Is there middle ground?

[Jay 32]

OK I am a big fan of the show, I seen ever episode of FIM but I'm not one who would buy those PCP figures. I do want to buy a plush for my niece and I am bying the dvd for her but I'm not gonna by anything or myself. My question is can you be a fan and not be a brony or are you a brony by default?

[Böser 40]

You can be a fan and not believe in love and tolerance, can't you? Brony is just another label, be it for better or worse.

[Gingerpotato 889]

Brony just means a male/female viewer of MLP FiM who is over 15, I think. You are still a brony but that doesn't mean you have to go around buying the figurines, T-shirts or DVD's. You can enjoy MLP without being absorbed into the massive fandom, whatever happens you are still a brony as long as you watch the show

Edited March 4, 2012 by Gingerpotato

[Klopp 2,050]

It is self defined, you are a Brony if you say you are a Brony. If you wish to not be a Brony, then you are not, it's as simple as that. I'd say that simply enjoying the show is plenty enough to qualify for being a Brony though. I for one, am not interested in the merchandise either, but I easily classify myself as a Brony because I enjoy the show, and am an active member of the fanbase. I'd say the only real necessety for being a Brony, is that you like some aspect of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, whether it be the show, the merchandise, or the great online community.

[SrFrog 927]

I'm almost a 100 percent sure that just liking the show doesn't automatically make you into a Brony, just like someone who likes Star Trek isn't automatically a Trekkie. Bronies in the sense of the word are a tad bit more dedicated to the show.

[SpectrumUK_D 45]

depends what you consider a brony. there are quite a lot of differing opinions on what a brony is. I consider a brony as anyone who watches the show and is not part of the target demographic, but others only consider themselves bronies when they have met certain criteria eg. admitting it to parents, friends ect. and some only count people as bronies when they contribute to the community. But really it's up to you , would you want to be known as a brony? or would you prefer just to say that you enjoy watching the occasional episode?

you must remeber that if you admit to watching the show most people would label you as a brony anyway, so it would probably be easier just to go along with it.

[Daring Do 195]

I completely agree with the ponies above, you are only a Brony if you think you are one. Just think about it! If we respect your decision through love and tolerance, then it is reassured as self-defined. To be honest though, liking ponies doesn't make you a brony, likewise for other things: Just because you are smart doesn't mean you are a nerd, and just because you like anime doesn't mean you are an Otaku. Most of the titles in the world that are associated with a certain activity have no definable limit, which is why it is all self-chosen.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,315]

I'm almost a 100 percent sure that just liking the show doesn't automatically make you into a Brony, just like someone who likes Star Trek isn't automatically a Trekkie. Bronies in the sense of the word are a tad bit more dedicated to the show.

 

Well said, SrFrog!

Very good analogy!

[HomuraBL 851]

My opinion is that you are a brony if you watch the show. The reason I'm not saying that you can decide if you are a brony or not is because, lets face it, most of the time people who watch don't want to be called a brony is because they hate the fan base.

Edited March 4, 2012 by RaccoonBL

[Kapi 215]

I'm almost a 100 percent sure that just liking the show doesn't automatically make you into a Brony, just like someone who likes Star Trek isn't automatically a Trekkie. Bronies in the sense of the word are a tad bit more dedicated to the show.

 

This. But like others said, you're a Brony if you choose to be labeled as one. You don't have to be a Brony to enjoy the show or toys. At least you're open minded.

 

I will say though, it is a bit embarrassing to be looking at Pony toys in front of 2 co-workers. I've bought 3 blind bags and 3 toys, I kept one blind bag and one toy and gave the rest to my sister. She gave Rarity back.

[Osaka Bomb 39]

These are all very good statements. I willingly accept the term brony and I'm legitimately proud of it. I don't intend on buying figurines, however. Though, I will definitely buy a t-shirt (if I like it enough) and the DVDs. That I most certainly will do. I can't think of any kind of guideline that could be used to identify yourself as a brony, so I think it is a matter of whether you think of yourself as one or not. That's just an easier method to use.

[83awsm 234]

I believe that it's also personally defined. I don't intend to buy the figures myself, but still do enjoy the fandom and have a couple t-shirts. Edited March 6, 2012 by 83awsm