g5- redux

Hey, so, I posted a blog a while back about the potential (at the time) Generation 5 of MLP. Since then, it's become clear that it isn't merely potential, but definitely happening, and we've learned a bit about the world and the changes to the characters, that sort of thing. Well, I've learned. You might not have. So, quick list of the important things that I know:

1. Rarity and Rainbow Dash seem mostly unchanged
2. Applejack will be completely reworked, for some reason (I'm not complaining, I was never an AJ fan)
3. Twilight is now an earth pony
4. Fluttershy is now a unicorn
5. Pinkie is a pegasus (Surprise! As in, the pony she was originally intended to be. One step closer)
6. The world will be a bit darker/grittier (A bit worrying- this is easy to screw up. Transformers Prime did it right, maybe there's hope)
7. The world will be split into at least 3 different 'planes', one for each tribe

This last one is obviously the most interesting to talk about. It's obvious that FiM took a lot of mythological cues from Greek/Roman/Mediterranean mythology- Tartarus, monsters like the chimera and manticore, the style of armor the ponies wore. This many planes idea though, it feels more like Norse mythology. Surprisingly, this is a mythos that has started appearing a lot more in pop culture, no doubt because of Marvel's Thor. Thor Ragnarok was an amazing movie that made plenty of nods to the mythos of the actual Norse in addition to the comics; the previous films were merely okay, but still. They raised awareness.

For me, the real pull came when Rick Riordan came out with his 'Magnus Chase' series. Set in the same general world as the Percy Jackson books, but following the Asgardians and other weird inhabitants of the nine realms. The books really opened my eyes to a lot of things, not the least of which was how cool the Norse myths themselves are.

FiM does already have a few loose Norse connections- Rockhoof and the Mighty Helm are obviously meant to be pony vikings. And the Tree of Harmony bears a little resemblance to Yggdrasil, the world tree. Maybe that resemblance will be enhanced in G5, assuming the Tree of Harmony is kept as a part of the series. It could be the thing that connects all of the various planes together.

With that in mind it would be interesting to match up some of the nine realms with various types of equestrian species (from FiM) and see who would go where.

1. Earth ponies are obviously Midgard, the human world. Duh.
2. Unicorns and magic- Alfheim, the elf world
3. Pegasi are a bit tougher. The Valkyries rode pegasi made of light and served in the halls of Valhalla- but that's in Asgard and wouldn't make sense. Perhaps, given the lazy nature of a lot of pegasi we've seen in G4, the pegasi would prefer Vanaheim? Home of nature gods like Freyr and Freya?
4. Nidavellir is traditionally underground and is the home of dwarfs. Dwarfs like gold. Maybe griffons? Except griffons fly, and wouldn't like the underground... It's also known as svartalfheim, or home of the dark elves. Perhaps this would be where bat ponies come from? Or changelings, that could work too.
5. Muspelheim was home to fire giants. Obviously, this is where dragons would come from.
6. Can't forget Asgard. If alicorns are a thing in G5, their home would definitely be comparable to Asgard.
7. Jotunheim was the land of the giants and monsters. Probably no pony races here, but we never know.
8. Helheim, home to the dishonorable dead. So basically, the replacement for Tartarus.
9. Niflheim, realm of ice and snow. Crystal ponies, perhaps?

Now remember that this is all speculation. I really have no clue what G5 will be. But something else to consider- a big part of Norse mythology is that the world sucks and nothing is fair, everything will try to kill you and even when you die, paradise is temporary and eternal death awaits the entire universe. That is... Really depressing (cough). But if G5 is going for a darker tone, basing its setting on Norse mythology would certainly help with that.

And who knows. The Norse could be very ah, accepting, shall we say? Perhaps in G5, Lyra and Bon-Bon will get to be a canon couple and not have to hide behind euphemisms.

Best friends!