After the Spyro Reignited Trilogy in 2018, the possibility of Cynder being reintroduced in a new Spyro game has been a common topic of discussion in the Spyro fandom. One of the character artists for Reignited, Nicholas Kole, drew his own fan interpretation of Cynder in the Reignited universe, which sparked further speculation and discussion amongst the fanbase on what kind of character Cynder will be portrayed as if she was officially brought back.
Fans have drawn their own takes on a Reignited Cynder, some as one of the five standard Dragon Families from Spyro 1, or as an independent individual; with or without an insect companion, or an anti-hero or a villain. The possibilities are endless, especially for a well-known beloved character. Let's go over her canon counterparts, from her beginnings to her recent incarnation.
Legend of Spyro Cynder (original)
The Legend of Spyro reboot is where we are first introduced to the Cynder character. A fictional dragon who many have resonated and cherished for years to come for her and her iconic backstory. During development, she was envisioned as the "Anti-Spyro", the polar opposite of the purple hero in terms of origins, personality and prowess. Originally portrayed as a villain, we learn along with Spyro of Cynder's true nature: a victim of corruption, robbed of most of her life by Malefor, the story's main villain in his goal to free himself from his otherwordly prison. When Spyro ultimately defeated Cynder, she was returned to her natural form: a small dragon the same size and age as Spyro.
Freed from Malefor's control, Cynder thrives to find her own place in the world while fighting against the one who corrupted her, to prove that she is no longer Malefor's monster. A story campaign for Cynder was planned for the second game installment of the Legend trilogy, The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night, that would've explored Cynder's side of the story. Unfortunately it was scrapped due to difficulties in implementing the idea. During The Eternal Night, we see a remorseful side of Cynder that wants to lift the burden off those she had previously hurt, but wound up getting swept back into the shadows of her past and the crossfires of Spyro's destiny.
 |
Cynder's corrupted form
|
 |
| Cynder's natural form |
Sierra also pushed for a more strong female lead in Cynder and gave her powers equal to Spyro as a result of her time as Malefor's minion. Scrapped content would've included Cynder facing her dark past by actually putting on the iron shackles that were associated with her dark form from A New Beginning. She is faced with those who know her as her time as Malefor's puppet, the "Terror of the Skies", but she pushed through her doubts to show that she was no longer that monster. As the story concluded, Cynder became one of the memorable characters in the Spyro franchise, so much that she was brought over to other franchises.
A short summary of OG Cynder:
- Cynder's dragon egg was one of the many eggs kept at the Dragon Temple for safety during the endless war against the Dark Master
- Cynder's egg was stolen by the Dark Master's minions during the temple raid that killed many unborn dragons
- Corrupted by Malefor's dark magic at a young age to serve him. Ruled and terrorized the land for years as a nearly unstoppable monster
- Defeated by Spyro, freed from Malefor's control and brought back to normal
- Seeks to find her own place in the world, redeem herself for all she had done under Malefor’s control
- Gained dark elements of Poison, Fear, Wind and Shadow as a result of Malefor’s corruption
- Forms a love connection with Spyro
 |
| Cynder's redesign for Dawn of the Dragon |
Skylanders Cynder
Sometime after the announcement of Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure in 2011, fans speculated that Cynder might be included in the game's playable character roster along with Spyro. Many were caught by surprise when speculation turned out to be true after press releases revealed Cynder's Series 1 toy figure a month before the game's release. Her reveal received mixed reception from older Spyro fans, but Cynder was welcomed nonetheless by the young target audience for Skylanders.
The Skylanders counterpart of Cynder is one of the Undead Skylanders, resembling her Dawn of the Dragon redesign 5 years prior to 2011. She shared many similarities to her original Legend counterpart; most notably her biography having references to her original backstory. This is because the game producers of The Legend of Spyro reboot (Michael Graham and Christopher Wilson) worked with Toys For Bob on Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure and had a hand in reintroducing Cynder to a new generation of gamers.
Biography
While just an egg, Cynder was stolen by the henchmen of an evil dragon named Malefor and raised to do his bidding. For years, she spread fear throughout the land until she was defeated by Spyro the Dragon and freed from the grip of Malefor. But dark powers still flow through her, and despite her desire to make amends for her past, most Skylanders try to keep a safe distance... just in case.
 |
| Series 3 "Phantom" Cynder artwork |
Although very similar to her original counterpart, Skylanders Cynder has a few differences that sets them apart. She is given more characterization when interacting with other characters besides Spyro. She shows a protective side when defending her friends, those who can't defend themselves and when people are mockingly dismissive of her fellow Skylanders who also have a dark past like her (Hex).
- Born in Skylands
- Had a family
- Kidnapped as an egg by minions of the Undead Dragon King Malefor
- At a young age, she was corrupted into an Undead dragon to serve Malefor and terrorized Skylands for years
- Defeated by Spyro, freed from Malefor's control
- Desires to make amends for her past and was given a chance to be a Skylander to redeem herself
- Can be menacing, wicked, mischievous and snarky, but still on the side of good
- Has Undead powers as a result of Malefor’s corruption: Undead electricity and Shadow abilities
- Like all Undead characters, Cynder likes dark and brooding places like graveyards and the underworld
- Close friends with Spyro
Following the release of Spyro's Adventure, a sequel was announced a few months after: Skylanders: Giants. Cynder was among the next toy lineup and was given a Series 2 toy repose that included a new "Wow Pow" ability. Series 2 Cynder was also included as one of the Starter Pack Skylanders for Skylanders: Giants, and was even featured in the game's E3 2012 trailer.
The following title, Swap Force, gave Cynder a Series 3 repose called "Phantom Cynder" with another "Wow Pow" ability. A Series 4 Cynder was planned for Skylanders: Trap Team, but was scrapped from the toy lineup in the end during development. Due to the forward and backward compatibilities of the Skylander console games, fans are able to play as any one of the Cynder figures they have (Series 1, 2, or 3) in any of the games going forward.
Cynder's appearance in Skylanders didn't stop as a playable character. She was chosen as the title character of the story novel, Cynder Confronts the Weather Wizard, part of the Skylanders: Mask of Power book series, a prequel to Spyro's Adventure. Afterwards, she has made an appearance in the IDW Skylanders comics, mainly the Return of the Dragon King story arc that also debuted the Skylanders version of Malefor, who was responsible for Cynder's dark past in the franchise.
In the latest Skylanders console title, Imaginators, Cynder was given a brief non-playable character role as a Storyteller, guiding the playable Skylander/Imaginator halfway through the Cursed Tiki Temple chapter. This was to promote her upcoming inclusion in the Skylanders Academy Netflix series below.
Skylanders Academy Cynder
Along with Spyro and Malefor, the Skylanders Academy television series introduced another interpretation of Cynder, since the show is a different canon separate from the Skylanders game series. Unlike her previous incarnations, Academy Cynder was intentionally given a new identity in terms of personality and a new friendship was created between her and Spyro for the show that isn't affected by previous continuities. Her connection with Malefor remains but in a surprisingly different form.
- Born into a family of evil dragon overlords
- Princess and heir to the throne of the Cadaverous Crypts in the underworld
- Father is Malefor, the evil Dragon King of the Cadaverous Crypts
- Doesn't want to be evil like her family
- Wants to be a Skylander, a hero, instead
- Is a pacifist, doesn't want to hurt anyone, not even sheep
- Joins Skylanders Academy as a cadet to become a Skylander
- Has Undead electricity powers, can Shadow Dash, has a psychic ability that allows her to see the best route to anywhere in the Skylands
