G4.5/5 ideas thinktank

[Harshreality 60]

When FiM eventually and inevitably ends, what would you like the elusive "next generation" to be like? Do you think that the show will regress back into the girly, god awful ways of the previous gens, or will another fresh, high quality cartoon be created that draw in all new fans?

 

I hope we can have a topic where we share our thoughts, ideas and preferences for what we would like G5 to be like....

It may seem like a cop-out, but I would like the next generation to be set in the same universe as G4, but after ten-fifteen years. I would like the focus to be entirely adventure based, with deep characters that travel across Equestria and beyond to deal with threats of all kinds. There should be a new team of six mane characters, with an earth pony, a Pegasus (perhaps an older Scootaloo), two unicorns, a gryphon and a dragon/crystal pony.

Periodically they could bring in old characters, such as them undertaking a mission on behalf of Twilight, for example. There should be a mixture of new and old recurring characters, with new areas also added in for variety. Another important factor is the passage of time. There should be visible aging on characters, with perhaps some characters having died altogether. Ponyville and other places should be redesigned to reflect the passage of time also, for example an increase in population. Finally, the most important thing here is the animation. It would SUCK in 3D, it needs to be in 2D, but more stylised with a different direction.

So what do you think? What would you like in G5? Hit it up below!

[Paladybug1 289]

Since the 2010s, animation has improved drastically from what it was before then. Just a bit less shows for specific genders and more for the entire family. So when MLP G4 ends, I don't think it will go back to the girly stuff that it was before FiM. Most likely they'll make a spin-off of MLP:FiM from Equestria Girls or the CMC. 

Edited June 29, 2015 by Paladybug1

[WsConanRoyal 63]

I'd like to see something along the lines of a spin-off series. Maybe have it take place in the future and focus on the CMC. Or even maybe a continuation of FiM that just happens at some time in the future. Heck, maybe even a prequel series. I'd like it to be connected to FiM in some way basically.

[colt .45 259]

What you all (including the OP) have described is more spin off than an actual generational step up. Usually a new generation follows the complete closure of the previous generation, a hiatus of several years, and a re-boot. Considering how Hasbro has handled generational step ups / re-boots with other shows based on their toys (more about that later) like Transformers and GI Joe, it could go anywhere. The ponies would be drawn in a different art style, and they might try out a different type of animation, like 3D-CGI.

 

The reason Hasbro discontinues a toy line is when sales of that toy aren't selling as well as they once did, the trend in design has changed, and consumers are buying toys from their competition. When they discontinue a line, it usually takes a couple of years to clear off the remaining inventory. Then a re-design of the toys. And then a re-boot of the commercials ...um I mean cartoon show, to reflect the re designed toy.

 

It's all about the toys. And it always has been, since before they had TV shows advertising them. Since were talking about Hasbro, I'll use GI Joe as an example. When I was real young (under five) GI Joe was a tvelve inch figure (same size as Mattel's Barbie) and was sold as a soldier. This was after WWII, and soldiers were seen as brave hero's. By the late sixties and early seventies, the US was in Vietnam and it wasn't going well. We were seeing graphic images of dead and wounded soldiers every night on TV, and as a result sales of soldier related toys were declining. When I was around eight Hasbro had re booted its GI Joe franchise. This is the "kung fu grip" generation. They were five and a half inches tall, which was the same size as most of the superhero action figures on the market at the time, their clothes were still cloth that could be changed. And most importantly, he was no longer a soldier. Instead they marketed him as an action hero. The next re design was because of Star Wars. Kenner sold the Star Wars figures that were three and a half inches tall, and their outfits were molded plastic, and they sold both the hero's and the villains. Guess what Hasbro did with GI Joe? Three and a half inch figures, more friends, they created C.O.B.R.A. etc. The way kids played with toys had shifted with Star Wars toys, and Hasbro followed the paradime.

 

I wrote all that to give an example of how (and why) Hasbro goes about generational transition. Since MLP is in Hasbro's "girl" toy line, they will keep it leaning that way for future generations. However how they define girl toys is changing, see Hasbro's Nerf Rebelle line of girl toys.

So the next gen of MLP likely won't resemble FIM at all, But being that this is the most successful generation they will look at and consider what makes this generation so popular, and incorporate elements of that into future generations.

Edited June 30, 2015 by colt .45

[Shanks 10,817]

There are some rumors of a possible Equestria Girls spinoff cartoon but that will still be a part of G4 if not maybe a G4.5. There are all sorts of things that can be done for G5, it could be a spin off or a sequel series or something different entirely. I don't necessarily mind which so long as it is actually good.

[MAIKUN 262]

Well according to Paladybug1, The animation on MLP:FiM has improved drastically from what it was before then. Just a bit less shows for specific genders and more for the entire family. So when MLP G4 ends, I don't think it will go back to the girly stuff that it was before FiM. Most likely they'll make a spin-off of MLP:FiM from Equestria Girls or the CMC as G4.1. BUT I prefer the CMC spinoff thank you very much!

 

I want G4.1 to be set in the same universe as G4, but NOT after ten-fifteen years, in Present day (the way they are right now, as fillies, NOT grown up yet and remained as "Blank Flanks")

 

**Like I said in the CMC Spin-off Thread, In such a spinoff (shares no relation or connection to the main series aka G4.1, takes place during Season 5 with Twilight's castle home) though I would really like to see them as the way they are without their cutie marks as "Everlasting Blank Flanks". And plus I don't want them growing up yet. Seriously. 

 

And the reason why I used G4.1 instead of G4.5 because it would be used for the CMC spin-off series.

Edited June 30, 2015 by MAIKUN

[Plonkett 345]

Simple, I'd like G4.5 to be about the children of the mane 6, and I'd like G5 to be set in a different universe, and being like a pony version of Avatar.

[SolyWack 482]

See here, the reason each new generation is a reboot, is because each generation SUCKED. Anyone want to argue with me on that? Little girls don't get into fandoms. They watch it, ask their parents to buy toys, then they throw it away like a day old McDonalds toy.

 

G4 is SO much different than the previous generations. It had inspired 2 generations of teenagers and adults to watch the show, as well as its target demographic. Hasbro wants money, this Gen has made them more than EA has in Battlefield DLC. Why change whats broken?

 

Is there a written set of rules that states "each new generation needs to be a reboot"? No. No there is not. The G4 universe could effectively be used again in G5. Simply with completely different characters, set in a different time. Most likely the future. Hasbro would still do what they wanted: Make a complete set of characters to sell toys out of. While still keeping the entirety of the fandom, by keeping the G4 universe.

 

I might just be a business genius waiting to happen, but what are the flaws here?

 

To add a bit of wishing on a star, the ideal cast would include one of the CMC grown up, or perhaps even elderly. And the show would make references to events in G4. Wont happen, but gotta dream big amirite?

Edited July 5, 2015 by AppleJack_Wack

[superdogz1999 551]

G5 should be either

1. A prequel series set over 1000 years before the events of FIM.

2. A series mainly focusing on the Cutie Mark Crusaders set 10-15 years after they got their Cutie Marks.

3. An Anime series about the Guardians of Harmony.

Edited July 5, 2015 by superdogz1999

[Singe 2,111]

G5 should be a cast of ponies that work together in one of those we'll do any job business. They take up quests while traveling Equestria and outside the borders. In each season they'll find pieces of an ancient treasure/artifact that plays a part in the Season Finale.