What is so great about MLP?
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Watch the first episode.
Notice how after watching the first episode you had to watch the next three-or-so? That's one of the best things about it.
Notice how after watching the first episode you had to watch the next three-or-so? That's one of the best things about it.
Well, as someone who has a great passion for animation, I've managed to pick up on some things I love about the show and what makes them so effective. I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love animation in all forms and these are just some of the things I like about this particular series:
22 minute run-time.
The 22 minute run-time for the show is unprecedented in modern cartoons today. Most modern cartoons use the "squash-and-stretch" system of using 2x11 minute cartoon shorts in one episode to keep the numbers of its viewers up by not completely segmenting the show between advertisements, the reason for this is because they have the fear that some interest may be lost if the audience has to wait for the conclusion to an episode by having to wade through the ads just to see how things turn out. The downside of this is that there isn't much room for character development in these shorts, so the stories tend to be a little rushed and characters never really seem all-too well-rounded. The utilization of the entire 22 minutes is a bold move by Faust and it allows for the characters to develop and define their personalities, their own reactions to the conflicts and resolve it without resorting to ad hoc solutions while maintaining a genuine sense of flow within the three act structure. Adults (men especially) tend to enjoy this, as it gives them an incentive to remain invested and see how any drama or conflict is resolved since there is time for the plot to develop and the tension to mount as the stakes are raised.
The writing
Lauren Faust is a master of her craft, I can even admit to liking her earlier work The Power Puff Girls, as it is pretty much the same dynamic as MLP:FIM. The writing in MLP is of a very high standard, often switching things up by having sitcom style dialogue and actions often sitting beside, or mixing with the more serious non-pandering tones. The drama often feels fully realized because the characters each have their own methods of interpreting the consequences in their own way, even some of the sillier ones (like the pun-ridden "poison joke" incident) is a very real threat to the ponies and because after about two or three episodes you've come to know them at a quite personal level you do actually care about what happens. The show is also written to not bind itself specifically to any one age or gender group, nothing is dumbed-down or patronizing, everything has a distinct mythology or logic behind it which shows that the cast and crew have a lot of care for the show and want to get the best quality they can out of it. There are some very bold moves in this show that I don't see around a lot, like breaking the fourth wall, title dropping and cultural referencing (most of which are reminiscent of things that only adults would get, like the episode featuring the "diamond dogs" which is also an album by David Bowie by the same name).
Also, something else I love about it is that it doesn't try to teach you a message and instantly go back on it in the end. I've seen a few shows where hypocrisy renders the entire episode meaningless, it's always a disappointment.
The voice acting
Along with the decent dialogue and characterization, it would be nothing is the lines weren't delivered with much enthusiasm. Every character in this show has a very distinct voice and are easily recognizable even when they're not on screen. There is a lot of energy in whatever action or emotion is portrayed (even in Fluttershy), so the narrative is able to flow more easily as the ponies reactions to whatever is going on are communicated effectively enough for you to gauge the importance of the situation.
The animation
It's pretty fluid, easily recognizable and never cluttered or messy. I'm guessing this is achieved with either Flash or ToonBOOM Studio (or a combination of the two). The clear, bright colours, the design of the environments and other sets are simple and effective, you never feel like there's either too much going on or that there's an empty space that could be better utilized. To confirm this, just perform this basic experiment: take a random episode, or clip, and pause it at random intervals, study the image once it's a still and take some time to notice the composition, I'm yet to find a shot I don't like, and it's obvious that everything has been thought out beforehand in order to communicate the most effective message possible.
There are probably other things, but I've rambled on for far too long. If I've made any mistakes or you simply don't agree with me then please feel free to correct me.
22 minute run-time.
The 22 minute run-time for the show is unprecedented in modern cartoons today. Most modern cartoons use the "squash-and-stretch" system of using 2x11 minute cartoon shorts in one episode to keep the numbers of its viewers up by not completely segmenting the show between advertisements, the reason for this is because they have the fear that some interest may be lost if the audience has to wait for the conclusion to an episode by having to wade through the ads just to see how things turn out. The downside of this is that there isn't much room for character development in these shorts, so the stories tend to be a little rushed and characters never really seem all-too well-rounded. The utilization of the entire 22 minutes is a bold move by Faust and it allows for the characters to develop and define their personalities, their own reactions to the conflicts and resolve it without resorting to ad hoc solutions while maintaining a genuine sense of flow within the three act structure. Adults (men especially) tend to enjoy this, as it gives them an incentive to remain invested and see how any drama or conflict is resolved since there is time for the plot to develop and the tension to mount as the stakes are raised.
