Why is My Little Pony so Popular? · 10:33pm Feb 26th, 2013
SO!! My brother goes to art school. And being in art school, a lot of people know about the pony phenomena. He texted me me a question that his class wants to know, "Why is My Little Pony so popular with adult males." Now, I COULD answer this, but seeing as I'm not the intended demographic of his question, and knowing the derision with which my brother speaks to ME about anything that I like, I thought I might as well see what answer I can get from actual male fans.
I mean, sure, I can answer him, but my knee-jerk reaction is to say (as I do to most things) "Cause it's frickin' CUTE!"
So! Adult male fans... Tell me *takes out pen and paper and adjusts her glasses*, WHY do you like MLP?
Or, just anybody. I feel like any answer I can give my brother wouldn't be good enough ^_^;
edit: Heh, I don't mean to imply that y'all don't think it's cute, by the way. It's just, when I was describing the show and why a family member of mine should at least check it out, the word "cute" made him respond in the most sarcastic manner. Because, you know, masculinity and cuteness apparently should never mix -_-
I wish I could provide a comprehensive argument in regards to My Little Pony's appeal but... I just keep drifting back to "because Twilight Sparkle is adorable".
I think your choice of words sums it up nicely: "Cause it's frickin' CUTE!"
Really, though, I enjoy the depth of the characters, the humor, all the puns, and I think the show has some really good lessons that a lot of adults in this day and age have forgotten. It's a legitimately good cartoon like Dexter's Lab and the Powerpuff Girls and it simply doesn't matter that it's ponies.
AHEM... ponies.
(and the characters, art style, community, music, fanfiction etc. AKA EVERYTHING)
The show does a lot of things very, very well.
The characters are funny, and genuinely interesting. They aren't two dimensional, vapid, girls, but each have their own distinct personalities, and they all work well together.
The animation is fantastic, and has been getting better the whole time.
The humor is great as well.
But yeah, for me it started with the animation and humor, but has since drifted to being characterization.
Also, the characters are adorable, but yeah
edit: oh yes. The humor that only adults would get (not adult humor, just a lot of puns that you don't understand unless older). I mean come on, Saddle Arabia? Canterlot? Las Pegasus? Small stuff like that that still make you chuckle but fly over the heads of 5 year olds :P
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868276 What this guy said
868280
Just copy and paste what Tchernobog said.
My first peek at the show was in a form of an image macro on some forum. I liked the look of the art style but didn't realize it was a TV show. I found my way over to icanhascheezburger and found out it was from the My Little Pony TV show. My first reaction to this was
. But seeing as how much I enjoyed the art style I decided to check out what the show was about. I somehow landed on some YouTube PMV and saw some actual (though edited) show footage and liked that even more.
The purveyor of all knowledge Google lead me to EQD when I searched for "equestria", I found some links for actual episodes and promptly watched all of season 1 (this was right after the season had finished) in a few days.
TLDR
Hook
Line
Sinker
The community does it more for me than the show. The show is decent. Not amazing, but decent. But the communities creations with the fan art/fiction/music is some really astounding stuff. I know some people hate aspects of it; take the flak Pinkamania Diane Pie gets. But twisting the characters and putting them into situations beyond 5-10 year old demographic problems and the characters really shine.
I've always been a fan of Lauren Faust's works and not to mention she has the ability to break the sterotype and gather fans for a specific fanbase such as Fosters or PPG.
The show's creator is Lauren Faust, also known for her work with the Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. Both of which are amazing shows, and this already gives MLP FiM a lot of credibility as a good show. The episodes are brilliantly written with enticing plots (no pun intended). It's funny, cute, and engaging. The songs composed by Daniel Ingram are equally amazing. The animation is beautifully done, and every single character can be related to at some level (each has their own quirks, strengths, weaknesses, and amazing moments). This covers the show alone. The FANDOM on the other hoof is equally as astounding. I'm talking about the sheer quantity and quality of stories, artwork, groups, and songs that have been produced by fans of this series. We've even gone as far as to have mini-celebreties within our brony circle, such as LivingTombstone, Mic the Microphone, WoodenToaster, AcousticBrony, MandoPony, SoundoftheAviators, and Pen Stroke. The show is what initially drew me in, but I find myself enjoying and finding something new in the fandom on a daily basis.
