
Elements of Justice is a fan made sequel to the famous Ace Attorney and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan Crossover web series Turnabout Storm that is headed by TheAljavis. Chronologically, the series take place after the 4th season of My Little Pony and Dual Destinies from Ace Attorney, respectively. The series format itself is mostly identical to the style used in Turnabout Storm, complete with voice acting for all characters.
Eight years have passed since Phoenix Wright was summoned to Equestria. Many things have since changed for both worlds, but now a new string of murders has occurred throughout Equestria, and Twilight Sparkle—now the alicorn Princess of Friendship—must once again summon her old friend to defend the innocent and pursue the truth. Together with their respective allies, they must solve the mystery behind the new series of murders. Are all of these new murders merely coincidences? Or is there a far more sinister connection between them?
After a deeply Troubled Production, the series finally launched its first episode on June 5, 2019. Elements of Justice is set to be comprised of 5 cases similar to the Ace Attorney games themselves. The first three-part case "Turnabout Theatre" was completed on December 12, 2020. The first part of the second case, "Crusading for a Turnabout", was released on May 1, 2021. The remaining planned cases are as follows: "Turnabout Discharge", "A Turnabout for Brotherhood" and "The Turnabouts of Friendship".
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"I will submit the eviden... ehh... examples, your Honor":
- Affair Letters: Royal Order's travel pack has one that details Sugar Stamp's affair with him and how she doesn't like being away from him to be with Fair Devotion and Turning Page.
- Amoral Attorney:
- Prosecutor Prince Blueblood, who at one point goes as far as to try and suppress evidence in order to ensure a guilty verdict.
- Prosecutor Princess Luna, on the other hoof, is a Subversion. Even though she starts off in a typically dismissive and sneering manner towards the defence (what with nicknaming Athena "golden pixie"), it soon becomes apparent that she's completely cooperative, trying to get to the bottom of the truth in the most ethical and systematic manner possible - inadvertedly making her potentially one of the most down-to-earth prosecutors to ever be associated with the AA universe. This takes the protagonists as much off-guard as the audience.
- Animation Bump: Even between the beginning when it was a 1 man show, and when the Turnabout Team started coming together, there's a commitment to better fluitdity, mouth movements, and character animation. All their efforts pay off in 2-3, in which high-quality 3D models were implemented (with modified textures to make them pass as 2D models and not clash with the rest of the art, akin to cel-shading), drastically improving the overall feel and quality of the animation.
- April Fools' Day: In 2019, a video was released where TheAljavis apologized and claimed he was quitting the project since he was burned out. Afterwards, he immediately says he was joking and the first episode is almost done.
- In 2022, there was a special episode with a different art style that played out as a dating simulator where you play as Athena falling in love with Twilight, rather than a normal Ace Attorney game.
- Art Evolution: Part 3 of "Crusading for a Turnabout" upgraded the Ace Attorney characters from 2D sprites pulled from Apollo Justice (and fan-made ones for Athena and DD-era Phoenix) to their 3D models from Spirit of Justice.
- Big "SHUT UP!":
- In addition to the usual Ace Attorney usual interjections like "Hold It!" and "Objection!", Suri Polomare also regularly shouts "Shut Up!" in large red letters.
- Starting with the second trial, the new prosecutor, Princess Luna, begins to shout "Be Still!" using her Royal Canterlot Voice when she gets furious at Athena for her groundless accusations of Zecora.
- Big "WHAT?!": Crusading for a Turnabout after Scootaloo and Turning Page are declared Not Guilty, everybody in the defendant lobby (and the viewers themselves most likely) give this as a reaction when Princess Luna reveals the forensics results on the secondary bloodstains on the Nightmare Night Statue belong to SWEETIE BELLE and the guards promptly arrest her.
- Big Word Shout:
- In large red letters like in Ace Attorney, "Hold It!" and "Objection!" Suri Polomare gets a unique cut-in: "Shut up!"
- The new prosecutor of the second trial, Princess Luna, uses "Be Still!". Said words are written with an victorian, old English calligraphy, highlighting the royal and ancient nature of its speaker.
- Bloody Horror: In Crusading For A Turnabout, the team is informed by investigator Private Eye that a negligible amount of dried, unidentified blood was found behind the Nightmare Night statue - a find which would ordinarily be neither particularly gruesome nor relevant to the crime at hand. Then Athena turns on the UV flashlight, and much of the forest floor and the statue's pedestal light up. The sight is enough to cause Applebloom to have a panic attack.
