Should generation 5 be the same as Gen 4 except darker

[TheMarkz0ne 962]

I want a generation 5 to have all the characters from gen 4 and i want it to be dark and gritty. I think we need something dark this generation. Now i'm not saying ti needs to be hardcore, but here's an example. I am watching ET right now. I grew up in the 90s but I always loved ET. ET has a scene where ET is about to die and the scientist are about to cut him up. As a kid that idea was just terrible. I never wanted that to happen. But it helped me realize how life really was. Meaning life isn't all fun and games. Life can be cruel and unfair. I would want to see MLP in a more serious tone. I think hasbro owes it to the bronies that have been feeding this cash cow for years. Also kids today are to sheltered and are missing out on excitement. I wasn't talked down to when I was a kid

[Blue Moon 6,341]

No, Gen. 5 should not take a dark turn. It would ruin the show. However, I do think they should some more serious episodes. For example, Wonderbolts Academy was more serious than previous episodes. But, it still managed to keep the regular tone of the show   and kept the humor. I would like to see more episodes like this, just not all of them.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Generation 5 should keep the same animation, and good things about a show. But very dark episodes, but not too gruesome. Something, that would catch the eye of the people that will watch & enjoy Generation 5 of My Little Pony.

[Pony Of The Month 534]

What people don't seem to understand is that generation 5 is going to be completely different from generation 4. Maybe the characters will share names from g4, but they will be completely different characters, with different designs and different personalities. The animation will be done by different people, the setting will be completely different. There may be magic, there may be no magic. It may be in CGI. It could be good, it could be terrible. It might not come for a long long time, who knows? My point is that generation 5 is not going to be friendship is magic or any kind of friendship is magic spin-off. G5 will be very very different, just like G4 is different from G3 and so on. 

 

I don't imagine it being any darker than G1 or G4. It could share the same qualities as G3 for all I know.

[Blue Moon 6,341]

Generation 5 should keep the same animation, and good things about a show. But very dark episodes, but not too gruesome. Something, that would catch the eye of the people that will watch & enjoy Generation 5 of My Little Pony.

I can agree on that, as long as they are not too dark. This show shouldn't scare kids. But I think they should save those for specials and two-parters, not regular episodes. Darkness would risk losing fans.

Edited March 16, 2013 by Blue_Moon

[FoxyCryptid 4,330]

Generation 5 should keep the same animation, and good things about a show. But very dark episodes, but not too gruesome. Something, that would catch the eye of the people that will watch & enjoy Generation 5 of My Little Pony.

I don't know, if they have the budget to chance it, I'd like to see something like FiM done in high-quality traditional animation(or at least done in more traditional animation studio program like the one used to make Princess and the Frog) Maybe something with anime influence like those gifs that are floating around. 

[Nohbdy 4,108]

I think I can speak for many bronies when I say that G4's primary appeal is that it isn't dark. You know a common reaction to MLP? "It makes me happy." Can you honestly say that a darker show could create the same effect? The current generation's lighthearted nature and bright, cheery atmosphere are what draw people in. I don't watch MLP because it's a reflection of reality. No, I watch it because it isn't. The element of escapism is what appeals to me the most. Besides, a kid's show can only have so many adult themes before it stops becoming a kid's show.

 

Now, I know you're not saying they should make Ponyhammer 40K, but making it darker would threaten the very thing that it does best--making the audience happy. There are other ways to explore the darker aspects of life, but I don't believe such aspects have a place in My Little Pony.

[Blue Moon 6,341]

I think I can speak for many bronies when I say that G4's primary appeal is that it isn't dark. You know a common reaction to MLP? "It makes me happy." Can you honestly say that a darker show could create the same effect? The current generation's lighthearted nature and bright, cheery atmosphere are what draw people in. I don't watch MLP because it's a reflection of reality. No, I watch it because it isn't. The element of escapism is what appeals to me the most. Besides, a kid's show can only have so many adult themes before it stops becoming a kid's show.

 

Now, I know you're not saying they should make Ponyhammer 40K, but making it darker would threaten the very thing that it does best--making the audience happy. There are other ways to explore the darker aspects of life, but I don't believe such aspects have a place in My Little Pony.

 

I want a generation 5 to have all the characters from gen 4 and i want it to be dark and gritty. I think we need something dark this generation. Now i'm not saying ti needs to be hardcore, but here's an example. I am watching ET right now. I grew up in the 90s but I always loved ET. ET has a scene where ET is about to die and the scientist are about to cut him up. As a kid that idea was just terrible. I never wanted that to happen. But it helped me realize how life really was. Meaning life isn't all fun and games. Life can be cruel and unfair. I would want to see MLP in a more serious tone. I think hasbro owes it to the bronies that have been feeding this cash cow for years. Also kids today are to sheltered and are missing out on excitement. I wasn't talked down to when I was a kid

However, if you really want some darkness in My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, there are some amazing fanfictions out there that have a dark tone. I'm sure you could find one.

[Red Diamond 549]

Should Generation 5 be the same as Generation 4? Yes, of course. Should it be darker? Yeahhh.... I don't think so.  Considering the fact that young children watch this, and they should not be frightened by an innocent show. Like Twilicorn stated, it has a cheery environment that draws people in, such as I. Quite frankly, I agree with that. (If I misread your post Twilicorn, I'm deeply sorry.)

