If you have any questions about why MLP is so popular, please just read this

[SkyrimOrBust]

Be ready to join the herd

No. It won't hurt at all.

The fact that you are trying it makes us happy.

Some advice though.
If you do start to enjoy yourself and you do have other stuff to do. Finish the other stuff first. Once you hit the addicted phase NOTHING will get done for a long while.

Am...am I gonna disappear forever into Bronydom? 'cause I have no idea where that is...

Don't fear it.... just embrace it....

 

[Swarles]

Be ready to join the herd

No. It won't hurt at all.

The fact that you are trying it makes us happy.

Some advice though.
If you do start to enjoy yourself and you do have other stuff to do. Finish the other stuff first. Once you hit the addicted phase NOTHING will get done for a long while.

Am...am I gonna disappear forever into Bronydom? 'cause I have no idea where that is...

You'll be fine. But everywhere you look... you will see ponies. LOL JK. I woulld suggest getting everything out of the way first. The only reason I can still get anything done is because I have to watch under cover of darkness.

EDIT: The herd is fun. Please join the herd

 

[Iammatt]

I just don't get it, it's seems like generally other child's cartoon, long and boring

 

[Swarles]

I just don't get it, it's seems like generally other child's cartoon, long and boring

Have you seen it, or are you making an unfair generalization.

 

[SkyrimOrBust]

I just don't get it, it's seems like generally other child's cartoon, long and boring

 

[Theswweet]

OK, i understand this mindset, but a large amount of the actual fans don't troll the show. I don't actively try to convert people, i am a bit upset if they say it is stupid without giving it a proper chance... but if they just aren't interested? no problem here.

Now... there are some people that will troll the show, but they aren't "Bronies" they are just regular old trolls. I understand you want the threads to stop... all the true bronies do as well. They want ONE, no more is needed. heck, with the group we can do with NONE.

9/10 of the threads now are people that are confused, and we are happy to explain the appeal to them, but yelling at us for answering THEIR question is more than a bit hypocritical. I'm a Brony, i watch the episodes... and read the fanfics. Thats it. No trolling anywhere.

So please don't group the fanbase into one section, just because that section is the most outspoken... thats just a bit silly.

~ Theswweet

P.S: if you want proof that bronies are a true fanbase, www.equestriadaily.com is a great place to check... this blog which has been alive since the beginning has all MLP:FiM related news... including fanfics, VIDEO GAMES, drawings, and videos.

 

[godofallu]

This is the Escapist. 40% of people like Anime and 30% like JRPG's. You have to learn to accept that there are groups of people out there who find joy in things you loathe. I accept all MLP lovers, Anime Lovers, and even dreaded JRPG fans.

Now if someone could just accept my love for COD and Halo we can all get along.

 

[Iammatt]

I just don't get it, it's seems like generally other child's cartoon, long and boring

Have you seen it, or are you making an unfair generalization.

No I actually did watch it, a couple episodes actually and I just don't get the hype. I don't hate, I don't love it, I'm just indifferent to it. I don't get why people obsess over it or why people want to murder over it, it just seems like any other happy-friendly cartoon

 

[Theswweet]

No I actually did watch it, a couple episodes actually and I just don't get the hype. I don't hate, I don't love it, I'm just indifferent to it. I don't get why people obsess over it or why people want to murder over it, it just seems like any other happy-friendly cartoon

I can easily accept this, not your cup of tea... it is mine. leave him be, he isn't making unfair judgments.

 

[Silk_Sk]

OK, i understand this mindset, but a large amount of the actual fans don't troll the show. I don't actively try to convert people, i am a bit upset if they say it is stupid without giving it a proper chance... but if they just aren't interested? no problem here.

Not active trolling no, but the hilarious reaction you get when people find out you are watching the show unironically can be entertaining, no? Bonus points if they start claiming you were pushing the show on them.

 

[Miles000]

OK, i understand this mindset, but a large amount of the actual fans don't troll the show. I don't actively try to convert people, i am a bit upset if they say it is stupid without giving it a proper chance... but if they just aren't interested? no problem here.

Not active trolling no, but the hilarious reaction you get when people find out you are watching the show unironically can be entertaining, no? Bonus points if they start claiming you were pushing the show on them.

One of my friends was trying to blackmail me about it, saying he had dirt on me. I pretty much shouted out that I watch MLP and everyone else just said ok.
Then 5 seconds later he admitted that I had also converted him.

Greatest win of my life!

