What would you love to implement in a pony generation?

[HoofHearted]

This could be the media or the toyline, assuming you have full creative control. Would you have a "mane" cast of characters, or have a rotating cast that shows off each new release of ponies? Would you bring back any characters? What kind of worldbuilding would you like?

What would you like to see done with the toys? Are there any specific gimmicks you'd like to see? What kind of playsets and accessories? Any new species or fun takes on existing species?

I think it would be fun, if ambitious, to have each new wave be themed, with a new one each two months or so. One could be based on fairy tales. Another could be carnival themed, or ocean themed, with each pony being a different sea creature. Seasonal ponies which change each holiday.

If the sky was the limit, I'd have a special country-specific release for each country that retails them. They'd only be available there, and they'd draw from elements of the culture of the nation, with flag colors for hair and unique full-body designs. Proceeds from the purchase could go to public works in that area, so if you endeavored to complete the set, you'd be benefiting the world at the same time. I think that would just be super cool.

 

[Flitter]

I’m going to copy something I wrote elsewhere as g4 was ending and before g5 started, about what I wanted to see for the next gen. My sentiments pretty much still stand and touch upon all your questions:

From my personal adult fan/collector perspective, what would make me interested in G5 is:
High quality collectible figures. Think nicer than funkos. Don't care as much if brushable or molded hair but I don't want to be so worried about factory flaws as with G4. When I say collectible, I mean variety. Stop releasing only the same characters over and over and over. At least include one or 2 new ones per wave. I love themed waves of figures and prefer for a return of G1 style themes like Sweetberry ponies, Sparkle ponies, etc. Having a mane cast is ok as long as other new ponies are released as well alongside them. I found after the excitement of wanting everything of the the first year or so even 2-6 new ponies a year after that, that I really wanted, was enough to keep me interested but not overwhelmed with my collection growing too fast.
A more fantasy style than G4. I want whimsical but not overly decorated style. I like pretty flowy hair but not crazy tattoo-like markings, for example.
Cutiemarks on both sides. And don't forget the importance of cutie marks and uniqueness in the pony world. I feel like the importance of symbols and the idea of having a destiny or at least interest or personality trait based on the cutie mark has been forgotten the past few years. It's what makes MLP fun and special to me and collectible as well. Hippogriffs, Seaponies and all the new species are not as interesting to me because the don't have marks.
And that said, Focus on pony characters. I like dragons and changelings and Yaks but I want the pony show keep to the pony's pov.
No facial hair on male ponies.
Keep the smaller G4 scale. I like the 3-4" figures best for photographing.

Less pop culture in the show. Stop trying to be cool with catchy phrases and memeable faces and focus on stories that are relate-able and form a continuity. Have lore that buildsinstead of seemingly inserted as a plot device.
My favorite FiM episodes were those that dealt with inner struggle ("Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?"& guilt, "Hurricane Fluttershy" & inadequacy) of interpersonal relationship issues I could relate to where the problems don't come off as contrived ("Sisterhooves Social" & understanding siblings). I really wish FiM would have gotten into Luna and Celesta's history and events that led up to how things are now. I feel like we got The Pillars to touch on history instead. I just am not interested in them the way they were introduced. It seemed more a substitute for true character growth and world advancement. Maybe that's just me though. Also, for being a magical pony land, I feel like magic has really gone by the wayside, more magic.
I think G4 was successful stylistically for the time as cute, round, simple and colorful animation was "in". I don't think it will work another round. I hope G5 has detailed, rich, beautiful, magical 80's throwback animation style.

 

[Lackadaisy]

I love your idea of ponies as different sea creatures! Hmm .. I guess I would just want to see long-lasting all-nylon hair make a comeback, and easily removable heads/accessible hair plugs. I wish the ponies were as big as G1s, although I don't mind when they get a new look. I would love to see more glow in the dark ponies, transparent ponies, and such.

 

[CharmsPonies]

Oooh this is a fun question! I have ALWAYS wanted to take a crack at drawing and writing a little “How I would do MLP if I were in charge” reboot lol.

