What defines a Brony?

[Norman 177]

I don't think we need a "rite of passage". I myself, have never really purchased merchandise (I commissioned a plushie two weeks ago but it still hasn't been started) and I don't have an OC. And I'm 99% sure that I'm a brony, by all definitions.

[Flutter's lover <3 8,205]

This  is a rather interesting Idea. I would see it as a more "fun" thing to do though among brony groups. IE your local brony group.

 

Here's a few "rules"

 

~ MUST have watched ALL episodes

~ MUST have memorized (Or at least be able to sing along to)at least ONE song of at least 1 minute long from the show.

~ MUST Obey The Great And Powerful Trixie

~ MUST have at least one piece of pony merch.

[Xanatos 162]

something that you must complete to be considered a full brony.

 

 

No. That's one of the most infuriating and dumb things fandoms do, this "real fan" bullshit. And as a Native, I find that comparison offensive and asinine.

[Mr. Critical 434]

As fun as that sounds, doesn't it kinda defeat the love and tolerate motto of the fandom itself? I mean if you can name the mane 6 that should be qualification enough right?

[lincolnshirepony 527]

Write a research paper on a unique topic pertaining to mlp. Ten page minimum.

 

I have to agree with others that a rite of passage isn't really necessary. I think that enjoyment of the show is all one needs to consider themselves a brony. I don't think being exclusionary would benefit the fandom.

[Callisto 1,877]

NOPE

 

1, A rite of passage? TO BE CONSIDERED A FAN OF A SHOW ABOUT CARTOON HORSES?!

 

2. I hate this "troo fan" nonsense. No one person is a bigger fan than the other.

 

3. Who are you to tell someone what they can and can't be a fan of?

[MelancholicMemory 2,025]

 

 

You obviously have to have seen EVERY episode (with Equestria Girls being optional).

Then I'm not a brony apparently I don't think we need any rite of passage. It's just being a fan of a cartoon. All you need to do to be a fan is see it and like it.

[Sir.Flutter Hooves 2,953]

I really don't think there should be a Rite of Passage. All you have to do is like the characters and find them enjoyable! That's what I did, and now I'm a brony. I think you should just find the characters appealing  and love the nature of the show!

[LightsCameraAction 100]

As I read through some of the answers on here, many of you mentioned that you should have to have seen every episode. Now I have, but one of my friends has not but he does truly love the show and contributes to the fandom like it is his religion. I don't think it is fair to him to say he is not a brony when he has done so much for it.

[Loona 287]

Please, none of this "full brony" stuff. You're a full brony if you want to be. Nobody else should decide that for you. Can't everyone just be equal in this fandom?

[Fergus Mo 21]

So I was just thinking...what are the things you have to do to officially become a brony? I came up with a couple.

 

1. Watch at least 25% of all episodes in a season. IMO, to become a true brony one must be acquainted with the show and its characters first.

 

2. Create a work about ponies. This can range from a drawing, to a fanfic, or even a game mod. Creativity is the best way to get acquainted with and express your true feelings about something.

 

3. Read cupcakes (yes, that fanfic). I know this is going to be controversial, but I believe that by reading this fic one is acknowledging the fandom has a darker side - and therefore become more familiar with the brony community (or at least part of it).

 

What do you think are some other brony initiation rites? Do you agree or disagree with mine? Thoughts?

[Party Cannon 876]

No need for initiation rites. If someone says they are a brony, then they're a brony. True, there are degrees we see, like the casual show watcher all the way to diehard fan. However, it's a fandom, not a club or a church. I admire your enthusiasm about this fun fandom/subculture of ours though.

[NavelColt 22,880]

So I was just thinking...what are the things you have to do to officially become a brony? I came up with a couple.

 

As it so happens, we've already got a topic talking about people's thoughts regarding brony initiation rites/rites of passage :3 I've merged your topic with it.

[Fergus Mo 21]

No need for initiation rites. If someone says they are a brony, then they're a brony. True, there are degrees we see, like the casual show watcher all the way to diehard fan. However, it's a fandom, not a club or a church. I admire your enthusiasm about this fun fandom/subculture of ours though.

Because of your avatar, I subconsciously read this in Applejack's voice. Now I can't get it out of my head...

 

OT: Yeah...in fact, I wouldn't be a brony according to my standards since I've watched only 20 episodes or so.

[Winterbass 763]

I don't think a rite of passage is necessary to consider yourself to be a brony...

 

... though one should AT LEAST make an effort to watch all the episodes. Don't get into a fandom when you haven't seen any episode in 9 months and you aren't even near halfway through the series. That and be familiar with the fandom to some degree. Otherwise you're just an MLP fan, not a brony.

