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

[Lucky Bolt 35,062]

Am I the only one who DOESN'T think it's dying? 

[Savy 5,076]

I'm with Lucky Bolt, I really don't believe the fandom is dying. 

[Mirage 24,747]

It's not dying. It's not what it used to be, but it's not going away.

[Nsxile 26,898]

The gradual decline in the quality of the episodes from Season 4 onwards, season on season (apart from 7) is pretty much why.

[Zestanor 98]

Just now, Nsxile said:

The gradual decline in the quality of the episodes from Season 4 onwards, season on season (apart from 7) is pretty much why.

I don’t think it’s because of quality. The business model for seasons 1 and 2 was in many ways far superior to everything following, since it ran like a regular prime time TV show, airing during the year and taking a break in the summer. Season 3’s brevity throttled the momentum, and through season 4 picked it up again, the year long wait between seasons 4 and 5 destroyed the influx of new fans. Now the seasons air over the summer, or are sent in syndication to other countries before airing live in the NA. Whatever reason it was that they started season five in April 2015 instead of October 2014, it was a blunder.

[FlareGun45 2,221]

So ever since we found out that season 9 is the final season and that G5 is gonna happen, there's some talk throughout the fandom of whether or not some will leave or some will stay. I'd like to discuss something about that.

MOST of us are here because of "Friendship is Magic", not "My Little Pony". Not alota us came from previous gens. Most of us became a part of the fandom because of this gen. Now people wanna leave before G5 wants to start. Can ya really blame them? G5 isn't gonna be the same as FIM! For better or for worse? Who knows? But it's not gonna be the same show. It's also a REMAKE, in a new world, where the Mane 6 come back in new forms, new stories, and new voices! We're not used to seeing Twilight as an earth pony, or Fluttershy as a unicorn, or Applejack as a cow. It's a new world, with a new story, but the same characters coming back in a different way, along with some new ones.

Of course, half the fandom wants to give the show a chance, and I don't blame them either! It might give them the same joys as this show did! However, if people wish to leave before G5 starts, we shouldn't consider it a problem. It doesn't mean they hate MLP now. I'm sure we'll always love our precious ponies, and maybe that's why they don't wanna give G5 a chance, because they're not the ponies they knew and loved.

So if you wanna watch G5, then I really hope you enjoy it! If not, it's been an honor having you in the fandom!  Who knows? Maybe they won't leave the fandom - just not watching G5.

[MangoFoalix 24,944]

Moving to Sugarcube Corner.

 

As for me, I probably will give it a chance. If I don't like it then I just ignore it and pretend it never existed. I will still most likely be around though.

[Goat-kun 2,527]

Everything has a beginning. That does not mean things will stay the same as they were at that time. A journey changes all. This generation may have brought us together but that does not mean that we should follow it into oblivion. Has G4 made you into pony fans or are you just G4 fans? Look beyond the H-Bro product and ask yourselves why you are truly here. Are we a seed of a tree or are we just a withered weed?

[OdellaLark 185]

I’m staying. Gonna give g5 a chance. And I don’t see how leaving before g5 starts would mean that they hate mlp now. It just means they were only into fim and aren’t sure if they wanna give whatever g5 will be called a chance. The only way it could be them hating it is if they flat out insult the new gen or some shit.  

[Lil'Cinnamon 1,587]

My input on this is mainly.. When it comes to the current fandom, just because the fourth generation is ending doesn't mean "Oh no more show, time to leave for good!" That just makes honestly no sense to me, if you like the show, you like the show, don't decide to not associate to ponies anymore just because there isn't gonna be any new episodes anymore, in fact, when it comes to me, I will still be a fan of ponies even without the g4 show going on, the show has helped me make lots of friends, and ponies are just awesome in general, I honestly lost interest in the current show a long time ago, I keep up with it cause I would like to finish G4, and the episodes so far have been very good (some flops) but G4 has to end eventually or it will get stale like the other shows that have been going on for years. I will forever be a pony, even years after g4 is ended, even if g5 is meh.

On to the main thing here, I may give G5 a chance, I dunno how that is, I haven't really been looking into it, but will I check it out? Yeah, why not, I wanna see what they will end up doing with it, it's a new generation, they are using the same characters just like the characters in the current generation are basically characters from previous gens as well. If I don't like the 5th generation? Oh well, I still have lots of memories and connections with G4, just because the show is ended doesn't mean that I don't want to associate with ponies anymore, they will forever be a part of my heart.

And that's the main thing here, is just because g4 is over, doesn't mean the fandom is coming to an abrupt end, I keep seeing people saying that and people who want to leave and it's kinda... Really? If you like the show, the old episodes are still going to be there, they aren't going to get wiped off the face of the earth, and people can still make fanfics and stuff as well. If you like the show, cherish what it gave you, and re watch old episodes, it's not the end of the world that it's over. The show had a good lifespan, it's time for g4 to end, and the fandom to continue on. If you don't like G5, then you don't like it.

