Should Hasbro drop MLP out of MLP:FiM?

[Jeric 46,852]

No, G1 doesn't ponify words and phrases. However, not only do G1 ponies look more like ponies, they act like them too. There's even hints that G1 ponies age like 'normal' horses too!

Gotcha. I was honestly curious. While I was never a fan of G1 at the time, the art style never really bugged me. It's just different and I prefer Lauren Fausts concept better.

 

On a related note, I kinda get where you're coming from. I'm a huge G1 Transformers fan (also Hasbro and Sunbow) and when Beast Wars came out I remember thinking that they should just drop the whole Transformers branding because it just didn't feel like TF. In fact, I still feel that every version of that franchise after G1 pales by comparison, even though the writing is probably better in some if the later series'.

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

Gotcha. I was honestly curious. While I was never a fan of G1 at the time, the art style never really bugged me. It's just different and I prefer Lauren Fausts concept better.

On a related note, I kinda get where you're coming from. I'm a huge G1 Transformers fan (also Hasbro and Sunbow) and when Beast Wars came out I remember thinking that they should just drop the whole Transformers branding because it just didn't feel like TF. In fact, I still feel that every version of that franchise after G1 pales by comparison, even though the writing is probably better in some if the later series'.

Don't get me wrong, I love FiM, it's just I prefer G1! My big problem is that a lot of Bronies look upon that with disdain. Fine, if you don't like G1-3, I understand, but respect my decision to like it!

[The Gasper 48]

They look enough like ponies for a cartoon show. Personally, I think the more accurate looking ones from previous gens were a bit creepy.

 

Seriously, those things gave me nightmares. I'm not even kidding. 

[_Kurtis 636]

I say perfect as is. I like the MLP being in FIM.  "My Little Pony" has such a nice and endearing ring to it.  I definitely agree that the G4 ponies look perfectly pony enough for a cartoon show.  I agree with the points made on this thread that cartoon characters, such as the Simpsons and Looney Toons, don't need to look realistic in order to be convincing and perfect for the show.  I think there is an inherent genius in the way the G4 ponies are done.  Making them more streamlined and simplistic, with bigger, rounder eyes, heads that are larger in proportion to their bodies, and more rounded body shapes allows them to be more expressive, and, well, human.  And that's what you want, really.  You want them to be able to convey more dynamic, human personalities.  But, imo, there is no mistaking that they are still ponies.

 

Let's look at a couple of little case studies for a moment.

 

When we look at G1 and G4 side by side...

We see that the evolution is actually very similar to that of Garfield:

Rounder, simpler features, larger head in proportion to the body, larger eyes.  These characteristics, while not as zoologically correct, have the advantage of making characters more expressive, and more relatable.

 

Let's look at the stark opposite side of the spectrum for MLP.

You want realistic looking ponies?  You got it.  Terrible, isn't it?  I mean, really cool pic, but it wouldn't work at all for the show.  They would lack all expression and human emotion that we love to see in them.

 

Realistic ponies like this could work, if done like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4I2Y9zFeY

But that's not what you want for FIM.  Not at all.  Could be an interesting idea, though, as some kind of spin-off.

 

Bottom line is...

Is this what you really want?  IS IT?!

 

...I didn't think so.

Yes, that IS what I want. Honestly, I'm not asking for SUPER REALISTIC OLD HORSES, I'm asking for a cartoon that draws little ponies like little ponies. G1 did it, and it's adorable! Just look at this:

 

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

I say perfect as is. I like the MLP being in FIM.  "My Little Pony" has such a nice and endearing ring to it.  I definitely agree that the G4 ponies look perfectly pony enough for a cartoon show.  I agree with the points made on this thread that cartoon characters, such as the Simpsons and Looney Toons, don't need to look realistic in order to be convincing and perfect for the show.  I think there is an inherent genius in the way the G4 ponies are done.  Making them more streamlined and simplistic, with bigger, rounder eyes, heads that are larger in proportion to their bodies, and more rounded body shapes allows them to be more expressive, and, well, human.  And that's what you want, really.  You want them to be able to convey more dynamic, human personalities.  But, imo, there is no mistaking that they are still ponies.

 

Let's look at a couple of little case studies for a moment.

 

When we look at G1 and G4 side by side...

We see that the evolution is actually very similar to that of Garfield:

Rounder, simpler features, larger head in proportion to the body, larger eyes.  These characteristics, while not as zoologically correct, have the advantage of making characters more expressive, and more relatable.

 

Let's look at the stark opposite side of the spectrum for MLP.

