Brony fandom

{{Short description|Fans of My Little Pony}} {{Redirect2|Brony|Bronies}} {{Good article}} {{pp-pc}} {{Use American English|date=May 2012}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2012}} [[File:Bronycon summer 2012 cosplay session.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Cosplayers of numerous characters from ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' at the 2012 Summer BronyCon]] {{My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic sidebar}}

''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' is an animated children's television series produced by Hasbro that ran from 2010 to 2019 as part of the ''My Little Pony'' toy franchise. The series tied in with the 2010 relaunch of dolls, play sets and original programming for the American children's cable channel The Hub (later rebranded as Hub Network, and later, Discovery Family). Lauren Faust was selected as the creative developer and executive producer for the show based on her previous experience with other animated children's shows such as ''The Powerpuff Girls'' and ''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends'' on Cartoon Network. Under Hasbro's guidance, Faust developed the show to appeal to the target demographic of young girls, but created characters and settings that challenged formerly stereotypical norms of "girly" images, adding adventure and humorous elements to keep parents interested.

The series initially received widespread praise from both television critics and parental groups. It also found a large audience of adult Internet users in late 2010 and early 2011, forming a subculture.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Bronies Are Redefining Fandom — And American Manhood|url=https://www.wired.com/2014/03/bronies-online-fandom/|magazine=Wired|access-date=2016-06-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The fascinating sub-culture of 'Bronies'|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenryshow/the-fascinating-subculture-of-bronies-2014053022#axzz4BfgIF0if|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161107211549/http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenryshow/the-fascinating-subculture-of-bronies-2014053022%23axzz4BfgIF0if|url-status=dead|publisher=Newshub|access-date=2016-06-15|archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref> These fans, mostly consisting of adult men, were drawn to the show's main characters (collectively known as the Mane Six), stories, animation style and the influence of the show's propagation as an Internet meme. The fandom adopted the name '''''bronies''''', a portmanteau of ''bro'' and ''pony''. The term '''''pegasister''''', a portmanteau of ''pegasus'' and ''sister'', is sometimes used to describe female fans of the series, though the majority of female fans prefer to identify themselves as ''bronies'' and reject the label of ''pegasister''. Though initially considered to propagate the humorous and ironic concept of adults enjoying a show intended for young girls, the fandom gradually showed over time a deeper, genuine appreciation for the show far beyond this concept, a trend that has come to be known as "new sincerity". Fans have created numerous fan works in writing, music, art, gaming and video based on the show, have established websites and fan conventions for the show and have participated in charitable events around the show and those that create it. However, the fandom has drawn criticism from the media and pundits who have derided the older demographic's embrace of a television series marketed towards young girls as well as mass amounts of fan-produced pornographic artwork and literature by bronies.

The appreciation of the show by an older audience came as a surprise to Hasbro, Faust, and others involved with its development, but they have embraced the older fans while also staying focused on the show's intended audience. Such reciprocity has included participation in fan conventions by the show's voice actors and producers, recognition of the brony fandom in official promotional material, and incorporating background characters popularized by the fans (such as the fandom-named "Derpy Hooves") into in-jokes within the show. As a result of these efforts in part, ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' has become a major commercial success with the series becoming the highest rated original production in Hub Network's broadcast history.

==History== ===Origins === One of the first critical reviews of ''Friendship Is Magic'', which was published shortly after the initial broadcast in October 2010, was written by Amid Amidi of the animation website ''Cartoon Brew'', who wrote that the show was a sign of "the end of the creator-driven era in TV animation".<ref name="cartoon brew"/> Amidi's essay expressed concern that assigning a talent like Faust to a toy-centric show was part of a trend towards a focus on profitable genres of animation such as toy tie-ins to deal with a fragmented viewing audience and overall "an admission of defeat for the entire movement, a white flag-waving moment for the TV animation industry."<ref name="cartoon brew">{{cite web | url = http://www.cartoonbrew.com/ideas-commentary/the-end-of-the-creator-driven-era-29614.html| title = The End of the Creator-Driven Era in TV Animation | publisher = Cartoon Brew | last = Amidi | first = Amid | date = 2010-10-19 | access-date = 2011-06-09 }}</ref><ref name="Dennis" /><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.cartoonbrew.com/tv/weve-created-a-bronster-50220.html | title = We've Created A Bronster! | first= Jerry | last= Beck | date =2011-09-24 | access-date = 2011-09-25 | publisher = Cartoon Brew }}</ref> The article said this concern was over the fact that more and more shows seem to be driven by company executives who want to sell their products, rather than creators. Though the show had been discussed on 4chan's 'comics and cartoon' board ('/co/') before the essay's publication, the alarmist nature of the essay led to more interest in the show, resulting in a positive response for the series for its plot, characters, and animation style.<ref name="Dennis"/><ref name="nyobserver origin">{{cite news | url = https://observer.com/2011/08/pony-up-haters-how-4chan-gave-birth-to-the-bronies/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312090619/http://betabeat.com/2011/08/pony-up-haters-how-4chan-gave-birth-to-the-bronies/| archive-date=March 12, 2014|url-status=live| title = Pony Up Haters: How 4chan Gave Birth to the Bronies | first = Una | last = LaMarche | date =2011-08-03 | access-date = 2011-08-03 | newspaper = The New York Observer }}</ref> This reaction soon spread to the other boards of 4chan, where elements of the show quickly inspired recurring jokes and memes on the site.<ref name="Dennis">{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130121220852/http://www.dailybarometer.com/forum/ponies-overachieving-from-feminism-to-4chan-1.2385283 | archive-date = 2013-01-21 | url = http://www.dailybarometer.com/forum/ponies-overachieving-from-feminism-to-4chan-1.2385283 |title = Ponies overachieving, from feminism to 4chan | publisher = The Daily Barometer | first = Scott | last = Dennis | work = The Daily Barometer | date = 2011-03-10 | access-date =2013-10-11 }}</ref> Some of these included adopting phrases from the show like ''anypony'', ''everypony'' and ''nopony'', instead of ''anybody'', ''everybody'' and ''nobody'',<ref name="macleans1"/> or jokingly stating that they watch the show for the ''plot'', a reference to the ponies' flanks.<ref name="wired defend">{{cite journal | url = http://archive.wired.com/geekmom/2012/05/in-defense-of-bronies/ | title = In Defense of Bronies | journal = Wired | date = 2012-05-27 | access-date = 2012-05-27 | first = Rebecca | last = Angel }}</ref>

The number of ''Friendship Is Magic'' posts drew attention on the site. Fans of the show defended it against various trolling attacks from other 4chan boards, leading to a temporary ban on the discussion of anything related to ponies.<ref name="nyobserver origin"/><ref name="macleans1">{{cite journal | url = http://www.macleans.ca/2011/09/07/men-who-love-my-little-pony/ | title = Men who love 'My Little Pony' | first = Jaime | last = Weinman | date = 2011-09-07 | access-date = 2011-09-08 | journal = Maclean's }}</ref> Christopher Poole, the founder of 4chan, briefly acknowledged the popularity of the show on the site at the 2011 South by Southwest festival.<ref name="nyobserver origin"/><ref>{{cite video |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtTR7hbR3tM | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/PtTR7hbR3tM| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title = Christopher Poole (Moot) at SXSW | publisher = YouTube | date=2011-03-13 | access-date = 2011-08-04}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On February 16, 2012, Poole created /mlp/, a dedicated board for discussion of the show and its fandom. Though the discussion of the show continued at 4chan, fans created other venues to discuss it, and the fandom spread to other Internet forums.<ref name="nyobserver origin"/>

