Why My Little Pony?

[SveciaDash 365]

I've been thinking alot lately about MLP FiM, and I find it hard to wrap around my head.

 

How is it so good? When someone asks me why I like the show so much I have a really really difficult time to explain why (animation/voice acting/stories ofcourse) but I somehow feel that its something more than that.

 

I know that not everyone takes the show to the extremes as some do.

 

Just to give some background on me as a person who likes movies etc, I am a HUGE Lord of The Rings fan and I mostly spent my younger years running around the forests with sticks pretending to be Aragorn, and I kept up with playing that for maybe like 4 years, even at the point where I was 12 and running around, waving wooden sticks around isnt considered normal for a child anymore.

 

And yet... with the new hobbit films comming out, I can honestly say that I was looking forward to season 4 even more than the hobbit sequel.

 

And heres another example, I played World of Warcraft for 7-8 years (not playing it anymore) and im a HUGE fan of the warcraft series, yet over those 7-8 years ive never been on forums as much as I have for MLP. And ive never bought any warcraft related merchandise except game cards ofcourse.

 

Ive only been a brony since August 2013 so im fairly new, but I still love every single moment of it. And in this short period of time, ive bought way more related MLP merchandise than Ive ever spent on Lord of the Rings/ warcraft stuff. (only have 3 shirts, 2 plushies a tattoo and a keyring) And that brings up another thing. My MLP tattoo, I wanted to get a mlp tattoo since like november, a few months after I became a brony, but I had NEVER  considered getting a tatto about LoTR or warcraft.

 

So why have I become more dedicated, over a ''little girls show'' over the course of 9ish months than things ive liked for 10 years. It isnt a phase either, I guarantee it.

 

its strange how I prefer MLP over any other film or series, nothing in my mind comes even close to MLP, it's pure joy when I watch it and im truly happy when ive watched an MLP episode.

 

This thread doesnt make alot of sence.

 

 

BUT WHY is this show so fu**ing good, while an awesome fandom behind it even makes it better, I would've still loved the show to no end even if bronies werent around. Its really hard to explain but theres something very unique and very very special about MLP FiM that I cant really explain.

 

Its just a cartoon they cry, but to me its truly something more. Like I said before, I cant explain it and when I try to figure it out, im like a 3 year old in a college.

 

I might just be insane though.

[PE Brony 1,712]

I don't know what ta tell ya. The only two downsides to the show are the intro being the girliest thing, and the negative connotation we get for liking a show aimed at a different audience.

 

I love everything about it too. The ponies, the voice actors, the animation, the color, the style, the script, the interaction between characters, the little subtleties in movement or the easter eggs scattered throughout the show. The fandom gives so much support to the market that it's taken other fans to make incredibly accurate and well-made toys and other merchandise that Hasbro has not been willing and/or able to produce. They definitely weren't expecting to sell toys to guys. Gotta love the fans for making the good stuff!

 

I've also been a huge LotR fan for years, though I have contemplated buying merchandise (the One Ring, many of the swords, Arwen's pendant, etc), but to this day, the only merchandise I've ever bought having to do with a show or game has been a Catching Fire poster, and a couple figurines from the Halo franchise (and I've actually gotten rid of most of those since they got broken  ). But I am looking to buy MLP stuff once I have the money to do so. Oh wait, I DID buy something from MLP, and how could I forget! My Rainbow Dash cutie mark cuff links! Haha I wanted something somewhat subtle, but still awesome. Only people who know about the show recognize them for what they are, but they're super good-looking.

 

End result: Everything about this show is awesome.  -_-

[ghostfacekiller39 23,879]

Because I like it. At least, that's how it is for me. There's not really a need to explain why you like the show to people, because chances are, they probably won't get it. 

 

Just say "It's something you have to see for yourself" if someone asks you. It doesn't matter what people think about your bronydom, though - just the fact that you enjoy it is all that really matters

[The Crimson Cross 7,533]

A couple of things that stand out for me is how colourful and happy the show is! MLP seems to be a very upbeat kind of show! Plain and simple, the show makes me happy, and probably a better person too! 

 

It seems like the animators and developer really know what they're doing to make a show like MLP this good. it's not only the animation but the stories and the characters, the music, even the tiny little filming techniques! 

 

Even if it was meant for little girls, it was meant to be an excellent show, and an excellent show it is!

 

Also on another note, the fandom itself is rather attractive to get into, so maybe it has something to do with that too?

Edited June 5, 2014 by The Golden Cross

[Nulln 755]

It's cute.  It's funny.  It's colorful.  It has ponies.  It has relatable characters.  It has a sweet innocence about it.

[[NULL] 907]

On top of how there's obviously effort being put into it (which has already been said multiple times), I've always liked the idea of something originally bad being remade into something good. It kind of makes it seem better than it really is.

Don't get me wrong, I think the show is really good on it's own, especially with more recent episodes. I probably wouldn't have been as invested in it, if G3 didn't exist.