Wow I really need to find some synonyms for "amazing."
simply because it's awesome
I used to have a lot of classes on psychology and that got me interested in a lot of cultural documentaries. If you look back and compare the past to present, masculinity is starting to become a grey area. A good many men, though they want to believe that they are still manly, don't really go by the black and white stereotypical views of what society has viewed what is girly and what is manly.
Personally, I really think we should all drop gender roles all together and just act like 'ourselves', but that is just my opinion. If you have to 'act' like a man, then you are just pretending and lying to your 'true' self.
One documentary (granted I don't remember the name) stated that men nowadays are trained to fit the wants and needs of what they think Women want from a man. Dressing up, wearing tighter clothing, acting more feminine. Even if we don't realize that we are acting this way, men still try to pretend that they shouldn't like something because it is too feminine or as some would say, gay... So they instantly try to say My Little Pony should only be liked by little girls... So they instantly jump to the conclusion that they hate the supposedly girly show because, well... let's face it, it WAS made for little girls...
I'm sorry if I got off topic, but decided to rant a little and share. Anyway, I like My Little Pony mainly because of the facial expressions in the show. Every episode they seemed to give the ponies more facial expression and bodily ques that one wouldn't expect to see from a kids cartoon. The animation is great, especially from a cartoon base that from previous generations were more life like. The songs are just... phenomenal and the music alone is something that I can listen repeatedly and never tire of it.
Before I finish up my long rant (which I apologize again for) I also want to at least mention the fan base. There are just so many fans that produce stuff that some surpass the show, which just adds to the shows own glory. Anyway, hope I helped at least a little and hope nopony gets mad for the random rant.
It's just so mother fucking HAPPY
Well, while this may differ from person to person, my opinion is that the show attracts a larger audience, because the show itself IS intended for a younger audience. Instead of being filled with real acters or adult concepts, it gives us a sense of youth
. Let's us experience a piece of ourselves that we haven't been able to access since we were children 
. Other shows give off this effect as well, but My Little Pony also has amazing voice actors, excellent story structure, and adorable loveable characters, who are all different in their own way.
I think another large factor is that the characters have flaws. They aren't like other children's tv programs where every character is either one dimensional or simply too nice to have any flaws. Look at a character like Rarity, despite her title of the Element of Generosity, she can be selfish, greedy, flat out rude and most notably, extremely whinny
, however she also has to overcome these flaws to not only help her friends, but to grow as a person... uh... pony 
, and that gives older viewers a way to relate to the characters. We are all trying to improve ourselves and overcome our own flaws, and to watch a show that acknowledges this in people, and shows that it is possible to do, well that just gives us a great feeling inside 
And of course, beyond any of my other reasons, the show is simply fun and exciting!
. It never gets dull or boring and it always finds a way to make us smile, and for a lot of people, well, even just finding a way to relax and laugh after a busy day at can be the best feeling in the world, and there is no show better at achieving this then My Little Pony 
I hope this explaination helps your brother, and I can't wait to read more stories from you
Interesting and appealing lead characters, a fantastic fantasy universe with enough open ends that fanon can go in so many rich directions, great animation, wonderful music, excellent songwriting, and it's just a fun thing to look at, listen to, and experience. All of these things together spur a vibrant fan community filled with talented musicians, artists, and fiction writers. The members of this community are largely nice, generous people who are usually pretty good people to be around.
Well, as a member of the demographic he is asking about, I could go with the rote answer that everyone expects... good animation, good writing, yadahyadhayadah.... but that sounds like an excuse to me. Sure it's all true, but it's the truth of someone looking backwards. It's NOT why we love the show, it's a reason we have found that would explain why we like the show... there's a difference.
The real reason is basically as you already said "Cause it's frickin' CUTE!" and because it just freakin' good!
