History RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic

''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' redeemed the ''Franchise/MyLittlePony'' franchise, as well several in-universe characters.

* During her time as the ArcVillain of Season 8, Cozy Glow was criticized by some for being somewhat underwhelming compared to the other arc villains and questionable goal to drain all magic from Equestria, which may come at ''her'' detriment as well. Season 9, however, manages to endear more fans to her, especially with her adorable and comedic moments and dynamic with Tirek and Chrysalis, to the point where many give her the DracoInLeatherPants treatment and were saddened to see her get [[TakenForGranite turned into stone]] in the finale.

* Angel Bunny had always been a bit of a jerkass, but the way he took it UpToEleven in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E19PuttingYourHoofDown Putting Your Hoof Down]]" made many members of the fanbase despise him. A couple of episodes since then have portrayed him in a much more likable light. His heroic role in the 23rd issue of [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW the comics]] (and the fact that he will never get any recognition for it) seemed to have completely rescued him.

* Flurry Heart, besides [[UniquenessDecay being yet another alicorn]], immediately turned some off with their design thanks to how out of proportion her wings and horn are compared to her infant body. Her debut episode didn't win her any fans, as she was the direct cause of conflict in the Season 6 premiere. In her Season 7 appearance, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E3AFlurryOfEmotions "A Flurry of Emotions"]], her antics were far more sympathetic and her interactions with other places and ponies were amusing. The episode overall managed to make Flurry Heart more endearing to the audience.

* While Sunset Shimmer, the BigBad of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls1'', was [[EvilIsCool easily the most popular thing]] to come out of it, she still wound up a massive BaseBreakingCharacter. Critics labeled her a shallow AlphaBitch whose [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter potential was completely wasted]] despite having the backstory of being [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil Celestia's previous student]], thus effectively serving as an EvilCounterpart of Twilight. When she pulled a HeelFaceTurn at the end of the movie, it was after [[KickTheDog displaying so many moments of cruelty]] that many felt Sunset hadn't earned her redemption, or that she was just faking it to get out of trouble. The sequel, ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks Rainbow Rocks]]'', showed not only was this HeelFaceTurn legitimate, but she [[ReformedButRejected hasn't been so readily accepted by those she once tormented]] and has to deal with the ramifications of everything she has done. She also gets her own EvilCounterpart in [[BigBad Adagio Dazzle]] and plenty of interaction with Twilight, giving Sunset some overdue character depth. Couple that with a few moments that paint her as TheWoobie over her struggles, yet [[TheAtoner earnestly trying to help everyone]], as well as finally earning acceptance by [[EleventhHourRanger being instrumental in saving the day]], and Sunset Shimmer won herself a lot of fans.

* Angel Bunny had always been a bit of a jerkass, but the way he took it UpToEleven in "Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS2E19PuttingYourHoofDown" made many members of the fanbase despise him. A couple of episodes since then have portrayed him in a much more likable light. His heroic role in the 23rd issue of [[ComicBook/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicIDW the comics]] (and the fact that he will never get any recognition for it) seemed to have completely rescued him.

* Flurry Heart, besides [[UniquenessDecay being yet another alicorn]], immediately turned some off with their design thanks to how out of proportion her wings and horn are compared to her infant body. Her debut episode didn't win her any fans, as she was the direct cause of conflict in the Season 6 premiere. In her Season 7 appearance, [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS7E3AFlurryOfEmotions "A Flurry of Emotions"]], her antics were far more sympathetic and her interactions with other places and ponies were amusing. The episode overall managed to make Flurry Heart more endearing to the audience.