=== Growth and popularity === The adult interest in the show is comparable to that of ''Looney Tunes'', ''Animaniacs'', ''Tiny Toon Adventures'', ''Rocko's Modern Life'', ''Phineas and Ferb'', ''The Powerpuff Girls'', ''SpongeBob SquarePants'', and ''Yo Gabba Gabba!''; older audiences appreciate jokes aimed at adult viewers and a sense of nostalgia for older cartoons and animated films.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/07/02/242445_attitude.html | title = Show Pony | first = Sam | last = Burnett | date = 2011-07-02 | access-date = 2011-07-04 | work = The Mercury | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120915061203/http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/07/02/242445_attitude.html | archive-date = September 15, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="national post">{{cite news | url = https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/all-ages-show-hipsters-love-childrens-programming | title = All-ages show: Hipsters love children's programming | first = Joshua | last = Ostroff | date = 2011-08-03 | access-date = 2018-01-22 | work = National Post | df = mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="quebeccitizen"/> Many of the aforementioned shows had attracted college-aged fans who, when ''Friendship Is Magic'' was airing, would be raising children of their own.<ref name="quebeccitizen">{{cite news | url = http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/artslife/story.html?id=b2b0b826-3b6f-4086-ad35-389837077c1c | title = TV for all ages | first = Joshua | last = Ostroff | date = 2011-08-08 | access-date = 2011-08-09 | work = Ottawa Citizen | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130121214827/http://www2.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/artslife/story.html?id=b2b0b826-3b6f-4086-ad35-389837077c1c | archive-date = January 21, 2013 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> The show references works that older viewers would recognize, such as ''I Love Lucy'', ''The Benny Hill Show'', ''Jaws'', ''2001: A Space Odyssey'', ''Diamond Dogs'', ''The Big Lebowski'', ''Ghostbusters'', ''Star Wars'' and ''Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas''.<ref name="national post"/><ref name="awn">{{cite web | url = http://www.awn.com/blogs/miscweant/ponies-and-bronies | title = Of Ponies and Bronies | first= Joe | last = Strike | date = 2011-07-05 | access-date = 2011-07-06 | work = Animation World Network}}</ref><ref name="ad age"/><ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.tvguide.com/News/My-Little-Pony-Love-Lucy-Video-1042050.aspx | title = VIDEO: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Pays Tribute to I Love Lucy | journal = TV Guide | date = 2012-01-19 | access-date = 2012-01-19 | first = Natalie | last = Abrams }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://tv.yahoo.com/blogs/tv-news/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-first-look-threes-a-crowd-202433160.html | title = 'My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic' First Look: Things Take a "Fear and Loathing" Turn | publisher = Yahoo! | date = 2014-01-23 | access-date = 2014-01-23 | first = Maggie | last = Furlong }}</ref> Most of these fans are surprised by their fondness for the show. Shaun Scotellaro, operator of Equestria Daily, one of the main fan websites for the show, said, "Honestly, if someone were to have told me I'd be writing a pony blog seven months ago, I would have called them insane."<ref name="wired brony"/> He commented that the spread among adults was accelerated by its presence in online gaming.<ref name="oregonian">{{cite news | url = http://www.oregonlive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/09/seriously_my_little_pony_grown.html | title = Meet 'bronies' – grown men who are fans of My Little Pony | first= Kelly | last = House | work = The Oregonian | date = 2011-09-17 | access-date = 2011-09-17 }}</ref> Mike Fahey, an editor for the gaming website ''Kotaku'', noted that the fandom was "building friendships among a diverse group of people that otherwise might have just sat on either side of the Internet, flinging insults at each other".<ref name="usatoday fandom"/> Dr. Patrick Edwards, who performed several "Brony Studies" to survey and analyze the fandom, observed that the brony fandom, unlike most other fandoms which "aren't welcoming to people who are different", promotes the show's message of love and tolerance.<ref name="citypaper 2013"/> {{anchor|Furry fandom}} Further interest came from the furry community, which includes a large number of animation fans.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/01/furries_further_confusion_convention_photos.php | title = Meet the Furries and Fans at 2012's Most Unconventional Convention | first = Sherilyn | last = Connelly | date = 2012-01-17 | access-date = 2012-01-17 | work = SF Weekly | archive-date = May 1, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120501134317/http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/01/furries_further_confusion_convention_photos.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> One contributor to "The Brony Study" (below), Dr. Marsha Redden said that the adult fans are "a reaction to the US having been engrossed in terrorism for the past ten years" in a manner similar to the Cold War, and are "tired of being afraid, tired of angst and animosity"; the show and its fandom are outlets from those strifes.<ref name="dailydot bronystudy"/> She compared the brony fandom to that of the bohemian and beatniks after World War II and of the hippies after the Vietnam War.<ref name="netnews">{{cite web | url = http://netnebraska.org/article/news/brony-fandom-carves-out-space-young-men-enjoy-friendship-and-cartoon-ponies | title = 'Brony' Fandom Carves Out Space For Young Men To Enjoy Friendship ... And Cartoon Ponies | date = 2013-05-13 | access-date = 2013-05-13 | first = Hilary | last = Stohs-Krause | publisher = Nebraska Educational Telecommunications | archive-date = April 21, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140421212502/http://netnebraska.org/article/news/brony-fandom-carves-out-space-young-men-enjoy-friendship-and-cartoon-ponies | url-status = dead }}</ref> In a similar vein, Amy Keating Rogers - one of the show's writers - believes that the fans have come to like ''Friendship Is Magic'' due to "so much cynicism and negativity out there in so many [other] shows" while the show "has such a positive message" that counters this.<ref name="baltsun bc2013">{{cite news | url = http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-ae-brony-culture-20130730,0,4181814.story | title = BronyCon 2013 brings thousands of 'My Little Pony' lovers to Baltimore | work = Baltimore Sun | date = 2013-07-31 | access-date = 2013-07-31 | first1 = Adam | last1 = Gutekunst | first2 = Dustin | last2 = Levy | archive-date = August 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130806200222/http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/bs-ae-brony-culture-20130730,0,4181814.story | url-status = dead }}</ref>