868272>>868300 It IS so cute ;_;
868367 Ah, yes, the pony factor ^_~
868280 I think you gave the standard answer for most people
868367 Decent? ;_;
868431 Heh, you only said Amazing three times...I'm assuming you think everything is amazing? ^_^
868454 No, I liked the rant on psychology. I come from a culture that can, unfortunately, really enforce gender stereotypes and the like, and growing up between two different cultures, I think, gave me issues about my identity growing up. That's not even getting into the whole gender bias issue, though my cousin called me a tomboy once growing up because I didn't like "classically" girly things, like Barbie. Anyways, being "me" was not enough, I wasn't *insert stereotype word here* enough. It would be great to just act like myself, BUT the problem is systemic, though I do think there is a movement to try and break those stereotypes, even if it seems, at times, that stereotypes are constantly winning. Don't worry about ranting, I totally get what you mean ^_~
868520 I actually REALLY like your answer. A lot of the answers are REALLY good, I kinda want to write an essay for him rather than just respond by text, cause there's really a lot of layers to it! And, aww, you're too kind ^_^
868549 Interesting. They kinda DO sound like excuses, but at the same time, I didn't want to jump the gun on that, especially since I've seen how a person who values the idea of masculinity, like one of my family members I tried to get to watch the show, would react negatively to the idea that I dare suggest a guy watch something because it's "cute". I think, maybe, the reason to explain why can also be like a way to delicately try and suggest someone who has their stereotypes so enforced in their heads that it's "okay" to watch this show. It's really stupid, mind you, that this HAS to be done, but unfortunately, there are preconceptions and all...
I mean, that's not even to say it's just a thing about guys, I've tried to talk to female friends and family of mine and get them to watch the show, and even some of them who I've gotten to watch cartoons before have balked at the idea of "My Little Ponies?"My sister-in-law won't even give the show a try, despite the fact that she loves Spongebob, Fosters, Power Puff Girls, and all that. The show's name carries far too much weight for it's own good...
I am an adult male, 30 years of age, straight, and married to a wonderful lady.
I like MLP FIM for the following reasons.
The characters all have various personalities that make them very unique and complete entities all to themselves. Having a variety of characters always promotes the idea that there can always be unique situations in a vast amount of different episodes. Each character has abilities as well as identities and personalities. They all act differently in various situations. Lauren Faust has created such open ended characters to the point that any person with a creative mind can come up with an endless source of fan fictions and art for them. Leaving many of the background characters history and personal information blank has also left a vast amount of areas to improve upon each of them or to make a non canon background history. Leaving characters so open is what helps bronies to love each and every character all the more. Then you have those who have preferences toward one or more of the ponies in question.
I myself like Applejack, and Twilight, with Rarity pulling up a close third while Ditzy Do/Derpy Hooves, is my over all favorite background pony followed by Vinyl Scratch/DJ Pon3.
The over all simple design of the characters that do without the black outline that you would normally find on a classically drawn cartoon, improves the ability to watch the cartoon as it makes the characters blend into the backgrounds more like a real life movie would have actors blending in seemlessly with their environment.
The story line is great as well, showing each pony overcoming something in each episode with the power of friendship and the determination to move forward and improve upon themselves in order to help their friends when they need it.
Overall, this cartoon is a fresh breath of air into the cartoon industry, bringing forth many new fans that would not normally have likes a cartoon that would have originally been aimed at little girls. In turn, it created a massive fanbase that now holds conventions worldwide and also sells more toys that the companies in question could have ever dreamed of selling.
I like to think it is because it makes me smile, but to tell the truth, I have no real clue why, or if I really like it. I never know how I feel about things. As I said, I think it because it makes me smile, and it also has great, catchy, entertaining music. Probably the depth of the show and the characters help. When I first started watching, I was flicking through TV channels and came across it. at first it seemed to girly for me to watch, but it drew my attention and I started watching in private, then I didn't care who knew I watched it, and I have gone out off my way to tell people I watch it recently.
Overall, I think it is the overall feel of the show, everything that went into it, is what drew me to the show. It is just that kind of show. Does this make sense to you?
I enjoy many things about the show.
The animation style is cheerful and appealing.
The characters are diverse and interesting.
The humor is rich!
For the most part, the writing is superb. (The same could be said for the voice acting.)
The creators of the show truly cater to every part of their fanbase.
The thriving community behind it.
And finally, Rainbow Dash just kicks all KINDS of ass.
