The MLP Arena

Pony Talk => Pony Corral => Topic started by: InkyMilk on July 05, 2012, 01:58:42 PM

Title: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: InkyMilk on July 05, 2012, 01:58:42 PM

This is for the ponies that were obviously shown in any of the television series (I know there are a ton of G1 and G3 pony toys that were sold that never actually made an appearance in the show so they don't count). Does the personality of a pony on one of the show have any influence as to whether you purchase it or not?

For example, I really like the new G4 Lyra that was just released, her colors are beautiful, I like her cutie mark, and of course, unicorns are always major brownie points for me. But the way her fanon character has been portrayed really annoys me, and the few times I've seen her in the show I can't stand the stupid way she sits. So it makes me not want to purchase her despite liking the actual toy. Is this ridiculous? The same can also be said for the new Trixie, I think the pony itself is gorgeous but I'm hesitant because I hate her show character.

So what do you do? Do you buy the pony anyway, maybe rename her and give her your own fan personality? Or do you find the stigma of her own canon personality (or even a strong fanon personality given to her by the community, as is the case with Lyra) too much and pass her up or a different pony?

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: StarlightGaze on July 05, 2012, 02:08:08 PM

I don't like fanon, but it doesn't make any difference in my purchases except that I have to be more urgent of getting fan favorites because I'm worried they will sell out too fast before I can buy one.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: BrightIdea on July 05, 2012, 02:08:23 PM

I am not a fan of fanon.

I just buy all the pony characters, regardless of how a character was portrayed on the show because they are all cute pony toys.

Originally the show did make me want to buy toys, but I found I liked every single pony even if they didn't make an appearance in the show.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Starly on July 05, 2012, 02:09:09 PM

It doesn't mean a thing to me, a pony's still a pony. I'm not crazy-in love with Big Mac like everyone else seems to be, but I'd buy his brushable in an instant if they made one, cause, hey, ponies.
I don't really dislike any ponies though, I dislike some F/F fanon relationship, but that hardly counts...and I want a Bon-bon for my Lyra. >.>

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Evening_Moonstone on July 05, 2012, 02:12:54 PM

Lyra doesn't look exactly like her show form with the "unicorn" eyes.  Trixie is a bit different-looking as well (no clothes for one thing).

I don't see why you should pass up a pony because you don't like the show version, if you like the toy pony herself. 

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: partypony566 on July 05, 2012, 02:15:22 PM

I've never watched any of the shows apart from the g1 movie however it makes no difference to me how a pony is portrayed in the show. A pony is a plastic toy who doesn't speak/isn't annoying so I don't care what they are like in a cartoon ;)

When I was a kid though I might have based my purchases on a ponys personality in a cartoon.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: LadyMoondancer on July 05, 2012, 02:16:41 PM

It does influence me sometimes, but not all the time.  I don't like Trixie's canon personality in the show (or the fanon attempts to make her seem "nice"--she's a bragging twit), but she is pretty so I still want her.  Well, and it's nice to have an antagonist for my ponies. ;)

Lyra's fanon actually made me want her more, I like most of her fanon very much.  However, even without the fanon I would've wanted her.  She was one of the ponies that caught my eye as far back as the pilot episode.  She is just super pretty.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: hathorcat on July 05, 2012, 02:26:28 PM

Quote from: partypony566 on July 05, 2012, 02:15:22 PM

I've never watched any of the shows apart from the g1 movie however it makes no difference to me how a pony is portrayed in the show. A pony is a plastic toy who doesn't speak/isn't annoying so I don't care what they are like in a cartoon ;)

^This for me...I collect toys first and foremost - I am not fussed at all about canon or fanon or any other -non! :P

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Taxel on July 05, 2012, 02:34:19 PM

It depends, for me. For example my head-canon is that Rainbow Dash and Applejack and dating each other, because I think its a cute pairing. The brony obsession with Bubblecup (Ditzy Doo) has made me not want a thing to do with toys of her, even though I actually like her and absolutely love the one fanfic I read about her (which is now my head-canon for her). Though other things have also influenced my feelings about the Bubblecup toy (Hasbro's treatment of older fans mainly).

