On the Formula and Design Choices of MLP:FIM; Why the Show Works:

[Misterfanwank 20]

On the Formula and Design Choices of MLP:FIM; Why the Show Works:

First, let's look at the animal choice, ponies, or more generally, horses. Like cats and dogs, horses are well known, easily identifiable creatures. Unlike cats and dogs they are not mundane to most people; they are exotic. Unlike cows, which are also somewhat exotic, horses are commonly perceived as majestic animals.

The choice of animal may not have been a concious decision by the FIM writers. I'm guessing they were told to make a My Little Pony show by executives, so they made a My Little Pony show and made the best of an established concept. I think they were lucky because ponies are an excellent choice for this kind of show; I don't think My Little Piglets would have worked nearly as well.

 

Second, let's look at the world. Unlike other, superficially similar shows, like Dragon Tales, the MLP:FIM world is extremely well established. It's not a land apart, which only has the gimmicks of "not being here" and having exotic animals. Equestria is a living land, which is filled with many cities, many professions, many inhabitants, and many factions. It is a land, which is easily relatable by our own experiences because it mimics so many things in our own lives, from the tiny, daily events, to the larger, notable events.

But more than just the daily hustle and bustle of Equestria, the show hints at the depth of the country's history and its political ties with neighboring countries. The show even gives hints about the cosmogony of the FIM universe.

I won't say any particular thing about the setting is exceptional; I will say the amount of thought put into the setting is exceptional. Not only is the world fully realized, it is not simply a copy of our own world. While it mimics our world so it is relatable, it puts a pony spin on every aspect, which makes seeing familiar things interesting. For example, the Apple family doesn't pick apples. The Apple family bucks apples.

The scale of the FIM universe is huge, although the focus is usually small. This gives the writers a lot of freedom. They can write small, character pieces, but then turn around and write a story about an apocalyptic creature being released and threatening to plunge the world into chaos. In this way the setting is both engaging and continually fresh.

 

Third, let's look at the basic template of the main characters. They are all young ponies, whose characters have specific themes by the premise of the show, the Elements of Harmony, and by their occupations and personalities. In this way they are distinct and the variety means most viewers will be able to like at least one pony.

The most powerful aspect of this template, I feel, is the ponies have occupations. Unlike superficially similar shows, like Dragon Tales, the ponies have lives outside of the plot of the current episode. I believe Fluttershy is taking care of her animals, even when she isn't doing anything in an episode. In this way the characters are given more life and the writers don't have to feel compelled to use them in every episode OR explain why they are not in a specific episode.

A much more subtle benefit also exists because of the ponies having occupations: Their ages are nebulous. They are all young, but they are also independent. Except for Pinkie and Applejack, all of the main characters live by themselves in their own homes. They are aguably grown ups, who have independent lives and responsibilities. In this way older audiences can appreciate them because they are not children, but younger audiences can still imagine the ponies are children and empathize with them as children.

This is actually the main reason why I do not think Equestria Girls will work: It's much harder to obscure the ages of human characters. The ponies won't be able to retain their occupations unless the show admits they're old enough to be on their own and out of school. If they are forced to go back to school their lives will be too similar and their occupations will be reduced to hobbies. It's hard to be a unique snowflake when 8 hours of every day are spent doing the same thing as everyone else and your age prevents you from interacting with the more interesting aspects of the world.

Basically, the ponies just need to stay away from school and the show will probably be OK, but I won't be surprised if they are in school so they can appeal to the show's real target demographic. One of the teaser shots of the show looks like a high school setting, so...

 

Fourth, let's look at the morals of the show. Like most kids shows, especially girls' kids shows, MLP:FIM has a strong focus on friendship and getting along. What makes MLP:FIM different is the situations, which are used to demonstrate a specific aspect of getting along, are usually somewhat complex and aren't exclusive to the experience of a child.

This show refrains from the obvious morals, like "asking permission" and "sharing" by avoiding awful, trite plots, like borrowing a sweater without permission.  The show puts the ponies into situations based on who they are, not based on which cookie cutter moral the writers want to teach. The moral of each episode seems to be derived from the resolution of the conflict, and is not the point of writing the conflict in the first place. In this way the morals seem like an afterthought of the show meant to appease executives. In season 3 the need to spell out a moral is completely forgotten.

Especially because of the humor of each episode, MLP:FIM seems to me like a sincere parody of other, more blunt morality based cartoons. It's like Animaniacs and the Wheel of Morality, but without the non sequitur. In particular I'm thinking of episodes, like "Feeling Pinkie Keen", "Stare Master", "Lesson Zero", and "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy", all of which use the "morality lesson" for humor, not preaching.

