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My Little Pony.

124

Comments

  • BobBob
    I'm willing to listen if you give me sound arguments that aren't random shitposting.
  • ninjaclownninjaclown
    You quote everyone a lot. Not criticism, just stating facts.
  • BobBob
    Duly noted.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    Don't stop quoting me, Bobby. Makes me feel sexy. :D
  • GelzoGelzo
    edited 2011-06-01 02:12:36
    Pony Sleuth
    Okay, the appeal behind My Little Pony can be summed up as the creators actually giving a shit about what they're doing. The cutesy trappings of the show are certainly part of the novelty, but the reason people become attached to the show is that the writing and animation is good.

    There is a pretty obvious difference in the generations as shown in TMA's picture. The most glaring one is depth of expression, and hence, emotion. There's also violence and ugliness. On the other hand, the images on the right contain pretty much the same blank expressions and- to me- unappealing art. You can probably guess with some accuracy that the last generation's characters weren't as interesting.

    In Friendship is Magic, the characters have some degree of complexity, and are given flaws. They aren't all just stereotypes. The main character is smart and educated, but is sometimes too arrogant about her preconceived notions. The farmer jumps at the chance to help others, but often overlooks details and has a hard time admitting when she needs help. Amusingly enough for a girl's cartoon, she vocalizes her distaste for things that are too girly. The pony most interested in fashion is a designer instead of a consumer following trends; she has all the trappings of The Libby and is certainly a bit self-absorbed (this provokes such a strongly negative initial reaction at first, I had a friend that said she must not have ANY redeeming qualities after just watching the pilot), but as you see more of her character, her generosity and other positive qualities are revealed.

    And besides all that, there's some genuinely funny moments, and the songs in the show are actually a joy to listen to, rather than the stuff you just want to skip over. 

    Faust wanted to fight the notion that any show for girls is invariably brainless, diabetes-inducing garbage. I understand that it's not something universally enjoyable, but I'm of the opinion that she's been pretty successful at least in regard to that goal. It strikes me as indicative of either ignorance or a lack of attentiveness to say that there isn't any difference between this show and any other with the same demographics.

    I don't think it's all that important for one's enjoyment what the target demographics are, so much as the quality of the work put into the piece. Surely, when you're a kid, there's a level of complexity that you're unable to appreciate, and there's a lower tolerance among adults for things that are simple. But the show is enjoyable on both levels. There's plenty about the fantasy world and the characters that invites some entertaining speculation, and there are some amusing pop cultural references and other jokes that only adults would get, but none of that really detracts from the appeal of seeing how the characters interact with their friends in the fantasy setting.

    It's also something that's unabashedly cheerful (if sometimes cheesy), and it's kind of rare to find good works that are like that. Especially to this extent.

    And... I think I've lost track somewhere along the lines of writing this about what I ought to be responding to. Oh well, it's still valid.
  • NovaNova
    If you must eat a phoenix, boil it, do not roast it. This only encourages their mischievous habits.
    -scratches my head-

    So... Because it's not inane and stupid, it's enjoyable by adults too?
  • GelzoGelzo
    Pony Sleuth
    That's not the only reason, but it is one.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    See, that is something that makes sense.

    All I can reply with, though, is that if you like the show, it's OK, I never said otherwise, I just found the idea that someone calling the show a family show (Something it barely qualifies for) is invalid.

    And again, I find this most important, when I refer to the franchise, I mean the franchise, by which I mean, the toys. the old series was just brought up by TMA because...something.

    Otherwise, I approve of that post, both as a non-fan and as someone who values sound logic and arguing in a subforum that prefers to randomly shitpost and joke instead of saying something.
  • BobBob
    edited 2011-06-01 02:11:56
    "On the other hand, the images on the left contain pretty much the same blank expressions and- to me- unappealing art."

    You mean the right, yes?

    "Faust wanted to fight the notion that any show for girls is invariably brainless, diabetes-inducing garbage."

    "It's also something that's unabashedly cheerful (if sometimes cheesy), and it's kind of rare to find good works that are like that. Especially to this extent."

    I may be wrong, but don't these too kind of contradict each other?

    Otherwise, that makes a lot of sense, thank you.

    Also, what Juan said.
  • GelzoGelzo
    Pony Sleuth
    Oh my, I did confuse my left and right.
  • VorpyVorpy
    edited 2011-06-01 02:12:36
    ☭Unstoppable Sex Goddess☭
    Wait Gelzo why does the new show have all of the generic forgettable and bad qualities? I thought the new art did appeal to you.