However I don't really collect G4 anymore due to the complete lack of quality control. I plan to buy the white FS Celestia (I'm pretty sure I saw that? If not talking will do I guess) because its actually a correct Celestia finally, and Zecora because I really like her character and the toy is pretty unique and different for the line. I mainly plan to collect the blind bags, and only the ones I really like. I want the more unique ones the most (the alicorns and males), but that's not influenced by character as much as it is finally getting some more difference in blind bags.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Daiyuflower on July 05, 2012, 02:37:39 PM

I think the way the character is portrayed only influences me one way--if I really like a character, I am likely to pick up the toy.  But even if I don't like the character, I will still pick up the toy if it's a pretty pony design :)

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Rion on July 05, 2012, 02:48:03 PM

Well, I tend to get the characters that I like most first, but that doesn't stop me from getting all the others later down the road. I really don't let personalities of characters influence whether I buy them or not though- especially fanon related stuff. Most fanon is pretty stupid to me.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: QueenGusty on July 05, 2012, 02:48:56 PM

The character doesn't influence me at all. I have my own headcanons :P For example Gusty in the show was groucy but gusty in the G1 comics was very caring and looked after the baby ponies. My Gusty is the Queen of Dream Valley, married to her clone (Italian Gustavo) and regulary chucks pliers at ponies' heads (especially Gustavo but thats mostly because he had a baby with Mainsail-G3 Autumn Leaves). Majesty who was all wise and awesome in the G1 comics, in my herd is an evil insert word of choice who framed her sister (Gusty) for their mother's murder so she could steal her throne.

So nooope. My headcanon> fanon/canon :P

Carrie

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Malicieuse on July 05, 2012, 02:51:57 PM

It influences me a lot. I don't mind buying several versions of Rarity/Luna/Cadance because i like those characters on the show. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash on the other hand are characters i dislike. So i tend to avoid buying them.
I got to say i prefer ponies that don't have a show or fanon background.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Lilja on July 05, 2012, 03:00:35 PM

My toy purchases are definitely more character-based. Ever since I was a child I've been more likely to want a toy of a character I knew from a cartoon or comic over something generic and unfamiliar, but once in a while it was nice to get a "toy-only" character and make up my own story/personality for it.

When I first saw the FiM toys (before the show came out) I thought they were pretty cute, but not something I would need to get. After having fallen in love with the characters on the show though, my feelings had changed considerably. :D

I think Skywishes is one of the prettiest G4s ever, when I got her with Riding Along Rainbow Dash I thought her colors were even more stunning in person, but I still just didn't feel like I needed her, so I sold her (I bought the pack for the turtle).

Quote from: LadyMoondancer on July 05, 2012, 02:16:41 PM

Lyra's fanon actually made me want her more, I like most of her fanon very much.  However, even without the fanon I would've wanted her.  She was one of the ponies that caught my eye as far back as the pilot episode.  She is just super pretty.

Agree! Lyra's fanon has made her very endearing, to the point that she is one of favorite FiM characters. And she IS very pretty to boot!

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Vampasaurus on July 05, 2012, 03:24:54 PM

I can't keep up with the fan names, fan personalities and all the rules the fandom seems to have now.  So I reject all the fanon for the most part and just come up with my own.

as for the actual canon  characters, I feel ya. I didn't like Trixie, but I love her toy. Still not entirely sure I should get it. I tell you what, buying ponies was a lot easier for me back when I collected G3s and didn't watch the show. Every single pony personality was completely up to be to decided! no pesky canon getting in the way.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Moss on July 05, 2012, 03:31:27 PM

Considering the fact that I buy only ponies from the show now (my attempt to set a limit), I'd say that I do let fanon influence my purchases. For example, if it wasn't for fanon, I never would have started looking out for Lyra in the show... heck, I probably wouldn't know she existed!
Yet I don't always take fanon personalities as law. Again, using Lyra as an example, I like the fanon idea that she's obsessed with humans, but I'm not sold on the relationship between her and Bonbon.
But, hey, they're toys! Considering the fact that they can't talk, I'd say you can make up their personalities however you want!

