Who Knew Ponies could be so Entertaining?

Is it wrong to enjoy a cartoon whose target demographic is for young girls? I think that's a question that a lot of adults find themselves asking once they get hooked on a relatively new cartoon that airs on the Hub cable channel. That show is none other than "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic." I, myself, have recently discovered the series thanks to a couple of people I've come to know over the years who are big into the animation genre. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoy "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic". Yes, the title is very girly, but you have to look beyond the title to know what this show is all about. As a male in my late 20's, you can understand how awkward it might be to talk about a show like this. People might question a person's manliness when considering a person's association with such a show. But you know what, there are thousands of other male fans out there like me who enjoy the show just as much, if not more. So honestly, it does not bother me to bring up my thoughts and feelings on a show that is largely considered the best cartoon of 2011.

I guess I'll always be a kid at heart, but I think that's everybody. One such connection to living like a child for me is to watch cartoons on occasion. These days, however, my time watching cartoons is few and far between. I've written about it before, but "All Grown Up", the Rugrats spin-off was a huge favorite of mine during my late college years (I even developed a website about the show, for those out of the loop). I've watched every episode of that series a countless number of times. But lately, I can't tell you when the last time I watched a full episode of "All Grown Up". A couple of years ago, it was "The Secret Saturdays" that I was into. But that show eventually got cancelled after a couple of seasons. Now, the new cartoon that I can't stop watching is "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic."

Gosh, even typing out the title of the show sounds so wrong. But like I said, it goes far deeper than the title. There have been three other versions of the "My Little Pony" franchise, and the latest version is by far the best. The other versions really fit the mold as being a show for girls. They featured lots of pink, very cutesy and sweet storylines that could figuratively make your heart melt, and the characters would speak very corny dialogue that would make any person shudder. The new version is nothing like the old shows. Obviously it's modern, molded for 21st century eyes. It includes modern slang, excellent animation style, great storylines, and after watching a few episodes, it'll cheer you up. It certainly won't make you feel ashamed of watching it, especially if you don't think of the title too much.

I'm not going to describe the show in too much detail because I'm afraid that I would keep writing forever. But the basic jist of the show revolves around a pony who is out to find the true meaning of friendship. She's also a magical pony who is able to do a variety of tricks (she is a unicorn, after all). She befriends five other ponies and they together go on a variety of adventures, often to save the world from menacing beings looking to take over. Obviously nothing is perfect and they endure a multitude of problems along the way (something you probably didn't see in prior versions of the show) but eventually they reach their goal and truly make things happily ever after in Equestria.

This probably won't be the last time you'll hear me write about this show - I just might end up writing reviews of episodes that come out. But for now, I'll try to keep my fandom for "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" to a minimum. I don't want to obsess about the show every waking moment (although lately that's been difficult not to do). This is after all, only my opinion about a cartoon that I think is really good and is something that anyone of any age can watch. So if you're a male, from the ages of 18-35, and you end up going completely head over heels for a show about six ponies, don't say I didn't warn you. For awhile I resisted the temptation of watching the show, but then I finally went all in. And you know something, I don't regret it for one bit. It truly is a quality show and is something everyone can watch. Embrace what the show can do for you, in potentially turning you into a brony.