Generation 4 is Ending

[Arcus (Silver Lining) Wind 983]

I'm getting tiered of everybody saying that Rainbow Dash is leaving. Even if she becomes a full on Wonder Bolt (she was still in training at the end of the episode) It doesn't means she won't have time in Pony Ville. That's like saying that an athlete who goes pro doesn't get to see their family any more. They still get plenty of family time. Not to mention that the show doesn't really focus a whole lot on the ponies careers. I'm sure we'll still see RD just as much in the show. As for Twilight's "destiny" they can drag that out for several seasons if they want to. It can take a long time for someone to reach their full destiny.

[Wingnut 6,999]

I'm beginning to think RD becoming...and staying...a Wonderbolt is one of those things that would depend on how long the series actually ends up going.  If MLP:FiM was a flop, they could make RD a Wonderbolt now, make Twilight an alicorn now, end season 3 and the series on a high note and live happily ever after...

 

Except it's a great success and it's now a matter of time before season 4 is announced. 

 

Next question...how long can the series go before it hits the wall, it starts spinning its wheels, it jumps the shark, and so on? 

That's not easy to answer.  The only thing I can think of is to do peer comparison to other successful, long running cartoons.  Because seasons 1 and 2 were 26 episodes each, that's like having 4 seasons right there.  Two normal length seasons 3 and 4 (13 eps each) bring us up to 78 episodes.  And a season 5 would mean a total of 91 eps.  That's an awful lot for a series based mainly on the premise of friendship lessons.  But with the mane 6, the CMCs, numerous supporting characters it should be possible to flesh out many future stories.  Some can be devoted to existing loose ends like the new relationship between RD and Scootaloo and seeing the baby phoenix from Dragon Quest again. 

[silvadel 1,393]

Season 4 will hopefully be 26 episodes and not start so very late that people lose interest.  A break from Late January through October would be a very bad thing.  The main problem (and why we are stuck with 13 eps this year) is how very far in advance they do this show.  The decisions they are making now are for season FIVE not 4.  The season 3 decision of 13 eps happened before they realized just how much of a hit this generation was going to be.  The question is whether they figured it out during season 2 or at the end of season 2.  The answer to that question pretty much determines the possibility of an early season 4.

[Spring Storm 276]

FiM isn't ending anytime soon. If I recall correctly, it was Jayson Thiessen who said that there will be lots of seasons. Season four was already unofficially announced through DHX's investor relations documents, and I'd place my bets that there will be a season 5 and 6. Heck, I'd even go as far as to say there will be a season 8, since gen 3 lasted for five years, and at about two seasons a year that would bring us roughly to five years. Keep in mind, too, that gen 3 had almost no plot and certainly had a much smaller fanbase. If they kept it going for so long, I think gen 4 will last as long, if not longer.

[Metatora 37]

Generation 4 is going nowhere fast. Think about it:

-The merchandise is selling quite well and we're always getting new and expanded lines.  

-The show is dominating in the ratings, which means more ad money.

-Why would Hasbro license a comic series if Gen 4 was on the way out? They wouldn't that if the series wasn't doing well. 

 

The main point of the series is to make money for Hasbro, and FiM is doing VERY well in that regard. As long as the sales are up (which they are) our favorite ponies will be here to stay. 

[Dusty Soul 2,611]

Season 4 has already been confirmed, so this argument is invalidated by that fact.  About Rainbow Dash, all the other ponies hold jobs, but they still are able to spend time with their friends.

[ReGen 1,466]

G4 will not end anytime soon.

 

Dashie's not gonna stop hangin' with the crew, she'll prolly just be around less often.

 

If anything... This is just the beginning. 

 

[Wubsie 1,123]

G4 Ending?

IT'S JUST GETTING STARTED

Honestly you think G4 would just end on the spot after all of the work put into it?

I'm pretty sure Hasbro isn't that dumb enough to end the main show that is keeping the Hub alive. 

This show is too good to just end on the spot, I'm surprised you even THOUGHT about G4 ending.

Now....

[Shanks 10,816]

I don't think so, Rainbow Dash is not a wonderbolt yet although she is one step closer to becoming one as for Twilights destiny I think she will start to study dark magic and could end up having Luna as a second mentor although that one could just be wishful thinking from the Luna fan in me. And we don't know exactly if the Wonderbolts have a season like a lot of sports teams do or if they are working year around we do know though that even in off time they do train of course Rainbow Dash trains anyway and we still see a fairly good amount of her. And they are releasing a comic series and I highly doubt they would do that if the tv series was coming to an end, G4 has been the most profitable generation for Hasbro ever and I think they want to keep it going as long as possible.

[MagmaKnight 17]

I really dont think that it will come to a close this early I mean the comics just came out do you really think they would wrap it up now. I highly doubt it

[Kanerudo 21]

Wikipedia has this to say and I quote: "Elements of the show have become part of the remix culture and have formed the basis for a variety of Internet memes. As a result in part of this unexpected cross-demographic audience interest, the series has become a major commercial success, becoming the most highly rated original production in the Hub's broadcast history." Now is anyone gonna think that the show is gonna end soon, I think not.

[One 498]

*ahem* Money. That is all. It won't end because all company's (except some) are all about money. So if Hasbro ended the show, they would lose out on money.

