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This brings up a pretty interesting topic though. If the characters in FiM weren't ridiculously cute ponies, would the show still be awesome with just the personalities/writing/art style to back it up?
If you had to choose another creature to take their place, using their art style, what would it be?
257 comments:
... I probably would; I mean, I don't even like horses.
ReplyDeleteI think anything land-based would be fine. Though ponies work out best because of unicorns and Pegasus mythologies...
ooooohhh, that's a tough one........
ReplyDeleteDepends on the creatures. They'd have to be really cute.
ReplyDeleteFirs. ::gets shot in head::
ReplyDeleteanyways maybe but the show would go the route of fosters and chowder at some point.
Alpacas could be fun. :D
ReplyDeleteIt depends what the other creature is.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletewell, not if it was about squids.
ReplyDeleteI almost fell off my chair... from laughter...
ReplyDeleteI still don't know what to think of this...
But if I had to chose, I would have gone with something generic, like kittens...
i would still like it if it were something like birds.
ReplyDeleteDAT PIC!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought:
ReplyDeleteOctavapus
I probably WOULD... but I wouldn't enjoy it as much.
i sorry but BAWHAHAHAHAH i cant that picture seriously. ahem, i dont think i could picture ponies as anything else, fish nope, humans, umm only in humanization
ReplyDeletei would watch it if they were humans (don't judge me) or cats.
ReplyDeleteProbably not. Half of the charm for me is the fact that they're ponies. A lot of the humour comes from the fact that they don't have hands. Plus ponies are cute as hell, humans are boring and rubbish.
ReplyDeleteI WOULD TOTALLY WATCH THEM AS CEPHALOPODA.
ReplyDeleteOr perhaps cats. Or squirrels. ... Or anything, really.
Depends I guess, but the story is good...
ReplyDeleteI would pick... humans? Probably. Somehow ponies just feel right for the characters and everything else.
ReplyDeleteMaybe. The first reason I got into this show was because of the cute and sexy ponies. If another cute and sexy animal took their place (Like bunnies or foxes or something like that), then probably yes. If humans, nope.
ReplyDeletefox-wolf hybrids.....what? its my fursona
ReplyDeleteI dunno... part of the appeal is that it's a My Little Pony world that's not super-duper saccharine and shallow.
ReplyDelete@Puzzle Plate pictures
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... MAYBE humanized, but nothing else, really.
ReplyDeleteCats.
ReplyDeleteAny other answer would be wrong. D:
Actually, the more I think about it, the more i realize that I would only watch if if they were Humans or Ponies, or /various assortments of anthropomorphic animals/ (but that is a stretch). I honestly can't see it working with... most bipedal things.
ReplyDeleteMost definitely NOT if they were like the post image...
ReplyDelete@NinesTempest That's a good point. Some aspects of the show rely somewhat on the fact that these characters are, in fact, ponies. More specifically, Earth/Pegasus/Unicorn ponies. I'm not sure how the show would translate to a different species.
ReplyDeleteIn the end I don't know for sure, but I'd definitely give it a try at least.
>24 comments in 4 minutes
ReplyDelete>Expect a shitstorm
>Remember anon is off
I'm starting to like this, a lot.
eh, it would not have nearly the same appeal.
ReplyDeletepart of the reason why so many guys have attracted to ponies is because its just so different and honestly the opposite of what males are supposed to enjoy. ponies just seems like the perfect combination of girly cuteness that proves a show's true colors and helps bring out the fact that the show is truly great in its writing and art style.
also another point is that for some bronies, my little pony allows guys to enjoy something that is infact directly girly. Too often are we constrained to robots and ninjas (i have no problem with robots an ninjas btw) and it's almost refreshing to watch a show that seems to directly catered towards the opposite sex for a change.
also ponies just seem like the more awesome choice of character. humanized fim would be....meh....
@Emma
ReplyDeleteSorry, but you are not.
Anyway, I don't know if I would watch it. If it was about another land-based mammal, probably.
Still, DAT PIC.
cats or monkeys or al pacas maybe
ReplyDeleteI would totally watch it if they were sharks.
ReplyDeleteSPIDERSES!
ReplyDeletemy little puppies
ReplyDeleteDoes nopony else recall "My Little Molas"? If just the species was changed, I'm sure it wouldn't really matter what was picked- although it would help if it was some kind of mammal, preferably a land-dwelling one. My little capybaras?
ReplyDeleteid watch it for sure but they would have to keep the charm and everything that mlp has now the same
ReplyDeleteThat picture is awesome! As for the question, probably not but it really depends on what else they would be. Maybe foxes or otters? But not really.