[Avatar tag: shipping 299]

A better question is why NOT My Little Pony?

[Celli 4,349]

I feel you, bro. I'm exactly the same way. 

 

The only two downsides to the show are the intro being the girliest thing

I personally have a soft spot for the intro. I dunno, it's catchy and it never bothered me.

[Sunshower Raindrops 3,227]

Discord originally brought me into the show. Fluttershy kept me in to fall for the others.

Edited June 5, 2014 by Sunshower Raindrops

[PE Brony 1,712]

I personally have a soft spot for the intro. I dunno, it's catchy and it never bothered me.

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't mind it. It's infinitely better than the previous version of it! However, when it starts up, it can draw some pretty negative looks from non-bronies. Remember that "Teens React to: My Little Pony" video? They only showed them the freaking intro!! Nopony's gonna ever know how good the show is just because they see the intro! I actually have the intro set as a ringtone, but it's the 8bit version. haha

[Celli 4,349]

Oh don't get me wrong, I don't mind it. It's infinitely better than the previous version of it! However, when it starts up, it can draw some pretty negative looks from non-bronies. Remember that "Teens React to: My Little Pony" video? They only showed them the freaking intro!! Nopony's gonna ever know how good the show is just because they see the intro! I actually have the intro set as a ringtone, but it's the 8bit version. haha

Yeah. I don't watch FiM without headphones and I only watch it on my computer. My parents know, but there's no point watching it on t.v. when I watch everything on my pc i.e. Netflix and Youtube. 

[Justin_Case001 4,933]

This thread doesnt make alot of sence.

Or does it make so much sense that you just blew your mind?  The answer is yes.  Your post makes more sense than anything in the world.  You're most definitely not insane, OP.  I basically feel exactly the same way.

 

I've mulled and ruminated on this subject exhaustively.  Maybe there's no definitive answer, but there doesn't need to be.  MLP is very special and unique.  There is something indescribable about it, isn't there?  And there's something very special about this fandom, too.

 

I love MLP, but I also love loving MLP, if that statement makes sense.  It's not just a show, it's an ideal of hope and a catalyst for positive social change.  Here's an idea: would the show and fandom feel so special if the show was marketed for adults, and if it had been completely normal and socially acceptable from the beginning for men/adults to like it?  I, and I'm sure most bronies, can safely say that I would still love the show, but I have to admit that there is indeed some special and a little exciting about breaking social norms and stereotypes.  It's about learning to be proud of who you are and what you love, and encouraging and inspiring others to do the same.  Let's face it: loving LOTR or Game of Thrones (which I do) is great, but it's also normal and doesn't make one feel special in any way.  Nobody is posting threads asking for words of encouragement to wear their LOTR shirt in public.  But when we stand up and show our pride for our love of MLP, it has much more impact, specifically because the haters exist.  Ideally, I believe the dream of all bronies is that it becomes completely socially acceptable for anyone to like what they like, and be proud of it.  It's our wish to be able to walk down the pink isle in Toys R Us and buy MLP merch with our heads held high, and not get so much as one single weird glance.  We dream of complete tolerance and acceptance.  But then again, in an ironic way, this fandom wouldn't feel so special if such acceptance existed from the beginning.  Perhaps there's an inherent part of humanity that desires rebeliion to promote positive change.  Think about this: if our world had been a loving, accepting, tolerant utopia since the dawn of time, we wouldn't have heroes to admire for their courage, and how they changed the world.  If blacks had been given equal rights from the beginning, we wouldn't have incredible role models like MLK Jr, Rosa Parks, and Jackie Robinson.  Folks need heroes.

 

Now, don't misunderstand me.  I'm not saying it is in fact good that we've had hate throughout history.  Of course I wish for the tolerant utopia.  I wish there were no brony haters.  That would be ideal.  What I'm saying is that hate spawns a counter reaction of love.  Love, courage, and defiance to defeat said hate.  The darkness in humanity shows how bright the light can shine.

 

Liking MLP does not make us inherently special.  But, at the risk of sounding arrogant, sometimes I feel like, yeah, it kinda does.  When I watch Futurama, I just feel like an average schmuck.  But when I tell someone I love MLP, when I wear an MLP shirt, I feel like I'm making a difference.  I feel like I might be inspiring someone else to be proud of what they love, and not worry about what some haters might think.  Perhaps that's part of the magic of MLP.  Perhaps that's why we're drawn to it more than other things we love.

 

It's a great show in its own right, in and of itself.  But why My Little Pony?  Perhaps because we inevitably wanted to change the world.

 

That's just my theory.  Like I said, I think about this kind of thing a lot.

 

 

I personally have a soft spot for the intro. I dunno, it's catchy and it never bothered me.

Me too.  I kinda know what PE Brony means, though, about it being the girliest thing.  I felt that way at first, but then it grew on me.  Now I actually sing the intro in the shower.  Not just the shortened in-show version, but the whole, extended version with all verses.  So, yeah...

Edited June 5, 2014 by Justin_Case001