The three legs of MLP fandom.

[Zenoctilles 102]

I understand that the MLP fanbase is generally split up into three camps: Children, adults whose primary interest are the toys (i.e., women who have been collecting MLP toys since the 1980s), and adults whose primary interest is MLP: FiM the show (i.e., bronies).

 

I wonder: What do each of these fanbases think of the other? Do kids think it's weird for adults to like a show about pink ponies or collect toys intended for children? Do the toy collectors think that bronies have turned their much-cherished franchise into a silly hipster fad?

 

For example, there are two major MLP conventions in this country: the more recent BroNYCon, geared towards bronies and people who are mainly fans of the recent cartoon, and the MLP Fair, which is geared more towards adult toy collectors who have been collecting since the 1980s.

 

There doesn't appear to be much overlap between these three fanbases, from what I can discern.

Edited April 14, 2012 by XX55XX

[TomokoKuroki 1,707]

Kids probably do see adults collecting the pony toys a bit odd, but then again I collect weapons too, and I find collecting stamps odd personally. It is all opinion based.

[Aureity 3,055]

Define "children". I know bronies as young as ten. How does being a "child" brony make you any different from an adult brony?

[Zenoctilles 102]

Define "children". I know bronies as young as ten. How does being a "child" brony make you any different from an adult brony?

 

I'm talking about kids who are like eight or younger. They are Hasbro's target demographic, and obviously like the show and the toys equally. They are not bronies, because they are part of the target demographic.

[Aureity 3,055]

I'm talking about kids who are like eight or younger. They are Hasbro's target demographic, and obviously like the show and the toys equally. They are not bronies, because they are part of the target demographic.

 

I thought all a brony was was a fan of the show MLP Fim?

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I've seen a few women online say that they love G4 but have been collecting ponies since the 80's. So there's at least a little overlap.

 

This is just my personal opinion, and my judgment could be wrong, but sometimes I get the impression that women who have been collecting since G1 think themselves as being superior to bronies because they were fans of MLP first. Kinda like how Star Trek fans who have loved the show since Captain Kirk are "better" than people who got into Star Trek because of the new movie. Or how, say, Spiderman comic book fans are "better" than fans who got into Spiderman because of the movies. Get my drift?

[Starshine 16,335]

Never I thought that fandom is a tripod o_o

 

The true target demographic might be a little oblivious to the rest legs imo, being too young and all. But as RockinRarity said, there's a possibility some of the "old gen lover" are actually a brony right now

[KakeiTheWolf 652]

I always thought the three branches were kids, bronies/pegasisters, and cloppers.

[SydneyGrey 32]

I'm an adult woman who loves the show, but who also collects some of the G4 toys. This is actually my first year EVER buying a My Little Pony toy, ever. My timeline went like this: Fell in love with the G4 toy brushable Honeybuzz and bought her on a whim. This was my first and only MLP toy. First heard about the cartoon from my brother, which perked my interest. I thought, if this cartoon has a fanbase among adults, then it must be a good cartoon. I watched a few episodes and fell in love. Then I bought more G4 toys, mostly as a result of falling in love with the show. LOL. I guess all this puts me partly in category 2 (women who like the toys) and partly in category 3 (bronies whose primary interest is the show).

 

My brother is not a brony, but he'd found out about "Derpygate" and thought it was hilarious, and was telling me about it. LOL.

Edited April 14, 2012 by SydneyGrey

[RockinRarity 1,605]

I'm an adult woman who loves the show, but who also collects some of the G4 toys. This is actually my first year EVER buying a My Little Pony toy, ever. My timeline went like this: Fell in love with the G4 toy brushable Honeybuzz and bought her on a whim. This was my first and only MLP toy. First heard about the cartoon from my brother, which perked my interest. I thought, if this cartoon has a fanbase among adults, then it must be a good cartoon. I watched a few episodes and fell in love. Then I bought more G4 toys, mostly as a result of falling in love with the show. LOL. I guess all this puts me partly in category 2 (women who like the toys) and partly in category 3 (bronies whose primary interest is the show).

 

My brother is not a brony, but he'd found out about "Derpygate" and thought it was hilarious, and was telling me about it. LOL.

 

I think you're one of those overlapping types. Category 2 is mostly for the women who have been collecting the toys for years and have a massive multi-generational MLP collection.

[Pizzly 57]

mlp is for hipsters NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo

[Swordfishtrombone 384]

Yeah, I like this idea. It makes perfect sense, and is according well. I see where you're going with this.

[Batbrony 16,056]

Children, at least younger children, are probably less aware of the adult fandom, though I shouldn't count out that some of them may be aware of it. This would explain why there isn't much overlap of the children/adult fanbases.

 

As for the bronies vs. the toy collectors, I've seen a little overlap in those fanbases. Seems that some of the bronies collect merchandise, although this is still a very limited number. I'll admit, it's true, there's definitely not much overlap between the three branches of fandom; a bit odd, but, I guess it's not that surprising.

[Emerald Flame 381]

Most kids are oblivious to the adult fanbase, and for the most part, I think the two sections of the adult fanbase get along even if the older toy collectors don't like G4. However, I've heard of older toy collectors who don't like us at all.

