My little Pony

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
My little pony
Owner / user Hasbro
Introductory year 1983
Products Toys / series / films / merchandise
Markets worldwide
Website http://www.hasbro.com/mylittlepony/

My Little Pony (Original: My Little Pony ) is a series of plastic toy ponies produced by the US toy manufacturer Hasbro . These ponies, which are mainly made with a collectible character , can be recognized by their bright colors and symbols on the rear flank . Most of these ponies have a name corresponding to this symbol.

history

"My Little Pony" was created in 1982 by the American illustrator and designer Bonnie Zacherle. In collaboration with Charles Muenchinger and manager Steve D'Aguanno, she filed a patent for a decorative design for an animal toy in 1981, which was approved in 1983 while working for Hasbro.

The individual productions of the ponies are divided into generations by collectors .

Generation 1: Dream Valley

The introduction of the ponies began in 1982 with the "Earth ponies" Blossom, Blue Belle, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Minty and Snuzzle. The winged “Pegasus ponies”, “Unicorn ponies”, “Flutter ponies” and “Sea ponies” followed shortly thereafter. The male ponies, called "Big Brother ponies", were somewhat stronger and resembled Clydesdale horses with their pastern hair .

Various series of modified ponies followed. The first “Rainbow Ponies” appeared in 1983, followed by different variations such as the “So-Soft-Ponies” with fur-like flocking, “Twinkle-Eye-Ponies” with rhinestones as eyes, “Twice-As-Fancy Ponies” with patterns on the whole body or the "Brush 'n' Grow Ponies" with extra long mane and tail. In addition, the "Pony Friends", animals in a design adapted to the ponies, such as a lion, a giraffe, a kangaroo, or a zebra and "baby ponies", appeared in a smaller form than the ponies that were first released should represent their mothers.

The first generation of ponies was produced and sold in the US for ten years from 1982 to 1992, and worldwide until 1995. The tenth year was advertised in the US as the "My Little Pony" anniversary year.

Television productions

In 1984 the prime-time special My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle was broadcast in the USA, followed in 1985 by the special My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina . 1986 appeared in the USA the feature film My Little Pony - Der Spielfilm ( My Little Pony: The Movie ).

Mail order ponies

All the ponies' packaging was marked with so-called "horseshoe dots". These could be collected to get discounts or special ponies. This points program was offered in the USA and England, but the points could also be exchanged in other countries. The ponies offered were new editions or special productions, such as the first male pony "Lucky". In addition, “Birthflower ponies”, each representing a month of the year, or baby ponies could be purchased.

International ponies

Various companies produced in their own country under license from Hasbro. While Hasbro's ponies were generally produced in China , especially in Hong Kong , there were now production facilities in Argentina , Brazil , France , Greece , India , Italy , Macau and Spain . Many of the ponies were similar to the originals from Hasbro, but there were also some ponies that differed in color, pose or side markings and were only available in the respective country. Since these companies could only produce smaller numbers, these ponies were a bit more expensive.

Petite ponies

The petite ponies were very small ponies that were offered in various play sets between 1989 and 1991. They differed significantly in design from the original ponies. They had combable hair or had a pearly or luminescent body. A hoof was engraved under each pony, which served as a kind of key to various functions of the play sets. These ponies had no official names and many shared the same flank symbol. The series also only consisted of Earth and Pegasus ponies.

Dream beauties

Dream Beauties were larger figures made of hard plastic that were marketed from 1989 to 1990. In contrast to the small ponies, they looked like normal horses and had small pearls attached to the mane. The highflying beauties had large, multi-colored wings.

My Little Kitty / Puppy / Bunny

In the early 1990s, Hasbro sold various play sets with cats, dogs and rabbits under the My Little Pony logo. Each of these Lil 'Litters sets consisted of a mother animal with a flocked body, two small plastic baby figures and a small comb.

Merchandise

The My Little Pony brand includes many products that make this name famous. There was bedding, room decorations, plush toys, puzzles, clothing and various play sets. Extraordinary articles have also appeared, such as a muskrat or two sewing machines. Various key rings were released exclusively in Japan. Comics with animal adventures, in Germany by Ehapa- Verlag, were also published.