- Call-Back:
- Turnabout Theathre
- Apollo, Athena, and Trucy mistake Twilight for a horse, just like Phoenix first did when he first came to Equestria.Apollo: Um...did that purple horse say something?!
Athena: I thought I heard it talk too!
Twilight: Excuse me, but I happen to be a pony.
Trucy: Whoa, it's totally talking! - Phoenix jokingly asks Twilight if she summoned him by "accident" again as a nod to how their first meeting went.Phoenix: So... did you try to summon the greatest defense attorney in Equestria again?
Twilight: No, I just simply summoned Phoenix Wright. - Twilight only meant to summon Phoenix, but because Apollo, Trucy and Athena grabbed onto him, they got sent to Equestria as well. This is similar to how in Turnabout Storm, Sonata meant to just teleport herself out of the Everfree Forest but ended up bringing Apple Bloom with her when the filly bumped into her.
- Twilight tells Phoenix what happened to Gilda and Sonata after they were released from prison.
- Phoenix Remembers Rarity as the one who patched up his suit.
- Twilight teaches Athena, Apollo, and Trucy about the different abilities each of the different species of ponies have just like she did when Phoenix first came to Equestria.
- Phoenix remembers Twilight mentioning Equestria's judical system was inspired by humans.
- Twilight being Phoenix's co-council during Rainbow Dash's trial is brought up.
- Apollo, Athena, and Trucy mistake Twilight for a horse, just like Phoenix first did when he first came to Equestria.
- Crusading for a Turnabout
- Phoenix remarks how Equestria has no cellphone reception.
- Phoenix remembers Twilight mentioning the "Equestrian High Council" during Rainbow Dash's trial.
- Applebloom reminds Twilight about the last time they investigated together.Applebloom: Yay! Cutie Mark Crusader Private Investigator!
- Phoenix remembers when he was stranded in the Everfree Forest and encountered some Timberwolves.
- Twilight mentions that the Everfree Forest becomes pitch black at night which cause Applebloom to remember the time she got lost in there.
- Twilight and Applebloom recognize the Canterlot Royal Seal, on one of Zecora's letters, from their last investigation.
- Phoenix recognizes the "Carousel Boutique" as where he first met Rarity.
- Athena saw psyche-locks for the first time due to her holding the Magatama. When mentioning "chains and locks", Twilight recalled seeing them as well back in Turnabout Storm after having accidentally absorbing some of the Magatama's power. Apple Bloom also remembers Twilight mentioning "chains and locks" as well.
- Rainbow Dash is disappointed that Athena, Phoenix, Twilight, and Applebloom weren't able to find any decisive evidence to help Scootaloo but Twilight reminds her that Phoenix wasn't able to save her right away as well and they'll get more details during the trial.
- Scootaloo and Phoenix recognize each other from Rainbow Dash's trial but were never properly introduced to each other.
- Twilight mentions that Scootaloo was lucky a defense attorney, Sonata, was willing to defend her mentioning how hard it was for her to find one for Rainbow Dash.
- Rainbow Dash still holds a grudge against Sonata for what she put her through.
- The punishment for murder in Equestria is banishment, possibly even to the sun or moon.
- During the first day of the trial Twilight asks if the victim knew how to teleport and Luna mentions you can only teleport to places they've been to.
- Athena asks Twilight for ideas and she comes up with one,cast suspicion on Zecora as the true murderer, but is hesitant to go through with it, having suffered through a similar situation once before.
- That situation is explained when Phoenix tells Athena that he himself also accused an innocent witness (Fluttershy) in Equestria when defending Rainbow Dash. Twilight was extremely upset that he did it and caused a momentary rift in their trust.
- Since Trucy, Apollo and Athena never knew the details of why Sonata ended up in jail she tells them about her former blackmailing past with Ace Swift and how she ended up in jail to change for the better.
- After breaking Sweetie Bell's Psyche-Locks Sonata mentions that she remembers what that feels like.
- Sonata mentions that during her trial she had no one to protect until Phoenix asked to protect her.
- Sonata is once again staying at the Hay and Stay Hotel.
