. *'''Clover the Clever''' – Star Swirl the Bearded's protégée and assistant to Princess Platinum. Played by Twilight Sparkle in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. *'''Chancellor Puddinghead''' – Leader of the earth ponies despite doing silly things. Played by Pinkie Pie in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. *'''Smart Cookie''' – Secretary to Chancellor Puddinghead. Played by Applejack in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. *'''Commander Hurricane''' – Leader of the pegasi. Played by Rainbow Dash in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. *'''Private Pansy''' – Subordinate of Commander Hurricane. Played by Fluttershy in the Hearth's Warming Eve pageant. ====Tree of Harmony==== The Tree of Harmony is an entity that protected Equestria for thousands of years and created the Elements of Harmony. It preserves balance and harmony without conscious effort, and seldom can be communicated with directly, although it often shows hints of having a will of its own. In "What Lies Beneath", the Tree's roots have expanded well outside the Everfree Forest, and its abilities have grown to the point of being able to project a physical form of its consciousness. In "Shadow Play", it is revealed that the Tree of Harmony was grown by the Pillars of Old Equestria to protect Equestria in their absence. In "The Mean 6", Chrysalis and the "evil clones" find the Tree of Harmony, but the Elements destroy the clones when they attempt to use them. In "School Raze", the Tree's magic prevents Starlight, the Young Six, and the magic of Equestria from being sucked into Cozy Glow's vortex. In "The Beginning of the End", King Sombra destroys the Tree of Harmony, and the Elements of Harmony shatter along with it.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR8ZXSYtDSw</ref> In "Uprooted", the Young Six are called by the Tree to the site of where it was destroyed. After arguing over how to best memorialize it, they use the Tree's broken pieces to build a small treehouse, and the Tree's magic transforms it into a grand treehouse at the center of the Castle of the Two Sisters' ruins. ====Historical characters of unspecified origin==== *'''{{visibleanchor|Grogar}}''' (voiced by Doc Harris) – An evil ram sorcerer based on the character of the same name from the ''[[My Little Pony (TV series)|My Little Pony 'n Friends]]'' four-part episode "The Return of Tambelon". He was first mentioned in "A Flurry of Emotions" before making his first physical appearance in "The Beginning of the End", where he forms an alliance of villains, consisting of Queen Chrysalis, Lord Tirek, and Cozy Glow, to defeat the Mane Six and take over Equestria. In "The Ending of the End", Grogar is revealed to have been Discord in disguise, attempting to create the biggest challenge for Twilight and her friends to prevail and boost their confidence. The real Grogar is known as the "Father of Monsters" and ruled Equestria as its first emperor before being defeated and banished by Gusty the Great. *'''Gusty the Great''' is a legendary historical figure who banished Grogar, "The Father of Monsters". First depicted in Celestia's flashback in ''My Little Pony Micro-Series Issue #8'', she is also mentioned in "A Flurry of Emotions", "The Beginning of the End" and "Frenemies". ==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}} ==References== ;General *{{cite book|last=Snider|first=Brandon T.|date=2013|title=The Elements of Harmony: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: The Official Guidebook|location=New York|publisher=Little, Brown and Company|isbn=978-0-316-24754-2|ref=harv}} *{{cite book|last=Begin|first=Mary Jane|date=2015|title=My Little Pony: The Art of Equestria|location=New York|publisher=Abrams|isbn=978-1-4197-1577-8|ref=harv}} ;Specific {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== *[http://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/characters/ponies/ Hasbro's official character profiles] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20150214133743/http://www.hasbrostudios.com/shows/page/title/my-little-pony Hasbro Studios' official character profiles] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20141018102255/http://www.daytime.discoveryfamilychannel.com/shows/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/characters Discovery Family's official character profiles] (archived from [http://www.daytime.discoveryfamilychannel.com/shows/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic/characters this website] on October 18, 2014) *[https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/characters/equestria-girls Hasbro's official ''Equestria Girls'' character profiles] *{{IMDb title|1751105|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic}} {{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic}} {{My Little Pony}} {{DEFAULTSORT:My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic characters, List of}} [[Category:Fictional horses]] [[Category:Anthropomorphic animal characters]] [[Category:Lists of characters in American television animation]] [[Category:Lists of characters in Canadian television animation]] [[Category:Lists of toy characters]] [[Category:My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|characters, List of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic]]'