25th anniversary

For the 25th anniversary there was a new production of the 1983 original ponies Blue Belle, Butterscotch, Cotton Candy, Snuzzle, Blossom and Minty. Also the rainbow ponies Moonstone, Parasol, Skydancer, Starshine, Sunlight and Windy.

Television productions

My Little Pony Tales was the name of a cartoon series that aired on US television from July 3 to December 25, 1992. The main characters of the series were the ponies Starlight, Sweetheart, Melody, Bright Eyes, Patch, Clover and Bon Bon.

Generation 2: Friendship Gardens

In 1997 the second generation of ponies was introduced. The poses were changed, the eyes were made of rhinestones, and the heads were posable. The ponies were slightly smaller and thinner and had longer legs than the 1982 production. This generation was unsuccessful in the USA and was discontinued in 1997. In other countries, this generation continued to be produced for a few years. Mainly Earth ponies and a few unicorn ponies were brought out. A few Pegasus ponies were made outside the US, with removable wings in the early 2000s. There were also two baby ponies, but they weren't sold in the US either.

Merchandise

There were a number of play sets, such as a mansion and a castle. In Europe there were products such as “ bean bag ” plush toys, key rings, comic books, clothing, perfume, wrapping paper and coloring books. In a game for PC you could look after a pony and do various "mini games".

Generation 3: Ponyville

The third generation was produced from 2003 to the end of 2009. Hasbro published the associated Earth ponies from 2003 to 2005, the Pegasus ponies in 2005 and the Unicorn ponies in 2006. Many of the original ponies were reissued in different poses or outfits. Most ponies had shiny or pearly colored bodies and dull symbols, so-called beauty marks, on the rear flank. The first ponies produced had a magnet in their hoof that triggered certain actions in the play sets. However, these magnets were so strong that they could damage some electronic devices with prolonged contact, and are therefore no longer included in later productions.

Since the production of this generation started in the USA and Europe at the same time, some typical ponies and breezies (small fairy-like ponies) were not available in every country.

Mail order ponies

Until the end of 2005, the packaging was provided with pony points , which could be collected to receive exclusive ponies. This points program ended on January 31, 2006.

Special productions

A special series of 300 pieces of the Pinkie Pie pony bore the lettering 2003 Licensing Show in the flank symbol and should be sold during the show of the same name. Due to a production error, some of them went on sale in 2004. Another pony, Rosey Posey, was only given out at a Hasbro charity dinner.

In order to do justice to the older collectors, Hasbro produced some modified ponies, so-called Art Ponies, for various events such as the My Little Pony Collector's Convention or the San Diego Comic Con . For example, the pony for San Diego Comic Con 2011 was in black and pink and had a skull on the back flank instead of the beauty mark. Customizers could purchase a white pony to customize it in terms of color and design.

Merchandise

During the third generation there was an abundance of merchandise. Bed linen, tablecloths, clothing or office and school accessories. Plush ponies for gripping machines were produced for theme parks . For the Australian market there were special ponies such as Rainbow Dash, Minty, Sweetberry or Kimono, which were awarded as a prize at Red Rooster restaurants. Some fast food chains gave various ponies as an addition to the children's menu.

What was true for many cartoon characters of the 1980s was also implemented for the "My Little Pony" series. There were various T-shirts with prints of ponies of the first generation in a retro style with slogans such as “Livin 'in the 80s” or “I love Rainbows”.

Computer games

In 2000, Hasbro sold the rights to digital games (e.g. My Little Pony, Magic: The Gathering, Tonka, Playschool, Transformers) for 100 million US dollars to Infogrames , but bought these rights back in 2005 for 65 million US dollars .

Core 7

In 2009 there was a redesign and a limitation to seven main characters. These so-called "Core 7" were Cheerilee, Toola-Roola, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Starsong. The hair has been changed, the bodies of the ponies have been made smaller, and the heads and eyes have been made to make the ponies look innocent and childish. To give the ponies more personality, some family relationships were introduced: Cheerilee, for example, became Scootaloo's sister.

Generation 4: My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic (Equestria)

In 2010, the fourth and currently current generation of ponies followed, which are settled in Ponyville , a small town in the Kingdom of Equestria inhabited by ponies .

Television productions

The animated series My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic (2010 to 2019) is scheduled around this generation. The movie was released for her - offshoots My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2013), My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks (2014), My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Friendship Games (2015) and My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Legend of Everfree (2016).

