Hasbro and My Little Pony’s future

[Nightmare Muffin]

So while we are in the year of My Little Pony’s 40th anniversary, which seems to have been met with success, as far as new releases go (especially with the toylines based on older generations a s finally releasing g1 prototype ponies through Basic Fun). I personally felt like there would have been more by way of generational crossovers- although we did get some g1 crossover in G5’s comics and media. It seems quite often that generations 3 and especially 2, and branched off pony lines of g1 (Takara line, Dream Beauties, pony friends, etc) are often left out of much of the Anniversary antics, more often than not.

But moving forward into the future, I got to thinking- primarily because of all the concern and backlash against Disney and how they have treated their own supposedly spectacular 100th anniversary film, Wish, which many people on the internet have been quick to pick apart and find flaws in. I wonder how Hasbro will be treating their own IP and really try to hit the mark for their own 50th anniversary with their beloved pony brand that has lasted so many generations. And while many might think that it is far too early to be discussing such a topic at this point in time, as we get older, a span of 10 years will come and go in the blink of an eye, and that moment will be upon us before we know it! So it is never early enough to get to talking and that ball rolling, and speculate on what might be done for such a significant time in the grand scheme of things for our beloved pony franchise, when it reaches the big 50! How do you guys think Hasbro will handle such a milestone?

 

[Taffy Twist]

I think with the 50th they will do the same as this years 40th and again REALLY focus on Gen 1
it seems Hasbro never wants to talk about G2 and most people don't even know about it so I doubt they will make anything of it again as Hasbro likely believes it wouldn't sell

Something I would really like though is a collector collection with 1 toy style from each gen, that would be so awesome
Hasbro has been on a real Retro kick lately, even before the 40th anniversary almost half the things that come out from them is pointing to or remaking things from G4 and G1. But it is a bit sad too see G2 and G3 left out, but who knows its still 10 years away and by then there could be a G6 or a huge revival of the fandom

 

[AzaleaArt]

I saw wish on Monday and I actually think Wish was really amazing ^_^
But yeah it would’ve been cool if instead of the blind box ponies they made all being g1 ponys they had picked a mix of characters from each of the gens G1 and g5 probably would’ve had the most with them being the oldest and the most recent, but it could’ve been like 3 from g1, 3 from g5, and then 1 or 2 from each of g2, g3 and g4. I don’t think they’d include the Takara ones or dream beauties though

 

[Sassarazzmadazzles]

i say if they brought out more affordable adult size MLP clothing that we would all buy it up lol

but everything is child size or stupid expensive

 

[ActionHank]

I was under the impression that they were on a retro kick because retro sells and G5 doesn't.

 

[Nightmare Muffin]

I was under the impression that they were on a retro kick because retro sells and G5 doesn't.

Will they still be, 10 years down the road, I wonder?

 

[LadyMoondancer]

I hope the 50th anniversary is an extravaganza and absolutely crazy. What I would really like to see is another art gallery in the style of the Pony Project, but this time with models of every pony gen instead of just G3.

I was under the impression that they were on a retro kick because retro sells and G5 doesn't.

Hasbro hasn't produced any G1 merch since the Twister pony (and others in that mold) that I'm aware of. They license out the rights to make G1 merch, which is different. A company like Basic Fun or Cakeworthy or whoever pays for the MLP license and they, not Hasbro, design their products, create the packaging (which is a surprisingly large percentage of toy-making budgets), pay the factory, etc. The reason companies spring for the license is that Socks Inc will make more profit selling MLP socks than they would selling unlicensed socks, Basic Fun will make more profit selling retro MLPs than they would selling a pony fakie, etc.

I'd love to see more G2 and G3 retro merch. We should all write to Hasbro and ask them to develop style guides for them. I saw some shirts on Target.com featuring the G1, G4, and G5 ponies together, celebrating the anniversary, and I'm sure the shirt-makers would have added the other gens if they had the clipart for them. Though I do think G1 has a leg up in being the most recognizable nostalgic generation. Maybe that will change as more people who grew up with G3 get into the fashion industry.

I did notice that La Vidriola (sp?) has some G3 jewelry, which was adorable.

Isn't this necklace just the cutest?

The pop-up MLP celebration experience in Shanghai (? I think?) did feature all five generations, which was great because, yeah, Hasbro usually ignores G2. So that was proof that at least they know it exists, lol.

This was from the Chinese social media account hyping up the celebration. (Note retro G1 Star Catcher, behind Starsong. I love that for her.)

 

[Nightmare Muffin]

i say if they brought out more affordable adult size MLP clothing that we would all buy it up lol

but everything is child size or stupid expensive

There are still quite a few adult pony shirts being put on Redbubble. Or were you talking about more than just shirts?

 

[avene1984]

I wish Hasbro would go back the G1 or G3 style of ponies.

 

[WingedDragon]

I would love a box set of Ponies from different generation. I am not too found of them releasing yet another G1 Blossom.
I would love a custom blank ponies for all generations.