Available through iTunes - $50/season $2.99/episode
Full episodes also available on YouTube (free)
I’m going to be brave and take a stab at reviewing My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. A few things first though. If you don’t like cartoons, then don’t bother reading on. If you’re just going to harass/spam/troll, and you’re already prejudiced against this show, then nothing I can say will change your mind so move on. However if you were like me and honestly curious to see what the hell this show is about and why so many people like it, then please continue reading. I will try to relate my process of viewing my first episode, my thought processes, and how & why I think the way I do – that this is an honestly fantastic cartoon that although seemingly focused for little girls is actually an entertaining show for all ages and genders.
I’ll start with the basic observation: this is a cartoon. Like most cartoons it is geared toward kids of ages 8 – 17. I happen to be a kid at heart and love cartoons. Some of my favorites are Avatar the Last Airbender (and the sequel Korra), Powerpuff Girls, Fairly Oddparents, Duck Tales, Darkwing Duck, and Talespin. I was a bit apprehensive to watch this show at first because I remember watching the old My Little Pony cartoon from the 80’s (checkout YouTube to find out why I was apprehensive). I gave it a shot anyway, and after a couple of episodes have become a big fan of it.
The main premise of the story is the character Twilight Sparkle, a nerdisly bookworm unicorn pony studying magic at a private school, is sent from the kingdom of Canterlot to the small town of Ponyville to learn about the “magic of friendship.” Or in other words her mentor knew she was a hermit and forced her to go out and make friends. This is easily done as everyone in Ponyville knows she’s new to the area, and 5 other ponies her age make it their point to make her feel welcome and be friends.
Those 5 other ponies are the other “main” characters of the show. I’ll go over each of them quickly. There’s Pinky Pie, the bubbly always happy laughing pink pony – always provide humor. Apple Jack is the orangish pony from a large family living at the farm (an apple orchard); she’s hardworking and honest much like most farm folk. Rarity is the prim and proper unicorn pony that owns a dressmaking shop, always on top of fashion, and yet is consistently generous with her time and possessions. Rainbow Dash is the loyal adventure-seeking tomboy pegasus pony. Finally Fluttershy is another pegasus pony that is kind to a fault and incredibly shy who that can also speak with animals.
Each episode usually involves some sort of hyjinx or problem or issue, like Apple Jack being a work-a-holic and not asking help from anyone, or a “strange pony” that comes to town that everyone is afraid of for no good reason, or something more epic like in the first of the season 2 episodes where this being of chaos returns and the ponies must defeat him (excellent episodes by the by, guest starring John de Lancie a.k.a. Q from Star Trek). At the end there’s usually some sort of moral that Twilight learns and relates to princess Celestia (her mentor) in her letters – about how it’s important to ask for help when you need it, or to always be there for someone, or how to not spread secrets because trust is utmost importance among friends, etc. These morals aren’t normally dealt with in the corny cheesy “we just put this in here and it doesn’t fit into the story or theme at all” kind of way. In fact these are put in so seamlessly you hardly notice it’s a teaching mechanism.
Going into my initial viewing of the series I was expecting something sickeningly sweet and girly and all around made for the younger viewing audience. I was wrong. The only “girly” thing about the show is that it’s about ponies, but there are guy ponies too; along with a few squees and group hugs, but nothing I couldn’t handle nor register an eye roll. It was nothing like the 80’s ponies, or Rainbow Bright, or Strawberry Shortcake. As for being made for the younger viewing audience, I was surprised to discover that it didn’t think I was a moron, it wasn’t talking down to me like in Dora the Explorer or other pre-school aged cartoons. Instead it was actually quite humorous; it was along the lines of regular cartoons I’ve watched over the years like Gummi Bears and Duck Tales. The humor they add in is perfect for those young at heart like me. Scenes involving Pinky Pie popping out of nowhere for one reason or another, ponies trying to get Fluttershy to shout encouragement or be more vocal and in response getting something incredibly soft and meek though Fluttershy thinks otherwise and apologizes for. There are many faces of anger or frustration which look completely out of place for the characters and yet fit so very well with the scene to not disrupt the story or mood and instead provide humor as in “that’s so unlike them!” All in all each episode I watched was entertaining, something I could just zone out and enjoy like many other cartoons I enjoy. Nothing broke the zone; nothing really made me roll my eyes in disgust. This show sucked me in and brought me a bliss that only a good cartoon could.
Besides the humor that satisfies the kid in me without being ridiculous, another reason I love this show is I can relate to many of its characters. Like Twilight I’m nerdish and hermit-like, and can find it very difficult to go out and meet new people, let alone make friends. Like Apple Jack I come from a farming background and work very hard, I am the definition of work-a-holic just like my father. Finally like Fluttershy I’m very timid and shy most of the time, and unless pissed off am kind to a fault. I can identify with the characters, and I can identify with the situations they are put in. To be brutally honest I even take heart a few of the lessons the show offers, I see what I do in my life through this show and relate with their lessons. This show actually gets me to care about the characters, to feel sorry for those hurt or let down. Any show that gets me so involved emotionally like that is a great show in my opinion.
I also enjoy the animation style; it has the barest hint of anime to it like Avatar the Last Airbender but to a lesser extent. It is also very colorful yet simple and not overwhelming.
In short, if you can get yourself past the “girly” prejudice others give this show, if you can get past the title “My Little Pony” and just watch an episode or two, and if you like cartoons in general, I honestly think you would enjoy this show. A show that has John de Lancie as a guest star cannot possibly be all that bad, and if anything go watch Season 2 Episodes 1 & 2 just for him. If there is any kid in you at all you will enjoy those two episodes. Perhaps then you’d be willing just to see what the heck the others are about too.
Season 2 Episode 1 link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g-pVfRsF1o
Season 2 Episode 2 link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXSapCY9Pa4