** When Twilight first ascended, it was met with backlash due to the belief that [[CommonMarySueTraits the transformation was going to make her into a]] CanonSue, and would change her role to something bereft of what made her appealing. The season 4 premiere was a surprisingly well-done story of Twilight struggling with the fear that her new responsibilities would keep her from her friends, and while she ''was'' more powerful, it was to a degree where she still needed the help of her friends to save the day. Subsequent episodes of Season 4 showed that Twilight's new title was just as much of a hindrance as it was a help by [[DeconstructedCharacterArchetype showing the negative aspects of being one of the most popular and powerful people in the world]]. All of this rescued the idea of Twilight being an alicorn by showing that she was most certainly not a Mary Sue.
** By the season 4 finale "Twilight's Kingdom", Twilight being an alicorn princess had changed so little about her character that fans were complaining about the show doing nothing to justify the change. Twilight voiced those same complaints in the episodes, saying that she didn't have to do much more than "smile and wave" in spite of her title. She got her wish to do more at the end of the episode, being crowned "Princess of Friendship" along with the rest of the Mane Six helping as her advisors. In addition, the battle between Twilight and Tirek in the episode is considered one of the high points of the entire series, and it wouldn't have been possible unless Twilight was an alicorn. By the end of Season 4, the majority fan opinion was that Twilight had truly earned her title.

* Twilight Sparkle becoming an [[WingedUnicorn alicorn]] princess in "[[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E13MagicalMysteryCure Magical Mystery Cure]]" was met with backlash due to the belief [[CommonMarySueTraits it made her overly Sueful]] and would change her role to something bereft of what made her appealing. The season 4 premiere was a surprisingly well done story of Twilight struggling with the fear that her new responsibilities would keep her from her friends and she wasn't so powerful now she still needed their help to save the day. In fact her standing created just as much new challenge to overcome as it did help. By the season 4 final when being an alicorn princess had changed so little fans were complaining about it doing nothing to justify the controversial change Twilight voiced the same complaints and got her wish to do more what's considered one of if not the greatest moments of the series which wouldn't have been possible if not for her new powers. By the ending when she was formally titled "The Princess of Friendship" the majority fan opinion was she had truly earned it.

* While Sunset Shimmer, the BigBad of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirls2013'', was [[EvilIsCool easily the most popular thing]] to come out of it, she still wound up a massive BaseBreakingCharacter. Critics labeled her a shallow AlphaBitch whose [[TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter potential was completely wasted]] despite having the backstory of being [[APupilOfMineUntilHeTurnedToEvil Celestia's previous student]], thus effectively serving as an EvilCounterpart of Twilight. When she pulled a HeelFaceTurn at the end of the movie, it was after [[KickTheDog displaying so many moments of cruelty]] that many felt Sunset hadn't earned her redemption, or that she was just faking it to get out of trouble. The sequel, ''[[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyEquestriaGirlsRainbowRocks Rainbow Rocks]]'', showed not only was this HeelFaceTurn legitimate, but she [[ReformedButRejected hasn't been so readily accepted by those she once tormented]] and has to deal with the ramifications of everything she has done. She also gets her own EvilCounterpart in [[BigBad Adagio Dazzle]] and plenty of interaction with Twilight, giving Sunset some overdue character depth. Couple that with a few moments that paint her as TheWoobie over her struggles, yet [[TheAtoner earnestly trying to help everyone]], as well as finally earning acceptance by [[EleventhHourRanger being instrumental in saving the day]], and Sunset Shimmer won herself a lot of fans.

* At the end of "Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS3E11KeepCalmAndFlutterOn", many fans disliked the newly turned-good Discord, as many fans ''liked'' him because [[LoveToHate he was so despicable and dangerous]] and felt that his reformation came ''completely'' out of character. As of the season 4 premiere, those who hated the reformed Discord warmed up to him after he was reestablished as TheImp, still mischievous, very potentially dangerous, and very tenuously held back by a newfound sense of honor and friendship, even to the point where he temporarily relapses into a full-blown villain again in the season 4 finale, which [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone he wound up regretting so heavily]] that he got a much better received redemption.

''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' did this to the ''[[Franchise/MyLittlePony entire MLP franchise]]'', at least after the rather {{un|cannyValley}}settling appearance of the G3.5 videos that surfaced beforehand. It took a series that had become SnarkBait and gave it a very compelling cast and setting [[{{Reconstruction}} that stayed true to its idealism]] ''without'' [[TastesLikeDiabetes being too overbearing]]. This also gets applied to several in-universe characters.