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Pinkie21 on July 05, 2012, 03:35:06 PM

My purchasing these days is exactly like it was in my childhood:  I buy a pony because it's pretty.  I make up my own personalities for my ponies.  Even the G4 main characters.  They are not at all like their show counterparts  (for instance, my Applejack is like the G1 AJ, and my Rainbow Dash is an artist).  So I guess canon or fanon doesn't really affect my buying.  Which i guess is why I can't seem to give up collecting G4's like I wanted to do. 

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: keylimepony on July 05, 2012, 03:47:14 PM

I don't really know much about fan canon so it doesnt have any impact on my purchases. Ive always had my own opinions. When I was little my mom bought all my ponies but they were never ones I remember being on the show.

For G4, I don't think I would love Pinkie Pie or have bought her toys if I didn't like her show personality. If she was a background character I probably wouldn't have looked twice at her or added her to my herd. I don't really like Rainbow Dash for her personality and her style isn't really my thing either. I like all the others and would probably pick them up if one happened to appeal to me. I do have a G1 Applejack so I don't know if I want a G4 one anytime soon. There are a lot of G1 ponies I would rather put my money towards at the moment. I love Fluttershy and I am so picky about what qualities I want that I haven't bought a toy of her yet. I don't want duplicates so I want to buy the right one.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Saiko on July 05, 2012, 05:45:17 PM

Hate, hate, haaate~ Trixie as a character, but I will definitely buy her toy. So beautiful, and such a change from the usual pink/purple designs. Besides, her arrival was a defining moment for Twilight, so she's important. Lyra too, although I don't know much about fan interpretation of her character, other than she's dating / married to BonBon, which I support and it's practically cannon now. She's lovely shades of green.

I guess :muffin: Pony is not as appealing design-wise, but I would still love her toy (unlikely as that is ;_;) based on her character. Her actions are extremely cute.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: InkyMilk on July 05, 2012, 06:30:52 PM

It's interesting reading how little/much collectors are influenced by show or fanon personality! Since I'm in the US I may decide to wait till I can just purchase the TRU set if I decide I really want Trixie and Lyra. It's hard for me to pull away from personalities I feel have already been set in place, though since Lyra's personality is mostly fanon created, she may be a little easier for me to create my own interpretation of.

Admittedly, sometimes I feel bad though for disliking Lyra as she seems to be such a huge fan favorite, but I think BonBon is quite ugly so I don't prefer to have to see them together and since I don't like humans in Equestria her supposed "obsession" with them is quite annoying to work around. If it were up to me she'd be closer friends with Octavia and Vinyl Scratch, perhaps sort of the "middle man" who helps them bond through their love of music. And Trixie would be revamped completely as a long lost playmate who Twilight has forgotten about and who now feels slighted by Twilight's ignorance of her and subconscious pity for her lesser skill in magic.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: HavACrumpet452 on July 05, 2012, 06:40:21 PM

I just buy the ponies. The pose and look of them makes their personality to me. Don't care how they are in the cartoons.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: scarletjul on July 05, 2012, 06:48:19 PM

Quote from: Daiyuflower on July 05, 2012, 02:37:39 PM

I think the way the character is portrayed only influences me one way--if I really like a character, I am likely to pick up the toy.  But even if I don't like the character, I will still pick up the toy if it's a pretty pony design :)

This is how I look at it, too.  I had no interest in owning Rarity until I saw the episode where she designs dresses for the Gala Ball - and then I had to have her.  However, I don't care for Trixie's character but I still intend to buy her because she just looks so pretty - I can always give her a redemption arc if I feel the need to make her a nicer character, anyhow.  :silly:

I do the same thing with g1s.  Always loved Wind Whistler and her character on the tv show just made me love her more.  But I didn't want Shady until I saw the movie and then I definitely wanted her.  :)

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: xeevee on July 05, 2012, 09:16:32 PM

the way fanon characters are portrayed makes no difference to me, as I don't really pay attention to that kind of thing.  I do like the Doctor Whooves pony, because I can also see a connection, and I'm a huge doctor who fan.  Plus I think the :muffin: Pony eye thing is cute, but more so because I actually spotted that in the episode it first appeared too.  So it's funny they made a toy like that.  Otherwise, I actually have no idea how the fans portray her, or any of the other characters such as Lyra.

