This precious bugmoosehorse.

@Keith Mowz  
I still think Sombra looks pretty bad because the overuse of gradients made him look like a product of like, 2008 Newgrounds Flash animations. And his overall design just… wasn’t all that intimidating or flavorful, compared to NMM, Discord, and Chrysalis.  
(On the other hand, Changedlings handle the gradients a little better ‘cause, y’know, iridescent beetle carapaces and all that.)
 
Thorax’s design is still atrocious, but his writing and animation at least work with it and make the best of it in this episode.  
Kinda like Shining Armor and Cadance are cool characters, but the way they showed up out of nowhere as Twilight’s closest friends before she had friends is still pretty weird and forced.
 
Well, all that’s my opinion, anyways. I don’t keep up with the community so I’ve no idea what the popular opinion is, other than the Changedling design was pretty unpopular for a bunch of reasons.

@Keith Mowz  
Gotta love how absolutely no one ever has the foresight to realize when they’re knee-jerk reacting to things, even when they’ve done it before countless times. ‘Maybe I should give this a chance to grow on me as the show does things with it. Nah let’s make the fandom a dramafest!’

@TexasUberAlles
 
Same

I am so glad they let him stay a huge dork instead of making him try to be all regal an’ junk.

“Come one, class, try to keep up!”

@LadyTheRainicorn  
I still remembered coming in right as season 3 was about to come out and everyone was like “Eugh Sombra looks awful, such clashing colors with the black and red and purple-green eye stuff and all”
 
I was like “Yeah, no, it’ll take a bit to get used to and then we won’t even be able to see how we thought it was weird.” Like how at this point you don’t even notice Alitwi having wings as being anything noteworthy unless she does something conspicuous with them.

It’s practically a crime we don’t see him as much. I love Moosebug! x3

Thorax was adorable this entire episode and I hope we see him more.

@LadyTheRainicorn  
Aye, it helps that he’s outright adorable in his mannerisms anyway.

Adorable trotting bug horse! I love it.

Bug moose trotting = cuuuuuuuute

@Steel Crescent
 
This

he’s the cutest <3

I knew his design would grow on people
 
It just suits him