The Brony Thread.

[Tomato]

So, most of you who have been paying attention by now know that I'm the evil mastermind behind the Pony avatar fad that's been going around... And while I'll readily admit it was mostly grown out of a "Imma troll FR ZOMGLOL" mindset, I actually am a big fan of the show itself.

That's right beaches, I WATCH My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. on a regular basis. For reasons other then preparing dumb memes and shipping fanfictions.

Do I watch it because I enjoy seeing a show about pastel ponies with silly names that has lessons intended for little girls ages 3-7? Of course not. I'm honest enough to admit to you guys that, even if I decide to "watch all the episodes!", I actually skim or skip a few of the early ones because the writing is often too childish for me. But I think this show has come a long way, in no small part due to its cult internet fan base, and now I think there are very few episodes that air that I don't thoroughly enjoy watching just to see what craziness is going to happen. In season 2 alone, we've had Star Trek's "Q" as a major antagonist (he's called something else, but dangit, it's Q) references to everything from The Big Lebowski to I Love Lucy, and mane characters whose minds snap like rice crispy treats at a moments notice (The main character's VA, Tara Strong? voices Harley Quinn in Arkham City. All I'm saying). This show is laugh out loud funny, and I look forward to each new episode to brighten up my entire week.

Now, I know for most of you this whole thing goes on mostly deaf ears, but for those who might consider at least looking into this insanity, here are my recommendations for view order:

First, watch the first 3 episodes of Season 2, "The Return of Harmony 1+2" and "Lesson Zero." "Return of Harmony" may not be as good at introducing the characters as Season 1's two part opener "Friendship is Magic" but the story and antagonist are more interesting overall. "Lesson Zero," on the other hand, is one of my favorite stand alone episodes from either season... Twilight Sparkle is the best pony based on that episode alone.

After that, you can either watch it from the beginning, or mix it up a tad... definitely go back and watch "Friendship is Magic 1+2" at some point, mainly as a precursor to "Luna Eclipsed" from Season 2 (The fun will then be doubled!). "Swarm of the Century" "Feeling Pinkie Keen" "A Dog and Pony Show" and "The Last Roundup" are great stand alone episodes (I have a certain affection for "Suited For Success" but that's due to my own experiences) but I think the big one for most of the members here would be "The Mysterious Mare Do Well." At that point, you're either hooked or not... if not, well... I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry.

[ow_tiobe_sb]

I'm really very sorry, Tom.  You're acting out this way because I refused to hold you when you were an infant, aren't you, boy? 

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

[Tomato]

no, that's the reason why I sometimes go insane and stab people in the face. I watch My Little Pony as part of my therapy for the stabbing issue.

[Podmark]

no, that's the reason why I sometimes go insane and stab people in the face. I watch My Little Pony as part of my therapy for the stabbing issue.

So that's why my face is covered in stab marks. That's a relief...

[BWPS]

Is this like a sex thing?

[Tomato]

No BWPS. It's a "I will stab you until you die screaming in pain" thing. *pulls out stabbing knife* For example....



no... must... remember... brony... creed...



*takes a deep breath, puts knife away* loveandtolerateloveandtolerateloveandtolerate

[The Hitman]

Hey Tomato, answer me this... I recently got back from a con, and there was a disturbing number of dudes dressed up like Rainbow Dash (?). Why is that a thing?!

[ow_tiobe_sb]

Is this like a sex thing?

Don't the kids call that a "bromance?"

If you're thinking what I'm thinking, BWPS, I don't think we need to worry about this very particular perversity spreading to the rest of the forum.  As you know, Tomato's something of a one trick brony.

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

[Tomato]

Errr... because.... umm... Ponies?