Playful ponies

The Playful Ponies were the first ponies to appear in generation four. It was the ponies Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. They had combable hair and a saddle or a little wagon in which to put a small animal attached to the pony. Some special productions of these ponies were, for example, Valentine's Day Pinkie Pie in February 2011 or Easter Fluttershy in April 2011. Hasbro wanted to release another production of the Playful ponies in March 2011, but postponed this by a month due to the earthquake in Japan . This second line of production included Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, as well as the new ponies Cheerilee and Lily Blossom. In May 2011, the third series followed with Cupcake, Lulu Luck, Dewdrop Dazzle and Blossomforth, the fourth series with Feathermay, Flitterheart, Snowcatcher, Twinkleshine, Honeybuzz and Plumsweet followed in July 2011.

Story packs

Story Packs was the name of each game set. They consisted of a pony, a larger toy, and numerous accessories. Exclusive play sets included the ponies Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Swirl and Star Swirl (only in Europe). For example, there was Twilight Sparkle with a tethered balloon, Rainbow Dash with camping equipment, Applejack with a small truck, Pinkie Pie with a remote-controlled car or the Friendship express train.

Ride-Along Ponies

The ride-along ponies were special versions of the playful ponies. The published three sets consisted of a pony, a vehicle and a small other animal. There was Rainbow Dash with a skateboard and a turtle, Twilight Sparkle with a scooter and a cat, and Fluttershy with a butterfly and a tricycle.

So-Soft Newborn

The ponies Sunny Daze, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and the dragon Spike were designed as a baby version in plush and each delivered with a pacifier.

Shine Bright Ponies

The Shine Bright ponies lit up when you pressed the pony's saddle down. They were slightly larger than the Playful ponies and had posable legs. The ponies Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were available, and as exclusive Target Corporation ponies Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna.

Fashion style ponies

The Fashion Style ponies were larger than the Playful ponies, had a special item of clothing and various accessories.

Mica Wing Ponies

Inspired by the episode Sonic Boom Rain (dt .: Rainbows great day ) the animated series, the ponies Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Ploomette were equipped with colorful, movable wings.

Jumbo plush

Various large plush ponies were released exclusively by the toy chain Toys “R” Us . They were modified versions of the third generation jumbo ponies. The pony “Storyteller Twilight Sparkle”, which told short stories and was equipped with 3 songs (“Friendship is Magic”, “Winter Wrap-Up” and a variation of “Friendship is Magic”), was released exclusively as a collector's item by the Target Cooperation.

Surprise ponies

In Europe, 24 small ponies (21 different and 3 glittering variations) are available in sealed, hidden bags. In the US, 12 ponies appeared in an exclusive Toys “R” Us box set.

Canterlot

In July 2011, Hasbro agreed to a request from Target Corporation to release an exclusive line of ponies themed around Canterlot (the capital of the fictional kingdom of Equestria). A special theme area with various displays was set up for marketing in the shops.

Cartoons

Generation 1

The ponies first appeared in 1984 in the prime-time special My Little Pony: Rescue at Midnight Castle . 1985 followed the special My Little Pony: Escape from Catrina , in which Tammy Grimes dubbed the main character. 1986 appeared in the US the feature film My Little Pony - Der Spielfilm ( My Little Pony: The Movie ) in which actors like Rhea Perlman , Madeline Kahn , Tony Randall and Danny DeVito dubbed the characters. The feature film grossed $ 6 million and received mostly bad reviews.
A cartoon series of the same name, which was later broadcast in German-speaking countries, followed. In this cartoon series, the toys from 1986 and 1987 were advertised.

The TV specials, feature films, and animated series were all set in Dream Valley , where witches, goblins, and other magical characters interacted with the dragon Spike, the ponies, and their human friend Megan.

The subsequent series, My Little Pony Tales , was moved to a different setting. The ponies now lived in a city, went to school, went on vacation or traded in various goods.

In 2004 the first series was released on DVD. The four DVDs contained the two specials and 50 episodes of the cartoon series. The ten-episode mini-series The End of Flutter Valley was released in 2005. In 2006 there were the publications: Flight to Cloud Castle and Other Stories and Quest of the Princess Ponies and Other Stories , as well as the episodes Two Great Pony Tales , The Magic Coins and The Glass Princess in eight episodes.

