MLP Rumor: Humanized Spin-off Show Coming

[SacremPyrobolum]

Man, why didn't they get Joeseco or Slugbox to do the art? I've seen better humanized ponies on the first recently submitted page of Deviant-art.

 

[scorptatious]

Rainbow Dash drowned.

My Little Pony creepypasta anyone?

 

[Ishal]

I doubt it will happen. It looks semi-hoaxish already. The present 'leaks' look like a redesign to get more at the pre-teen girl demographic, but a previous MLP series tried to hit that same group without having to remove the ponies from my little pony. I guess they might do that, but it just seem like such an extremely odd direction to do with something. I guess maybe MLP is there money machine and they want to hit a new group of viewers but there success can be attributed in no small part to accidentally success with an unrelated audience to their intended target int he first place. It was a random fluke of luck and it would be impossible to duplicate (or maintain). I guess TV execs don't get that and think they can do it again but it's something very usual to do with a show. Then again, I live in a world where Lunatics happened so I've seen stranger (why do I feel old all of the sudden?).

Apparently toy sales in general (like all toys everywhere) were down this past year and everyone lost money. But regarding Hasbro their MLP toy sales doubled from the previous year and has been bringing in tons of money. It makes sense that Hasbro would try and capitalize on the fan base and the IP while its hot, but I share your skepticism. I doubt lightning will strike twice in this case. But then.. if someone told me I'd be watching a show about ponies a year ago...

Who knows, it could be decent with good writers and if they capture just enough of the essence of FiM it might be a hit. At this time I won't expect anything great. But will withhold judgment til it airs.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

Am I missing something here? I thought the whole point of the show was cute ponies. If you take those out wouldn't that just make it into Bratz or something along those lines? Not to mention, make the "My Little PONY" title obsolete?

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

EDIT: Also, those designs suck. If you're going to make them human, take some chances and make them look more unique.


All in all, the designs look lazy.

Well, their pony forms look rather cut and paste as well save for a different mane/tail style and colors but that's understandable given that ponies IRL look more or less the same except for those features.

However, I agree they could have don a MUCH better job at the human designs, right now they look like Bratz dolls when they could have looked at least remotely human like this

Spoiler

 

[SacremPyrobolum]

Oh my god, if this is true than I await the biggest shitstorm in 4Chan history. The racists who get in a frothing rage when they see humanized ponies like Twilight as any ethnicity will probably try to set the internet aflame.

It's funny, Twilight is usually drawn as either Indian/middle eastern or black when she is humanized and I see the same reactions there with everyone wanting to "de-niggerize" her and such. Bloody despicable, especially because I actually like black/Indian/Middle Eastern Twilight.

 

[Lieju]

EDIT: Also, those designs suck. If you're going to make them human, take some chances and make them look more unique.


All in all, the designs look lazy.

Well, their pony forms look rather cut and paste as well save for a different mane/tail style and colors but that's understandable given that ponies IRL look more or less the same except for those features.

Well, we are more familiar with humans and spotting differences between them (or some are, there are people like me who have Prosopagnosia, face blindness, have trouble tellng people apart the way most people have trouble telling horses apart.)

We are familiar with how humans look, and we don't all wear the same clothes.

And the ponies might look similar, but they do move differently, that picture shows us nothing about that, but I somehow doubt we're getting something similar to how the different pegasi fly...

But animation can change a lot. However, I feel that if you're going to make a spin-off, do something different, try a different art-style at least.

It's funny, Twilight is usually drawn as either Indian/middle eastern or black when she is humanized and I see the same reactions there with everyone wanting to "de-niggerize" her and such. Bloody despicable, especially because I actually like black/Indian/Middle Eastern Twilight.

Yeah, I like that colour scheme too.

A thought just occurred to me. Maybe the odd skin-colours are like that to avoid the question of ethnicity. I mean, one of the great things about ponies is that they aren't white or black or Asian, they're ponies. Some do have influences from different cultures, but it isn't related to race.

If they'd make more human versions, they'd have the problem of race.
This is an official thing, after all.
If some people get fits over fanworks where Twilight isn't Caucasian, imagine how'd they rage over an official version like that.
(Twilight IS the one going through most whitening of the ponies, though. In fact, I don't think she's purple at all)

 

[Ekit]

Seems too pointless to be true. What new possibilities could the the writers explore that they couldn't already?

 

[waj9876]

I'm still not convinced. They look suspiciously like what fanartists have decided they should look like as a human. The designs themselves look like combinations of a bunch of famous humanized pony images. Like, seriously.

