mega thread The state of the Brony fandom (Numbers, Popularly, Future)

[XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 777]

          It doesn't matter if a fandom is 'growing, dying' or 'shrinking' as it were, so long as you love the fandom for what it gives and you're still connected to it, it doesn't really 'die.' I've said this before but even if FiM were to end tomorrow the fans would keep it going for the years to come. Lots of people say this every time we're waiting between seasons and every time someone says that it's 'dying' i'll be ready to reiterate what I've said. 

 

          So long as there's users whom remember the series and hold it near and dear to their hearts it'll never die. 

[The EverFree Pony 64]

As far as I know: Hella no. 

 

If anything, the fandom is growing. There are so many dedicated Bronies out there that it's likely we'll live on after this generation's over. 

Thank you so many dam people tell me we are dying o this is the worst possible thing that could happen and we got like a year left or so i mean am new too the fandom just got here this summer i don't want it too end like that this show has some of the best fanfic music and animation i'v seen in a long time or ever thanks for cheering me up:)

[Theawesomechief 44]

People have been saying "The Fandom is dying" since the end of season one.  I wouldn't pay much attention to it, just like what you like until you're done liking it.

You are right, the fandom isn't dying, it's just people are scared that if the TV show doesn't go on, that the fandom will go downhill with it. I was one of those people. But now I notice that that isn't really the case. Even if there is only 2 people left in the fandom, It is a fandom nonetheless. That will not be where this is going fortunately. 

[DusK 1,264]

But a Legacy like Star Trek received is probably one of the best things possible. Yes the fandom is smaller, but it will always be remembers and even worshiped by some (like myself, lol).

 

Personally, I only see more people becoming bronies. It's just that the hiatus has taken a toll on activity.

It's hard to judge without hard data, yeah, and whether one thinks the fandom is in decline is going to be based largely on perspective.

 

I'm just trying to view things objectively. I know that music and art submissions to major long-lived sites like EQD are down from before. Maybe that's because of a lack of new content to build on being released by Hasbro. Maybe it's because a few more musicians and artists than I thought are like me and realized that EQD kinda sucks and isn't worth dealing with. But regardless, those numbers are down.

 

Conventions are also seeing a reduction in population as well. Canterlot Gardens, for example, couldn't make the funding for even a small con this year and had to be canceled.

 

Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I'm trying really hard not to judge the "life of the fandom" on subjective things such as show quality (e.g., "Equestria Girls is killing the fandom!" or "Twilicorn is killing the fandom!") and instead just trying to look at how active the creators and fans are. And it really looks like it's been slipping gradually for about a year.

[Crispy 5,563]

Conventions are also seeing a reduction in population as well. Canterlot Gardens, for example, couldn't make the funding for even a small con this year and had to be canceled.

 

I actually think this is a good thing.  Two fantastic cons (Bronycon and Everfree) would be better than two pretty okay cons and 17 tiny, poorly run cons.  

[Wingnut 6,990]

Nope, the fandom isn't dying.  There may be a lot of turnover.  People and events coming and going.  But it's still going strong with, hopefully, years before it's over the hill. 

[Norman 177]

I actually think this is a good thing.  Two fantastic cons (Bronycon and Everfree) would be better than two pretty okay cons and 17 tiny, poorly run cons.  

Just because CONS are small doesn't mean their poorly run.

 

I'd personally like to see more CONS. Besides, the more CONS there are doesn't necessarily have an impact on the large CONS.

[DusK 1,264]

I actually think this is a good thing.  Two fantastic cons (Bronycon and Everfree) would be better than two pretty okay cons and 17 tiny, poorly run cons.

From what I remember, Canterlot Gardens was also a fantastic, well-run con. It's arguable that it was the MLP con to attend. That's why I used it as an example specifically. For a con that big to not be able to happen, that's gotta say something.

[Crispy 5,563]

Just because CONS are small doesn't mean their poorly run.

 

I'd personally like to see more CONS. Besides, the more CONS there are doesn't necessarily have an impact on the large CONS.

 

Fair point.  Still, I'd rather go to a huge con that has as many draws as possible than a small con that managed to snag a VA or two.  Opinions. *shrug*

[MrHaru 217]

>every single season break ever someone has to ask this question

>EVERY SINGLE SEASON

 

Guys. OP specifically. Please.

