How and when did you become a brony?

[Phoenix Flair 332]

I'm not sure what month I joined, but I'm pretty sure it was June, since I wasn't in school.  I'm still a very young Brony (not a freaking Pegasister!  I hate that term) but I don't think I'll be backing out of the fandom anytime soon.

 

I started out investigating the Bronies, because I wanted to figure out what breed of weird they were.  I watched a whole bunch of their music vids and animation, clips from the show, read forum posts and fanfics and looked at their art, all while distancing myself from the show.  Finally I decided I learned enough, and I decided I could now make fun of the Bronies with impunity.  Except the first time I tried it, joking around with my siblings, it didn't sound right.  I decided a long time ago that I wouldn't make fun of things I don't understand, or don't have experience in, and I realized I was breaking that promise to myself.  So my options were either wise up and watch the show, or just shut up.

 

Finally I played a few episodes on Netflix.  And they were okay.  Not great, but okay.  I watched the first three, so I could have a good feel for the show.  Then I watched the fourth, because three wasn't enough to judge by.  Then a fifth.  And a sixth.  And the rest of the first season.  And then all the episodes available on Netflix.

 

I'm not sure at what point I decided I liked the show, but I do finally.  The thing I love most, though, is the Brony community.  They're still strange, but they're also passionate and proactive in defending their quirky interests.  We're passionate, I suppose.  I'm very glad the Bronies turned out to be my breed of weird.

[Kbblender 122]

Fun story, my sisters started watching the show before I did, and it was nothing I hadn't seen before, cause they were always watching the dumbest, most girly things, but then I saw my sister Shylah (10), watching a YouTube video of Fluttershy saying "YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE ME" and it was a "this is Sparta" remix, and I was confused because "wait, isn't this a kid's show?  Are they having a prom?  Why is thins children's cartoon pony in a prom dress shouting for somebody else to love her?  There are romantic relationships?"  And I hadn't then understood the scene, so I watched it myself, and then clicked on a few others, and then more, and then I went "wait, woah woah woah, are these adult and teenage GUYS making these videos?  What is this?  There's a lot of dedication put behind some of these!"  So, being the kind of person that really doesn't care what something looks like as long as it's enjoyable, and also the kind of person who wants to see what's up, I watched the first episode.  The theme song was and is and always will be something that I skip, but otherwise it wasn't half bad!  I then proceeded to watch the entire season that night, and throughout the course of a week- which was actually the week of the Season 2 finale, so I was seeing all sorts of ads on the hub for some sort of wedding thing- I finished the first half of season 2, and watched the rest after the finale had aired.  It's been so long since then that I can hardly remember the short amount of time that I had barely been trying to keep it a secret, since my dad's kind of a homophobe, but  he's also cool, so when he found out shortly, along with everyone else, he got over it quickly.  Still makes jokes, but we're a joking family.  I bought some T-shirts and wore them to school, and nobody really cared, though some were a bit surprised, and I didn't care if anybody did happen to care.  Compared to some of you other guys, I suppose I have it pretty lucky that I just happen to be that person that everybody likes, even if I wind up as a "brony".  I still have many friends, and I talk about the show or fandom sometimes in front of or with them, and nobody minds.  It's great.  Speaking of which, after finishing Season 2, the whole "fandom" thing happened.  I wanted to know all that i could about these other people who watch My Little Pony, these "bronies", and what they do, and how many there are, and what they're like, and it went soooooo much deeper than I expected.  And being the curious one that will not rest without answers, the one that spent three months looking for the song "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" after hearing it at the end of a video and loving it, the one that spent hours trying to understand how the vocalic content was all fan-made, yet they still had concerts, the one that was slightly confused by the difference between "classic Who" and "New Who" and caught myself up, I did the only thing I knew how to do, the one thing that keeps my personality closely anchored to that of Twilight Sparkle: I researched.  I researched the brony community for hours, doing everything from listening to all of Tombstone's music, almost every mashup of the seasons 1-2 songs, listening to AwkwardMarina's music, watching Friendship is Witchcraft and Rainbow Dash Presents, reading Cupcakes, Rainbow Factory, and most importantly, PAST SINS, finding out what the word "clop" meant, being astonished by how many other amazing roles Tara Strong has been in, finding out why I should praise Lauren Faust, looking up all the cons, the merchandise from Vinyl collectibles to wallets, researching and getting frustrated at the Derpy Dillema, rewatching the changeling fight scene over and over again, following Tiarawhy's and Pokehidden's Tumblr blogs to see why they get attention, unfollowing Tiarawhy's and Pokehidden's Tumblr blogs after realizing why they get attention, finding and playing Banned From Equestria (Daily) TWICE.  I had to beat it guys.  I had to catch them all.  I subscribed to Saberspark for the Top Ten pony vids of each month, I downloaded Everfree Radio for a constant update on music, and I got myself all caught up just in time for Foozogz's Make It Special Reflection Remix.  After that, I considered myself a fully-fledged member of this community, after doing a few key things like:  getting an account here- which I found after googling "Winter Wrap-Up Date"- getting a fimfiction account and writing stories, and drawing fan art.  Two fan arts, in fact.  They were simple pencil drawings of character screenshots from the show, as I can't draw.