So yeah, I will give G5 a chance, and if it is bland and uninteresting, oh well.

[KirbyFluttershy 2,523]

I'm staying in the fandom. The part about MLP G5 is that there's more to it that meets the eye so apparently what I really wanna know what the story is, which ponies, creatures, and villains are there gonna be, and a whole lot. There's a saying try at least once before saying I hate this and other stuff like that.

I know many fans are leaving the fandom for their own reasons, but there's no point in stopping them. It's always good to remember these G4 characters in your memory and your heart.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,306]

I really don't understand why everyone is stressing over this. MLP:FIM is a huge body of work. If G5 isn't as good, so what? It doesn't make G4 vanish from my hard drives and DVDs.

[Will Guide 21,360]

3 minutes ago, cuteycindyhoney said:

I really don't understand why everyone is stressing over this. MLP:FIM is a huge body of work. If G5 isn't as good, so what? It doesn't make G4 vanish from my hard drives and DVDs.

Exactly. Your reasoning that we'll always have the original G4 to enjoy is very similar to my belief that we'll always have the original animated Disney Films if we don't like the Live Action Remakes if we don't see them as good. Those LAR don't erase the animated films and neither will G5 erase G4. Wouldn't you agree?

[cuteycindyhoney 13,306]

53 minutes ago, Will Guide said:

Exactly. Your reasoning that we'll always have the original G4 to enjoy is very similar to my belief that we'll always have the original animated Disney Films if we don't like the Live Action Remakes if we don't see them as good. Those LAR don't erase the animated films and neither will G5 erase G4. Wouldn't you agree?

Exactly. If G5 isn't very good, that's no reflection on G4

[BornAgainBrony 2,397]

________________________

 

[curbcat 9]

People are seriously leaving before G5? That is ridiculous. After the end of G4, we're on to a new adventure with new characters and who knows what will happen. I'm all for the unknown adventure we have waiting for us.

[Dashy 4 Ever 4,835]

I don't know what to say, I think people should be happy with what we have and to give G5 a chance at least. We have over 200 episodes of the beloved Mane 6 and their friends, I think that's definitely sufficient for us, at least for now.

[TransitPony 238]

The reason alot of people are leaving the fandom before G5 commences is because, well, we don't know how it's gonna turn out. Frankly looking at how FiM was in terms of production, there were some things that worked beyond Hasbro's control and they didn't like that. Plus, this is a phenomenon that will never be witnessed again in our lifetime. The way it was done, the way things came to be, it all just fell into place. Reminds of me listening to this song and how it brought me back of the golden days of YouTube as well as the internet as a whole and how I was a fortunate witness to that era.  

[Lucky Bolt 35,062]

I expect the fandom will stick around long after G4 ends. And, depending on how good G5 becomes, who knows, the fandom just might get bigger.  

 

[Savy 5,076]

The fandom is going to probably stay around for a while, maybe even grow if G5 is good enough!

[Dreambiscuit 9,675]

Whether or not G5 is all that current fans want, no one will know unless they give it a shot. The nice thing is that G4 generated a lot of interest that My Little Pony could only dream about in earlier gens. There are fans now that are curious and very charged up about what may come next. Fans of Gen 1-3 probably didn't write off G4 before seeing it, and were probably glad they didn't. Fans of G4 may feel the same way when G5 comes out. All we can do is wait and see. 

[Lucky Bolt 35,062]

I personally don't ever plan on leaving the fandom regardless of G4 ending. But if other people are..well, that's their choice. 

[Savy 5,076]

I agree with Lucky Bolt, I don't plan on leaving the fandom either. 

[Newman1651 35]

Just to let you know, I’m not doomposting or any negative shit. I’m undergoing a state of confusion and internal debate that will run the course of my time in this community. given the state of things now, I don’t know what to do and the frustration and stress hasn’t quite left me. Time after time, I have to vent and express my grievances about the future of the franchise and the community around it.

please you have to tolerate this sort of thing because Honestly, I'm experiencing moments of conflict and i have to sometimes vent considering i don't exactly know what to do. I want to still come up with concepts, premises and ideas for fanfic stories, but time after time, I look back at the state of this fandom and the ending of G4 looming over the horizon (some people are in denial that EqG will End without Hasbro announcing it) as well as it's legacy after it ends and during the hiatus and course of G5 and beyond. it makes me question what and why I'm here at a time when the community is experiencing decline and if there is any point in me staying.

Since production and development of FiM has wrapped up and ended. Looking back, I’m quite impressed it lasted as long as it did and here’s hoping the community doesn’t entirely forget about this Generation during the G5 Hiatus and the course of G5. And i hope people will still make fanart and fanfiction based around G4.It’s too good and too recognizable.

I do hope the G4 brony fandom will endure even after this Generation comes to a close and G5 comes.

As much as people are excited about G5. G4 shouldn't be forgotten. Something that has lasted and endured for nearly a decade and had a significant impact on internet culture should not be forgotten in a couple of years. It's just too recognizable to be forgettable.