Generation 2

Since sales of the second generation in the USA were unsuccessful, no series were produced.

Generation 3

Between 2003 and 2009, various series were released as direct-to-video / DVD productions.

  • A Charming Birthday (2003) - This video wasn't sold separately, it was included in some packs of the G3 ponies.
  • Dancing in the Clouds (2004) - The first Pegasus pony Star Catcher was introduced here.
  • Friends Are Never Far Away (2005) - a DVD that was included in the packaging of the PegasusPony Hidden Treasure.
  • My Little Pony: A Very Minty Christmas (October 25, 2005, VHS / DVD) - This video included the episode Dancing in the Clouds as a bonus. In October 2008 there was a new edition with a figure of the pony Minty.
  • My Little Pony: The Princess Promenade (February 7, 2006, VHS / DVD) - Debut of the newly designed dragon Spike (who thus appeared as the only character in animations of generation one and three) and some fairy ponies, the Breezies. A Charming Birthday was included as a bonus episode.
  • My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow (September 12, 2006, DVD) - Presentation of the new unicorn pony Rarity. The included bonus episode was entitled "Friends Are Never Far Away".
  • My Little Pony: A Very Pony Place (February 6, 2007) - three stories titled "Come Back, Lily Lightly", "Two For the Sky" and "Positively Pink". The ponies Lily Lightly, Storybelle and Puzzlemint were presented.
  • My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Special Day (2008) - was included in the game set of the same name. The toy pony Pinkie Pie had the same clothing items as in the animation.
  • My Little Pony: Meet the Ponies (2008) - a DVD with various mini episodes, in which the Core 7 Ponies acted as the main characters, which were previously viewable online. This DVD was included with the first packaging of the Core 7 ponies.
  • My Little Pony: Starsong and the Magic Dance Shoes (2008) - was included in the game set of the same name. The toy pony Starsong had the same clothes as in the animation.
  • My Little Pony: Rainbow Dash's Special Day (2009) - was included in the game set of the same name. The toy pony Rainbow Dash had the same clothes as in the animation.
  • My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventure (October 13, 2009) - Shout! Factory and Hasbro released this DVD, which contained the feature film, a few side episodes and various bonus material.

Generation 4

The TV series called My Little Pony - Friendship Is Magic ( My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic ) was first broadcast on the American television channel The Hub on October 10, 2010. The German version of this TV series debuted on September 19, 2011 on Nickelodeon . The following films based on My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic were also released :

Motion picture

In 2017, My Little Pony - The Film, a screen adaptation of My Little Pony , was created in which Zoe Saldana , Emily Blunt , Liev Schreiber , Tara Strong and Sia gave the characters their voices.

Live musicals

My Little Pony Live: The World's Biggest Tea Party was a 90-minute musical produced by Hasbro and VEE Corporation. It premiered on June 19, 2006. The ponies featured were Pinkie Pie, Minty, Sweetberry, Sew-and-so, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Thistle Whistle, Zipzee, Tra La La, Tiddlywink, and Wysteria. The DVD for this musical was released on November 16, 2008.

Video games

  • My Little Pony: Friendship Gardens - PC (1998)
  • My Little Pony Crystal Princess: The Runaway Rainbow - Game Boy Advance September 13, 2006
  • My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie's Party - Nintendo DS September 22, 2008
  • My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle, Teacher for a Day - Apple App Store September 22, 2011
  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic - computer and mobile phone game from Gameloft November 8, 2012

Imitations

In the 1990s, many toy manufacturers wanted to share in the profits from the successful “My Little Pony” series. Between 1995, when the production of the first generation was stopped, and 1997, when the first second generation ponies were made, various companies manufactured imitations of the ponies. They were similar to the first ponies and the "Dream Beauties". Some of the original molds fell into the hands of other companies who used them to make their own ponies. Since the second generation of ponies was not very successful, there are fewer imitations. Some websites explain the differences between the original and the replica ( Bootleg ) to interested parties . Many of these imitations were sold in so-called dollar stores (comparable to German one-euro stores).

Secret Wish Horse

These brightly colored horses, driven away by Tyco , had eyelashes and a saddle studded with rhinestones that could be opened. A “surprise” was hidden here (earrings, a chain or a ring). These horses had a chain with a ball, similar to a Magic 8 ball , around their necks.