  After that, I was one of you guys, and I have never made a better decision.  I laughed with you all, I cried with you all, I participated in Friday Movie Nights, I went to the theaters with my buddy to watch Equestria Girls, I watched the brines react videos, I waited eagerly for Double Rainboom, and for Season 4.  I get such happy feeling in me when I think about it, when I think of you guys, and mainly when I watch a video of a bunch of brony stuff.  My brain releases so much dopamine when I get to the end credits of "Ponies: the Anthology 1, 2, or 3", or when I see the Brony PMV of "When can we do this again".  Not even Tumblr, and the feeling of family I have there, makes me feel as good as you guys do.  And I thank you all for making it happen.  And I thank you, Mint Petal, for letting me write this, and as I write, reminisce over all of the best moments of my fandom career, and realize that the bond I share with you all goes so, SO very much deeper than a TV show.

 

TL;DR?  I will not summarize that post for you, I slaved over it and you WILL read it, you hear me?  Also, it will make you feel so happy.

 

And now, to finish off those of you on the verge of happy tears, here.
 

[Discorded flutter 15]

the second  i saw the show i loved it but i joined the heard today

[Candle Glow 8]

I joined in August of 2013 (one year anniversary woop!).  A friend of mine who I haven't seen in a few months informed me that he became a brony in that time. He asked me to watch just 3 episodes and then decide and if I didn't like it he'd never talk to me about it again. I tried out the three episodes (it was the very first three in season 1) and to be honest, I didn't like it at first because I thought it was boring. Then I started college and work shortly afterwards and kind of saw a few parodies along the way. Eventually I came to realize that the show was a great way to unwind after work, and then I saw more fan made creations and slowly fell in love with the show and the community. I didn't really participate though until recently and here I am today!

[GammaDove 428]

I couldn't find the remote that July evening, and everything changed since then

[NotoriousSMALL 1,984]

Think I posted here but I joined like 10 days ago and I don't see my posts in the past 2 pages, ANYWAYS

 

I saw a bunch of MLP gif avatars on some forums back in summer 2011 and thought they were pretty funny (Fluttershy yelling "You're going to love me!" and RD doing the Sonic Rainboom and Twilight being smashed by objects from above) and I didn't know why everyone had these. One day I saw it playing and was going to watch it but I was like "naah...". Fast forward like a week or something and I'm seeing thumbnails for pony videos with the derpy looking faces (RD doing a weird face and Pinkie going crazy) so I begin to think the show might be funny, I look up some MLP groups on a website and they're all talking about cupcakes because at the time that was new, so I actually looked it up and read the whole thing. I ended up watching Party of One for more crazy Pinkie Pie and I was like "Ok I'll watch the show" and then I went to episode 1 and watched the whole series on YouTube. Then mid 2012 I move and break up with my Pegasister gf (because I'm moving) and I quit being a brony after the season 2 finale for no reason. I rejoined the fandom early this summer just because I felt like it.

[Cheesy G Nacho 88]

Around December, I'm really into the magic card game. I saw a couple people playing the new MLP CCG next to me. Naturally, i casually ask, "What the hell are you playing?" Long story short... I learned the game, and started watching the show within a week

[Flight Force 91]

Last august I believe, so happy 1 year Bronyversary to me! I remember seeing other people at school wearing MLP T shirts and stuff so I got curious and decided to check this whole thing out. One night I watched an episode, and then another, and then I was hooked!

[Heliodor 156]

I don't refer to myself as a brony, but as an MLP fan, and I've been a fan of MLP since I was about five (G1). 