First of all: Have it be a different universe. g 1-3 are all separate, unique worlds. g5 though is a continuation of g4. Which isn’t bad per say, but by making it a unique world, you have more freedom to redesign characters, come up with new concepts, ect., without being held down by the reputation and rules of the previous generations.

Almost everyone has complained about the toy quality going down over the years…. Once Hasbro realized “we’ll make money no matter what” they mostly stopped caring…. I would love for more emphasis, love, care and attention to be put on the toys! I don’t mind if they have a select few “popular main characters” (Like core 7, main 6 and 5, ect) But I think it’d be better if they make a big variety in it as well. For example, g3 did have that core 7 era where they Only made the same 7 characters, but before that g3 had Hundreds of Ponies. I would want there to be a good balance. You could make sets of “popular main characters“, but also have sets creating a variety of different ponies! Though if I were in charge I would like to focus more on a variety of characters than making “main” characters. Also it’d be fun if they went back to having each set have distinct themes..… In g1 each set was distinct in it’s concept, it feels like they care more if they’re putting in effort when they’re making each set so different. Personally I like the toys to be bigger too.

If I made a show for the toys, I like the idea g4 has with “Every episode has a theme/lesson for the characters and kids to learn”, but try not to make it feel overly educational or boring lol. I also like what earlier g3 cartoons do…. Each cartoon featured different “main” characters for that story. You could have one cartoon about skywishes, one about pinkie pie, one about lily lightly, ect. I would want the show to sort of be like that: Each episode could follow a different pony and different story. Different characters wiuld find themselves in different, unique situations easier so it makes it so each episode is a little more distinct. That works if the toys focus more on “quantity of characters”. I also think it’d be neat to bring humans and other animals back into the equation! You could have some human characters to interact with the ponies, I feel like characters like Megan would make it easy for a little girl watching the show to imagine herself in that place being best friends with the ponies. Have a focus on the ponies, but you could bring back previous species like seaponies, flutter ponies, it’d be fun! I also love the idea of bringing back older characters that had been forgotten about, from many generations but redesigned for this new generation. Put love and care into the writing, making the characters feel real but fun, have fun songs.

Sorry that’s all kind of ramble-y lol.

 

[ChocolateStarfire]

I have many ideas about this...and if a Hasbro exec is hiring a writer for said reboot, well! *coughs politely*

I think the last line of baby ponies from G1 as adults would be a good start. I attempted this with a fan fiction piece I wrote a few years ago (it was a MLP-Transformers crossover that I wrote as practice between edits of my novel). Baby Brightbow had grown up and taken over a rainbow-ified Dream Castle, eventually becoming a queen like Majesty did...

Spoiler

...only to have Dream Valley destroyed yet again by the Smooze, which originated from an active volcano where the Transformers were once again reawakened...anyway!

In that story I included Flutter Ponies, the Moochick, and the Grundles, though I didn't really make the time to flesh out the characters as I should have.

I think a similar vein for the relaunch of MLP would appeal to kids. Make it epic in scope/scale to appeal to everyone. And make the ponies G1 shaped again, because those are popular even now. Their manes/tails can be higher quality, for sure, and I think having a series of figures--the first wave being focused on the TV show launch simultaneous with the toys, and later waves being additional characters/creatures, like dragons, seaponies, flutters, etc.--would be cool.

I think My Little Pony needs to return to its roots again. He-Man is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, along with TMNT, and those toys/shows are going back to their source material...

 

[HoofHearted]

Oooh this is a fun question! I have ALWAYS wanted to take a crack at drawing and writing a little “How I would do MLP if I were in charge” reboot lol.

First of all: Have it be a different universe. g 1-3 are all separate, unique worlds. g5 though is a continuation of g4. Which isn’t bad per say, but by making it a unique world, you have more freedom to redesign characters, come up with new concepts, ect., without being held down by the reputation and rules of the previous generations.