Edited July 28, 2013 by Winterbass

[Smarts 1,622]

A right of passage just seems very pointless to me. If someone enjoys the show, art, music, or fanfics, then they can call themselves a brony if they so choose. I don't believe that they should have to go through any of this nonsense just to become one of us.

Edited July 30, 2013 by SmartyPants

[Zygen 6,066]

I think having a rite of passage would be to conflicted, as people have all kinds of different definitions of a brony.

 

I personally think a brony is just anyone who enjoys the show to some extent, of course I refer to people how they want to be refered to(Of course generally I just use brony when refering to a group not a person, but still.)

 

I think a rite of passage feels kinda.. idk, i just don't think I like it that much, it makes bronies feel like some kinda exclusive club.

 

Also if I need to complete the brony challange to be a full brony i'll never be a full brony, as I can't stay up that long. And as much as I love MLP i don't know if I could do like 22+ hours of MLP.

 

The last one is weird, the 1st ones ok, but still...

 

I jsut don't like the whole passage thing, just feels like we exclude people doing something like that.

[John 793]

Well, to be a full brony:

 

• You obviously have to have seen EVERY episode (with Equestria Girls being optional).

 

Gahh!  I almost thought you said "with Equestira Girls being required."  And the jimmies were not rustled that night.  We are Bronies, not Equestria boys.

 

I think the most important thing is seeing all episodes, (with the exception of watching the intro over and over again {I skip through it. })  You also should probably have an idea of what characters you like the best and what episodes you favor.

[PonyEcho 1,610]

Bleh.... back with this Official/Full/True Brony nonsense again.  

 

There isn't rely much need for a rite of passage anyway. If you are a fan... welcome to the fandom that's how it is with every fandom, so not much point to try and make bronies any different. 

[Lisa 5,553]

Why do we need requirements to be bronies? This is incredibly stupid, sorry. But if you're a fan of My Little Pony, then you're a brony. (that's if you want to be titled as a brony. I myself, do not like the term). You don't even have to watch an episode of MLP: FiM to be a brony, I believe. If you contribute to the fandom, then I see that as a brony.

Edited July 30, 2013 by ✶Nova✶

[Steel Accord 6,660]

I'm not trying to be mean, but there is no reason why a Brony should have to do anything to be considered a full brony. For one, most people don't make OC's unless they wish to ponify themselves. Half of the bronies on here probably don't even have OC's. Does that mean there not real bronies. Another thing is about the talking to bronies and things. When I first found out about the MLP craze, I considered myself a brony before I even said one thing to any brony. This went on for at least a few months. I hadn't even watched all the episodes, made an OC, talked to another brony, or bought merch. I still considered myself a brony. Are you saying that those people who don't have access to the internet, or don't have a way of buying merch are not full bronies.

 

Just wanted to say my thoughts...

Or-- how about this-- you just like talking magical ponies?

 

I really don't think there should be any "rites of passages". That sounds really silly. We aren't a cult now, are we?

 

We aren't.... Right?

I know what both of you are saying and I totally agree. I think one of the reasons we've exploded as such is because we don't require much from our members beyond enjoyment of the show and basic respect.

 

Now I think the OP's intention was more along the lines of a "what if" scenario. Like what prerequisites and rituals would YOU have done if you could.

 

For me, an OC is a big one. Now I don't want to impose that on anypony, but it shows a desire for deeper immersion into the fandom and world.

[Scootalove 10,689]

A Right of Passage?

 

I don't really think there should be a right of passage since, you become a brony on your own terms. It's not like the right of passage or an initiation into a high society club. So, you become a brony when you want to.

[verycreativeusername 1,800]

I have the best idea on how to be a full brony. If you think differently, you're being foolish.

• Like the pastel-colored horse show.
• Would be ok being called a brony.

Edited July 31, 2013 by Roman Bellic

[Denim&Venöm 18,974]

I got it!

 

In no particular order

Step 1: Watch an episode

Step 2(optional): Buy a piece of merch

Step 2.5(optional): Visit a pony site

Step 3(mandatory): Have fun while doing it all!

[techno915 408]

well, i say that you can be considered a brony if you enjoy watching the show. bonuse points for watching it on your own. i say i'm definitely some relatively high rank of brony, at least imo. i have seen every episode multiple times, i start and participate in discussions about the show, i introduce it occasionally to others, i support (although not contribute to) various arts in the fan base (such as the music and the deviant art stuff), and probably some other stuff i havent mentioned yet. but as far as a rite of passage, i never really went through one, so i don't know what else to have as a requirement except for just be willing to watch and enjoy the episodes on your own. you don't have to buy the murchandise, you don't have to go to the conventions, you just have to simply enjoy the show. is that not enough or something?