[BlitzBLT 47]

Well, actually its kinda funny, I used to be an anti brony back in 2012 to 2013, I've judge on sight and I assumed "things" but when I first heard of MLP: FiM I didn't think much, I used to joke about it in class and the show slowly came towards me as I kept joking about it and I heard something about bronies and yeah, but I was playing in Garry's Mod 12 Server which was the theaters where you watch YouTube videos together of short clips or if a good movie came up we'd watch it, so it was late at night, around 2 am to 3 am, I walk into a theater and a maybe 5 or 3 people where sitting there watching MLP: FiM, at first I started "Trolling" by getting in the way and blocking views, making noise then after no real response I got bored and sat down with them, and I've noticed "Rainbow Dash" for the first time, I actually liked Rainbow Dash, I cant remember what EP, though she was flying up in the sky. So I watched the random EP, after that I actually stayed to watch more, then the next day I jumped on the Computer and went to the same server in hopes they would be more MLP:FiM shows being put on, I don't remember past the, though I remember MLP: FiM videos were getting banned from servers and I decided to watch the first two EPS of MLP: FiM on my Phone, then I just started to love the show, brony'd up my profile joined groups and made friends, then of course came across haters once in a while. Then met one of my best internet friends that happened to be a brony (Just music though) I used to watch MLP: FiM when I run every, Saturday? And watched MLP videos before going off to school and just about 6 months ago I lost track of MLP and kinda slipped off, then I kept getting MLP Music videos in my YouTubes recommend box then clicked on a few of them (I had forgot what being a brony felt like, and it feels awesome) so I watched MLP : FiM season 4 in about 4 days (I have like 3 eps left) and so far "mlp bats" is my favorite season 4 song. So I kinda forgot about MLP for about 6 months but I'm back in the fandom stronger then my last time. So I'm in hopes of going to the BronyCon 2015 and getting MLP: FiM merch from the United States of America.

 

 

Sometimes my stories are long so I will shorten it in bold words, thanks for reading.

Edited August 12, 2014 by WubaDubDash

[SolarFlare - Alicorn 1]

Well about July 2014 when I first watched the show ...... A bit late hmmm

 

[Night Rain 9]

I was at the library and watching One Piece and Naruto Shippuden. When I finished them I went clicking on random things on youtub and came across Death Battles Star Scream Vs Rainbow Dash. So I thoght why not Star Scream is going to lose to this other one it could be funny to see what they do. Watched it and not thinking of it I was introduced to MLP. Later that day I meet a girl who asked "If I have  ever watched MLP?" I was a little confused but said" Souneds familiar. What dose the acronym stand for?" She said "My Little Pony." I said "No but why not." So when I got a chanes I watched 5 episodes but episode 7 sold me to it when Fluttershy made the dragon cry and I never regretted it.

I have also got 3 or more to check the show out and so far 3 of them are now bronies and they hate me for it. Two of them are my sisters and the other was a hater of the show. I am sorry for any spelling errors I may have missed.

[Christmasy Britty 2,553]

the second  i saw the show i loved it but i joined the heard today

welcome to the herd how long have you been watching the show? you have some catching up to do :3

I was at the library and watching One Piece and Naruto Shippuden. When I finished them I went clicking on random things on youtub and came across Death Battles Star Scream Vs Rainbow Dash. So I thoght why not Star Scream is going to lose to this other one it could be funny to see what they do. Watched it and not thinking of it I was introduced to MLP. Later that day I meet a girl who asked "If I have  ever watched MLP?" I was a little confused but said" Souneds familiar. What dose the acronym stand for?" She said "My Little Pony." I said "No but why not." So when I got a chanes I watched 5 episodes but episode 7 sold me to it when Fluttershy made the dragon cry and I never regretted it.

13.jpg

I have also got 3 or more to check the show out and so far 3 of them are now bronies and they hate me for it. Two of them are my sisters and the other was a hater of the show. I am sorry for any spelling errors I may have missed.

I remember that video too XD I think I was shown that by a friend during the time I was watching the show

[Midnight Gaze 131]

It was the summer of 2013 and everyone was talking about mlp and making references on the internet that I didn't understand. Inward curious about it, but not enough to watch it. Then, one evening at my aunt's house, I was trying to fall asleep when I heard noise in the loft. My brother was watching a show. On the Hub...a cartoon.

 

"Is that The Hub? Is that My Little Pony?"

 

My older brother(older by two years) nodded.

 

I was tired and wanted to (possibly) be entertained, so I sat down to watch it. I think it may have been an episode with Pinkie Pie...maybe the one about Pinkie's powers/sense. We went on On Demand to watch more. Soon, all of the(four or five) episodes had been watched. I couldn't find my paper because I hadn't unpacked much yet and was tired from the trip. However, when I came home, I watched all of the mlp episodes that were availible. Later, I watched the best, most well-done crossover ever, a Phoenix Wright and mlp crossover. I didn't know what that was, but I watched it. Now, a year later, the games are on my Amazon wish list and mlp is almost all I draw, read fanfiction of, and write.