[hawkflame 3,310]

I want a generation 5 to have all the characters from gen 4 and i want it to be dark and gritty. I think we need something dark this generation. Now i'm not saying ti needs to be hardcore, but here's an example. I am watching ET right now. I grew up in the 90s but I always loved ET. ET has a scene where ET is about to die and the scientist are about to cut him up. As a kid that idea was just terrible. I never wanted that to happen. But it helped me realize how life really was. Meaning life isn't all fun and games. Life can be cruel and unfair. I would want to see MLP in a more serious tone. I think hasbro owes it to the bronies that have been feeding this cash cow for years. Also kids today are to sheltered and are missing out on excitement. I wasn't talked down to when I was a kid

 

No, because then you lose some of the appeal of the series, which is that perfect balance of nice and sweet, but not *too* sweet (i.e. not G3).

 

Now do I want to see more episodes that are epic adventure/fantasy, or episodes with real threats like Chrysalis or Discord?  Sure, I think that "darker" in that sense might not be so bad, once in a while (The Discording of the Mane Six was pretty dark as far as the series goes, and those were among the most memorable moments in the show.). 

 

But darker as in more violence and mature themes?  No thank you.

[Concord 1,982]

Hello!

 

Even if Hasbro wanted to make it "darker", the name "My little pony" would not allow it. What i'd like to see is cutting down the number of hearts in the show, little "very very girly" things

 

I think G5 would be the same as G4, but, why should we call it G5 if it's the same as G4?

[Budding Night 1,043]

No, I don't think it should be 'darker'.

Joking, That would be pretty cool, but in a certain way, We gotta remember this is still a show for little girls too, Not just all us bronies

Thats all I really want to put xD No expectations or anything from me for G5, Just trust the writers to keep it special!

Edited March 16, 2013 by Sweet Innocence

[Mand'alor Dash 2,224]

Gen 3 lasted 10 years with lukewarm sales. Why in blue blazes are we already talking about Gen 5 when Gen 4 is only 2.5 years old and selling like hotcakes? I reckon half the folks in this thread would have died of old age before we see a new gen.

 

As for the dark thing, I like dark ponies as much as the next guy, but there's a time and a place for that. I'd much rather just keep reading Project Horizons to get my fix than see it bleed into the actual show. FiM is the single lightest, most innocent show I watch, and I'd like it to remain that way.

[Appetite4Democracy 452]

Since this IS a kids show, I think that it shouldn't be any darker than Avatar: The Last Airbender. And believe me, that show could get pretty dark.

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

G5 should be like TNG or Legend of Korra: taking place in the future and follow the next Elements of Harmony. It should keep the same basic structure and style (maybe higher production values), and also keep the same tone. I don't mind it when the show heads into darker territory, like with Sombra and hinting at Applejack's parents, but there's a difference between being mature and just being dark for the sake of being dark.

 

This would come after G4 has satisfactory ended.

[silvadel 1,393]

Not G5 but I wouldn't mind a series of G4 episodes after the series ends on some other channel at a higher rating.  A PG rated set of essentially for tv movies would be fun to watch.

[Sonicrules831 520]

Yes but not darker. I had an idea where the Mane 6 are like some sort of knights of the round table or something like that. And the new mane 6 would be: Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Babs Seed, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon. Of course they're older. Same as G4 except they would write letters to Twilight. Celestia and Luna still rule and so does Shining Armor and Cadence. What do you guys think?

[Zygen 6,066]

I think maybe the slightest bit darker, but very very slightly if anything, to much dark will ruin the show, just like to much bright happiness.

 

The show has a good balance right now to be honest. I think G5 is going to differ a good bit from G4 though, as much as I wish it'd be like G4 it'll probably differ a good bit, in a bad way or good who really knows. It'll be hard to beat G4 thats for sure, I hope it atleast comes somewhat close to the magic of G4 though.

[Display Name 448]

Honestly, the only thing Generation 5 should have and only have is better animation.

Even though the animation is already fantastic, but still. There is always room for improvement!

[Bright Honor 2,671]

Could be. It wouldn't be too much darker though. It still has to be a show for ALL AGES. Therefore, they can't go too far with it or it will be too much.

 

Why does everything have to be "dark and gritty" nowadays?

[poniesforfun 716]

Are you implying that Gen 4 is more dark and gritty than the previous ones because it isn't at all. My Little Pony is a merchandise that always stayed lighthearted and intended for little girls. It wouldn't make any sense for Hasbro to swerve it any other way.

 

I can only think of a spin off involving male ponies made into something stupid like how they did with Looney Tunes (don't remember but it was shooting lasers and looney tunes with superpowers or something). You know in case Hasbro wants to rope in some male viewers like Disney wanted more male viewers by buying off Marvel.

[SCS 7,537]

I do not believe that MLP would benefit from becoming dark or gritty. The main thing about the show that attracts me to it is the absence of gritty material. I used to watch R rated movies constantly, until I had seen so much horror and violence in those movies that it, along with other things going on in my life, fueled my depression that I at last came out of several months ago. 

 

I do not mind serious episodes, such as The Crystal Empire, Wonderbolts Academy, etc, because those episodes maintain the same spirit in the show that I love. However, I do not want any gritty material to be brought into MLP. It would fundamentally change the show in a bad way.

[~Master~ Button Mash 2,307]

Gen 5 should keep the same animation-styling. This new styling is so much more appealing than the...previous generations *shudders*. What I could see changing is the theme and general feel, and TBH I would like if they took it in a direction similar to Adventure Time. Still full of fantasy, but not afraid to delve into deeper themes.