Almost everyone has complained about the toy quality going down over the years…. Once Hasbro realized “we’ll make money no matter what” they mostly stopped caring…. I would love for more emphasis, love, care and attention to be put on the toys! I don’t mind if they have a select few “popular main characters” (Like core 7, main 6 and 5, ect) But I think it’d be better if they make a big variety in it as well. For example, g3 did have that core 7 era where they Only made the same 7 characters, but before that g3 had Hundreds of Ponies. I would want there to be a good balance. You could make sets of “popular main characters“, but also have sets creating a variety of different ponies! Though if I were in charge I would like to focus more on a variety of characters than making “main” characters. Also it’d be fun if they went back to having each set have distinct themes..… In g1 each set was distinct in it’s concept, it feels like they care more if they’re putting in effort when they’re making each set so different. Personally I like the toys to be bigger too.

If I made a show for the toys, I like the idea g4 has with “Every episode has a theme/lesson for the characters and kids to learn”, but try not to make it feel overly educational or boring lol. I also like what earlier g3 cartoons do…. Each cartoon featured different “main” characters for that story. You could have one cartoon about skywishes, one about pinkie pie, one about lily lightly, ect. I would want the show to sort of be like that: Each episode could follow a different pony and different story. Different characters wiuld find themselves in different, unique situations easier so it makes it so each episode is a little more distinct. That works if the toys focus more on “quantity of characters”. I also think it’d be neat to bring humans and other animals back into the equation! You could have some human characters to interact with the ponies, I feel like characters like Megan would make it easy for a little girl watching the show to imagine herself in that place being best friends with the ponies. Have a focus on the ponies, but you could bring back previous species like seaponies, flutter ponies, it’d be fun! I also love the idea of bringing back older characters that had been forgotten about, from many generations but redesigned for this new generation. Put love and care into the writing, making the characters feel real but fun, have fun songs.

Sorry that’s all kind of ramble-y lol.

Wow! I love your ideas! I was so ecstatic when G4 brought back Moondancer, and it would be so neat to see a new interpretation of old favorites like that continuing forward. I've heard that G5 toy sales aren't doing so hot, so maybe this will be a good kick in the pants to get some better quality for the next gen. Maybe having a split playline and collector line like Barbie might be a possible compromise, but that always seems to lead to jacked up prices for adult collectors. I'd trust Basic Fun with a redesign over Hasbro at this point, haha!

 

[SoulControl]

I'd love at least 2, possibly 3 shows, so that one were darker, more complicated, and more mythological. Personally, I would love it if it looked a bit more anime in style - like Rescue from Midnight Castle had ...possibly even more anime than that. Deep world-building. This would appeal to many adult pony fans (then, small children could have their own show: more simple, silly, funny). Though I'm mostly anti-human in Pony world, I would even welcome a brief storyline of Megan returning, as an adult woman, to help fight against some bleak but powerful enemy.

Again, I don't think they have to sacrifice "cutesy" but extend and expand beyond JUST that.

As Flitter said above: HIGHER QUALITY figures. Heck, Transformers has them, Star Wars has them, Barbie has them, GI Joe has them. Why isn't there Pony? I'd love to see versions with more thought and care put into them, more details, more depth and quality to cutie marks, manes, and tails.

Overall, anything that shows more care. I want people who LOVE Pony making pony. I want Hasbro to realize that Pony is not just toys but art, and to realize they can have a richer legacy in Pony beyond "plastic toys for little kids." We all see it, why won't they? Arrgh!

 

[Leave a Whisper]

Tons of new ponies. Nice plastic and nylon. Take the core cast mode and kick it to the garbage can where it belongs.

 

[AzaleaArt]

I do like g5 so I’m not in a rush for it to end, but I think if I were making a new generation I wouldn’t have a mane or core cast, I think I’d have one pony who was basically our guide in the show. For example the episode would start and guide pony would be going out the door in the morning, then she’d stop and talk to another pony who would have some problem/be about to go on an adventure and guide pony would offer some advice/wish them luck and then the rest of the episode would follow the other pony. Maybe some times guide pony would join in but not always, this way there’s a kind of main character who can be used as like the face of that generation, on all the packaging and stuff (and she’d probably get a new version of her in most of the toy releases) but there’s also at least 15 other ponys per season (depending on the number of episodes in the season) that has had a whole episode focusing on them and can be made into a toy
No constant releases of the main cast with one or two new ones thrown in, and they’d be individually packaged too so you can just buy the ones you want.
I’d also make the toys a bit bigger, they don’t have to be quite as big as g1 but not tiny like g4 either
And finally I’d bring back the idea of the art ponys, a special pony at least once a year in the fancy collector packaging and everything, maybe holiday themed, or designed by other artists. Ooh or seasonal? So there’d be the 2024 Spring pony or whatever and they’d be like a super detailed spring themed taf

