Uh, to go off-topic for a moment, I need some advice...

I'm still working on my worldbuilding project. So far, the physics, antagonists, protagonists etc. have all been figured out, but now there's the issue of races. Currently, there are Humans, Dragons, Knagdier, Jebralgi and the Ahmun.

Thing is, there's going to be at least one more race, but I can't decide between whether they should be the original plan of the Sauropsida (essentially Lizard Folk with bird aspects) or to create a Captain Ersatz of the ponies from friendship is magic.

They'd probably be more humanoid and 'alien' than the ones in the show, with 'Earth, Pegasi and Unicorns' being seperate breeds of the same species.

edited 27th Apr '11 2:46:50 PM by Eventua

If you want straight up funny I'd go with Feeling Pinkie Keen. It's light and fluffy, easy to get into and random. I'd also consider Swarm of the Century beacuse it is totally not what you'd expect from a show for little girls. It's funny and has action.

Are either of these friends of yours fans of The Powerpuff Girls or Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends? If so it may be worth mentioning the driving force behind Friendship Is Magic was a significant player in both those shows.

And if all else fails you could try this.

edited 27th Apr '11 2:47:10 PM by WillKeaton

I rather like Applebuck Season as a starter episode.

"Fall Weather Friends" might make a good starter episode - it's probably the least girly in the series, though it doesn't have anything to do with Fluttershy or Rarity.

Ironically that was my starter episode. It struck me as rather blah for a series that was getting this much hype. And then I joined the herd.

edited 27th Apr '11 3:29:47 PM by AnonymousUser

Heh.

As fun as Suited for Success is, it isn't too good of a starter episode. Because "Like, ohhhh myyyyy gaaawwwwd, fashion shooooooow!"

True. But after you get into the series, it's a great episode for characterizing Rarity. It's what made her one of my favorites.

She's just such a good person, y'know?

It's one of my favorites, but you kinda have to know the characters well enough before you see it. If you watched it first you'd think Rarity was the put-upon one while the others all take flanky advantage.

edited 27th Apr '11 3:47:55 PM by emeriin

Yeah. "Suited for Success" is a great episode, just not for introductions, because A. fashion, and B. singing, which might be an off-putter.

I do love Rarity.

Especially her voice. Best voice in the entire show if you ask me.

Thiiiiiiiiiis is whiiiiiniiiing!

Her voice as a filly is also great.

"What's going on!?"

"A ROCK?!"

Suited For Success is not a good starter episode because it is the most stereotypically "girly" of the series. One of the main selling points for the series to the non-target audience is that it's not a stereotypically girly show, and even SFS isn't that girly when you watch it, but Fashion and Songs are a big part of what people view as "girly".

True enough.

Fluttershy also has a magnificent voice.

And Filly Fluttershy just makes my heart melt.

Weirdly "Suited For Success" is one of the few episodes I do watch for the plot.

It has some really, really good lines.

"But Rarity only has one cat!"

"Giver her time..."

Best part of that episode here. Though after looking up all those french words, i have to say Fluttershy sure is demanding.

Yeah, I really liked Suited for Success too, but I already decided there was no way I was going to show it to these guys for their first episode. I'd rather not try to explain that the show can be enjoyed even by grown men while Rarity is singing about making dresses. -_-; Although, ironically, they both do a lot of musical theater, so I doubt it would really be the singing bothering them so much as the subject matter.

The strange thing is, both of these guys enjoyed Powerpuff Girls and Foster's, but I don't think bringing it up again is going to hold water, since the one I did show it to told me and the other "I can definitely see it was made by the Foster's people, but other than that, there was nothing there that interested me." :/ Then he ragged on the theme song. Honestly, I'm not even sure if he watched the full first episode.

But yeah, my complaining aside, I think Swarm of the Century might be my best bet, as I'm worried they might take the Accidental Aesop of Feeling Pinkie Keen the wrong way, and I still haven't actually seen Over a Barrel or Fall Weather Friends (I've been seeing them in a really weird order; sue me). That said, I'm still a little partial to Sonic Rainboom, since I'm pretty sure Dash seems to be most guys' initial favorite.

Ah well, I'll probably go with Swarm of the Century.

edited 27th Apr '11 5:10:30 PM by Cyberbanjo

I've heard Winter Wrap Up is a goos starter, but it does have singing in it.

If they're in musical theater, then Winter Wrap Up would certainly be a good starter...

Toile is a pretty big insult, actually. Apparently it's a sort of low-grade "practice" fabric used to get the shape and such right before making the actual clothing out of the good stuff.

In other words, the fabric Luna's modeling here.

It's hilarious how fast Fluttershy goes from "Hoity Toity French Mode" to "Oh, uhm...but whatever you want to do is fine..."

edited 27th Apr '11 5:09:04 PM by Deathonabun

...I got into the series through Suited for Success...

Well this is awkward.

Good fer you, Skippy.

Not everyone is as open minded as you are. I mean, if you try to tell someone a girl's show is actually really witty, and the first episode you show them is on fashion shows...