You want realistic looking ponies?  You got it.  Terrible, isn't it?  I mean, really cool pic, but it wouldn't work at all for the show.  They would lack all expression and human emotion that we love to see in them.

 

Realistic ponies like this could work, if done like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF4I2Y9zFeY

But that's not what you want for FIM.  Not at all.  Could be an interesting idea, though, as some kind of spin-off.

 

Bottom line is...

Is this what you really want?  IS IT?!

 

...I didn't think so.

I'm afraid to say, yes I do want the Mane six to look more G1!

[Washougal_Otaku 1,020]

Adorable? Er, no! G1 ponies were adorable!

G1 ponies were creepy, not adorable... except for Amber, but she was a kid.  They also had far more annoying voices, an ugly castle, and no males (until they introduced the clydesdales, which are not ponies).

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

G1 ponies were creepy, not adorable... except for Amber, but she was a kid.  They also had far more annoying voices, an ugly castle, and no males (until they introduced the clydesdales, which are not ponies).

Actually there were males, they just roamed free outside of dream valley!

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

No... they do... it's just a different style of expression. Deal with it.

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

No... they do... it's just a different style of expression. Deal with it.

No. I don't think I will, if that's okay with you!

[Washougal_Otaku 1,020]

Actually there were males, they just roamed free outside of dream valley!

Not that I recall, but even if you're right, they were still outsiders and therefore hardly ever seen.  At least with G4 the males lived with the females.

[Rarity Paige Belle 1,854]

Not that I recall, but even if you're right, they were still outsiders and therefore hardly ever seen. At least with G4 the males lived with the females.

I can name at least one, Tex! And as I've said before G1 ponies were Much more horse like than the G4 ponies, so the males wouldn't live with the females!

Edited June 24, 2014 by Rarity Paige Belle

[IridscentNionios 1,420]

No. I don't think I will, if that's okay with you!

You need to respect the creators opinion. If their opinion is that these are ponies then these are ponies. They do not have to abide by the standards you set for what ponies are. This is patronizing the artistic view of the creators of the show? Do you understand what's wrong with it? It's fine that you think these don't look like ponies but please respect their artistic view on the subject. They own they show they get the final word. THEM not you. No offense bro...

[Discordian 6,015]

The fact that a cartoon is expected to be hyper-realistic disturbs me. Do people who want that not appreciate differing artstyle? Do they even understand why taking out the gritty details of a person or animal is more appealing?

 

I'm not gonna tell people they can't like the original ponies over the new ponies but to say that characters with the new artstyle and design aren't ponies because they're not exactly the same as past generations or that it doesn't look exactly like a real pony is strict and ludicrous beyond belief. You can't just say that the ponies in the show "aren't ponies" when they quite clearly are.

 

Dropping the "My Little Pony" part of it doesn't even make sense. You're expecting too much of the show and the creators to never change anything or to be completely true to life. Honestly if you're watching a cartoon and expecting it to be true to life you're setting yourself up for failure. Most cartoons aren't meant to be anything like real life.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I don't think Hasbro cares after two movies that carry the name My Little Pony and have "mutant" humans.

[_Kurtis 636]

G1 ponies were creepy, not adorable... except for Amber, but she was a kid.  They also had far more annoying voices, an ugly castle, and no males (until they introduced the clydesdales, which are not ponies).

 

Not that I recall, but even if you're right, they were still outsiders and therefore hardly ever seen.  At least with G4 the males lived with the females.

Can you stop bashing G1 and continue to say G4 is better in comparison? You don't see me arguing with people saying G4 ponies like washed up trash and that G1 has better plots and all that stuff. 

I personally think G4 isn't all that great when compared to the rest of the generations, but you don't see me bashing G4 do you?

It's Paige's opinion if she thinks G1 ponies are far more adorable than G4. So you have no real need to counter that statement with your own opinion and then continue to needlessly insult G1 even after you disagreed with her opinion. And for your information, there are male ponies in G1, and just like Paige said, they live outside of Dream Valley.

[Washougal_Otaku 1,020]

I can name at least one, Tex! And as I've said before G1 ponies were Much more horse like than the G4 ponies, so the males wouldn't live with the females!

Males do live with females.  Plus, these are supposed to be sentient ponies, which would mean that they'd be reasonable enough to have males living with them, too, rather than treating their home like a "girls only" clubhouse.  G1 was nowhere near as gender-friendly as G4, which is one of the many reasons why G4 is great!  (Along with them acting like horses and ponies in ways that G1 never did).

Can you stop bashing G1 and continue to say G4 is better in comparison? You don't see me arguing with people saying G4 ponies like washed up trash and that G1 has better plots and all that stuff. 

