When MLP: FIM eventually ends... · 9:52pm Aug 4th, 2012
Too many shows, such as Samurai Jack, are cancelled prematurely; while other shows, such as the Simpsons, hang around long after their new episodes have ceased being relevant or entertaining. We have to come to terms with the fact that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is eventually going to end.
The question is what will bronies do once new episodes of MLP: FIM stop airing? As examples like Picture Perfect Pony have shown us, fans are capable of animation that comes close to rivaling the quality of the show itself.
As ambitious as a fan-made series is, I don't know how practical it would be in practice. The animators, voice talent, song writers, storyboard artists and scriptwriters would all are be unable to be paid for their efforts, lest they violate Hasbro's Intellectual Property. Maintaining a quality fan series of that level, without any hope of monetary remuneration, seems like a losing proposition. Fans will say that it's a labor of love and the money doesn't matter; but I think we have evidences of a better way to continue the MLP franchise beyond FIM's initial run, without having to resort to a fan-made series.
I now present Operation:
Several adult-themed cartoon series have been saved beyond cancellation through the clamor of fans. 
Family Guy was resurrected after cancellation. Twice. (I suspect Peter Griffin may be a Time Lord...)
Futurama is another example of a series given a second life beyond its initial run.
Neither of these would've been possible without the outcry of fans.
What I'm proposing is that bronies need to write Hasbro and demand the series continue after its proposed run. They know what we like. The Hub is already advertising MLP: FIM as part of their prime time line up and encouraging viewers to "watch with or without your kids."
The Hub could have a lineup of original mature animated shows that would put Adult Swim to shame. (Which wouldn't be that difficult considering the state of Cartoon Network nowadays.)
A mature version of MLP: FIM inspired by the brony fannon would be amazing. Tara Strong voiced Princess Clara from Drawn Together, so I feel confident she'd be on board to reprise her role as Twilight Sparkle in a new, more mature series. It could be rated TV14 or even as high as TVMA and deal with a wider range of subjects. Berry Punch could actually be a drunk. You could have sex, drugs and violence introduced into the stories. I'm not saying the show becomes needlessly crass, but the creative team would be free to explore new territory and deal with more mature themes. As long as the show stays true to the characters, I feel you can put them in any scenario and it will work.
Some bronies may want the series to continue without adding adult content. That's always an option; but as we've seen from the pot brownies, humping dogs and robot testicles in the Transformers movie series, Hasbro is pretty lax when it comes to what they object to in their two and a half hour long toy commercials.
The concept of taking innocent source material and injecting it with mature content is the backbone of several Adult Swim shows. A vast majority of Robot Chicken's content is derived from parodying nostalgic things from childhood, including My Little Pony. The Venture Bros. has made several nods and homages to older Hanana-Barbera cartoons; and let's not forget the early Adult Swim shows such as Harvey Birdman, Attourny at Law and Sealab 2021, which existed because of their previous kid-friendly incarnations.
Seth MacFarlane wants to make a new Flintstones series that's tailored to an older audience, so why not make a spinoff MLP show targeted specifically at bronies? I'm interested to hear what everyone thinks about this. Feel free to post your opinions and any ideas you have about the best way to go about contacting Hasbro. I want to see this happen.
EDIT: I should add that the inclusion of mature content and themes is not a necessity for the continuation of the show. I think MLP would be successful if allowed to continue with the same standards it currently has. I just would like to see them push the envelope a little further every now and then.
EDIT: I also think it might be better if the fanon-based series focused less on the mane six. They could still cameo in some episodes, but I'd love to have a new mane cast for the brony version of MLP.
EDIT: I should probably explain what I mean by sex, drugs and violence. I'm not talking about the stupid, lowbrow humor used on Family Guy. There are enough of those shows as it is. No, I want sexual humor like they had on Arrested Development. That's the kind of clever writing I want to see on MLP. You can write mature humor, without being immature in its delivery.
EDIT: What happened to Pinky and the Brain needs to happen to My Little Pony.
