The Pony Thread (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)

[RoyKirbs]

Obligitary, really.

This is quite the cartoon, spreading over the internet like a wildfire for the past several months. It was produced by Lauren Faust, whom of which worked on several great cartoons in the past, such as Fosters and The Powerpuff Girls, and is that greatness carried over in the form of a cartoon literally based on a toy for little girls? Why yes, yes it is. Unlike several cartoons of this day, it's very well written. Good humour, most of the episodes have a good focus and a deicent story in them, the songs are good (Excluding the title theme, of course), and the most important thing of all, the characters are pretty interesting and quite well-developed.

To quote Lauren Faust's rebuttal made to someone who tried to smear the show:

I was extremely skeptical at first about taking the job. Shows based on girls' toys always left a bad taste in my mouth, even when I was a child. They did not reflect the way I played with my toys. I assigned my ponies and my Strawberry Shortcake dolls distinctive personalities and sent them on epic adventures to save the world. On TV, though, I couldn't tell one girl character from another and they just had endless tea parties, giggled over nothing and defeated villains by either sharing with them or crying–which miraculously inspired the villain to turn nice. Even to my 7-year-old self, these shows made no sense and couldn't keep my interest. No wonder the boys at school laughed at my Rainbow Unicorn Trapper Keeper.

From what I've seen since I've grown up, little has changed. To look at the quality of most girls' cartoons, it would seem that not one artist really cared about them. Not one designer, not one background painter, not one animator. Some of the more well-meaning, more expensive animated productions for girl audiences may look better, but the female characters have been so homogenized with old-fashioned “niceness” that they have no flaws and are unrelatable. They are so pretty, polite and perfect; there is no legitimate conflict and nothing exciting ever happens. In short, animated shows for little girls come across as boring. Stupid. Lame.

This perception, more than anything, is what I am trying to change with My Little Pony.

Now personally, I don't just love this show, I adore it. Probably the first cartoon in ages where I'm eager to watch every new episode. I'd highly take the "try it before you knock it" approach to this.

If you don't have the Hub, these following sources have you covered:
All the episodes thus far can be found on http://www.youtube.com/user/pensivepony
For the first episodes and recent ones in HD: http://www.youtube.com/user/MyLittlePony1080p
And for downloadable episodes and other types of things: http://www.derpyhooves.com/http://www.derpyhoovesnews.com/

Now, many people say the pilot episodes are weak in comparison to the rest of the show. Before this judgement is passed, I highly suggest you watch "Feeling Pinkie Keen", "Sonic Rainboom", and "Dragonshy", some of my favourite episodes.

So, are there any others who like this show as well? For the hell of it where would you fit on the following scale? I feel myself in the "Fluttershy" region myself.

Spoiler

 

[supersonic45]

My friend went crazy over this show for a while. At school I asked him how it was like and while he tried to explain it, he spewed out something along the lines of "The ponies have big... butts".

He's still denying he ever said that.

 

[fickleheart]

So, are there any others who like this show as well? For the hell of it where would you fit on the following scale?

I'd probably be somewhere between Applejack and Twilight Sparkle on the scale. :I

And goddamnit, Winter Wrap Up is an awesome song.

 

[Sonnarkku]

Seriously dude, what the heck, this is not even a show for girls, it is a show for little baby girls, I know some Sonic fanboys tend to like old school shows, such as Winnie Pooh, I can barely tolerate that, but this is just ridiculous...

 

[supersonic45]

Seriously dude, what the heck, this is not even a show for girls, it is a show for little baby girls, I know some Sonic fanboys tend to like old school shows, such as Winnie Pooh, I can barely tolerate that, but this is just ridiculous...

I just finished watching the first episode and this is the manliest show on a kids channel I've ever seen

 

[ChaseSP]

Seriously dude, what the heck, this is not even a show for girls, it is a show for little baby girls, I know some Sonic fanboys tend to like old school shows, such as Winnie Pooh, I can barely tolerate that, but this is just ridiculous...

