My Little Pony has always been about the toys, first and foremost. Which is why Hasbro is really shooting themselves in the foot. Well, the other foot. I can't help but feeling that I've already been through this.
I would like either a NMM or a Twilicorn that looks nice. But NMM is exclusive to some store and Twilight Alicorn with Spike is exclusive to another. Hello Hasbro, did you forget about your international fans? We grew up with ponies, too? If you want to make a profit, how does it make sense to try and sell overpriced collectibles to bronies while keeping us who are in it for the toys from buying them?! There is no Target, Costco, or Walmart in Sweden and I'm not going to go through the trouble of getting them shipped here by other collectors. I want to be able to go to the toy store and by my favourite ponies as well as new ones, and I'm sure these ponies are not going to be on the children's wish lists if they don't know of their existence.
So, if any Hasbro worker should read this, shame on you. Shame on letting Chinese children put together your toys, shame on your quality control, and shame for your ignorance towards your most stable and long-time fanbase: the girls that grew up with My Little Pony, of which many now have children on your own. Your reliance on the fickle brony fanbase will be the death of G4. There is only so many figures of Fluttershy that any of these people would like to buy. I got mine back when the line started.
Oh...what was the 2006 BotCon fiasco, BtW?
And frankly the target audience for the brushables (little girls) aren't going to care if the pony is on TV or not.I don't think this is totally true. When I see little kids choosing which ponies to buy, they do tend to talk about their roles in the show, like avoiding Sunset Shimmer because she's evil.
It's great that people are finding interest in the other lines for G4 (Blind bags, EQG, Funko) but sadly for those of us who have no interest in those lines... leaves us begging for something new in singles. I think I now actually have 3 to 4 Celestias because of sets.. which is minute to some of the others.
I am getting a little bored of Hasbro re-releasing the Mane 6 with one little difference so I need it, but I have found a trick to finding the older brushable singles from the wedding line and such. They always pop up for me at places you wouldn't expect to find ponies. A few weeks ago, I was at CVS (a drugstore in the USA) and I saw they had some toys. Just because I have a habit of checking everywhere I go for ponies, I looked and they had Sunny Rays all by herself on the shelf. I almost bought her, but she was $9, which was a couple more than what I was willing to pay. These non-pony section stores usually have the ponies for more than toy stores (6-9 dollars), but you may come across something cool.
-RarityDash
I have seen some of the first wave ponies like Snowcatcher and Dewdrop Dazzle at Family Dollar, but this was earlier in the year.I am getting a little bored of Hasbro re-releasing the Mane 6 with one little difference so I need it, but I have found a trick to finding the older brushable singles from the wedding line and such. They always pop up for me at places you wouldn't expect to find ponies. A few weeks ago, I was at CVS (a drugstore in the USA) and I saw they had some toys. Just because I have a habit of checking everywhere I go for ponies, I looked and they had Sunny Rays all by herself on the shelf. I almost bought her, but she was $9, which was a couple more than what I was willing to pay. These non-pony section stores usually have the ponies for more than toy stores (6-9 dollars), but you may come across something cool.Yep, I've found some very intriguing older releases in drug stores sometimes! They're definitely a good place to try if you're prepared to pay a little more than usual.
-RarityDash
I think I got sick of it when I went into walMart and was just staring at a whole shelf and 5 or 6 hangers FULL of Pinkies and noone else! Pinkie small, Pinkie lightup necklace, walking talking Pinkie, brushable Pinkie, FS Pinkie...The My Little Pony line is now called "My Little Pinkie Pie" :P :lol:
Oooh. Maybe I should check a Family Dollar anyway! I don't have those early G4 releases.It's definitely worth a shot! Hopefully you can find some!
Oooh. Maybe I should check a Family Dollar anyway! I don't have those early G4 releases.
I've been tired of G4 since G3.5!
I hold Monster High as a perfect example of successful rerelease strategy. They have their core characters who get completely different outfits, hairstyles, face paint, accessories etc, but they also release a few new characters in each line, like Gigi Grand and Twyla etc, to keep things fresh and interesting!
I've said it before and I'll say it again, and again, and again, but it seems that Hasbro never listens. Personally, I doubt they will listen until we get the message straight about just how bored we are with the lack of new ponies. So why not talk to them?
