History EnsembleDarkhorse / MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic

There's a tendency to add every character in the show to this page; remember that EnsembleDarkhorse is a relatively narrow term. Here's a good heuristic: Was the character introduced [[MerchandiseDriven along with their toy-line]], have a CelebrityVoiceActor, or given a lot of advertising? Then they were [[IntendedAudienceReaction meant to be popular]], and it worked. This isn't bad -- [[TheScrappy plenty of characters are meant to be popular but aren't]] -- but it's not this trope. But if the character was introduced quietly, with no particular advertising or attention, and then got toys and merchandise well ''[[BreakoutCharacter after]]'' [[BreakoutCharacter their debuts]]? They're almost certainly this trope. Especially if they got their own episodes.

There's a tendency to add every character in the show to this page; remember that EnsembleDarkhorse is a relatively narrow term. Here's a good heuristic: Was the character introduced [[MerchandiseDriven along with their toy-line]], have a CeleberityVoiceActor, or given a lot of advertising? Then they were [[IntendedAudienceReaction meant to be popular]], and it worked. This isn't bad -- [[TheScrappy plenty of characters are meant to be popular but aren't]] -- but it's not this trope. But if the character was introduced quietly, with no particular advertising or attention, and then got toys and merchandise well ''[[BreakoutCharacter after]]'' [[BreakoutCharacter their debuts]]? They're almost certainly this trope. Especially if they got their own episodes.

There's a tendency to add every character in the show to this page; remember that EnsembleDarkhorse is a relatively narrow term. Here's a good heuristic: Was the character introduced [[MerchandiseDriven along with their toy-line]], or given a lot of advertising? Then they were [[IntendedAudienceReaction meant to be popular]], and it worked. This isn't bad -- [[TheScrappy plenty of characters are meant to be popular but aren't]] -- but it's not this trope. But if the character was introduced quietly, with no particular advertising or attention, and then got toys and merchandise well ''[[BreakoutCharacter after]]'' [[BreakoutCharacter their debuts]]? They're almost certainly this trope. Especially if they got their own episodes.

* The episode "The Mean 6" had clones of the Mane 6 who were absolutely hilarious despite being evil (especially Raritys clone). They were so popular that many fans were disappointed that they didn´t manage to overthrow Chrysalis and were killed of.

*

Somnambula, the Pillar of Hope has many fans. A very popular motive is to draw her as cheerleader.

* Coloratura is a childhood friend of Applejack who became a very famous singer. She is very kind, loves her fans and has amazing songs. Many fans are hoping for her return.

* Somnambula, the Pillar of Hope has many fans. A very popular motive is to draw her as cheerleader.

** Suri Polomare is not as popular as Coco but she still has a lot of fans.

* The Students Six became popular very quickly. This goes especially for Ocellus and Silverstream.

* Even before her premier "Make New Friends But Keep Discord", Tree Hugger amassed a following due to her hippie vibe and completely relaxed attitude. Much of the fandom has designated her as TheStoner and her name makes her prime shipping fuel for Fluttershy.

* Lightning Dust only appeared in one episode in the third season, but her VillainyFreeVillain status and her very likable personality lends her to DracoInLeatherPants treatment. Further, she makes a perfect ShadowArchetype to Rainbow Dash, being just as skilled as her and having a similar personality, only little more selfish and reckless. While she hasn't appeared in the show since (except as a filly in a flashback), it's common to find her depicted as Rainbow's rival/friend in a manner similar to Twilight and Trixie.

* Lightning Dust only appeared in one episode in the third season, but her VillainyFreeVillain status lends her to DracoInLeatherPants treatment. Further, she makes a perfect EvilCounterpart to Rainbow Dash, being just as skilled as her and having a similar personality, only more selfish and reckless. While she hasn't appeared in the show since (except as a filly in a flashback), it's common to find her depicted as Rainbow's rival/friend in a manner similar to Twilight and Trixie.

* Lightning Dust only appeared in one episode in the third season, but her VillainyFreeVillain status lends her to DracoInLeatherPants treatment. Further, she makes a perfect EvilCounterpart to Rainbow Dash, being just as skilled as her and having a similar personality, only more selfish and reckless. While she hasn't appeared in the show since, it's common to find her depicted as Rainbow's rival in a manner similar to Twilight and Trixie.

* Luna's pet opossum, Tiberius. Many have called for him to be a character in the actual show.

* Fans have desperately been wanting to see Pinkie's siblings make an appearance on the show, so when one finally did in the form of Pinkie's older sister Maud Pie, it should come as a surprise to no one that she'd earn a fan base long before her episode even aired! She's unique considering her personality is the polar opposite of her sister's, while still possessing the eccentricity you'd expect from a Pie. Thanks to her popularity she get multiple apparitions in the show and also a brief surprise cameo in ''Rainbow Rocks''.

* With the official Season 8 debut for [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E1SchoolDazePart1 School]] [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS8E2SchoolDazePart2 Daze]], some of the new students in Sandbar the earth pony, Gallus the griffon, Yona the yak, Smolder the dragon, Ocellus the Changeling, and Silverstream the hippogriff/seapony (dubbed to be the Student 6 by some fans) have been met with positive reception after the season debut officially came out.

* Princess Ember, introduced in "Gauntlet of Fire" and the first-ever female dragon with a name and a major speaking role seen on the show, had [[http://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/04/drawfriend-stuff-dragonlord-ember.html#more a large amount of fan art]] within ''one day'' of her debut. Being a BadassPrincess with a cool design probably helped.

* The Flim Flam Brothers, whose [[AffablyEvil affability]] and extremely catchy VillainSong made them stand out amongst other one-episode antagonists. This earned them a few cameos in the comic series and a second appearance in season 4.

* Queen Chrysalis came out of ''[[OutsideContextProblem nowhere,]]'' only hinted at once (in an online ''[[AmericanNewspapers New York Daily News]]'' [[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/television/hub-pony-trots-a-heartwarming-royal-wedding-tale-article-1.1064242 article]]) during all the crazy hype Creator/TheHub and Creator/{{Hasbro}} did for the season 2 finale, most of which was focused on the other new characters Princess Cadance and Shining Armor ([[MerchandiseDriven since they're the ones with toys]]), and took the fandom by ''storm''. [[http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/04/drawfriend-stuff-402-chrysalis-edition.html All the fanart]] created literally within ''a day'' of her appearance shows just how far being a competent and dangerous (and scary) villain with a unique design and magnificent VillainSong will get you.

* [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS6E12FlutterBrutter Flutter Brutter]] had a [[Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda Link pony]] which got the attention of quite a few. Needless to say, video game fanatics were ecstatic at the amount of fanfic fuel this entails, especially if you draw Epona as an MLP pony.

* While the {{Retcon}} to [[DemonicPossession Nightmare Moons nature]] has been mixed, her latest incarnation, [[spoiler:Nightmare Rarity]], is easily the most popular thing to come out of the comics, impressive given she only appears halfway through her story and is a [[WalkingSpoiler huge spoiler]]. Helping is that she has a [[EvilIsCool cool]], [[EvilIsSexy attractive]] character design, [[LampshadeHanging is savvy enough to know it]] and [[WeakButSkilled remain a serious threat]] despite lacking her [[PhysicalGod previous incarnations power]], and some of the comics most epic and emotional moments came out of her confrontation.

* Starlight Glimmer started off as a Dark Horse when she was an antagonist in the premiere and finale of Season 5. Though since she became one of the good guys and started appearing more frequently in the series, she hasn't been as much of a dark horse but still very beloved to many fans.