My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

{{Short description|Entertainment franchise developed by Hasbro based on My Little Pony}} {{Use American English|date=January 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}} {{About|the Hasbro toy line and media franchise|the 2013 film|My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (film)|the 2017 web series|My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (web series)|other uses|Equestria Girls (disambiguation){{!}}My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (disambiguation)}}  {{Infobox media franchise | image = Equestria Girls 2017 Logo.png | caption = Logo introduced in 2017 | creator = [[Hasbro]] | origin = Toys | years = 2013–2020 | books = (see Books sub-section) | comics = (see Comics sub-section) | films = {{Plainlist| * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (film)|Equestria Girls]]'' (2013) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks|Rainbow Rocks]]'' (2014) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games|Friendship Games]]'' (2015) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Legend of Everfree|Legend of Everfree]]'' (2016) }} | tv_specials = {{Plainlist| * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2017 television specials)|Magical Movie Night/Tales of Canterlot High]]'' (2017) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Forgotten Friendship|Forgotten Friendship]]'' (2018) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rollercoaster of Friendship|Rollercoaster of Friendship]]'' (2018) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Spring Breakdown|Spring Breakdown]]'' (2019) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Sunset's Backstage Pass|Sunset's Backstage Pass]]'' (2019) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Holidays Unwrapped|Holidays Unwrapped]]'' (2019) }} | shorts = {{Plainlist| * [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations#Canterlot Shorts|''Canterlot'' shorts]] (2017) * [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations#Music videos|Music videos]] (2017) * ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (web series)|Better Together]]'' (2017–2020) }} | vgs = {{Unbulleted list| ''Equestria Girls'' mobile app| Equestria Girls mini-game in Gameloft's ''MLP'' mobile app}} | soundtracks = (see Soundtracks section) | toys = My Little Pony: Equestria Girls }}

'''''My Little Pony: Equestria Girls''''' (or simply '''''Equestria Girls''''') is a [[fashion doll]] and [[media franchise]] launched in 2013 by American toy company [[Hasbro]], as a [[Spinoff (media)|spin-off]] of the [[My Little Pony (2010 toyline)|2010 relaunch]] of the ''[[My Little Pony]]'' toy line.

The franchise features [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphized]] versions of characters from the ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|Friendship Is Magic]]'' television series; as with ''My Little Pony'', the dolls have colorful bodies and hair, while incorporating their pony counterparts' "[[Cutie mark|cutie marks]]" in their clothing. Along with licensed merchandise, Hasbro (through its subsidiary [[Allspark (company)|Allspark Animation]]) has commissioned [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations|several animated works]] to accompany the doll line, including four films, eight television specials, and multiple short-form series.

The setting of ''Equestria Girls'' is established as a [[Parallel universes in fiction|parallel universe]] to the main world of [[Equestria]] in the 2010 incarnation of ''My Little Pony'', populated by humanoid versions of the "[[Mane Six]]" and other characters; Hasbro's marketing materials describe them as "full-time students and part-time [[magical girl|magical pony girls]]".<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://press.discovery.com/us/dfc/press-releases/2017/girls-canterlot-high-return-discovery-family--4057/ |title=The Girls of Canterlot High Return to Discovery Family in Three New My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Specials to Air Throughout the Network's Annual "Summer Splash" Programming Event |location=Miami, Florida |publisher=Discovery, Inc. |date=May 26, 2017 |access-date=May 26, 2017}}</ref>

==Premise== ''Equestria Girls'' takes place in an alternate version of [[Equestria]] resembling modern-day [[Earth]], which is populated by humanoid counterparts to the pony characters of ''Friendship Is Magic''. This world is accessible through a magical mirror that was once kept in the Crystal Empire, before being relocated to [[Twilight Sparkle]]'s castle sometime later. In ''Equestria Girls'' media, pony characters from ''Friendship Is Magic'' who travel through the mirror assume humanoid forms in the alternate setting and vice versa.

Most ''Equestria Girls'' characters are similar to their ''Friendship Is Magic'' counterparts in terms of appearance and personality. Several locales in the parallel world serve as counterparts to the main cities and establishments in Equestria: Canterlot High School (CHS), for example, corresponds to Canterlot in Equestria, and is run by Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, who are counterparts of Equestria's rulers [[Princess Celestia]] and [[Princess Luna]].

===Characters=== {{Unreferenced section|date=January 2020}}  {{Expand section|detailed description of how each character is depicted in the official ''Equestria Girls'' media; and how the characters (especially Equestria Girls exclusive characters) were developed|date=August 2023|talksection=Talk:My Little Pony: Equestria Girls#List of characters|small=no}} {{Split section|List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls characters|date=August 2023|discuss=Talk:My Little Pony: Equestria Girls#List of characters}}

The main characters are collectively referred to in merchandise as the "Equestria Girls". Beginning with ''[[Rainbow Rocks]]'', they are also the members of a rock band called the "Rainbooms". In ''[[Legend of Everfree]]'', they are granted magical abilities from geodes they discover at the titular camp.

* '''[[Twilight Sparkle]]''' (voiced by [[Tara Strong]], singing voice by [[Rebecca Shoichet]]) – Two different versions of Twilight Sparkle appear in the ''Equestria'' Girls franchise: ** '''[[Twilight Sparkle|Princess Twilight Sparkle]]''', the [[winged unicorn|unicorn with wings]] who appeared in ''Friendship Is Magic'', transformed into a humanoid teenager after traveling from Equestria. In ''Rainbow Rocks'', she temporarily assumes the role of vocalist in the Rainbooms. ** '''[[Twilight Sparkle#Equestria Girls alternate version|Twilight Sparkle]]''' ({{Aka}} '''Sci-Twi'''), the alternate universe counterpart, formally debuts in ''Friendship Games'' as a student at Crystal Prep Academy, who eventually transfers to Canterlot High School after being saved by [[Sunset Shimmer]] from being transformed into her evil alter ego Midnight Sparkle. She joins the Rainbooms as a backup vocalist and has telekinetic powers. * '''[[Spike (My Little Pony)#Equestria Girls alternate version|Spike]]''' (voiced by [[Cathy Weseluck]]) – As with Twilight Sparkle, two versions of Spike have appeared in the franchise: ** His ''Friendship Is Magic'' incarnation, a [[dragon]], is transformed into a [[dog]] upon traveling through the portal from Equestria with Princess Twilight Sparkle. He retains the ability to speak in this form. ** His alternate universe counterpart is an ordinary dog and Sci-Twi's pet, formally introduced in ''Friendship Games''. He gains the ability to talk after exposure to Equestrian magic. * '''[[Sunset Shimmer]]''' (voiced by [[Rebecca Shoichet]]) – A unicorn from Equestria who resides in the parallel world as a CHS student. Originally the main antagonist of the first ''Equestria Girls'' film, she reforms and becomes the leader of the parallel world's counterparts of the main characters. She joins the Rainbooms as a rhythm guitarist and can read people's minds by physically touching them. * [[Applejack (My Little Pony)#Equestria Girls alternate version|'''Applejack''']] (voiced by [[Ashleigh Ball]]) – A CHS student who works on her family's farm. She is the Rainbooms' bass guitarist and has super strength. * '''[[Rainbow Dash#Equestria Girls alternate version|Rainbow Dash]]''' (voiced by [[Ashleigh Ball]]) – A CHS student and star athlete, stated to be the captain of every sports team the school has. She is the Rainbooms' electric guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter, and has super speed. * '''[[Pinkie Pie#Equestria Girls alternate version|Pinkie Pie]]''' (voiced by [[Andrea Libman]], singing voice by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]] and occasionally Libman) – An eccentric and friendly CHS student. She is the Rainbooms' drummer and can make candies and sugary foods explosive. * '''[[Rarity (My Little Pony)#Equestria Girls alternate version|Rarity]]''' (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]], singing voice by [[Kazumi Evans]]) – A CHS student and talented seamstress. She is the Rainbooms' keytarist and can create diamond-like force fields. * '''[[Fluttershy#Equestria Girls alternate version|Fluttershy]]''' (voiced by [[Andrea Libman]]) – A CHS student who volunteers at the local animal shelter. She is the Rainbooms' tambourinist and can communicate with animals.

