History SoYouWantTo / WriteTheNextMyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic

[[GhibliHills Ponyville]], [[ShiningCity Canterlot]], [[TheBigApplesauce Manehattan]], [[CrapsackWorld Griffinstone]], [[TheWildWest Appleoosa]], and the [[ForbiddenForest Everfree Forest]] all look different, and have plot-relevant differences between them. They have different biomes, different architectural styles, different demographics, and the characters are shown taking long train trips and flights between them. Making a setting look big is ... a lot easier when you just have to draw it than when you have to fly your acting crew all over the place. Probably use a lot of matte painting backgrounds, like Star Trek, if you want to do it in live action.

The popularity of Creator/LaurenFaust's ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has taken the Internet by surprise - with a huge PeripheryDemographic and a very active community, it is, after only one season, already one of the most successful shows in WesternAnimation in recent years. Not bad, especially given that the previous incarnation of the ponies could have easily been a FranchiseKiller. Even better: five years in and far from done!

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LaurenFaust set the show in a world that was vastly different from our own, with a cast of {{Ridiculously Cute Critter}}s. That approach certainly paid off, with a rich world that drives endless fan speculation, and ''adorable'' character designs. In theory, though, much of the character dynamics could have worked with a human cast (and "humanized" fanart is quite abundant!). You may consider that the alternate setting offers too many opportunities not to be used, but it is not mandatory...and if you ''do'' choose to create a world for it, remember that ''MLP:FIM'' benefited from surprisingly rich WorldBuilding.

However, when making your own version, your own characters may not even need to be ponies in particular. What is stopping you from making a show where the characters are say... monkeys? penguins? turtles? actual people? the possibilities are actually endless.

The popularity of Creator/LaurenFaust's ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has taken the Internet by surprise - with a huge PeripheryDemographic and a very active community, it is, after only one season, already one of the most successful shows in WesternAnimation in recent years. Not bad, especially given that the previous incarnation of the ponies could have easily been a FranchiseKiller.

Due to being an existing franchise before this iteration, the chosen motif for this show is that most of the main characters are brightly colored magical ponies. Therefore, it is only natural that the setting would be tailor-made for such characters, which for them, is a SugarBowl-esque setting. However, it should be noted that it does not mean that everything in the world should be diabetes-inducing. Elements such as [[TheLostWoods The Everfree Forest]] and characters like [[GodOfEvil Discord]] offer a sharp contrast to the general cuteness that is often presented. In short, easily mistaken to be aggressively cheerful. Another thing to note is the tongue-in-cheek humor that is applied to the setting. It can be thought of as similar to {{Futurama}}, but in a MagicalLand fantasy setting rather then a ScienceFiction setting.

* [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTVSpecials The original]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie G1]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends continuity]] has all of the cheesiness of TheEighties, and most characters don't have enough screentime to develop a fully fleshed-out personality (a pitfall for any MerchandiseDriven show with LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters). However, it does showcase some surprisingly dark and occasionally mature stories and has some of the same story elements that helped made ''Friendship is Magic'' so well-received.

* [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTVSpecials The original]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie G1]] [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyAndFriends continuity]] has all of the cheesiness of the eighties and most characters don't have enough screentime to develop a memorable personality (a pitfall for any MerchandiseDriven show with LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters). However, it does showcase some surprisingly dark stories and has some of the same story elements that helped made ''Friend is Magic'' so well-received.

Also note that in Equestria, [[TitleDrop friendship]] ''[[TitleDrop is]]'' [[TitleDrop magic]]. ThePowerOfFriendship proves capable of [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu defeating Nightmare Moon]]. Now, having love and friendship as an actual magical force has worked well here, and in [[SailorMoon other stories]]...but it also possible to write ThePowerOfFriendship as an entirely mundane yet powerful force, whether or not the setting has magic in it.