While yes the intended watching audience IS little girls, it is quite well written and animated along with good voice actors to boot. And honestly I have no problem looking past that to see what I view as a good cartoon under it. Also around Fluttershy myself.

 

[fickleheart]

assumption

Have you watched the show yet? It's actually really appealing to all ages and genders if you watch an episode or two.

Intended audiences don't mean jack; how many eight-year-olds do you see playing Call of Duty or someshit?

 

[Scizor300]

Intended audiences don't mean jack; how many eight-year-olds do you see playing Call of Duty or someshit?

More like "How many 10-year-olds do you see on Xbox Live?"

Anyways, I'd place myself at about the Applejack portion of the scale.

 

[Charybdizs]

After reading this thread, I'm starting to feel bad for mocking this show... I've never even seen it before, yet I had made many a joke about it. I just assumed it was another one of these creepy, poorly made girl shows. I might have to watch an episode of this. In secret of course. At least at first! :p

Sonic fanboys tend to like old school shows, such as Winnie Pooh, I can barely tolerate that, but this is just ridiculous...

It happens to be that old school shows have weathered well for a reason. They're well written, humorous, imaginative and appealing to all mature people.

That's much more than can be said for shows like ICarly, or even half the crap on the TV.

EDIT: Eww, the author worked on Powerpuff Girls...
I hated that show with a passion when I was younger... I don't really know why though. Probably because it had yucky gurls in it.

 

[supersonic45]

EDIT: Eww, the author worked on Powerpuff Girls...
I hated that show with a passion when I was younger... I don't really know why though. Probably because it had yucky gurls in it.

I was always laughed at in school because I liked that show. I really don't know why.

Anyway, felt really nostalgic over Foster's home because the show it filled with the same humor and intelligence in it. Watched the first 2 episodes.

 

[TrueTenguMan]

Oh yes, the pilot episodes 1-2 were pretty weak, or rather should I say, zipped by too quickly for me to really get into it ((I mean alright... it wasn't anything too special, but it could have developed into something pretty freaking awesome had it been a bit deeper. Course too deep and it would have been another Spider Riders **Twitch/shudders**))

But yes I do like this show for it's well developed cast of characters and clever humor and well... I Love the ponies Rarity and Applejack <3

 

[Monsteriestyn]

Wow, Gsuki wasn't kidding. You guys actually talk about "My Little Pony" in #srb2fun, and now in the message board. It doesn't matter if the story is funny, it's about... ponies. It's what little 2-year-old girls love, and wish they could have. Having teenage boys talk about it is just... wrong.

You like Powerpuff Girls? Well it's about little girls, yes, but it has mature intense battles with drama around. Winnie the Poo? If you grew up with it, then I'm sure it's cause of fanboy-ism or plain nostalgia. Just not My Little Ponies, please.

*CZ64 turns on flame shield.

 

[MellowJacket]

I for one, welcome our new pony overlords.

Target audience or not, it's really quite good. I've only watched 2 episodes of the show so far, so I'll have to see whether it lives up the rather absurd hype and expectations set forth by the internet phenomena that is the ponies.

Finding out that Lauren Faust worked on this show was what made me decide to watch it. Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends was great <3 I suppose on that scale I'll sit on the 'Twilight Sparkle' category as a result, I like what I've seen so far and I was already a fan of Lauren Faust's work as it is.

Just not My Little Ponies, please.

Spoiler

 

[TrueTenguMan]

Having teenage boys talk about it is just... wrong.

Spoiler

Thats just a matter of perspective really. As weird and "wrong" as it may seem ((especially when it involves a girl's product)) got to give credit for a show that attracts guys to it which should have had the...other effect.

Speaking from my view though, I shouldn't have to live by the roles that, as any gender, sets for me. Media as is give kids the general idea that girls have act like innocent frail ladies while boys have to be tough and strong. Thats kinda the point Lauren made in her statement and well... she's right. I'm not saying now we need a show about 6 guy dragons ((Dinosaurs, turtles, humans, etc.)) who come in touch with their sensitive side and, despite their differing personalities, help others get along and learn from experiences while involved with multiple conflicts. But since when did we have an actual smart cartoon as of this generation? Very rare now unless I'm looking in the wrong area.