====Antagonists==== * '''{{visible anchor|The Dazzlings|Adagio Dazzle|Sonata Dusk|Aria Blaze}}''' – The main antagonists of ''Rainbow Rocks''. The Dazzlings are a villainous trio of [[Siren (mythology)|siren]]s consisting of leader '''Adagio Dazzle''' (voiced by [[Kazumi Evans]]), abrasive '''Aria Blaze''' (voiced by [[Diana Kaarina]], singing voice by Shylo Sharity), and airheaded '''Sonata Dusk''' (voiced by [[Maryke Hendrikse]], singing voice by [[Madeline Merlo]] in ''Rainbow Rocks'' and by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]] in ''[[Sunset's Backstage Pass]]''). The Dazzlings were banished to the parallel world by Star Swirl the Bearded, and seek control of the population through their enchanted singing. They also appear in ''Sunset's Backstage Pass'' as minor characters. * '''{{visible anchor|Abacus Cinch|Principal Cinch}}''' (voiced by Iris Quinn) – The main antagonist of ''Friendship Games''. Cinch is the strict [[Head teacher|principal]] of Crystal Prep Academy, a prestigious rival to Canterlot High School, and is obsessed with maintaining her school's reputation by manipulating her prized pupil, the alternate universe counterpart of Twilight Sparkle. In "[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2017 television specials)|Dance Magic]]", it is mentioned that she was replaced as Crystal Prep's principal by Dean Cadance, the counterpart of [[Princess Cadance]]. * '''{{visible anchor|Gloriosa Daisy|Gaea Everfree}}''' (voiced by Enid-Raye Adams, singing voice by Kelly Metzger) – The main antagonist of ''Legend of Everfree''. Gloriosa is a misguided counselor at Camp Everfree who, in an attempt to save the camp from closing, seizes geodes imbued with Equestrian magic that turn her into a creature named Gaea Everfree. * '''{{visible anchor|Juniper Montage}}''' (voiced by [[Ali Liebert]]) – The main antagonist of the [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2017 television specials)|2017 specials]] "Movie Magic" and "Mirror Magic". The niece of film director Canter Zoom, Juniper sabotages her uncle's production in "Movie Magic" in hopes of being cast as the lead actress. In "Mirror Magic", she finds an enchanted mirror that traps the main characters and corrupts her into a fame-obsessed [[giantess]]. * '''{{visible anchor|Wallflower Blush}}''' (voiced by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]]) – An antisocial student and the main antagonist of ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Forgotten Friendship|Forgotten Friendship]]''. Ignored by the school population and resentful of Sunset's evolution from hated bully to beloved friend, Wallflower uses a mystical, memory-erasing stone to turn Sunset's best friends' against her. * '''{{visible anchor|Vignette Valencia}}''' (voiced by [[Tegan Moss]]) – The main antagonist of ''[[Rollercoaster of Friendship]]''. Vignette is the public relations director for the new Equestria Land amusement park and relies on social media to promote it. A wisp of Equestrian magic later enchants her smartphone, allowing her to create holograms. * '''{{visible anchor|PostCrush|Kiwi Lollipop|Supernova Zap}}''' – The main antagonists of ''[[Sunset's Backstage Pass]]''. PostCrush is a pop music duo consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist '''Kiwi Lollipop''' (K-Lo; voiced by [[Lili Beaudoin]], singing voice by Marie Hui) and drummer '''Supernova Zap''' (Su-Z; voiced by Mariee Devereux, singing voice by Arielle Tuliao). Disastisfied with their performances, they use an Equestrian artifact called the Time Twirler to create a [[time loop]], inadvertently causing Sunset Shimmer to relive the first day of the Starswirled Music Festival.

====Supporting characters==== * '''[[Principal Celestia]]''' (voiced by [[Nicole Oliver]]) – The principal of Canterlot High. * '''[[Vice Principal Luna]]''' (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]]) – The [[Vice-principal|vice principal]] of Canterlot High and Celestia's younger sister. * '''{{visible anchor|Cheerilee}}''' (voiced by Nicole Oliver) – A teacher and librarian at Canterlot High. * '''{{visible anchor|Mr. Cranky Doodle}}''' (voiced by [[Richard Newman (actor)|Richard Newman]]) – A grumpy teacher at Canterlot High who is also a driving test instructor. * '''{{visible anchor|Granny Smith}}''' (voiced by Tabitha St. Germain) – Applejack's grandmother and a cafeteria worker at Canterlot High. * '''{{visible anchor|Flash Sentry}}''' (voiced by [[Vincent Tong (voice actor)|Vincent Tong]]) – A CHS student and Sunset Shimmer's ex-boyfriend, who takes a romantic interest in Twilight but is seen renewing his relationship with Sunset after her reform. His Equestrian counterpart, a royal pegasus guard at the Crystal Empire, appears in the first film and ''Forgotten Friendship'', and has brief appearances in ''Friendship Is Magic''. * '''[[Cutie Mark Crusaders]]''' (voiced by [[Michelle Creber]], [[Claire Corlett]], and Madeleine Peters) – A club consisting of three younger students, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are the sisters of Applejack and Rarity, respectively. * '''{{visible anchor|Snips and Snails|Snips|Snails}}''' (voiced by [[Lee Tockar]] and [[Richard Ian Cox]]) – Two troublemaking younger students who act as Sunset Shimmer's assistants in the first film. * '''[[Background Six#Vinyl Scratch|DJ Pon-3]]''' – A mute [[disc jockey]] and CHS student who helps the Rainbooms defeat the Dazzlings in the second film. * '''{{visible anchor|Big McIntosh}}''' (voiced by Peter New) – A CHS student who is Applejack's laconic brother. * '''{{visible anchor|Octavia Melody}}''' (voiced by [[Kazumi Evans]]) – A cellist and CHS student. * '''{{visible anchor|Photo Finish}}''' (voiced by [[Tabitha St. Germain]]) – A CHS student who is a pretentious photographer often accompanied by two silent assistants, Violet Blurr and Pixel Pizzaz. * '''[[The Great and Powerful Trixie#Equestria Girls alternate version|Trixie Lulamoon]]''' (voiced by [[Kathleen Barr]]) – A braggart magician and CHS student who is a minor antagonist in ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks|Rainbow Rocks]]'', where she and her bandmates trap the Rainbooms under an amphitheater stage. In ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Forgotten Friendship|Forgotten Friendship]]'', she helps Sunset Shimmer find the Memory Stone. * '''{{visible anchor|The Shadowbolts|Sugarcoat|Sour Sweet|Indigo Zap|Sunny Flare|Lemon Zest}}''' – The Shadowbolts are Crystal Prep's sports team that opposes Canterlot High's Wondercolts team. Apart from the counterpart of Twilight Sparkle, the team includes: the blunt '''Sugarcoat''' (voiced by Sienna Bohn), two-faced '''Sour Sweet''' (voiced by Sharon Alexander), hyper-competitive '''Indigo Zap''' (voiced by [[Kelly Sheridan]]), disdainful '''Sunny Flare''', (voiced by [[Britt Irvin]]) and rocker girl '''Lemon Zest''' (voiced by [[Shannon Chan-Kent]]). * '''{{visible anchor|Timber Spruce}}''' (voiced by Brian Doe) – Timber Spruce is the younger brother of Gloriosa Daisy and another counselor at Camp Everfree. He is introduced in ''Legend of Everfree'' and becomes a love interest for Sci-Twi. * '''{{visible anchor|Zephyr Breeze}}''' (voiced by Ryan Beil) – Fluttershy's brother and a CHS student.