=== Decline === The ''National Post'' reported in early 2019 that several prominent brony conventions like BronyCAN had been over for years and that the fandom was declining due to the show's end becoming increasingly apparent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/my-little-pony-bronies |title=End of the brony golden age? Angst among adult fans of My Little Pony as community declines |last=Forrest |first=Maura |date=January 11, 2019 |website=National Post |publisher=Postmedia Network |access-date=March 2, 2022}}</ref> Unconfirmed (later confirmed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/mylittlepony/posts/2652914364725984:0|title=THIS JUST IN!|author=Hasbro|work=Facebook|date=2019-02-16|access-date=2019-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217174914/https://www.facebook.com/mylittlepony/posts/2652914364725984%3A0%26action%3Dedit|archive-date=February 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>) leaks of information from Hasbro stated that the show's ninth season, which premiered in 2019, would be the last for the "G4" (Generation 4) ponies. The fifth generation of ''My Little Pony'' was launched in October 2021 with the CGI animated film ''My Little Pony: A New Generation''<ref name="InvestorDay">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/my-little-pony-netflix-series-animated-movie/|title=My Little Pony Lands New Series, 'Theatrical-Quality' CG Animated Movie at Netflix|date=February 25, 2021|website=Comic Book Resources|first=Tim|last=Adams}}</ref> followed by the animated series of ''Tell Your Tale'' and ''Make Your Mark'' in 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2022/02/more-details-on-my-little-pony-tell.html|title=More Details on My Little Pony: Tell Your Tale Released - 70 Episodes!|date=18 February 2022|access-date=18 February 2022|website=Equestria Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2022/02/new-my-little-pony-make-your-mark.html|website=Equestria Daily|date=17 February 2022|access-date=18 February 2022|title=New "My Little Pony - MAKE YOUR MARK" G5 Special on Netflix May 26th! - Series on September 26th!}}</ref> According to studies of the brony fandom, G5 has failed to capture the "lightning in a bottle" that G4 did, and modern brony discussions still revolve around G4 rather than G5.<ref name="Plante-2023">{{cite book |last1=Plante |first1=Courtney |last2=Reysen |first2=Stephen |last3=Roberts |first3=Sharon E. |last4=Gerbasi |first4=Kathleen C. |last5=Adams |first5=Camielle |title=Furscience: A Decade of Psychological Research on the Furry Fandom |year=2023}}</ref> G5 of ''My Little Pony'' was cancelled in 2024.

=== Revival (2020–present) === The brony fandom continues to produce new content in the 2020s,<ref name="pitchfork">{{cite web|last=Press-Reynolds|first=Kieran|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/vylet-pony-love-and-ponystep/|title=Vylet Pony: Love & Ponystep Album Review|website=Pitchfork|date=2025-08-11|access-date=2025-08-29}}</ref><ref name="bi">{{cite web|website=Business Insider|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/discord-tiktok-song-my-little-pony-eurobeat-brony-living-tombstone-2021-6|title=A song called 'Discord' is going viral on TikTok, but not all creators realize it's a fan-made 'My Little Pony' song popular among 'bronies'|last=Haasch|first=Palmer|date=2021-06-10|access-date=2025-04-10}}</ref><ref name="Temitope-2024"/><ref name="Miller-2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.trillmag.com/entertainment/infection-spreads-across-my-little-pony/|title=Infection Spreads Across My Little Pony|date=2024-04-20|access-date=2025-04-12|website=Trill Mag|first=Riley|last=Miller}}</ref> and fan-created works experienced a sharp increase in popularity during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020.<ref name="Moran-2023">{{cite journal |last=Moran |first=Joe |title=Their little pony: The weird world of fandom |journal=TLS. Times Literary Supplement |issue=6266 |date=May 5, 2023 |pages=7 |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A749302577/LitRC |access-date=April 12, 2025}}</ref> The music of the brony fandom has evolved from remixes of the show to songs that sometimes have minimal direct references to the episodes, and in-person brony music concerts continue to be held {{as of|2025|lc=yes}}.<ref name="Irpan-2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.alexirpan.com/2025/07/21/babscon-2025.html|title=Brony Musicians Seize The Means of Production: My Eyewitness Account to BABSCon 2025|first=Alex|last=Irpan|date=2025-07-21|access-date=2025-07-30|website=Alex Irpan}}</ref> Examples of modern brony fan works that have gained mainstream attention include the Vylet Pony album ''Love & Ponystep'' and the text-to-speech website 15.ai.<ref name="pitchfork"/><ref name="Irpan-2025"/> As part of a renewed interest in the franchise due to childhood nostalgia, ''My Little Pony'' has partnered with major Millennial and Generation Z brands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theamag.com/6725/culture/covid-isnt-kidding-around-but-our-fashion-is/|title=covid isn't kidding around. but our fashion is.|date=2022-02-23|access-date=2025-04-12|last=Gleydura|first=Annie|website=a magazine}}</ref> ''My Little Pony'' fan works have also gained popularity on TikTok.<ref name="Miller-2024"/> The Chinese brony fandom has also seen a major resurgence in the 2020s. ''Equestria Daily'' reported in 2024 that "cartoon horses are all the rage [in China], with armadas of artists, plushie makes, animators, and more all producing piles of pony for a ravenous fandom",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2024/09/in-case-you-were-curious-about-chinese.html|title=In Case You Were Curious About Chinese Pony Cons - They Sent a Writeup!|first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro|website=Equestria Daily|date=2024-09-26|access-date=2025-09-30}}</ref> and in 2025 that the volume of ''Friendship Is Magic'' merchandise distributed across China continued to be "massive."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2025/10/another-giant-pile-of-my-little-pony.html|title=Another Giant Pile of My Little Pony Merchandise Revealed in China for 2025-2026|first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro|date=October 19, 2025|access-date=October 20, 2025|website=Equestria Daily}}</ref>

==Influence and fan activities== === Analysis === {{Main|Analysis of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} [[File:Jayson Thiessen and Sethisto at BroNYCon Sept. 2011 cropped.jpg|thumb|right|Jayson Thiessen, supervising director (left), and Shaun Scotellaro ("Sethisto"), the founder of the fansite Equestria Daily, at BroNYCon 2011]] Older fans of the show use the word ''brony'', a portmanteau of the words ''bro'' and ''pony''.<ref name=bnet /><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2011/12/02/the-secret-language-bros/kd1q6tKQxO15hxMYWQSirO/story.html | title = The secret language of bros | first = Erin | last = McKean | date = 2011-12-02 | access-date = 2011-12-02 | work = The Boston Globe}}</ref> Though this generally refers to male fans, the term is applicable to fans of any gender.<ref name="nyobserver origin"/> Another term, ''pegasister'' (a portmanteau of the words ''pegasus''/''pegasi'' and ''sister''), has been used to refer to older female fans of the show,<ref name="Salter-2017">{{cite book |last1=Salter |first1=Anastasia |last2=Blodgett |first2=Bridget |title=Toxic Geek Masculinity in Media: Sexism, Trolling, and Identity Policing |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2017 |isbn=978-3-319-66076-9 |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-66077-6 |location=Cham, Switzerland}}</ref><ref name="wsj">{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203707504577012141105109140 |title=Hey, Bro, That's My Little Pony! Guys' Interest Mounts in Girly TV Show |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=2011-11-04 |access-date=2011-11-04 |first1=Vauhini |last1=Vara |first2=Ann |last2=Zimmerman }} {{subscription required}}</ref> though a 2021 study published in the ''Journal of Gender Studies'' found that the majority of female fans of the show dislike the term and prefer to identify as a ''brony'' over ''pegasister''.<ref name="pegasister">{{cite journal |last=Palmer |first=Zachary D. |date=2021 |title='I don't like to separate myself by gender': how women navigate hybrid masculinities in the brony community |journal=Journal of Gender Studies |volume=32 |issue=3 |pages=296–307 |doi=10.1080/09589236.2021.1979480 |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2021.1979480|url-access=subscription }}</ref> According to the study, the use of a separate gendered term is "isolating" for most female fans as it implies that they are not truly part of the fandom; they consider the term ''brony'' as more inclusive than ''pegasister''. One female fan commented: "I hate when people call me a pegasister, 'cause I don’t like to separate myself by gender."<ref name="pegasister"/>