I mean, isn't it a strange coincidence that, after enough members (http://mlparena.com/index.php/topic,313904.0.html) directly or indirectly asked Hasbro for a G4 Minty (http://mlparena.com/index.php?topic=315114.0) they released a G4 Minty? Maybe if we ask them for more variety, they'll give us more variety. Or at least give us an answer as to why they're bombarding us with Plain 6 all the time.
Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware big H ignores us more often than not, but even if they don't listen we can't say we didn't warn them if the toy line ever comes crashing down from an overload of re-releases. If we don't try, we'll never know. Not to mention it only takes five minutes in the Hasbro complaint department. Or even less time than that to throw a banner in your sig or click 'like' on a facebook page.
So that's what I'm gonna do: voyage over to hasbro.com and give them some honest feedback. I'd encourage anyone else who wants more new characters to do the same.
Thinking of the media side, I'm a bit bored with how the show seems to live and die by jokes and pop culture references as of late.
Thinking of the media side, I'm a bit bored with how the show seems to live and die by jokes and pop culture references as of late.
Agreed. Too many repetitive themes too.
It's not a popular opinion but i think the show needs new characters. How many more episodes do we need about Fluttershy learning to "stop" being shy, Dash doing something sportsy, Pinkie being "lulz so random!1!", Rarity doing something fashion related, Applejack doing something family related and Twilight going "OMG BOOKS". Than again, i never considered any of the characters to really evolve or to be deep.
I did enjoy the "Power Ponies" though. Just because it was something different.
Hasbro, please stop putting your effort into coming up with bigger and noisier toys. MORE characters, please. And Dear Santa, can I please have a brushable Big Mac???
Also, I think the better question is: Is anyone NOT bored with the g4 brushable line (or lack thereof)???
I fear this will lead to another 'core 7' like the end of G3.You talk like this hasn't happened already.
Funko is the only thing keeping my G4 attention these days.Agreed <3
Funko is the only thing keeping my G4 attention these days.Agreed <3
(Meanwhile Hasbro is making a dozen new figures for Transformer fans based on random (also awesome) background IDW comic book characters)
/end-rant
:sad:
I feel like the toyline could also be improved if the merchandisers actually watched the FiM show. It's weird that they would put so much effort into fleshing out these unique characters and then when they make toys of them they all have this bland generic personality that is condensed into one sentence and their accessories are all fashion items (not referring to the hairbrushes, though a lot of brushable toys don't come with those now either!). Not that there's anything wrong with loving fashion but that's Rarity's thing and yet, oddly, she seems to get left out of it! This is worst with the talking toys (Pinkie Pie aside). It's like if all Woody toys said "LOOK AT MY HAT, AIN'T IT GREAT? I'M A COWBOY TEEHEE" instead of his lines from the film(s). It defeats the purpose of the toy if it doesn't even try to reflect the character it's portraying.
Don't get me started on the EqG dolls having this same-face uncanny valley thing going on and that they all have the same body shape, even Celestia! And what is with the QC lately? Did they fire their entire quality team or something? I've never seen a single EqG doll that hasn't had some glaring flaw in some way (usually covered in glue or missing a lot of paint, and a lot have scars all over their joints) and lately the majority of ponies on shelves have had major issues or are filthy even in the box. New toys shouldn't be dirty!
I don't care about show accuracy myself. The way people scream "this character wouldn't wear/do that thing, so that toy is stupid!" seems very limiting to me. In fact, i feel the show limits the toyline in general.Agreed :P
The reason we are stuck with about 6 characters is because those are the main characters. If the show helps to sell those well enough why would Hasbro bother making other characters?
I actually wish the toyline would move away from the show...
Have Hasbro create new characters and new designs that are not necessarily linked to it, just like back in 2010/2011. It's not like the show has been that marvelous when it comes to pony designs anyways. Simple /recycled cutie marks and a lack of multicolored manes and all that.(That's why i like the Equestria Girls line. It kinda does its own thing for now. Including crazy rainbow colored rock outfits!)
I don't care about show accuracy myself. The way people scream "this character wouldn't wear/do that thing, so that toy is stupid!" seems very limiting to me. In fact, i feel the show limits the toyline in general.
