Comments on: The Bronies Whisperer

By: Masque

Masque — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:05:31 +0000

Personally, I love it for the fact that it’s a surprisingly smart cartoon that provides young girls with some realistic characters that deal with problems most kids do. There’s good morals, good humor and enough humor that applies to the adults (Benny Hill chase scenes complete with Yakkity Sax-style music) that it drew me in.

It’s something I haven’t seen out of a kid’s cartoon in over a decade: one that doesn’t talk down to the kids. Hell, the very first episode has the main character using a very complicated word, and then patiently explaining to the younger character what it means… with a smile, even.

By: Ractus

Ractus — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:35:08 +0000

Bronie haters: Becareful, they might invoke Godwin’s law on you. Oh lordy.

By: Nissl

Nissl — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:32:41 +0000

I would say it’s hard to explain about as much as it’s hard to explain, say, why I like most Pixar movies. The characters in Pixar movies are smart, complex, and likable, the plots are woven together well, there are plenty of inventive jokes that challenge adults without being dirty or taking away from the core of the movie. But does that entirely get at why I like Pixar movies (or MLP) so much… no. There is “heart” there, in my eyes, but you can’t really quantify that. The only extra mystery to me is why the hell these qualities happen to have emerged in an MLP reboot.

As far as the conversion factor – I remember a time when G-rated movies were considered “for kids.” These days it’s totally normal to be an adult and a big Pixar fan. But it’s not ok to like MLP because that’s for girls (and the recent incarnations were terrible). So there is some motivation to challenge gender roles and I think fans also take a perverse joy in rubbing unironic happiness in people’s faces. It’s also true that given the network its on and the damaged brand the show needs buzz or it will go to syndication after 2-3 seasons like most kids’ shows.

And I will admit there is definitely a pervy side to the community… but perhaps not more than you would see with say Harry Potter. I stay on a few of the messageboards that stringently keep that stuff out.