My Little Pony is a popular animated television series that was launched in the 1980s and has gone through several iterations over the decades. The latest version, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, debuted in 2010 and has developed a following among both girls and boys. This has led to debate over whether the current incarnation of My Little Pony should be considered a “girl show” or a show that appeals to both genders. In this article, we will examine the origins of My Little Pony, the attributes of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic that appeal to male fans, and the arguments on both sides of the debate in order to answer the question: Is My Little Pony a show just for girls or does it qualify as a gender-neutral show that boys can feel comfortable enjoying as well?
A Brief History of My Little Pony
The My Little Pony brand was launched by American toy manufacturer Hasbro in 1982. The original line of toys featured colorful plastic pony figurines that could be accessorized with plastic combs, brushes, and ribbons. Television specials and animated series soon followed, airing in the mid-1980s. The early generations of the franchise featured storylines that revolved around the ponies living in a fantasy land of rainbows and flowers and engaging in traditional “girly” activities like throwing tea parties, going to the mall, and dreaming of becoming a princess. The ponies had an overtly feminine appearance with long eyelashes and flowy, colorful manes always styled immaculately. The names of the ponies, such as Starshine, Cotton Candy, and Blossom, were equally feminine and cute. With its focus on beauty and fashion, the My Little Pony brand was clearly targeting young girls 3-8 years old.
The brand’s popularity declined in the 1990s and early 2000s until Hasbro decided to reboot the franchise. This brought about the fourth generation of My Little Pony stories and characters and ushered in Friendship is Magic in 2010.
The Creation of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
When Hasbro commissioned animator Lauren Faust to develop the new My Little Pony series, the goal was to still appeal to young girls but also make an effort to tell more engaging stories. Faust came up with a vision that moved away from the superficial girly tropes of previous generations and instead focused on adventure, challenging problems, appealing character traits, and moral lessons about friendship. Some of the significant changes in the Friendship is Magic series include:
- More unique and distinguishable pony characters with their own personalities and flaws
- Adventure and fantasy-based plots that include peril, action, and humor
- Emphasis on stories of the ponies learning lessons about teamwork, generosity, honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness, and friendship
- Higher quality animation and music that attracts an older audience
The show still involved ponies who live in the magical land of Equestria and embrace certain girly elements like wearing tiaras and flowing manes. But overall the show creators intentionally designed Friendship is Magic to have cross-gender appeal and attract viewers beyond just the core young girl demographic.
Attributes That Appeal to Male Fans
So what is it about My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic that has attracted a large following of older male fans, including a community of adult men unironically calling themselves “bronies” (bro/pony)? Here are some of the key factors:
- Just like other animated shows such as The Last Airbender and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, Friendship is Magic tells compelling stories using sophisticated themes, well-developed characters, and quality production values that appeal to audiences of all ages.
- The show pays homage to elements from geek culture, including Star Trek and Star Wars references and allusions to video games and fantasy/sci-fi genres.
- Hidden adult humor, including popular internet memes, slyly inserted into certain episodes.
- A generally positive and welcoming fan community where people can openly express their affection for an unconventional interest.
- Appreciation for the show’s emphasis on characters who overcome self-doubt, embrace their uniqueness, and demonstrate moral courage.
For male fans drawn to the show, ponies seem secondary to the elements noted above. One fan explained, “It’s the personalities and stories that keep me hooked. The fact that they’re ponies is irrelevant.” Other male fans admit they were initially skeptical of a show with the My Little Pony name but were won over after giving the show a chance and recognizing its humor, heart, and character richness.
Arguments That It’s a “Girl Show”
Despite attracting older male fans, there are still plenty of people who classify My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic as a show meant for young girls. Common arguments include:
- The main characters are cutesy ponies focused on friendship – a stereotypical girly premise.
- Bright color palettes, flower motifs, and tea parties reinforce the impression that MLP is made for girls.
- Little girls ages 4-8, the brand’s target demographic, watch the show in the highest numbers.
- The ponies have traditionally feminine traits like nurturing, sensitivity, and fashion obsession.
- Toy merchandise, apparel, and branding use pink and purple color schemes to attract female children.
- Other media frequently refer to Friendship is Magic as a little girls’ show.
Those who believe the “girl show” label applies point to the fact that MLP’s world is populated by female ponies with only minor male characters. They believe the fantasy world reflects what young girls think about and dream of, not what appeals to boys. Even with modern updates, the essence of My Little Pony is about feminine ponies having tea parties and sleepovers.
Arguments That It’s a Gender-Neutral Show
On the other side, those who argue that the new incarnation of My Little Pony transcends gender make counterpoints including:
- The show was deliberately created and written to appeal to all demographics using universal themes.
- Characters demonstrate appealing traits for any gender, like loyalty, humor, leadership, smarts, and determination.
- Male characters like Spike the Dragon have prominent roles and demonstrate masculinity.
- The show incorporates action, adventure, jokes, and pop culture references that appeal to male sensibilities.
- Boys ages 5 and up watch the show in sizable numbers, even if not the majority.
- The fandom is comprised of nearly equal numbers of males and females.
- The morals and themes apply equally well to boys, like believing in yourself and celebrating what makes you unique.
Those arguing for the gender-neutral position emphasize that the core attributes of good characters and compelling storytelling make Friendship is Magic entertaining for anyone. The setting and surface-level cute pony style are not definitive indicators that the show is just for girls. What matters is whether both genders can relate to the emotions, relationships, and high-quality narratives.
Conclusion
After examining the evolution of My Little Pony over the decades along with the debate around the modern Friendship is Magic series, there are good arguments on both sides. However, the weight of evidence suggests that the current incarnation can appeal to both boys and girls, making it gender-neutral rather than a “girl show.” Key factors supporting this conclusion include:
- Deliberate creative effort by the producers to broaden the appeal beyond young girls
- Storytelling and characterization that attract male and female viewers
- Large numbers of older male fans actively engaged with the content
- Messages and humor that resonate across genders
While aspects like the cutesy ponies and fantasy tea parties remain, the essence of Friendship is Magic is about the universally appealing stories of teamwork, courage, and overcoming self-doubt. The numbers bear out that both genders watch and enjoy the show. Regardless of previous targeting to young girls, Friendship is Magic broke out of that mold through smart writing and quality production to entertain all children – and kids at heart.