 

[Caitluz]

I do like g5 so I’m not in a rush for it to end, but I think if I were making a new generation I wouldn’t have a mane or core cast, I think I’d have one pony who was basically our guide in the show. For example the episode would start and guide pony would be going out the door in the morning, then she’d stop and talk to another pony who would have some problem/be about to go on an adventure and guide pony would offer some advice/wish them luck and then the rest of the episode would follow the other pony. Maybe some times guide pony would join in but not always, this way there’s a kind of main character who can be used as like the face of that generation, on all the packaging and stuff (and she’d probably get a new version of her in most of the toy releases) but there’s also at least 15 other ponys per season (depending on the number of episodes in the season) that has had a whole episode focusing on them and can be made into a toy
No constant releases of the main cast with one or two new ones thrown in, and they’d be individually packaged too so you can just buy the ones you want.
I’d also make the toys a bit bigger, they don’t have to be quite as big as g1 but not tiny like g4 either
And finally I’d bring back the idea of the art ponys, a special pony at least once a year in the fancy collector packaging and everything, maybe holiday themed, or designed by other artists. Ooh or seasonal? So there’d be the 2024 Spring pony or whatever and they’d be like a super detailed spring themed taf

I like the idea of there being like a guide pony!!! That would really be best of both having a main character yet still being a wide range who can actually have personalities and such for those who like the shows and collectors

 

[AzaleaArt]

I like the idea of there being like a guide pony!!! That would really be best of both having a main character yet still being a wide range who can actually have personalities and such for those who like the shows and collectors

Thanks I think it would work pretty well if done right

 

[WingedDragon]

@Leave a Whisper Aw, why do you hate the core cast system? If we were to have traditional cartoon series, then a core cast is a good way to establish setting, personalities and team dynamic. We can have a direct to DVD format, but it means it will have disconnected stories centred arounf whatever they are marketing at that time. Two for the Sky is kind of atrocious for not having any real character for Heart Bright and Star Flight with confusing message. I can say it was the worst G3 story.

G4 started with 6 main ponies, but they have so many recurring/one-off characters that are interesting and have their own history, it is not a problem to me.

I can list so many supporting cast that has lead role in G4, I am sure it is comparable to all ponies that ever has major role in G1.

 

[Leave a Whisper]

@Leave a Whisper Aw, why do you hate the core cast system? If we were to have traditional cartoon series, then a core cast is a good way to establish setting, personalities and team dynamic. We can have a direct to DVD format, but it means it will have disconnected stories centred arounf whatever they are marketing at that time. Two for the Sky is kind of atrocious for not having any real character for Heart Bright and Star Flight with confusing message. I can say it was the worst G3 story.

G4 started with 6 main ponies, but they have so many recurring/one-off characters that are interesting and have their own history, it is not a problem to me.

I can list so many supporting cast that has lead role in G4, I am sure it is comparable to all ponies that ever has major role in G1.

Because no one wants to see endless waves of the same 5-7 ponies on the shelves ad nauseum. You've been around the community long enough to know that people got tired of seeing the Bore Core, Mane Suxx, and Bland Five over and over and over and over with very little else. Kids get tired of the same thing, they want something new to play with. We want something new to collect. This is MLP not Barbie. So why would you ask, when you already know the answer?

 

[NanoRuby]

I agree with WingedDragon that a core cast is good for story purposes. No one remembers MLP 'n Friends for it's memorable characters, but it wasn't the main draw of G1 so it didn't matter. If Hasbro wants to market MLP around a show, some sort of recurring character becomes a necessity. I like AzaleaArt's idea of a guide pony, it would help strike a balance between toy marketing, character marketing and story flexibility.

Also I like the Mane Six and Five!

