Spike isnt necessarily apart of the "mane 6", though that doesnt automatically make him not a main character of the show. So what's your opinion? Is Spike a main character, and why do you think he is or isnt?
Pretty much what Rockout said. I know "Power Ponies" stressed that Spike was a valuable asset to the Mane 6, but...well, that message kinda gets watered down when Spike's eventually reduced to 'nacho boy'.
In my opinion, I do think he is a main character. He has a large amount of screen time comparable to that of the main 6 excluding Twilight. I can see why people think he may be a supporting role, because thats what he does, he supports. While he has multiple episodes with him in the spotlight, his strongest spot is to help the other ponies, to support them. His personality allows for the others characters to be balanced. By this, I believe Spike transcends the supporting role, because his support is so strong that without him the story would have a lot less to work off of. This is what makes Spike one of the most important characters on the show. - - Auto Merge - - There is one undeniable fact that makes Spike a main character. His ability to function alone even if he isnt in the spotlight. If a certain pony isnt in the spotlight for an episode, they almost always are with the others, while Spike stands out. He is able to fit any glove and him alone, without the help of other ponies, can play an important role even if the episode doesnt surround him, unlike the any of the mane 6 (excluding Twilight) when they are singled out. So basically, if you seperate the characters, Spike plays a stronger role than any of the other ponies can alone.
You mean the episode where Spike gets away with extortion, theft, destruction of property, kidnapping, and assault? I'm still convinced that Twilight used a memory wipe spell on the entire town afterwards, because I find it difficult to believe that everypony forgave Spike for his rampage.
As much as I might not like Spike all that much, I will admit that yes, he's a main character. He's had too much screentime to be a background character, and since he's been there since day 1 and has had several of his own episodes, it's not really fair to call him a recurring character either. Which makes him a main character.
He's a "main character", but moreso just a sidekick and thrown in sometimes for comedy relief...that's about it.
He's never been truly relevant to the main plot of the show, so in my eyes he's not a main character despite having a few episodes focussed on him.
He's the Alfred to Twilight's Batman, he's been pretty relevant. Plus he gets way more screentime than Alfred ever got lol
Which version of Alfred are we talking about? :v The Michael Caine version has been somewhat relevant, but none of the past versions even came close to being relevant. And tbh, Spike really hasn't been. This is about the closest he ever got to being relevant, and Cadance overshadowed him. [video=youtube;WsmJ81SXE4M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsmJ81SXE4M[/video]
How exactly is someone relevant in a show with a new conflict each episode? And in each of these conflicts, Spike is often relevant, ESPECIALLY in Twilight themed episodes. Even in some non-Twlight themed episodes Spike is decently relevant.
Spike is a plot device. He ruins everything and causes problems that the ponies then have to solve. He's useless for the sake of being useless. With how much stuff he's destroyed and/or ruined, I can't figure out why they keep him around. Twilight must feel really sorry for him.
He isnt the only character who "ruins" things. One of the major themes of the show is mistakes. Plus, there is a lot more to Spike then destroying things. Just listen to some of the things he says, and how he reacts to other ponies problems. Its not hard to see he is an emotionally deep character.