"On September 9, 1995, Pinky and the Brain were spun off onto their own half-hour series on Kids' WB, with each episode consisting of one or more segments, including some of the segments from Animaniacs. The first season of the show was scheduled in a prime-time slot from September 10, 1995 through July 21, 1996 as part of the new WB Network lineup, and as a result, tended to have more jokes and humor aimed to adults rather than children. Due to poor ratings, subsequent seasons were moved to Saturday mornings as part of the Kids' WB programming block." -Wikipedia
I still remember watching the episode entitled "Of Mouse and Man" for the first time. Brain gets a job in an office, wearing his big mechanical suit. Not only does he inappropriately grab a female coworker when his suit malfunctions, but she actually uses the words 'sexual harassment' and the whole incident becomes a plot point. At the time, I thought it was the greatest thing ever.
"Can they do this on a kids show?" I thought. That's what I'd like to see. Move MLP to prime time and throw in more adult humor.
Pinkie Pie 'Tastes The Rainbow' sounds like the best episode ever. And it could double as a 20 minute Skittles commercial!
Mature pony, not gonna happen. Ren and Stimpy adult party anyone?
There will definitely be nods to FiM in the next generation, take comfort in that.
I think that sounds orgasmic...And good. I really don't care, as long as MLP keeps going. I think that mature content would be nice...
It would definitely be interesting, but the reason I think so many people (or at least me anyways) are drawn to MLP is because of the pure world that Equestria is, an adult series would be a bastardization of MLP:FiM.
The time MLP:FIM ends will be a dark day indeed.
To be honest - and I really hate to admit it - but I'm the type of guy who just can't stick around once a show's permanently dead. I hope that outcry from the fans will allow it to live past its expiration date, just because I've come to have a soft spot for it and its characters. I want to continue writing for the series, keep exploring what I can while it's still fresh in all of our heads. But once it's gone, it's gone. There's really nothing else you can do but move on after something's completely dead. A bit dreary, I know. But can anyone tell me otherwise?
Needless to say, I hope that MLP:FIM will be one of the shows that will be pushed by the fuel of the fanbase to continue on, live on for just a moment longer.
honestly, id like to see more mature stuff being added. they could make with some very interesting character backstories with stuff such as that. i dont think a small bit of added violence or sex is a bad thing at all if done well
I laughed when I read this, I laughed so very hard...
Then I realized how much of a point you have...
LETS DO IT!
Snowflake: YEAH!
Part of me agrees that a fan service MLP would be the most epic thing ever.
Part of me wants to punc you in the face.
Let me explain why:
Have you seen what haters say about us? They say we are a bunch of child molesters. That we all do nothing but watch porn. They say we do nothing but jack off to ponies.
That is the (as much as I hate the term) 1% of the bronies. But every community has those. But it's worse for bronies because it's a show (original) for little girls.
That is why I want to punch you in the face.
Have a nice day
Well, from every single fanfic ever fucking created on this website and deviantART, we've seen it's completely possible to entertain people through a wide variety of situations, styles, and activities.
The question is, how well would these translate to animation, and would the creative team take ideas from bronies? I'd say there's enough stories on this site that would fit the current kid-friendly nature of the cartoon, while being quite new and unexplored by the writers.
If people are going to write, and you want the cartoon to continue, don't completely depend on the writers to be the ultimate repositories of creativity! Send in ideas!
The extension of a series is completely dependant upon what the writers and animators can churn out, and that material needs to be entertaining. What happens when the writers can't think of anything? A show dies.
What happens when the fans take over the creative process though? You suddenly have MILLIONS of writers, instead of just 30!
Mature material is also possible, so long as it doesn't ruin what MLP is meant to be and represent. Nothing way out there like extreme amounts of violence (hell, Equestria hasn't even exited the Dark Ages, and is just NOW exploring the realm of steam technology. They don't have electricity, let alone gunpowder.)
I suppose all you need to ask is: what ideas CAN be used? For that, you look on this site. I say the writers should do the same.
I agree with your idea 100%
I myself had imagine My Little Pony in a mature setting and came up with several plots and ideas. I don't know how we could contact Hasbro. But, I'd say we work together and write a document of sorts that would show Hasbro of such an idea. I would love to work for such an effort and see what the outcome would be.
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Well, Pvt. Party Pooper, you've certainly lived up to your name.
But seriously, I know that not every attempt at a cartoon revival succeeds. It just seems that today there's more opportunities for mature shows based on nostalgic children's cartoons to work. (Drawn Together, Harvey Birdman, Sealab 2021 and Robot Chicken being just four examples.)