I understand that you want to give G5 a chance but what about the legacy of G4's FiM and EqG? How will those be remembered and what will become of those in comparison to the past three generations of this toyline? I really hope these. will there still be discussion on G4, will there still be g4 fanart and fanfics still being produced and will this fandom continue to stay strong even after everything about G4 comes to an end? will the fandom forget about g4 or will it's cultural impact allow it to endure and perhaps outshine G5, if it turns out to disappoint.

I think someone else has brought up this question before, but will G5 have the same impact as G4 and how will that affect G4's legacy/longevity in the future? Would this cause G4 to be looked up to as the more superior show (and remembered a bit longer) or forgotten?

I Know it was meant to be targeted to young girls, but times have changed and people's attitudes and mentalities have changed. Dunno if Hasbro is aware of the unexpected longevity and success of G4 or if they did indeed catch lightning in a bottle and would never be able to recapture that former glory. Because I'd think that as a fresh start, they would try to go back to their roots and make sure the next generation targets the demographic it was designed for and nothing else.

Because i wonder. Will G5 just end up living under the shadow of G4/FiM? Despite us looking forward to how well G5 will turn out. That should be something to consider as well as looking up at G4 as the mroe superior generation if that does become the case.

I just hope the community doesn't experience a decline and decrease much worse than the one in 2006 during season 6. 

I’m really expecting this fandom to experience a sharp downturn or a complete collapse and die after G4 and EqG wrap up. Sure they may be still fans of those two franchise but how many? probably not a lot. Is anyone anticipating this fandom to crumble after G4 or if G5 turns out to suck? I am for sure.

It really sucks that a person like me, joined this community right at the time where everything is ending (around for a month and a half). FiM due to Season 9 being the last season, and EqG due to toys not selling and the spinoff overall hitting a dead end. It truly sucks and I feel both frustrated and regretful for not joining earlier.

I wouldn’t want to call myself a full on brony, more like a casual fan that does his own thing.

I never fully got into it but I’m glad it ran it’s course and lasted as long as it did, even when I didn’t join right up until it ended. I’m just hoping the community does not experience a much greater decline than the one in 2016. I don’t like to join Quiet and abandoned fandoms that have become small and incredibly niche.

I Have heard from this year that the fandom is actually declining very fast and that after either bronycon 2019, the last one, It might decline even more. and with the end of G4 and FiM, I’m anticipating a full on but gradual exodus leading to it ultimately vanishing. wouldn’t want to stick around if that’s the case. I mean it’s getting awfully quiet on places like deviantart, derpibooru and fimfiction.

Even I debate to myself over wether i should leave and move on to other things and stay and witness the decline and eventual niche status of this community. Or whatever remains. sometimes I think that blew my chances at joining and that it's best that I leave as quickly as a joined.

I have too many things in life to worry about, but all of this drama surrounding the end of ponies is adding to the strain i am currently struggling to bear. at the same time i want continue my admiration of G4 in discussions fanart and fanfics yet i feel that someday i might be looked at as an outcast for admiring something that is long gone. I'm torn right now over wether to leave and save myself from the emotional burden of seeing something i missed out end or staying and being forced to weather a possible decline and downturn and division in the fandom until the debut of G5. What do you think?

i love this community, but how long will it last int he wake of the finale? and will the fandom for Generaiton 4 truly endure like other fandoms of discontinued tv shows and franchises?

on a side note, After this spinoff is discontinued (which is pretty much inevitable contrary to what the "Not over till hasbro says so" people think). You think people will still remember this spinoff or will it fade into obscurity and be forgotten by all but a few? because once G4 wraps up i’m pretty sure the downturn that occurs afterward will result in it being effectively forgotten by the fandom.

And About EgG ending, 

 for one like myself, I think it's a foregone conclusion that the spin off will end/discontinue after Starswirl Do-over adaptation

I think Hasbro has already made up it's mind on discontinuing the spinoff as part of wrapping Generation 4. And before the Fim Series Finale, it seems. They are merely waiting until the time is right. likely scenario would be that this would just fizzle out at season 2 with no proper finale.

Though i have to wonder ifr Hasbro will ever attempt something Similar to EqG in the future. Or at least something that follows some of the concepts such as the humana nd pony worlds existing as separate dimensions as well as it's rules and concepts of cross dimensional travel and interaction.

I really should have joined back in 2010. too bad my homophobic family prevented me until now. i merely admired it from afar.

Edited June 26, 2019 by Jeric
Fixed carry-over formatting issues

[Usager 433]

The ending of this gen doesnt mean you cant keep feeding it with draws, storys, roleplays and stuff. This forum ls not gonna disappear, the fandom may have some loss but there is still gonna be people.

Is not that terrible. Also, you dont even know how g5 is gonna be. The brony thing was a pretty good thing for hasbro and i think they may want to repeat it.