Two informal surveys of 2,300 and 9,000 participants respectively revealed that the average age of adult fans is around 21, that approximately 86% were male, and that 63% were currently pursuing a college degree or higher qualification.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.theawl.com/2012/01/the-bronies-take-manhattan | title = The Bronies Take Manhattan | first = Kase | last = Wickman | date = 2012-01-09 | access-date = 2012-01-11 | publisher = The Awl }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bronystudy.com/id9.html | first1 = Patrick | last1 = Edwards | first2= Marsha | last2 = Redden | title = The Brony Study | publisher = Patrick Edwards | access-date = 2012-01-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/01/brony-census/ | title = Brony Census Tracks 'State of the Herd' | first = Angela | last = Watercutter | date = 2011-01-10 | access-date = 2011-01-11 | work = Wired }}</ref><ref name="Herd Census">{{cite web | url = http://herdcensus.com/ | first = James | last = Turner | title = Brony Herd Census & State of the Herd Report | access-date = 2016-11-15 }}</ref> A subsequent 2013 survey with over 21,000 respondents showed similar numbers, and highlighted that the majority of fans were in the 15–30 age range, with the average age between 19 and 20, and over 65% were heterosexual. Further, using the Jungian personality test, the survey revealed that the largest fraction of respondents (approximately 27%) fell into the "INTJ" classification, which normally only occurs in 1–3% of the population, according to the surveyors.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/Online-Brony-Herd-Census-Reveals-Facts-Stats-About-Adult-My-Little-Pony-Fans-199802371.html | title = Online 'Brony Herd Census' Reveals Facts, Stats About Adult My Little Pony Fans | first = Sean | last = Sporman | date = 2013-03-24 | access-date= 2013-03-24 | website = WTVY |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404194940/http://www.wtvy.com/news/headlines/online-brony-herd-census-reveals-facts-stats-about-adult-my-little-pony-fans-199802371.html |archive-date=2016-04-04 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Herd Census" /> Many in the fandom who had difficulty in meeting others or being treated fairly by others found the fandom as a way to meet people with similar interests and become more social.<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/brony-spectacle-signals-acceptance-of-different-kinds-of-masculinity-20131012-2vffd.html | title = Brony spectacle signals acceptance of 'different kinds' of masculinity | first = Jon | last = Elder | date= 2013-10-13 | access-date = 2013-10-13 | work = The Age | location=Melbourne}}</ref> Hub Network's CEO and President Margaret Loesch, who was the executive producer of the 1980s and 1990s animated ''My Little Pony'' television shows, noted that there were male fans of those past shows, but there are considerably more for ''Friendship Is Magic'' due to the quality of the show and the influence of social media and the Internet.<ref name="tvguide defense">{{cite journal | url = https://www.tvguide.com/News/Bronies-My-Little-Pony-Friendship-Magic-1068692.aspx | title = Give Bronies a Break! In Defense of Adult My Little Pony Fans | first = Sadie | last = Gennis | date = 2013-08-01 | access-date = 2013-08-01 | journal = TV Guide}}</ref>

A fan-conducted "herd census" suggested that, {{as of|2012|09|lc=y}}, there were between 7 and 12.4 million people in the United States that would identify themselves as bronies.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/learning-love-bronies-comic-con/57899/ | title = Learning to Love Bronies at Comic-Con | work = The Atlantic | first = Alexander | last = Abad-Santos | date = 2012-10-12 | access-date = 2012-10-12 | archive-date = October 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121014014423/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/learning-love-bronies-comic-con/57899/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="Herd Census" /> A more detailed study, "The Brony Study", was being conducted in 2012 by Dr. Patrick Edwards, a psychology professor at Wofford College with his neuropsychologist associate Dr. Redden. The two had initially compiled one of the aforementioned informal surveys and Edwards has presented the results at the ongoing brony conventions.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gawker.com/5874047/here-are-some-my-little-pony-fanatics-we-meet-at-bronycon | title = Here Are Some Adult My Little Pony Fanatics We Met at BronyCon | publisher = Gawker | date = 2012-01-08 | access-date = 2012-08-22 | first1 = Adrian | last1 = Chen | first2 = Max | last2 = Read }}</ref> Edwards noted that the brony culture provided "the opportunity to study a fan phenomenon from its inception", and planned to continue the survey to watch the evolution of the culture.<ref name="dailydot bronystudy">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/society/bronies-brony-my-little-pony-study/ | title = Researchers strive to understand brony culture | date = 2012-02-12 | access-date = 2012-06-12 | first = Lauren Rae | last = Orsini | work = The Daily Dot }}</ref> Professor emeritus Bill Ellis of Penn State University has compared the brony culture to that of otaku, fans of Japanese anime. Ellis, speaking at the 2012 AnimeNEXT convention, considered that both bronies and otaku fans are "psychologically and developmentally normal" and are simply "non-majoritarian" in their choice of active interests.<ref name="ellis otaku 1">{{cite web | url =http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2264 | title = Bronies, Otaku, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Part 1 | first = Margaret | last = O'Connell | date = 2012-07-23 | access-date = 2012-08-22 | publisher = Sequential Tart }}</ref> Ellis noted that fans of both groups often are ridiculed for their interest in media targeted for the opposite gender.<ref name="ellis otaku 1"/><ref name="ellis otaku 2">{{cite web | url =http://www.sequentialtart.com/article.php?id=2265 | title = Bronies, Otaku, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Part 2 | first = Margaret | last = O'Connell | date = 2012-07-30 | access-date = 2012-08-22 | publisher = Sequential Tart }}</ref>

Though the initial growth of the fandom may have come from 4chan participants enjoying the ironic nature of grown men enjoying a show for girls, the fandom continued to grow based on sincere appreciation of the work. Robert Thompson, a professor of media studies at Syracuse University, stated that "It's one thing for guys to like motorcycles and muscle cars and soccer. For a guy to like ''My Little Pony'', it's so out there that it becomes almost avant garde. It has a hip quality to it."<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.omaha.com/living/bronies-dudes-who-like-my-little-pony-have-strong-community/article_50643808-4237-5fd2-8c89-23818a8587cf.html | title = 'Bronies' (dudes who like 'My Little Pony') have strong community in Nebraska | first = Chris | last = Peters | work = Omaha World-Herald | date = 2013-03-19 | access-date = 2013-03-19 }}</ref> According to Angela Watchcutter of ''Wired'', the fandom is an example of internet neo-sincerity, where these older viewers watch the show "un-ironically" and "without guilt" breaking gender stereotypes,<ref name="cbc radio"/> furthermore creating new material around it.<ref name="wired brony"/> Prof. Roberta Pearson of the University of Nottingham in film and television studies stated that "This is a level of fan devotion I've not seen before", while Prof. Charles Soukup of the University of Northern Colorado in communication studies suggested that this effort is an indication of the "ultra-cult era" that bronies exhibit, where "media consumers discover extremely unexpected and obscure media texts to cultivate uniqueness and distinctiveness for their mediated identities".<ref name="wired commercial">{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/11/my-little-pony-bronies-commercial/ | title = Bronies' TV Spot Shows Changing Face of My Little Pony Herd | first = Angela | last = Watercutter | date = 2011-11-05 | access-date = 2012-11-05 | journal = Wired }}</ref> Jessica Klein, writing for ''Salon'', noted that the fandom was an especially welcoming space for female fans in comparison to other male-dominated fandoms.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-10-08|title=Bronies, the adult male fandom for "My Little Pony", might be the best male-led nerd group for women|url=https://www.salon.com/2017/10/08/bronies-the-adult-male-fandom-for-my-little-pony-might-be-the-best-male-led-nerd-group-for-women/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Salon|language=en}}</ref>

