Will you leave the fandom if G5 is dark and full of action?

[Buck Testa 5,505]

First of all, concerning MLP specifically, I'm not going to speculate what G5 is going to be like while we still have at least one more full season in the works at the moment. Way too soon to speculate about something like that.

 

Second, a question: why would it need to be darker? Now listen, I'm not saying that whatever style of MLP follows the current generation wouldn't need to be different in some way (although I honestly can't imagine how considering MLP is pretty much perfect as it is ), BUT I am saying this; MLP doesn't need to be darker than it already is. You cited some interesting examples, contrasting the 80s and 90s, all good and fine, but most of those cartoons you cited were specifically action cartoons targeted at a young male demographic. The problem with the "make something new darker" formula is that TV producers began COMPLETELY missing when and where that formula was applicable in the late 90s and early 2000s. They thought it was applicable to EVERYTHING; one of the worst cases of its abuse was "Loonatics Unleashed" (if you don't know what that is, GOOD, just... just keep it that way ). I mean, look at this thing:

 

 

WHAT THE BUCK IS THAT THING?!?!?!?!?!

Now, that's one of the worst examples of abusing that formula, but my point is TV producers made the BIG mistake with A LOT of kids shows in the late 90s and early 2000s when they decided, "Hey, Batman: TAS was dark and edgy, you know what, we should make our new shows dark and edgy". Here's the problem with that thinking: BATMAN IS A DARK CHARACTER!!!!!!! Ergo, making a dark Batman show naturally works (although camp Batman can work as well, as recently proven by Batman: Brave and the Bold, since it has its own place in Batman's history as well). Just because dark works for one show, doesn't mean it'll work for another; the show's atmosphere needs to be FIRST AND FOREMOST consistent with the characters themselves! Does that mean MLP can't be serious? Heck no, the show can get quite serious and dark at times! But those moments are more the exception than the general rule; most of the time, the show is happy, light-hearted, and humorous, and that naturally works with the premise of a show about multi-colored ponies living in a magical land when done right!

 

So, my final response? Yes, the next generation probably will and should be different to an extent from G4; no, I can't speculate what it'll be like, way too soon to be able to figure that out; and BUCK NO, whatever it is, whoever produces it shouldn't just aim to make it darker and assume that'll make it better from G4!!!!!!!!!

So you think Loonatics unleashed was bad cause it was too dark? No it was bad cause it was trying to hard to be "hip and cool and with the times"

 

That thing is the product of a census group gone wrong.

 

Mlp gen five would be awesome if it was dark but not in the instantly dated and phoned in way your example was.

 

I would like to point to a darker version of a girl show done so many ways of right

 

Puella Magi Madoka Magica took the tropes of the magical girl genre and picked it apart, questioned its logic, turned it on its head and made it into the wonderfully deep and dark series it was while retaining the feel of its previous incarnations. The same could totally be done for mlp.

 

With a franchise so steeped in mythology and dark undertones and with the message that banding together in friendship is the only way to bring change the sky is the limit for directions Gen five could go.

[Batbrony 16,055]

So you think Loonatics unleashed was bad cause it was too dark? No it was bad cause it was trying to hard to be "hip and cool and with the times"

 

That thing is the product of a census group gone wrong.

 

Mlp gen five would be awesome if it was dark but not in the instantly dated and phoned in way your example was.

 

I would like to point to a darker version of a girl show done so many ways of right

 

Puella Magi Madoka Magica took the tropes of the magical girl genre and picked it apart, questioned its logic, turned it on its head and made it into the wonderfully deep and dark series it was while retaining the feel of its previous incarnations. The same could totally be done for mlp.

 

With a franchise so steeped in mythology and dark undertones and with the message that banding together in friendship is the only way to bring change the sky is the limit for directions Gen five could go.

 

Aren't we saying then that Loonatics Unleashed was bad for the same reason then?  Yeah, it tried to be dark because it was the "hip and cool thing to do" (at least according to certain focus groups), and it failed miserably because it compromised in every way imaginable the very core concept of Looney Tunes.

 

We're basically saying the same thing.  As I said before, the few times that MLP G4 is dark have worked because it hasn't compromised the show's integrity.  Same would go for G5; it could easily be darker than G4 is so long as it retained the core concepts and integrity of what makes an MLP cartoon.  If it tries to be dark simply for the sake of being dark, however, then more than likely it will fail hard.

 

P.S. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is AMAZING!!! 

[MasterNeutral1 32]

if they did do that, i would probably love g5. i love darker kind of stuff, but it would be nice if they would fit in some light hearted stuff as well and it wasnt always serious. have some comedy/adorableness

[Soctavia 232]

I guess it depends on how dark really. I would obviously give it a try. It seems like a pretty interesting idea, though. I think I'd like it. 