The reason we are stuck with about 6 characters is because those are the main characters. If the show helps to sell those well enough why would Hasbro bother making other characters?
I actually wish the toyline would move away from the show...
Have Hasbro create new characters and new designs that are not necessarily linked to it, just like back in 2010/2011. It's not like the show has been that marvelous when it comes to pony designs anyways. Simple /recycled cutie marks and a lack of multicolored manes and all that.(That's why i like the Equestria Girls line. It kinda does its own thing for now. Including crazy rainbow colored rock outfits!)
About those talking ponies...they don't seem to do well over here but i blame their high prices. I have to admit though, those Nightmare Moon phrases are too funny for me to get angry about it. Who doesn't want an evil moon pony that talks about her pretty barrettes?
I admit I didn't read the entire thread so forgive me if this was already mentioned. But what I never understand is that they bother to give the ponies distinctive hairstyles in the new cartoon, but not on the toys.I think MLPs are meant for creative play. And just giving them their standard hairstyles in the show is boring :s you can style the hair, that's why they have hair :P
It. It just sort of irks me. Laziness.
That's what I was thinking. The point was you could give your pony her (or his) own distinctive look based on your imagination and change it as you wish. How they look in the show is just one way their hair can be styled.I admit I didn't read the entire thread so forgive me if this was already mentioned. But what I never understand is that they bother to give the ponies distinctive hairstyles in the new cartoon, but not on the toys.I think MLPs are meant for creative play. And just giving them their standard hairstyles in the show is boring :s you can style the hair, that's why they have hair :P
It. It just sort of irks me. Laziness.
(Meanwhile Hasbro is making a dozen new figures for Transformer fans based on random (also awesome) background IDW comic book characters)
/end-rant
:sad:
The reason for this crap is that they think male fans buy more merchandise and figures than female fans and Transformers is still kinda male-dominated (even though there was an explosion of female fans during the last few years). They don't seem to acknowledge that female 'nerds' take collecting and fandom just as serious as male ones. Case in point: they started catering to Bronies even though Bronies only make up a part of all MLP fans. But Bronies to them are "adult male fans of MLP" and being male automatically catapults them into the "power buyer" category. What did the regular fans of MLP get before the Bronies? A SDCC exclusive and that was that.
And just to be perfectly clear, I'm not bashing Bronies and I don't intend to start a Brony discussion. I'm bashing Hasbro and their third party sellers for treating the other MLP fans as lesser consumers.
Does it count if I have been bored with G4 since they showed us the character design? :(Wouldn't that be more of a "I don't like it to begin with" mentality?
Agreed :PDoes it count if I have been bored with G4 since they showed us the character design? :(Wouldn't that be more of a "I don't like it to begin with" mentality?
Admittedly, I would like to see MLP to go back to looking more like ponies. I know it's not as conducive to the rubber hose physics and cartoon expressions of Friendship is Magic, but they're supposed to be ponies.
Actually, I wouldn't mind getting away from the over the top cartoon antics and expressions of Friendship is Magic. The novelty has worn off.Agreed :PDoes it count if I have been bored with G4 since they showed us the character design? :(Wouldn't that be more of a "I don't like it to begin with" mentality?
Admittedly, I would like to see MLP to go back to looking more like ponies. I know it's not as conducive to the rubber hose physics and cartoon expressions of Friendship is Magic, but they're supposed to be ponies.
Does it count if I have been bored with G4 since they showed us the character design? :(Wouldn't that be more of a "I don't like it to begin with" mentality?
Admittedly, I would like to see MLP to go back to looking more like ponies. I know it's not as conducive to the rubber hose physics and cartoon expressions of Friendship is Magic, but they're supposed to be ponies.
