My take on the new My Little Pony

The internet has been abuzz as of late with the new My Little Pony (MLP) series. Created partially by Lauren Faust, best known for The Powerpuff Girls and Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, the new MLP seems to have gained a very large fanbase very quickly....even amongst single males my age (I'll be 27 in a few weeks). Its spawned its own meme, and people have posted pictures of MLP all over. Fan made videos of everything from using theme of Guile from Street Fighter (another meme in itself)to using audio from other sources (such as movie and video game trailers) on top of spliced together MLP footage are all over the web. There are apparently jokes that grown-ups would get but kids wouldn't in the new MLP (similar in a way that Shrek or other animations of the past decade have done), as to give an experience that would be enjoyable for both children and adults. I decided to see what all the fuss was about, and watched 5 of the first seasons' episodes.

What the hell internet.

I didn't see any of the adult jokes. That was the first thing that I noticed in watching MLP. Another was that....IT'S JUST ANOTHER KIDS SHOW. Really, thats all it is, another cartoon for children....specifically, young girls. Yet many of the fans of MLP are ADULTS. Really internet, I don't get it.

Granted, this is a good childrens show. The characters aren't too complex, neither is the story; the animation is good, with enough "wow" factor to keep childrens attention; the voice acting is well-characterized (for a childrens cartoon); and the "lessons" or "messages" that are included in the episodes are clear and simple enough that children can understand them.

Now, lets talk about bronies. What's a "brony"? As I mentioned before, there are males, of my age demographic, with no children of their own, that enjoy the new MLP. I didn't get it then, and I sure as hell don't get it now. You see, perhaps my view on this is outdated and sexist, but there are certain things that makes a man "manly" and this sure as hell isn't one of them. While I understand that gender roles have changed quite a bit over the decades, and its acceptable to like "girly" things, like the new MLP is a great way to lose your "man card". This also illustrates another point that I like to bring up constantly: this kind of level of acceptability is what allows emo males to be able to wear womens jeans and guy-liner and society accepts it. Sorry kids, but I'm still under the belief that there are certain things guys SHOULDN'T DO, and wearing lady-like things and liking something as supremely girly as the new MLP are two of them. While you could also argue that liking "girly" things if you're male means that you're assured in your masculinity, there's a big difference between wearing the occasional pink shirt, and watching and obsessing about a show meant for young girls.

Another reason that has been presented to me that I read in the many, many message board threads about the new MLP about bronies is that they're all trolling. If that's the case....then the bronies are just trying too hard. There are better ways to troll than this. I know, I've pretty much done them all.

In closing: the new MLP is a good childrens show, but not something that I, as an adult, like. Liking something child-like, such as cartoons or toys is fine, but really, internet, this has gone too far, you might want to stop while you're behind.