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#applejack #mlp #mylittlepony #pony #rarity #sunset #unicorn #rarijack
Published: 2015-09-25 19:11:33 +0000 UTC; Views: 21811; Favourites: 789; Downloads: 485
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Description This was originally done as a simple sketch to cheer up a dear friend (  who is now back online as well as on Twitter, so be sure to look her up!) but I thought that with a little bit of coloring work it would be a fine way to celebrate the new episode tomorrow, featuring another team-up of what has become a classic pairing on the show.  There are, I feel, some duos on the show that are perfectly complimentary in nature...  Not only do they reside on completely opposite ends of the personality spectrum, but somehow that draws out something quite favorable in each when they collide.  Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are one such a pairing, often put together to balance out the extremes in each other.  "Hurricane Fluttershy" is probably my favorite episode featuring either of them as a result.  Pinkie and Twilight are often paired as well, with the silly and the serious bouncing off of each other as they investigate Pinkie Sense, try to stop time, solve cake-related mysteries, hawk Princess-quality books or approach solutions to Yak relations.  

Tomorrow's episode revisits what I consider to be the most dynamic of these pairing in the show, one that the writers and artists always seem happy to revisit:  Rarity and Applejack.  Unlike Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, their opposite personalities aren't really born out of flaws that they must overcome (timidness and insensitivity, respectively).  Their strengths are actually much the same... both are very hardworking mares running their own businesses, helping to raise their younger sisters.  Their differences lie entirely in personalities and preferences, making for perfectly justifiable viewpoints that often simply come from completely opposite directions.  And that, I think, is what makes them so much fun...  They are equals.  Their differences can define the plotline, but they certainly don't have to take center stage.  As a result, even when the story isn't built around their differences, there are always opportunities for them to bounce off of each other in entertaining ways.  The writers and artists are quick to take advantage of this, constantly drawing the two characters together over and over again to the point that their interactions have become comfortable while never dull.   

As a result, I'm always looking forward to their next team-up!  I also take a certain amount of comfort in the duo as a reminder that you don't really have to share the same mindset in order to share a close bond with another.  Sometimes it's enough to simply enjoy each other's company, despite the differences.  These days when everything seems more and more partisan, it's a nice reminder that things don't always need to be that way. 
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Comments: 68

MLPegasis4898 [2015-12-16 01:18:06 +0000 UTC]

Aaaww! How lovely and cute! I like how Rarity is helping AJ by cleaning her sweat...

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Envirotech [2015-11-08 18:28:13 +0000 UTC]

Awww  you summed it up perfectly! ^_^  It reflects a lot of that in the friends forever comic, too.  I still love Raarity, telling Applejack they're having a little spat and that's what friends do. It's so true!  ^_^   Love the art, it's such heart felt moment Rarity wiping the sweat off Applejack's forehead, dawww <3    The colours are very nice too.

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cajobif [2015-11-01 23:59:17 +0000 UTC]

Awesome work and analyze.

I agree with you.

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AstralMelodia [2015-10-07 01:03:39 +0000 UTC]

There really does need to be a better emphasis on the relationship these two have. I have yet to see the first two episodes of S5 Pt. 2, but I'm hoping they tackle the ideas you are pitching and how they are equals. 

Always a pleasure to see your art, harwicks. Keep up the great work

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JetPowerFIE [2015-09-29 04:08:50 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful imagery as always, plus a wonderful literary work!  I think this is the only AJ/Rarity dedicated work I've seen that wasn't about shipping them together, but instead they're solid friendship they demonstrate.  I'm saddened a lot when we so many people focus on temporary "eros" (romantic/sexual) love but instead miss out on the steadfast "storge" love (family/friendship) which "is unconditional, accepts flaws or faults and ultimately drives you to forgive. It’s committed, sacrificial and makes you feel secure, comfortable and safe."   That's the real "Magic of Friendship".

Wonderful work sir, as always.  Keep it comin'!

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Maran-Zelde [2015-09-28 22:31:01 +0000 UTC]

Faved for both the artwork and the commentary. I couldn't have said it better myself!

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batosan [2015-09-27 16:49:32 +0000 UTC]

So very well done and sweet all in the same breath! Love the comment too.....A simple saying..."You're on the left. I'm on the right. If we can't be friends, at least be polite!"  