 

Season 4 is coming later this year and you'll laugh at yourself for thinking the fandom is 'dying'. It is merely in a slow period because there are no ponies actually here except for Equestria Girls and fan content.

 

Please continue to be patient.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Also, I'd like point out that we actually have more hits thanSonic the Hedgehog on DA and the number is still going up. 3/4 of the time there's at least one pony pic in the new submissions on the front page(sometimes two or three) 

[Norman 177]

From what I remember, Canterlot Gardens was also a fantastic, well-run con. It's arguable that it was the MLP con to attend. That's why I used it as an example specifically. For a con that big to not be able to happen, that's gotta say something.

Funding dries up. People elsewhere want cons nearby. I personally believe it says little about the strength of the fandom, seeing as new cons are still popping up (BronyCAN being a great example).

 

Fair point.  Still, I'd rather go to a huge con that has as many draws as possible than a small con that managed to snag a VA or two.  Opinions. *shrug*

I've been to cons both big and small. Generally small cons are better, as long as they have a member of the cast or two.

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

From what I remember, Canterlot Gardens was also a fantastic, well-run con. It's arguable that it was the MLP con to attend. That's why I used it as an example specifically. For a con that big to not be able to happen, that's gotta say something.

 

There was the whole mess last year with Las Pegasus, so I'm not surprised cons took a hit this year. It's also a matter of over-saturation, when you have so many big cons in the same country for the same thing, Someone's going to get knocked out of the ring. Many people have to save all year just to attend ONE con for whatever. 

Edited July 13, 2013 by Shoboni

[Discount_Flunky 75]

I have some experience when it comes to the belief that a fandom is dying.  I am an Abridger, I make Abridged series, and am also part of the abridged community.  In the abridged community there is also a strong belief among many people that the art form is dying.  They cite three reasons for this belief. 1.  There is a disturbing lack of quality in most new Abridged series.  2.  New Abridged series episodes that come out get less views then they would have had a few years back.  3.  A lot of the big names that started the community are slowing dropping off.

 

What people don't realize is that these are actually sings that abridging is going strong.  The reason for the drop in quality is that the popularity of major abridged series has inspired a horde of people to make their own, but the thing is 95% percent of them don't know what their doing, which causes an overall lack in quality.   When you add it up though, you'll find that the number of new abridgres that show promise is higher then ever.  The lack of views is due to fact that people are starting to branch out and are abridging some seriously obscure shows, which don't generate as much traffic.  And as for the oldies dropping out, that is to be expected.  Now one can expect someone to make an internet series that takes hundreds of hours of work completely free of charge forever.  It's natural for there to be drop outs, but the thing is their being replaced faster then they can drop out.

 

What's this have to do with MLP?  Well the same thing is happening now for this fandom.  There are so many bronies making art those days it's causing the good stuff to get drowned out, also people are making art and music form more obscure stuff form the source material which gets viewed less, and also some big names are dropping out.  All of this causes people to go "OMG! The fandom is dying!  Therese no more good stuff!"   They just have to realize that the fandom is indeed growing, it's just that now you have to look harder to pick out the gems.

[Luna the Great of all the Russias 2,984]

Even after the inevitable end of MLP:FIM, I don't expect the fandom to die out. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we reach a point where we developed so far as a fandom that we create even more fan-made episodes; maybe even make an entire fan-made series? Who knows?

Edited July 13, 2013 by 115Predator

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Just remember Highlander, it hasn't had any halfway decent media since 2001(there was the The Source in 2007, but it was so bad even the most die-hard fans have blocked the memories of it) and still has a strong and dedicated fandom if you look in the right place. 

Edited July 13, 2013 by Shoboni

[Zerrodo 104]

Is the fandom dying? Nope.

 

Will it ever die? Probably not.

 

Fandom noun \ˈfan-dəm\: The state or attitude of being a fan.

 

As long as one person enjoys the show, there will always be a fandom.

[Twi Rubix 726]

I doubt it.

 

It's true we are between Seasons, and the complaints of Equestria Girls along with Twilicorn, but this does not mean the fandom is dying excessively.

 

Personally, I think the fandom is at it's worst when the show is between seasons because of no new TV content coming from Hasbro. (There was EG, but like I said, there were many complaints about that.) People are always impatient, and new content and such is demanded.