WHAT THE BUCK, PONIES AND SEX? THIS IS UNBECUMMING~ get it?
They're already reaching the point of syndication after season 3 which is going to make Hasbro a shit-ton more money. Ingram also confirmed that he's already composing scores for season 4 and season 5. At this point, the only thing that could kill the show are soccer moms or a falling out with the voice actors over their contracts ala Futurama. Hasbro is getting richer, merch is selling, and ratings are through the roof. I doubt we have anything to worry about and enjoy what we have while it lasts.
A MLP for an older audience would be intriguing. But again, soccer moms. All it would take is for one unsupervised kid to stay up late, their irresponsibly mother to turn into a "It's Not My Fault" activist and *poof* no more MLP. But that's why we have a fandom.
That is the greatest idea that anyone is the history of forever has ever suggested and ever will suggest in the history and future of civilization. Ever.
NEED MOAR!
Love the idea.
Doubt it would happen.
I couldn't disagree more. The innocence of the show is one of its greatest features; its a welcome relief from sex-joke and innuendo fueled franchises like Futurama and Family Guy while still being an entertaining and enjoyable show. Try to shoehorn sex or drugs or any mature content into it would ruin it completely. Ex; toast is great, and Pepsi is also great(if you disagree, substitute your favorite beverage), but together its a soggy pile of nasty shit. As far as fanon goes, its fine, because if you find something you don't like, you can just ignore it and read something else. but if you do it in the show(which will never happen; Hub would cancel the show before it began to go down that road, since their network is for kids. Bronies are a great phenomenon for them, but they won't change their whole setup for us) it would ruin the franchise.
Personally, I am glad I have no say in the show because I recognize that almost anything I would bring to the table would hurt rather than help the series. After all, none of us would have been able to make a show as good as FiM is without making just another Simpsons or rebranding the later Family Guy seasons, so we should leave the show to the people who made it, because we sure as hell couldn't.
After countless (actually, just some dark insomnia days) months of thinking and thinking about why do I like this show? I conclude that there are many factors that can apply.
One of the factors is the subjectivity of the show. We know that some characters had a hard past without showing flashback after flashback and we also know that they overcome such complications. If the writers suddenly start to try "mature" contenct, they sure will start creating ideas about Scootaloo, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and some others background characters as well (seems like the characterisation of the background will be the theme for the 3rd season).
What scares me is the possiblity of stop loving the show.
1.- Objective: I love seeing some colourful ponies not trying to look cute of inocent full of joy and love & tolerance, but instead working hard to pass the obstacles in their daily life.
2.- Subjective: They feel human to me. That's the level of characterization that those ponies have. They react normal as us.
A big example are the characters of ANY Manga & Animé show. In those, even the worst guy seems more reliable than your best friend. Why? because they are setted on an impossible world behaving in a unrealistic way (Face it, even the most realistic of all feels false).
Ponies... are different. The Magical and Fantastical land of Equestria feels... normal, thanks to the realistic behaviour of those anthropomorphic ponies. Sometimes, when I watch, I mean, rewatch the episodes I think "I would do/say/think that"
I would like to say that while I enjoy the mature themes I see around the internet and the like, I rather enjoy the innocence that the show has. While I think continueing the show FOREVER is okay with me, I think that there are better ways to do it. Like adding MLP: FiM Adventure or something...
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Can child molesters who watch porn all day inspire a multi-billion dollar corporation to make a show tailored to them? The answer is no. If bronies manage to get Hasbro to green-light a show designed for us, I think it will improve our standing in the eyes of others. We'll be seen as a well organized group of fans who uses our clout to influence and affect the show we love and help chart its course.
I'm not advocating a series filled with crass and gross humor, like Drawn Together. I'd like to see MLP handled in a mature way, in that it tackles mature themes with a mix of dignity and humor.
Thanks for the feedback!
yes. I'm curious to see what a few swearing ponies with adult mannerisms would be like.
Wait Tara Strong was Princess Clara? Wow I shall now look at Twilight differently...
Anyways i'd say that it's a good idea if it ever got off the ground and i'd definitively watch it. In my opinion what they should do is look at the fanfiction and put some of those on Tv. The Immortal Game springs to mind as one that would definitely fit in with a darker themed show and the battles would be amazing to see animated.