I pretty much buy all the ponies.  That is what I want, all the ponies :P  The ones I remember or prefer may have shown up in shows as characters I like in shows (such as G1 whizzer and firefly and G4 Luna) but there is a slim correlation because my favourite ponies are usually my favourites because of something else, and in the case of G3s I actually couldn't stand the show or any of the characters in it, but I still like the toys.  Most of my favourite ponies, are my favourites because either I really like the colour/cutie mark combo.  Or because of some happy memory I have of the pony.  Or in most cases both. 

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Koudoawaia on July 05, 2012, 09:20:50 PM

I won't buy Trixie even though she does have a pretty design because I really don't like her personality in the Boast Busters episode. I'd probably want to knock her over or throw things at her everytime I looked at her. XP

I won't buy Snowflake even though I think she's pretty too because her talent is a lame thing that anyone can do: catching snowflakes on her tongue. Please, that's so lame. =p

I also don't buy G4 Pinkie Pie because she really annoys me in the show. Way too hyper for me. I did make an exception with a McDonald's one in a thrift shop last year because it was on model but even then I gave it to my sister later. XP G3 Pinkie Pie on the other hand, she's gorgeous and I have no idea what she's like in G3 so I'm happy to have her in her G3 form in my collection.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Starly on July 05, 2012, 09:36:59 PM

I'm surprised at how many people here dislike Trixie's personality in the show, it's not THAT bad.
She's just a performer to me, of course she's going to act boastful, AJ, Rarity, and Dash acted no better, if not worse. I guess TV shows are always doomed to make you root for the heroes and main characters and shun those that disagree with them. Cue my favorite characters, the ones all the main cast hate and get no love in show. Sigh.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Gonzo on July 05, 2012, 09:37:26 PM

There's some fanon that annoys me (mostly the kind that apologizes for Discord), but not to the point that I'll avoid buying a pony because of it. Ponies is ponies, and fanon can vary from person to person.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: will2Bfree on July 05, 2012, 10:19:12 PM

Quote from: Daiyuflower on July 05, 2012, 02:37:39 PM

I think the way the character is portrayed only influences me one way--if I really like a character, I am likely to pick up the toy.  But even if I don't like the character, I will still pick up the toy if it's a pretty pony design :)

This for me too.

For instance, I really don't like Rarity's personality, but I think she's a very pretty white unicorn so I got her anyways. And I like about half of Lyra's fanon. I don't care for pairing her up with Bon-Bon, but I think her human obsession is cute. It's refreshing to have a pony adoring humans for a change. For me, it kind of reflects all the humans here who adore ponies, even if their family and friends don't "get it".

Even with ponies that haven't appeared in the show, I can be influenced to buy based on their backcard descriptions. I really liked Feathermay's. It's such a shame every single one of her I found had such extreme head/body mismatch. I don't think any description could go quite far enough to make up for that.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: RAMChYLD on July 06, 2012, 12:50:00 AM

Neither fanon or canon personality influence my purchases. My ponies will harbor the personality I (read: my imagination) create for them. I buy ponies because I like the designs, not because of FIM. *to self* doesnotexistdoesnotexist

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: sweetstuff on July 06, 2012, 07:16:53 AM

I honestly don't *get* the whole fanon/canon thing. Those things weren't around when MLP first started. I had ponies because I loved ponies, not because of some TV show. 

That being said, there are some canons I agree with. I remember being very excited when I saw Rosedust as the queen in the movie, since I thought she was so pretty and so she became cousin to Majesty.

Other cannons I hate - Sweet Stuff has a horrible voice IMO, she never sounded or acted that way in my herd. *lol*

I also seriously hate G3 Rainbow Dash cartoon. I bought her because I love her colors - the whole "dah-ling" thing was over the top. I did like PP and Minty's voices/personalities.