[Odyssey 5,717]

I wouldn't leave the fandom, but I'll probably stop watching. MLP: FiM and previous generations are known by many people as a lighthearted and carefree series. If the next generation's tone is dark and cynical, then the likeliest that would possibly happen is the MLP franchise would be cancelled. -3- Also, I prefer light-heatred stuff over dark stuff.

[The Crimson Cross 7,532]

I would most definitely enjoy it even more if it were to be dark and full of action.

Though, that's not to say I dislike those lighthearted moments.

 

I quite like the charm of it, but if it was to get darker.. Hm.. I don't really know. I guess I'd have to try it!

[Buck Testa 5,505]

Aren't we saying then that Loonatics Unleashed was bad for the same reason then? Yeah, it tried to be dark because it was the "hip and cool thing to do" (at least according to certain focus groups), and it failed miserably because it compromised in every way imaginable the very core concept of Looney Tunes.

 

We're basically saying the same thing. As I said before, the few times that MLP G4 is dark have worked because it hasn't compromised the show's integrity. Same would go for G5; it could easily be darker than G4 is so long as it retained the core concepts and integrity of what makes an MLP cartoon. If it tries to be dark simply for the sake of being dark, however, then more than likely it will fail hard.

 

P.S. Puella Magi Madoka Magica is AMAZING!!!

It totally is I flipping LOVED that anime. Yeah I suppose we are on the same page then. As long as Hasbro doesnt census it to death it will be good. Thing is though fan input is getting to be a problem and their little focus groups end up making stuff like Equestria Girls cause of all the humanised fanart. Despite a lot of people not liking it you cannot deny that was made with the bronies in mind. Its not quite as bad as Loonatics but if they lose focus on the narrative and try to hard to pander to fans then that is when the quality is going to drop.

[Bendy 1,821]

No, I wouldn't.

 

Because rainbows and sunshine perfect pony land can get boring. Not saying MLP FIM is completely like that, but that's the feeling I get when I read many fan fictions.

[Invincible 2,091]

Not if it's any good. G4 proved to me that a show with a flavor i didn't think would appeal to me could be very enjoyable. I don't judge books by their cover, and neither should any of you.

 

Furthermore, i'm not a stranger to darker-themed content (My favorite cartoon as a child was batman: the animated series). So such tune for a show (hypothetically speaking, a dark & action packed MLP sounds a little impossible to me), if done right, would be enjoyable. 

 

Plus, as an avid reader of fanfics, i assert that the emergence of G5 will allow writers to go wild with their ideas for G4 stories, so at least as far as fics go this isn't necessarily a fandom-breaking event. I'm certain many other medias will still be inspired enough to create even without the continuation of G4.

[Pastel 7,630]

It really depends on how exactly it will be, but I might not watch G5 anyway.

Edited August 26, 2014 by Blobulle

[Callisto 1,877]

Yep, plain and simple. I doubt it would happen, but if it were to, yeah. Actually, I probably won't watch G5 anyways.

Edited August 26, 2014 by otsillaC

[Naiya The Brony 483]

it depends how dark it goes, I like dark themed shows but if it's too much it can change my mind

[Justin_Case001 4,903]

Dark and full of action?  SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!  I mean, the pretty, cute, colorful nature of G4 is what attracted me to it in the first place, but of course I like dark as well.  I mean, in all honesty, I would love to see a mature MLP series aimed at adults!  But I'm just speaking from a hypothetical (and sort of selfish) standpoint.  It wouldn't actually be good to tamper with the show like that and not have it be a kid's show anymore.  That would kinda upset the balance.  But all I'm saying is that if they made a dark show, I'd love it.  I love G4, and I'd love a darker show.  I love both.  I mean, I'd love it if they remade Game of Thrones shot for shot, line for line with MLP ponies.  But that's just me.

[Pastel 7,630]

I mean, I'd love it if they remade Game of Thrones shot for shot, line for line with MLP ponies. But that's just me.

That would be SO AWESOME!

[Pony Munchies 47]

I wouldn't mind seeing some thing dark just not to dark. Maby for ONE season closer where sh*t gose down between some anti-friendship pony with power on a alicorn power sacle. In the animedic for season 5 the main 6 looked like thay where going in to creepy town. I think in season 5 we will see more episodes on the light side, but their will be a hand full of dark story plots. And dang it give spike more screen time thats not for comic releaf.