Also there's already a model for this type of thing, Friendship is Witchcraft was made with this idea in mind
Great in theory.
Likely guaranteed to be shit in practice.
...When the fuck did that ever stop FiM?
Honestly I think if the likely merchandise sales are anything to go by as well as the general ratings ( I say likely because I honestly don't know the figures, but if you think about the number of bronies out there besides the children they originally intended to reach) then I am sure it will likely go on for a while. Although the process of creating the show could always prove a problem with the contracts or the writers could simply run out of ideas for the show (writers if your ever stumped ask some people on here I know there are some good ideas floating around the fandom
).
I think there could be a possibility for a more adult targeted show a la Adult Swim. But there is a problem with that as far as I can see. A general opinion some people have about bronies (both uninformed people listening to haters who are as well uninformed and obviously the aforementioned haters themselves) is that were a bunch of wierdos and that we like to do inappropriate things to children and we are in general just strange and wrong and/or even creepy because we like a show whose target audience was little girls initially. The problem with a more adult show would be convincing people that we aren't like that while asking for a more adult show at the same time. Likely this would be something that the haters would use against the community to try and convince more people that there is something wrong with us.
Hopefully MLP: FiM will simply last a long time
268910 ok. Now I agree with you a bit more.
I like that you don't want to make a show like "party.mov"
A show that's mature, but still not all sex, drugs, and sex. *coughcough family guy cough*
My little Pony: Afterdark Adventures?
think it calls for an all new mane cast. Berry Punch the drunk is one good Idea. should also have Lyra and Bon Bon as the same sex couple. and colgate as the socially akward weirdo.
I don't know if they would necessarily need to go into an overly mature version of the show. Like others have already stated, part of the thrill of this show is the innocence and stuff that is in it. Throwing a monkey wrench of mature themes in there could potentially just snap up the fandom like a twig in a hurricane. All this show needs is maybe a bit more of an older theme, not adult/older teen necessarily, but something that opens up further possibilities for the story. Hopefully the fandom is capable of keeping this going though, I was pleasantly surprised to find I liked this show back when my DnD group convinced me to sit in for an episode. Best part is that practically the whole group is big enough fans that we had a few nights where we actually went to Equestria with our own ponified heroes. Canon got funny though, when we showed up in the origins of Luna and Celestia and the fight against Discord. But I won't go into details because this comment is already off topic.
Point is, good show, good characters, and a mature theme isn't necessary to keep things going. Not to say I'm a little curious though.
Well, lets take some things into consideration here. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has a fanbase as big as or bigger than other cartoons already, and they have not even started airing season 3 yet. Between the little kids loving the show, the parents watching it and enjoy it with their kids, and the Brony/Pegasister fandom, FiM is not going to go anywhere any time soon. Hasbro would start losing a lot of money if FiM wound up coming to a close. Sure, My Little Pony has always been popular, but with FiM, MLP has become just as popular as Hasbro's Transformers cartoons, as well as other cartoons they have done. I predict at least ten seasons out of FiM, if not more. And who the hell knows-- after Friendship is Magic has run its course, they could come up with an entirely new My Little Pony line.
And sure, more mature FiM would be interesting, but I have a feeling the only ones willing to do that would be the Brony fandom.
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Those are great ideas! I also think it might be better if the fanon-based series focused less on the mane six. They could still cameo in some episodes, but I'd love to have a new mane cast for the brony version of MLP. Mane nine, anyone?
fc07.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/354/c/e/mlp__fim_background_ponies_v2_by_marioysonic-d4joiiz.png
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I do have to agree, those 'Not my fault' style parents are the death of things that others enjoy, especially with mature media. Outside of internal Hasbro affairs (contracts, voice actors, ect.), that's the biggest threat in my opinion.
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All of your comments give me hope for the future. I always worry about shows like this getting cancelled for stupid reasons. I pray that you're right. I feel that if a show's success were determined by their Internet presence, then MLP: FIM could last for decades. I hope it happens. I just want us to be prepared to get Hasbro to revive the series, should the need arise.