[poniesforfun 716]

Well even if Rainbow Dash becomes a Wonderbolt the duties of a Wonderbolt would include saving lives, acrobatic showboating, and managing the weather. I'm sure she might be assigned to working around Ponyville. She might lose that "fangirlism" if she becomes a Wonderbolt though. /)^3^(\

[Phoenix237 353]

I have to disagree with both ideas

Rainbow Dash isn't a wonder bolt member yet, she is in training. She still has to go through training if she wants to make the cut.

 

Now with Twilight I have some ideas. My most plossible idea is that whatever Twilights destiy is, it wont happen in a instant.

 

The most common idea is that Celestia is training Twilight to be the New ruler of Equestria. Know even if this is true (which may be possible) Twilight wont be the new ruler in that instant. As far as I see based on the series she still has a lot to learn befor she becomes the new ruler.

 

Taken to account I believe season 3 won't be the last season of generation 4

 

Besides why would Hasbro end a series that has generated them millions of dollars (this part is from an economic standpoint).

[Akemi Homura 7,680]

It has come to my attention that Generation 4 is coming to a close.  My reasoning?  Wonderbolt Academy.  Rainbow is finally achieving her dream; which is good, no doubt.  But, that means that she will be away from her friends in Ponyville; which means that she will also lose her strength as one of the Elements of Harmony.  Another reason for which I make this claim is Celestia's saying that Twilight will find her destiny.  There is a lot of contraversy surrounding that particular topic, so I'll leave it at that.  With 1 and, possibly, 2 Elements of Harmony leaving the stage, it would be quite difficult for the show to continue.

Your thoughts?

 

The Wonderbolt Academy was just a week long. Repeat after me. One. Week. Long.

 

If that's the kind of training regiment they've set up for flyers, then it's a pretty bad one at that. You don't just train for a week and expect to come out of it the very best. The Wonderbolts are professionals, like I've said before, and it takes years to craft your technique and then to finally show them off in front of hordes and hordes of followers.

 

And it isn't like professional athletes never get to spend time with their friends and/or family. Tom Brady, as big of a superstar he is, he has time to practice, work, and just chill with his friends regardless of the pressure that's placed on him. Sure, their interaction may be somewhat downed, but not to the point where it's detrimental to everyone's relationships. It'll work out regardless.

[~Vallo~ 409]

I doubt that this show is ending anytime soon. Look at "Star Wars" and "The Simpsons." They have a huge fanbase and that is all that is needed to keep a show going.

Edited July 20, 2013 by ~Vallo~

[TailsIsNotAlone 3,695]

Okay, this is not even based on a rumor, it's 100% speculation. The title is a needless attention grab. Twilight and Dash are progressing as characters, that's all we know. End of story.

[Jammo 986]

It's making money, so no I don't buy it.

It's like people saying World of Warcraft is ending after two more expansions because players will be level 100. The game still makes a fortune so you don't end a successful product just because of a clean number. It's just a number.

 

Ponies are the must successful they've been ages, and they are continuing to grow, unlike most Hasbro properties. There's been some character development, but you don't kill the golden goose.

Edited December 24, 2012 by Jammo

[~Vallo~ 409]

Okay, this is not even based on a rumor, it's 100% speculation. The title is a needless attention grab. Twilight and Dash are progressing as characters, that's all we know. End of story.

 

There have actually been a couple of rumors, but that was before season 3 even started. But yeah, I agree with you completely 100%. I don't know if your talking about the thread being based on speculation or the whole idea, though.

[Sks_Burns 730]

it wont end anytime soon, simply because Hasbro is a corporation that loves money. why start over and have to re-establish a fanbase? that wont keep their pockets lined with the crispy green stuff. they keep building on the existing platform till theres a major decline in popularity and they need to re-invent the name again in order to bring new fans in. making money is the priority here, since the show is basically just a springboard to help sell toys. i love MLP as much as the next person here, but lets be realistic as to why the show exists in the first place: profit, and as long as we keep spending, they will keep producing. 

 

expect a couple more seasons, at mininum. theres no epic storyline or ultimate goal to be achieved in the near future, so ending it wouldnt make sense. think about it for a minute: major characters having reduced screen time (such as RD going away to train) allows the writers to give secondary ponies more screen time and expand on their own stories. they havent even put a dent in the potential stories and things they can do with all the ponies in the show, so dont stress and worry about MLP ending anytime soon. 

[Splashee 28,564]

On 12/21/2012 at 6:01 PM, IronPuddinG said:

It has come to my attention that Generation 4 is coming to a close.  My reasoning?  Wonderbolt Academy.  Rainbow is finally achieving her dream; which is good, no doubt.  But, that means that she will be away from her friends in Ponyville; which means that she will also lose her strength as one of the Elements of Harmony.  Another reason for which I make this claim is Celestia's saying that Twilight will find her destiny.  There is a lot of contraversy surrounding that particular topic, so I'll leave it at that.  With 1 and, possibly, 2 Elements of Harmony leaving the stage, it would be quite difficult for the show to continue.

Your thoughts?

Well, we still have Pony Life

[EpicEnergy 23,220]

The show lasted a long time, and I'm glad it did, but it still is sad that it had to end at some point.

[AppleButt 8,675]

So happy to say it lasted 7 more years after this thread was created, and Rainbow dash very much did not leave lol. 

[DubWolf 17,265]

Lul how wrong was this at the time . Obv would’ve ended eventually but not like, 7 years before  .