Hello ladies and gents. Now, normally when I talk about My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, it’s normally on far happier topics. And initially, I had no intention to make an article about this. But since the situation has gotten a whole lot worse since it first started, I figured that there really is no way to avoid it anymore. And that issue is the recent situation involving a certain character on the show, and how the “controversy” surrounding her has sparked a massive blow to the emotions of the bronies and fans alike.
The Pony in question
You may remember that back in my review of Season 2, Episode 14 The Last Roundup, I gave the episode a perfect score of 10 out of 10. While the quality of the episode itself was certainly deserving of that honor, there was really one true reason I gave the episode such a strong rating. And that reason was for one of the best examples ever of a show giving back to its loyal audience. And that was in the form of making Derpy Hooves canon.
For those who may not be too familiar with Derpy, let’s go back to the very beginning (a very good place to start). All the way back to the pilot episode of Friendship is Magic. Early into the third act, there was an animation error involving a grey pegasus with a blonde mane having crossed eyes. It garnered instant attention from the viewers, and in little time, as the original post stated “The legend of Derpy Hooves was born”. Derpy would appear throughout the series as one of the show’s many background ponies, although for the first half of season one, her eyes were normal. It wasn’t too much longer that the writers and animators began getting feedback over fans enamoured with Derpy’s design, that soon in the episode “Feeling Pinkie Keen”, a brief scene once again had her with her now iconic crossed eyes. And that would remain for the rest of the season.
Controversy folows Derpy Hooves
Then, when season 2 kicked off, Derpy would become a far more major background pony. She would have cameos in almost every episode. Some very minor, and others far bigger than most fans would have ever expected. Even the MLP Twitter would make mention of Derpy by name. The bronies and pegasisters were pleased, but of course they wanted more. They wanted Derpy to be a canon character in the show, and they wouldn’t wait too long to get their wish.
Early into the episode The Last Roundup, the bronies wish came true. Derpy was not only mentioned by name, but also had a speaking role. She was portrayed just as the fans had imagined her. Clumsy, a bit goofy sounding, but absolutely lovable nonetheless. I remember when I saw the episode during the first airing, and couldn’t believe it. I was absolutely ecstatic over finally hearing Derpy speak. This to men showed just how much the community mattered to those writing the show. We created an iconic character that we all loved, and the creators of the show loved too. And they were going to give us one heck of a reward for being such awesome fans. And of course, that meant that everypony lived happily ever after, right?
Remember the Derpy times.
Well, sadly I wouldn’t be writing this were that the case.
Not too long after the episode was released on iTunes, it was suddenly removed without any explanation from Apple or Hasbro. Not only that, but the heavy complaints began to be sent to writers, voice actors, and even to Hasbro by those believing that Derpy was insulting to those with mental disabilities. Everything from her crossed eyes, her voice, and the term “Derp” itself were ground for these people to pick apart and claim offensive. But, for the most part, the fans countered the complaints, and thought little of them.
But then, the first big blow happened.
welovefine.com which is the official source for My Little Pony shirts and merchandise for bronies, would be forced to remove all usage of the word “Derpy” on all merchandise descriptions containing her. This, along with the fact that the episode had still not returned to iTunes or reaired on the Hub began to make people worried over Derpy’s well being. Fans began petitions, and tried their best to get answers from anyone involved with the show. Tabitha St. Germain, who had voiced Derpy, would respond by saying that she had no initial clue that Derpy was a female, and that she had based the voice on a neighbour’s son.
Things again seemed to finally die down, and the belief that things were finally cooling down were in people’s minds. But then Friday came along with the biggest damning this situation has suffered to date. The Last Roundup was finally brought back to iTunes, and fans downloaded the episode in hopes that it had remained unedited. Sadly, that was not the case at all. The version iTunes released removed the name Derpy, changed her voiced entirely to a far more feminine voice, and slightly edited her crossed eyes.
Clearly political correctness had reared its ugly head again. And the bronies were pissed. Hell, even I was. I admit to cussing out Hasbro in anger and confusion over the matter. The situation though was still completely unfair to the majority of the fanbase who were behind Derpy, and loved her as she was. And that such a kind, generous present from the people who worked on this show to its loyal fans was destroyed in the name of appeasing the complaints of a vocal minority w as absolutely sickening. The heat was so bad that Derpy would actually trend on Twitter for a short period of time.
While most bronies remained level headed over the situation, others were seeking blood, and since Hasbro and Apple seemed less likely to get a true response from, they went after an artist by the name of Yamino, one of the biggest instigators in the initial protest against Derpy. They would leave hate comments, and death threats, taking their anger out on Yamino, who while having actions that may have been wrong, were still certainly not deserving of being hit with such a backlash.
Thankfully though, one silver lining would arrive in the form of show artist Kreoss, who would assure the fans that while the situation is certainly a massive bummer, Derpy is still going to appear in future episodes with crossed eyes. Whether she will ever come close to another moment like The Last Roundup though, that’s sadly still up in the air. But for now, until we can get an official answer from Hasbro, Apple, or anywhere on whether this was an issue with just the iTunes rip, or if this will remain a permanent change for future airings, only time will tell. But for now, we’re simply left in the dark, unsure of what the future holds for the lovable little grey pegasus who just doesn’t know what she did wrong.
So, now that I’ve covered the entire situation, what are my current thoughts? Well, disappointment is easily how I feel about a lot of this. I’ve seen far more offensive and questionable content air on television that were far more controversial than anything this scene did, or that Derpy apparently portrayed. And most of those cartoons got off without a scratch. All I saw out of this whole scene was a goofy, klutzy cartoon character, who was just like every other goofy, klutzy cartoon character that has existed on television for decades. I find that the complaints mostly stem from people who don’t know about Derpy’s importance to the fans, or those who were simply against the character from day one.
I personally still hope that she can get another speaking role, and that she will still have a chance to be a prominent character in the series. I think Hasbro is missing out on a golden opportunity to market such a beloved character with toys and merchandise, which, just as all other MLP merch to date, will be instant sellers to the audience that is willing to buy anything with her. I’m also fine with the idea of the name Ditzy Doo being used should it be a last ditch effort to keep her from being just a background pony. It would still be a stinging blow, but I can live with it. But, after the whole hullabaloo that has occured, that simply has no chance of happening, and it’s a damn shame.
savederpy.com
If you feel this is an injustice, or simply want to contact Hasbro with your thoughts, you can go to www.savederpy.com where you can sign their petitions, and find ways to contact people with your complaints and feelings. Of course, don’t be a dick about it and tell them off. That will just make this situation far worse than it already is. So do try to be courteous. It may not make a super difference in the end, but every little bit helps in hopes that this can be rectified. Also, be sure to buy the new “My Little Pony: The Friendship Express” DVD coming this Tuesday from Shout! Factory. This DVD will contain The Last Roundup which will apparently have the Derpy scene in its original form. Whether this is truly official, we’ll see on Tuesday.
But for now, just don’t boycott Hasbro, keep supporting My Little Pony: Friendship is magic, and keep making your voice heard. Keep showing the world why were are one of the most dedicated and best fanbases out there, and even if she no longer winds up canon, keep loving Derpy Hooves for all her silly, muffin munching, mail carrying, lovable ways.
Additional Links
“Derpy’s Speaking Debut”: Original Version
“Derpy’s Speaking Debut”: Edited Version
Order “The Friendship Express” From Shout! Factory