==Development and release== The 2010 incarnation of the ''My Little Pony'' toy line and its associated television series ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic]]'', despite targeting younger children, attracted an unexpected [[cult following]] of older male fans in their 20s and 30s, known as "[[bronies]]". Artwork produced by these fans included re-imaginings of the ''Friendship Is Magic'' cast as humans. Hasbro saw this art and came up with the idea of developing the spin-off with a similar aesthetic.<ref name="NFLX-TTTMS-MLP">{{cite episode |title=My Little Pony |series=The Toys That Made Us |series-link=The Toys That Made Us |season=3 |number=3 |date=November 15, 2019 |network=[[Netflix]] |time=39:00}}</ref>

The earliest known official use of the "Equestria Girls" name occurred in 2011 when the American television channel The Hub (a joint venture between [[Discovery, Inc.|Discovery Communications]] and [[Hasbro]]; now known as [[Discovery Family]]) released a promotional trailer for [[Allspark (company)|Hasbro Studio]]'s ''Friendship Is Magic'' television series, featuring a modified version of [[Katy Perry]]'s "[[California Gurls]]".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/06/bronies-my-little-ponys/ |title=My Little Pony Corrals Unlikely Fanboys Known as 'Bronies' |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |first=Angela |last=Watercutter |date=June 9, 2011 |access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> However, the trailer had no connection to the later-launched franchise.

In December 2012, Hasbro registered a trademark for the name "Equestria Girls" at the [[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] (USPTO).<ref>{{cite web |title=EQUESTRIA GIRLS (Case no. 85804403) |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85804403&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |website=Trademark Status & Document Retrieval |publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] |access-date=June 20, 2022 |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713022850/https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85804403&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EQUESTRIA GIRLS (Case no. 85805634) |url=https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85805634&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch |website=Trademark Status & Document Retrieval |publisher=[[United States Patent and Trademark Office]] |access-date=June 20, 2022 |language=en-US |url-status=live |archive-date=July 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713022850/https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=85805634&caseType=SERIAL_NO&searchType=statusSearch}}</ref> The franchise was briefly mentioned in the media earlier in February and March 2013.<ref name="kidscreen">{{cite news |url=https://kidscreen.com/content/pdf/51589.pdf |title=Hasbro Hits its Stride |pages=33–34 |date=February–March 2013 |work=Kidscreen |first=Brendan |last=Christie |access-date=March 9, 2013 |archive-date=April 24, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424113414/http://kidscreen.com/content/pdf/51589.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/business/hasbro-expands-transformers-brand-into-new-media.html |title=Classic Toys Redesigned to Traverse Generations |newspaper=The New York Times |date=March 2, 2013 |last1=Schmidt |first1=Gregory |access-date=September 5, 2017 |archive-date=November 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111222824/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/business/hasbro-expands-transformers-brand-into-new-media.html |url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview in the February/March 2013 issue of the ''Kidscreen'' magazine, Hasbro's senior vice president of international distribution and development, Finn Arnesen, called ''My Little Pony'' a "top-priority" brand for the company; the film was described as "a new companion series" that would "[send] the pony heroes on a mission to a new world where they take on human form".<ref name="kidscreen"/> ''Equestria Girls'' was announced in May 2013 with a film and other media strategies,<ref name="NYTimes" /> and it was included in Hasbro's licensing program for ''My Little Pony'' announced in June 2013,<ref name="HasPRJune13"/> which began at the 2013 Licensing International Expo along with the company's other properties.<ref name="HasbroLIEXPO13">{{Cite press release |title=Hasbro Set to Drive Global Retail Programs with Strategic Licensing Supporting Company's Franchise Brands |url=https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-set-drive-global-retail-programs-strategic-licensing?ReleaseID=771881 |location=[[Pawtucket, RI]] |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |agency=[[Business Wire]] |date=June 17, 2013 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref> The spin-off coincided with the 30th anniversary of the ''My Little Pony'' brand.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/business/hasbro-expands-transformers-brand-into-new-media.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1 |title=Classic Toys Redesigned to Traverse Generations |first=Gregory |last=Schmidt |date=March 1, 2013 |access-date=December 9, 2022 |work=New York Times |archive-date=December 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209184500/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/02/business/hasbro-expands-transformers-brand-into-new-media.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Along with the toys, Hasbro planned to produce related merchandise and media including film, apparel, and accessories. Hasbro's chief marketing officer, John A. Frascotti, called the franchise a "major strategic initiative" for the company.<ref name="NYTimes" /> The human-based toys were developed to appeal to girls in their teens as a means to extend the ''My Little Pony'' brand.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/toy-makers-look-to-extend-the-run-of-classic-girls8217-characters-1387324742 |title=Toy Makers Look to Extend the Run of Classic Girls' Characters |first=Anne Marie |last=Chalker |date=December 17, 2013 |access-date=February 16, 2014 |work=[[Wall Street Journal]] |archive-date=June 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609122610/https://www.wsj.com/articles/toy-makers-look-to-extend-the-run-of-classic-girls8217-characters-1387324742 |url-status=live}}{{subscription required}}</ref> In addition, Hasbro would continue its licensing deals with book publisher [[Little, Brown and Company]] and comic book publisher [[IDW Publishing]] to publish related works.<ref name="HasPRJune13">{{Cite press release |title=Hasbro Builds on MY LITTLE PONY Brand Growth Catering to Fans Worldwide |url=https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/correcting-and-replacing-hasbro-builds-my-little-pony-brand?ReleaseID=772696 |location=[[Las Vegas, NV]] |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |agency=[[Business Wire]] |date=June 19, 2013 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

