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[Bdthemag]

Yeah, but it'd be like asking me for my opinions (Which is the worst question anyone could ask of me.) My opinion is going to be entirely biased, and yours probably would be too. If the OP or anyone else legitimately wants to know whether they'd like both the show or community or "get" the appeal, look stuff up yourself. It'd probably be more accurate.

[GlyphGryph]

Man, I love magical girl stuff and a whole bunch of cute things, but I've never even had the urge to watch a single episode of MLP.  I think it's the whole "mascot" thing.  If they were humans or humanoid or just something other than all ponies all the time, I might like it, but a world that's full of a single anthropomorphized animal species hits the "why would you make this choice, this is stupid" button (perhaps not rightfully so, but seriously, it's just my matter of taste).

Oddly enough, I can't watch magical girl shows because it's a constant feeling of "why would you make this choice, this is stupid".

But MLP is fine. I enjoy watching it. I guess that it helps that I like quadrupeds and the art style (the other kids show I've found I enjoy is Martha Speaks, which also features quadrapeds and a distinctive art style that appeals to me), but I think more than that, for me, a lot of the appeal of the show is that it's escapism, and it is escapism to a place that has problems but is in many ways a better place. Things are simpler in a lot of ways, without (overall) being stupid. I think using non-human characters makes it a lot easier to buy into - oddly enough, I think most people would trip up on their suspension of disbelief if the characters were humanoid. Note that to get around that, the new humanoid-character-movie doesn't actually take place in this escapist world... but in our own. (And that's why I've really got no interest in checking it out)

Of course, it wouldn't be serve that role if it wasn't well animated, well written (though the plotting and consistency come and go), and well acted, but it is all of those. That certainly helps. But at it's core the show is just overwhelmingly positive, and it's nice to have that moment of positivity in an otherwise stressful and cruel life. And there's not many pieces of entertainment that fit the bill without ringing exceptionally hollow or being overwhelmingly stupid (and usually both).

[Neonivek]

The thing is when I see a pack of girls and none of them are wearing pants... I get a VERY strong "Bratz" vibe. As in these characters were made to be marketable rather then to be characters.

[itisnotlogical]

I haven't watched it in recent times, however I used to watch it because it was a pretty good cartoon and I got caught up in the first wave of the fandom. Also, somebody showed me this damn song that I can't get out of my head which ultimately convinced me that the show might not be all that bad.

[Urist McScoopbeard]

I've no stake in this conversation, but congratulations on keeping civil for 3 whole pages!

[Glowcat]

Most of the things I like about the "show" are produced by the fandom. Not that it's a bad show. As long as one keeps in mind it's targeted to children it's possible to find genuinely amusing moments and, unlike so many series, there actually seems to be character development.

[Mr Frog]

I guess the main reason I watch the show is that I'm such a bitter, jaded cynic (who often must deal with others of a similar nature) in my day-to-day life that occasionally being able to engage myself in something for half an hour that isn't steeped in such angst is really quite refreshing.

I personally think that MLP is a very, very well-constructed show for what it is, with good animation and art direction (subjective, of course -- the cheery colour schemes probably won't work for everyone), decent characterisation, and reasonably-competent humour, but I must admit that there really isn't much substance to it. Every single plotline, no matter how complex, is guaranteed by the very nature of the genre to wrap up neatly in 20 minutes without any real long-term consequences; though MLP does maintain continuity to some extent, there's pretty much nothing in the way of season-spanning plot arcs. There's not a whole lot for the viewer to engage themselves in intellectually, which can easily kill many people's ability to enjoy it if they don't get enough value from the comedy, visuals, or idealistic overtones.

E: Why is this in Life Advice, come to think of it?

[NobodyPro]

Most of the things I like about the "show" are produced by the fandom. Not that it's a bad show. As long as one keeps in mind it's targeted to children it's possible to find genuinely amusing moments and, unlike so many series, there actually seems to be character development.

Pretty much this. Though I am mostly disconnected with the fandom these days there are still individuals I check up on.

[Neonivek]

Well there is an old saying: "A adult is a child who has grown up"

A lot of the themes and elements of child programming are much more universal then surface details would give away.

For example I like the cheery aspects of child programming and loathe the thick never ending tormented darkness of "adult" programming. Heck I can give cartoons a lot of passes for their narrative mostly because the world they are creating is not our own, while in Adult programming they try to remain grounded in the real world and then just butcher reality (Thanks CSI, Cold-Case Detectives, and later episodes of Law and Order!) and not in the dramatic sort of way, I mean terrible terrible ways.