Though I will say I'm not too keen on the fact that we now have an alternate version of 4chan that involves this show, but I find it freaking hilarious that 4chan got pissed when the fans flooded the place with it's material. Obviously and hopefully it won't happen here since the majority of us are more tamed than a few other boards.

 

[fickleheart]

It doesn't matter if the story is about ponies, it's... funny.

You meant to say this, right? Please tell me you did. :(

 

[Sonnarkku]

got to give credit for a show that attracts guys to it which should have had the...other effect.

Media as is give kids the general idea that girls have act like innocent frail ladies while boys have to be tough and strong.

But since when did we have an actual smart cartoon as of this generation? Very rare now unless I'm looking in the wrong area.

A kid show made for 6 year old girls that attracts 15+ boys is not much better than a porn movie directed to 18+ year old men that attracts 6- kids.

Men are not meant to act tough, and girls are not meant to be innocent, just meant not to look completeley androgynous and stick to some rules.

A good cartoon for the era I dunno? But is there something more humiliating than saying "I adore a pink pony value-teaching show" in public?

 

[supersonic45]

Wow, Gsuki wasn't kidding. You guys actually talk about "My Little Pony" in #srb2fun, and now in the message board. It doesn't matter if the story is funny, it's about... ponies. It's what little 2-year-old girls love, and wish they could have. Having teenage boys talk about it is just... wrong.

You like Powerpuff Girls? Well it's about little girls, yes, but it has mature intense battles with drama around. Winnie the Poo? If you grew up with it, then I'm sure it's cause of fanboy-ism or plain nostalgia. Just not My Little Ponies, please.

*CZ64 turns on flame shield.

I think this is a double standard. It's perfectly normal for a teenage girl to talk about a 2 year old boy show that just came out, yet when a teenage boy watches a 2year old girl show everyone calls him a creep, among others.

Take this into perspective: Why can 40+ year old women swoon and cream over young actors *cough* Twilight *cough* and it's accepted - but the moment a man shows interest in Selena Gomez or a young actress - they're labeled a pervert?

 

[Autosaver]

A kid show made for 6 year old girls that attracts 15+ boys is not much better than a porn movie directed to 18+ year old men that attracts 6- kids.

Men are not meant to act tough, and girls are not meant to be innocent, just meant not to look completeley androgynous and stick to some rules.

A good cartoon for the era I dunno? But is there something more humiliating than saying "I adore a pink pony value-teaching show" in public?

Huh?

It would be a bit awkward to hang out with your friends and admit to liking and watching a cartoon called "My Little Pony".

 

[ChaseSP]

Wow, Gsuki wasn't kidding. You guys actually talk about "My Little Pony" in #srb2fun, and now in the message board. It doesn't matter if the story is funny, it's about... ponies. It's what little 2-year-old girls love, and wish they could have. Having teenage boys talk about it is just... wrong.

Calling it wrong is basically demonizing it which is quite the overreaction. Yes it is about ponies. However there is an amazing ability some people have which enables them to ignore small things that they would generally have issues with. The anonymity of the internet helps this as well.

 

[JEV3]

I think what you're seeing here, CZ64, is that people are willing to look at a show critically to look for actual quality despite a premise that targets a different audiences. Now there does seem to be some kind of bandwagon mentality to this, if I check it out it will be because someone I know has recommended it, not because it seems to be a popular topic.

Now the connection between this and nostalgic cartoons probably is appropriate, most people here respect and revere some of the classics. At this point, its probably a "beggars can't be choosers" deal. Maybe if the standards for cartoons in general was a little higher you might find the reaction you're looking for.

I will be completely honest. My initial reaction to this was similar to yours. However, I wanted to be open-minded about this... after all, I think its unfair to enforce stereotypes on an individual basis, they're already impossible to avoid in terms of society.

Maybe this isn't exactly something you can talk about IRL without people making a few assumptions but here we already respect the work so what's the problem talking about it here?