The writing
Lauren Faust is a master of her craft, I can even admit to liking her earlier work The Power Puff Girls, as it is pretty much the same dynamic as MLP:FIM. The writing in MLP is of a very high standard, often switching things up by having sitcom style dialogue and actions often sitting beside, or mixing with the more serious non-pandering tones. The drama often feels fully realized because the characters each have their own methods of interpreting the consequences in their own way, even some of the sillier ones (like the pun-ridden "poison joke" incident) is a very real threat to the ponies and because after about two or three episodes you've come to know them at a quite personal level you do actually care about what happens. The show is also written to not bind itself specifically to any one age or gender group, nothing is dumbed-down or patronizing, everything has a distinct mythology or logic behind it which shows that the cast and crew have a lot of care for the show and want to get the best quality they can out of it. There are some very bold moves in this show that I don't see around a lot, like breaking the fourth wall, title dropping and cultural referencing (most of which are reminiscent of things that only adults would get, like the episode featuring the "diamond dogs" which is also an album by David Bowie by the same name).
Also, something else I love about it is that it doesn't try to teach you a message and instantly go back on it in the end. I've seen a few shows where hypocrisy renders the entire episode meaningless, it's always a disappointment.
The voice acting
Along with the decent dialogue and characterization, it would be nothing is the lines weren't delivered with much enthusiasm. Every character in this show has a very distinct voice and are easily recognizable even when they're not on screen. There is a lot of energy in whatever action or emotion is portrayed (even in Fluttershy), so the narrative is able to flow more easily as the ponies reactions to whatever is going on are communicated effectively enough for you to gauge the importance of the situation.
The animation
It's pretty fluid, easily recognizable and never cluttered or messy. I'm guessing this is achieved with either Flash or ToonBOOM Studio (or a combination of the two). The clear, bright colours, the design of the environments and other sets are simple and effective, you never feel like there's either too much going on or that there's an empty space that could be better utilized. To confirm this, just perform this basic experiment: take a random episode, or clip, and pause it at random intervals, study the image once it's a still and take some time to notice the composition, I'm yet to find a shot I don't like, and it's obvious that everything has been thought out beforehand in order to communicate the most effective message possible.
There are probably other things, but I've rambled on for far too long. If I've made any mistakes or you simply don't agree with me then please feel free to correct me.
Have you actually tried it? I converted Chrono212, and he was really skeptical about it and now he loves it xDJust Plain Lazy said:A group for people that watch My Little Pony... Okay Im just going to say what I'd say if this was a face to face conversation. -ahem-TimeLord said:Herd? Group of animals. In this case ponies. People who watch MLP.Just Plain Lazy said:Imma just come out and say it now... The hell is that. XDTimeLord said:Are you a member of the herd Dan?Just Plain Lazy said:
That is possibly the gayest thing I have ever heard or seen, trust me I've seen some pretty out there "gay" things but this is possibly the gayest thing ever.
So how you doin' Sam? ;3 -kisses cheek- XD
Go watch the first episode on YouTube and get back to me xPJust Plain Lazy said:Oh he's just a big softy for anything that you might like. XDTimeLord said:Have you actually tried it? I converted Chrono212, and he was really skeptical about it and now he loves it xDJust Plain Lazy said:A group for people that watch My Little Pony... Okay Im just going to say what I'd say if this was a face to face conversation. -ahem-TimeLord said:Herd? Group of animals. In this case ponies. People who watch MLP.Just Plain Lazy said:Imma just come out and say it now... The hell is that. XDTimeLord said:Are you a member of the herd Dan?Just Plain Lazy said:
That is possibly the gayest thing I have ever heard or seen, trust me I've seen some pretty out there "gay" things but this is possibly the gayest thing ever.
So how you doin' Sam? ;3 -kisses cheek- XD
You gonna have to try a hella load harder to "convert" me to watch the show =P
Fine then, be out of the loop foreverJust Plain Lazy said:OR!TimeLord said:Go watch the first episode on YouTube and get back to me xPJust Plain Lazy said:Oh he's just a big softy for anything that you might like. XDTimeLord said:Have you actually tried it? I converted Chrono212, and he was really skeptical about it and now he loves it xDJust Plain Lazy said:A group for people that watch My Little Pony... Okay Im just going to say what I'd say if this was a face to face conversation. -ahem-TimeLord said:Herd? Group of animals. In this case ponies. People who watch MLP.Just Plain Lazy said:Imma just come out and say it now... The hell is that. XDTimeLord said:Are you a member of the herd Dan?Just Plain Lazy said:
That is possibly the gayest thing I have ever heard or seen, trust me I've seen some pretty out there "gay" things but this is possibly the gayest thing ever.