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Awsome! but it needs to give that nod to fandom's interpritations of the individual personalities of those ponies. Lyra's human obsession, bon bon's anger issues, and so on. love that pic, btw.
heck, would be even better if it was based in an entirely different setting than ponyville, since the cannon map was released not long ago.
4.bp.blogspot.com/-6OE3RdQFSJM/UBw8SRIVboI/AAAAAAAAE6o/QAVDWpmBvbo/s1600/1yawf.jpg
A more mature MLP... i like it. I have been thinking abou it for awhile... but my idea was more of the ponies being anthro, ad the show being more anime based. Honestly, i can only see all this mature stuff working out if they were anthro, not ponies (Unless they changed their art style). It would also be pretty cool if Hasbro decided to make episodes off of famous fanfics. (With permission, of course).
Drugs? Sex? Violence? Sure, as long as it doesn't become constant fart jokes.
>>Bronystories
I think that would be a great idea regardless of whether it was more adult or not. Although for some of the characters to make sense based on the fan characters such as Lyra and Bon Bon being together and Octavia and Vinyl being together it would have to be a bit more mature. I would love to see a series based entirely around some of the more popular background ponies.
Doesn't Avatar the Last Airbender and Legend of Korra have mature themes? Child abuse, war, racism and other prejudice, death being a constant danger, dead family members, romance (tongue kissing on 4 different occasions with 4 different couples), murder, robbery, death threats, frighteningly evil spirit monsters, and countless other stuff not conventionally in children's works. If these things can be in another kid's show, why not in MLP:FIM?
(
, I inspired a blog post!)
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I should probably explain what I mean by sex, drugs and violence. I'm not talking about the stupid, lowbrow humor used on Family Guy. There are enough of those shows as it is. No, I want sexual humor like they had on Arrested Development. That's the kind of clever writing I want to see on MLP. You can write mature humor, without being immature in its delivery.
268949 I like that picture.
that would be awesome but i doupt it would happen but if it did i hope they do it justice
i just want the show to continue and if it ever ends it will continue to live in our hearts
268865
Where did you hear that? Can you drop me a link?
...season 4 and 5 songs being developed?
----
...anyway. I really don't think an "adult" version of this show would work. Of course, when I think "adult" I think Family Guy, which I hate with a burning passion. If it can be pulled off without being completely vile, sure. I like some seriously adult writing on here (why else would I be watching you?) but not on the canon show. In the end, the issue is Hasbro (a toy company) being associated with the adult show. Parents would stop getting their kids MLP stuff because of the racy adult show. It would cause shitstorms everywhere. I don't think the Hub would ever do it. Would I watch it? Yes, probably, especially if all the same talented writers and animators and voice actors and whatnot stayed on.
As for fan-made animation? The thing is that most fan teams are going to be significantly smaller and thus it will take much longer to make anything. I know there's an entire fanmade MLP episode in the works, Double Rainboom; from what I can tell, it's in the spirit of the original show and looking pretty damn good. Ultimately, though, the problem with fanmade work is quality. Much like with fanfic, you'd have serious differences in quality; tons of shit and a few absolute gems, with very little rivaling the actual MLP.
Starting with a second cast in a different location could be interesting. I don't think the Mane Six have been worn out yet, though. Not for a long shot. Remember, we're just entering season 3, and all of Faust's cartoons have been six seasons. I expect it is most likely that MLP as it is now will last at least that long. After that? Well, MLP has had four generations so far, and I'm sure G4 has been the most successful. Maybe Hasbro will figure out what worked and do as well with G5.
In all honesty (and in my own opinion X_x), I hope MLP:FiM, (the officially produced show, not the fans, fan works, or morals of the show) dies with the final episode.
~ Not to say that I'm hoping for an early end! Heck, 128 episodes (ha, double what they'll have :D) would be fantastic, and I'd be there for every step of the journey :P
... But there comes a point at which everything should end. My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic is a show that revolves almost entirely about friendship and brightly painted canvases of a grand world where every lesson is new and each day is met with a smile on one's face - and, while other aspects may be involved in the colorful land of Equestria that we all enjoy, one cannot deny these base values that the show stands for. And that, in itself, is good.