I think the main thing I would push for in a new generation is overall quality. A lot of toy lines release the same characters several times but people don't mind because the toys, outfits, accessories and playsets are nicely-made. That should be the priority. Lots of nice, heavy nylon and slightly bigger toys to allow for easier hairplay. I personally don't care for ponywear but I would like to see a comeback of properly sewn outfits.

Something a bit more specific I would like to see is diversity in body types. It's one of the few good things I have to say about TYT, and it's kind of in the toys, but the differences are subtle enough that lots of people don't even know they're there until pointed out. I know it's more expensive to make different molds, but Hasbro seems interested enough that I could see them committing more to it in a future gen.

Gimmicks can be fun, and I don't mind minor ones like twinkle eyes or g4's AR hoof heart things, but. no more drink 'n wet or BBE ponies, yeah?

 

[Flicksi]

I would love it, if the ponies would look more like real horses again. I wouldn't mind other animals and maybe dolls too. Or maybe crossovers with other toylines or brands.
And a lot of characters, like the G1-3 had. For the show they could focus on the new sets which come out for a couple of episodes and than switch to the next. A mane cast would probably be good to connect the stories. Maybe the first set they release, with very basic concepts, like the first care bears had.
I'm also a big fan of the G1 comics an would love to see something like this again. They could feature a lot of different creators, like the G4 comics did.

 

[Stellaluna]

I think it'd be cool if there was a generation in which the accompanying media was a game rather than a show. Like G2, but the game is an rpg adventure game where you explore different areas in Ponyland. You play as a human character (essentially taking on the Megan role) and along your journey you can choose which ponies to befriend & recruit on your adventure. This strengthens the core title, MY Little Pony, which I feel has been kinda lost in recent gens since there's no longer a kids&ponies relationship that happens in any of them.

I also always liked the idea of strengthening the equine nature of the ponies too. They haven't been very "horsey" in a long time, after all. So in the game you traverse a fantasy world helping what you think are ordinary ponies with ordinary natural colors, but once you fulfill whatever task is needed you have earned thier trust enough to reveal thier true form in a magical girl-like transformation sequence. So for example, a shaggy little brown pony is in distress. She is stranded on a rock in the middle of a river. You must figure out how to roll a fallen tree towards her to form a bridge. Once she is safe, she says "Thanks! I thought I'd be stuck there forever! I can see you have a kind spirit, so I'll introduce myself properly." In a flash of sparkles, she's now the cute and colorful Parasol!

Or something like that. As you progress you start to discover why the ponies are separated and gone into hiding, essentially. But that's something I haven't really figured out yet. Regardless, it's your job to discover them all and reunite them all in Dream Castle (or whatever the G6 equivalent of Dream Castle will be.)

There are as many ponies as there are pokemon andit's kinda the same idea. You have 6 ponies in your party and the rest you send to Dream Castle which can be the equivalent of sending pokemon to the PC. So in this gen there's lots of unique ponies and there would be a classic brushable toy for each one.

 

[Leave a Whisper]

I think it'd be cool if there was a generation in which the accompanying media was a game rather than a show. Like G2, but the game is an rpg adventure game where you explore different areas in Ponyland. You play as a human character (essentially taking on the Megan role) and along your journey you can choose which ponies to befriend & recruit on your adventure. This strengthens the core title, MY Little Pony, which I feel has been kinda lost in recent gens since there's no longer a kids&ponies relationship that happens in any of them.

I also always liked the idea of strengthening the equine nature of the ponies too. They haven't been very "horsey" in a long time, after all. So in the game you traverse a fantasy world helping what you think are ordinary ponies with ordinary natural colors, but once you fulfill whatever task is needed you have earned thier trust enough to reveal thier true form in a magical girl-like transformation sequence. So for example, a shaggy little brown pony is in distress. She is stranded on a rock in the middle of a river. You must figure out how to roll a fallen tree towards her to form a bridge. Once she is safe, she says "Thanks! I thought I'd be stuck there forever! I can see you have a kind spirit, so I'll introduce myself properly." In a flash of sparkles, she's now the cute and colorful Parasol!