 

[Loop Stricken]

No I actually did watch it, a couple episodes actually and I just don't get the hype. I don't hate, I don't love it, I'm just indifferent to it. I don't get why people obsess over it or why people want to murder over it, it just seems like any other happy-friendly cartoon

That's cool - nopony can really ask any more of you.

 

[omega 616]

How about explianing why you like something you just let it be, I am sure people get there head round opinions and why some people like one thing that they don't.

I don't quite understand what you're saying here, but if I work my way through the typos and missing words, I think what you're trying to say is that people automatically accept that other people have opinions different from their own and won't start an argument about it so there's no reason to make a thread trying to prevent this from happening? =_=

Try again please, because I do not believe that is what you meant.

Got to be honest, I have no clue.

I was in a weird tierd mood trying to rush through the post before my programme came back on, so I could watch it then fall asleep.

All I am really driving at is, making threads to explain a show that is like marmite, while there are still active threads on the same subject is plain annoying.

I don't like the show and the fact so many people are putting a spot light on it, makes me hate it more.

If you want to explain your fondness for this programme post the OP in one (or all) of them threads.

Now I am going to kill some things to get some man points back from talking about ponies ... of all things.

 

[magnuslion]

Ah sweet, a troll thread.

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Seems like something the girls liked while growing up that the guys didn't bother with as it was 'girly', and now they're older without that bias they feel like they've missed out.

Perhaps I'm too old to get the joke.

Just quickly, we're talking about the late-2010 series here, not the old 1980's series. You may have already realised this, but it was a little difficult to understand your wording in that part...

OP, good work. That's... Pretty much what happened to me. Except someone suggested I watch Ep 4 - Applebuck Season first. I then left it alone for a mere day, then started from step 1.
Oh, except I haven't told anyone who hasn't watched it yet, or doesn't like it, to give it (another) go... Yet.

But yea. A lot of people here don't seem to realise, or want to accept, that this is only the 2nd current thread not against MLP:FiM (that I know of - forgive me if I'm wrong on that point). All the other MLP threads? Partially, they're "why the avatars/love for the show?" But mostly they're "This show is terrible, why do people like it?"
Which, the OP answers, mostly. As good as it can in it's relatively short post.
All I'm saying is... Well, what a lot of other Bronies here have already said. We actually do keep to ourselves in our user group, mostly. We're merely asking people to give it a go when they express interest, or even some form of indecisiveness about the show. And we're not the ones flooding the forums.

Now that that's out of the way... Can't we stop this bickering?

 

[Calbeck]

Sorry, it's just a plain old awesome show.

If it wasn't, it would only generate the usual troll-essential reaction pics clipped from the show and captioned --- not genuinely amazing fanart like this:

 

[Angel Molina]

Ah sweet, a troll thread.

Ummm... sorry to rain on your parade mate, but after looking through three pages worth of posts, it looks more like:

-OP(Bronie): "well let me explain about the whole pony thing... this and this and that."
-Others: "Can people stop making threads about ponys!"
-Bronie: "Actually, a majority of threads that contain or relate to this specific show start out with the OP asking about it or are simply curious. Then, several fellow Bronies respond accordingly... that's all."
-Others: "yeah, but it feels like its being pushed upon us! Stop that..."
-Bronies: "If you honestly don't like the show, then it's ok, it's fine with us. We just ask that you give it a fair chance and if you don't like then we'll leave you be."
-Others: "Alright then... good"
-Bronies: "Sounds fair"
-Others: "it is"
-Bronies: "..."
-Others: "..."
-Bronies: "Well, then I got stuff to..."
-Others "There Ponies for crying out loud!!!"

Ok, not exactly like that but I sense no trolling of any kind in here...

 

[AyreonMaiden]

I'm no hardcore brony (yet) but this show IS badass. You have no idea you care about the characters until it hits you at a certain point. For me it happened in Episode 3, just after I'd gotten done commenting on how meh the pilot episodes were.

It's really not hard to get. It's just a solid show with good writing, characters, and art. And once you get over the "Yeah, it's ponies." and the "Yeah, they look girly."* aspect, you really notice it. You just gotta let the joke get old.

*Because yeah, whether most men say it or not, they were most likely thinking "How can men be into such girly things?" but were too afraid to say it for fear of coming off as phobic of feminine things. I know that as a man (and a sick, evil un-PC bastard) I was thinking it numerous times. But the times are changing. There simply isn't as much pressure to be "macho" in this generation of people. Not anymore. So the joke gets old, and all that's left is the rest of the show's merits.

 

[Sir_Auron_the_Badass]

I will now attempt to explain the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic phenomenon to those wondering what the hell is wrong with all these guys. First, some myth vs. reality.