Still not convinced. The only "proof" going around is that "Equestria Girls" has been trademarked by Hasbro, which could be about something completely different.

 

[BenzSmoke]

Holy crap those character designs are half-assed. I've seen MLP fan art with more heart put into it than that... well to be fair those may not be the final designs, but really blue skin? BLUE SKIN?! Why not make them black or Hispanic? They all look like white people with weird skin disorders!

Also how is taking the characters out of a world of magic, dragons, air ships and monsters, and replacing it with a normal school setting make a better show? Now all the plots would have to be centered around fighting a school bully, getting a date to prom, or learning to drive and stuff like that. To be fair that could be interesting (because they're using the MLP characters here), but those aren't situations that have to happen in a boring real life setting.
All of those things could be done in the main show, you see people don't have to relate to only people characters. A techni-colored pony character can be sympathized with just as much as a human one if the audience can relate to the problem that the character is facing. Why do you think 18-30 year old guys want to watch MLP? Because those horses' problems are relatable.

I get that they're doing this to break into the doll market. But you don't need to create an entire new show to back it up. I could argue that they could have made human dolls based on MLP and I'm betting they would have sold well enough.
-
Now they're saying this won't effect MLP:FiM. But I doubt that. If the same voice talent is being used in this new show, that takes something away from MLP. If the same animators are working on it, that takes something away. If funds are being diverted from MLP to fuel this new show, that takes something away.

I know I'm gonna sound like a real neighsayer (huuuuur) but here's the nightmare scenario:
Suppose the human dolls sell better than the ponies.
This is a likely scenario considering a human figure can wear different clothes and accessories and the figures have joints that move, a superior product if you compare the two from a toy perspective. The MLP toys look more like statues in comparison.
Anyway, now the humans are selling better than the ponies, so Hasbro (in their infinite wisdom) shift resource focus onto My Little Human.
As a result MLP becomes underfunded and suffers because of it. See the problem?

Hasbro's a toy company first and a TV show company second. On top of that they don't think of a "good" TV show in terms of character and message. They define "good" as profitable. If one proves more profitable than the other, then they'll inevitably effect each other.

 

[Jfluffy]

They're only rumors so I am just in the wait and see mood mode right now. But the only thing that really bugs me about this is that none of main six there are wearing some normal pants. Look at Galaxy Girls, They have a pretty nice verity of attire rather than just every character wearing a skirt.

 

[Little Woodsman]

And this has exactly what to do with gaming?

Please post this on sites that actually discuss this sort of content, this is just shoving things into people's faces.

I afraid that you're mistaken, the gaming forum is over here.

This is off topic forum, where discussing a TV show is definitely allowed. Also, you opened this thread, I didn't force you to.

I'm with you Dangit, and I was going to reply to this person's post as well, buuuuttt....
In my relatively short time on the Escapist I've learned a little lesson (alliteration! Yay!)
If someone makes a reply in one of your threads, or to one of your posts and it seems like that
person is being overly confrontational, rude, misguided, etc......
Take a moment to click on that person's avatar, and check out their profile. Then take a look
at that person's post count, and their health meter.
Using this method helps me gauge my response to the person.
And in many cases, it has led me to say "Ok, I'm just going to ignore this person".
It has yet to lead me to say, "Ok, going to flag this post." but I can easily see it
doing so.
Maybe you will find this method helpful as well, maybe not, just thought I'd share.
There is a reason that profiles and health meters are publicly accessible.
OT: I'll wait and see if the rumor is true, and if it is give it a chance. Most important
factor for me will be whether or not my daughter likes it.
Might actually be kinda cool if it's just an alternate universe with these friends in it,
not the ponies traveling to a human universe. "Equestria girls" could just mean that
'Equestria' is the name of their school.

 

[Creator002]

So... this would make MLP's rule 34 a lot less creepy or just plain worse?

*shudders*

Is it bad that this was my first thought when I heard about this?

OT: My cousin and I are approaching this with an open mind. We're going to try and have no bias when we watch it and take it for what it is. We're hoping it'll be, at least, good. No point freaking out before experience it ourselves, right, Alicorn Twilight?

 

[Reeve]

Perhaps Hasbro is attempting to get boys to watch the cartoon - with ponies being considered too "girly."

Captcha says "which one is yummiest?"

...

[O]-[O]

Anyway, I don't understand why people would think "no ponies; no watch" (Don't you watch it for the plot? ) Does it lose the irony, otherwise?

