I think there's a distinction to be drawn between gimmicks and differentiation of design or character development.

I see the gimmicks as being in the more interactive releases of the series - Twisty Tails, BNG, eyelash sisters, light-up Princess Sparkle....I don't think that differentiation in species or design patterns counts as a gimmick. There was kind of  slow slide....the glitter ponies, for example, flutter ponies are kind of borderline. I don't, for example, consider seaponies or TAF ponies to be gimmicks - just different iterations of the core MLP line. When you begin expanding the features and functions of the toy itself, then you get into gimmick territory. For example, I'd say that flutters are more gimmick-y than the wingers, even though the flutters came first. Sweet Pockets I'd consider to have a gimmick, but not so much the standard Princess ponies.

Children crave novelty! I don't think MLP would have had the same longevity without the variety. Kids are world-builders and I think the variety allows them to be more creative and imaginative in their play. It also allowed them to find ponies that paired with their preferences for color, pony personality, hobbies, etc etc. There really was something for everyone! I think that had Hasbro limited themselves to a more basic approach in design or execution, kids would have become bored and moved on to the next new thing - the genius in marketability of the MLP line was partially due to extending the line to reflect the current culture and trends, and pace alongside development of more traditional toy releases like Barbie, and add in similar features like playsets, outfits and accessories. It provided them with an avenue to provide many different options and avenues for kids to play with, while remaining loyal to the MLP line and not necessarily jumping ship in brand preference to Mattel or other competitors.

Additionally in the 1980s and early 90s, MLP  had a platform that Baribie and most other "girl" toys did not (but Transformers and TMNJ did) which was a TV show that they leveraged in a unique way by paring the latter half of MLP & Friends or My Little Pony Tales with cartoon series of other Hasbro toy lines like Mr. Potato Head, Glow Worms, and Moondreamers.

Since life kinda sucks right now, let's play hypothetical horrible pony choices!

You have to reply to the person above you with which horrible choice you'd make and why.
Then it's your turn to think up a horrible pony choice to ask the next person!

You HAVE to pick one of the options the person above you lays out: no special snowflakes here, evil minions!

 

Let's start with an easy one.

You're at a secondhand sale and you spy a pony in the toy bin close to you and you can tell by the colors that it is your GRAIL. The pony regularly sells for $150+ to collectors. You can't believe your luck!

Before you can scoot yourself over to grab her, a young child pulls the pony out of the bin and won't let go. You hold out hope that their parents will tell them to put it back, but they head toward the register. What do you do?

1. Covertly follow them around the store in hopes that the kid abandons the pony before checkout (you creep!)
2. Talk to the kid and try to get them interested in a DIFFERENT toy so they abandon the pony
3. Muster the courage to speak with the parents and try to convince them to let you buy the pony instead.
4. Resign yourself to the fact that you won't be going home with your grail today, but that it will bring a little kid a lot of joy!
5. Stage an elaborate distraction to get your hands the pony, like pulling the fire alarm.

Calling all you pony geniuses! I know we've got a bunch of smarties on the boards.

Given that the baby ponies look like their moms, is it safe to assume that the mother ponies have the dominant genes? We know there are Big Brother Ponies, and assuming the ponies are not involved in incestuous relationships (Steamer...) that would mean the MBs are the dads, or there are dad ponies who evidently haven't signed NDAs to be on TV.

Would you say it's safe to assume that the MLP world is a matriarchal society? Pony children inherit names from their moms...the girls - but the boys appear to have independent names. Explain? How has this changed or stagnated between generations? I would say that it becomes more clear that not all ponies are heteronormative in later iterations of the franchise.....and they appear to be a progressive society as this is not stigmatized.

Agree? Disagree? Let's hear your thoughts!

Okay, more personality fun

There are 16 Meyers-Briggs personality types: https://www.verywellmind.com/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583

For fun, you can take the test for yourself here if you'd like: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test

Which ponies would you say fit into which personalities? I'm curious to hear what you think!

ISTJ - The Inspector
ISTP - The Crafter
ISFJ - The Protector
ISFP - The Artist
INFJ - The Advocate
INFP - The Mediator
INTJ - The Architect
INTP - The Thinker
ESTP - The Persuader
ESTJ - The Director
ESFP - The Performer
ESFJ - The Caregiver
ENFP - The Champion
ENFJ - The Giver
ENTP - The Debater
ENTJ - The Commander

This would be cool. I struggle with reboots, because, for example, the Rainbow Brite and SSK re-designs were pretty awful. Why mess with a classic? Then again, times change, tastes change, trends change. It's fun to see new life breathed into old favorites. The Takara ponies have always had so much potential. I could see an adorable village for them - like Maple Town or Calico Critters.

edit: and she-ra. no, thanks!

Quote from: dragonfly on July 15, 2020, 03:36:34 PM

there used to be an anime movie I loved - The Enchanted Journey, about 2 squirrels. I'd love to watch it again, so curious if it's available to stream anywhere?

Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Journey-Jim-Backus/dp/B002YV7IVM

I got super excited but it says it isn't available to watch in my area I'll have to keep an eye out to see if their distribution changes for viewing from the USA! Thank you!

Thread to share photos if you like, cute / funny stories, brag about your kid's accomplishments / genius moments, or vent parenting frustrations of your little (and not so little!) ones.