- Turnabout Theathre
- Call-Forward:
- While discussing how Pinkie Pie was able to plan a party while still being able to catch the train to Manehattan, Trucy mentions that she just has a great work ethic and that Apollo could learn a thing or two from her. He then responds that he'll consider taking lessons once he has a couple hundred clients.
- Applebloom mentions once she and her friends get their cutie marks Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon won't be laughing at them then.
- Twilight talks about how her new castle doesn't feel like home.
- Scootaloo mentions that her parents study dangerous animals and rare plants so she stays with her aunts when they're gone and how her parents were once part of a secret monster agency in Canterlot.
- Big Mac and Granny Smith are out of town visiting relatives in Hollow Shades.
- Applebloom mentions that since Diamond Tiara's father, Filthy Rich, is so busy her mother looks after her and thinks she doesn't really care about how her daughter treats the CMC.
- Twilight mentions that the most serious punishments tend to result in banishment outside of Equestria, which can range from expulsion from Equestrian borders or imprisonment in Tartarus.
- The prosecutor Athena faces in court is Princess Luna, one of the sitting rulers of Equestria. It won't be the last time a member of the Wright Anything Agency see the current leader of a country acting as a prosecutor.
- Luna mentions that Spoiled Rich is president of the school board.
- When Athena begins having a minor Heroic BSoD a vision of Simon Blackquill gives her the motivation to continue. This isn't the last time he would be there to encourage her.
- Athena's vision of Blackquill mentions he has a more refined taste for noodles than the kind Athena and the Wright Anything Agency usually eat. A nod to his love of Soba.
- Diamond Tiara comforts Silver Spoon over her absent, workaholic parents showing that she's more than just a bully.
- The Cameo: Some of the background ponies in episode 3 of case 2 are the "Ponysonas" of the production crew.
- Continuity Nod:
- For "Turnabout Theatre" we have...
- Phoenix and the rest of the Wright Anything Agency are about to go get some Eldoon's before they suddenly get transported to Equestria.
- Twilight mentions how she received the title of "Princess" a few months ago.
- Rarity's reaction to Coco being accused of murder is to say it's "THE! WORST! POSSIBLE! THING!" that could happen.
- After Athena is refused entry to the Detention Center due not having and Equestrian Attorney's Badge, Apollo warns her not to flip anyone, referring to their first meeting in "The Monstrous Turnabout".
- Athena revealing how she was accused of murdering her mother Metis, with Apollo adding his best friend Clay was killed and suspected Athena for it, and Trucy adding she was taken hostage during the case, referring to the events of "The Cosmic Turnabout" and "Turnabout for Tomorrow" in Dual Destinies.
- After Trucy demonstrates to the ponies her Magic Panties tricks, she mentions how a college student wanted to study it. This is from the second case of Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, "Turnabout Corner".
- When Rarity reveals that the victim was working on fabric that glows in the dark, Athena guesses he must be using fluorescent paint, recalling how her friend Juniper used it for her costume in "Turnabout Academy".
- When Phoenix asks what happened to Trixie, Twilight relates to him the events of the episode "Magic Duel".
- Rarity is still upset with Blueblood for how he treated her during the "Grand Galloping Gala".
- Twilight mentions how her castle built itself.
- During the trial Phoenix mentions that he used to be an art major before becoming a lawyer.
- Twilight shows Phoenix the breathing technique Cadance taught her.
- "Turnabout Theatre" is heavily rooted in the events of the episode "Rarity Takes Manehattan", especially with Coco Pommel being the defendant, and Suri Polomare showing up. The murder even took place during a showing of Hinny of the Hills, the same musical that the Mane Six wanted to see in the episode. As it turns out, Suri Polomare is still sore from those events. While not a murderer, she does frame Coco Pommel for Concept's death in revenge.
- For "Crusading for a Turnabout"...
- When Athena mentions how she can hear the Discord in someone's heart Fluttershy mentions she has a friend named Discord.
- Athena mentions she loves going to the aquarium from "Turnabout Reclaimed".
- Rainbow Dash mentions the time Applejack tried to harvest the whole apple orchard herself when Big Mac got injured during "Applebuck Season".
- Rainbow Dash mentions how she's a member of the Wonderbolt reserves.
- Applejack mentions that Rainbow Dash has won every race she's been in except for the "Running of the Leaves".
- The events of the "Best Young Flyers" competition are brought up.
- Apollo teaches Rainbow Dash his "Chords of Steel" exercise.