Or something like that. As you progress you start to discover why the ponies are separated and gone into hiding, essentially. But that's something I haven't really figured out yet. Regardless, it's your job to discover them all and reunite them all in Dream Castle (or whatever the G6 equivalent of Dream Castle will be.)

There are as many ponies as there are pokemon andit's kinda the same idea. You have 6 ponies in your party and the rest you send to Dream Castle which can be the equivalent of sending pokemon to the PC. So in this gen there's lots of unique ponies and there would be a classic brushable toy for each one.

I like it

 

[WingedDragon]

Because no one wants to see endless waves of the same 5-7 ponies on the shelves ad nauseum. You've been around the community long enough to know that people got tired of seeing the Bore Core, Mane Suxx, and Bland Five over and over and over and over with very little else. Kids get tired of the same thing, they want something new to play with. We want something new to collect. This is MLP not Barbie. So why would you ask, when you already know the answer?

I absolutely have no idea what are you talking about. There are over 1,500 digimons, but you see the merch of 7 Rookie Digimon from The first Digimon Adventure again and again, since 1999. No matter how much people complain, this format makes profit. Harbro has been re-releasing ponies before Core7. And I think G4 FiM cartoon is one of the better writing which ever grace MLP.

Almost all TV shows have a core cast. So I will ask you this; Do you have any suggestion how to make a TV series without a core cast?

I think it'd be cool if there was a generation in which the accompanying media was a game rather than a show. Like G2, but the game is an rpg adventure game where you explore different areas in Ponyland. You play as a human character (essentially taking on the Megan role) and along your journey you can choose which ponies to befriend & recruit on your adventure. This strengthens the core title, MY Little Pony, which I feel has been kinda lost in recent gens since there's no longer a kids&ponies relationship that happens in any of them.

I also always liked the idea of strengthening the equine nature of the ponies too. They haven't been very "horsey" in a long time, after all. So in the game you traverse a fantasy world helping what you think are ordinary ponies with ordinary natural colors, but once you fulfill whatever task is needed you have earned thier trust enough to reveal thier true form in a magical girl-like transformation sequence. So for example, a shaggy little brown pony is in distress. She is stranded on a rock in the middle of a river. You must figure out how to roll a fallen tree towards her to form a bridge. Once she is safe, she says "Thanks! I thought I'd be stuck there forever! I can see you have a kind spirit, so I'll introduce myself properly." In a flash of sparkles, she's now the cute and colorful Parasol!

Or something like that. As you progress you start to discover why the ponies are separated and gone into hiding, essentially. But that's something I haven't really figured out yet. Regardless, it's your job to discover them all and reunite them all in Dream Castle (or whatever the G6 equivalent of Dream Castle will be.)

There are as many ponies as there are pokemon andit's kinda the same idea. You have 6 ponies in your party and the rest you send to Dream Castle which can be the equivalent of sending pokemon to the PC. So in this gen there's lots of unique ponies and there would be a classic brushable toy for each one.

I know, I know. Lego Dimension.
The base game is a wild open world, available for free, but you are a human, so you are greatly restricted. As you purchase a physical ponies, you can "plug-and-play"/scan QR code to play with said pony in the virtual world.
This can become souless and greedy very easily, but let me have this dream.

The base game can be a RPG/Pet simulator. In the city, there are stables, where you do some typical MLP activities (host party, dress up, may be farm, etc) and caring for your ponies. Then, you can explore outside the safe area and encounter RPG challenge. It does not need to be combat, it can be getting lost, finding supply, helping other players crossing dangerous terrain, etc.

It would be great to have a cosy, peaceful parts of Red Dead Redemption 2, but your horse is sapient/magical.

I know if it were true, it will turn into something as predatory as Genshin Impact, but I can dream.

 

[ActionHank]

The Vietnam war but with my little ponies.

 

[Leave a Whisper]

Winged Dragon, the conversation is about what the individual would like to see for toys or show or both. Not strictly the show. If you want to pretend you don't understand that I'm talking about the toys, I'm sorry, but that's not my problem. I explained my reasons in plain, simple words. If you don't like it, then w agree to disagree.