[Gigapony 650]

You know, it's almost textbook, really. Every fandom goes through this whenever it's between shows, toylines, or in the case of us, seasons.

 

Going back to my previous example of the Transformers fandom, people thought it was dead and buried in '91 when Generation 1 ended, then after a two-year hiatus G2 came out in '93 and gave the fandom a (small, but) needed boost.

 

People again thought it was dying when G2 ended in '95 until Hasbro came out with Beast Wars in '96, and people once again thought it was going to die because of the radical change to the franchise. Instead, it boosted the fandom back to its original glory and basically ensured its long life for decades to come.

 

I bet the same will happen to MLP. I am fully confident given how unique this fandom's been, that it will have a time some years from now where nostalgia-based toylines/shows will come out for it the same way it did for Transformers, catering this time to both bronies and its target audience. And say what you will about Hasbro, but it has a pretty good track record for doing this with its franchises if they get big enough (not just Transformers, but G.I. Joe as well), and MLP's certainly big.

 

You lot just wait, the fandom's not dying. It's in its infancy. The Golden Age is yet to come.

[Pinkie Pie 3 U 42]

It ain't dying, who's idea was that. I agree that it's probably wishful thinking non cartoon pony loving people. Season 4 is just around the corner well, in the distant corner. We also got Equestria Girls for those who like it, like myself so if Star Trek lasted with only 3 season, I say we are in pretty good shape. Here have a nice comic cover art, it should cheer you right up. The symmetry is really cool.

 

Awesome Comic Book Art (Official: not fan made) :

 

Even after the inevitable end of MLP:FIM, I don't expect the fandom to die out. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we reach a point where we developed so far as a fandom that we create even more fan-made episodes; maybe even make an entire fan-made series? Who knows?

 

This. The show gets so much love from it's fans I highly doubt that even if Friendship is Magic doesn't last above 100 episodes which i seriously doubt since I can still see so many venues the show could go to from one character alone! Bronies, Pegasisters, Pony Folk pre friendship is magic are here to stay. XD

Edited July 13, 2013 by Pinkie Pie 3 U

[Super-TeddyGuy 24]

In my opinion, people say these things because the fandom grew so much that trolls and "cloppers" can be found everywhere and because of that, tons of bad content is being created, therefore people thing that this beautiful fandom is dying, but in reality it's just growing.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

THE EXACT SAME  GAWD DAMNED THING IS SAID EVERY TIME WE GET A FEW MONTHS PAST THE LAST SEASON.

 

I have no idea what basis this argument has or what the argument even is, but i have no desire to explore this further.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

This fandom seems to have some sort of collective hypochondria. Ever since I joined this site, every few months we get the same concerns resurfacing. Season 1 is finished: the fandom is dying. Derpy was removed from an episode: the fandom is dying. Season 2 is finished: the fandom is dying. Season 3 has a few substandard episodes: the fandom is dying. Twilight is an alicorn princess now: the fandom is dying. Equestria girls gets released, so obviously, the fandom is dying.

 

No, it's not.

 

Believe me, OP, this is not a new thing. I don't think you have to worry too much.

Edited July 13, 2013 by Full Spectrum

[Smarts 1,622]

People have been saying "The Fandom is dying" since the end of season one.

 

I never knew some people were saying that. I guess you do learn something new everyday.

 

This fandom isn't dying now or anytime soon, in my opinion. Even if the show is over, there will continue to be bronies. I personally think this fandom will be around for a long time.

Edited July 13, 2013 by SmartyPants

[Norman 177]

This fandom seems to have some sort of collective hypochondria. Ever since I joined this site, every few months we get the same concerns resurfacing. Season 1 is finished: the fandom is dying. Derpy was removed from an episode: the fandom is dying. Season 2 is finished: the fandom is dying. Season 3 has a few substandard episodes: the fandom is dying. Twilight is an alicorn princess now: the fandom is dying. Equestria girls gets released, so obviously, the fandom is dying.

 

No, it's not.

 

Believe me, OP, this is not a new thing. I don't think you have to worry too much.

I was never worrying at all. Read the OP 

Over all a pretty good point though. This has been the general consensus of the MLP community though, as it seems.