So how you doin' Sam? ;3 -kisses cheek- XD
You gonna have to try a hella load harder to "convert" me to watch the show =P
And just hear me out here...
Or I could not, stay with me here, I could not watch My Little Pony and then, never go on to do so. XD
I like my idea more.
So much more infact I think Im going to stick with my plan. XD
Fair enough, but when the zombie apocalypse comes. You will be sorry!Just Plain Lazy said:Fine by me Pony Lord ;PTimeLord said:Fine then, be out of the loop foreverJust Plain Lazy said:OR!TimeLord said:Go watch the first episode on YouTube and get back to me xPJust Plain Lazy said:Oh he's just a big softy for anything that you might like. XDTimeLord said:Have you actually tried it? I converted Chrono212, and he was really skeptical about it and now he loves it xDJust Plain Lazy said:A group for people that watch My Little Pony... Okay Im just going to say what I'd say if this was a face to face conversation. -ahem-TimeLord said:Herd? Group of animals. In this case ponies. People who watch MLP.Just Plain Lazy said:Imma just come out and say it now... The hell is that. XDTimeLord said:Are you a member of the herd Dan?Just Plain Lazy said:
That is possibly the gayest thing I have ever heard or seen, trust me I've seen some pretty out there "gay" things but this is possibly the gayest thing ever.
So how you doin' Sam? ;3 -kisses cheek- XD
You gonna have to try a hella load harder to "convert" me to watch the show =P
And just hear me out here...
Or I could not, stay with me here, I could not watch My Little Pony and then, never go on to do so. XD
I like my idea more.
So much more infact I think Im going to stick with my plan. XD
Now I goes to make foods and all that -buggers off- =P
Wow! Spike does look like the purple and green starburst. My mind has been blown.Just Plain Lazy said:At what point in my life will I ever be going through it and start thinking to myself, either this be during a "Zombie outbreak" or not, that I really really really need a "Guy who dies first".TimeLord said:Fair enough, but when the zombie apocalypse comes. You will be sorry!Just Plain Lazy said:Fine by me Pony Lord ;PTimeLord said:Fine then, be out of the loop foreverJust Plain Lazy said:OR!TimeLord said:Go watch the first episode on YouTube and get back to me xPJust Plain Lazy said:Oh he's just a big softy for anything that you might like. XDTimeLord said:Have you actually tried it? I converted Chrono212, and he was really skeptical about it and now he loves it xDJust Plain Lazy said:A group for people that watch My Little Pony... Okay Im just going to say what I'd say if this was a face to face conversation. -ahem-TimeLord said:Herd? Group of animals. In this case ponies. People who watch MLP.Just Plain Lazy said:Imma just come out and say it now... The hell is that. XDTimeLord said:Are you a member of the herd Dan?Just Plain Lazy said:
That is possibly the gayest thing I have ever heard or seen, trust me I've seen some pretty out there "gay" things but this is possibly the gayest thing ever.
So how you doin' Sam? ;3 -kisses cheek- XD
You gonna have to try a hella load harder to "convert" me to watch the show =P
And just hear me out here...
Or I could not, stay with me here, I could not watch My Little Pony and then, never go on to do so. XD
I like my idea more.
So much more infact I think Im going to stick with my plan. XD
Now I goes to make foods and all that -buggers off- =P
Sure might be fun talking to a "Team Leader" but after a while I think I'd get bored with the dude (If I can call him... or it a dude due to it looking like the purple starburst just mated with the green one so someone would finally eat it), who dies. =P
Well, it's been proven that the human brain can be effected by magnets, so MLP is really just taking the lessons learned from NLP to their logical conclusion.
Oh wait, you mean the ponies? I dunno. I think it's a fetish thing. I don't really see the point of ponies though, it seems to me they're just horses but without any of the properties that would make horses good. I mean, think of the ideal horse, chances are, it's tall, slender, fast and kind. Ponies are horses that have none of these characteristics. They're short, fat, slow and kind of dicks, really.
I once got bit by a pony. Then it tried to trample my dog. So I will admit my view on this may be slightly biased.
Oh wait, you mean the ponies? I dunno. I think it's a fetish thing. I don't really see the point of ponies though, it seems to me they're just horses but without any of the properties that would make horses good. I mean, think of the ideal horse, chances are, it's tall, slender, fast and kind. Ponies are horses that have none of these characteristics. They're short, fat, slow and kind of dicks, really.
I once got bit by a pony. Then it tried to trample my dog. So I will admit my view on this may be slightly biased.