BMRX, on 21 August 2012 - 08:49 PM, said:
I neither hate, nor love MLP. I don't understand either stance. I'm neutral until someone explains both reasons as to why I should either enjoy or hate this show so much.
I've asked this multiple times from the bronies all I get is "BECAUSE FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC AND MAGIC IS AWESOME!" from the haters I get "They are talking ponies that **** rainbows whats not to hate?" I still am oblivious as to why I should either like or hate this show.... I remember purchasing the toys for my younger cousin... That's about it, oh the only MLP that I enjoy are the apocolypse ponies...
For reasons to love it:
"You just have to watch it" is not an acceptable answer, I can explain everything that I love in full detail with valid points and reasonings for doing so... I expect the same.
For reason to hate it:
Most of you seem to be much quicker to hate and have less patience than others. Please provide good valid reasons as to why one should hate MLP.
Discuss! For validation, for honor, for glory, for ***** n giggles!
Allow me to attempt a more, educated explination as to why My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has gained such a following as it has, As well as why there are soo many haters [though the hater example is fairly easy to explain but we'll get to that later]
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is the newest iteration of the My Little Pony franchise originally created by Hasbro back in the 80's. Back then many ignored the show for it's atrocious voice acting, terrible animation, and overall theme [though now looking back, the original My Little Pony was basically DnD with Pony's]
This newest iteration was developed for television by Lauren Faust. Many would recognize this name as someone who was involved with some on some really good shows, such as the film "The Iron Giant" and the shows "The Powerpuff Girls" and "Foster's Home" She's also married to Genndy Tartakovsky, best known for his works, "Dexters Lab" the original Clone Wars cartoon, and Samurai Jack.
As shows go, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is considered by many to be "deeper" entertainment than what "kids" normally get. If we look at animation trends over the past 12 years or so, you see a leaning towards shows that are "Random for the sake of being random" Things like Sponge Bob Square Pants, or Chowder. MLP:FiM breaks away from this mold of randomness by having characters that are actually, characters. Each character in the show has aspirations, some even own entire businesses to themselves. But not only this, they have realistic flaws, Characters that give so much of themselves to help others that they forget to help themselves. Time Mismanagement, even severe self-esteem issues.
Ontop of this, the show carries many pop-culture references that older people will get. There's a reference to "The Big Lebowsky" in one episode... To peppy le pew in another, Season 2 episode 2 contains an entire ending that was originally animated [and later cut down] shot for shot in reference to the "Awards ceremony" from "Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope" And the main villain of that 2 episode arc was voiced by John De Lance. And was written similar to how "Q" of Star Trek Fame is handled, which happens to be John's most well known role.
There's also the matter of the songs, there are songs ranging from broadway musical level, to 80's glam rock, to Disney-esque style songs. The show has even been nominated for 2 awards for this.
The episodes, while somewhat out of order, tend to contain a level of consistency rarely seen in children's animation, and instead of every episode standing on it's own, now and again there are references to older episodes, and many of the characters grow from episode to episode.
So I guess it comes down to, it's good because it's refreshing. It's decently animated, it has some awesome [and bad for a reason in some instances] songs, It has characters that are easy to identify with, and that are more than just 1 dimensional characters. Some of them even have when you break it down, psychological disorders.
If you're going into the show for simple surface level entertainment, you'll find it, fun songs, a fun cast, shoutouts to other shows and movies... some obscure, other's obvious. If you're willing to look a bit deeper [it doesn't take much effort to do so either] you'll find a brillantly written show that subverts expectation's. Let's not forget it's voiced by a very talented vocal cast also.
It's also apparently caught the attention of some very talented individuals in the fields of everything from science to music and art.
Now, now we're going to move on as to why the haters dislike the show.
One good reason is, well, some brony's tend to be very... VERY vocal about it, to the point of being pushy and more. This is common in big fandoms, and I've personally experienced it in regards to "Firefly" "Doctor Who" and "Battlestar" MLP:FiM is no different in having it's pushy fans, and this drives some people into "Hype Aversion" mode. [again I avoided the previously mentioned shows for YEARS because of pushy fans]
Another reason is the stigmata that "childrens cartoons" have gained over the years, and perticularly shows aimed towards "young girls" It's really a cultural aversion, considering MLP:FiM found an unlikely fanbase in older males, when it was originally targeted for younger viewers... this has caused a strange mixed reaction in people who simply don't understand the attraction to the show. In a culture where the Masculine is looked apon as the best one can be, to have males enjoying a show with "colorful pastel pony's" is just wrong.
Another reason is the internet meme's... MLP is everywhere on the internet... and this brings me to rule 34 images also. People get... weird, when it comes to animals portrayed in these types of images... though oddly people forget the myriad of images created for other shows... many involving pre-teen girls. [yes it's animated but doesn't change they're depected as underage] Sexuality seems to be a sore spot for alot of people anyway [just look at all the issues regarding same sex coupling in the world.]
Then there are haters who just jump on the bandwagon of hate because it's the "Popular thing" Hater hipsters I suppose.
Anyway in closing, neither group is wrong or right... where do I stand... well my sig would make that obvious. Still, if you want to know more, just ask, I do hope you get some more decent replies to this post.
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