Student Six Ranking, Version 5 · 4:54pm Oct 10th, 2019
Even if they get some kind of role in the upcoming finale, at this point my opinions of the student six (or the young six or the creature six, whatever you wanna call them) have pretty much been set into stone. I should mention that this list actually isn't how they would stack up overall, if you want to see that then check out my recent ranking of them on Deviant Art which can be found here.
Honestly, having the student six back for Season 9 was... a disappointment. Like with the school and with Cozy Glow they didn't do anything with them, they just sort of stuck them in and just had them be there. I would've much rather they cut their losses and admitted that those concepts and characters didn't work. I suspect that most of the episodes we got focused on them this season were holdovers from Season 8 that never got finished in time and had to be retooled for Season 9. Nevertheless, what little we did get in this second half was enough to change my opinions of them a little. Here's the fourth version, from before the hiatus for Season 9. Let's see what changed, and as always this list is purely the result of my personal opinion.
6. Sandbar
Why he moved back down: Sandbar still remains by far the most out of place among the student six, why does he need to attend the school if he's a pony? "She's All Yak" did manage to do something with him, but they never followed up on it. Why not have some episodes with him and Yona in the background? How come we never got any more information about his family (we don't even know what his parents or his baby sister's names are)? Heck, his parents never showed up during the parent/teacher conferences in "A Horse Shoe-In" even though this could've been the last opportunity to give him something. I still can't shake the feeling that what little we know of Sandbar indicates that he was someone's poorly made self insert OC that the writers just stuck in there and then forgot about.
5. Gallus
Why he moved down: Gallus didn't get to do anything all season, really. I'm fine with reducing the focus on him after we learned he was an orphan and after he glowed pink for friendship. But that didn't justify completely forgetting about him. Only "Dragon Dropped" and "A Horse Shoe-In" even acknowledged him, and the most we got is that Grandpa Gruff still barely even cares about him. If they brought back Gabby, then why not make her Gallus' guardian? Surely that wouldn't have been too hard to do and would've given her more of a reason to come back besides the writers trying to push a new ship. The bit at the end where Starlight mentions how Gallus liked Trixie sticking up for him reeks of "Show, don't tell", especially since that one positive doesn't outweigh all the negatives that Trixie displayed during the screening for a vice headmare.
4. Ocellus
Why she moved up: "2, 4, 6, Greaaat" actually did something with her for once. Her becoming a cheerleader and desiring to make a good impression and be known for something other than changing shape was great. Why couldn't we have gotten more focus on that? This feels like something that could've and should've happened much sooner when she was still shy. She had by far the best reason to be part of the cheer squad in that episode, and it was interesting to see what I assume are her parents during "A Horse Shoe-In" although the big with Octavia is again a case of "Show, don't tell". Telling us that Ocellus has grown isn't the same as letting us see her grow.
3. Smolder
Why she moved up: Smolder really shouldn't have been the only one with a brain in "2, 4, 6, Greaaat" because much like "Yakity Sax" this was the perfect opportunity to flesh out her interactions with a member of the mane six that she had a common bond with. But all it really amounted to was giving Rainbow Dash a "Reason you suck speech" where it felt like she was tailoring her argument to fit Rainbow's ego instead of the cheer squad's needs. Still, it was a nice sign of character growth and development when she was willing to dress up and be part of something so girly. Showing that she's come a long way from hiding her love of cute, silly stuff like in "What Lies Beneath". If she wasn't weighed down so badly by "Sweet and Smoky" she probably would've been able to make a serious run for the number one spot.
2. Silverstream
Why she stayed the same: I think Silverstream got part of her curiosity from her dad if "A Horse Shoe-In" is anything to go by. It's a little understandable why Silverstream wasn't as focused on, there's only so much you can keep doing with her quirky nature before it starts devolving into "Lol random" territory. Looking back on "Student Counsel" she was kind of an idiot and a jerk, but I don't think she was intentionally being either and I can still buy her making those kind of decisions since she is still a child (one who's lived a very sheltered life at that). But her being able to tame a cockatrice for her project was nice, and the little bits from "A Horse Shoe-In" were fine too. I have to wonder why the heck she wasn't in "2, 4, 6, Greaaat" though because cheerleading feels like something she'd be a natural fit for with her bubbly personality.
1. Yona
Why she stayed on the top: Well, one thing this list has in common with my overall rankings of the student six is that Yona is on the top. Even if her role in "2, 4, 6, Greaaat" felt a tiny bit out of place (I wouldn't say it was OOC for her but it does feel like she was added solely to hinder the cheer squad during practice) the character herself was still enjoyable. We got to see more of her energy and how she is now ready to try and do pony things without feeling pressured that she has to be a pony to do so. Her interaction with Dr. Whooves was kind of surprising, Yona never struck me as the scientific type and it does kind of reek of "Show, don't tell" not that I think Yona was ever dumb. What might be most surprising is how easily she was offended by Rainbow Dash in "2, 4, 6, Greaaat" which further shows to me how Yona is the heart of the team for the student six, she's always been the most open with her emotions (even Sandbar seems to hide them to an extent). Kind of wonder why she didn't try out for the school's buckball team though, I think she could be as strong as any earth pony. Ultimately, despite a bit of tough competition, Yona prevailed and remains my favorite. She started out great and just continued to impress me.
And there you have it, come back tomorrow when we'll look at the Top Ten Forgotten Plot Points.
I agree, though I suppose Sandbar has the purpose of being the local student, or however you would call it, know what I mean? But I love his personality
For me, it's:
Smolder
Gallus
Silverstream
Yona
Sandbar
Ocellus
I personally don't like Sandbar or Gallus but I do ship Yona and Sandbar. But Smolder is my favorite followed by Sliverstream, Ocellus and Yona. Sandbar is second to last and I really don't like Gallus at all. But that's just me.
5134992 I guess that makes sense since he's established as a Ponyville native, but even then they could do more with it. Like for example, does he know the Cutie Mark Crusaders? I'd have loved it for him to mention he got the idea for a clubhouse from them.
5135027
Agreed. So much potential
It's a shame both of the boys ended up in your Bottom 2 of the Student Six.
Also, Happy 9 Year Anniversary to Friendship is Magic!
5135047 Well, not in overall rankings. But sadly they got nothing to do this season, a season that barely even bothered to do anything with the group despite bringing them all back for another go.
For myself, it's:
1. Silverstream
2. Gallus
3. Sandbar
4.Smoulder
5. Yona
6. Ocellus
i wish the staff could have incorporated the Student 6 more into the stories for season 9. I was hoping to hear/see some more backstory for them, but it'll be up to the fans to suss it all out.