Edited August 16, 2014 by Midnight Gaze

[Rainbow_Dash_Hock3y 27]

I became a brony in July 2014 and at first I thought it was dumb ( I wasn't a hater I just thought was dumb) but then I saw some cool art and at the time I was into half life and portal so I watched my little portal and thought it was amazing. Then I watched a episode and said this is fucking awesome then I made a mlp forums account. Also, way before I was a brony I saw a few rainbow dash pictures on Xbox live and the internet and thought it was cool

Edited August 16, 2014 by Jdog1242

[Sugoi Kurloz 40]

Some time before Party of One came out (not sure when)

[Shine Racer 106]

To be honest, I just started watching the show like around the beginning of the year. But I didn't become a brony till a little afterwards, I just became interested and even came up with ideas for the ponies that I like.

[CandyBits 33]

I became a brony around 1 year ago. I was roaming on Youtube and found this compilation of MLP songs.

I was curious and clicked it. I just LOVED the songs. All of them. ( Except the one with the Cutie Mark crusaders.. that's... nope. )

Anyways, I began watching the series and totally fell in love with the whole crew.

Loving the animation, loving the soundtrack, loving how it made me smile. 

I then introduced MLP to my boyfriend. He claimed he hated the show because, it was girly. He got captured haha! 

The songs where the love of his life and he now sings them along. 

I am glad I found my love for this show. Its adorable and wonderful! 

[Brony Pride 67]

I became a brony during june or july. I always thought that bronies were weirdos and perverts. So me and my friend always said we would rather die then be one. But one day I was curious. I turned on the show to see what it was like. I heard the words sharing and caring and I said nope and turned it off. Then I figured I didnt watch enough to see if I liked it so I turned it on and off for a few minutes not sure if I liked it. Then i thought about autotuning it so i could watch it later. I was worried I was a brony but I disnt think I was so I watched another episode. I thought it was pretty good. And before I knew it I had watched all 4 seasons on Netflix. And I have been a brony ever since.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Brony Pride

[Falsey 44]

I became a brony sometime in 2012, when a friend introduced me to it. I was skeptical about the show, but after the first episode I was hooked. Within a few days I had watched all the episodes at the time.

[blank 88]

A few ago I got bored and started to watch the show online to see why some people liked it.

 

You know how they say something about love at first sight? That's basically what happened, then I started reading fanfiction after I watched all 4 seasons in a few days.

[Buttershot 51]

Like yesterday. I didn't realize how much I'd like this show, and didn't think that I would. It's just.. it's just a good show! I like how each pony has such a specific personality. Now i understand 

[Blue Cloud 33]

I became a brony in February 2014 after coming across the online fandom and watching the episodes online.

[BronySteel 79]

I've been a brony since mid-July. I don't remember when, but I watched the first episode before and didn't like it much so I gave up on the show. On a dare, I re-watched it and uh - here we are.

[babymoondust 223]

I started watching FIM in around 2012, but I only really recently started referring to myself as a brony. 

 

I was a fan of the show before, but wasn't fond of the label "brony" ~ what it "meant" to other people in some bs derogatory sense, but since plunging into the show and fandom this year, I've discovered just how much this show and it's fanbase actually mean to me.

 

MLP: FIM is helping me through some seriously difficult times in my life.

I have issues with stress, anxiety, depression, and situations in my life that are truly testing me.

 

I go through periods in which different characters mean different things to me; I absolutely idolize the characters. - 

If I'm feeling sad and depressed, I'll idolize Pinkie Pie. 
If I'm feeling down on my body image, I'll idolize Rarity. 
If I feel I need a boost for my work ethic, I'll idolize Applejack. 
If I feel like I'm getting slack with exercise, I'll idolize Rainbow Dash. 
If I feel like my bitterness is getting me down, I'll idolize Fluttershy. 

If I feel like I want to boost my confidence with studying, I'll idolize Twilight Sparkle. 

 

This show taps into my every extreme strength, every extreme weakness, and tells me: "Hey, it's okay; there are still solutions, and positive resolves sometimes, even if you mess up really badly". It comforts me. Nope, I'm not perfect, I'm not some social butterfly. I don't have any friends other than my boyfriend. My job makes it incredibly difficult for me to meet new people, being as I work entirely from home. I know some people will hear that, and take it upon themselves to negatively stereotype for being some "pale shut-in with no friends, that's why she likes pastel ponies", but heck, who cares? No one everyone is perfect, and if some show brings me happiness, where's the issue?

 

It isn't at all often that I see characters (much less cartoon characters) represent things that speak to me not only as an adult with adult responsibilities, but the actual pitfalls and the struggles of managing the negative effects that those responsibilities can cause on an emotional level, wrapped up in ultimately strong, positive, endearing, personalities.

 

 

TL;DR - When I started to realize that whenever I saw bronies enthuse about their deep love for this show, on a level that surpasses just a random show they watch, and I understood exactly why they felt that way, and didn't care one iota about what other people would think of me for relating to them ~ that is when I felt comfortable calling myself a brony, and happily adopted the label. 

Edited August 26, 2014 by babymoondust