''Equestria Girls'' is regarded as Hasbro's take on ''[[Monster High]]'',<ref>{{cite book |first=Sherilyn |last=Connelly |date=March 14, 2017 |title=Ponyville Confidential: The History and Culture of My Little Pony, 1981-2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yXRPDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |publisher=McFarland & Company |page=190 |isbn=978-1476662091 |access-date=March 15, 2022 |archive-date=July 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710030523/https://books.google.com/books?id=yXRPDgAAQBAJ&pg=PA190 |url-status=live}}</ref> a line of goth-themed [[fashion doll|fashion dolls]] launched by [[Mattel]] (one of Hasbro's major rivals in the toy industry) in 2010. ''Monster High'' featured non-human skin and hair colors, was [[Media franchise|supported by multimedia tie-ins]], and [[Monster High#Reception|had its popularity and sales peaked in 2012 and 2013]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bias |first=William |date=July 28, 2014 |title=Here's Why Mattel Hit a Bump in the Road |work=[[The Motley Fool]] |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/28/heres-why-mattel-hit-a-bump-in-the-road.aspx |access-date=March 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220522231735/https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2014/07/28/heres-why-mattel-hit-a-bump-in-the-road.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year Hasbro launched ''Equestria Girls'', Mattel introduced a fairytale-themed spin-off of ''Monster High'' known as ''[[Ever After High]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/07/18/mattels-future-happily-ever-after.aspx |title=Mattel's Future: Happily Ever After? |first=Andrew |last=Marder |date=July 19, 2013 |work=[[The Motley Fool]] |access-date=May 28, 2015 |archive-date=May 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150529121228/http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/07/18/mattels-future-happily-ever-after.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://toybook.com/mattels-ever-after-high-launches-globally/ |title=Mattel Launches Ever After High Globally |first=Phil |last=Guie |date=October 30, 2013 |access-date=May 18, 2022 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702063138/https://toybook.com/mattels-ever-after-high-launches-globally/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In audio commentary included on the ''Rainbow Rocks'' home media release, Meghan McCarthy commented that ''Equestria Girls'' was initially not intended to become an ongoing franchise and that the thought of a sequel did not cross her mind.<ref name="commentary">{{cite web |url=https://www.toplessrobot.com/2014/10/the_15_coolest_things_from_the_my_little_pony_eque.php |title=The 14 Coolest Things from the My Little Pony: Equestria Girls - Rainbow Rocks DVD Commentary |last=Connelly |first=Sherrily |work=Topless Robot |date=October 22, 2014 |access-date=October 22, 2014 |archive-date=October 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141025072040/http://www.toplessrobot.com/2014/10/the_15_coolest_things_from_the_my_little_pony_eque.php |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Toys and yearly line-ups== {{Expand section|small = no|1=<nowiki /> * Themes of each (sub-)line-up * Details on toys |date=June 2021}} {{Infobox toy |name = My Little Pony: Equestria Girls |image = |caption = |type = [[Fashion doll]] |inventory = |country = United States |company = [[Hasbro]] |from = 2013 |to = 2020 |slogan = }} * '''{{visible anchor|Equestria Girls}}''' (2013): The first lineup to be released, it features a humanized version of My Little Pony characters from the 2010 relaunch. * '''{{visible anchor|Rainbow Rocks}}''' (2014): The succeeding lineup named Rainbow Rocks, featuring music-themed toys and media, was first displayed at the 2014 [[American International Toy Fair]].<ref name="HasPRFeb14">{{Cite press release |title=Hasbro Unveils Its Portfolio of Entertainment Brands and Innovative Must-Have Play Experiences at the 2014 American International Toy Fair |url=https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/hasbro-unveils-its-portfolio-entertainment-brands-and-innovative?ReleaseID=825997 |location=[[New York, NY]] |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |agency=[[Business Wire]] |date=February 15, 2014 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://toybuzz.org/hasbro-reveals-little-pony-lineup-toy-fair-2014/ |title=Hasbro Reveals My Little Pony Lineup At Toy Fair 2014 |publisher=ToyBuzz.org |date=February 18, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2014 |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915091607/http://toybuzz.org/hasbro-reveals-little-pony-lineup-toy-fair-2014/ |url-status=live}}</ref> * '''{{visible anchor|Friendship Games}}''' (2015): In January 2015, at that year's edition of The Toy Fair in [[London]], some merchandise was unveiled labeled ''My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Friendship Games''.<ref name="ukofequestria">{{cite web |url=https://ukofequestria.co.uk/threads/toy-fair-2015-what-did-we-see-beware-potential-eg3-spoilers.15433/ |title=Toy Fair 2015 – what did we see? Beware: Potential EG3 Spoilers! |author=idlemichael |work=UK of Equestria |date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910145927/https://ukofequestria.co.uk/threads/toy-fair-2015-what-did-we-see-beware-potential-eg3-spoilers.15433/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> Some vectors for the merchandise include Applejack and Fluttershy in archery outfits, an alternative universe counterpart of Twilight Sparkle, and five new characters introduced with the lineup: Indigo Zap, Lemon Zest, Sour Sweet, Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlpmerch.com/2015/01/equestria-girls-friendship-games-dolls.html |title=Equestria Girls Friendship Games Dolls Listed on Amazon |author=Ilona |work=MLP Merch |date=January 24, 2015 |access-date=January 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127225409/http://www.mlpmerch.com/2015/01/equestria-girls-friendship-games-dolls.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Mentions on the supporting products, alongside the film, were included in Hasbro's investor presentation at the 2015 [[American International Toy Fair]].<ref name="Invst15">{{cite web |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/3984034886x0x809401/0BF46B95-CDE6-42FE-B7D5-78257B0F8264/Webcast_Full.pdf |title=2015 Investor Update at Toy Fair |author=Hasbro |date=February 13, 2015 |page=63 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003085831/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/2933885250x0x809401/0BF46B95-CDE6-42FE-B7D5-78257B0F8264/Webcast_Full.pdf |archive-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref><!-- per [[H:LIST]] guidelines on paragraphs

-->{{pb}}Wondercolts and Shadowbolts dolls were released in late 2015 in two varieties: "School Spirit" classic and "Sporty Style" deluxe. In the Sporty Style assortment, the Wondercolts' Fluttershy and Applejack and the Shadowbolts' Sour Sweet and Twilight Sparkle come with a bow and a quiver of arrows. The Wondercolts' Rainbow Dash and Sunset Shimmer and the Shadowbolts' Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat come with motorcycle helmets and goggles. The Wondercolts' Pinkie Pie and Rarity and the Shadowbolts' Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare come with roller skates. A motocross bike was released in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hasbro |title=my little pony Equestria girls 2015 product descriptions |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/0x0x808316/240C2FA9-C565-44FF-B5A7-CAC0A92D804A/My%20Little%20Pony%20Equestria%20Girls%202015%20Product%20Descriptions.pdf |access-date=February 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104191257/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/HAS/0x0x808316/240C2FA9-C565-44FF-B5A7-CAC0A92D804A/My%20Little%20Pony%20Equestria%20Girls%202015%20Product%20Descriptions.pdf |archive-date=November 4, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''{{visible anchor|Equestria Girls Minis}}''' (2015): A lineup featuring caricatured Equestria Girls characters. * '''{{visible anchor|Legend of Everfree}}''' (2016): First mentioned in a Hasbro 2016 Entertainment Plan presentation in August 2015 along with [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Legend of Everfree|the tie-in film of the same title]], a tentative image was shown of a new character whose name was not mentioned at the time.<ref name="EntPlan16EQD">{{cite web |url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2015/08/equestria-girls-legends-of-everfree.html |title=Equestria Girls: Legends of Everfree Highlighted in Hasbro's 2016 Entertainment Plan, Plus Season 6 |author=Sethisto |publisher=Equestria Daily |date=August 4, 2015 |access-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-date=August 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806042007/https://www.equestriadaily.com/2015/08/equestria-girls-legends-of-everfree.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2016}} In February 2016, at the 2016 [[American International Toy Fair]], some Legend of Everfree merchandise was revealed. Dolls unveiled were available in four styles: "Geometric Assortment", "Crystal Gala Assortment", "Crystal Wings Assortment" and "Boho Assortment". A new character by the name of Gloriosa Daisy was also revealed during the presentation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/02/legends-of-everfree-dolls-and-details.html |title=Legends of Everfree Dolls and Details - Character Names and Plot Revealed! |author=Sethisto |publisher=Equestria Daily |date=February 12, 2016 |access-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214220052/http://www.equestriadaily.com/2016/02/legends-of-everfree-dolls-and-details.html |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|date=October 2016}} The toys were released in July 2016. * '''{{visible anchor|Equestria Girls: Better Together}}''' (2017–2020): An updated lineup featuring newly-re-styled caricatured Equestria Girls characters.