[Overdrive 5,366]

At this point, I'm all into the fandom as it is. I can't really see it growing that dark in general, given the main demographic is children.

 

No, I'd say I'm in it for the long haul.

[ScarfaceOne 263]

But I want it darker!!! I love Chrysalis. She is like a classic Namco Time Crisis Villain. In fact, I would love it if there was an episode where Celestia is apparently assasinated but it did not happen.

[[NULL] 906]

So let's say G5 is a retcon of G4. The art style is the same, just dark and gritty. The original mane 6, Celestia, Luna, Cadence and pretty much every character from G4 is accounted for. Even the villains are revamped. Discord and Chrysalis....maybe Sombra, since I want to see him have an actual story next time. I would support it. Things need to change and they can't be the same all the time. Prime example is the 1987 TMNT cartoon. It was comedic and light hearted. The 2003 came along and it was a much more darker cartoon. Some people loved it, but the hardcore G1 Turtles fans rejected it. I think it could work for MLP. I mean first off G1 MLP is pretty dam dark for a girls cartoon in the 80s. The 80s was an age of goofy and light hearted animation. With stuff like TMNT, HE MAN, Thunder Cats, Transformers(the movie was dark)Inspector Gadget and many others. The 90s was the age of dark and gritty animation. Great examples are Batman TAS and Disney's Gargoyles. I would say the years 2000-2013 have been kinda...well, weird, I can't classify them under any tone. It seems to have been been. more of the light hearted, over the dark stuff

I'd probably like it, but I'd personally prefer it to star different characters, but still be in the same universe. Maybe have it in a different time period.

 

However, if it tries to be "dark" all the way through, I'll probably have a hard time being invested. Making it dark all the way through will just desensitize the audience, and those dark moments won't be very special.

 

If the series was going to be darker, it would probably work best if it had light-hearted or upbeat moments in between the darker moments. That way the darker moments seem even darker, and the sense of fun or enjoyability will still be present, and made even more satisfying.

 

Also, I'd like to see a conflict with a villain that isn't a black-and-white good vs evil plot.

Edited August 27, 2014 by SpaceOnion

[Commissar Alexer 763]

No.

 

I would love a much more darker MLP, mabye even a grimdark one.

[Ziggy + Angel + Rain 11,303]

I'd continue being a fan of G4 / FIM; that's not gonna change.  If I didn't like a comparably darker G5 (and, at the moment, I'd be okay if G5 never arrived at all lol), I simply wouldn't watch it.  Might still hang around the forums and continue being the G4 / G4 Rainbow Dash fan that I am.  But I...  Kinda thought Bronies embraced MLP for what it is???  I don't understand why some people want to see it go dark.  Something doesn't have to be dark to be good, and - if anything - I'm more impressed when something stays lighthearted / positive and actually gains a following.  There's plenty of dark and gritty out there nowadays; MLP:FIM stands in refreshing contrast to that.  I can only take so much in terms of zombies and apocalypses and beheadings and political intrigue and insatiable vampires. xD  Give me some happy sometimes.

[RWB 229]

Depends, really.

 

I'd watch it if it was overall light-hearted, but it had a darker background theme.

 

See Teen Titans and Avatar. Avatar had a dark theme- a very dark one, but the show itself was lovable, funny and didn't feel the need to be gritty.

 

Teen Titans was very goofy, but had really dark scenes when the chips were down(Devil took over the world and killed all humanity). That could work as well.

[Sonic Shimmer 4,133]

I'd have to watch the show and judge it on its own merits but I do think a slightly darker MLP has the potential to be a very interesting show. It would be good to see villains like Discord and Sombra taking over and requiring more than a couple of episodes to defeat.

 

If G5 is darker, I think that the show should still keep its emphasis on cooperation, friendship and good overcoming evil. That is the true spirit of MLP.

[Leonard Smix 421]

Now I wouldn't like it, and I wouldn't support it. However, I wont leave either. There are still other previous shows that we can talk about. If this were to happen, the fandom would collapse on itself. People would grow angry with the show, and become enraged toward Hasbro. All in all, I would consider those days, the dark ages.

[deadprofile 1,122]

If it's dark like the official comics dark, I would probably like the show even more. But darker in a way like Loonatics Unleashed (saw that in and earlier posting and knew exactly what they mean)...No NO NO!!!!

[Kawaii Besu 28,011]

Welp, I won't really like it as much as what we have currently. I mean, the current mixture of dark and happy elements pretty much makes it pretty unique to me...

 

I'd probably love to see them push the dark moments as far as maybe just off the boundary of TV-Y and TV-Y7. That'll probably allow some more epic fights between villains and the Mane 6...