- Trucy talks about her birth father, how he disappeared, and how she was adopted by Phoenix.
- Phoenix mentions some of the events that happened during the last eight years since he first came to Equestria to Spike.
- Apollo mentions how he had to defend a kid once, referring to "Turnabout Serenade".
- Athena mentions how she was involved in a murder trial as a kid so she can relate to what Scootaloo is going through. She also knows what Turning Page is going through of being accused of murdering his own father.
- Twilight mentions that Applebloom knows the story about the founding of Ponyville.
- Twilight warns Athena and Phoenix about "Poison Joke" and uses the time she and her friends stepped in some as an example of it's effects. The victim was discovered to be under the effect of the same plant before his death.
- Phoenix remarks that Private Eye reminds him of someone he met a long time ago.
- Applebloom mentions that Sweetie Bell made the CMC's capes using some of Rarity's gold silk.Sweetie Bell: It took so long to make, but I think it adds just the right touch.
- When Athena asks what's down the steps at the Castle of the Two Sisters Twilight remarks that they don't need to get into that story right now.
- Applebloom shares with Athena the story of how she met Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo.
- Applebloom explains the purpose of the Nightmare Night Statue and the holiday to Phoenix and Athena.
- Turning Page mentions that Scootaloo is the president of the Rainbow Dash fan club and Rainbow Dash's honorary sister.
- Athena makes a comment about how Trucy is gonna be waiting on that "new mommy" for a while.
- The "Mirror Pool" is mentioned and how Pinkie Pie used it to clone herself and how Twilight used a boulder to seal the entrance. It's suspected that the victim used it to clone himself as well, explaining why he seemed to have died in two locations.
- Twilight tells Athena and Phoenix the events that lead to the destruction of the library.
- Athena mentions the reason she became a lawyer was to save Simon from the faulty verdict she couldn't save him from when she was a kid.
- Apollo complains about having to listen to Pinkie Pie sing about making ponies smile.
- Athena mentions getting locked up in the Detention Center, during "Turnabout for Tomorrow", was not a pleasant experience.
- Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon still call the CMC "Blank Flanks".
- Diamond Tiara isn't above using blackmail to get what she wants.
- Applebloom mentions she's very crafty and was the one who fixed up their clubhouse.
- Scootaloo says she learned that it's okay to be afraid the hard way.
- The ribbon Scootaloo gave Turning Page was the medal Rainbow Dash received for her very first race where she got her cutie mark.
- Scootaloo's inability to fly is brought up again and by accepting this she was able to help her friends win a "very important contest".
- Athena explains to Twilight that Widget has a habit of saying what's on her mind which has gotten her into trouble in the past.
- Athena explains to Twilight that she only led one case, Turnabout Academy", from start to finish, and that she needed so much help during it.
- When Twilight asks if Athena had anything to eat before the trial she mentions she had some orange juice which is the same fruit Juniper gave her during Turnabout Countdown.
- Twilight figures out that Princess Luna found out that she would be helping the defense during her "nightly stroll".
- Royal Order and Turning Page often went to Foggy Bottom Bog to spar with the monsters that lived there.
- Athena is given the chance to claim that Turning Page accidentally killed his father but by doing that it would ruin his life.
- Athena's reluctance to deal with a rhyming witness, Zecora, is a reference to Marlon Rimes from "Turnabout Reclaimed", who delivers some of his witness testimony while rapping.
- This isn't the first time Luna has shouted "BE STILL!"
- When Athena brings up the Mood Matrix for the first time, the Judge mentions how it has helped in previous trials by unearthing new information and more accurate testimonies.
- During Athena's internal debate with Blackquill he mentions the robotics project her mother was working on.
- When Applebloom chews out Athena for accusing Zecora she mentions how no one trusted her and treated like a monster when she first came to Ponyville.
- Rarity calls Spike "Spikey-Wikey".
- When Trucy mentions that it's Valentine's Day Twilight corrects her and says it's Hearts and Hooves Day.
- Athena shares how she had to wear special headphones as a kid to dampen her hearing that she didn't like to wear when Silver Spoon mentions how much she hates wearing her glasses.
- When Diamond Tiara comforts Silver Spoon it reminds Athena of her friendship with Juniper.
- Athena and Trucy bring up the time that Jinixe Tenma thought Apollo was a monster during "The Monstrous Turnabout".
- Applebloom says the best way to scare off Timberwolves is using pots and pans.