OK, I can't really speak at any serious length as to why guys would go dressing as a female character (be it RD or FF's Tifa or effing Chun Li) because I'm not quite in that level of crazy, but RD is arguably the most masculine of the Mane 6(personally I think AJ's a bit more masculine, but that's just me), and given the lack of male characters (with the exception of AJ's brother, all guy chars appear in one/two episodes, and are mostly antagonists) I can almost perhaps maybe understand why, given that lack of a male protagonist to latch onto, bronies would choose to latch onto Rainbow Dash. That said, I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here... it's possible that they were trying to cosplay Rainbow Blitz, the non-canon rule 63 version of the character. SLIGHTLY better. Sort of.




*watches a lot of that go over many peoples heads due to lack of familiarity with the characters*

Since I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume 90% of you had no idea what any of that was about, here's a quick break down of the Mane 6, IE: the show protagonists.


-Twilight Sparkle is the show's primary protagonist, and is usually involved at least involved in most of the hijinks the ponies get into. Her special talents are effing with the natural order of reality, going insane and scaring little children, and turning villains irreversibly to STONE.

Classification: Socially Awkward Nerd


-You know how in the comics Deadpool occasionally tiptoes around the problem of conforming to the fourth wall? Yeah, Pinkie just doesn't give a buck. Possessing precognition, non-magical teleportation, the ability to construct cannons, flying devices, and all manner of wacky devices for whatever purpose she has need for at the time, Pinkie doesn't stop at breaking the fourth wall... she obliterates the hoof out of it, even speaking directly to the audience in the very first two-parter. Oh, and did I mention she has a complete mental breakdown and started talking to inanimate objects? Deadpool has nothing on this mare.

Classification: WTB!?!


-Fluttershy... I don't know if I can adequately describe her, to be honest. Half the time, she's the sweetest, most lovable pony ever, and then the other half she's chasing a mob of forest animals into the Grand Galloping Gala, staring down fully grown dragons, beating the plot of angry bears, and trolling the main S2 antagonist.

Classification: The Nice One.


-As I stated above, Rainbow Dash is generally considered the most masculine of the 6, and... well, I'll leave the other thing up to a quick google search. While I don't think masculine is really appropriate in this case (RD is a fangirl, and frequently goes to pieces in the presence of "The Wonderbolts, a predominately male group. Just sayin') Rainbow Dash is definitely the most competitive of the 6, and the most thick headed.

Classification: The Competitor


-AJ's probably the most level headed and grown up of the ponies... If you get past the multiple times she's blown her friends off to deal with problems on her own, or the times she's been stubborn about little things that aren't important, or the times... well, you get the idea. Still, she's the only one to have learned from a mistake she's already made (S1E4 vs S2e15), and is often the backbone of the group.

Classification: The Southern Stereotype


-Of all the ponies... I thought Rarity would be the one I would end up disliking. In almost any show with a significant cast, there's always the one that rubs you the wrong way. Rarity was supposed to be that for me... spoiled and pampered, Rarity has shown herself to be more than willing to set her friends aside in pursuit of her social desires... repeatedly and often. but even so, I don't think there's a single Rarity-centered episode that I dislike, and two of them ("A Dog and Pony Show" and "Suited for Success") are easily in my top ten. She may not be the best pony, but she has done the near impossible... she made me appreciate her as a character despite not wanting to.

Classification: The Spoiled Fashionista.

[BWPS]

Is this like a sex thing?

Don't the kids call that a "bromance?"

If you're thinking what I'm thinking, BWPS, I don't think we need to worry about this very particular perversity spreading to the rest of the forum.  As you know, Tomato's something of a one trick brony.

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

Ha.
Sorry Tomato. I'd unfortunately been exposed (against my will) to "clopclop" before I realized My Little Pony had an innocent and serious adult male fanbase.

Though if anyone is into cartoon furries and stuff, I'm totally not judging.

[Tomato]

Though if anyone is into cartoon furries and stuff, I'm totally not judging.

That's ok BWPS. I judge Murs enough for the both of us.

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

I don't have cable and didn't even know this existed until recently, and did not know about the brony thing until a bit after that.  In fact, I had no idea those pony avatars were at all related to a TV show.  Yeah, I'm slow like that.