===Online communities=== {{Main|Online communities of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} {{multiple image|perrow=1 | align = left | direction = horizontal | total_width =200px | image2 = 4chan logo.svg | image1 = Christopher Poole at XOXO Festival September 2012.jpg | footer = Christopher Poole, 4chan's founder, in 2012 }} Numerous online communities have been established for the brony fandom. Websites such as Equestria Daily and Ponychan were created for fans to share artwork, stories, music, and news about the show. Founded in January 2011, Equestria Daily had over 36 million pageviews in its first 9 months,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.macleans.ca/2011/09/07/ponies-do-sondheim/ | title = Ponies Do Sondheim | last = Weinman | first = Jaime | date = 2011-09-07 | access-date = 2011-09-23 | work = Maclean's}}</ref> and has since surpassed 500 million views (June 2014).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2014/06/half-billion-celebration-time.html | title=Half a Billion Celebration Time | author=Sethisto | publisher=Equestria Daily | date=2014-06-15 | access-date=2014-06-16}}</ref> The blog, which received more than 175,000 visits a day<ref name="cbc radio">{{Cite video|title=Curious about Bronies? |url=http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2011/12/07/curious-about-bronies/ |format=Adobe Flash |date=2011-12-07 |access-date=2011-12-07 |publisher=CBC Radio |medium=Radio broadcast |first=Jian |last=Ghomeshi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107231512/http://www.cbc.ca/q/blog/2011/12/07/curious-about-bronies/ |archive-date=January 7, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/10/the-newest-internet-bro-craze-my-little-pony/ | title = The Newest Internet Bro Craze: 'My Little Pony' | first = Megan | last = Gibson | date = 2011-06-10 | access-date = 2011-06-10 | magazine = Time }}</ref> and was fully funded by advertising revenue,<ref name="collectorsweekly"/> was established by 23-year-old college student Shaun Scotellaro for the purpose of collecting fan fiction and news specific to ''Friendship Is Magic''. Shaun eventually cut back on his community college classes in order to continue running the site out of his parents' house in Glendale, Arizona, when it grew in popularity.<ref name="wsj" /> He believed the show needed a unified fan base at the time, as there existed an overarching concern that Hasbro would not be authorizing a second season.<ref name="nyobserver origin" /> In September 2017, selected archives of Equestria Daily were included in the Library of Congress's "Web Cultures Web Archive Collection" by the American Folklife Center;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2017/09/the_library_of_congress_web_cultures_web_archive_is_collecting_memes_as.html | title = Memes Are the New Jump-Rope Songs | first = Jacob | last = Brogen | date = September 4, 2017 | access-date = March 18, 2018 | work = Slate }}</ref> the collection was established to "documenting the creation and sharing of emergent cultural traditions on the web".<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.loc.gov/collections/web-cultures-web-archive/about-this-collection/ | title = Web Cultures Web Archive | publisher = Library of Congress | access-date = March 18, 2018 }}</ref> In 2017, 2022, and 2023, ''Friendship Is Magic'' fans participated in r/place, creating artwork of Rainbow Dash, Derpy Hooves, and other characters that were then defended against rival factions, Twitch streamers, and griefers.<ref>{{cite thesis |last=Holm |first=Anna |title=Att skapa med och mot andra: Gemensamt skapande och digitalt konstutövande på r/Place |degree=Master's |publisher=Uppsala universitet, Konstvetenskapliga institutionen |year=2024 |language=sv}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LittleshyFiM - r/Place 2017 |url=https://www.littleshyfim.com/place/place2017 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.littleshyfim.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LittleshyFiM - r/Place 2022 Archive |url=https://www.littleshyfim.com/place/place2022 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.littleshyfim.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LittleshyFiM - r/Place 2023 Archive |url=https://www.littleshyfim.com/place/place2023 |access-date=2024-07-06 |website=www.littleshyfim.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

/mlp/, the ''My Little Pony'' board on 4chan, was created in 2012 following the growing popularity of pony-related content on 4chan.<ref name="Schimpf-2015">{{cite journal |last=Schimpf |first=Kaitlyn Elizabeth |title=Straight from the Horse's Mouth: A Case Study on the Adult Male Fans of My Little Pony |journal=MacEwan University Student eJournal |volume=2 |issue=1 |date=October 2015 |doi=10.31542/j.muse.192|doi-access=free }}</ref> Derpibooru, the largest imageboard for ''My Little Pony'' fan art,<ref name="Edwards-2019">{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Patrick |last2=Chadborn |first2=Daniel P. |last3=Plante |first3=Courtney N. |last4=Reysen |first4=Stephen |last5=Redden |first5=Marsha Howze |title=Meet the Bronies: The Psychology of the Adult My Little Pony Fandom |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |location=United States |isbn=9781476663715 |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref>{{rp|76}}<ref name="Alter-2020">{{Cite web|last=Alter|first=Rebecca|date=2020-06-23|title=The Largest My Little Pony Fan Site Bans Your Horse-Crap Racist Fan Art|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/06/the-largest-my-little-pony-fan-site-bans-racist-fan-art.html|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Vulture|language=en-us}}</ref><ref name="Tiffany-2021">{{Cite web|last=Tiffany|first=Kaitlyn|date=2020-06-23|title='My Little Pony' Fans Are Ready to Admit They Have a Nazi Problem|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2020/06/my-little-pony-nazi-4chan-black-lives-matter/613348/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=The Atlantic|language=en}}</ref> hosts over 3.2 million images as of September 2025.<ref name="Statistics">{{cite web|url=https://derpibooru.org/pages/stats|title=Statistics|website=Derpibooru|access-date=2025-09-27}}</ref> Fimfiction is the largest repository for ''My Little Pony'' fan fiction<ref>{{cite book |last1=Domoney-Lyttle |first1=Zanne |last2=Welton |first2=Rebekah |title=Bibles in Popular Cultures |series=The Library of Hebrew Bible/Old Testament Studies |year=2024 |publisher=T&T Clark |isbn=9780567702210 |url=http://digital.casalini.it/9780567702210}}</ref> and hosts over 155,000 published stories {{as of|2025|lc=y}}.<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=https://www.fimfiction.net/statistics|title=Site Statistics|website=Fimfiction|access-date=2025-04-12}}</ref> Ponychan (which shut down in January 2024<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2024/01/ponychan-releases-final-statement-as.html|title=Ponychan Releases Final Statement as Doors Close|first=Shaun|last=Scotellaro|website=Equestria Daily|date=2024-01-08|access-date=2025-05-19}}</ref>) was one of the earliest dedicated imageboards for the brony fandom that was created as a response to the backlash and resentment from non-brony 4chan users.<ref name="Schimpf-2015"/><ref name="Mullis-2015">{{cite thesis |last=Mullis |first=Justin P |title=Playing Ponies: A Critical Evaluation of Religious Elements and Gender Politics at Work in "Brony" Fandom |type=MA thesis |publisher=University of North Carolina at Charlotte |location=Charlotte |year=2015 |department=Religious Studies}}</ref> Multiple subreddits are dedicated to ''My Little Pony'', with r/mylittlepony serving as the main community hub.<ref name="Mountford-2015">{{cite thesis |last=Mountford |first=J.B |title=Creating Masculinities Online: Bronies and The Red Pill |type=Master's thesis |year=2015 |degree=Master of Arts in Gender and Media |institution=University of Sussex |department=School of Media, Film and Music }}</ref> YouTube hosts numerous ''My Little Pony''-focused channels dedicated to analysis, reviews, animations, and music.<ref name="robertson">{{cite journal |last1=Robertson |first1=Venetia Laura Delano |title=Of ponies and men: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the Brony fandom |journal=International Journal of Cultural Studies |publisher=SAGE Publishing |date=January 2014 |volume=17 |issue=1 |pages=21–37 |doi=10.1177/1367877912464368|s2cid=146577717 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Berg |first=Peter |date=April 2013 |title=My Little Pony takes Internet by storm |work=Young D.C. |issue=1 |page=7 |url=https://youngdc.org/ydc_PDFs/pdf/Vol22_Iss4_2013apr.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131209145112/http://youngdc.org/ydc_PDFs/pdf/Vol22_Iss4_2013apr.pdf |archive-date=2013-12-09 }} </ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Crome |first=Andrew |date=2019 |title=Cosplay in the pulpit and ponies at prayer: Christian faith and lived religion in wider fan culture |journal=Culture and Religion |volume=20 |issue=2 |page=19 |doi=10.1080/14755610.2019.1624268 |url=https://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/623009/3/Faith%20and%20Fandom%20submission%20revision%20deposit.pdf }} </ref>

