Skydancer in the United Kingdom
Skydancer was sold in the United Kingdom from the end of 1984,
although her set was officially part of 1985, and appeared on the
1985 UK insert. The set had been released in North America the
year before, in 1983-4, and there are no major variations in pony
or accessory between these releases. The card style was
distinctive in the UK, being vertical rather than horizontal.
There was only one set of Rainbow Ponies in the United Kingdom,
unlike in other places. For this reason, it is highly likely that
Skydancer and her companions stayed in stores until around 1986,
although this is hard to completely verify. They are not uncommon
second hand.
There can be minor variations in batch with ponies from this set,
including slightly different plastic shades on the body, magenta
shades in the hair, and whether or not the glitter on the symbol
is underwritten with a printed marking (rather than just being
glitter).
Skydancer in Other Places
Skydancer was part of the North American release in 1983-4. She
was also part of several European releases, where she was often
found made in places such as Italy or France, sometimes with
alternate colouring or pose. She was not rereleased in the 1985
set in North America, but was available through subsequent
horseshoe point mail in offers up to around 1986.
"Himmelstänzer"
In 1987, a pony based on Skydancer's body colour and symbol was
sold in Germany and other German speaking countries under the
name "Himmelstänzer"
(Skydancer or more literally, heaven dancer). She has generally
become known as 'German Skydancer', although her pose, species
and hair colours are distinct from the original release.
Skydancer's Character
Starshine had no backcard story in the UK, although her later
fact file entry denotes her the best dancer of this
(pre-dance-themed pony release) pony world. Her US backcard also
mentions that she is the best ballerina of all the ponies and
that she loves to dance. She is the only early Rainbow pony to
appear in the animated series, having a cameo at the start and
end of Escape from Catrina, but she has no meaningful spoken
role and it is not possible to discern an onscreen character
from her appearances.
Skydancer, dressed in "Scarlet Sensation", in the fashion
parade at the end of Escape from Catrina.