Fantasy fillies

These were colorful horses produced by Empire / Marchon. The designer of these horses also designed the Fashion Star Fillies , which were sold by Kenner in 1987. Fantasy fillies were available in normal form, pegasus and unicorn form and as mini fillies.

Magic touch pony

These ponies were also available in various color variations. Depending on the variation, the hooves, the pendants or flowers that were incorporated into the mane shone on these ponies. Some also played a melody. They also had symbols on the flanks, similar to the original ponies and the Dream Beauties.

Custom ponies

Custom ponies are artistically altered ponies. Normal as well as older, damaged ponies are recolored by the respective artist, given different symbols, and given a new mane or tail. New, modified wings, a horn or decorative stones can also be attached.

Collective catalogs

  • The World of My Little Pony: An Unauthorized Guide for Collectors by Debra L. Birge
  • My Little Pony around the World by Debra L. Birge
  • The My Little Pony G2 Collector's Inventory: An unofficial full color illustrated guide to the second generation of MLP including all ponies, playsets, and accessories released from 1997 to 2003 by Summer Hayes
  • The My Little Pony 2007-2008 Collector's Inventory by Summer Hayes

Occurrence outside of the series

Since My Little Pony is a very well-known brand, the characters and toys also appear outside of the series: They were in the series Robot Chicken , Dexter's Laboratory , Veronica Mars , The Bill Cosby Show , The Scary Adventures of Billy and Mandy , Das See Life and Me and OC, California . Since Hasbro also owns the licenses for the Transformers series , a toy appeared in the film of the same name.
Variations of names from the series are also used in some nicknames and jokes. Laura Ingraham referred to Senator John Edwards as the Silky Pony and played the My Little Pony theme song when she covered him. Jonathan I. Schwartz , CEO of Sun Microsystems , was nicknamed "MLP" by Daniel Lyons, a writer for Newsweek magazine. A cartoon by Steve Sack was published in 2005 with the title "My Little Crony" showing George W. Bush brushing a toy pony. The slogan He's no 'My Little Pony' was used for a commercial for the Mister Ed series . In a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett , Death buys a toy for his granddaughter called My Little Binky . Adult men and women who are fans of the fourth generation ( G4 ) of the series are referred to as bronies (a suitcase word from bro , short for brother , and pony , in German about pony brothers ).

literature

  • Summer Hayes (May 1, 2008) The My Little Pony G1 Collector's Inventory: an unofficial full color illustrated collector's price guide to the first generation of MLP including all US ponies, playsets and accessories released before 1997 with a foreword by Dream Valley's Kim Shriner . Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 978-0-9786063-1-2
  • Summer Hayes (2007) The My Little Pony G3 Collector's Inventory: an unofficial full color illustrated guide to the third generation of MLP including all ponies, playsets and accessories from 2003 to the present . Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 978-0-9786063-5-0
  • Hillary DePiano (2005) The My Little Pony Collector's Inventory: A Complete Checklist of All US Ponies, Playsets and Accessories from 1981 to 1992 . Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 1-4116-2165-4
  • Summer Hayes (2009) The My Little Pony 2007-2008 Collector's Inventory . Priced Nostalgia Press. ISBN 978-0-9786063-6-7
  • Debra L. Birge (2007) My Little Pony Around the World . Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7643-1749-1

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Atari - continues to secure D&D and sells Hasbro rights - News at GameStar.de
  2. ↑ HASBRO REACQUIRES DIGITAL GAMING RIGHTS FROM INFOGRAMES FOR $ 65 MILLION ( Memento of the original from November 24, 2006 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file; 15 kB), Hasbro press release, June 9, 2005. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.amf-france.org
  3. ↑ Boxofficemojo -My Little Pony (1986) . Retrieved August 24, 2010.
  4. ↑ Animated Series.de | My Little Pony / My Little Pony (My Little Pony and Friends)
  5. ↑ Shout! Factory store . Shout! Factory store. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Retrieved August 24, 2010. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.shoutfactorystore.com
  6. ↑ fernsehserien.de: My Little Pony: FIM , accessed on September 20, 2011.
  7. ^ My Little Pony Live
  8. ↑ custompony.com - Doll Hair - OOAK Customs Restoration & Tutorials
  9. ↑ http://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/06/bronies-my-little-ponys/

See also