===Language and vernacular=== {{Main|Slang of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} [[File:0c0 emoticon bronyspeak.png|thumb|right|upright=1.0|An example of an emoticon used in bronyspeak, meant to resemble a pony's face]] The brony fandom has developed a fandom vernacular language known as ''bronyspeak'', which heavily references the show's content. Examples of bronyspeak terminology include ''ponysona'' (a personalized pony character representing the creator), ''ponification'' (transformation of non-pony entities into pony form), ''dubtrot'' (a brony version of dubstep), ''brohoof'' (a brony version of ''brofist''), and ''brony'' itself.<ref name="Ellis-2015">{{cite journal |last=Ellis |first=Bill |title=What Bronies See When They Brohoof: Queering Animation on the Dark and Evil Internet |journal=Journal of American Folklore |volume=128 |issue=509 |year=2015 |pages=298–314 |doi=10.5406/jamerfolk.128.509.0298 |publisher=University of Illinois Press}}</ref><ref name="Robertson-2014">{{cite journal |last=Robertson |first=Venetia Laura Delano |title=Of ponies and men: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and the Brony fandom |journal=International Journal of Cultural Studies |volume=17 |issue=1 |year=2014 |pages=21–37 |doi=10.1177/1367877912464368 |publisher=SAGE Publishing}}</ref> Hasbro officially acknowledged the fandom and its fanspeak in 2011,<ref name="Mullis-2015"/> and it has since been the subject of academic attention as an example of Internet-enabled vernacular culture that emphasizes community belonging and behavioral boundaries.<ref name="Robertson-2014"/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Coumes |first=Jon |title=What Do Men's Rights Activists and Bronies Have in Common? |journal=The American Prospect |date=2013-04-08 |url=https://prospect.org/culture/books-arts-culture/men-s-rights-activists-bronies-common/ |access-date=2025-06-07}}</ref>

===Identity and self-representation=== {{Main|Ponysona}} [[File:April the Pony.png|thumb|upright=0.8|An example of a blank flank original character ponysona design]] Many bronies create personalized pony characters called ponysonas to represent themselves, similar to fursonas among the furry fandom. These characters typically incorporate elements of the creator's personality, physical traits, or interests translated into pony form following the show's visual style. Studies indicate that approximately 39% of bronies have a ponysona. Unlike fursonas, which often involve physical embodiment through fursuits, ponysonas are primarily expressed through digital art, roleplay, and online interactions.<ref>{{cite book |last=Kosnáč |first=Pavol|title=Fiction, Invention and Hyper-reality: From Popular Culture to Religion |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2016 |isbn=9781317135494 |pages=79–97}}</ref>

===Fan conventions=== {{Main|My Little Pony fan convention|BronyCon}} {{Main list|List of brony conventions}}

[[File:Bronycon summer 2012 outside shot.jpg|thumb|left|Bronies waiting at the start of the 2012 Summer BronyCon convention]] Fans commonly organize local meet-ups and conventions in their local areas. One of the first published conventions was BronyCon, which was first held in New York City with the show's supervising director as a guest.<ref name="nyobserver origin"/><ref name="wsj"/> The first BronyCon attracted 100 people, but the third, held in January 2012, was attended by 800, and the fourth expanded to a two-day event in June 2012 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in New Jersey, with more than 4,000 attending with developer Lauren Faust and voice actors John de Lancie, Tara Strong, Andrea Libman, Peter New, Lee Tockar, Amy Keating Rogers, Cathy Weseluck and Meghan McCarthy as special guests.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bronycon.org/about/convention-history/ |title=Convention History |publisher=BronyCon |access-date=2015-03-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315004435/http://bronycon.org/about/convention-history/ |archive-date=March 15, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Strong even attended the convention Canterlot Gardens in a full Twilight Sparkle cosplay to surprise fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themarysue.com/tara-strong-cosplay/|title=My Little Pony's Tara Strong Chooses Twilight Sparkle For Her First-Ever Cosplay|website=www.themarysue.com|date=October 2012}}</ref><ref name="pittsburg gazette summer12"/> Subsequent BronyCon events moved to a larger space provided by the Baltimore Convention Center, with more than 8,000 attending.<ref name="citypaper 2013">{{cite news | url = https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/gwst/posts/33840 | title = What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love, and Bronycon? | work = Baltimore City Paper | date =2013-08-07 | access-date = 2013-08-07 | first = Kate | last = Drabinski | via = University of Maryland, Baltimore County}}</ref>

