I show up to my day time job with a small, bright pink My Little Pony purse clutched in my hand. It’s my every day purse and I carry it around proudly despite the fact that I am an adult woman pushing 30. You may shake your head and think I’m crazy – especially if you don’t have a fandom or universe you enjoy yourself. You might even think I look stupid. To me, my love of My Little Pony is completely normal.
Hi. My name is Kimi and I am what some refer to as a “Brony” or “Pegasister” – an adult who loves what is considered to be a children’s television show featuring animated ponies and the magic of their friendship.
Like so many young women my age, I grew up watching the first generation of My Little Pony back in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I don’t really remember it, but I must have really liked it to have numerous My Little Pony themed birthday cakes growing up. Regardless, clearly my adoration for cute animated ponies has somehow stuck with me through to my adult life without my realizing.
A couple of years ago, my best friend (who is male by the way) re-introduced me to this majestical world of ponies. I wrote it all off as silly on numerous occasions until I finally let down my guard and gave the show a real shot. Much to my surprise, I found that the characters were well designed with strong personalities, the plots were interesting and entertaining, the voices were quality and well suited to each pony, and overall I found the show a pleasure to watch.
Unlike a lot of cartoons designed for girls, this generation of ponies known as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic (MLP:FiM) isn’t just a bunch of pastel pink ponies sitting around sipping tea and eating biscuits. There are real adventures to be had, dangers to face and even some life lessons to be learned through difficult situations.
Children are taught the values of Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity and the Magic that happens when you bring those traits together. It’s surprisingly not at all lame and because of the strong personalities the ponies each posses, it’s entertaining and mostly groan-free for adults.
But what makes this show so special? What is it that’s so intriguing?
MLP:FiM A Dog and Pony Show is an episode with a perfect example. The main character of the episode, Rarity is what I would describe as prissy. She abhors dirt and hard labor, but will do whatever it takes to help out her friends – including getting down and dirty if need be. Thus, she is the pony that represents Generosity.
In one of my favorite episodes, she is captured by a band of wild dogs who want her to use her powers to find gems, dig them up and do the dirty work of lugging the collection of gems around in a cart. She makes complaints about the harness being too tight and that she is getting dirty. The wild dogs tell her to stop whining and Rarity being the smart pony that she is, teaches them the difference between complaining and whining.
At the cut of the scene, Rarity has convinced the wild dogs to do whatever it takes to get her to stop whining. What you miss is that after the cut, Rarity has the dogs decorating the cave and doing all of the work of digging and lugging the gems around.
We’re accustomed to Rarity being so dainty and she uses that to her advantage, using her quick thinking to transform herself from the typical damsel in distress, to tricking her pony-nappers into doing the work for her. It’s all very clever, impressive and it teaches children that people (and ponies) aren’t always what they seem. Sometimes the one that looks most weak, is the strongest of the bunch.
What Makes Bronies Stay?
We arrived at the show because someone thought we’d like it. We stayed for strongly voiced characters like lead pony Princess Twilight Sparkle – voiced by Tara Strong who is known for her work as Dil Pickles on Rugrats, Bubbles on The Powerpuff Girls and Timmy Turner on The Fairly OddParents… among other characters.
We stayed for the beautiful artwork and animation in addition to the quick and witty writing that caters to the child in us as much as our adult sense of humor. We stayed because we found a way to identify with the ponies and see ourselves in their predicaments and hard life choices. We stayed because we learned to hate ourselves a little bit less.
Of course there is the fan fiction, art, official and third party merchandise to go crazy over as with any other fandom out there. Personally, I collect Funko Pop and the clear variant of Funko My Little Pony figurines. A couple of months ago, I got my hands on a couple of Princess Luna figurines by Funko through a negative encounter between Hot Topic and myself.
My youngest daughter loves Fluttershy! If I win this lovely prize, I would give it to her for at Easter! Thank you x
That's lovely, good luck!
Rarity is my granddaughters favorite pony
I used to love playing with my ponies! I never watched the TV show though.
