So how girly is Friendship is Magic?

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

It's definitely made for girls, but it appeals to all ages.

[Mango Trip 45]

Yes, all those qualities should be the mark of any good show, but the point is most shows that pander to girls do not have these qualities. Shows that recieve criticism for pandering to girls are often bright, cute and conflict free, and usually have little development, whilst shows that pander to boys are either just toilet humor or violence for the sake of violence.

 

I see where you're coming from....when you look at shows for 2 year olds (which both sides have nothing in them because toddlers dont care). There are TONS of shows that are pandered towards girls that have pleeeeeenty of development and conflict, almost every show that comes out these days have those aspects. Viewing shows in that way: that girls shows are cute, carefree and conflict free and that boy shows are just toilet humor or violence for no reason, is very dated and narrow-minded. Plenty of shows aren't like that. Especially shows catered toward younger audiences such as MLP.

 

If you're comparing MLP to things like Robot Chicken on ADULT SWIM, then naturally there is a huge! difference. But you can't do that. You have to take into consideration other shows on the market. Shows such as Adventure Time caters to both audiences perfectly, when, in theory, it was supposed to pander more towards boys. Same with a show such as Powerpuff Girls, it was supposed to be pandered towards girls, but SO MANY boys love that show. Because it's a good show. Not because it's cute and girly. It has so many things in it. You can also look at Littlest Pet Shop. It's clearly aimed at younger girly audiences but has the same developmental structure of MLP. 

 

Shows no longer fit into either stereotypical girly vs. boyish views anymore. All current shows are open to both and enjoyed by both. Shows that have strong fanbases have both genders in them because it no longer matters whether a show is girly or not, so long as it has those aspects its good. Another great example is DBZ. A clearly 'boyish' show that has plenty of female audiences, because it has all of those good elements in them. Shows no longer are divided by gender. I understand that people seem to still think this way, but it's really not so cut and dry anymore.  

[SteveMorison 404]

I see where you're coming from....when you look at shows for 2 year olds (which both sides have nothing in them because toddlers dont care). There are TONS of shows that are pandered towards girls that have pleeeeeenty of development and conflict, almost every show that comes out these days have those aspects. Viewing shows in that way: that girls shows are cute, carefree and conflict free and that boy shows are just toilet humor or violence for no reason, is very dated and narrow-minded. Plenty of shows aren't like that. Especially shows catered toward younger audiences such as MLP.

 

If you're comparing MLP to things like Robot Chicken on ADULT SWIM, then naturally there is a huge! difference. But you can't do that. You have to take into consideration other shows on the market. Shows such as Adventure Time caters to both audiences perfectly, when, in theory, it was supposed to pander more towards boys. Same with a show such as Powerpuff Girls, it was supposed to be pandered towards girls, but SO MANY boys love that show. Because it's a good show. Not because it's cute and girly. It has so many things in it. You can also look at Littlest Pet Shop. It's clearly aimed at younger girly audiences but has the same developmental structure of MLP.

 

Shows no longer fit into either stereotypical girly vs. boyish views anymore. All current shows are open to both and enjoyed by both. Shows that have strong fanbases have both genders in them because it no longer matters whether a show is girly or not, so long as it has those aspects its good. Another great example is DBZ. A clearly 'boyish' show that has plenty of female audiences, because it has all of those good elements in them. Shows no longer are divided by gender. I understand that people seem to still think this way, but it's really not so cut and dry anymore.

There are many good kids shows out there and all of them have these characteristics and that goes a long way towards them being good shows. There are also many bad shows out there because they lack these characteristics and pander to specific audiences with rushed stories that require little effort. There are other shows which are bad for other reasons. Toddler Shows are often without character development or conflict, this is what makes many of them very mediocre and boring for an accompanying adult to watch. There are shows such as FiM, Winnie the Pooh and from what I hear Thomas the tank Engine whose main target is toddlers yet they all still have these characteristics, "it's for toddlers" is becoming less and less of an excuse for mediocrity.

[Walce Dony 50]

I'd personally say it's about 5, there are many girly elements throughout the show, such as the colour pink, emphasis on love and friendship, excessive cuteness, and fashion.

I've got to say about 3 - 4 here because nowadays:

The colour pink is worn by both genders, even if when a male wears pink, it's... a Rarity

Love and Friendship... I guess that's the only thing I agree with you on since I has no fwends irl 

Cuteness is something everyone enjoys, whether they admit it or not.

Everyone has a fashion sense, even men.

Edited July 19, 2015 by Walce Dony

[cider float 2,538]

I don't feel the girly side of it but I might be desensitized since the first time I watched the series I was cringing. MLP is very much an acquired taste after all, you have to watch it long enough to no longer feel the girliness of it.

[They call me Loyalty 1,948]

Dissociating love and friendship from the male gender is a mistake, often made by children introduced to the current state of society. Harmful to themselves and others. This carries on to maturity, adult children becoming parents unable of love, care and affection.

It's sometimes a fear driven decision, made to avoid being hurt once again, in some cases.

Anyways, It's sad to see the male gender denying their feminine side, so many examples of humankind in this dissociated state of being. Shallow, looking for meaning everywhere but inside.


Almost like you ripped out Eve from Adam's chest, and made a whore out of Lilith. If you could only realize how religion has damaged both, the current state of humankind's consciousness and the view of sexuality on Earth.



Look at the mess you've made with them...

Edited August 1, 2015 by They call me Loyalty

[Radiobolt 186]

I'd say about a 4/5, because it does have a lot of "girly" things in it, but overall the characters are great, and there are some epic battles.. (LIKE THE MLP KAMEHAMEHAAAAA!)

[Nebula 28]

It's probably somewhere around 7/10. It's aimed towards little girls and because of that it feels and is "girly". The thing that separates MLP:FIM from other things targeted towards girls is it is actually a good quality show, most shows aimed towards little girls aren't as thought through or don't have any deep and important lessons taught in them. 

 

I don't really understand why things like friendship are seen as girly though.

[Shanks 10,816]

I don't really understand why things like friendship are seen as girly though.

I don't think it is the friendship themes that are why people see it as "girly" but more that it is a show about pastel colored ponies that explores friendship themes.

[GuyNamedEarl 1,332]

It definately looks girly, but the shows content caters to both kids and adults

[Officer Strike 152]

I dont think it is girly at all I mean yeah it was based for girls but i know a lot of boys who like it

I agree why friendship. Maybe because Twilight Sparkle does not call her friend mate lol

[Ruddboy Olaf 10,628]

I'd rate it an 7/10.    (0=Not girly at all.  10=Super girly)

 

 

I would say a 6, the show was intended to be gender neutral and for the most part does a good job of it. There are some "girly" elements to it but it is no more girly than Powerpuff Girls if you ask me and certainly not enough to feed into stereotypes. Toward the earlier seasons though I would say it was closer to maybe a 7 or so.

PPG was less girly,cause it had action,and didn't always have morals being shoved in your face.

[Zerbu 72]

For the most part, the only way to evaluate how "girly" the show is, is through stereotypes, and the fact that My Little Pony attracted so many male fans is evidence that those stereotypes are changing. If a certain trait isn't associated with gender, then it isn't masculine or feminine.

 

The only thing that would be inherently girly about the show is the fact it stars female leads, but this same fact didn't stop The Powerpuff Girls from being considered gender-neutral except among people who never actually watched it.

[gamecubeguy214 2,512]

I'll give it a 1/10. It has some pretty intense violence. I'm not saying that females can't handle it, but intense violence isn't what the majority of people would call ''Content for the feminine''. Now don't start thinking I'm not a feminist.

[SaburoDaimando 1,196]

I'll give it a 1/10. It has some pretty intense violence. I'm not saying that females can't handle it, but intense violence isn't what the majority of people would call ''Content for the feminine''. Now don't start thinking I'm not a feminist.

It is starting to go down this path lately, especially "Twilight's Kingdom Part 2" when Twilight took on Tirek(Nether side threw a physical punch, but it was still almost as violent as an episode of Dragon Ball Z)

 

Also, I feel like throwing up this reference to a previous work that Lauren Faust(And her husband Craig McCracken) worked on.

 

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

I'd say 5. Its still pretty girly, has some focus on very traditionally feminine things like dresses, fashion, sleepovers, ect., and its focus on love and constant useage of heart motifs is very girly. The hearts especially, as that's very opposed to traditional "masculine" imagery.

that being said, while they use lots of girlish imagery and whatnot, the rest of the show is pretty gender neutral, and it seems to be getting more gender neutral as the show goes on with more action, adventure and focus on lessons that apply to both sides of the coin and not just girls.

 

 

 

 

that being said, look at Equestria girls; we got flash sentry pushed in as a forced love interest, because there has to be a prince for every princess, and I'd say there's even more heart motifs in the merchandise than in My little pony. So things seem to waver and change in regards to how the show is done.

[SteveMorison 404]

I'd say 5. Its still pretty girly, has some focus on very traditionally feminine things like dresses, fashion, sleepovers, ect., and its focus on love and constant useage of heart motifs is very girly. The hearts especially, as that's very opposed to traditional "masculine" imagery.

 

that being said, while they use lots of girlish imagery and whatnot, the rest of the show is pretty gender neutral, and it seems to be getting more gender neutral as the show goes on with more action, adventure and focus on lessons that apply to both sides of the coin and not just girls.

 

 

 

 

that being said, look at Equestria girls; we got flash sentry pushed in as a forced love interest, because there has to be a prince for every princess, and I'd say there's even more heart motifs in the merchandise than in My little pony. So things seem to waver and change in regards to how the show is done.

Put it into better words than I did

[221BTardisSt 101]

It's definitely got a lot of girly qualities, but I think the feminist qualities in the show are some of my favorite parts. One of the lessons you learn from watching the show is that it's okay to be bake cupcakes and design dresses and take down bad guys in a macho showdown. By rating, I'd probably say 6 on the feminine side and 4 on the masculine side, but in comparison to the previous gens, WAYYYY less feminine. I definitely would say that the franchise has evolved similarly to how our culture has evolved in view of what's ok for guys and girls to do.

[roptiriolg 49]

I am from those who would say - the show doesn't feel girly at all. It may have felt so in the first season but now I think it's totally not a girly show. Does anypony even think that the ponies are mostly female? I don't and I have no feeling that I am watching something for girls - adventures, magic, quests, princesses, yeah but there are princes, male ponies, so for me it is not. I have watched another show of similar airing format  (totally spies) and yeah that remains girly show but it also attracted boys.

[ponylaces 1,870]

Besides a bit in the 1st season, I've never really noticed how feminine the show really is. I usually forget about it when I watch it.

 

Sure, it has some "girly" elements to it, but it also has other stuff that wouldn't be considered "girly". I would give examples, but I'm assuming everyone on here has obviously seen the show before and gets what I'm talking about.

 

Note: Just because it's girly doesn't mean it's automatically bad. Unless it gets to a ridiculous amount of girliness. ;p

I don't really think about how "girly" the show is, because I don't really care.

I'd probably give it a 5, because the main cast is female and often do feminine things, but it isn't over the top.

This pretty much sums up my opinion.

[The Crimson Cross 7,532]

I'm not going' to deny it. Considering the theme song still makes me cringe to this very day, pretty high up. 

I'd give it 6-7/10, but I've seen much worse in those terms.

The show itself is pretty appealing to all audiences, but I can't deny my first impressions.

It's nothing compared to the gender stereotypes of the previous generations though! 

[HereComesTom 2,268]

 

 

I'd say 5. Its still pretty girly, has some focus on very traditionally feminine things like dresses, fashion, sleepovers, ect., and its focus on love and constant useage of heart motifs is very girly. The hearts especially, as that's very opposed to traditional "masculine" imagery.

 

When you take the heart-imagery into account, you're right---5 is about where it is.  My first reaction to the question was that it was more like 3 or 4, but hearts are pretty common.

[Jennabun 1,579]

However, there is also many aspects of this show which makes it appealing to any audience, such as comedy, conflict driven stories, excellent character development and balanced values.

 

I think it's problematic (and pretty damn sexist) that people view shows with substance as being "gender neutral" and consider silly, simple, shallow shows as being "girly."

 

MLP is a very feminine show. It is centered on female characters and it is aimed at a female audience. That is pretty difficult to argue. The fact that is happens to be a good show doesn't make it less feminine.

 

Feminine ≠ bad.

[Zerbu 72]

I think it's problematic (and pretty damn sexist) that people view shows with substance as being "gender neutral" and consider silly, simple, shallow shows as being "girly."

 

MLP is a very feminine show. It is centered on female characters and it is aimed at a female audience. That is pretty difficult to argue. The fact that is happens to be a good show doesn't make it less feminine.

 

Feminine ≠ bad.

If something is "girly" or "feminine", average males won't like it, because that would contradict the dictionary definition of those terms. If they did, it would no longer be feminine. That's just how the English language works. You could argue that bronies aren't "average", but the fact still stands that there are more male bronies than female bronies (or pegasisters).

 

"Gender-neutral" simply means that something will appeal to both genders, which is exactly what MLP:FiM does. "Feminine" means it will generally only appeal to women, which is not what MLP:FiM does. Likewise, "masculine" means it will generally only appeal to men. I'm sorry, but those are not words you can just define on a whim to make yourself feel good.

 

(I'm basing my post on the adult audience, since what is considered "masculine" and "feminine" to an adult may not be the same for children and vice-versa)

Edited August 3, 2015 by Zerbu

[Unlikeable Pony 2,698]

I'm not going' to deny it. Considering the theme song still makes me cringe to this very day, pretty high up. 

I'd give it 6-7/10, but I've seen much worse in those terms.

The show itself is pretty appealing to all audiences, but I can't deny my first impressions.

It's nothing compared to the gender stereotypes of the previous generations though! 

 

The Opening song is honestly terrible >.<

I think that's one of the big things about this show that they really and truly could stand to change. Unfortunately, that's a BIG sacred cow to hasbro, as the MLP theme song is INSTANTLY recognizable, and no matter how unkind it is to the ears, they will never change that song for a theme song due to that.

 

That being said, I kind of liked the "my little pony friends" version that got cut from the EQG movie: apart from the "love and tolerate" line its pretty nice.

 

 

When you take the heart-imagery into account, you're right---5 is about where it is.  My first reaction to the question was that it was more like 3 or 4, but hearts are pretty common.

 

I'm not against seeing hearts every so often, but I'd rather they kept hearts reserved for certain motifs, like cadence or the crystal empire, instead of using them for EVERYTHING in the show. I feel it kind of cheapens symbols when they're just used because "They're a cliche girls image".