am I the only person that just.. watches.. the show?

[3k932jd22328jdsf 113]

I am a brony and I just watch the show no stuffed animals posters shirts or anything like that.

[Sunbutt 7]

Aside from the one time I participated in an MLP themed gift exchange on Reddit, I've only ever watched the show...and I haven't even seen every episode yet. After season 2 I stopped watching consistently so there are a bunch of episodes here and there I've missed, and I haven't seen anything from seasons 4 and 5. Whenever I have the time I try to catch an episode on Netflix but I really just don't have that much free time in general.

[Eloquence 2,076]

I've found that with every fandom, people will develop this weird "gatekeeper complex" and try to draw lines and police others on whether or not they're allowed to be a "true fan". If I had to guess, I would say that this behavior comes from people identifying strongly with their identity as a member of said fandom, to the point where they think that anyone who calls themself a fan but isn't "like them" is misrepresenting "the fandom", by which they only really mean themselves individually.

 

Personally, I think this behavior is really silly and pointless, even if I do understand why people do it. If you want to be a fan but all you want to do is watch the show, that's totally cool, and I assure you you're not alone. While I am obviously a pretty involved fan, most of the people I know don't go so far as to become staff on a popular pony forum. Some make OCs, some buy merch, and some just enjoy watching the show and not doing anything else. As long as you aren't using your interest to hurt others, there's no wrong way to be a fan of something, never let anyone tell you otherwise 

[Lunar Echo 10,335]

I only watch the show, I don't get out of control with these things, they can consume a lot of money that could be used for my gaming habits. Besides, it's just a plush toy, last time I had a toy like that was when I was 13 years old. I've still got that plush, it's just lying in a corner collecting dust, same for if I buy any new plush toys.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Lunar Echo

[Seraph Sun 56]

I used to always say I never got the fandom beyond watching the show, but I just got more attached to the show!

[King Sejong 859]

   I am more of a furry than a brony, the furry fandom is the oldest fandom I have been a part of. I don't have a fursona, but I do have a ponysona, my first character in fact, moreover, I do have a large collection of furry art, and I do draw my own art, but I wish to improve before I decide to post my art. Most of what I do in the brony fandom is watch the show, and post here the forums, and that is about it, I do not have any pony merchandise, but I want a simple shirt and figurine, plus the DVDs, but I have other collections I care about most, like Pokemon and Digimon cards, I have a complete collection of first generation cards, also my largest collection is books from Osprey Military Publishing, I have over three hundred books, finally I have a large collection of Chinese pottery and picture art, so I have plenty of hobbies, and I am most active in the furry fandom, so I most just watch My Little Pony, whether on TV or Netflix, for I feel it is one of the best things on TV worth watching.

[M'gann M'orzz 745]

Id wager the majority of the fandom mostly just watches and discusses the show and only has minimal merch and does not read much fan fic. It's just that the more devout post more.

[Lexamena 391]

I am like a baby brony, er, pegasister I mean. Like a lil' bronyette. I watch the show and even do little critiques each week but it's really just barely dipping a toe into the fandom, imo. I don't have much merchandise, a blind bag here n there but that's it. I would certainly buy culture tees or socks if I happen to run into it and it was cheap but I don't go out looking it. I'm big on nostalgia so I like to get a few little things. I could be a hoarder so I am careful what I buy. Still a bronyette tho.

[Steel Accord 6,660]

@@Chronamut,

 

I just watch the show, no fanfics or anything like that. Unless you count this forum as something else.

 

https://mlpforums.com/topic/139793-being-a-long-term-brony-do-you-miss-the-fandom-in-the-early-days/page-2#entry4198106

Edited November 6, 2015 by Steel Accord

[Redacted321 105]

seriously I feel like to be a brony you have to have this whole culture around you of buying the toys, ponifying everything, and that you can't just be oh I dunno..

 

just someone who watches the show.

 

I am pretty much just someone who watches the show. I used to be a flash animator so the graphics fascinate me, as well as the in depth storylines..

 

sometimes the community makes me cringe a bit I will admit. Then again I'm the guy who thinks that people like tirek and iron will should be love interests so who am I to call out others lol..

 

anyways what about you guys? Anyone here "just" watch the show?

