Why did you join the fandom?

[mappelsap 0]

Hey! Would like to know why you guys joined the MLP community! And how open and honest are you in telling people you're a fan? 

[JetPistol 32]

I could write a book on the reasons why I "joined the fandom". But, for the sake of convenience, I'll give you the super short version devoid of 95% of the details and context:

I joined the community because I wanted to gain the knowledge necessary to troll bronies & pony haters alike. Luckily for me, I was quite successful in this regard. The reason I stuck around was because the show shocked me with its rapidly ascending quality. I never intended to unironically become obsessed with MLP, but that's just what ended up happening. I started watching S1 all the way back in late 2011. At the time, I considered it to be "ok". Nothing amazing, but the characters were super cute, the writing was witty, and I wanted to become familiar enough with the character motivations, general plot progressions, and world building elements that way I could effectively piss off the bronies without them dismissing me as a mere pony hater. Sometime around mid-S2, I felt a genuine temptation to drop the series altogether. While exceptions like Return of Harmony or Sisterhooves Social impressed on all fronts, the general lack of fluidity in many other episodes, particularly in relation to the poor dialogue and voice direction, left even the most basic of character interactions feeling forced and decidedly bereft of that charm and wit present in S1. I think it was Baby Cakes in particular that had me with one foot out the door. I forget specifically what it was that made me stay and give the show one last chance, but I am SO fucking glad I did. S3, while short as hell, was a major step in the right direction, as far as I am concerned. It felt like a marriage between the strengths of both S1 & S2, but avoided the majority of their shortcomings. Somehow Season 3 managed to take Boast Busters (my all time least favorite episode of S1) and followup with Magic Duel (the first episode in the entire series I would give a 10/10) And yes, I fucking LOVED Magical Mystery Cure too, not to mention Twilight's much deserved ascent to God-hood. S4 was basically S3 on steroids. Bigger, better, ironed out all the kinks, and had the best 2-parters in the entire series. 

And then came Season 5...

What can I even say about this season that would do it justice? Absolutely anything I type here would be an insult to the cinematographic and literary masterpiece that is S5. So, I won't say anything... well except for this one last sentence: After watching through the entirety of S5, I knew there was absolutely no way I'd even consider dropping the series ever again.

***********

So that's my story in a nutshell, lol. Seasons 6~8 have been thoroughly enjoyable over these past few years. Sure, nothing approaching S5 territory of awesome, but still great nonetheless. I'd rank the seasons as follows: 5>>4>6>7=8>3>1>>2. I anticipate the final season with bated breath, and will likely watch G5 once it airs as well.

[Partialgeek514 5,011]

The fandom has so many creative and friendly people! I love all the pony content! It never runs out! 

[Dreambiscuit 9,691]

When I first discovered MLP I didn't even know there was such a thing as a community of Bronies. It was a cool revelation and I wanted to know more. I started posting on another pony forum and eventually found my way here. It's been pretty cool hanging out. 

[Cash In 22,309]

I joined the fandom to meet other fans of the show, in addition to trying to become less withdrawn. I would say I'm somewhat open about being a fan. I'll admit to it if I was asked, though I wouldn't say anything to give it away.

 

[The Recherche 29,968]

Truthfully told... there was never much of a "why;" I simply gained interest in the series, and the rest is history. In regards to openness, however, I tend to be rather reserved with my interest, as it tends to be rather... alienating at times.

[Kronos the Revenant 1,971]

I initially got on these forums as research for a paper on social phenomenon (in this case, bronies), but my research backfired as I got myself absorbed into what I can do here  

[Kion 7,407]

Because this fandom is so much fun it has so many amazing and wonderful people. And it has fun events and just everything about this place is great.

[MangoFoalix 24,956]

Why? Because I found it interesting and it just went downhill from there. When? It was in 2013.

[TBD 17,254]

I got nothing better to visit other then this forum. 

[Nsxile 26,941]

Because I enjoyed the show and wanted to discuss it with others.

[O-78 28,606]

Because I wanted an easy way to meet other fans of the show.

[Lucky Bolt 35,063]

I dunno, I mean....I was watching MLP long before I even knew bronies were a thing. As to why I joined the fandom....it just happened. There really isn't a "why"  

[Savy 5,077]

Because I enjoy MLP, and honestly love meeting new people. :3

[Cyclone 1066 3,619]

To keep myself out of the ground

[PCutter 127]

Because I hoped I could meet friendly people. What a moron I am for thinking that.

[Sherem 4,807]

to be honest...pure curiosity and some sense of simplicity in the stories of the series...

[BritishBrony2012 809]

Cos I enjoy the show and love ponies specially Derpy

[Splashee 28,564]

There was no real choice. Sooner or late you become a Brony if you like colorful ponies, and I do!

[CatCat 1,118]

Because I couldn’t resist the call of the ponies

honestly the call of the ponies might be a thing cause one day some pony stuff somehow made it’s way into my YouTube feed, I think it was some Steven universe stuff I watched that made it appear, I clicked on it for some reason, then it started to appear again and again and eventually I just decided to try it for myself and now here I am lol

for nopony can resist...

the power of the ponies

[ExplosionMare 18,062]

I started looking at a bunch of Brony websites and ended up on a few of them

[Sparklefan1234 170,614]

Why did I join the MLP:FiM fandom?

I joined the MLP:FiM fandom because I enjoyed the show and wanted to discuss it with other people who enjoyed the show. 

Edited March 24, 2020 by Sparklefan1234

[Cagey 4,248]

I “joined” the fandom, if it can be called that, about three or four years ago. I didn’t actually interact with anyone, but I consumed every piece of brony media I could. I was in awe of what this community had created over the years; I still am. 

[LightsAction 1]

"Resistance was futile..."
But it was a chain reaction.
Listening to AMVs.
I found a musical through PMVs.
I looked at some of these characters, liked the scenery and picked up on some body language. 
'OK. I'll watch an episode' 
I re-watch the .MOV series.
'OK. I'll watch two more'
'Three'
And before I knew it, I was looking on the shelves for ponies and had joined a fanclub.

[EpicEnergy 23,218]

Because of my love for MLP!