I personally think G4 isn't all that great when compared to the rest of the generations, but you don't see me bashing G4 do you?

It's Paige's opinion if she thinks G1 ponies are far more adorable than G4. So you have no real need to counter that statement with your own opinion and then continue to needlessly insult G1 even after you disagreed with her opinion. And for your information, there are male ponies in G1, and just like Paige said, they live outside of Dream Valley.

I'm not "bashing" the original.  I am stating my opinion, as well as offering my reasoning.  I'm sorry if this offends you, but that's your problem; stop trying to silence another person's opinion.

[_Kurtis 636]

Males do live with females.  Plus, these are supposed to be sentient ponies, which would mean that they'd be reasonable enough to have males living with them, too, rather than treating their home like a "girls only" clubhouse.  G1 was nowhere near as gender-friendly as G4, which is one of the many reasons why G4 is great!  (Along with them acting like horses and ponies in ways that G1 never did).

I'm not "bashing" the original.  I am stating my opinion, as well as offering my reasoning.  I'm sorry if this offends you, but that's your problem; stop trying to silence another person's opinion.

"Opinion"? I get that your stating your opinion, but like I said, you don't have to needless continue to say how much you dislike G1. Paige said that he thinks G1 ponies are more adorable, you could've replied and said you disagreed and found the G4 ponies far more appealing. Instead you said that along with multiple attacks against G1 saying the castle was ugly, the voices were annoying and etc for no reason whatsoever.

Edited June 24, 2014 by 80s Pony

[Washougal_Otaku 1,020]

"Opinion"? I get that your stating your opinion, but like I said, you don't have to needless continue to say how much you dislike G1. Paige said that he thinks G1 ponies are more adorable, you could've replied and said you disagreed and found the G4 ponies far more appealing. Instead you said that along with multiple attacks against G1 saying the castle was ugly, the voices were annoying and etc for no reason whatsoever.

When did I ever say that I didn't like G1?  Never.  What I have been doing is pointing out why I think G4 is better.  Yes, the castle was ugly (I blame the blue rooftops and door).  Yes, I found the voices to be horribly annoying and poorly executed, at least most of them.  You might think that these are attacks, but they're not.  They are bases for my opinion.  Now, if it will make you feel better, I can provide examples of G1 being better than G4, but the ponies being "more pony-like" I will disagree with.

 

Point One - The manner in which the human world was tied into the pony world was more enjoyable.

Point Two - While Spike didn't look much like a dragon in G1, he had more personality than the G4 version.  (G3 was easily the worst).

Point Three - Tirek was much more of a badass, and the idea of him and Scorpan being brothers was terrible.

 

...okay, I've got to stop.  I lost track of time, and need to get my son ready for a dentist appointment.

[Adorkable 2,737]

I understand what you're saying, but I really don't see why Hasbro should do such a thing.

 

As Pathfinder said, it would cause them a ton of trouble. 

[Krosp I 114]

If there's one thing Hasbro's good at is creating franchises with dedicated genwunners. 

 

Regardless of opinion, My Little Pony has always been a series about Magical Talking Horses. This is well beyond the scope of suspension of disbelief. Children are another story, but we adults know (At least I should hope) that Magical Talking Horses don't exist. The more horselike the ponies get, the more the art style is relying on our suspension of disbelief to be entertained. We know, by virtue of being cognitive (As well as the title) that we're watching a fictional animated series about Magical Talking Horses. To further take the extra steps to make them as horselike as possible, possibly at the cost of the entertainment value, may very well imply the viewer is a moron. It's like explaining the joke. It's telling, not showing. 

 

It's like the PS Vita Welcome Park app.

 

Narrator: *Knock Knock* "There's someone at the front door!"

Stuart Ashen: "There's someone at the fro—OH PISS OFF! I'm not five years old." /ragequit

[Courageous Thunder Dash 7,824]

If they do, they'll lose a lot of money, plus the target audience may change drastically. Then the theme might change as well. 

[Guest90210 3,568]

Why would they? The loss of brand recognition would hurt the brand

[Snow Frostflame 3,568]

nope just be happy they aren't G3 ponies my god if G4 ponies looked like G3 this fandom wouldn't be as big

[Celli 4,338]

No, definitely not. And as for G1, just from looking at clips and stuff and reviews, I cringed and most of it was awkward and hard to watch.

Also, the G1 designs are terrible and look pretty dated, I mean even by 80s standards. Better than G3, but that's not saying much. And do you actually like G2 and G3?