 

Fifth, let's look at the art style. The proportions of the characters are not horribly exagerated in an effort to be "cute", nor is fashion a central theme of their designs. In this way the only part of the art style, which boys might find objectionable, is the color palette.

In stead of looking like a stereotypical girls' cartoon the show looks more like an old Cartoon Network show, like Dexter's Lab, Kids Next Door, or Billy and Mandy, all of which are, or were, popular shows among both genders.

By not trying to insult its demographic by excess pandering, by not metaphorically saying "This is the kind of thing you like, right? Right? It's cute like a baby and it wears ADORABLE high heels! Why don't you like this?", the creators of MLP:FIM have created a girls' show, which aesthetically appeals to both genders. Because the aesthetics are also somewhat classic, it has a nostalgia factor for older audiences.

This is another reason why I think Equestria Girls won't work. The designs of the characters emphasize fashion and the art style looks similar to Bratz dolls, which are horrifying. Even if the show ends up being fine, the art style will still be abrasive to less fashion minded audiences.

 

I do not believe MLP:FIM was lucky. The formula of the show is relatively simple and I've outlined many of the more important aspects of it in this short essay. I do believe its formula can be successfully replicated.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Misterfanwank

[Tall_But_Short_37 233]

Additionally, MLP:FiM was really a stroke of brilliance in having the Mane 6 characters, each equal in importance, but each representing different traits of friendship, personalities, and quirks. That way, no matter who is watching the show (as long as they're open minded about it), they can find one of the characters that they can relate to.

 

Also, +1 points for the Dragon Tales comparison.

[Fhaolan 4,483]

You almost lost me with the second paragraph of your first point, but I think it's a phrasing issue rather than a factual one.

 

I would recommend rephrasing it slightly, as currently it implies that you are only peripherally aware of the My Little Pony franchise existing prior to FiM. I'd suggest adding in something in about Hasbro was looking for a reboot of the franchise, and Lauren Faust had just come to their attention after she pitched a concept based on a completely different IP to them. They offered the reboot to her instead of her original pitch, and she decided to take the franchise all the way back to the version she grew up with, the first G1 animated series from the 80's. However, I'm not sure that really helps the point, or is just needless filler.

 

Other than that, I think your analysis is excellent.

[Misterfanwank 20]

I am only peripherally aware of G1~3. I know they exist but I don't know much about them. The point was I doubt using ponies was something the writers chose. If your post is correct then my guess appears to be accurate.

 

The reason I mentioned this was simply to say this aspect of the show may not be a calculated design decision by the writers of FIM, although it works extremely well.

Edited March 3, 2013 by Misterfanwank

[poniesforfun 716]

They used ponies because the My Little Ponies holds a nostalgic value to people and that ponies have become such a generalized animal embedded into people's minds associated with words like rainbows, sparkles and sunshine (you can thank G1 MLP for that). Ponies have become a word of a young girl's innocence, there's the whole idea that every girl's dream is to own a pony and for comedic effect everyone says "I'd like a pony," out of all the other things they can get.

 

And let's not forget Lauren Faust is another device in making MLP: FiM popular. She made kid's cartoon shows watchable for adults and instills humor and wayward content that entertains people of all ages. Put that in MLP and bam you got a profit.

Edited March 3, 2013 by poniesforfun

[VelvetDivan 96]

I think one of the biggest reasons the characters are such a hit is that their personalities each strike a chord in a group that identifies with them.

 

The bubbly extroverts see themselves in Pinky.  They want to be friends with everyone, meet everyone, and have ALL the fun.

 

The competitive, headstrong athletes latch onto Rainbow Dash.

 

Rarity's counterparts may be especially feminine, or perhaps just very creative, and maybe ambitious.

 

Fluttershy's crew are the introverts and the animal lovers (when that trait overwhelms the others; I mean, how many little girls HATE animals, really?)

 

The Applejack followers may be harder to define, but I'd peg them as the responsible ones, the feet-on-the-ground folks, who feel they should protect their friends/family.

 

Those who resonate with Twilight are the grade-A students, the unabashed nerds, the scientists, but at the same time those fascinated by the limitless possibilities of magic.  She's a bit of a catch-all.

 

 

I'm sure you all can think of other traits to ascribe to each of the mane 6.  The point is, there's someone in the show for everyone to point to and say 'best pony,' and put themselves in that character's horseshoes while watching.  This may result in an uneven enjoyment of episodes, but they'll keep watching, knowing their favorite will get screen time eventually.

[Misterfanwank 20]

More importantly the characters don't detract from each other. It's not a case of "pleasing no one by trying to please everyone." Who each pony is plays against the other ponies with well developed dialog. In particular characters, who are foils, Pinkie/Twilight, Rainbow Dash/Fluttershy, and Applejack/Rarity, have some excellent moments

Edited March 4, 2013 by Misterfanwank