Myth: My Little Pony is only for little girls.
Reality: Little girls are it's target demographic, yes. But unlike most media targeted at little girls, this one is not complete tripe (I will qualify this later).

Myth: Bronies are just trolls who only watch the show for the lulz they get from pushing it in everyone's faces.
Reality: Well, actually, this one is mostly true. The lulz potential this show generates is tremendous. But if this were the only reason they watched it, the show's popularity would have started shrinking long ago. The truth is that these people, trolls or not, truly enjoy watching the show and love nothing more than trying to get other people to enjoy it with them.

If someone is trolling you with the show, believe it or not, they are genuinely trying to get you to love it as much as they do. The scary part is that the troll aspect of this attempt means that refusing to watch the show only feeds them. Like any troll, the best defense is to ignore them completely. DO NOT make fun of a Brony. It will only make him stronger and he will immediately commence firing his friendship cannons at you. This is a new breed of troll born, not out of hate, but love and tolerance. Either give up and watch the show, or be destroyed.



Now I will go through a step-by-step explanation of how one becomes a true Brony. The individual paths one takes may vary so this may differ from someone else's experience. But this, I think, is one of the most common.

Step one: An episode is watched. If it is any episode other than the first two, they skip the next step, but in the interest of completeness, let's say they started with the first one.

Step two: "This show is complete crap." This may not have been everyone's reaction, but it is a perfectly reasonable one. The first two episodes offer very little in the way of intelligent storytelling and as much genuinely amusing humor. But, somewhere in his mind, he will acknowledge that the animation is soothing to observe and the excellent voice-acting goes a long way towards making even sub-par dialogue tolerable to hear. Still, the plot is dull and it is obvious to him that this show is definitely catering to young girls and he would rather be crucified than be caught watching it.

Step three: ???????

Step four: The previous step may have involved some form of cosmic ray or lizard-man mind control conspiracy but for whatever reason, he makes it to the third episode. The pilot arc completed, a glimmer of actual substance begins to shine through the muck of rainbows and flowers. However, the truth of the matter is, at this point, he is likely purely in it for the lulz. He still hates the show but thinks the easy trolling it provides is worth the torture. Few make it father than this point purely on the basis of actually enjoying watching it.

Step five: The turning point. The nameless force that propels him from episode to episode brings him to the series' 5th installment. Plot wise, this episode is nothing special. The writing has caught up to the animation and VA quality by this point (opinions on this may vary), but really it's just an episode like any other. However, there is a moment in this episode that, gently but firmly, brings to light something that has been growing invisibly in this almost-brony's mind. Without realizing it, he has become emotionally invested in the characters. Whether he likes it or not, he really cares what happens to them. He still denies the attraction, but he is unable to laugh at their pain or cringe at their joy.

Step six: Bronydom. He makes it to the current episode. How this came to be, he cannot understand, but over the course of watching the show, his reasons for continuing on have shifted. Rather than collecting troll material, he really truly wants to watch the next adventure in friendship. There were even parts that were unequivocally hilarious and moments of awesome too glorious to express to one who has not seen the show. He must have more.

Step seven (optional): The virus. As he eagerly waits for the next episode, he seeks out other bronies to party with Pinkie Pie style. But as fun as they are to converse with, He must convert others to share this joy with. They must see the light. And if they don't? Well, trolling them is still hilarious. It's win-win. The power of friendship he now possesses is intoxicating. Much like a zombie, he must now feed. His victims will either be turned or consumed completely. And he is not alone.

TL;DR- Resistance is fu- nvm, just read all that up there or don't post.

I hope that answers everypony's questions.

EDIT: Some Bronies are offended that I refer to them as a new breed of troll, so I'll reiterate the point I made that they do genuinely enjoy the show. They don't have to be in it for the lulz, but it is an added bonus for those who wish to partake, so I've made step 7 optional.

I must admit, I have been intrigued in watching the shows for a bit now just to see if it's as funny it's claiming to be, but haven't had the chance to. Where might I find episodes to watch? I ask because I don't have a TV with satellite/cable at these dorms and the one logical place I've checked on the internet for whole episodes (hulu) doesn't have it.

 

[Silk_Sk]

I must admit, I have been intrigued in watching the shows for a bit now just to see if it's as funny it's claiming to be, but haven't had the chance to. Where might I find episodes to watch? I ask because I don't have a TV with satellite/cable at these dorms and the one logical place I've checked on the internet for whole episodes (hulu) doesn't have it.

Youtube, buddy.