    ^ oh ok
  • NovaNova
    If you must eat a phoenix, boil it, do not roast it. This only encourages their mischievous habits.
    That's not the only reason, but it is one.

    OK.
  • GelzoGelzo
    Pony Sleuth
    "I just found the idea that someone calling the show a family show (Something it barely qualifies for) is invalid."

    I don't understand how such labels are important, but I think you'd be wrong to say that the show has NO appeal to people of all ages. There are adults and children who enjoy it, and that's what families are made out of, right?

    "I may be wrong, but don't these too kind of contradict each other?"

    Not really. Something can be happy without being stupidly so. Just like something can be GRIMDARK AND EDGY while still being stupid. There's plenty of works that are intelligent and optimistic.


  • NovaNova
    edited 2011-06-01 02:19:27
    If you must eat a phoenix, boil it, do not roast it. This only encourages their mischievous habits.
    I have yet to hear why it appeals to adults, though. I mean, "It has characterization~!" isn't a very good reason.

    Honest question.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    I don't understand how such labels are important, but I think you'd be wrong to say that the show has NO appeal to people of all ages. There are adults and children who enjoy it, and that's what families are made out of, right?

    Eh, it was brought up and decided to answer. To me, it matters on a certain level, although it's mostly because I don't like misconceptions and the like. But I can see how it is non-important.

    Also, I think that it just doesn't fit with other family shows like Doctor Who and the like, you know?
  • GelzoGelzo
    edited 2011-06-01 02:25:05
    Pony Sleuth
    The characters are entertaining and well written, and the humor, music, and animation is good. I don't know what better reasons I could give you about why any cartoon is appealing to adults.

    I'm not an expert on art, so I couldn't give you a detailed analysis of why these things are well done. I could go into more detail about the writing, but I thought what I wrote was sufficient for the assertions made.

    ^Does it need to? I'm sure there are children too young to enjoy Dr. Who, but I'd bet even toddlers would be entertained by MLP:FiM, if only for the colors.
  • BobBob
    I can see the characterization, music and animation. What I don't quite understand is the humor. Could you give some examples?
  • NovaNova
    If you must eat a phoenix, boil it, do not roast it. This only encourages their mischievous habits.
    And the overreaching story is usually a requirement among adults -shrug-
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    ^Does it need to? I'm sure there are children too young to enjoy Dr. Who, but I'd bet even toddlers would be entertained by MLP:FiM, if only for the colors.

    I don't mean it in a sense of demographic so much as a sense of tone, you know?

    Like Doctor Who has this fine balance between a show about a whimsical character and general jolly good fun as well as amazing action, stunning settings and clever writing. And I'd say that about many so called family shows.


  • GelzoGelzo
    edited 2011-06-01 02:32:19
    Pony Sleuth
    Well, there's instances of puns, sarcasm, visual gags, pop culture references, slapstick, and just plain goofiness. And that's not counting the funny stuff fans have come up with.

    I think it might be best if I just find a clip of funny highlights from the show.

    Hmm... On second thought, some of those are bad examples...

    "the overreaching story is usually a requirement among adults"

    There's quite a lot of animated works aimed at adults that don't have an overarching story. And there's actually some continuity in the series, but you have to be paying attention to details to notice some of them.
  • ninjaclownninjaclown


    I think adults would appreciate the subtle alcoholism jokes that would normally fly over kids' heads. Am I wrong?
  • BobBob
    Well, the last six seconds of that last video made me laugh pretty hard.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    I'll watch it if you comfirm to me, right now, and right here, that Horatio Caine guest appears at some point.
  • BobBob
    edited 2011-06-01 02:36:01
    ^Seconding this.
  • GelzoGelzo
    edited 2011-06-01 02:57:40
    Pony Sleuth
    Pfft. Fail.
  • Central AvenueCentral Avenue
    That's just the same thing
  • BobBob
    Nah, the other one was funnier. Not sure why, it just was.

    (Yeah, yeah, subjectivity, blah blah blah)
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    It was because it was randomer. And because it included Horatio Caine.
  • GelzoGelzo
    Pony Sleuth
    Hah, I just noticed that. I assumed that he had posted the original.
  • NovaNova
    If you must eat a phoenix, boil it, do not roast it. This only encourages their mischievous habits.
    There's quite a lot of animated works aimed at adults that don't have an overarching story. And there's actually some continuity in the series, but you have to be paying attention to details to notice some of them.

    Can you name a few that do not rely on more... adult humour/symbolism?
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