 

If you like any one thing about the show or fandom, you can be considered a brony all you need to do is decide if you want to be labeled as a brony. That's how i see it at least, i called myself a brony for about 3 years before i dived into the merchandise.

[Cipactli 43]

I'm on the same boat as well

I just watch the show, no stuffed toys, figures, fan fictions, heck, I haven't even been to any conventions, and I've been a fan for three years. I might consider buying the movies and/or seasons just as a sign of support but that's about it.

[Toothpaste 114]

seriously I feel like to be a brony you have to have this whole culture around you of buying the toys, ponifying everything, and that you can't just be oh I dunno..

 

just someone who watches the show.

 

I am pretty much just someone who watches the show. I used to be a flash animator so the graphics fascinate me, as well as the in depth storylines..

 

sometimes the community makes me cringe a bit I will admit. Then again I'm the guy who thinks that people like tirek and iron will should be love interests so who am I to call out others lol..

 

anyways what about you guys? Anyone here "just" watch the show?

I'mma just say that I'm mainly in this fandom for the show, the music, and the friends. All the silly shipping and stuff are just a part of having such great friends xP

[El Duderino 879]

I've never bought any merch. Don't plan on it anytime soon. I'm not completely opposed to it, just if I'm going to spend money, pony merch is not something I really ever consider. I can't say I "just watch the show" though. I read fanfic every once in a while and I draw.

[DND 2,355]

Eh, sounds like you might have encountered some fans that really like to announce either physically or suggestively that they are fans of the show and come across as a tad unnerving. If someone makes you feel below a rank because it's some competition who's more of a "brony" or likewise try not to mind that stuff because it's not actually a staple in brony culture. A casual fan is a casual fan, no one should disrespect your minor fanon dedication. You have the right to your preferences and priorities. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Silver Letter 1,832]

 

 

I have watched it all, and the comics, and the spinoffs

Don't the comics count as merchandise?

[Chronamut 355]

Don't the comics count as merchandise?

 

you don't have to have bought them to have read them - that stuff is all over the internet.

 

I actually "read" them on youtube.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Chronamut

[TigerGeekGuy 4,662]

I just watch the show and have downloaded a sizeable amount of fan-made content like fanart, some songs, and animations. Other than that, I don't own any merchandise. Seriously, some people take it a bit far.

[Silver Letter 1,832]

 

 

Seriously, some people take it a bit far.

Nothing wrong with buying merchandise.

[TigerGeekGuy 4,662]

Nothing wrong with buying merchandise.

I meant when people buy a lot of merchandise. It just seems like that money spent could've gone to something a bit more practical, but that's just my opinion. People can spend their money however they want.

Edited November 6, 2015 by ATGG

[Silver Letter 1,832]

I meant when people buy a lot of merchandise. It just seems like that money spent could've gone to something a bit more practical, but that's just my opinion. People can spend their money however they want.

Yes. As long as it doesn't interfere with important things like being able to afford one's rent then it's just fine to buy toys. I like to buy them.

[Justin_Case001 4,896]

Well, I'm a big...uh, "brony culture" type, if that's what you want to call it.  I love participating in community stuff, I buy some merch, I listen to the music, and I make my own MLP art.  But you certainly don't have to do any of that to be a brony.  You can just watch the show and that's it if that's all you want.  I've always considered myself a huge Star Trek fan, for example, but all I've ever done is watch the shows and movies.  No merch, no cons, no community, etc.  Whatever boats your float.

[sact3rnlang3l 59]

@@Chronamut,

sometimes I just stare at the screen if thats what you mean as well.

like that almost undead state you hit after a 5 hour binge watch, when your brain isn't actually functioning and at this point you could be classified as brain dead?

And you also try to eat anyone who bothers you....

Yea wait no that last one might just be me...

[Guest]

I haven't watched the show in almost a year, own no merchandise, do very little related to the show and  and somehow I keep coming back here and mildly self identifying as a brony, you definitely are not on the lowest rung of what constitutes a "brony" my friend.

[Detritus 258]

I watch the show and check out some of the fan works, but beyond that, I don't do much else... maybe a bit of fan art here and there.

 

So far, I've not even branched out to the Equestria Girls movies or the official comics.

[Chronamut 355]

yeah for me I just absorb everything related to the story - so the show the comics the movies - I kinda package it all into "watching the show" as it is all arguably canon.