ReplyDeleteProbably but I feel the show would be much different without them being ponies. Not necessarily worse but it would create different feelings if we were watching something like "My little bear cub." or "my little pupa" or "my little juvenile delinquent." they could all potentially be good but would be all different shows with different moods and styles.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd care about the show if they were humans. Plus, wouldn't that kill the whole unicorn/Pegasus thing?
ReplyDeleteInb4 My Little Narwhal.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI would watch "My Little Mammal"
ReplyDeletebut any other type is out the window.
PONY!
Nope
ReplyDeleteI think I'd watch it, as long as the characters weren't something too bizarre, like those cephalopods...But even then I might give it a chance, lol
ReplyDeleteI'd certainly watch it if the characters were human, provided the character designs looked good, and the show had the same great team making it (of course, the show's premise probably would've needed a fair bit of modification for it to work)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI imagine "watching it for the irony" would be a less frequently used reason to defend the show, but otherwise I don't think it would make that much of a difference. I mean, I loves me some adorable marshmallow ponies, but I still always liked the writing more than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI think the more interesting question is "Would you watch FiM if it wasn't MLP," because even today that seems to be the biggest sticking point between people who like it and don't like it.
Dogs.. Cats..
ReplyDeleteWould not be the same.
@Desert Rose
ReplyDeleteI agree. That would make it more bigger and eight.
Well see... Actually it would depend what the creature was...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to say Probably!! :)
Do horses count?
ReplyDeleteHELL YES CEPHALOPODS
ReplyDeleteNo, the horse puns wouldn't make sense if they weren't horses. I mean, come on, duh.
ReplyDeleteWell i think it would still be good so to speak, but it wouldn't have the charm that FiM has right now. Ponies for the win though!
ReplyDeleteIt'd have to depend on the creatures.
ReplyDeleteBut it'd also probably be easier to convert people, without the "stigma" of "My Little Ponies" attached to the show.
I probably would, as long as the cuteness was preserved. Most aquatic creatures are out the window, some can still be cute, but mammals are easier to adore. I find it difficult to imagine them as anything other than ponies though.
ReplyDeleteCats. They win.
ReplyDeleteI would watch something crazy like roaches or rats or something, but probably not humans.
ReplyDeleteMy little Penguins? Perhaps. But I love it the most this way.
ReplyDeleteNope. Need ponies or it doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but only if it was something either really awesome, like wolves or bears, or something equally cute, like kittens or rodents (What? I like rats!) Or, of course, as humans, but only with the whole "humanisation" theme to the characters.
ReplyDeleteAnything but humans. Because then it would be creepy as hell.
ReplyDeleteDogs or cats would be boring, but at least not horrible.
If it was a show about dragons and gryphons, I probably would not have a life anymore. Please, please, someone make this!
This is interesting. Though, I honestly probably would not watch the show if it were another animal than ponies. The show is perfect as is.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Cephalopod would work for me.
ReplyDeleteSo would My Little Fungus.
And I think My Little Postman would be an interesting concept. Instead of Unicorns and Pegasi we can have Couriers and Air-Mail Pilots.
Shit yeah... how different would it REALLY be? Is anyone prejudice against character as such if they are NOT equestrian?
ReplyDeleteI'd probably still watch it. I hardly ever remember liking horses before I started watching, exept for Epona from loz.
ReplyDeletePenguins...perhaps?
ReplyDeleteI don't know.
I don't think I could watch it as anything other than ponies, for several reasons.
ReplyDelete1) A LOT of the humor comes off of horse/pony puns. All the city/village names, for one quick example, would be hard to find suitably funny replacements for if a different species was used.
2) A lot of the charm comes from the different kinds of ponies being used too. I can't think of any other species that has such solid mythological analogies to pegasi and unicorns that horses have.
2a) And the way that the world is built around the characters not having hands. Ixnay on the umanshay for me right there.
3) And I'll admit it, I like horses. The shared history that mankind has with them, how much we depended on them for so much of our history to help us out with transportation and power... they deserve our respect and adoration. (Not that I'm saying MLP is the ideal way to show that for them, but I can't do better on my own, so, yeah.)
So, keep the ponies as ponies I say, and save the various other species as wonderful pieces of fan drawn whimsy such as that amazing piece that serves as the header for this post.
Absolutely, as long as it was something reasonable, i.e. not cephalopods. Well, unless it was anthromorphic cephalopods like the Snorks or something... anyway, point is, I have no particular affection for ponies, I never had, and frankly I've always hated every previous generation of MLP for being nauseating girly gas. It's not ponies that makes FiM sparkle.
ReplyDeleteAnd I still think they look more like cats than ponies, anyway.
If the designs remained good, why not? I couldn't say for certain what the next best animal would be, but that's likely because I have the pattern artistic skills of a particularly unoriginal tree.
ReplyDeleteProbably would be best keeping them quadrupedal, though.
probably not, the absurdity of watching MLP is what got me to watch FiM.
ReplyDeleteDinosaurs.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I don't think it would have the same childish, optimistic, tolerating and loving feel if it wasn't something "cute". Plus the unicorn/pegasus/earth pony thing works well for giving the cast different aspirations and personalities.
If it was trees, that'd be funny. We'd get to see Rainbow Ash, Walnut Sparkle, Teakie Pie, Cedarshy, Mahogany, and Maplejack.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, if they didn't cause eye rape then sure.
ReplyDeletePointless question IMO.
ReplyDeleteWe love ponies. Why bother with questions "what if"?
Worshiping ponies is mad enough :P
Hmmmmmmm I would watch it if they were cute.
ReplyDeleteBut have them as Dragons would be awsome!
>My little Cthulhu: Friendship is doom
ReplyDeleteALL
OF
MY
MONEY.jpg
If it was still cute and funny, yeah, I'd probably watch. But I don't think it'd be as good.
ReplyDeleteEh probably, it being ponies was what put me off for so long.
ReplyDelete@Laurence Brown
ReplyDeleteThe show generally doesn't bother sticking to the "doesn't have hands" bit when it doesn't need to, though.
By looking at the picture it would be "My little Sponge Bob: Friendship is awkward" ...
ReplyDeleteBut as a replacement for ponies... hmm ... i relly cannot think of anything that could fit their cuteness and all ... mabye something like power puff girls but even that couldn't fill some gaps.
i'll stick to the ponies...
Besides if we are clled bronies imagine what we would be named if the mane cast would be squids .. *shudder* ... i don't even like think about it ;)
I'd watch it no matter what the species was. The fact that they are multicoloured ponies is the only negative thing about the show for me (or at least, it used to be, I got over it), so it doesn't really matter.
ReplyDeletedepends......do humans count as a creature?
ReplyDeleteCan I just say, that is quite a lot of comments.
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know, I guess it depends on what they was instead and on how well the humor was translated/replaced where it no longer fits.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this before and . . . I really think they have to be ponies. Humans? No, that doesn't work. I can't explain why, but it just doesn't. Anyway, there are a million shows about humans. Part of MLP's appeal is the way their society, while similar to human society, is also somewhat alien.
ReplyDeleteDogs? Cats? Elephants? Koalas? Bears? All cute animals, but . . . again, I can't explain why, but . . . they just don't WORK.
It's ponies or nothin'.
Hmm, if FiM weren't ponies, I may still watch it. If it still retained the artstyle and writing and all that good stuff. Though since I grew up watching MLP, I'm sure some of the reason I like FiM is because it's part of the MLP franchise.
ReplyDeleteAs for what animal I'd choose if it were something else. I'm really unsure on what I'd pick. Or if they'd even be the same creatures as eachother. Might choose a mix of different animals to make up the main cast. Though it is a bonus to me if they are cute. Since I have a fondness for cute. Hard to make anything not at least somewhat cute though in the current artstyle. :P
Yes, as long as they somehow found a way to translate all that pony specific stuff to a just as good equivalent for whatever new species is used. Oh and retaining a cutesy interpretation of the new species would be required too. If I had to choose a new species, I'd probably throw my vote in with the cat suggestion (probably because I'm biased towards them, but eh :P).
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I think the page image is actually still pretty cute.
Ya, I'm not a fan of horses (except for the Iron Horse XD), but I don't think I would have watched it if it weren't ponies, simply because I wouldn't have shown it to my little sister when I discovered it on youtube.
ReplyDeletePoint being, I'm not sure it would even work without being MLP, it would just be another show.
I don't think so
ReplyDeleteThe traits of a mythological species like pegasus and unicorn add a lot to their characters, and it also contributes heavily to the triple balance dynamic the show has going on. I don't know if there's anything that could replace them with and have the show feel the same.
@Sethisto
ReplyDeleteHa!
Like if they were never ponies to begin with? And the entire franchise was about cute little something-elses? probably still like it
To be honest, I started watching it because I love dragons and I saw it had a cute little dragon in it. So I would have probably ended up watching it anyway if the mane cast was something different.
ReplyDeleteI know that if they were humans, dogs, cats or whatever aquatic creature such as those in the picture I would not be as interested as I am now. There is something charming, fresh and "fitting" with the show using ponies. I also think the animation style helps a lot, I love it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think so. Part of the show's appeal is its unique, charming and adorable artstyle. Take that away, and you take away the soul of the show. The writing, music, and voice acting is still there, but it wouldn't be as great without the adorable ponies in it.
ReplyDelete...Although, I have to agree, that some of the humanized ponies are done real well, and some stuff are just plain adorable (like the snarkies).
@The Cyan Flash
ReplyDeleteThey did, it was called The Land Before Time. XD
At least, the sequels to the original were sickeningly sweet.
Honestly? After thinking about it for a bit, I've come to the conclusion that so long as the subject matter is a cartoon adaptation of any random little girls thing, we would've watched it. It just so happens that this time around, it was ponies.
ReplyDeleteI'm willing to bet that if it was Littlest Pet Shop, Fur Real Friends or even something like Barbie, we woulda watched it because IMO half of the reason the fanbase started up at all was due to the shock factor of a believed commercial actually being a good show.
I think dragons could actually work.
ReplyDeleteImagine if spike was a pony instead of dragon and the mane six were different types of dragons.
It wouldn't work...
ReplyDeleteI don't really have much to add to that. I might watch it though, seeing as I'm an animator.
Well, they'd have to still be cute. And you'd need something similar to the various worldbuilding weirdnesses (lack of hands, uni/pega/earth, etc.) or you lose that aspect which is a big part of the interest I think.
ReplyDeleteWell written but ugly animation isn't nearly as appealing.
I love cephalopods!
ReplyDeleteThough...
If it was about dolphins, I'd love it twice as much. (Dolphins, they're kinda my thing.)
Heck, i don't care about the species (humans, bunnies, cats, lions, dogs, bears...), i'd still watch it.
ReplyDeletehow about some deer they're pretty close to horses and they are pretty cute
ReplyDeleteehh...can't say I would.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Emu
ReplyDeleteany cute animal that is capable of showing any emotion would probably do.
ReplyDeleteNot sure, the series got attention because MLP had a reputation of being girl exclusive in the past, and that influenced the unexpected awesomeness. Maybe if it was another girly animal brand revival? (don't know many myself)
ReplyDeleteI dunno, I kind of like the fact they're horses. Makes things a little more interesting. Most humanizations kind of bore me. Like, painfully bore me. Like, they leave a bad taste in my mouth.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Cthulu: Friendship is Cursed?
ReplyDeleteNah, I think the closest animal that I'd still watch the show with would be Cows. Maybe Horses.
OR...
Penguins.
The thing is, the original purpose of the show was to market My Little Pony, and if it were about some other animal, "The End of the Creator-Driven Era in TV Animation" would have never mentioned the show, and bronies wouldn't be spreading friendship.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Kitty.
ReplyDelete'Nuff said.
At first I wasn't sure, but really it could work out very well with other (land) animals of various species.
ReplyDeleteKinda like Redwall
No, cause I love them as ponies :)
ReplyDelete@mrjoshmacintosh And then Cedarshy would want to be a pony, of course.
ReplyDeleteThe problem:
ReplyDelete"My Little Pony" turned off everyone who could have probably had an interest in the show.
When you convince them to watch ep1-3, however, they forget that the characters are ponies and are stuck with the thought that they are watching an awesome show.
Then after they finish the season they realize that they ARE watching a show about ponies, and they like it even more.
Basically, if they weren't ponies, more people would watch it, but it would be such a bland show.
No idea, but I would watch it anyway just for the lolz.
ReplyDeleteWell, because the show was was tailor made with ponies in mind, I think changing the species would inadvertently make the show less successful. And besides, without ponies, this series wouldn't exist. The idea behind this show came from Lauren Faust's idea of what My Little Pony should be. If you change the species, it wouldn't be My Little Pony anymore, any way you look at it.
ReplyDeleteIt would be too hard imagining Fluttershy as ANYTHING else...
ReplyDeleteHell no, Just ponies, FOREVER !
ReplyDeleteSince i hated griffons and Dogs (< i mean i can't see them as other animals than ponies)
nope. Has to be ponies. That is what attracts me in the first place. But then, I've been a fan since G1.
ReplyDeleteAnything but humans.
ReplyDeleteDragons.
ReplyDeleteEveryone as dragons.
What about My Little Dragons? Spike could be a pony or something.
ReplyDeleteCthulhu approves of this discussion among you petty humans whose sanity he shall destroy
ReplyDeletePh'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn
Ponies or humans. Maybe dragons. That's about it.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Dragons. I'm liking this idea.
ReplyDeleteMy Little Tapeworms. Friendship is Parasitic.
Something like ostriches or road-runners or something with that body-shape.
ReplyDelete@Cody
ReplyDeleteI'm throwing all of my money at my screen but nothing is happening.
Nope!
ReplyDeleteWell, let me qualify that. Yes, I still think it would be a great show if it were My Little Llamas; Friendship is Magic. However, I *only* started watching because I couldn't believe "My Little Pony" and "quality cartoon" could coexist as concepts. Once I discovered it was true, I was hooked.
If it *hadn't* been for the, shall we say, stigma of the MLP brand, I'd not have taken note of the reviews. It would have fallen in with all of the other apparently 'great' television programming that I've never bothered to actually watch.
So, while I'm sure I'd still enjoy a non-pony FiM, I would never have started watching in the first place!
Sidenote:
ReplyDeleteThere were several MLP-based toylines with other animals, and none of them really took off.
Little Pretties from Mattel--MLP-ish cats and dogs. It staggered sadly along while MLP made BANK for Hasbro.
Fairy Tail Birds from Hasbro--Anthromorphic birds with symbols on their chests. Never achieved MLPs popularity. One of those toys where you go, "oh yeah, I saw ads for that; never had one, though."
My Pretty Mermaids from Hasbro--Mermaids with colorful hair/fins and symbols on their fins. Also Hasbro reused the MLP theme song for their commercials and reused MLP names for them. Even less popular than Fairy Tail Birds.
Granted, toylines aren't the same as cartoons, but to me this confirms that there's something about the combo of horses + rainbow colors + mystical symbol + fantasy world that creates a unique spark.
@nemryn
ReplyDeleteNaturally lol
I honestly can't say whether I'd watch them or not.
ReplyDeleteThe other big deal is that due to it's all ready set infamy as "My Little Pony" and being that really girly toy with colored ponies made part of the appeal that a lot of the fans came to this show for.
Instead of thinking, "Woah! This franchise went from completely bad to a really good show all of a sudden. Now no one must know my secret!" people will now just see it as some other cartoon that didn't really have anything to do with the franchise.
As much as the show is popular due to it's good writing, design, animation, voice acting, etc. I'd say a lot of people still were attracted to this because of the simple guilty pleasure of watching this show supposedly targeted at young girls that they only saw as "girly" and actually wound up enjoying it.
If I were to change them to something, I'd just want to keep ponies because that just works and it's hard for me to see them any other way unless illustrated. Although I can see them being dogs. Everytime they sit and stuff that's what they remind me of. Also that time when Fluttershy scratched behind her ear on the runway.
@Drazla
ReplyDeleteI agree, it would be too close to "SECRET BUTT FUN!!" for comfort...
yay for anon being off :D
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't have watched it if they were humans, but if they were any other animal then I'm not sure about what would have happened.
ReplyDeleteMost likely not. If they ended up making it with humans and drew them with an interesting visual style like some of the good humanized artworks that have been made, and did the stories and plot something like Azumanga Daio or K-On but within the same sort of fantasy setting they have now... Then I might occasionally watch it as it could still be entertaining I guess.
ReplyDeleteBut really, a lot of the appeal of the show is very dependent on them being ponies and changing the species would require changing a lot of other elements that would significantly degrade its appeal. There would certainly not be nearly as big or vibrant and active a fanbase around it.
I find it hard to see it any different. I mean, it might work with a different species, but, the charm about it is the fact that it is My Little Pony. The characters personalities work so well because they are Ponies. I know anyone can be as stubborn as Applejack or a book worm like Twilight, but it’s because they are ponies (and the different kinds of ponies for that matter) that makes it so much more interesting to watch, then, say, some kind of slice-of-life drama on TV. It really sets itself apart because of the franchise it is built around.
ReplyDeleteI’m not a horse person, but I love these ponies. I love cats, but, I cannot see “My Little Kitten”, nor can I see “My Little Dragon” or any other “My Little x”. It’s the fact that it is ponies that gives the show what it needs to be appealing and likable to me.
In some way, shape, or form it probably is possible, but, I cannot imagine it another way (especially not with sea life xD Leave that for the talking yellow sponge).
Plus, I am a sucker for cute stuff. xD
honnestly... I couldn't imagine us being called broctopies so I would have to stick with ponies, or atleast the humanised versions of the characters... so yeah... I'm happy being a brony
ReplyDelete@Sethisto
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear it, Seth. Hope you'll keep it this way.
probably not. no other kind of animal could take the place of the ponies
ReplyDelete...probably...
ReplyDeleteno ponies are the world now...nuff said
ReplyDelete@Rekiara
ReplyDeleteIt's been commented on so I'm mostly seconding this thought, but it was the surprising popularity of the historically hated My Little Pony, perhaps the stereotypically girliest of girly things, that drew my interest. If it was not under the MLP flag, I probably wouldn't have been confused enough to try to figure it out.
As for an alternate animal:
Three. Toed. Tree. Sloths.
SOMEONE MAKE IT SO.
I'm not sure I would watch it if it wasn't ponies. For myself, and probably a lot of people, I only got into the show because people were surprised that My Little Pony could be made into a good show. Without that, It kind of seems like a regular show. Its still great and I would probably end up watching a few episodes if I was home during the day, But I know I wouldn't be into it as I am now. I really wish that didn't sound that shallow but I think that how it goes.
ReplyDelete@Sephirot277
ReplyDeleteIt's still the same species, so no, I don't think horses count.
Nope.
ReplyDelete@Vsin
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I would have drawn the line at Barbie.
@Laurence Brown
ReplyDeleteYour post is basically a more eloquent version of the one I was going to write. Brohoof.
I know I wouldn't watch My Little Cephalopod, but I'm not sure about anything else. No dogs, no cats, no birds.
ReplyDeleteNah, ponies are the way to go.
I think it depends.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...that's a good one. Few points in mind
1)The mane element of ponies is being ridiculously cute. So, let's say, same show with slime-creatures or spiders wouldn't have the effect it does with ponies.
2) It's not really worded but I think the whole thing of seeing totally non-humaoid, 4 legged creatures doing the same things as we do is also really charming.
3)Dogs/cats are damn overused we need something else. I also think that unintentionally and unconsciously brings up the whole dog/cat person thing.
4) Might be a personal thing but I'm not fond of sea creatures or sealife as a whole, so I would stick to something that lives on the ground. Or the sky.
Keeping these in mind, I think I could get along with something else.
Such as....hmm....bir...no...ha...nonono....how about...nah...
Oh who am I kidding nothing can replace these marshmallow equines !!! Ponies rule them all !!!
Most definitely, even if it were about dogs.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it's 2D animation with good writing, I couldn't give a DAMN what the show was about, I would watch it!
my little pandas, with wings 'n horns.
ReplyDeleteHow about My Little Mobian? (look up Sonic the Hedgehog if you don't get the idea)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on the times where cartoon could be made of anything from cats,llamas,and monkeys!
ReplyDeleteI believe I would still watch the show even if it wasn't ponies. But the name of the show would have to change; even if everything was the same except for the character species, because honestly "My Little Porcupine" would sound way too much like "My Little Pony"(and I mean like the originals which were actually meant for little girls, not our awesome made for everypony version). But I also believe this show would not have been as much of a hit without our awesome little mares. By being tagged as My Little Pony people who were fans of the originals came back and introduced the rest of us to it. So without these little ponies our fan base would never be this big.
ReplyDeleteI don't even care if it's FiM. Any Lauren Faust's endeavour is worth paying close attention, anything created by Rogers, Renzetti and the whole illustious team she assembled is virtually incapable of falling short of greatness.
ReplyDeleteMy answer before I thought much about it a would have been yes. Though after further reflection, I believe nothing but ponies would have worked out as well. A dog bucking apples seems wrong, and flying cats are always a bad idea.
ReplyDeleteI probably never would have heard about it if it wasn't ponies... I was a fan of G1, and that's pretty much the only reason I found them. But, if they were kitties, that might also be acceptable.
ReplyDeleteprobably. aquatic creatures would remind me too much of the Snorks though...
ReplyDeleteif not ponies, humans would be my second choice
Fluttersquid is mai waifu
ReplyDeleteLike others have said, I'm not sure how well the unicorn/pegasus deal would work with other animals. Humans could maybe work in a light/modern fantasy kind of setting. In any case, I'd still have given it a shot, though.
ReplyDeleteAs long as it wasn't cephalopods. They are baleful creatures characterized by HUGE EYES, BEAKS, INTELLIGENCE, and AMBITION.
They're jet-powered, did you know that? They're jet-powered animals and their heads are covered in PREHENSILE TENTACLES. They're carnivorous and most are cannibals.
Dragons. I mean, dragongirls rampaging and doing one hell of a mess everywhere they go?
ReplyDeleteWHO SHALL I STUFF WITH MONEY?
I'd watch it because I now know the quality of the show, but I wouldn't have started watching it. Unless it was something outrageous like My Little Cephalopod.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that it's ponies is what got me to watch it in the first place.
ReplyDelete@Gamerlord
ReplyDeleteFRICKING THIS
If they could cutify it and make the character design convincing enough, I think I'd be able to watch it.
ReplyDeleteCharacter appeal and good design are very important elements of animation that really make your show stand out more. If the production crew (all of them) could have found a way to transfer those ideas to other creatures then sure, it could have worked as well.
Squid City: Friendship is Ballin' (starring James Woods)
ReplyDeleteMake it happen, Hasbro.
Ponies are just the perfect creatures for a cartoon. Cute, easy to draw, with plenty of horse puns available.
ReplyDeletePonies, please.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I'd like to see a "My Little Doe", deer-based FiM.
Cats, dogs, dragons, cows, or rodents (cute rodents, mind you) would do, as well.
Probably not. The fact that it was a reboot to the MLP series is what gave it its initial popularity on the internet.
ReplyDeleteIt was that popularity that convinced me to attempt to watch it. It was also my questioning of how a MLP series could be so popular that got me to watch it too.
@LightEffexor
ReplyDeleteActually, if it was just a Magical Girl cartoon, I'd probably watch it anyway. Doesn't have to be squids (though I wouldn't mind James Woods).
My little metroid, Celestia could totaly be mother brain.
ReplyDeleteI'd still watch if it was dragons. Like, ALL dragons. <3
ReplyDeleteNope ponies are way more awesome I mean there 3 types of cute ponies who don't like that expect trolls
ReplyDeleteI don't think I would. Part of what led me here was that I heard people ware taking My Little Pony seriously and was curious. For some reason I don't think a completely new name could spark this kind of community, for better or worse (G3.5), almost everypony knew at least the name "My Little Pony" before seeing the show, while any other show would have to build a reputation from scratch. As more personal speculation, I think that if it weren't so far from this "normal" I keep hearing about (sounds boring), people would just watch it and go on to the next show rather than seeking out sites and forums and creating content in the way they do.
ReplyDeleteAlso, part of the fun comes from all the pony puns (maybe I've been around here too long, but equines seem to lend themselves better to puns than other animals) and the way that they both act like ponies (Saddles and saddlebags, rearing up in excitement) and completely forget it at times ("Pinkie, we're ponies. We all eat hay!"). I guess you could have that with other animals as well, but the layer of fantasy with unicorns and pegasi wouldn't be there, and for someone with his head in the clouds as much as me, tossing out that fantasy element would... ruin the magic (/sunglasses).
While it could still be a good show with another small cute animal, it just wouldn't be the same without ponies. It seems to me that FiM was a perfect storm of style, characters, plot, cuteness, the way they set up the world, and a thousand other tiny things that no matter how hard you tried, couldn't all translate perfectly to another universe.
tl:dr Big wall of text much like the above comments; it wouldn't be the same if it weren't MLP. (But with more things that the author thought was funny in his low sleep state tucked in parentheses)
Think of all the other animal based shows and such. The Lion King, Jungle Book, Spyro the dragon etc.
ReplyDeleteThat said, you then wouldn't have the pegasus/unicorn variants, though with Spyro dragon's had different elements and such. Plus, in my opinion, FiM took a bad show and made it a hell of a lot better.
maybe cats, but im pretty sure it would only work with something mammalian.
ReplyDeleteSome of the appeal of FiM is the magic and fantasy setting. I'm not sure that would survive if the show was made with humans. Unicorn characters could become human wizards and witches, but what's the human equivalent of a pegasus?
ReplyDelete@DarkJester
ReplyDeleteYeah all dragons and an spike pony.
If you think about it many mythological creatures would fit.
Do you imagine a My Little Beholder? My Little Mind Flayer?
Now seriously I would like it with Lions, Tigers, Wolves or Fairies. But I hate cats.
It'd probably still be a fun cartoon, given the same animation talent and voice artists - and I watch plenty of fun cartoons. However, since I am personally a pony, it has extra meaningfulnessity in its current form.
ReplyDeletemaybe, that depends on the creatures, because even if the plot is awsome, i would have to see nice fitting character designs.
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud.....
ReplyDeletenot one FIRST
THANKS SETH FOR TURNING ANONS OFF :D
Maybe, but most probably not.
ReplyDeleteI think the ponies just add a very special flair, especially with Unicorns and Pegasi
ReplyDeleteI think I would. But it'd have to be Animals of some sort. The adorable slice of life is only adorable because It isn't humans doing it. It'd become a sitcom for little girls and just as soon as they realized that older males were watching it, Fanservice'd slip in by the truckload. and not the awesome Hey, this random pony is popular: Thus we'll make them canon! but: Hey, Boobs are popular! lets give them closeups on Boobs!