==Media== ===Animated productions=== ====Hasbro Studios/Allspark Animation productions==== {{Main|List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations}} [[Allspark (company)|Allspark Animation]] (previously credited under Hasbro Studios), a subsidiary of [[Hasbro]], has commissioned the production of several animated films, specials, and shorts (except [[#Equestria Girls Minis shorts|''Equestria Girls Minis'' shorts]]). Most of the animated media were produced by [[WildBrain Studios|DHX Studios Vancouver]]'s [[Studio B Productions|2D animation team]] in [[Canada]], except the [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations#Canterlot Shorts|''Canterlot Shorts'' from 2017]], which were produced by [[Boulder Media]] in the [[Republic of Ireland]] (a company acquired by Hasbro in 2016).

The following works were produced under this scope: {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center; width:100%" ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | U.S. release date ! scope="col" | Director ! scope="col" | Screenwriter(s) ! scope="col" | Producer(s) |- ! colspan="5" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |Feature films |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (film)|Equestria Girls]]'' (2013) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|June 16, 2013}} | [[Jayson Thiessen]] | rowspan="2"| [[Meghan McCarthy]] | rowspan="2"| Sarah Wall and Devon Cody |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks|Rainbow Rocks]]'' (2014) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|September 27, 2014}} | Jayson Thiessen and Ishi Rudell |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games|Friendship Games]]'' (2015) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|September 26, 2015}} | rowspan="2"| Ishi Rudell | Josh Haber | Devon Cody |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Legend of Everfree|Legend of Everfree]]'' (2016) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|October 1, 2016}} | Kristine Songco and Joanna Lewis | Angela Belyea |- ! colspan="5" style="background-color:#ccccff;" |Specials |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (2017 television specials)|Tales of Canterlot High]]'' (2017) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|June 24, 2017}} | rowspan="6"| Ishi Rudell and Katrina Hadley | Gillian Berrow, Noelle Benvenuti, Dave Polsky and Rachel Vine | Angela Belyea |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Forgotten Friendship|Forgotten Friendship]]'' (2018) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|February 17, 2018}} | rowspan="3"| Nick Confalone | rowspan="2"| Angela Belyea and Colleen McAllister |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rollercoaster of Friendship|Rollercoaster of Friendship]]'' (2018) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|July 6, 2018}} |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Spring Breakdown|Spring Breakdown]]'' (2019) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|March 30, 2019}} | rowspan="2"| Angela Belyea, Colleen McAllister, and Katherine Crownover |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Sunset's Backstage Pass|Sunset's Backstage Pass]]'' (2019) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|July 27, 2019}} | Whitney Ralls |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| ''[[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Holidays Unwrapped|Holidays Unwrapped]]'' (2019) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|November 2, 2019}} | Anna Christopher | Angela Belyea and Katherine Crownover |- ! colspan="5" style="background-color:#ccccff;"| Shorts |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks#Prelude|''Rainbow Rocks'' prelude shorts]] (2014) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|March 27, 2014}} | rowspan="3"| Ishi Rudell and [[Jayson Thiessen]] | Cindy Morrow, [[Amy Keating Rogers]], Josh Haber, and Natasha Levinger | rowspan="3"| Devon Cody |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks#Encore|''Rainbow Rocks'' encore shorts]] (2015) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|April 1, 2015}} | Jayson Thiessen, Katrina Hadley, Brian Lenard, [[Daniel Ingram (composer)|Daniel Ingram]], and Michael Vogel |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games#Animated shorts|''Friendship Games'' prelude shorts]] (2015) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|August 1, 2015}} | Brian Lenard, Natasha Levinger, Ishi Rudell, and Jayson Thiessen |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations#Canterlot Shorts|''Canterlot'' shorts]] (2017) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|July 30, 2017}} | rowspan="3"| Ishi Rudell and Katrina Hadley | Gillian M. Berrow | {{N/A}} |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[List of My Little Pony: Equestria Girls animations#Music videos|Music videos]] (2017) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|July 30, 2017}} | rowspan="2"| Various | {{N/A}} |- ! scope="row" style="text-align:left"| [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (web series)|''Better Together'' shorts]] (2017–2020) | style="text-align:left"| {{dts|November 17, 2017}} | Angela Belyea and Colleen McAllister |}

====''Equestria Girls Minis'' shorts==== A media tie-in to promote the Equestria Girls Minis toy line, the animated shorts ranging from 15 to 30 seconds in length were showcased on various online outlets including the toy line's official website and official [[YouTube]] channel beginning in late 2015.

The animation studio which produced the shorts is yet to be identified.

{{Episode table |caption = List of episodes

|total_width = 100

|episodes = {{Episode list | NumParts = 2 | EpisodeNumber = 1 | Title = Pinkie Pie Slumber Party ft. Pinkie Pie | AltTitle = | Aux1_1 = (initial release) | Aux1_2 = (revised version) | Aux2 = Pinkie Pie | Aux3_1 = 25 seconds | Aux3_2 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate_1 = {{Start date|2015|11|23}} | OriginalAirDate_2 = {{Start date|2016|02}} | Aux4_1 = {{Efn|group="EQGMinisShortsNote"|This version features dialogs spoken in English.}} | Aux4_2 = {{Efn|group="EQGMinisShortsNote"|This version does not feature any spoken dialog.}} }} {{Episode list | NumParts = 2 | EpisodeNumber = 2 | Title = Pinkie Pie Slumber Party ft. Twilight Sparkle | AltTitle = | Aux1_1 = (initial release) | Aux1_2 = (revised version) | Aux2 = Pinkie Pie Twilight Sparkle Spike | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate_1 = {{Start date|2016|01|08}} | OriginalAirDate_2 = {{Start date|2016|02}} | Aux4_1 = N/A | Aux4_2 = {{Efn|group="EQGMinisShortsNote"|This version features some slight graphic alterations on-screen compared to the initial release.}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | Title = Pinkie Pie Slumber Party ft. Rarity | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = Pinkie Pie Rarity | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|02|11}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 4 | Title = Pinkie Pie Slumber Party | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six | Aux3 = 20 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|04|06}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 5 | Title = Dance Off | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six Sunset Shimmer DJ Pon-3 Flash Sentry | Aux3 = 30 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|08|15}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 6 | Title = Pillow Fight | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six | Aux3 = 20 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2016|11|07}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 7 | Title = Adventures at Canterlot High: Class w/Principal Celestia | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six Principal Celestia | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|02|03}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 8 | Title = Adventures at Canterlot High: Sci-Twi's Lab | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six Photo Finish | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|02|03}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | NumParts = 2 | EpisodeNumber_1 = 9 | EpisodeNumber_2 = 10 | Title = The Show Must Go On | AltTitle = | Aux1_1 = Part 1 | Aux1_2 = Part 2 | Aux2 = The Mane Six Juniper Montage | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2017|07|13}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 11 | Title = Beach Fun | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six Spike Trixie | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|03|22}} | Aux4 = N/A }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 12 | Title = Fun at the Theme Park! | AltTitle = | Aux1 = N/A | Aux2 = The Mane Six | Aux3 = 15 seconds | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2018|09|13}} | Aux4 = N/A }} }}