 

[NightmareExpress]

At first I was wondering why they opted to use the "Pastel coloured pony pallet" for their skin rather than generic flesh tones...but then I realized that it might be a way to get out of giving each character an actual ethnic background (thus avoiding the silent rage of secret racists and letting viewers decide for themselves).

Anyway, I'm indifferent to the idea. It could be good, but I'm sensing a major cash-in vibe that could affect the show's quality. Guess we'll see what becomes of it, if the rumor turns to reality.

 

[BenzSmoke]

Perhaps Hasbro is attempting to get boys to watch the cartoon - with ponies being considered "girly."

Captcha says "which one is yummiest?"

...

[O]-[O]

Anyway, I don't understand why people would think "no ponies; no watch" (Don't you watch it for the plot? ) Does it lose the irony, otherwise?

Think of it like this: One takes place at a school. The other in a world of magic, dragons and stuff like that. Which setting seems more interesting?

My problem is that they're exchanging settings in the hope to relate more to an older audience. Things like Discord the Lord of Chaos and the Changlings can't exist in a "real world" show so, ultimately, interesting things get lost in translation.
Now I'll give the show a shot if the characters in this human show retain the strong personalities of their pony counterparts, the writing is just as strong, and the animation stays wonderful.

 

[surg3n]

We watch it because we enjoy the show. It's as simple as that: it makes us smile, so we watch it. It boggles my mind that so many people get their panties in a twist because adults like a show primarily aimed at a younger audience.

Let me try and frame it from another point of view. You tell someone you really like this thing--say, a video game. It's engaging with an awesome story. Instead of taking your unironic enjoyment at face value, this person tells you that no, you can't just like it because you like it--it's a video game, therefore it's for kids! Clearly you have ulterior motivations, such as wanting to lure little kids into your windowless van. Now imagine that person multiplied by god only knows how many, telling you at every turn you're either a pathetic man-child or a pedophile. You and your fellow fans are the butt of the joke, with even 'professional' news and websites you go to for entertainment getting a few laughs in at your expense.

We try and shrug it off, but it does hurt. Being told we're pathetic/disgusting for finding enjoyment in something aimed at a different age group starts to wear on you after a while. It taints our enjoyment of something entirely innocent, even though we're doing nothing wrong nor hurting anyone.

I do get a little more wiggle room because I'm a girl. But my open, supportive family (my little bro came out of the closet and revealed himself as a furry and we were all just fine with it) still makes fun of my liking this show.

The problem isn't even the show, it's content, characters etc - the problem is Bronies... and I mean no disrespect to any Bronie reading this, but you can't deny that some Bronies take it too far. The fan fiction and art for example, or those irritating Bronies who try and bring up MLP anywhere they can. Bronies made it a thing - liking a cartoon, something as simple and innocent as that now has a label, and the label is tainted by the small percentage of Bronies who get under our skin. I guess the same goes for Furries as well, a handful of nut-cases tarnish peoples view.

 

[Leemaster777]

Hmm...


I can't say that I'm particularly enthused about this... but considering that FiM shattered my expectations when I first watched it, I at least owe this spin-off the benefit of the doubt.

Personally, though, I just hope those character designs aren't the final versions. I'm not really fond of how they look.

But yeah, I'll give it a shot before I declare this crap.

 

[Reeve]

Perhaps Hasbro is attempting to get boys to watch the cartoon - with ponies being considered "girly."

Captcha says "which one is yummiest?"

...

[O]-[O]

Anyway, I don't understand why people would think "no ponies; no watch" (Don't you watch it for the plot? ) Does it lose the irony, otherwise?

Think of it like this: One takes place at a school. The other in a world of magic, dragons and stuff like that. Which setting seems more interesting?

How do you know that there won't be dragons and magic etc. in the alleged spin-off? There's plenty of cartoons with human characters in that contain elements of fantasy.

 

[BenzSmoke]

-Snip-

Think of it like this: One takes place at a school. The other in a world of magic, dragons and stuff like that. Which setting seems more interesting?

How do you know that there won't be dragons and magic etc. in the alleged spin-off? There's plenty of cartoons with human characters in that contain elements of fantasy.

Because they're distancing themselves from regular MLP. If they made it they same but with humans then... well actually I probably wouldn't have a problem with that.

But from a business perspective it wouldn't make sense to fund two shows that are the same thing. What they're doing with Equestria Girls is creating a "spin-off franchise" in order to sell a new product line, and this would require distancing from the source material. They're targeting teenaged girls, according to promo material: so it would make more sense to establish a setting that teen girls themselves are in, real life school. They wouldn't go through the trouble of emphasizing that this takes place in an "alternate universe" if the settings were exactly the same.