@Background Pony #870A  
If a reboot/remake/new Gen is to happen, then changes must come with it. If not, then why bother with creating something new? They need to have changes to help differentiate a new adaption/show/toyline from its older counterparts.

@Spinny  
It’s probably not but it could be a possibility. Sometimes people like to be cautious with certain things to avoid stepping on anyone’s toes. Controversy can lead to less sales and money.
 
You’re likely right though.

@mjangelvortex
 
I honestly doubt the idea that “southerners are racists” had anything to do with it, because if that was an issue, they probably would have tried to change her a long time ago. Maybe they think changing her will make her sell better. Fine, they can try. Either way, it’s going to be a massive hurdle for AJ fans like me to accept her, which is why there’s so much drama over this.

@FrecklesFanatic  
I didn’t say it was the right thing to do. But I am saying I can see why they did it (especially given how unpopular she is at the moment and how her toys don’t sell well).
 
I’m kind of indifferent on whether she’s a cowgirl pony in G5 or not. If she’s not, I’ll give her a chance and see if I like her (there’s still the chance I might not considering how the show’s not out yet). If they change their mind and make her more like her G4 counterpart, then I’ll be fine with that.

@mjangelvortex
 
Aaaand the right way to deal with that is by saying “Oh no, we cant let those guys be part of our society or culture but have to single them out and pretend they dont even exist”?
 
That seems breddy dumb. AJ and her family always were a positive rolemodell, I dont see how removing those from media and popculture will make anyone happy except people with unreasonable agenda.

@Background Pony #78DC  
Not necessarily. There’s talk about unicorns living in a more woodsy nature filled land.
 
@FrecklesFanatic  
@mrx1983  
Since you guys aren’t from America, I feel the need to tell you that there’s quite a lot of negative stereotypes about southerners and cowboys, quite a bit of ones involving racism. And while not all of them are true, some of them are. Plus given how the political climate is here right now in America, I’m honestly not too surprised that some of them want to get rid of the southern angle for Applejack at all.
 
@Esteban  
Black Panther’s existed for a long time. In fact he predates the Black Panther party. (I’m aware you’re referring to the movies but still, the character existed for a long time.) Also I really don’t see a problem with Finn, Black Panther, or black characters being in popular entertainment at the moment.

@Megas75  
You can’t blame Hasbro for giving in to diversity bandwagon when you see all those Finns in Star Wars and Black Panthers popping out. It is now very popular to showcase african-american, especially when entire DHX voice cast consisted of white people. It feels artificial and forcedd but this is the time we live in.

Yes because they totally want to turn AJ into a stereotypical black girl
 
/s

@mrx1983  
Well other than that its probably also that Hasbro is aware that Applejack is always least popular in any poll and even McDonalds doesn’t add her to the toylines.

@mrx1983
 
I have to agree to this, I am austrian and the whole Cownboything is a huge thing here too.

@Esteban  
cowboys and indians are timeless and very loved here in germany, especially kids love this. i have never heard that this alienate newcomers. on the other hand in america the clocks work different, i can only speak for germany. we don’t have people with cowboy hats here and it is really fascinating to see this and enjoying old western movies etc.  
especially kids love this stuff here.

Furthermore, removing the country-horse is REMOVING diversity from the group, in diversity of origin, upcomming and values.  
Yknow, something I think G4 did great and was part of why it was/is so succesfull.

2nd to the right is actually pretty dope imo, the whole third row is ok with me.

@FrecklesFanatic  
hey, it’s what the majority of bronies and the people running g5 believe.

@Iron Storm  

 
Now where do we recall seeing this before…?  
History is repeating itself!

@Background Pony #78DC
 
Theres beeing wrong and then theres beeing you

@SailorEarth  
no problem here, they’re going to change a dumb, boring character into something that can’t help but be better.

at this point, i dont even understand what the problem is anymore. If its getting rid of the “country hick” stuff or referring to it in that manner, then im having trouble understanding the difference between genuine offensiveness and over-sensitivity. Its hard to feel strongly either way and, even now, im probably missing the point. I just wanna keep enjoying mlp so ill leave it up to the rest of you. In the meantime, i have 2 whole years left to watch until….SOMETHING happens (whatever that something is)

@Background Pony #78DC  
Pretty much yes. There not exactly city dwellers. EspecI ally as we have seen city’s in the show. Seriously, thatched roof’s and unpaved roads and surrounded by farms. Best comparison is small english village in the 19th century.

@Iron Storm  
So I’m guessing you view the current Mane 6 (except for Twilight) as country ponies?

@FrecklesFanatic  
So I’m guessing the Pony’s are moving to the suburbs now?

@mjangelvortex
 
Its not about the concept art, its about the leaked emails where the staff says they want no “Hick” stuff anymore as if living in the countryside/beeing a country person is a insult.

@mjangelvortex  
Oh, I’m digging the concept art; some of the fandom interpretations of AJ’s design, in particular, would rank among my favorite pony designs ever. I’m just extremely bummed they’re dumping the “country/farmer/cowgirl” aspects of her character. But hey, Applejack was never popular anyway, so what does it matter in the end, right?

@Michaelsety  
cant stop me from wanting it to be a massive backfire and die from the backlash