Due to being an existing franchise before this iteration, the chosen motif for this show is that most of the main characters are brightly colored magical ponies. Therefore, it is only natural that the setting would be tailor-made for such characters, which for them, is a SugarBowl-esque setting. However, it should be noted that it does not mean that everything in the world should be diabetes-inducing. Elements such as [[TheLostWoods The Everfree Forest]] and characters like [[GodOfEvil Discord]] offer a sharp contrast to the general cuteness that is often presented. Another thing to note is the tongue-in-cheek humor that is applied to the setting. It can be thought of as similar to {{Futurama}}, but in a MagicalLand fantasy setting rather then a ScienceFiction setting.

Due to being an existing franchise before this iteration, the chosen motif for this show is that most of the main characters are brightly colored magical ponies. Therefore, it is only natural that the setting would be tailor-made for such characters, which for them, is a SugarBowl-esque setting. However, it should be noted that it does not mean that everything in the world should be diabetes-inducing. Elements such as The Everfree forest and characters like Discord offer a sharp contrast to the general cuteness that is often presented. Another thing to note is the tongue-in-cheek humor that is applied to the setting. It can be thought of as similar to {{Futurama}}, but in a fairy tale fantasy setting rather then a Science Fiction setting.

Another thing to remember is that ''My Little Pony'' achieved much of its surprising popularity by being [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism one of the most positive shows on television]] at the time. Cynicism doesn't always sell, and a positive show [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids doesn't need to be shallow or naive]].

* ''CardCaptorSakura'' had a fanbase in Japan that was very similar to the Brony community.

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The popularity of LaurenFaust's ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' has taken the Internet by surprise - with a huge PeripheryDemographic and a very active community, it is, after only one season, already one of the most successful shows in WesternAnimation in recent years. Not bad, especially given that the previous incarnation of the ponies could have easily been a FranchiseKiller.

Due to being an existing franchise before this iteration, the chosen motif for this show is that most of the main characters are brightly colored magical ponies. Therefore, it is only natural that the setting would be tailor-made for such characters, which for them, is a SugarBowl-esque setting. However, it should be noted that it does not mean that everything in the world should be diabetes-inducing. Elements such as The Everfree forest and characters like Discord offer a sharp contrast to the general cuteness that is often presented.

Another important motif to consider is the constant use of {{FurryReminder}}s. What sets this show, and the franchise as a whole, apart from other girl's toys is that they really are ponies. Not people in pony costumes. This was probably one of the biggest faults of G3 and G3.5 since Hasbro was practically ignoring what made MyLittlePony unique as a toyline. Thus, it is made very clear that the pony characters are ponies by the fact that they remain quadrupedal while walking and often use their mouths as hands since their forelegs are occupied by being... well, legs. However, this is forgone if it becomes awkward for a character to be speaking while holding something, so this particular rule can be ignored if necessary.

* [[RoundedCharacter Three-Dimensional Characters]]: This is true of any story, but worth emphasizing. If the characters had been walking clichés, the show wouldn't have been remotely as interesting. ''Friendship Is Magic'' went out of its way to [[SubvertedTrope subvert common stereotypes]] and produce non-standard characterization: Twilight Sparkle, an introverted intellectual, is also a natural leader. Rainbow Dash, the tomboyish sports jock, likes the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter parapsprites]] as much as anyone else, participates in a fashion show with minimal convincing, tries to look pretty for the princess's visit. Rarity, the fashionista, is a hard-working artist and a generous soul; in designing clothes for her friends, she tries to emphasize their personalities rather than make them all fit a mold. Giving the characters depth makes their friendship all the more meaningful.

Also note that in Equestria, [[TitleDrop friendship]] ''TitleDrop is]]'' TitleDrop magic]]. ThePowerOfFriendship proves capable of [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu defeating Nightmare Moon]]. Now, having love and friendship as an actual magical force has worked well here, and in [[SailorMoon other stories]]...but it also possible to write ThePowerOfFriendship as an entirely mundane yet powerful force, whether or not the setting has magic in it.