- Twilight mentions that she went to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns after learning that Private Eye and Royal Order went there as foals and is where they first met each other.
- Twilight mentions that her brother was Captian of the Guard, and Equity mentions that the position has been open since his engagement to Cadence and moving to the Crystal Empire.
- Twilight tells Athena and the others the story of how Luna became Nightmare Moon. The same intro from the first episode is also used.
- Sonata makes a comment about how Apollo and Trucy have very "special eyes".
- While talking to Athena Phoenix mentions how he's always relied on the help of others in court Including Maya, Edgeworth, Gumshoe, and even the Judge.
- After Athena attempts to go at it alone for the second trial, Phoenix warns her about that mentality and how it got him briefly disbarred. He then explains to everyone present the details of how it happened and how he finally got even on the one who was responsible by doing the same thing his enemy did in forging evidence.
- Pinkie Pie tells Athena that she knows what its like to accuse someone of something they didn't do.
- For "Turnabout Theatre" we have...
- Driving Question: Under the surface of everything, there's a question that keeps cropping up: Why did Twilight REALLY summon Phoenix back to Equestria, and what secrets are she keeping from everyone?
- Fan Sequel: Obviously to Turnabout Storm, but the first case "Turnabout Theatre" could also be considered one to "Rarity Takes Manehattan". It centers heavily on the same setting, same characters, and even the same theme and Aesop.
- Flat "What": Apollo's reaction when Twilight explained that messages are sent instantly by Spike's dragon breath.
- Foreshadowing: During "Crusading for a Turnabout" Turning Page is warned that for interfering with the guards he could've been arrested. He is later arrested as a second suspect.
- Also during the same case when wondering what the "clang" Silver Spoon heard was Luna says it might've been armor from inside the castle that fell over, turns out that it WAS armor that made the clang, as Sweetie Bell was using to scare off Timberwolves.
- Fluorescent Footprints: A more justifiable version of the trope occurs in "Turnabout Theatre", as the protagonists discover somepony got fluorescent paint on their hooves, creating a trail that started from a dressing room where the victim worked, then to the catwalks where the crime occurred, and finally out a back door. Phoenix and co managed to discover this when the lights began to flicker, revealing the glow-in-the-dark hoofprints. These footprints turned out to be from Suri Polomare, from her attempt to steal some fabric that was coated in the paint.
- Forgotten First Meeting: When they meet again, Phoenix doesn't immediately recognize Twilight nor Equestria, but after a few moments, his memory is jogged.
- Hollywood Law:
- Turnabout Theatre; After prosecutor Prince Blueblood examines only a single witness, he tries to pressure the defense into letting him examine the defendant in order to establish a possible motive. Should the defense refuse, he threatens to simply forego discussing any of the remaining evidence (and thus rob the defense of the opportunity of poking holes into them) and call for a swift guilty verdict. This threat (and the request it's meant to back up) would be invalid in Real Life for several obvious reasons (such as the fact that either party should generally have the right to request the examination of all submitted evidence before a final verdict is passed), but the main one is that all the evidence should have already been disclosed to the defense ahead of the trial, giving them plenty of opportunity to investigate and dispute it to their heart's content; as a matter of fact, a trial lawyer is advised to never bring up a question in cross-examination to which he does not already know the answer. Naturally, the under-preparedness of the defense is a running theme in Ace Attorney in general.
- Turned Up to Eleven in Crusading For A Turnabout, where the investigation and trial are essentially declared a state secret by prosecutor Princess Luna - up to and including for the defence team, who (for instance) aren't allowed to converse with the defendants long enough to even ask what happened. This situation is justified In-Universe, but would ordinarily likely lead to an immediate mistrial.Athena: Why does it always feel like we're being left in the dark?
- Also in Crusading For A Turnabout, no heed is paid to the fact that both defendants are (probably) minors; they run risk of facing the same harsh sentences as adult ponies.
- I Am Not Weasel: Athena, Apollo, and Trucy mistake Twilight Sparkle for a horse. She gets annoyed and says she is a pony.
- Immaturity Insult: Princess Luna refers to Athena as a "Child" when she is overcome with fury after the latter accuses Zecora of murder.
- Karma Houdini Warranty:
- A Downplayed instance: in Turnabout Storm, Trixie is the haughty, condescending, revenge-driven prosecutor who tries and briefly succeeds in convicting Rainbow Dash of murder. Even when her career is saved by Phoenix she remains arrogant and unapologetic for her actions and gets off scot-free. In this series, Twilight reveals that the events of "Magic Duel" still occurred afterward, wherein Trixie once again returns for revenge and is outwitted by Twilight and co., but ends up apologizing. Phoenix is surprised that she actually apologized.
- Suri Polomare ends up not being the killer, but her history of lying, cheating and plagiarism is exposed in court, and will face jail time for assault, robbery, commiting perjury and tampering with the crime scene.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: In "Turnabout Theatre", Coco Pommel was knocked out when the crime occurred, meaning her memories of the event are hazy. She remembers everything just in time to jump to Suri's defense when she's accused.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Apollo comments that Pinkie's songs are something you'd play for little kids.
- Left Hanging: In-universe, and with no bad pun intended considered how the victim died, at the end of Turnabout Theatre, pretty much everyone is left wondering why Overall Concept would take his own life, even with depression being a factor. Rarity points out that, all things considered, with Overall being at a point in his life where he was genuinely happy, it doesn't make any sense. Add to that some unresolved mysteries, such as how Suri came to know about the fabric (something which she adamently refused to reveal, and also the letter she may or may have not recieved from someone who claimed to be Coco), and Overall being conveniently distracted by something unknown long enough for Suri to steal the fabric, and it is easy to realize that these unanswered questions will be adressed in the future.
- Living Lie Detector: Phoenix returning with his magatama, allowing him to perceive deep secrets people (or ponies in this case) are trying to hide from him, as well as Apollo Justice with his Perceive ability allowing him to catch a person's (ponys)tell when they're lying. Athena Cykes's Mood Matrix has elements of this as well, and her ability to sense the attitude and feelings of the people (ponies) around her makes her The Empath.
- Malicious Slander: Invoked in the first trial when Blueblood attacks Coco Pommel's character after her initial testimony. To his credit, the judge agrees with Phoenix's assesment and calls for Blueblood to refrain from such remarks in the future.
- Motive = Conclusive Evidence: A sizeable portion of Prosecutor Blueblood's case in Turnabout Theatre relies on establishing Coco Pommel's motive - to the point where he is willing to skip the examination of other evidence to press the point. Naturally, ultimately nothing comes of it.
- Mythology Gag:
- Before the trial of Coco Pommel begins, the Wright Anything Agency lawyers talk about having a refresher. This is a reference to how the first trial of an Ace Attorney game attempts to be a Justified Tutorial.
- Prince Blueblood refers to the case Phoenix defended Rainbow Dash in as the TS-5 Incident. This is a reference to the title of the previous series, "Turnabout Storm", which had five episodes.
- Narnia Time: The last time Phoenix was teleported to Equestria, he went missing in his own world for the same amount of time he was away, which was two days. Since then, however, eight years have passed in Phoenix's world while only a year and a half have gone by in Equestria.
- The Nicknamer: Pinkie's at it again! Calling Athena and Apollo Thena and Polly.
- Nightmare Sequence: After the second day of investigating Athena has a nightmare where Twilight, Applebloom, and the rest of the agency berate her for accusing Zecora and calling her a "screw up" which they keep repeating until Luna shows up and dispels the nightmare.
- Noose Catch: The victim of the first case, Overall Concept, dies from being hung by a rope from up on a catwalk during a theatre production, in full view of the audience.
- Only Sane Man: Due to Phoenix having been to Equestria before, Trucy quickly finding familiar ground regarding magic, and Athena's general enthusiasm, Apollo is the only member of the Wright Anything Agency to consistently point out the strangeness of being in a world populated by talking ponies.
- Original Character:
- For "Turnabout Theatre" - Playwright, a director and writer of various theatre plays from Manehattan. And Overall Concept, the victim of the case.
- For "Crusading for a Turnabout" - Private Eye, an investigator from Canterlot who reminds Phoenix of a certain British professor. Turning Page, the young son of the the victim of the case. Fair Devotion, the wife of the victim. Royal Order, member of the royal guard and the victim. Sugar Stamp, a mail pony who frequently delivers Scootaloo letters from her parents, and Lawkeeper Equity, head of the Equestrian Council and a Lieutenant in the Royal Guard.