===Publications=== ====Books==== The following [[juvenile fiction]] [[chapter book]]s are originally published by [[Little, Brown and Company]] imprint of [[Hachette Book Group|Hachette Book Group USA]]. The Orchard Book's imprint of Hachette UK, as well as The Five Mile Press in Australia, also published the books. The dates listed are the American publish dates.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;" |- ! scope="col" | {{abbr|No.|Number}} ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Author ! scope="col" | Date {{Book list | book_number = 1 | title = Equestria Girls: Through the Mirror | author = G.M. Berrow | publish_date = October 1, 2013 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 2 | title = Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = April 8, 2014 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 3 | title = Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks - The Mane Event | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = October 7, 2014 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 4 | title = Equestria Girls: Sunset Shimmer's Time to Shine | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = May 5, 2015 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 5 | title = Equestria Girls: Friendship Games | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = October 6, 2015 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 6 | title = Equestria Girls: Twilight's Sparkly Sleepover Surprise | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = May 17, 2016 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 7 | title = Equestria Girls: The Legend of Everfree | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = September 6, 2016 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 8 | title = Equestria Girls: Magic, Magic Everywhere! | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = June 6, 2017 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | book_number = 9 | title = Equestria Girls: A Friendship to Remember | author = Perdita Finn | publish_date = December 5, 2017 | line_color = | short_summary = }} |}

Other than the chapter books, the following books were also published by the LB Kids imprint.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;" |- ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Author ! scope="col" | Date {{Book list | title = Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree - Save Our Camp! | author = Louise Alexander | publish_date = September 6, 2016 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | title = Equestria Girls: Wondercolts Forever | author = Sadie Chesterfield | publish_date = January 3, 2017 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | title = Canterlot High Stories: Rainbow Dash Brings the Blitz | author = Arden Hayes | publish_date = April 3, 2018 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | title = Canterlot High Stories: Twilight Sparkle's Science Fair Sparks | author = Arden Hayes | publish_date = June 5, 2018 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | title = Canterlot High Stories: Pinkie Pie and the Cupcake Calamity | author = Arden Hayes | publish_date = October 2, 2018 | line_color = | short_summary = }} {{Book list | title = Make Your Own Magic: The Starswirl Do-Over | author = Whitney Ralls | publish_date = February 5, 2019 | line_color = | short_summary = }} |}

====Comics==== {{See also|My Little Pony (IDW Publishing)}}

A special short story, featuring the origins of Sunset Shimmer, was published in the IDW ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' 2013 [[San Diego Comic-Con|San Diego]] Comic-Con comic variant in July 2013. It also included additional stories in a stand-alone issue, titled ''My Little Pony Annual 2013: Equestria Girls'', released on October 30, 2013.<ref name="oct2013 solict">{{cite web |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/samurai-jack-joins-doctor-who-powerpuff-girls-khan-my-little-pony-as-locke-key-comes-to-an-end-in-idws-october-solicitations-for-2013/ |title=Samurai Jack Joins Doctor Who, Khan And My Little Pony As Locke & Key Comes To An End In IDW's October Solicitations For 2013 |first=Rich |last=Johnson |date=July 11, 2013 |access-date=July 11, 2013 |publisher=Bleeding Cool News |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032136/https://bleedingcool.com/comics/samurai-jack-joins-doctor-who-powerpuff-girls-khan-my-little-pony-as-locke-key-comes-to-an-end-in-idws-october-solicitations-for-2013/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbr.com/my-little-pony-annual-2013/ |title=My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks |publisher=[[ComicBookResources.com]] |date=April 2, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223922/https://www.cbr.com/my-little-pony-annual-2013/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

An issue of IDW's ''Fiendship Is Magic'' features the Sirens, the evil creatures that appeared in ''Rainbow Rocks''.

{{Graphic novel list/header | OneLanguage = yes | WithTitle = yes | Language = US | Width = 100% }} {{Graphic novel list | Title = My Little Pony: Annual 2013 | RelDate = October 30, 2013 | ISBN = 1631405152 | Summary = Stories take place before the [[My Little Pony: Equestria Girls (film)|first ''Equestria Girls'' film]], including an 8-page story original book published in the 2013 [[San Diego Comic-Con]] variant of the main series, issue #9 (in July 2013), telling the origin of the character Sunset Shimmer. In the short, Sunset is shown as Princess Celestia's prized student in magic arts, whom Celestia hopes to groom into a princess. However, when Sunset becomes corrupted by images she sees in a magic mirror, Celestia realizes that Sunset may be too greedy and vain. Sunset goes against Celestia's wishes and breaks into the dark magic wing of the library, learning about the mirror's function and magic that can transform her into a winged unicorn. Celestia discovers this and expels Sunset as her student, but Sunset manages to escape and pass through the mirror, ending up in the parallel world.

In the main story, a prequel to the events of the film but told in flashback from a series of interviews, the five students, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash struggle as freshmen at Canterlot High. Pinkie cannot find a school club that makes her happy, while Rainbow Dash wants to be the star player of the Wondercolts soccer team despite her inability to play on the team. Meanwhile, Applejack is initially glad to see her cousins Babs Seed and Sunflower, but they ridicule her fashion while making friends with Rarity, the fashion expert. However, when Rarity asks Fluttershy, who has been worried about Sunflower's sick [[chihuahua dog]] but is unable to speak up about it, to join them for lunch one day, Babs Seed and Sunflower refuse to allow her.

On the day of the first game, Pinkie has found her true calling, as leader of the school's glee club, and gets Fluttershy to help distribute cheering equipment to the crowd. When Babs and Sunflower refuse Fluttershy's help, both Applejack and Rarity decide to abandon the two and join Fluttershy. The crowd helps Rainbow Dash to remember the team spirit and foregoes her ego to help her team to win. The five become fast friends, though all this is detailed in the present by Sunset to be used for her gains. {{colbegin}} * Ted Anderson, Katie Cook (story) * Tony Fleecs, Andy Price (art) * Heather Breckel, Lauren Perry (coloring) * Tom B. Long (lettering) * Bobby Curnow (editor) {{colend}} |VolumeNumber=}} {{Graphic novel list | Title = My Little Pony: Equestria Girls Holiday Special | RelDate = December 17, 2014 | ISBN = | Summary = As the holidays approach at Canterlot High, Sunset is reminded that she is far distant from her family. Applejack hatches a plan with the rest of her friends to help cheer Sunset up with a series of slumber parties. During the first one, Applejack gets a call from Apple Bloom, who teasingly refers to her by an embarrassing childhood nickname. Applejack gladly explains its origins to the other girls, and Sunset writes to Twilight via her magic journal about the way her friends are helping to lift her spirits.

The next day, Applejack is shocked to discover that a social media user called "Anon-a-miss" has posted a message about the nickname and that everyone at school has read it and begun to tease her. The situation worsens after the next slumber party, held at Rarity's house when Anon-a-miss posts photos that the girls took of one another while trying on silly outfits. They begin to suspect Sunset, as she was the only person present at both events and the colors on Anon-a-miss' social media page now match the ones she favors. Soon, embarrassing secrets about other students begin to show up online, causing the student body as a whole to turn against Sunset.

When Sunset writes to Twilight for help, Twilight reminds her of the Windigos in Equestria, which feed on hatred and distrust between friends and reminds her of the importance of family. Sunset shows these messages to the other girls the next day and asks them if they honestly believe that she could be responsible for stirring up this trouble. The mention of family prompts Sunset to question Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity about the events leading up to their secrets being exposed. Their answers lead her to realize Anon-a-miss' identity, and she is proven right when Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle confess their involvement. Apple Bloom had created Anon-a-miss as a way to get back at Applejack for spending so much time with Sunset rather than her family, and the other two soon joined in, with other students feeding them fresh gossip. They delete the profile, and everyone gets back on good terms with one another in time for the final party at Sweet Apple Acres. {{colbegin}} * Ted Anderson (story) * Tony Fleecs (art) * Heather Breckel (coloring) * Bobby Curnow (editor) * Neil Uyetake (lettering) {{colend}} |VolumeNumber=}} {{Graphic novel list | Title = My Little Pony: Fiendship Is Magic Issue 3 | RelDate = April 15, 2015 | ISBN = 1631403397 | Summary = In ancient Equestria, the sirens - Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk - have been feeding off the emotions brewed by the discord created by their singing in smaller towns but have turned their attention to the populous Canterlot. They arrive at the height of a multi-day musical competition. Their first attempt to sing with their traditional song is cut short as their song is far outdated, and Adagio comes up with singing "pop music" at the next chance. Their new song quickly enraptures the audience, except for the wizard, Star Swirl the Bearded. Recognizing that their singing is turning the ponies of Canterlot against each other, Star Swirl finds the only way to fight back is to counteract the sirens with his music. The Sirens and Star Swirl begin to try to one-up each other over several days until Star Swirl finds he cannot hope to beat the Sirens in musical ability. Remorsefully he uses the magic mirror to banish the sirens to a world without magic, hoping the trio will come to use their powers for good. In this new world, the sirens find themselves in humanized forms, their magic weak but still strong enough to feed on the power of their song. {{colbegin}} * Jeremy Whitley, Christina Rice, Ted Anderson, Heather Nuhfer, Katie Cook (story) * Brenda Hickey, Tony Fleecs, Agnes Garbowska, Andy Price (art) * Amy Mebberson, Sara Richard (cover artist) * Bobby Curnow (editor) * Neil Uyetake (lettering) {{colend}} |VolumeNumber=}} {{Graphic novel list | Title = My Little Pony Equestria Girls: Canterlot High: March Radness | RelDate = March 25, 2020 | ISBN = | Summary = "Spring has sprung, and your favorite Equestria girls are back with three brand-new adventures! Celebrate March Radness with the Spring Athletic event, a visit by the famous A.K. Yearling herself, and… detention?! Return to Canterlot High, where mischief, fun, and friendship collide!" {{colbegin}} * Danny Djeljosevic, Christina Rice, and Toni Kuusisto (story) * Toni Kuusisto (art) * Heather Breckel (coloring) * Megan Brown (editor) * Valeria Lopez (lettering) {{colend}} |VolumeNumber=}} {{Graphic novel list/footer}}

===Live-action music videos===

Up until the Friendship Games lineup, Hasbro has been releasing a series of live-action music videos to promote the toy line. The videos feature female dancers, dressed as the protagonists, dancing to the renditions of the song "Equestria Girls", a number heard in the first ''Equestria Girls'' film.

With the first lineup, Hasbro released a live-action music video, titled ''Magic of Friendship'', on [[Entertainment Weekly|the Entertainment Weekly]] website on August 30, 2013, depicting seven teenage girls, as the six protagonists and Sunset Shimmer, doing a new dance routine called "The EG Stomp" in a school cafeteria to a shorter Toy Commercial version of the "Equestria Girls" song.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/08/30/equestria-girls-music-video/ |title='Equestria Girls' : See a new music video - The Family Room - EW.com |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=August 30, 2013 |access-date=August 30, 2013}}</ref>

On February 20, 2014, Hasbro released a new live-action music video on its official website to coincide with the Rainbow Rocks lineup, depicting the protagonists in a rock band. The music video, also titled ''Rainbow Rocks'', uses a rock version of the "Equestria Girls" song and portrays the protagonists performing the "EG Stomp".<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAh9bjKmi4 |title=Equestria Girls™ Rainbow Rocks Part 1 |date=February 27, 2014 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004155457/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAh9bjKmi4 |archive-date=October 4, 2014}}</ref> Through the ''Equestria Girls'' YouTube channel, another music video was released on August 4, 2014. It depicts four more teenage girls, each one dressed as the Dazzlings and DJ Pon-3 respectively.<ref>{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS5xwYsDjZ8 |title=Equestria Girls™ Rainbow Rocks Part 2 |publisher=YouTube |date=August 4, 2014 |access-date=August 4, 2014}}</ref> In February 2015, another music video titled "Rainbooms Remix" was released.

On August 14, 2015, the same year the Friendship Games lineup was launched, Hasbro released a live-action music video on its website, depicting five of the six protagonists as well as Sunset Shimmer in a sporting competition against Crystal Prep's Twilight Sparkle.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://equestriagirls.hasbro.com/en-us/videos |title=Friendship Games Brand Anthem |publisher=Hasbro |date=August 14, 2015 |access-date=August 14, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315142152/http://equestriagirls.hasbro.com/en-us/videos |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video and website games===

Promotional material of ''My Little Pony: Equestria Girls'' included a website called Hasbro's Equestria Girls that showcased the Mane Six along with introducing Sunset Shimmer as the antagonist.

The website hosted short descriptions of the main characters along with the main antagonists. In much of the advertising, the characters were portrayed with two different art styles, one portraying more of a Monster High art style and a more simplistic style that they ended up using for the films. Both art styles are depicted side by side along with snapshots from their respective movies, ''Equestria Girls'', ''Rainbow Rocks'', and ''The Friendship Games''. The website also included different features such as snapshots of the film, and games based on their respective movies. <ref>{{cite web |title=Twilight Sparkle |url=http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/girls/twilight-sparkle.cfm |website=My Little Pony Equestria Girls |publisher=Hasbro |access-date=6 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130805221933/http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/girls/twilight-sparkle.cfm |archive-date=5 August 2013 |format=Web Page}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Equestria Girls Twilight Sparkle's Profile |url=http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/girls/twilight-sparkle.cfm?startSlide=0 |website=My Little Pony Equestria Girls |publisher=Hasbro |access-date=5 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008084257/http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/girls/twilight-sparkle.cfm?startSlide=0 |archive-date=8 October 2014 |format=Web Page}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |title=Meet The Equestria Girls! |url=http://equestriagirls.hasbro.com/en-us/girls/fg/sunsetshimmer |website=My Little Pony Equestria Girls |publisher=Hasbro |access-date=5 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151031121730/http://equestriagirls.hasbro.com/en-us/girls/fg/sunsetshimmer |archive-date=31 October 2015 |format=Web Page}}</ref>

On October 15, 2013, [[Gameloft]]'s [[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (video game)|''My Little Pony'' mobile game]] was updated to include the ''Equestria Girls'' mini-game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-little-pony-friendship/id533173905 |title=MY LITTLE PONY - Friendship is Magic |publisher=[[iTunes]] |date=October 1, 2013 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120210912/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-little-pony-friendship/id533173905?mt=8 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2016}}

A Rainbow Rocks missile command-type mini-game was added to the ''Hasbro Arcade'' mobile app on April 8, 2014. On October 29, 2014, the mini-game was updated to include the Dazzlings with two songs from the film and one song from one of the live-action music videos.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://apps.apple.com/us/app/my-little-pony-friendship/id533173905 |title=Hasbro Arcade |publisher=[[iTunes]] |date=April 8, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120210912/https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/my-little-pony-friendship/id533173905?mt=8 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2016}}

On June 7, 2014, a Rainbow Rocks game titled "''Repeat the Beat''" was released on Hasbro's Equestria Girls website;<ref>{{cite web |title=Equestria Girls: Repeat the Beat |url=https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=8E61C0AD-5056-9047-F5C5-759F63A3E28A:en_US |date=June 7, 2014 |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522200611/http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=8E61C0AD-5056-9047-F5C5-759F63A3E28A:en_US |archive-date=May 22, 2014 |access-date=June 7, 2014}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2016}} almost two months later, two more games have been released on July 31, 2014, one of them being "''Equestria Girls: Battle of the Bands''"<ref>{{cite web |title=Equestria Girls: Battle of the Bands |url=https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US |date=July 31, 2014 |website=Hasbro |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806010953/http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F794D393-5056-9047-F5A0-45D2FDD64CC3:en_US |archive-date=August 6, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2014}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2016}} and the other being "''Equestria Girls: V.I.F. (Very Important Friend)''".<ref>{{cite web |title=Equestria Girls: V.I.F. |url=https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F79A68EA-5056-9047-F51B-F48F25F83AE2:en_US |date=July 31, 2014 |website=Hasbro |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140926170540/http://www.hasbro.com/equestria-girls/en_US/play/details.cfm?R=F79A68EA-5056-9047-F51B-F48F25F83AE2:en_US |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |access-date=July 31, 2014}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2016}}