As for G4 - I haven't collected the toys aside from some blind bags. My daughter has 3 ponies now. AJ, Plumsweet, and Baby Sunny Daze. I had no idea of AJs personality when I got her the toy. Still have no idea who Plumsweet is, but she's a pretty pony.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: starrypawz on July 06, 2012, 07:32:31 AM

Not really. XD Well I'm more inclined with the g4's to get the ones I really like first, my main three I want are Fluttershy, AJ and RD (although I have a Pinkie and Fluttershy, I wanted an RD but when I was looking I couldn't find one without marks)

I don't pay too much attention to the fanon for mlp and don't devle that far into the g4/fim fandom so I'm inclined to buy a pony because it's pretty. I'd love to get DJ-PON3 as she's just awesome :D

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Desert Rose on July 06, 2012, 07:49:42 AM

Honestly I don't even know what Fanon or Canon means XD

As for letting other fans influence me by making up their own personalitys to the ponies... not so much. Mostly since I don't read a single thing or watch a single thing that is fan made :P Couldn't care less how other fans portray the characters, never even botherd to look any of it up.

With that beeing said, how the pony is portrayed on the actuall show (which is the only thing I watch because it's "original" and the only thing that counts as proper pony stuff to me :P) do affect me I've noticed.

For example I absolutely hate Rainbow Dash's attitude on the show. Can't stand it. And because of that I'm very reluctant to buy anything that has to do with her. Only reason I got her at all is because I found her in the promo pack with Rainbow Flash and a promo pack with Sky Wishes. They couldn't just put another mane character with the special promo pack ponies? >.< :P

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: BrightSide on July 06, 2012, 07:58:56 AM

I have no idea what fanon is XD but canon personalities.. I don't like AJ, purely because the stubborness is taken way too far, but I adore the toys (both G1 and G4).

I can't say I'm too knowledgeworthy of the G1 personalities, as I did not watch the original series or movies. Same with G3 really. I don't think it actually influences my purchases at all, I buy ponies because pretty and lovely ^.^ apart from TS, but then again I neither like her as a character or as a toy.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Scraleos on July 06, 2012, 08:26:06 AM

It depends. If I haven't got the pony, I'll buy her. But I wouldn't buy the same pony I don't like (Like AJ, Pinkie or Dash), even for variations like tinsel and different pose. But I might if it were a pony I liked (Twilight and Rarity). I don't like Applejack's, Pinkie's, or Rainbow Dash's personalities in FiM, but I love Twilight Sparkle's and Rarity's.

With Trixie and Lyra coming out, I'll be getting both. I can't wait for them. I do like certain fanon personalities, but I like sticking to my ones better.
Lyra is a hyperactive pony who loves to play with her best friend Bon Bon. But sometimes she loves to just sit down, take a moment and play her lyre.
Trixie, after being knocked down a peg by Twilight, has become more modest. She even comes to visit Twilight when she's in ponyville, and the two are becoming very good friends, because of thier love for magic.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: celticowgirl88 on July 06, 2012, 08:38:20 AM

I've always disliked G1 Quackers because of the show, even though I find her to be a pretty pony. My liking Lyra is somewhat... lessened because of the fan stuff, but I'd still get her.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: SpaRx on July 06, 2012, 08:58:05 AM

I've only seen ten episodes or so from FiM and I'm not really interested in fan stuff since I can't brush its hair or put it on a shelf  ;)
I just buy ponies that look pretty (to me at least). I can't wait for Lyra to get here though, I love green  :)

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: lovesbabysquirmy on July 06, 2012, 09:51:36 AM

Quote from: hathorcat on July 05, 2012, 02:26:28 PM

Quote from: partypony566 on July 05, 2012, 02:15:22 PM

I've never watched any of the shows apart from the g1 movie however it makes no difference to me how a pony is portrayed in the show. A pony is a plastic toy who doesn't speak/isn't annoying so I don't care what they are like in a cartoon ;)

^This for me...I collect toys first and foremost - I am not fussed at all about canon or fanon or any other -non! :P

Yep - same here.  I don't even pay attention to the fact that there even IS a show!  :-p  I never did as a child and I'm certainly not going to let marketing influence my opinion now.

Title: Re: Fanon or canon personality? Does it influence your purchases?
Post by: Binny on July 07, 2012, 02:21:30 AM

Not at all. In fact I kind of view the toys as a separate entity from the show. There are some that while their tv personalities I'm not too fond of, have beautiful designs which is why I collect them.