However, on this premise, MLP:FiM cannot continue on and become a staple such as The Simpsons or Family Guy. This is because, to put it bluntly, there is only so much that can be elaborated on when it comes to friendship, magic, and new lessons for children that can be taken to heart via a great program. Once there are no more of these lessons to be taught, the show cannot continue ~ it'd be like trying to paint a picture once the paints have long since run dry.
And even then, 128 episodes may be pushing it :/
Sure, you could change the premise - throw in a dash of real life, a twinge of alcohol, a drop of blood. But then, it wouldn't be the adventures of six great friends in the glorious, shining land of good that Equestria personifies - it would be the adventures of six great friends as they face the grim reality of the world. It wouldn't be My Little Pony, Friendship is Magic - it would just be the twisted shadow of a show that clings to life through the strength of fans who joined for the morals it spoke of in the first three seasons.
A fan-animated series? Sure. A dark fanfiction written by talented authors such as ___, ____, Bronystories, ____, etc etc etc? Sure.
The very core of a million people's morals and creativity? No.
Granted, the fans could petition more, and the creators would comply. Money could be made. But, as we've seen time and time again, the thing generating the money would become nothing more than a hollow shell of the thing it once was. The first example that comes to mind is Pokemon.
Do you remember Kanto? Do you have fond memories of beating the Rockets? Did you cry for joy when you finally caught all five Legendaries?
Now tell me, where is Pokemon Black Version 2, the newest game, set? Who in the world are you fighting? How did you feel when you caught the seventh 'original' embodiment of fire? It was just as amazing and fulfilling as finally being able to beat the snot out of Blue..... Right?
I sure didn't. After the last mote of originality had been sucked from the franchise at the end of G4, I just gave up on the silly little monsters. It lost the magic that it once held for me.
In short, I hope that MLP:FiM leaves us a legacy of a show that, while not quite as long as other related programs, would be cherished and remembered every time one checked their inbox, submitted a piece of art, and even when making a new friend long after you've stood before the altar and haven't watched television in years.
)
Or, you know, it could just go on for six years and gradually drive itself into the dirt and make those glorious memories about as great to look back on as that one time you woke up in in the bathtub, covered from head to toe with potato chips and diet Sprite. (I'm lookin' at you, author-man
Anyways, just my two bits on the subject. Apologies for eating up so much space in the comment box
Even if mlp does go under sites like these will still be alive and kicking for years to come because as we all know nothing really ever dies on the internet
268989 Ah, I see what you mean now. (Darn public media and it's stupid stereotypes, how much better would the world be without some of that crap?) That would actually be pretty funny, having sexual jokes, not necessarily themes, good call on that one. Especially the number of ones that would be said by Dash.
Rarity would be pretty funny at times too, though. 
Interesting idea, i like it. I guess this topic hits a lot of people hard from this realization but you actually made one step forward. Again, i like this idea, although if hasbro does sell MLP and the buyers are ging to make it into adult content... MLP WILL be destroed, unless of course they have some curtasy.
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I enjoy the passion and the love you have for this series.
Thanks for the feedback!
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So more like sexual inneundo rather?
Instead of the obvious and crass stuff, just things that make you go, "Ohohohoho, silly ponies."
I could get on board for that.
I'd love to have the Mane 6 plus Lyra Heartstrings, Bon-Bon, Octavia, Vinyl Scratch...
Ya know I gotta admit I'd like the show to continue and possibly be more mature. But not the type of "mature" in family guy or things like that. (Before anyone says anything I'm not bashing shows like family guy. I watch it regularly and enjoy it.) I'd like it to be mature in a clever way. Have some risque humor, have some real world problems (Berrys drinking, the orientation of characters, etc). Heck, have the side characters we all know and love go on random, epic adventures. But keep it heartfelt, keep it the show we fell in love with but let it grow. Before I ramble I'll say this, whatever happens for the show one thing won't change. We're all Bronies, and if the show goes on for 25 more seasons or just 2 more. We'll always have the memories. Well if you'll excuse me I've gotta go poke Hasbro with a stick so they continue MLP. Later y'all.
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Right, im not talking about it being like Family Guy. That would be horrible.
I mean have them act somewhat more adult-friendly, you know, not fainting when rabbits eat their food, rather chase them off or something
I agree with everything you have stated herein!!! Also, thanks for the link to the Music Vid, I was hoping for more of those.
Vampony Chronicles.
Nuff said