The written portion of this Critique will be run by the numbers, so to speak. HazuraSinner, I hope you can understand &/or forgive me, but the gloves come off for this ;x .


1. Vision = 3.5

Rather obviously, fan-works of any type draw upon the Vision of others' creation. This is not necessarily a "bad" thing; if anything, Lauren Faust and Hasbro Studios should feel swept-off-your-feet flattered that so many are so artistically inspired by their creation of MLP:FiM.

Nonethless, it is a simple default technical factor that fan-works are making use of someone else's Vision and adapting to their own. [-1.0 stars]

While I have no idea who first came up with or applied the concept of humanized ponies, this theme is not particularly a "new" Vision either. [-0.5 stars]

Conversely, the particular anime style for her pony-humanizations HazuraSinner has chosen to work with is an excellent theme. This is especially true since the general anime style of art, with its also-generally large eyes, well reflects how the canon MLP:FiM animation's large eyes for its cartoon ponies. [+0.5 stars]

Another important factor to note is that HazuraSinner has stayed the course to her anime-style theme throughout her works, taking into account refinements along the way, culminating to this "Season 3 finale" fan-work, shows dedication to her particular Vision of humanized ponies. Staying true to one's Vision is an important core aspect to any artist. [+1.0 stars]

Overall in this category, having a well-defined Vision, being able to clearly share one's Vision with others, and showing dedication to one's Vision, these are high marks for any Artist. [+2.0 stars]


2. Originality = 3.5

As with Vision, this fan-work suffers in Originality for directly using MLP:FiM for this particular work. Fan-works such as this, are inherently, are not "original" by any technical definition. [-1.0 stars]

Likewise, an additonal penalty is suffered for direct use of the musical scene from "Magical Mystery Cure" (S03, Ep13), since the work is a picture-still compiling the musical scenes and song's chorus. Again, not something that qualifies under Originality. [-0.5 stars]

These penalties are not from any malice, simply technical factors that cannot be avoided, nor should be ignored, no matter how much a Critique writer may love the source materiel &/or the Artist's skills. There is nothing wrong with an Artist drawing directly upon a favoured source-materiel; quite often the opposite, providing Inspiration is one of the highest (but sadly unsung & unlamented) forms of artistic originality.

However, the counter-balance producing fan-work is that the Artist must also accept the Responsibilty of directly drawing upon said source-materiel for producing such fan-works they enjoy making.

Despite the technical penalties, HazuraSinner positively compensates in the Originality category by giving each of the "Mane Six" her touch of artistic individuality per character, while retaining canon recognizability. Applejack's stockier body and work-tanned skin, Fluttershy's lanky and taller height, Pinkie Pie's rounder body, Rainbow Dash's shorter but athletic body, Rarity's paler skin, Twilight Sparkle's dusky skin, and other details that set apart from the canon ponies who are all (generally) all the same height & build. This goes a long way to show how HazuraSinner envisions each humanized pony from her artistic eyes. [+1.0 stars]

A major positive factor towards Originality is HazuraSinner's conversion of pegasus wings to the ghostly "seraph" wings for the human translation from MLP:FiM's pegasus' wings. The ghostly "seraph" wings keep the flying characters human while retaining the magical nature of the MLP:FiM world. This shows excellent "translative" Creativity, which is an important aspect of Originality. [+2.5 stars]


3. Technique = 4.0

Here is where HazuraSinner's skills truly come into light for this work. In an ironic symmetry, this work is as much a culmination of practice, development, and refinement from her previous MLP:FiM fan-works; just as how the scene and song represents the culmination of 3 seasons of MLP:FiM. [+1.0 stars]

One minor negative is a "missing" transitioning element for the top portion. Where-as the bottom-half of the work has transition elements in the form of Rarity's bale of cloth and Rainbow Dash's rainbow flight-trail, there is nothing transitioning Pinkie Pie's restoration to true cheery self and the "Mane Six's" group-shot. As a result, the "missing" transition element becomes noticeable. A parade banner &/or party streamer could have functioned there. [-0.5 stars]

Another minor negative is the order of the depicted scenes to the lyrics. Between the sequence of depicted scenes in the song, the chorus lyrics, and alicorn-Twilight's position at the bottom of the work, it feels out of order/sequence; or more accurately, it is in opposing directions, one going up (song lyrics) and the other going down (song scenes). With the theme and nature of this fan-work, the depicted scenes and the chorus lyrics should probably flow in the same direction in similarity to its source (most likely flowing downward with a vertical banner work such as this). [-0.5 stars]

Other than those minor negatives, HazuraSinner's technical artistic skill for this work are high-marked, the work is clean, clear, & well-defined. [+3.0 stars, or 3.0 stars set-minimum regardless of any penalties that might bring the score lower]


4. Impact = 3.0

The obvious Impact of this work comes from the much-lauded, and pseudo-controversial, MLP:FiM episode of "Magical Mystery Cure" (S03, Ep13), with its stellar muscial scene & song of "True True Friends." The majority of those who come or find the way here to view this fan-work are very likely to know its source.

However, this is still hitching one's Artistic train-car to another's engine, and riding upon their momentum and inertia. [-1.0 stars]

Likewise, the fan-based & fan-art nature of this fan-work (I know, I know... I used too many "fans" -_- ) means it cannot really apply much of an Impact outside a rather specific niche in the artistic world. [-1.0 stars]

That being said, it is hard for any viewers of this fan-work not to have a reaction to it. Whether you smile from its artistic quality, are moved by its song & scene reference, or are heart-warmed by its meaning, HazuraSinner has delivered a fan-work that reaches out to any MLP:FiM fan of any age &/or gender, or taste (even for those who do not like pony-human conversions). [+3.0 stars]


5. (Overall) Devious Rating = 3.5

[3.5 (vision) + 3.5 (originality) + 4.0 (technique) + 3.0 (impact) = 14 / 4 = 3.5 (overall averaged score)]

Overall, HazuraSinner definitively delivers an above-average work, even if catered only to the fan-community of MLP:FiM. I personally will continue to follow HazuraSinner's line of artistic works, and not necessarily just her MLP:FiM fan-works .

Love the colors and imagery on this. The designes of the ponies turned people is lots of fun too. Major major kudos for giving them various body types and not making them all look like clones with different wigs and clothes. (Which is more than I can say for the new EQUESTRIA GIRLS show that's in the works.)

I kinda sorta wish there was a LITTLE more detail in the coloring of Twilights wings. Maybe they could use more "Sparkle?"

Okay, that joke was bad. And I should feel bad.

I guess, maybe a little more work could have been put into the shadows on some of the characters but overall I'm happy with what I see.

FAVED!