* Friendship. It's right there in the title, and there's a reason for that. ''MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' presented a lovable group of TrueCompanions, and showed how [[OddFriendship very different individuals could get along.]] Naturally, ThePowerOfFriendship is bound to show up - although whether or not it's ''supernatural'' is something you'll need to decide on (see below).

* Friendship. It's right there in the title, and there's a reason for that. My Little Pony presented a lovable group of TrueCompanions, and showed how [[OddFriendship very different individuals could get along.]] Naturally, ThePowerOfFriendship is bound to show up - although whether or not it's ''supernatural'' is something you'll need to decide on (see below).
* [[RoundedCharacter Three-Dimensional Characters]]: This is true of any story, but worth emphasizing. If the characters had been walking clichés, the show wouldn't have been remotely as interesting. ''Frienship Is Magic'' went out of its way to [[SubvertedTrope subvert common stereotypes]] and produce non-standard characterization: Twilight Sparkle, an introverted intellectual, is also a natural leader. Rainbow Dash, the tomboyish sports jock, likes the [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter parapsprites]] as much as anyone else, participates in a fashion show with minimal convincing, tries to look pretty for the princess's visit. Rarity, the fashionista, is a hard-working artist and a generous soul; in designing clothes for her friends, she tries to emphasize their personalities rather than make them all fit a mold. Giving the characters depth makes their friendship all the more meaningful.

LaurenFaust set the show in a world that was vastly different from our own, with a cast of {{Ridiculously Cute Critter}}s. That approach certainly paid off, with a rich world that drives endless fan speculation, and ''adorable'' character designs. In theory, though, much of the character dynamics could have worked with a human cast (and "humanized" fanart is quite abundant!). You may consider that the alternate setting offers too many opportunities not to be used, but it is not mandatory...and if you ''do'' choose to create a world for it, remember that My Little Pony benefited from surprisingly rich WorldBuilding.

Also note that in Equestria, [[TitleDrop friendship ''is'' magic]]. ThePowerOfFriendship proves capable of [[DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu defeating Night Mare Moon]]. Now, having love and friendship as an actual magical force has worked well here, and in [[SailorMoon other stories]]...but it also possible to write ThePowerOfFriendship as an entirely mundane yet powerful force, whether or not the setting has magic in it.

Perhaps more important is core cast. My Little Pony has a core cast of six (seven with Spike), each of whom had been designed to exemplify something the little girls in the audience could grow up to be. This arranged provided a rich array of personalities, and allowed the story to play with the personal dynamics between them. Do you want a smaller cast, leaving more time to develop each member? Go the other way around, make a large EnsembleCast (and hope you can develop them all)? Can you make each one of them interesting in their own right? Given their personalities, how can each of them interact with the others - and can those relationships evolve?

Another thing to remember is that My Little Pony achieved much of its surprising popularity by being [[SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism one of the most positive shows on television]] at the time. Cynicism doesn't always sell, and a positive show [[SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids doesn't need to be shallow or naive]].

* Friendship. It's right there in the title, and there's a reason for that. My Little Pony presented a lovable {{Nakama}}, and showed how [[OddFriendship very different individuals could get along.]] Naturally, ThePowerOfFriendship is bound to show up - although whether or not it's ''supernatural'' is something you'll need to decide on (see below).

Lauren Faust set the show in a world that was vastly different from our own, with a cast of RidiculouslyCuteCritter. That approach certainly paid off, with a rich world that drives endless fan speculation, and ''adorable'' character designs. In theory, though, much of the character dynamics could have worked with a human cast (and "humanized" fanart is quite abundant!). You may consider that the alternate setting offers too many opportunities not to be used, but it is not mandatory...and if you ''do'' choose to create a world for it, remember that My Little Pony benefited from surprisingly rich WorldBuilding.

The popularity of Lauren Faust's MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic has taken the Internet by surprise - with a huge PeripheryDemographic and a very active community, it is, after only one season, already one of the most successful shows in WesternAnimation in recent years. Not bad, especially given that the previous incarnation of the ponies could have easily been a FranchiseKiller.