This video did clue me in, and you all might find it interesting.  It's a bunch of teenagers reacting to the show.  Apparently in the teenage world bronies are yet another despised minority.  According to these teens anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzozSSGETJo&list=UU0v-tlzsn0QZwJnkiaUSJVQ&index=3&feature=plcp

[Tomato]

Prem linked me to that... I wasn't impressed. They were shown the opening theme of the show (would you jusge any show on that alone? Ever?) Just to watch them make fun of it.

To be fair though, from what I've been able to tell based upon polls and such, MLP doesn't really appeal to HS level kids... they're all too worried about how people will look at them and dealing with the typical teenage angst to even give the show a chance. Bronies are typically people more around my age, aka college students, because that's the period in most people's lives they're willing to actually branch out (plus, we're too young to REALLY remember the old MLP shows)

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

The format of the show is always to show a very short 1-3 minute segment, so the opening theme is all they really had time for.  Normally they do youtube videos though, so maybe it works better.  I still think it's a funny video, although not as good as the kids react ones.

I actually am old enough to remember the old cartoons.  My sisters both collected the toys.  The theme song is actually based on the original, for example.

In my case, though, I watch and read kids stuff anyways, and rather like the Japanese live action Sailor Moon, so who am I to judge?  I'd probably check it out if I actually had cable and nothing better was on.

[Tomato]

Well... not that I'm advocating it or anything, but the internet is well... the internet. *nervous cough* I won't post links or anything so as not to violate forum rules, but a quick google search can pretty much lead anywhere.

However, for those seeking more legitimate means, the episodes are available in full on itunes (I think S2 is missing one or two of the recent ones, but it's still airing so...) for a couple bucks, and they usually have at least one episode on the official hub website for free (usually the one that aired a week or so back).

That said, I personally got into the series via a set of parodies called "Camaraderie is Supernatural," (more or less "My Little Pony FIM: Abridged," for those familiar with the format) and as those are fair use parodies, I see no reason not to link them.

Camaraderie is Supernatural - Episode 01 - Mockery in the Moon
Camaraderie is Supernatural - Episode 02 - The Elements of Parody

[The Hitman]

Damn you, 'Mato... damn you and you ponytalk. I'm trying the series from the beginning, and... and I think I'm a fan.

[Tomato]

Damn you, 'Mato... damn you and you ponytalk. I'm trying the series from the beginning, and... and I think I'm a fan.

Heh, and that's just the first episodes. Season 2 is even better.

Welcome to the herd, brony /)*(\

[Deaths Jester]

'Mato...I think it's time I come out and say it, you're pony obsession is perhaps beyond reprehensible and has warped your sense of reality.  Due to this, I hereby condemn you to the Kiddie section of Arkham Asylum for the rest of your days or until you can prove that you can exist in the world without cartoon ponies!!  *shakes head* And they call me a sick and insane individual!

[ow_tiobe_sb]

'Mato...I think it's time I come out and say it, you're pony obsession is perhaps beyond reprehensible and has warped your sense of reality...

Wait a tick, D.J.  I wouldn't condemn Tomato to the asylum so soon.  Why, with those qualifications, the lad may yet have a promising career in public office or in the upper echelons of private sector finance^*, eh what?

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist


* In many instances, both vocations serve the same ends.

[Tomato]

Pfft, you guys are being silly... my pony obsession hasn't made me any more crazy than I already was. I'm still the same lunatic, it's just that now my insanity has shifted in a direction that you had been hitherto unfamiliar with.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I just got my order of doll hair for my custom Princess Celestia pony.

[The Hitman]

Now, if you'll excuse me, I just got my order of doll hair for my custom Princess Celestia pony.

Dibs on a Nightmare Moon custom!

[Tomato]

... it sounds like SOMEPONY hasn't been paying attention to the recent Toyfare news. Only reason I've started a Celestia is because A. I'd already started it beforehand, and B. even though a white Fashion scale pony is confirmed, nothing is set in stone for the smaller scale.

That said, I would easily pay $50 if they made a Discord, and unfortunately I do not have the 1337 skillz to make one.