One of the main reasons why we keep seeing the same ponies is because they are the stars of the TV show. Although Hasbro has finally branched out and included some side characters (though most are not brushables), we aren't seeing enough newcomers on the show to warrant a full wave of different ponies. If they would just introduce more ponies like they did on the show in the 80s it would be great. New groups of pegs, unicorns, etc. coming to town... sigh.Actually I believe at some point someone mentioned Hasbro mostly releasing main 6 mostly for those who are just now becoming new customers, which while makes sense, without some new blood they are losing a larger buying base of existing customers.. I'm sure if they actually made a new wave with new characters those characters would probably fly off the shelves faster than boring 6
-Em
That's why it would make sense to release the Main 6 as a part of a larger wave. That way new fans can find the stars, but there would be other ponies for those who already have the Mane 6.One of the main reasons why we keep seeing the same ponies is because they are the stars of the TV show. Although Hasbro has finally branched out and included some side characters (though most are not brushables), we aren't seeing enough newcomers on the show to warrant a full wave of different ponies. If they would just introduce more ponies like they did on the show in the 80s it would be great. New groups of pegs, unicorns, etc. coming to town... sigh.Actually I believe at some point someone mentioned Hasbro mostly releasing main 6 mostly for those who are just now becoming new customers, which while makes sense, without some new blood they are losing a larger buying base of existing customers.. I'm sure if they actually made a new wave with new characters those characters would probably fly off the shelves faster than boring 6
-Em
Haha wow that's weird I was going to say brother from another mother in another post of yours! I seriously cannot wait any longer for new prototypes..... The darn minis slowed them down :(Funko is the only thing keeping my G4 attention these days.Agreed <3
Man after my own <3! haha, brother from another mother.
I'm contemplating writing a sincere email to Hasbro, but I can't get their email since Internet insists of sending me to their swedish site. I wanna hit where it hurts. :P Can someone help me out?
All of this crap about ponies that aren't in the show...who CARES if they're in the damned show!? There were way more G1 ponies than were ever in the movies or TV shows and that didn't harm their sales at all! They were able to use a lot of the same mods but with different accents, like the TE ponies, TAf ponies, posey pose etc. I'm so sick of everyone always saying they have to be oriented to the show! It stifles children's natural creativity, just like they don't make regular amorphous Leggos now: they're all Star Wars or battle ships or whatever. I made a battleship out of Leggo when i was a kid...hell ya it looked like crap and was all kinds of different colors, but the ponies had some wicked battles against the Transformers and GI Joe on it! All it is is sheer laziness on Hasbro's part for not being more creatively broad in their designs and moulds. There. I said it.Considering Equestria is supposedly a massive land with a population of millions, there should be no end to the possibilities for ponies. However, with the brony craze making third party merchandise and molded hair figures popular, Hasbro seems to not be concentrating on brushables as much. That seems stupid to me as it hurts the brand in the long term, but they don't seem to be thinking in the long term at the moment.
Sadly, our opinions generally don't matter, as adult collectors (bronies and non-bronies alike) aren't the target demographic.
Hasbro have made it quite clear they don't give a flying unicorn about fans or markets outside North America, sadly :cry:Which is ironic considering Europe is where G1 and G2 lasted the longest.
Hasbro have made it quite clear they don't give a flying unicorn about fans or markets outside North America, sadly :cry:Which is ironic considering Europe is where G1 and G2 lasted the longest.
Yeah, that's what I thought.
In the first year of FiM there were several Europe exclusive ponies and not just variants, exclusive characters. Even in Europe their prices skyrocketed!
Yeah, that's what I thought.
In the first year of FiM there were several Europe exclusive ponies and not just variants, exclusive characters. Even in Europe their prices skyrocketed!
I don't think a lot of Europe actually got them or got them widely, so that's why they're so expensive. At least US exclusives are fairly abundant so they re-sell for about retail if you don't buy them from scalpers. The UK never saw the Europe exclusives (I believe some showed up in a random store that gets leftover stock but I don't count that as a release) and my friends in Germany and the Netherlands were unable to find them in stores, either :huh: If you're gonna make something exclusive to a place, do it all together or not at all :cry: (I do reserve my right to be bitter about the mountain of exclusive characters NA has had whilst we've had nothing :lol: )
In the spa set, I can't believe how they missed the chance to make the spa sisters Aloe and Lotus :cry: the set is really cute, but what ge got instead?ANOTHER Pinkie Pie >_< and this one is giving a bath to Fluttershy that doesn't even have sence.
That set was almost like an entire year in shelves until it was at 70% they were sold.