Other brony conventions include Everfree Northwest in Seattle, Washington,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/08/my_little_pony_everfree_northwest.php | title = Beyond BronyCon: Inside the My Little Pony Convention, Everfree Northwest | work = SF Weekly | first = Sherilyn | last = Connelly | date = 2012-08-22 | access-date = 2012-09-17 | archive-date = August 25, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120825023544/http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/08/my_little_pony_everfree_northwest.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> Midwestria in Chicago, Illinois,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/15124434-421/dressage-for-the-pony-set.html | title = Dressage for the 'Pony' set | first = Natalie | last = Hayes | date = 2012-09-14 | access-date = 2012-09-17 | work = Chicago Sun-Times | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113241/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/15124434-421/dressage-for-the-pony-set.html | archive-date = 2014-08-26 }}</ref> Canterlot Gardens in Cleveland, Ohio,<ref name="rolling stone andrew wk"/> Equestria LA in Los Angeles,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.laweekly.com/equestria-l-a-southern-california-gets-its-own-brony-convention-for-my-little-pony-fans/ | title = Equestria L.A.: Southern California Gets Its Own Brony Convention, for My Little Pony Fans | first = Liz | last = Ohanesian | date = 2012-11-05 | access-date = 2011-11-05 | newspaper = LA Weekly }}</ref> BABSCon in Burlingame, California,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://thepioneeronline.com/23178/metro/my-little-brony-friendship-is-magic/ | title = My Little Brony: Friendship is magic | first = Kris | last = Stewart | date = 2014-11-20 | access-date = 2014-12-02 | publisher = The Pioneer }}</ref> Ponycon NY in the metropolitan New York City region,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/06/my_little_pony_fans_flock_to_big_apple_ponycon_in_jersey_city.html | title = My Little Pony fans flock to Big Apple Ponycon in Jersey City | newspaper = The Jersey Journal | date = 2014-06-11 | access-date= 2014-08-24 |first = Summer Dawn | last = Hortillosa }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/ponys-mass-appeal-young-girls-bronies-share-mutual/story?id=29222313 | title = 'My Little Pony's' Mass Appeal: Young Girls, 'Bronies' Share Mutual Love for Cartoon | publisher = ABC News | work = Nightline | date = 2015-02-25 | access-date = 2015-02-25 | last1 = Wright |first1= David |last2= Louszko |first2= Ashley |last3= Effron |first3= Lauren }}</ref> BronyCAN in British Columbia, Canada,<ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bronies-invade-b-c-for-2nd-bronycan-my-little-pony-convention-1.2745384 | title = Bronies invade B.C. for 2nd BronyCAN My Little Pony convention | date = 2014-08-24 | access-date = 2014-08-24 | publisher = CBC }}</ref> GalaCon in Ludwigsburg, Germany,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wtvy.com/news/morningshow/headlines/My-Little-Pony-Fans-Celebrate-Friendship-is-Magic-at-Germanys-GalaCon-218338501.html|title=My Little Pony Fans Celebrate Friendship Is Magic at Germany's GalaCon|last=Spoman|first=Sean|website=WTVY|date=2013-08-05|access-date=2014-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032701/http://www.wtvy.com/news/morningshow/headlines/My-Little-Pony-Fans-Celebrate-Friendship-is-Magic-at-Germanys-GalaCon-218338501.html/ |archive-date=2016-03-04}}</ref> BUCK in Manchester, United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite episode |title=Darren McMullen's Wild Side 1|series=Darren McMullen's Outsiders |network=National Geographic Australia |airdate=April 1, 2014}}</ref> PonyCon AU in Sydney, Australia,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.smh.com.au/technology/technology-news/my-little-pony-gains-growing-legion-of-fans-from-left-field-20130405-2hbuz.html | title = My Little Pony gains growing legion of fans from left field | first = Damien | last = Murphy | date = 2013-04-05 | access-date = 2013-04-05 | work = Sydney Morning Herald }}</ref> Crystal Mountain Pony Con in Salt Lake City, Utah<ref>{{cite news | url = http://fox13now.com/2015/07/17/my-little-pony-convention-welcomes-800-bronies-to-downtown-slc/ | title = My Little Pony convention welcomes 800 bronies to downtown SLC | first = Max | last = Roth | date = 2015-07-17 | access-date = 2016-07-25}}</ref> and Pacific PonyCon in San Diego, California.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schroeder |first=Lauryn |date=10 January 2016 |title=My Little Pony fans invade San Diego |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/jan/10/my-little-pony-fans-invade-san-diego/ |newspaper=San Diego Union Tribune |access-date=29 March 2016 }}</ref> Nearly a dozen brony conventions were planned in 2012.<ref name="collectorsweekly">{{cite web | url = http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/my-little-pony-smackdown-girls-vs-bronies/ | title = My Little Pony Smackdown: Girls vs. Bronies | date = 2012-06-28 | access-date = 2012-06-28 | work = Collectors Weekly | first = Lisa | last = Hix }}</ref> In addition, established ''My Little Pony'' conventions prior to the ''Friendship Is Magic'' show, such as the My Little Pony Fair and UK PonyCon, saw increases in their numbers due to the attendance of bronies.<ref name="collectorsweekly"/><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2012/oct/05/my-little-pony-conference-nottingham | title = Men in tiaras join UK's biggest My Little Pony fans | work = The Guardian | date = 2012-10-05 | access-date = 2012-10-05 | first = Zoe | last = Williams | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150623/news/150629725/ | title = Constable: 'My Little Pony' convention corrals girls, collectors, Bronies | first = Burt | last = Constable | work = Daily Herald | date = 2015-06-23 | access-date = 2015-06-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/September-2015/Bronies/ | title = Meet the Adult Men Who Worship My Little Pony | work = Chicago Magazine | first = Rod | last = O'Conner | date = 2015-08-19 | access-date = 2015-08-21 }}</ref> A long-running annual art show, the "My Little Pony Project", where artists re-imagine ''My Little Pony'' figurines and toys into works of art, also saw additional attendance and contributions from the brony community.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443675404578056772011970466 | title = An Evening of Horse Shoes and Pony Tales | work = The Wall Street Journal | date = 2012-10-14 | access-date = 2012-10-16 | first = Marshall | last = Heyman }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/what-my-little-pony-art-looks/57950/ | title = What 'My Little Pony' Art Looks Like | work = The Atlantic | date = 2012-10-15 | access-date = 2012-10-15 | first = Esther | last = Zuckerman | archive-date = October 20, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020093351/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertainment/2012/10/what-my-little-pony-art-looks/57950/ | url-status = dead }}</ref>

===Charity and fundraising=== {{Main|Charity of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} [[File:Dustry rhoades 2014 bronycon cropped.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.8|An auctioneer presenting a Discord plushie at the 2014 BronyCon charity auction]] The culture of charity within the fandom emerged shortly after the show's debut, paralleling the show's moral lessons of kindness and compassion.<ref name="usatoday fandom"/><ref name="Edwards-2019"/> The Brony Thank You Fund was originally established to create a fan-funded advertisement to air on Hub Network as a thank you to the show's creators in November 2012. The charitable drive far exceeded its goal, with additional funds used to give money to provide toys for children through Toys For Tots.<ref name="wired commercial"/><ref name="nytimes equestria girls">{{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 | date = 2013-03-02 | access-date = 2013-03-02 | work = New York Times | first = Gregory | last = Schmidt }}</ref><ref name="dailydot advertisement">{{Cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/society/thank-you-brony-project-interview/ | title = Behind The Scenes Of The Brony Thank You Project | date = 2012-07-02 | access-date = 2012-11-03 | first = Lauren | last = Orsini | work = The Daily Dot}}</ref> The fund has since incorporated in the state of New Hampshire,<ref name="secretaryofstate nh">{{cite web | url = https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire/BusinessInformation?businessID=496313 | title = NH Secretary of State Listing for The Brony Thank You Fund, Incorporated | date = 2012-05-08 | access-date = 2012-11-05 }}</ref> and successfully registered as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization under United States law. They claim to be the first such media-related fandom to achieve this status.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://boingboing.net/2013/05/14/my-little-pony-fans-successful.html | title = My Little Pony fans successfully register a 501(c)3 charity for fannish good works | first = Cory | last= Doctorow | date = 2013-05-14 | access-date = 2013-05-14 | publisher = Boing Boing }}</ref> In December 2013, the Fund donated $50,000 to endow an animation scholarship in perpetuity at the California Institute of the Arts.<ref name="american conservative"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bronythankyoufund.org/?q=node/49|title= We Did It!|work=The Brony Thank You Fund|date=2013-11-28|access-date=2014-01-18}}</ref> Similarly, a group called "Bronies for Good" ran blood drives and raised over $60,000 during 2012 for charities like the Children's Cancer Association, Room to Read, CureSearch, and Your Siblings.<ref name="usatoday fandom"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://yoursiblings.org/blog/2012/05/04/seeds-of-kindness-fundraiser-launched/ | title = Seeds of Kindness Fundraiser Launched – Your Siblings | publisher = Your Siblings | date = 2012-05-04 | access-date = 2013-09-01 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://yoursiblings.org/blog/2013/06/02/bfg-seeds-kindness-reports-africa/ | title = BfG: Seeds of Kindness Reports From Africa – Your Siblings | publisher = Your Siblings | date = 2013-06-02 | access-date = 2013-09-01 }}</ref> Voice actor Tara Strong has gained help from the fandom for her "Kiki's Cancer Fund" to help the daughter of a close friend who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and she stated that the child "wouldn't be alive today without the ''My Little Pony'' fans",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.starpulse.com/news/Brittany_Frederick/2013/02/16/tara_strong_teases_the_my_little_pony_ | title = Tara Strong Teases The 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic' Season Finale | first = Brittany | last = Frederick | work = Starpulse | date = 2013-02-17 | access-date = 2013-03-13 | publisher = Star Pulse }}</ref> raising $100,000 to help;<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/02/15/tara-strong-my-little-pony-twilight-sparkle-friendship-is-magic_n_2697884.html |title=Tara Strong, 'My Little Pony' Voice Actor, Talks Bronies And Evolution Of Twilight Sparkle |last=Broverman |first=Aaron| work=HuffPost TV Canada| date=2013-02-16| access-date=2015-03-09}}</ref> however, the girl subsequently died of her illness.<ref>{{cite web| author=Calpain |title=Kiki Memorial and Art Gathering |url= http://www.equestriadaily.com/2013/06/kiki-memorial-and-art-gathering.html |website=Equestria Daily |access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref>