Aw, that's nice! Fluttershy is sweet. 🙂 Best of luck!
Rarity is one of my favorite personalities. Her wit is so underrated!
I recently tried to watch the first generation of My Little Pony on Netflix and found that I didn't like it. MLP:FiM is much, much better.
My granddaughter love my little pony, i dont know her favorite one
This is such a cute post & giveaway! LOVE it! My daughter is a big fan of the show, and I admit I get sucked into watching it too… sometimes she'll leave the room, the TV is still on and I continue watching! It's great! Ruby's favorite is Rainbow Dash, I would probably share this win with her! 😉
I really want to start reading this series. I keep hearing about them and need to just drop everything and go for it. After I finish about 10 other books…
I REALLY liked this whole series, and honestly this third book was my favorite of the three I've read so far. When I get my February credit for Audible I'm going to go ahead and buy the next one.
I haven't watched the show, but Chris's daughter is a big fan. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before she convinces me to watch it with her.
Sorry that your kitty is mad at you. They get so grumpy, don't they??
Also, what goodies did you order for your camera??
Yep, they're so temperamental.
I ordered so much! I ordered:
A new bag in blue.
This Flash Diffuser Set which comes with white, blue, and amber.
This Rubber Lens Hood for my 50mm lens.
This 3-Piece Filter Set for my 50mm lens.
This water-resistant Hard-drive Case in purple to organize all my cards and batteries and things.
This Tripod Kit which comes with a full-size tripod, a spider tripod, a one-arm tripod, and a wireless remote.
A Pocket-Sized White Balance Card Set
And this Light Reflector Set 🙂
Those are all clickable if you want to see them. 🙂
Awesome! I already have a few of those things, but there are some that I really want to get.
Have a great time!
Very cool! I'm dying for a new lens though, and not sure what I can afford or what I should get. Any suggestions?
Do you have a zoom lens? I've got a 55-300 that I LOVE.
Not a specific one. I got the 18-135 lens and it's "meh" I do need a good zoom lens, and a good wide angle. They're all just expensive! lol
They are CRAZY expensive! I got mine when I first got my camera, so I got a screaming good deal. But that's the next thing I would suggest is a good zoom.
You might be pleasantly surprised! I sure was…
A mad kitty isn't nice………………….but since I don't have any kitties I don't know how bad it is I just know what I read…………..
I never did but I heard good things so I started watching the show and I am in love with it! I really really like Celestia and Fluttershy! I would definitely keep it for myself.
My daughter loves MLP , pinkie pie is her favorite pony
I'm so thrilled to see such positive responses to this post and to the show. Best of luck!
Pinkie Pie is so much fun!
My daughter loves all the MLPs. I don't think she has a favorite.
They are all pretty awesome in their own ways… smart girl! 😀
I have two boys, a five-year-old and a two-year-old, and they love My Little Pony — and my wife and I think that's awesome. This would go great with their collection of MLP figures.
My daughter loves Twilight Sparkle and I would be giving this to her!
mcfallsk8er[at]aim[dot]com
My 4 year old LOVES My Little Pony and Princess Luna is one of her favorites 🙂 Love this giveaway<3
Me too! Thank you!
Uh I just caught up on Scandal this morning …. I wish it would go back to the good-ole days in the first season when Liv was being a badass defending people. Sigh….
I watched my Little Pony growing up and my, now 13 year old daughter, watched it. I do not have a favorite, but girl love Twilight Sparkle.
BEST. GIVEAWAY. EVER. My "pony merch" is limited, but I'm always trying to resist buying something new for the collection!
Yummm Skinny Taco Stuffed Peppers sound AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! 60 degree weather- I am so jealous. It is like -5 here. Brrrrr Way to go on your healthy eating, I am working on it too. Easier said than done! Thanks for joining me in my Currently series. Have a great weekend! XO Becky
They were so good! Yuck on the cold weather, and thank you!
I totally agree, I'm kind of bored with this whole Liv being kidnapped thing. Meh.
LOL