[Batbrony 16,056]

Most kids are oblivious to the adult fanbase, and for the most part, I think the two sections of the adult fanbase get along even if the older toy collectors don't like G4. However, I've heard of older toy collectors who don't like us at all.

 

My guess is that those who collect the toys probably didn't watch most of the shows (G1-G3) in general, since, well, they sucked, and were purely in it for collecting the toys, so, honestly, it doesn't surprise me that, although both segments of the adult fanbase get along fine, the toy collectors still don't like G4. Too bad, really; their loss, I guess.

[Sight Watcher 15]

I thought all a brony was was a fan of the show MLP Fim?

 

No. Brony/Pegasister is in concept refers strictly to teens, adults who love the show despite not being in the target demographic and tend to be those who had absolutely no interest in the brand name before FiM. There wouldn't be a special name for the branch of the fanbase if there wasn't a reason to separate them from the intended audience/fans.

[Silver Flower 18]

I collect and watch. I'm overlapping.

[Twiliscael 3,960]

I guesss I'm considered an "adult" by these standards. I think that children would find bronies odd but besides that im pretty sure it's all good.

[caesar15 231]

I just watch, not that addicted to get toys, a shirt would be cool though.

[bloodyfox 65]

I am part of the last group. I try not to judge people for what they do/like/think. If I did, I couldn't expect people to not judge me. Live and let live.

 

 

I thought all a brony was was a fan of the show MLP Fim?

 

I thought a brony was a late teen/adult fan of the MLP FiM?

 

Is it even possible to make an official category(not that it would matter)?

 

I just watch, not that addicted to get toys, a shirt would be cool though.

 

I'm not a fan of the toys, but I would buy quality plushies or accessories(such as key chains or jewelry) if I had the money.

 

No. Brony/Pegasister is in concept refers strictly to teens, adults who love the show despite not being in the target demographic and tend to be those who had absolutely no interest in the brand name before FiM. There wouldn't be a special name for the branch of the fanbase if there wasn't a reason to separate them from the intended audience/fans.

 

We need some type of chart so we can visualize the separations.

 

mlp is for hipsters NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOo

 

Nope. It's too MANEstream for hipsters.

 

I always thought the three branches were kids, bronies/pegasisters, and cloppers.

 

The following statements are my opinions and are not meant to offend/stereotype anyone.

 

I think cloppers would overlap collectors and bronies rather than be its own category. I think cloppers would be part of the furry fandom that are sexually attracted to animals/animal-like characters. We can't really generalize too much because some people won't fit exactly into the categories. Someone may be sexually attracted to MLP ponies and not any other characters and I wouldn't categorize them under the furry fandom since their animal interests are MLP only.

Edited April 25, 2012 by bloodyfox

[Acleps 11]

The children who watch FiM probably don't know about bronies, and even if they knew, they wouldn't understand what we really are. When they watch the show, they watch it because it's a fun cartoon, and don't really start to think about the message it gives. Us bronies watch the show for various reasons, and as a community we talk about deeper stuff about the show, make fanart etc...

[bloodyfox 65]

The children who watch FiM probably don't know about bronies, and even if they knew, they wouldn't understand what we really are. When they watch the show, they watch it because it's a fun cartoon, and don't really start to think about the message it gives. Us bronies watch the show for various reasons, and as a community we talk about deeper stuff about the show, make fanart etc...

 

Agreed. Most children will watch a show simply because it's funny or awesome but don't understand deeper issues in the show(if there are any). Although, I always found cartoons with strong story and messages/morals to be far more entertaining when I was a kid.

[William 1]

I can't stand G1-G3, Heck I didn't even know there was an MLP TV show of any kind until I found FIM back in early 2011 so there's that. My Little Pony wasn't even something I thought about beyond those annoying commercials on TV up until FIM, I have yet to meet any "kids" in my family who watch MLP (It's all Disney Channel and whatnot)

 

I'd say there is definitly a splt between the target demographic who is likely too young and not savvy enough to fully know there is an adult fanbase out there. I would say the "collector" bunch who stick to G1-G2 primarily are in it for the nostalgic benefit rather than anything of substance, I'd also say G4 bronies are a breed of their own, the remix culture, the involvment in the show, the commitment, I actually go into this a bit in a Google+ (PG-13) post:

 

I think there are overlaps evrywhere but yeah there are 3 seperate factions if you will.

[Sugarcube 213]

My younger sister who was 12 at the time got me hooked on MLP G4. I grew up with G1 and let me tell you there was not that much to miss, I didn't care much for it when I was a little girl, Power Rangers got my attention more. But when I saw the drawings and watched an episode with my little sister I was very surprised how well written it was and what a total removal (besides certain character concepts) it was from G1. My little sister's friends all think it's fantastic I am such a huge fan of G4.

 

So I guess I experience some overlap because I am like a parent to my younger sister.

[Dave247 568]

I didn't know much about MLP until I joined the fandom too. I do remember the annoying adds for the toys though when I was a lot younger and used to watch morning cartoons.

 

I always wonder if there is actuality any 8 year old girls that watch the show (which there probably is) and also how many of them there are?