- "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Princess Luna delivers a scathing one to Athena (and to a lesser degree, to the whole gallery) after she accuses Zecora, pointing out that Zecora's own testimony was not conclusive, reminding Athena very coldly (and with contained but obvious anger) of what her job actually entails (ie. pointing out flaws in the prosecution's assumptions or in a witness' testimony, not blindly accusing someone of murder without any proof), and that her baseless accusation hurt not only Zecora's name, but her own as well. She only calms down after the Judge threatens her with holding her in contempt of court.
- Recursive Fanfiction: A fan made sequel based off a fan based crossover video series.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Athena and Trucy cant stop gushing about how cute the ponies of Equestria are.
- Rotating Protagonist: "Crusading for a Turnabout" sees Athena Cykes take charge as the lead attorney.
- Running Gag: The nonsensical word "cakewalk" pops up a few times, in reference to what was initially a typo in the first episode.
- Save the Villain: When Coco Pommel regains her memory, she realizes that Suri couldn't have committed the murder, and so testifies to save her, interrupting a Not Guilty verdict for herself. Phoenix (along with everyone else in the courtroom) is shocked, but ultimately decides to defend both of them as innocent.
- Sean Connery Is About to Shoot You: The revealed poster art for Elements of Justice has Phoenix Wright doing his trademark stance directly at the audience while Twilight and Sonata are pointing their hooves to the left and right respectively.
- Secret Diary: Royal Order's travel pack also contains a planner that only has entries for 3 days where he was trying to find a way to duplicate himself in order to stay with both Fair and Sugar (or in the case he couldn't find it, to tell Sugar he ultimately chooses Fair), finds the Mirror Pool to clone himself, and to meet with Sugar Stamp that night of the murder. This and the Affair Letters are the evidence to convict Sugar of "one or both" his murders.
- Sequel Escalation: From 1 long, extra detailed case, to a planned 5 cases, going all over Equestria in the process.
- Ship Tease: Applebloom mentions how well Scootaloo and Turning Page get along with each other.
- Shout-Out:
- The scene of Apollo coaching Rainbow Dash in his "Chords of Steel" exercises is a reference to Rainbow Dash coaching Fluttershy on how to cheer at the beginning of "Sonic Rainboom".
- The song featured in the closing credits of "Crusading for a Turnabout" is an English cover of "Message" by Rei Yasuda, the first ending theme of the Ace Attorney anime adaptation.
- The picture in the defendant lobby of Celestia and Mayor Mare is based off the art from Mulan of the Emperor shaking hands with Chi-Fu
.
- When Athena calls Apollo's Manga collection "comics" he responds with "It's called "manga" and it's art!"
- After causing the CMC to fight Apollo says "I shouldn't have said that. I should NOT have said that."
- Luna's "Objection!" has a similar design to Barok van Zieks's "Objection!".
- After listening to one of the defense's theories Luna responds with "Are you sure abut that?"
- The Judge exclaims "Great wickering stallions!"
- Athena comments "Well, Excuuuuuuuuuse me, Princess!" after getting scolded by Luna.
- One of the ponies in the court gallery looks very much like a pony version of Hat Kid.
- Athena cross-examining multiple witnesses at once, complete with witnesses reaction to each other's testimony, is a reference to a mechanic introduced in Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney in which Phoenix does exactly that and was then reintroduced in The Great Ace Attorney.
- One of Athena's comments is a refrence to the song "Under Pressure" by Queen.
Athena: (The entire outcome?! Talk about pressure...pushing down on me!)- After Athena tells Scootaloo that the trial was a "cakewalk" Widget calls her out with "You sit on a throne of lies!"
- When Rainbow Dash angrily flys off Pinkie Pie comments that she looks like she's going to explode and not in an "I'm so excited!" way.
- Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids!: Lawkeeper Equity claims relying on the "magic of friendship" is childish and naïve, and points out how big a chess master Luna is, considering her former past as Nightmare Moon and how she walks a path of mistrust.
- The Stinger:
- Following the credits of the final part of "Turnabout Theatre" there is a scene of Sonata from "Turnabout Storm" being freed from prison, having completed her sentence and saying she's going to help those that it. Just like Phoenix did for her.
- Following the credits of "Crusading for a Turnabout" part 2, Sonata is seen talking with Lawkeeper Equity about the case and tomorrow's trial.
