List of References in MLP:FiM - Not "Just a Children's Cartoon"

[Comet Tail 808]

Okay, I've seen countless times and bronies who've at some point or other, said:

"...Pre-K girls' show..."

or

"It's just a children's cartoon, after all..."

 

My little pawnies, the reason most of us like this show is because it is NOT just another "girly" (with all the negative connotation Lauren Faust fought so hard to destroy) children's cartoon.

 

It's a cartoon that can appeal to children, but it is much more than that!

 

And here's a list of reasons why:

 

1. The show's complex plots could never be understood by children who are very small.

2. Much of the show is rather medium or slow-paced, and contains lots of dialogue that would bore less mature audiences, when compared to other shows.

3. The writers themselves have said they made it for all audiences.

4. Notice the voice acting doesn't sound like they're always yelling - in cartoons like "Adventure Time", it does, to hold attention.

 

And now, a list of references and other moments that younger audiences would miss:

 

1. "Julius Ceaser" by William Shakespeare

"Sisterhooves Social": After discovering Sweetie Belle is gabby gums, Rarity bursts in her room and exclaims: "Et tu, Sweete Belle!?"

 

2. "Pwn'd!" (internet culture)

"Applebuck Season": When Applejack goes to help Rainbow Dash with the catapult-contraption thing, and misses, Rainbow Dash exclaims: "Applejack - what the hay is going on!? I mean, I thought I was working with Pawnyville's best athlete!"

 

3. "The Big Lebowski"

"The Cutie Pox" -

 

4. "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Adam Douglas

"Fall Weather Friends" - when lining up for the race, Twilight Sparkle's number is 42 - given to the bookworm, "egghead" pony, too much to be coincidence.

 

5. "The Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad

In "Applebuck Season" after the stampede, and again in "Bridle Gossip" when the mane 6 enter town with Zecora, they exclaim; "The horror! The horror!"

The first time Roseluck exclaims it, lying meladramatically as if a mortally wounded Mr. Kurtz. The second time, Lily exclaims it as Zecora emerges from the Everfree forest, a jungle much like "The Heart of Darkness".

(I would find it no surprise, considering the show's quoted Shakespeare.)

 

 

 

What else have y'all noticed from the series that puts it above any run-of-the-mill children's show? Something tangible and clearly definable.

 

In the Flim Flam song, the line "Non Parlay" rings a bell. Anyone know what that's from? Music man?

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

The blatant shot-for-shot Star Wars Episode IV homage during the ceremony at the end of The Return of Harmony - Part 2.

[OptimisticNeighsayer 478]

If you're looking for a list of all the references the show makes, the MLP wikia has a fairly comprehensive list:

 

http://mlp.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_allusions

 

Flim and Flam's song, for that matter, was supposed to be directly inspired by the song "Trouble" from The Music Man itself, not just that single line.

[Dusty Soul 2,612]

James Bond during one of Pinkies theories in "MMMystery on the Friendship Express", and Indiana Jones in "Read it and Weep"

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

The Indiana Jones reference was especially good, because they subverted it at the last second. Instead of carefully replacing the idol with a sand bag of the same weight, Daring casually grabs it in her mouth and trots away.

[moneyshredderofdeath 414]

I didn't know the original song so this is kinda cheating but I read that Art of the Dress was based off a Stephen Sondheim song.

[Twi Rubix 726]

• Return of Harmony: Part 2:
• The very ending is a reference to the Star Wars ceremony scene.
• Discord does the shuffle from "Party Rock Anthem" on the mirrors in the castle.
• People generally relate Discord as a troll because of all his chaos and just the plain weirdness of his character, which is popular in internet culture.

• A Canterlot Wedding: Part 1 and 2
• People seem to relate the songs to Disney songs, which I agree with. Like "This Day Aria"
• Mild reference to the Royal Wedding last year.
• I believe all the dresses for the Mane 6 were fan made.

• It's About Time
• Future Twilight is associated with Solid Snake from metal Gear Solid.
• Cerberus is the famous three headed dog of the same name.

• Luna Eclipsed
• Halloween... duh.
• Some pony dresses as Ermac from Mortal kombat.

• Dragon Quest
• The Title might be a refrence to the board game of the same name.

• May the Best Pet Win!
• Rainbow Dash whistles "Ride of the Valkyries"

• Mysterious Mare Do Well
• Mare Do Well's costume looks like Darkwing Duck
• Rainbow Dash uses Spiderman's Catchphrase. ("No need to fear, your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash is here!)
• A Mare Do Well sign looks like the Batman Logo.

• The Last Roundup
• The conveyor belt scene is a reference to "I Love Lucy"

• Read it and Weep
• Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Fluttershy play Battleship
• Daring Do is a reference to Indiana Jones
• People think Rainbow "Secretley Loving Books" is like "Secretley Being a brony

• MMMMystery on the Friendship Express
• Con Mane = James Bond
• Mulia's scene = Kill Bill
• Gustav's scene = Old classic cartoons
• Pinkie and Twilight investigating is like Sherlock Holmes.
• The whole episode is a refrence to a movie of a similar title.

• A friend in Deed
• Cranky Doodle = Yankee Doodle

• Putting your hoof down
• Iron Will says: "I Pity the fool!" like Mr. T

Edited July 30, 2012 by Twi Rubix