Do you mean G3 collapsed in on itself because of the core characters? So a lot of collectors fell a little out of love with the line? Financially the line was reasonably consistent throughout all years so it came more to a natural end than a self destructive one.
I know some people say Hasbro went with the Core 7 and their current business model because it must be good business, but you have to remember this is the same company that thought killing off Optimus Prime was a good business move.
Hence why I call him Lazarus Prime. Animated killed him the pilot just to get the requisite Optimus Prime death scheme out of the way quickly.I know some people say Hasbro went with the Core 7 and their current business model because it must be good business, but you have to remember this is the same company that thought killing off Optimus Prime was a good business move.
Haha! XD
Well, at least they learned from that and now Optimus is the least changed character throughout the franchise, dies every time but always comes back to life in the end. Even when not voiced by Peter Cullen the character has to die at some point and you just know he'll come back Jesus style and have three or four updated modes with wings and you can buy them all.
Their fault turned out to be their most used plot device.
In the spa set, I can't believe how they missed the chance to make the spa sisters Aloe and Lotus :cry: the set is really cute, but what ge got instead?ANOTHER Pinkie Pie >_< and this one is giving a bath to Fluttershy that doesn't even have sence.
That set was almost like an entire year in shelves until it was at 70% they were sold.
That REALLY bothered me, too. How could they make a spa set and NOT include Aloe and Lotus Blossom? They've even got pink in their designs. What's the problem, Hasbro??
visitors can't see pics , please register or login
I haven't purchased a G4 toy in ages. I try to buy ones I don't have, but seriously, I love Rarity and Cadence but I can only have so many before I have to quit. If there was a big difference in each toy, like pose or some sort of gimmick, I would feel better about it, but as it stands, I just can't see shelling out $5+ for toys I already have. I want variety! Where is my Big Mac brushable?? :cry:
The show is becoming hit and miss for me as well. I really didn't care for season 3, and season 4 is average with a couple of episodes I really enjoyed and a couple of episodes I really don't like. I am gravitating towards the first two seasons, but more than ever I am going back to the G1 cartoons.
Bravo to you! I'm about ready to give up, and just stick to my G1 rereuns.. aaand I might give that filly funtasia show a try when it starts later this year
They're little flocked pony figurines :3Bravo to you! I'm about ready to give up, and just stick to my G1 rereuns.. aaand I might give that filly funtasia show a try when it starts later this year
What is this Filly Funtasia? I've not heard of it!
I watch the new episodes just to keep up with the series. However, I'm more ready to punch up one of the better G1 episodes and watch it than watch an episode of Friendship is Magic. The actual stories of G1 are more engrossing while Friendship is Magic has becoming more and more about the jokes which once you've seen them all makes watching the episode again less engaging.visitors can't see pics , please register or login
I haven't purchased a G4 toy in ages. I try to buy ones I don't have, but seriously, I love Rarity and Cadence but I can only have so many before I have to quit. If there was a big difference in each toy, like pose or some sort of gimmick, I would feel better about it, but as it stands, I just can't see shelling out $5+ for toys I already have. I want variety! Where is my Big Mac brushable?? :cry:
The show is becoming hit and miss for me as well. I really didn't care for season 3, and season 4 is average with a couple of episodes I really enjoyed and a couple of episodes I really don't like. I am gravitating towards the first two seasons, but more than ever I am going back to the G1 cartoons.
Bravo to you! I'm about ready to give up, and just stick to my G1 rereuns.. aaand I might give that filly funtasia show a try when it starts later this year
Do you mean G3 collapsed in on itself because of the core characters? So a lot of collectors fell a little out of love with the line? Financially the line was reasonably consistent throughout all years so it came more to a natural end than a self destructive one.
Out of curiosity, do you happen to know if the sales drop in the last year, especially when the G3,5 were introduced? And I mean only about the brushable ponies, not the Ponyville lines - I base it mostly on my own observation, but I assumed that with the Core 7 the sales did drop and the revamping of the characters was to also cut some costs - the same pony pose for the late G3's / early Core 7 ponies at least was that for me. Then the only Core-7 manufacturing and the new design seemed like bad idea financially - at least in my area those sets wouldn't sell well at all. The Ponyvilles were successful, but the brushables are still on sale in some places.