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Fox-The-Wandering [2015-09-27 16:31:51 +0000 UTC]

Very lovely.

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Mokey1980s [2015-09-26 21:04:33 +0000 UTC]

I know this is off topic a bit, but the episode was amazing, and pretty much everything you described is spot on. Also, I loved the Charlie Brown reference.

I do like this piece though.

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SullMaster [2015-09-26 14:04:54 +0000 UTC]

I love the shine and detail you put into each of your works harwick, the manes look very well done. Looking forward to today's episode, enjoy!

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harwicks-art In reply to SullMaster [2015-09-26 18:20:25 +0000 UTC]

It was a soothing coloring project after some frustrating work stuff... Glad you liked it!  

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Joakaha [2015-09-26 13:54:42 +0000 UTC]

Nice!

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harwicks-art In reply to Joakaha [2015-09-26 18:18:51 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad that you liked it!

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ultragamer89 [2015-09-26 06:16:37 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work!

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harwicks-art In reply to ultragamer89 [2015-09-26 18:18:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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DeJiKo07 [2015-09-26 05:44:33 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work!

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harwicks-art In reply to DeJiKo07 [2015-09-26 18:18:16 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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templar127 [2015-09-26 04:25:06 +0000 UTC]

WOW! Dat detail!

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harwicks-art In reply to templar127 [2015-09-26 05:04:48 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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templar127 In reply to harwicks-art [2015-09-29 02:56:26 +0000 UTC]

heh sure thing!

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Bioshock140 [2015-09-26 03:08:26 +0000 UTC]

Amazing!

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harwicks-art In reply to Bioshock140 [2015-09-26 05:03:49 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Bioshock140 In reply to harwicks-art [2015-09-27 03:25:43 +0000 UTC]

No problem.

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Twylite-Sparkle [2015-09-26 02:47:16 +0000 UTC]

I love when these two are together...hope tomorrow dosen't disappoint.
Beautiful work as always!

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harwicks-art In reply to Twylite-Sparkle [2015-09-26 05:03:41 +0000 UTC]

Thank you... I can't imagine the episode could disappoint, myself!

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Twylite-Sparkle In reply to harwicks-art [2015-09-26 05:09:14 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome!

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TylerFreeFlight [2015-09-26 00:29:29 +0000 UTC]

That is an incredible piece of artwork, and the review of how character opposites can work well together was well reasoned out. Well done!   

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harwicks-art In reply to TylerFreeFlight [2015-09-26 00:56:10 +0000 UTC]

Thanks... I'm glad that you enjoyed it!

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EqDBot [2015-09-26 00:20:41 +0000 UTC]

This Deviation was featured in the following Equestria Daily Post www.equestriadaily.com/2015/09… Thank you for providing pony material for all of us to enjoy (This bot is unofficial, it is NOT affiliated with Equestria Daily. If you do not wish to get these notifications anymore, please just block this account.)

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harwicks-art In reply to EqDBot [2015-09-26 00:55:39 +0000 UTC]

Thanks bot!

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Phenometron [2015-09-25 23:56:48 +0000 UTC]

Absolute cuteness. <3

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harwicks-art In reply to Phenometron [2015-09-26 00:54:57 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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Akerlis [2015-09-25 23:19:07 +0000 UTC]

Lovely picture, they really do work off each other very well
Heh, but now when I see those two together outside of the show itself I always think of WhiteDiamonds by now  

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harwicks-art In reply to Akerlis [2015-09-26 00:54:47 +0000 UTC]

It's next to impossible not to!

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SimeonLeonard [2015-09-25 23:04:43 +0000 UTC]

I always enjoy seeing your art, and reading your commentary on the show and what inspires your work adds a lot to the experience. I couldn't agree more; Lauren and the team really did a masterful job of juxtaposing different traits in the mane cast.

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harwicks-art In reply to SimeonLeonard [2015-09-26 00:53:47 +0000 UTC]

I'm glad that people don't mind my droning on with each picture...  Thanks!

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Tamu569 [2015-09-25 22:53:45 +0000 UTC]

Aww, so cute x'3

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harwicks-art In reply to Tamu569 [2015-09-26 00:53:09 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!  They're a cute couple of ponies.

