Top Ten Unicorns, Version 4

You know the drill by now, we've got some newcomers to consider, and some old to re-evaluate. Here's the third version, from the end of Season 6. Let's see who moved up, moved down, dropped off, and got added! (Honorable mentions go to: Twilight Velvet, Night Light, Stygian, Sassy Saddles, Fancy Pants, Coriander Cumin, Saffron Masala, Sugar Belle, and Party Favor).

10. Minuette a.k.a Colgate
Why she moved down: From a questionable cameo in Season 6, to no noticeable appearances at all in Season 7, poor Minuette got left behind. At least fanfics haven't ignored her though, she stills crops up every now and then. It'd be kind of interesting to see some kind of laughter/hope trio between her, Sonambula, and Pinkie Pie.

9. Moondancer
Why she moved down: Unlike Minuette, Moondancer didn't have the luxury of a cameo appearance in Season 6, but she's had more of a fanfiction presence to justify her greater relevance. I mean hey, she did well enough to get her own character tag after over a year since her show debut. It really would be nice to see her again, I imagine she'd geek out if she met Starswirl the Bearded or any of the other pillars.

8. Starswirl the Bearded
Why he was added: There's no denying it, Starswirl attracted a great deal of attention when he made his long anticipated show debut in "Shadow Play". It was practically an inevitably that he'd appear on the list somewhere. The only reason he's not higher is that he only really came into play (pardon the pun) at the very end of the first part, and was then a major point of contention between Twilight and Starlight for the second part. Plus, as I've already said, he was kind of a jerk. It's understandable why he was that way, but he's still very much a jerk. I sincerely hope we'll get to see some of his apologies next season, rather than just glossing them over like we did with the last major character who had to seek forgiveness.

7. Shining Armor
Why he moved down: Poor Shining Armor, Season 7 was NOT kind to him at all. After Season 6 really stepped it up and started showing that he could be an important and relevant character (even if the development wasn't always strongly handled and he was still at times the butt of jokes), Season 7 didn't really utilize him for much besides some jokes. I mean yeah, technically he was part of the saving grace of "A Flurry of Emotions", but his airsick jokes in "Once Upon a Zepplin" were probably the weakest thing about the episode and sort of drag it down. But props to the writers for Spearhead, he's not actually a new character they pulled out of their rear ends, he's one of the royal guards interrogated in "Rarity Investigates!" (you may recall he was the only brown coated one).

6. Skedaddle
Why he was added: This little guy is so adorable, and so innocent and trusting. Also, apparently getting turned into an archery arrow somehow doesn't hurt him at all in "Blank Flanks Forever", and neither does it turn him against Rumble. Fittingly, he's seen "Skedaddling" back over to the CMC's side to join Thunderlane, showing the most reluctance (next to Pipsqueak that is). There's really not much more to say, he was great for the minor character he was in that episode. It'd be nice if the fandom could expand on him a little, like how we went nuts with background and side characters all the time back in Seasons 1 and 2.

5. Star Tracker
Why he was added: Fun fact, this guy has the same voice actor as Skedaddle, so that probably explains part of his adorableness. He was without a doubt one of the best things about "Once Upon a Zepplin". He could've easily just been a stereotype or strawman representing the fandom, but no, he's treated with respect and it's shown that he really is a nice guy and means no harm to anyone. Heck, he's willing to respect Twilight's privacy and tell Iron Will off for not doing the same. And it's not a bad thing to say he'd make a better love interest for Twilight than Flash Sentry, right?

4. Starlight Glimmer
Why she stayed the same: Even if Season 7 managed to start utilizing her better, Starlight still has a lot of the problems that plagued her in Season 6, namely the fact that her poorly handled redemption story lingers like a bad odor. If it had been handled better, Starlight wouldn't be so hotly contested. And it didn't help that in some episodes this season, it felt like she was replacing Spike, who got significantly less screen time even in episodes like "Fame and Misfortune" and "It Isn't the Mane Thing About You" (apparently in the former case, they couldn't fit him in because it caused Flash to keep crashing because the episode was so crowded, but surely swapping out Starlight for Spike wouldn't have overtaxed the program, right?). "Uncommon Bond" marked a hopeful step in the right direction for her focus episodes, and "Shadow Play" utilized her fairly well even if they ended up overplaying her role. The less said about her performance in the spotlight outside those episodes though, the better, "Mirror Magic" especially didn't do her any favors. Right now, I just hope she'll stand up to Trixie next season if Trixie continues to act the way she did in Season 7 (which is part of the reason why she's not on the list).

3. Sunburst
Why he stayed the same: Well, he got more screen time and development in the last three episodes of the season, but it just wasn't enough to compete with the top two contenders who had more going for them overall. It's still nice that Sunburst became more of his own character and less of a male Moondancer this season though, and I really hope we'll get to see him more often in Season 8, preferably with Starlight because I totally ship Starburst. What can I say, they make a cute couple. Also, Sunburst first thing in the morning is super adorable, despite a more messy mane and facial hair.

2. Sweetie Belle
Why she moved down: Bet you can guess who the number one spot holder is based on this result, can't you? Like with Sunburst, Sweetie Belle did really well for herself once again this season. She shined flawlessly in "Forever Filly" and "Marks and Recreation", where we got to see how far she's come since her ditzy days of Season 1 and early Season 2. Really, the only thing missing for her this season, was more ellaboration on her parents. Even Scootaloo technically got something with her line in "Parental Glideance" (and there are those who are having Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles be either her surrogate or foster parents in fanfics).

1. Rarity
Why she moved up: Thank goodness for Season 7. After Season 6 mishandled Rarity badly in so many episodes, Season 7 marked a much needed return to form for her. Her first big break came with "Forever Filly", which restored the sibling bond with Sweetie Belle, after "The Cart Before the Ponies" dragged it through the mud. "Honest Apple" was a bit of a misstep for her, and then for a while it seemed like Season 7 was intent on making Rarity suffer because she ended up boycotted in "Fame and Misfortune" (though I guess we at least got to finally see what Rarity would look like in a full mental breakdown), and initially it seemed like "It Isn't the Mane Thing About You" was going to just be a Rarity torture porn. But no, they took the high road and showed us just what it is that makes Rarity such a strong character (plus we got to see her in a punk mane with punk attire, so that's a plus). And from then on, there was no stopping her, and she ended Season 7 by showing off a possible new side to her with her gardening skills in "Shadow Play, Part 1". So, welcome back to the top, Rarity! You more than deserved it with your performance this season!

And there you have it. Come back tomorrow, when we'll take a look at the Top Ten Pegasi.

Comments

[superfun]

Here's my personal list:
1. Starlight Glimmer
2. Tempest Shadow
3. Trixie
4. Sunburst
5. Twilight
6. Sweetie Belle
7. Vinyl Scratch
8. Skedaddle
9. Lyra
10. Moondancer

[HeartfireFirebrand]

This question is always confusing when in comes to picking unicorns because does Sunset fit into this category or not?

[SuperPinkBrony12]

4720095 Maybe, but we've seen so little of her as a unicorn and it's not who she is as a unicorn that makes her so popular, even considering "Mirror Magic".