Sophia rides Wildstar, Ava rides Leaf, Layla rides Glacier, Isabel rides River, Valentina rides Cinder, and Rory rides Storm. Each unicorn has a different kind of magic, and the riders need to earn their partners’ trust to use it together. These are their starting powers, so you can get to know the group without spoiling later upgrades.
The six rider and unicorn pairs
- Sophia Mendoza and Wildstar: light magic.
- Ava Banji and Leaf: plant magic.
- Layla Fletcher and Glacier: ice magic.
- Isabel Armstrong and River: water magic.
- Valentina Furi and Cinder: fire magic.
- Rory Carmichael and Storm: weather magic.
Sophia and Wildstar
Sophia is curious, determined, and willing to break a rule when she thinks it will lead her to the truth. That can help her uncover a mystery, but it also makes working with other people difficult. Wildstar is her partner, rather than a mount she can simply order around.
Wildstar uses light magic. She can light a path, send a signal, or distract a threat. Her rainbow-light bridge also lets the pair cross gaps that they could not ride across normally. Look for Sophia’s multicolored hair and Wildstar’s rainbow mane when the whole group is together.
Ava and Leaf
Ava is enthusiastic about unicorns and quick to care for the people and creatures around her. Leaf’s gentle nature suits her, and their partnership is built around that attention. Leaf uses plant magic, giving the pair a different way to help from Wildstar’s light-based abilities.
Layla and Glacier
Layla knows a great deal about unicorns, but reading about riding is different from climbing into the saddle. Glacier is strong and confident, which can be intimidating at first. Their partnership gives Layla room to become more confident without having to stop being thoughtful.
Glacier uses ice magic. She can freeze the ground and send out icy blasts. Layla’s glasses and bookish habits are useful clues if you are trying to identify her in a group scene.
Isabel and River
Isabel is an athlete and an experienced rider who likes to win. River is gentler and more easily frightened, so she has to pay attention to how he feels as well as how well they perform. His water magic can create water and control water already around them.
Valentina and Cinder
Valentina takes pride in her family’s history at the academy and wants other students to know how capable she is. Cinder shares her competitive streak. He uses fire magic, including fireballs from his horn and heat from his hooves. Their confidence makes them easy to notice, even before the flames appear.
Rory and Storm
Rory enjoys a joke and makes friends easily. Storm is just as fond of taking chances, so their adventures can get out of hand when neither slows the other down. Her weather magic includes thunder and lightning.
How bonding works
A unicorn’s magic is linked to its bond with a rider. The students have to build trust and understand their partners; being good at riding is not enough by itself. Their different personalities explain why some pairs struggle with confidence, patience, or competition before they can cooperate well.
The show introduces more mysteries and abilities as it continues. For a first watch, begin with the extended opening adventure and follow the series in order. That gives each new power and change in the friendships its story context.
Meet the cast and see more scenes on our Unicorn Academy series page.
Explore the Unicorn Academy hub.
For another group of magical friends, meet Twilight Sparkle and the Mane Six.