What I meant though is that lacking the diversity in the G3 ponies after introducing hundreds of great designs made collectors upset with Hasbro - and now after the great success of the show and a new wave of fans who give $$ to Hasbro, I'm afraid the same thing is happening. Sure, maybe making collectors frustrated doesn't seem like much. But there are also parents who I guess will doubt that buying a pony which looks almost the same as the one their daughter/son already have is justified, especially with how the economy is nowadays. Add the inflation and it will seem that the pony is a bit more expensive than the similar one they bought 3 years ago... And it's not really theoretical - this comes from a conversation I had with my cousin after my mom joked that he should buy more ponies for his daughter because she loves them. He stated that he maybe would buy a pony for her, if those had been different ponies, not the same looking ones she got from me as a gift. Even if he understands that 'this pony is only different because it has tinsel in the hair', his daughter asks 'is it her twin? why is the name on the box the same as the name of my pony?' - and he cannot justify buying a pony she already has in his eyes, when he can buy cheaper toys like fakies, which look a bit different.
The G1 lasted more than 10 years. I think the main reason it sort of died out is because most of its customer base just grew up. I personally got interested in other things after about 7 years of collecting, just as I was turning a teenager. Younger kids getting into toys had "new" toy lines to be interested in, not their older sister's hand-me-down ponies. Just a thought anyway.
They're little flocked pony figurines :3Bravo to you! I'm about ready to give up, and just stick to my G1 rereuns.. aaand I might give that filly funtasia show a try when it starts later this year
What is this Filly Funtasia? I've not heard of it!
It's Germany's equivalent to MLP :)
http://www.filly.com/
http://fillyfuntasia.com/
Also called Filly Princess :P
http://www.fillyprincess.com/us/download/
The thing is, you need to build brand loyalty. It's still possible to build lifers, but you need diversity to keep kids interested in the brand. If there are new ponies showing up periodically, kids will be interested long enough to develop a loyalty to the brand and become collectors because they aren't just going through the "horsy" phase but genuinely like My Little Pony.
From how you describe it seems like Hasbro's mindset is "the current environment means we can be cheap" instead of taking up the challenge of making today's children return customers and eventually fans.
Yes you need brand loyalty - especially if you are a new line. However when you are a leading and established brand - which everyone knows and a product which everyone buying a gift for a little girl is going to consider - loyalty factors a little lower on the marketing spectrum. Some brands are fortunate to move to a place which means they become synonymous with a product or with a concept, MLP is one of those brands. Ask average Joe on the street who makes a "pastel coloured toy pony". Most of them are going to answer "MLP" even though there are lots of toy companies who produce the same concept of item. Hasbro are fortunate to be in that position. When you have a brand that is so well known you focus on blanket awareness and dominance. You want every single person to know about MLP - it becomes about volume rather than repeat.The problem is what's driving MLP right now is that G1 and G3 lasted for a long time and kept the attention of their customers for a significant portion of their formative years and turned them into a fan of the brand even when they stopped spending money on ponies. Now they have little kids and are passing their interest in pony down to them.
Its not Hasbros fault [or anything other than a changing world] to blame. But kids will not be interested in a brand for as long as they were in the 80s and earlier. Things move too quickly. They dont expect that little 4 year old to want ponies in 2 years time, she may have moved on to something else. So while she moves on, they need to pick up that next little 4 year old and attract her attention. Hence the importance of repeat characters always being available. Unfortunately Hasbro are a commercial company - they dont want a challenge, they just want to make money.
I kind of doubt that My Little Pony will still be around in 20 years, or Hasbro, or even physical toys- everything is going electronic. And who knows, that might actually benefit My Little Pony and similar brands in the long run, as kids want to collect as many characters as possible for their video games (think Skylanders andPixarDisney Infinity.)