- Following the credits of "Crusading for a Turnabout" part 4, Lawkeeper Equity talks with Private Eye about continuing an investigation in Manehattan (and reluctantly allows his choice to keep investigating the case in Ponyville). She later passes beside a framed photograph on her desk. When viewed up close, most is blocked by the sunlight, but it shows a smiling Royal Order and what appears to be the hoof of Equity herself.
- Suicide, Not Murder: This is how "Turnabout Theatre" concludes in regards to Overall Concept's death, as both Coco and Suri were proven not to be the killer. However, if it really was suicide, the Driving Question is why, given that the victim (outside his depression and the implied stress from Playwright) didn't show signs of being suicidal beforehand.
- Summoning Ritual: Twilight summons Phoenix directly after a request for help from Rarity. However, Apollo, Trucy, and Athena get caught up in the spell when they grab onto Phoenix once they saw him fading away.
- Tagline:
- "These two worlds will collide for a second time...In pursuit of the one and only truth!"
- "A storm brews on the horizon..."
- Tempting Fate: When Twilight is getting an Equestrian attorney's badge for Athena she decides to get one for Apollo "just in case", even though Apollo doubts he'll need it.
- Video Game Demake: Of the "mock-up" variety, in a way. The Ace Attorney continuity takes place after Dual Destinies but the characters' sprites are taken from previous pre-Video Game 3D Leap installment Apollo Justice. Custom sprites are used for Athena and Phoenix (in his updated look) in order to match the style of the others. Starting with part 3 of "Crusading for a Turnabout", this was changed to using 3D models for all the Ace Attorney characters, pulled from Spirit of Justice.
- Warmup Boss: The prosecutor who fulfills this role for "Turnabout Theatre" (i.e. the first case) is Prince Blueblood.
Word of God has stated that his characterization and animation in the series takes cues from Winston Payne as can be seen in his concept art
.
- Wham Line:
- In Case 2, Scootaloo states that some other pony decided to be Scootaloo's defender. But she described them as:Scootaloo: I didn't catch her name, but she was a dark-coated unicorn with eyeglasses and an eyeball for a Cutie Mark.
Phoenix and Twilight: (looking in wide-eyed shock) - After Scootaloo and Turning Page are cleared of the crime of murder, Princess Luna approaches the W.A.A. and relays a disturbing fact about the bloodstains on the Nightmare Night statue.Luna: What I'm here for... relates to the blood test that Detective Private Eye and Sonata performed.
Athena: Huh? What about it? Was... was it wrong?
Luna: No. It is true that the large bloodstain contained blood that belonged to Royal Order and, as you surmised, his killer. But that killer's identity...
Athena: I don't like where this is going...
Twilight: Who... who is it?
Luna: Sweetie Belle.
- In Case 2, Scootaloo states that some other pony decided to be Scootaloo's defender. But she described them as:
- Wham Shot:
- The ending of Case 1 has a big one. When Phoenix asks Twilight on why she called him to Equestria when she could have defended Coco Pommel herself due to having studied law and her status as a Princess allowing her to, five Psyche Locks pop up, implying that there might be another reason she called him to Equestria...
- Case 2, The Nightmare Night Statue covered in blood.
- Also Case 2, Turning Page being brought in as another defendant.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Prosecutor Luna gives one to Athena in Crusading For A Turnabout when she, trying to emulate her boss Phoenix, attempts to implicate the witness Zecora in the murder in order to argue the point that reasonable doubt exists as to whether Scootaloo or Turning Page are truly guilty. Luna is - in stark contrast to her 'colleagues' Trixie and Blueblood - openly disgusted by the unethical and careless nature of this trick, especially since she had been going out of her way to protect the defendants from any unjust accusations anyway.
- Wild Take:
- It doesn't happen often, but in Part 2 of Turnabout Theatre, whenever Prince Blueblood is really caught off-guard, such as Phoenix pointing out that his fabric roll evidence is incomplete or the Judge telling him off for accusing Phoenix of presenting false evidence, Prince Blueblood rears back in shock and his normally slicked-back mane and tail "flare out" briefly before slumping back down, and he then cowers with a hoof above his head.
- Twilight does this in part 3 of case 2 when she finds out princess Celestia asked the judge to preside over the trial.
- "You!" Exclamation: This is Rarity's reaction to literally running into Suri Polomare in "Turnabout Theatre".
Lawkeeper Equity: A bold statement. I find it rather admirable that you choose to have such faith in your naive ideals.