Or rather to say... Children's programs and adult programs actually tends to skew towards children in being more mature I find.

[Zangi]

The thing is when I see a pack of girls and none of them are wearing pants... I get a VERY strong "Bratz" vibe. As in these characters were made to be marketable rather then to be characters.

MLP is owned by Hasbro.  They make toys.  Yes, the anthro/humanoid versions of the ponies are made to sell a new toy line, in competition with another franchise in the anthro/humanoid market.  You are not too far off.

I haven't watched it in recent times, however I used to watch it because it was a pretty good cartoon and I got caught up in the first wave of the fandom. Also, somebody showed me this damn song that I can't get out of my head which ultimately convinced me that the show might not be all that bad.

Yea, the Fandom really creates a heck of a lot of fanworks... and there are quite a few good ones.  Which is probably part of the reason why many fans inject pony into other stuff they like.  Inspiration and all those other fancy words.  (Which isn't too different from other fandoms... this one just seems a bit more massive...)

[Shakerag]

I've explained this in prior threads related to this topic, but the hate (even though not totally justifiable in the sense that ALL fans are like that) came due to the sudden explosion in popularity of the show, followed by the quick bandwagon of it. This definitely pissed off plenty of people, as it was essentially EVERYWHERE and the initial community was very "pushy" regarding the show. So in many parts of the internet, this served as a bad first impression, and that ultimately stuck. I can say for sure the community is definitely different now, but a lot of the problems which was present at its beginning is still prevalent today, but I admit they aren't as "out there" as they were prior.

This sounds somewhat plausible to me.  I distinctly remember periods of "Barney hate", "Hanson hate", and "Britney Spears hate" throughout my life.  Each of those things I believe were explosively popular at the time.

I think part of the backlash mentality is easily reasoned out by a George Carlin bit that I'll badly summarize:  A particular man is not gay.  He is concerned that other people may see him as gay, as he believes that gay = not manly.  Therefore he loudly pronounces he's not gay.  In fact, he hates all things gay.  He, in fact, so hates gay things that he's going to beat up that gay fellow over there to prove it. 

So taking that kind of chain of reasoning, I assume that a lot of the very vocal haters of a particular popular thing are people who are afraid of being associated with that trend, and in their minds being associated with that trend is a negative thing (less (wo)manly, weak, soft, etc.) in some way.

[FritzPL]

This guy made a funny, yet deep video, telling why Friendship is Greatness.

Here you have a hour-long documentary on bronies, talking about the fandom, the show and why it's so popular. (if you don't wanna watch the entire thing this is the part about fans)



In my awful opinion affected by lack of social interaction with people, this show is great because it gives people another world to enjoy rather than looking at the brutal, boring old life. Also nice animation, GREAT yet unexplored backstory, amazing voice actors and music.

[Jimmy]

To quote C.S. Lewis:

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

Some grown men aren't afraid to say they enjoy a show targeted at young girls out of fear they'll be seen as unmanly. They are happy to judge the show on its own merits, and it has many. Not everyone will enjoy it but plenty do.

There's also a subset who have our own children, and quite enjoy watching a cartoon with their daughter on a weekend.

Don't refuse to enjoy something simply because it's too childish. You're only as young as you feel.

[Glloyd]

To quote C.S. Lewis:

"When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."

Some grown men aren't afraid to say they enjoy a show targeted at young girls out of fear they'll be seen as unmanly. They are happy to judge the show on its own merits, and it has many. Not everyone will enjoy it but plenty do.

There's also a subset who have our own children, and quite enjoy watching a cartoon with their daughter on a weekend.

Don't refuse to enjoy something simply because it's too childish. You're only as young as you feel.

Even though I've never watch MLP, I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiment of this post.

Also anything with Calvin and Hobbes grown up makes me cry a little

[Sergius]

I haven't watched it in recent times, however I used to watch it because it was a pretty good cartoon and I got caught up in the first wave of the fandom. Also, somebody showed me this damn song that I can't get out of my head which ultimately convinced me that the show might not be all that bad.

I prefer this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzvwJ4dAzbQ

Re: OP. I have no problem watching kid shows and I'm 37. Most of my favorite shows on TV are cartoons. A lot of people I know are like "but... cartoons are for kids!", I can never convince them that ANYTHING animated is cool (not even Justice League stuff or similar). So I don't see that big of a difference between MLP and say, Dungeons & Dragons or Bravestarr

A lot of the same people feel the same about games. Games are for kids? Then... what's for adults. "Facebook"... okay dude.