Solid humor, good animation, fantastic voice acting, and great songs.
An incredible depth of world-building, and a strong cast across the board.
Basically, it's everything I expect from a high-quality series, be it animated, written, or drawn.
It's just plain good.
Of course, I specifically have more personal reasons, given that it was a past relationship (with a major fandom artist) that got me involved in the series to begin with, and the series is responsible for me being in my current relationship. So it has a lot more attachment to me in specific.
there are a million things that make it amazing
but just a few of those i think are what make it wholly popular
being:
1the depth of the characterisation and the ability that gives to the viewer to relate to them
2that it doesnt treat its intended audience like theyre stupid and has a wholsome and persistent moral direction, which combine together to give messages relatable to all as well as an innocent positivity that doesnt feel patronising.
3the music, especially daniel ingrams work. in that, from the start, he put genuine effort and love into it regardless of its audience. and because in that effort it is truly quality music. and even moreso, i think, in his ability to write the right piece of music for the situation and his willingness to give us something out of left field if its the right fit.
4and probably the most important, is the fandom. while i think this show is truly unique in what it makes up, there are certainly other shows that have its every piece in some part. and there are many people who can notice this quality. but if they feel for whatever reason they shouldnt watch it, then they more than likely wont, not out of a need but simply why not, its just a show. were there no bronies, then your average person may treat it like any other show for kids theyve seen and appreciated and simply not continue watching because its not a big loss. however, having this fandom in place, people receive support for liking the show. if they find the show and see that its good, now that there is acceptance and more, they are more likely to watch it because why not. they have much more gain out of doing so than otherwise. without the fandom, the show would ofcourse be as good, and those who think its good would still think so, but it would not be anywhere near as popular. but thats not to say that bronies only like the show because of the fandom. basically, there is only a fandom because there is a fandom. i guess i could have worded this better.
I have no idea why I like this so much, seriously is it because one of my daughters is Celestia or is it to check in with multiple universes I don't know
868563 I got a response.
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The quality and the fact it manages to pull something I should NEVER like off respectably. (Not overly girly)
Nope, that's pretty much it. Call me crazy, but just because I'm a 21 year old male, doesn't mean I'm afraid to call things cute.
well first of all the people can relate really well to the characters.
second it is amazingly animated
third it is funny.
fourth it has awesome music, both fan made and the songs in the show
fifth it is so fucking adorable.
sixth and probably the best one i can think of is the community. Bronys are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. and i am proud to be a part of such a family (yes it is a family)
1) People like this ironically.
2) The "New SIncerity" movement likes this for all the reasons listed above.
I think it used to be half-and-half of those mutually exclusive groups, but now it's more like 20/80.
868563
Hey, not everyone loves the show :p I honestly have not rewatched a single episode of season 3. Doesn't mean I don't love the stuff the community put out
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Without reading the other replies.
There is usually not many shows without violence or characters being mean to each other.
Most kids shows seem to ooze with irony, bad jokes at the expense of others and so on.
Or be made for three year old kids.
I loved CDRR as a kid and revisited that a few years ago, then MLP popped up in posts and sigs, and after Scott Ramsoomair of vgcats.com posted about the show I had to check it out.
The animation was good, so was sound and VA. But what struck me was the general niceness of the show. It had this atmosphere of being positive without being childish or boring. And it was a few episodes in I noticed the depth and detail along with how well made it was. Then it went fast as I begun liking the characters, which is another thing I don't see very often, characters you could like. Sure care about or sympathize with, but usually not like.
So I looked around the net and found lots of stuff fanmade and started reading fanfiction. And there is LOT to like there.
Good animation
)
Interesting storyline and plot (before s3, anyways
Characters one can relate to
Awesome voice acting
Awesome songs
And, almost most importantly, a wonderful fandom
868300
The cuteness! It burns!
THEY ARE FUCKING PONIES!!!!!!! WHO WOULD NOT LIKE IT!!!!!!!????????!!!!!!!
The show has an awesome sense of humor and nice characters. It makes me laugh and it is a nice step away from most of the crap on TV nowadays. It's like a modern version of a 90s cartoon (back when TV was fun to watch).