In any case, current market forces don't excuse the absolute laziness of the G4 toyline- tiny ponies, identical poses, paper accessories, awful QC, and expensive sets that force you to buy identical ponies just to get newer ones (okay, that last one isn't lazy so much as greedy, but they could have been less blatant about it.) The early non-Mane 6 ponies didn't even have their own box-art- just obvious recolors of the distinctive Mane 6. If not for the fact that it's backed up by a good show with a staff that actually puts effort in its work (even if it isn't everyone's cup of tea) the line would have probably just faded out on its own after a couple of years. As it is, the pony sections in the stores near me are shrinking- it's like there isn't even enough truly "new" product to keep the short attention spans of contemporary kids whose parents might only be able to afford the basic brushable line, not all the gimmicks and overpriced sets. There's a difference between a need to turn a good profit and just not putting any effort into something, relying on brand name and an outside creative team to move just enough product to meet a short term goal- that's the vibe I get from the G4 line, and it's why I'm even turning to G3 now just to get a "new" (for me) pony fix.
I kind of doubt that My Little Pony will still be around in 20 years, or Hasbro, or even physical toys- everything is going electronic. And who knows, that might actually benefit My Little Pony and similar brands in the long run, as kids want to collect as many characters as possible for their video games (think Skylanders andPixarDisney Infinity.)
In any case, current market forces don't excuse the absolute laziness of the G4 toyline- tiny ponies, identical poses, paper accessories, awful QC, and expensive sets that force you to buy identical ponies just to get newer ones (okay, that last one isn't lazy so much as greedy, but they could have been less blatant about it.) The early non-Mane 6 ponies didn't even have their own box-art- just obvious recolors of the distinctive Mane 6. If not for the fact that it's backed up by a good show with a staff that actually puts effort in its work (even if it isn't everyone's cup of tea) the line would have probably just faded out on its own after a couple of years. As it is, the pony sections in the stores near me are shrinking- it's like there isn't even enough truly "new" product to keep the short attention spans of contemporary kids whose parents might only be able to afford the basic brushable line, not all the gimmicks and overpriced sets. There's a difference between a need to turn a good profit and just not putting any effort into something, relying on brand name and an outside creative team to move just enough product to meet a short term goal- that's the vibe I get from the G4 line, and it's why I'm even turning to G3 now just to get a "new" (for me) pony fix.
G3 Puzzlemint came packaged with a video game. I wonder how well she sold, compared to other ponies released around the same time.
So.
I have Minty.
I have Muffin Pony and the others from the newer TRU set.
I have Sunset Shimmer.
I have Wisteria.
I have Mrs. Cake and Twirly treats.
I am waiting to see the new school fillies set.
Are there any other ponies on the horizon????
They didn't show Rainbow Power at the last Toy Fair so even if there is nothing new there there might be new stuff. But there haven't been any taobao leaks lately either.
Hopefully last year's lack of new brushables was due to a desire to focus things on Equestria Girls (both on the production and consumer ends); ...
I liked when they had the random ones like Dew Drop Dazzle etc. Rather than the recycled mane 6 over and over again.
Re-releasing Skywishes, Rainbow Flash, Star Swirl, and Non Glimmer-Wings Ploomette within the Americas would be really good for profits for Hasbro. They would not have to get a new copyright, since they have previously been brushables... Tis just a matter of using the same molds as before.They've still got to release an awful lot of ponies in Europe too. There's an insane amount of stuff in the US (including merchandise) that the rest of the world just can't get hold of :(
Re-releasing Skywishes, Rainbow Flash, Star Swirl, and Non Glimmer-Wings Ploomette within the Americas would be really good for profits for Hasbro. They would not have to get a new copyright, since they have previously been brushables... Tis just a matter of using the same molds as before.I agree :P I see quite a few Skywishes and Ploomette on ebay and Taobao, but no Star Swirl :/ Star Swirl is uber expensive on ebay!!! Irritates the crap outta me knowing I'll never be able to get her :/
They didn't show Rainbow Power at the last Toy Fair so even if there is nothing new there there might be new stuff. But there haven't been any taobao leaks lately either.
Yes sorry I meant new characters. :) As the Rainbow line has just been repeats. They also did not show Mrs Cake or Twirly at the show. Its more a general indication for me. If the line does not indicate some variety...and lets face it after goodness knows how many repeat waves now with no new characters, if they dont show a future singles wave with new characters it does not forebode well for the year.
I would so love that, CottonTale. Especially Tea Love! The world needs more green ponies.
A Tea Love playful size pony is a must! Every time there are threads asking what people would like to see she always crops up - she is adorable!
Brushable Wonderbolts :drunk: