Clattertron

[dc]T[/dc]he headline does not lie (at least not today). Yes, since I deemed it pop-culturally significant, I decided to watch the first episode of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Being on Netflix Watch Instant helped too.

Image © Hasbro, via Wikipedia.

I have seen evidence of the show’s popularity online and in person (incarnate actually, as Bronies wandered around Shuto Con). I read up on the show and its appeal some time ago, and decided I should give it a viewing when I had a chance (if only so I could make better jokes, “Information is ammunition” as they say).

A preamble: I am a big fan of animation, even kid shows, and I studied animation in college (although my drawing abilities would suggest otherwise). I am willing to give any kind of cartoon a chance.

So, it probably comes as no surprise that I rather enjoyed the show.

Looking at the show in a vacuum, taking it for what it is—a kid show—I thought it was well made and well written. It had some very impressive world building in the first episode, with a fun creation myth (I have played with sun and moon myths myself). Sure, some of it was too cutesy for me, but I know I am not the target audience, but the rest of the show kept me interested.

Poor Twilight Sparkle. No one cares about her Cassandra-like warnings, as Nightmare Moon is set to return after 1,000 years in her lunar prison. The message here is, clearly, pay attention to scholars! Respect their thirst for forbidden knowledge! The other ponies are not concerned with studying and reading, and don’t heed Twilight Sparkle’s warnings. For shame, Ponyville! Now, suffer for your hubris, as Nightmare Moon plunges Equestria into endless night.

Or the message is to go outside and make friends, because it makes you a better person and you help each other grow. Either or, I guess.

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This post originally appeared on Ginger and the Geek (Daniel was The Geek)

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Daniel J. Hogan will pretty much any cartoon. Even Rocket Robin Hood. Follow him on Twitter, @danieljhogan. Follow Clattertron on Facebook too.