On August 4, 2015, a Friendship Games game titled "''Archery Game''" was released on Hasbro's Equestria Girls website.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/media/archery-game:74400C8B-5056-9047-F5C6-E9964E61DD54 |title=Archery Game |publisher=[[Hasbro]] |date=August 4, 2015 |access-date=August 4, 2015 |archive-date=February 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204181335/http://mylittlepony.hasbro.com/en-us/media/archery-game:74400C8B-5056-9047-F5C6-E9964E61DD54 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2016}}

==Other merchandise== ===Soundtracks=== {{main|List of songs in Equestria Girls}}

* ''My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Soundtrack'' (2013) * ''Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks – Soundtrack'' (2014) * ''Equestria Girls: Friendship Games – Soundtrack'' (2015) * ''Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree – Soundtrack'' (2016) The ''My Little Pony 2015 Convention Collection'' released for [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in 2015 contains select songs from the first two films: ''Equestria Girls'' and ''Rainbow Rocks''.

==Reception== There has been criticism over the [[anthropomorphism]] approach of the toy line, as well as the franchise overall. Before the ''Equestria Girls'' film's release, several mothers spoke to the ''New York Daily News'' stating concerns about the humanized characters, describing them as "too sexy", "anorexic", and "going back to the original [[Barbie]]" or "looking like [[Bratz]] dolls", and several feared allowing their children to be influenced by the looks.<ref name="nydn">{{cite web |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/pony-feature-film-horses-hot-trot-article-1.1371131 |title=Gen X moms fear new 'My Little Pony' feature film horses are too hot to trot |work=[[New York Daily News]] |date=June 12, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |first=Nicole Lyn |last=Pesce |archive-date=June 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617030858/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/pony-feature-film-horses-hot-trot-article-1.1371131 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, some considered it reasonable with other current media such as ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', with one parent stating she felt that it isn't "any worse than Ariel in a bikini top for two hours".<ref name="nydn"/> ''[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]''{{'}}s Amanda Marcotte considered that the characters' change to humanoid form was to popularize Equestria Girls with the adult fanbase of ''Friendship Is Magic'', who she claims "have expressed a strong interest in seeing the Ponies in sexy, humanized forms".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/06/triumph-of-the-bronies-hasbro-turning-my-little-ponies-into-sexy-human-characters-neigh.html |title=Triumph of the Bronies: Hasbro Turning My Little Ponies Into Sexy Human Characters. ''Neigh.'' |first=Amanda |last=Marcotte |date=June 13, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |archive-date=October 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005433/https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/06/triumph-of-the-bronies-hasbro-turning-my-little-ponies-into-sexy-human-characters-neigh.html |url-status=live}}</ref> However, many of these adult fans expressed disappointment in the announcement of the franchise and the characters, considering Equestria Girls to be trying to pander to this older audience, and that the approach "goes against everything that Pony was trying to prove".<ref name="daily dot">{{Cite web |url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fandom/my-little-pony-brony-fandom-equestria-girls/ |title=Why "My Little Pony" fandom is freaking out over "Equestria Girls" |first=Aja |last=Romano |date=May 15, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2013 |publisher=[[Daily Dot]] |archive-date=August 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829040818/https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/fandom/my-little-pony-brony-fandom-equestria-girls/ |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Craig McCracken]], speaking for his wife [[Lauren Faust]], ''Friendship Is Magic''{{'}}s creative showrunner for the first two seasons before stepping down, stated that McCracken felt she "wasn't the biggest fan" of ''Equestria Girls'', opining that the approach of turning the pony characters into humanoids would have gone against the way she wanted to take the television series.<ref>{{Cite web |title=People Are Kids, Too |url=http://www.thegridto.com/life/parenting/people-are-kids-too/ |last=Ostroff |first=Joshua |date=October 22, 2013 |work=[[The Grid (newspaper)|The Grid]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026160750/http://www.thegridto.com/life/parenting/people-are-kids-too/ |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref>

Being part of a toy line and media franchise from Hasbro, the criticism against commercialization was taken into account when reviewing the films and specials from the Equestria Girls series, whose reception has generally been mixed to positive for retaining the quality of the ''Friendship Is Magic'' television series. When reviewing the ''Friendship Games'' film, Mike Cahill of ''[[The Guardian]]'' gave the film two out of five stars, calling it "craven commercialism", but adding that "it's not unattractively designed, and its peppy collegiate spirit trumps the sappiness of [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]'s [[Disney Fairies|Tinkerbell spin-offs]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/22/my-little-pony-equestria-girls-friendship-games-review |title=My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Friendship Games review – rehoofed high jinks |last=Cahill |first=Mike |work=The Guardian |date=October 22, 2015 |access-date=November 2, 2015 |archive-date=November 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104060947/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/oct/22/my-little-pony-equestria-girls-friendship-games-review |url-status=live}}</ref> Conversely, Adam Lemuz of ''Geekscape'' gave the same film a four out of five, praising its animation, music, directing and writing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.geekscape.net/geekscape-tv-reviews-equestria-girls-friendship-games-spoiler-free |title=Geekscape TV Reviews: 'Equestria Girls: Friendship Games' Spoiler Free |last=Lumez |first=Adam |work=Geekscape |date=September 29, 2015 |access-date=September 29, 2015 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195123/http://www.geekscape.net/geekscape-tv-reviews-equestria-girls-friendship-games-spoiler-free |url-status=live}}</ref> Sherilyn Connelly, published by [[McFarland & Company]], complimented the films for having character-driven plots and argued that some journalists' and adult male ''My Little Pony'' fans' harsh criticisms of ''Equestria Girls'' arose from a [[Misogyny|misogynistic]] backlash against the idea of media that overtly starred characters meant to appeal to, resemble, and resonate with a young female audience.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Connelly |first=Sherilyn |title=Ponyville Confidential: The History and Culture of ''My Little Pony'', 1981–2016 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |year=2017 |isbn=978-1-4766-6209-1}}</ref>{{Rp|pages=160–190}}

==See also== * {{Portal-inline|Toys}}

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="NYTimes">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/business/equestria-girls-a-my-little-pony-offshoot-in-its-movie-debut.html |title=A New Direction for a Hasbro Stalwart |work=[[New York Times]] |date=May 12, 2013 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |first=Gregory |last=Schmidt |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607222000/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/13/business/equestria-girls-a-my-little-pony-offshoot-in-its-movie-debut.html?_r=0 |url-status=live}}</ref> }}

== Further reading ==

* {{Cite journal |last=Rohrer |first=Melissa |last2=Austin |first2=Sara |date=June 2024 |title=Christ is a Magical Girl: Queer Popular Culture and ''Paradise Lost'' |journal=Queer Studies in Media & Popular Culture |volume=9 |issue=2 |pages=135–150 |doi=10.1386/qsmpc_00125_1 |issn=2055-5695}} {{Equestria Girls}} {{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|eqgbox=y}} {{Hasbro}}  {{Authority control}}

[[Category:My Little Pony: Equestria Girls| ]] [[Category:Media franchises introduced in 2013]] [[Category:Products introduced in 2013]]