[Deaths Jester]

Pfft, you guys are being silly... my pony obsession hasn't made me any more crazy than I already was. I'm still the same lunatic, it's just that now my insanity has shifted in a direction that you had been hitherto unfamiliar with.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I just got my order of doll hair for my custom Princess Celestia pony.

... it sounds like SOMEPONY hasn't been paying attention to the recent Toyfare news. Only reason I've started a Celestia is because A. I'd already started it beforehand, and B. even though a white Fashion scale pony is confirmed, nothing is set in stone for the smaller scale.

That said, I would easily pay $50 if they made a Discord, and unfortunately I do not have the 1337 skillz to make one.

And you want me to believe you haven't lost your mind and are destined to the insane asylum?  Sounds like some one is in that wonderful stage called denial!!!  Boys, get the jacket!!!

[Tomato]

Listen to the words that are coming out of my mouth: I am no crazier then I ever was. It's not my fault that none of you were responsible enough to send me away ages ago, and I should not be punished now because you don't like the particular aspect my existing insanity has taken on.

[Tomato]

Bronies React to Teens React to My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic

[catwhowalksbyhimself]

It was a well done response video, although that is putting aside any questions I might have about people who take the react series seriously enough to feel it needs responding too.  Of course I might feel differently if I actually was a fan.  Maybe if I actually get the chance to watch it I'll change my mind.

Still a cool response video.

[Tomato]

Well, to be fair, the teen react vid kind of strikes at a raw nerve within the brony community, mainly the stereotype that guys shouldn't be allowed to enjoy a series regardless of how the writing, acting, and animation is. I also know it was thrown in my face by certain people here (not your original post mind, I'm talking via Yahell chat) as a "haha, this is why u r dumb for liking it!" and I can't imagine I was the only one.

That, and it got a lot of views, having been showcased on Equestria Daily.

[Ares_God_of_War]

Ahhh so you are responsible for the bronies. I thought I could escape them here, lol.

[ow_tiobe_sb]

Okay.  After watching that Brony reaction video, I am no longer ashamed to say *deep breath* that I want Matt (d.notive)'s gear. There!  I said it.  I covet his keyboards.  Are you satisfied?

Not surprisingly (but no less disappointingly), the typical negative reaction to the show immediately engages in a rather reductive (and prescriptive) discourse of sexuality and gender identity.  That sort of pre-critical response in the mouths of the teens in Teens React simply marks them as little more than feeble consumer drones who lap up whatever scheme the Hasbro marketing team serves up, i.e., "The marketing plan for this toy line targets young girls (or, more accurately, our essentialising concept of young girls); therefore, this toy is for girls only, represents a girl's toy, and stamps an individual who owns the toy with the mark of femininity (or effeminacy, in the case of males)."  Of course, arguably, "feeble consumer drones" is a term that could apply to a large percentage of teens, not just those who think Bronies have effeminate tastes.

While I am no fan of MLP, I have no problem with my five-year-old son playing with my wife's ponies.  I am glad to see that his play time need not be totally dominated by the crashing of Hot Wheels cars or the robotic exploits of Transformers.  He learns how to appreciate toys that are cast as objects of beauty, and he learns how to engage in nurture/care as play, which will serve him well later in his life.

ow_tiobe_sb
Phantom Bunburyist and Whirled Braker

[Tomato]

Ahhh so you are responsible for the bronies. I thought I could escape them here, lol.

You can never escape us. Deal.

I just wanted to point out something really quickly here: The reason I love the show, the reason I push it so hard, is because in a sea of fart jokes and bad prankster garbage, MLP is one of the few shows that I personally find genuinely funny on a pretty much consistent basis (and even what I don't find funny, the fanbase makes funny). I came across it during a period in my life when I was battling against depression and anger (some of you might remember the circumstances, but I'd rather not rehash them) and needed a solid laugh more then anything. This show became something I would look forward to every week. So while I can't say it saved my life (I'm sure I would have found something else to latch onto) it has given me solid footing when I needed it.