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timfortune9 [2015-09-25 22:06:49 +0000 UTC]

Most definitely. They play off of each other incredibly well and it is true that they're similar, but still so very different.
That's why the dynamic works.

Really, "Look Before You Sleep" was the episode that truly made me a fan of the show and it still ranks among my all-time favorites. All the episodes where these two play off each significantly ("Look Before You Sleep", "Sisterhooves Social", and "Simple Ways") are all within my favorite episodes period.

So while I loved having three straight weeks of Best Pony, this week's was the one I was looking forward to the most.
(As for "Friendship Games", I'll have to record and watch it later as as interested as I am in seeing it, it's airing at the same time as "Doctor Who" and I will not be missing that for it. )

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harwicks-art In reply to timfortune9 [2015-09-26 00:52:36 +0000 UTC]

I agree, this was the one I was most looking forward to as well.  Should be fun!

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VoltronZ1 [2015-09-25 21:25:56 +0000 UTC]

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj1Aes…

Pretty much. I'm surprised by how many people enjoy seeing these two together. They truly are the animated Odd Couple of recent years. Sweet.

Here's to the final episode of the Rarity Trilogy, as well as the start of the Friendship Games. Let's find out if they both have it.... GUTS!! (Sorry, I still think the new movie is a secret love letter to that classic Nick game show.)

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harwicks-art In reply to VoltronZ1 [2015-09-26 00:50:53 +0000 UTC]

I'm afraid most of classic Nick was after my time... but I'm looking forward to all the pony and pony-related stuff tomorrow too!

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Kyoshyu [2015-09-25 20:59:06 +0000 UTC]

Ish so pretty!

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harwicks-art In reply to Kyoshyu [2015-09-26 00:49:21 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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SeriousJupiter [2015-09-25 20:50:37 +0000 UTC]

I agree with EVERYTHING you said, those were some excellent points and observations. Somehow I never even realized how many times Twilight and Pinkie had been paired up until now. Another pony Pinkie gets many episodes with is Rainbow Dash, so I guess I was just used to thinking about those two when it came to episodes with Pinkie as one of the two main characters.

Anyway, you're absolutely right. Applejack and Rarity are definitely the most effective pair of complete opposites. (Except when they're shopping.) As much as I also like it when Applejack and Rainbow Dash team up, I feel that their competitiveness usually gets in the way of them getting things done and since they already feel the same way about a lot of things, neither of them can point out a different solution if their method for something isn't working. They're equals, of course, but they're constantly trying to one-up each other and that is usually not good. Applejack and Rarity's friendship may have started out rocky, but over time they've grown to understand and, even more importantly, respect each other and I love it. Tomorrow is going to be a great day.

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harwicks-art In reply to SeriousJupiter [2015-09-26 00:49:12 +0000 UTC]

Pinkie's obsession with Dash certainly makes that one of the pairings with her that leaps to mind most easily, I agree... I find it really adorable!  There are many great ways the characters can and do get paired up in the show:  Fluttershy and Rarity are spa buddies, Rainbow and Applejack are competitive, AJ often backs up Twilight on adventures, and so on.  Most of those are in-story reasons the characters get along... in-continuity bits to exploit.  With the complimentary pairings, I think it extends to creative reasons as well.

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mortalshinobi [2015-09-25 20:31:07 +0000 UTC]

cute lovely colors and look. nice emotion here.

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harwicks-art In reply to mortalshinobi [2015-09-25 20:33:13 +0000 UTC]

Thank you... it was kind of soothing to color this one.

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mortalshinobi In reply to harwicks-art [2015-09-25 20:34:10 +0000 UTC]

nice! it's good that it could be so relaxing for you.

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Daniel-SG [2015-09-25 19:46:48 +0000 UTC]

Hah, to be honest I'm far more excited for Friendship Games tomorrow than new episode.  

While I do love seeing those two together, I admit I tend to find their episodes to be a bit predictable. At least in how they tend to behave when stuck together. I tend to think fanon does more entertaining things with the two then the show does, but that's just me.  

Still, it has Rarity tomorrow, so I will try to watch it! And of course it's always wonderful seeing your amazing artwork Harwicks!  

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