ReplyDeleteYes, if it was cute. They sort of look cat like anyway.
ReplyDeleteOne word:
ReplyDeleteMOLESTIATHULHU
Half Celestia. Half Cthulhu. Half Rape.
ALL in your orfices.
~Xuncu
I grew up reading Pogo and watching Warner Brothers cartoons, so I'm pretty comfortable with a certain range of lifeforms. I'm quite sure I would be happy with Beatrix Potter or Hundred Acre Wood take on MLP.
ReplyDeleteOcean critters? Not so sure. But I loved Finding Nemo, so maybe.
horses. :D
ReplyDeleteThey are PONIES. not horses.
(but..it would be dogs)
Squiddle-ee-dee
ReplyDeleteSquiddle-ee-dum
Everyone sing
A Squiddley song
Let's all be friends
And work as a team
Squiddles for you
Squiddles for me
lét͜ ̴s͏, ͞pe̕ ćom͜e ̛t́a̕n҉gl̡͝ebu͡d̀ ͜d,͏ ie̢s͏
I asked pretty much the same question on Ponychan a few months ago.
ReplyDeleteIf the characters WEREN'T ponies would you still like it as much? For instance, what if it were Lauren Faust's "Strawberry Shortcake: Friendship is Magic"?
This invoked the specter of furry fandom's origins - a grown-up preference for stories with animal protagonists - and predictably, several MLP fans backpedaled like crazy away from any notion of sharing common interests with the furry fans.
Bottom line: If you're going to be mature fans of MY Little Pony, you should act maturely about it. Especially when harmless mentions of the Brony phenomenon pop up in the media are perceived as "negative".
Any canine, maybe foxes or perhaps dogs.
ReplyDeleteNothing can replace ponies though...
I highly doubt it - I mean Lauren never did a Pound Puppies, but I never caught on to that one...and cats are too overdone on the interwebs already. I can't see anything else being as cute as ponies.
ReplyDeleteI would watch it if they were humans.
ReplyDeleteI would go with either humans or wolves. I don't know why.
ReplyDeleteThat is an interesting question.
ReplyDeleteThere were two things I believe that originally attracted most of people to the show. The first was the idea that a My Little Pony cartoon was actually good. I was curious so I tuned in. I don't think that would change if the My Little Pony franchise was My Little Puppy, or something.
I could also look at the question as what if FiM was a completely original concept with no history behind it? Therefore the second thing that original got me into watching the show would come into play. That being it was created by Lauren Faust.
So what I'm saying is if the stars of FiM were not ponies I probably would still watch it. The title of MLP and the creator and executive producer credits of Lauren Faust (plus all the Internet buzz) were what got me to give the show a try, but the superb writing that takes the audience and the subject matter seriously, the interesting characters with depth and faults, and the excellent animation (the best of it's kind I have ever scene) were what got me to stay. But without the MLP title I am not sure if this amazing community would have been built.
As to the second question, "if not ponies then what?" From a toy marketing stand point, puppies or fairies would be the next logical choices (little girls like puppies and fairies right?). I personally would choose fairies or human girls with magical powers living in a medieval fantasy world.
I think I would c: But it'd have to be in a world where MLP never existed. (Otherwise it'd seem like a bootleg version of the franchise)
ReplyDeleteI'd still watch if the animals were like...
Deer
Cats
Bunnies
Alpacas
and even un-traditionally cute critters like Alligators & Lizards, though I guess it's hard for people to relate to Alligators if they all live in the wetlands...
Humans work too, but I'd probably be disgusted by the MOE MOE UGUU-ness and lack of body-type variations, so it'd be rather difficult to "get into it" at first, if at all =\
I wouldn't have watched it if they weren't ponies. I mean, who doesn't like horses?... Many people but that's not the point.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is that ponies as gifts for kids has a long story and that's why it is the more interesting watching this.
Resuming:
Ponies are awesome
Human actresses could work, think Hannah Montana but much better-done.
ReplyDeleteI think FIM might also work with "Zoo Animal" type characters, in a zoo setting. Of course, there'd be the carnivorous VS herbivorous problem.
ReplyDeleteTwilight = Giraffe or Zebra
Rarity = Gazelle or Peacock
Pinkie = Monkey, Kangaroo or Seal
Applejack = Buffalo or Deer
Fluttershy = A "cowardly lioness"; the lion who won't eat the other animals.
Dash = Cheetah (Obvious)
Nope.avi
ReplyDelete