Have always liked Rarity a lot, she is one of the more interesting, more consistently written and more complex ponies forming the Mane 6 and some of her best episodes are high points of 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic'. Especially striking in episodes with complex scenarios that sees inner conflict. "It Isn't the Mane Thing About You" sounded on paper like that kind of episode and the idea sounds intriguing. Up to this point Season 7 was mostly good if not consistent, with only three disappointments that were still not misfires and also with two of the show's best episodes in a long while.
"It Isn't the Mane Thing About You" is not one of the best episodes of Season 7, nor is it one of the worst. Probably put it somewhere around high middle and one of the better episodes of the season's second half. It is a very good episode in my view with very little wrong and does a great job characterising Rarity in a difficult situation, despite not quite having the extra something that "The Royal Problem" and "The Perfect Pear" had that made them special.
There is actually very little to criticise about "It Isn't the Mane Thing About You". The Equestria residents' thoughtlessness and selfishness are on the overdone side here, being somebody that hates negative character traits being exaggerated unless it's part of the concept (like with "Fame and Misfortune"). Davenport is especially annoying.
Zecora could have played a larger role in the story, other than being a setting the action up plot device.
On the other hand, Rarity is very well written here. She has her flaws, with a lot of insecurity wallowing (though that is relatable actually to me, being somebody who suffers from it while acknowledging it's a flaw of mine) and doesn't handle the situation well. She also has her strengths, she has good intentions in making things better and inspiration really is a virtue. The other regular characters are handled well, the silly string stuff not getting too silly, and it was great to see Starlight Glimmer be more part of the group and on the same page with the others. The voice acting is terrific from particularly Tabitha St Germain embodying Rarity's numerous emotions throughout the episode.
Animation is full of vibrant colour and nuanced detail, have also really admired how overtime it has gotten more polished and imaginative and it was something that was great from the very beginning. The music is dynamic and has atmosphere. The writing doesn't take itself too seriously while not sugar-coating, it has a lot of heart but also a lot of brains. Pinkie Pie and Rarity have some lovely comedic moments. The moral is not an original one (that doesn't matter though) and some may find it shallow (as Rarity actually isn't ugly, just in an ugly situation), to me it was actually done tactfully and honestly while also fitting what Rarity herself stands for. The story is charming, lively and has emotional impact.
In conclusion, very well done. 8/10.