In January 2014, 11-year-old Michael Morones of North Carolina attempted suicide after being bullied by his schoolmates for watching the show. His subsequent hospitalization spurred a significant response from the brony community, including members of the show's cast and crew. They launched a charity drive to assist with medical expenses and establish a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting bullying. Within a week, these efforts raised over $48,000, and exceeded $72,000 within a month.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gander |first1=Kashmira |date=2014-02-05 |title=US schoolboy who attempted suicide after being bullied for liking 'My Little Pony' may have permanent brain damage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-schoolboy-who-tried-to-kill-himself-after-being-bullied-for-liking-my-little-pony-may-have-permanent-brain-damage-9110411.html |url-status=live |department=News > World |newspaper=The Independent |others=Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images and photo by Simeon Leonard. |issn=0951-9467 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223084837/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-schoolboy-who-tried-to-kill-himself-after-being-bullied-for-liking-my-little-pony-may-have-permanent-brain-damage-9110411.html |archive-date=2014-02-23 |access-date=2014-02-05 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | url = http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2014/02/11-yr-old-boy-bullied-for-being-a-brony-fighting-for-life-after-suicide-attempt-how-you-can-help/ | title = 11-yr-old Boy Bullied for Being A Brony Fighting for Life After Suicide Attempt; How You Can Help | work = Chicago Now | first = Carrie | last = Goldmann | date = 2014-02-01 | access-date = 2014-02-01 | archive-date = February 6, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140206064449/http://www.chicagonow.com/portrait-of-an-adoption/2014/02/11-yr-old-boy-bullied-for-being-a-brony-fighting-for-life-after-suicide-attempt-how-you-can-help/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> Morones, whose suicide attempt left him in a vegetative state, died on October 27, 2021, at the age of 19.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sethisto|title=Michael Morones Passes Away|url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2021/10/michael-morones-passes-away.html|access-date=2021-10-31|language=en}}</ref>

Brony conventions tend to be non-profit organizations with a heavy focus on charity.<ref name="Connelly-2017"/> In 2015, BronyCon's charity auction raised $30,645 for CureSearch for Children's Cancer.<ref name="Connelly-2017">{{cite book |last=Connelly |first=S. |title=Ponyville Confidential: The History and Culture of My Little Pony, 1981-2016 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E3VPDgAAQBAJ |year=2017 |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |isbn=9781476662091 |lccn=2016044897 }}</ref>

===Arts and entertainment=== {{Main|Art of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} [[File:My little pony fim cosplay anime expo 2011.jpg|thumb|left|upright|An attendee at the 2011 Anime Expo, cosplaying as the character Rainbow Dash]] Many artists use sites such as DeviantArt to display fan art based on existing and fan-created characters;<ref name="wired brony"/> more than 500,000 pieces of ''Friendship Is Magic'' artwork were present on DeviantArt by June 2012.<ref name="pittsburg gazette summer12">{{cite news | url = http://www.post-gazette.com/life/lifestyle/2012/06/29/Pittsburgh-guys-profess-love-for-My-Little-Pony/stories/201206290240 | title = Pittsburgh guys profess love for My Little Pony | work = Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | first = Rob | last = Wennemer | date = 2012-06-29 | access-date = 2012-06-29 }}</ref> Adult fans have also created a number of plush toys and other figures based on the show's and fandom-created characters. These toys are sold on eBay and other auction sites to other fans, sometimes for over 100 US dollars.<ref name="collectorsweekly"/>

Videos that incorporate footage from the show, including music videos, parodies and remakes of movie and video game trailers, are posted regularly on YouTube.<ref name="wired brony"/><ref name="escapist videos">{{cite magazine| url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109875-In-the-Grim-Darkness-of-the-Future-There-Are-Only-Ponies| title=In the Grim Darkness of the Future, There Are Only Ponies| first=John| last=Funk| magazine=The Escapist| date=2011-05-09| access-date=2011-10-07| archive-date=March 14, 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314195129/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/109875-In-the-Grim-Darkness-of-the-Future-There-Are-Only-Ponies| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2011/04/t-shirt-addict-gaming-and-memes-go-hand-in-hand/ | title = T-Shirt Addict: Gaming and Memes Go Hand in Hand | first = Matt | last = Morgan | date = 2011-04-21 | access-date = 2011-05-10 | journal = GeekDad | publisher = Wired | archive-date = May 5, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150505110951/http://archive.wired.com/geekdad/2011/04/t-shirt-addict-gaming-and-memes-go-hand-in-hand/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.avclub.com/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-is-the-new-trailer-1798225588 | title = My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is the new trailer mashup meme champion | work =The A.V. Club | first = Kevin | last = MacFarland | date = 2011-05-12 | access-date = 2011-05-12 }}</ref> One early video that caught media attention was made by high school student Stephen Thomas, using science to dissect some of the physical impossibilities on ''My Little Pony'' as part of a class presentation;<ref>{{cite news | url =https://www.theguardian.com/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/jun/02/1 | title = Physical impossibilities in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic | work = The Guardian | date = 2011-06-02 | access-date = 2011-06-10 | author = GrrlScientist | location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://boingboing.net/2011/05/25/impossible-physics-w.html | title = Impossible physics: Why My Little Pony can't really fly | first = Cory | last = Doctorow | date = 2011-05-25 | access-date = 2011-06-10 | publisher = Boing Boing }}</ref> it was later featured on the ''Tosh.0'' website.<ref name="wired brony"/><ref name="latimes bronies">{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2012/04/bronies-let-their-my-little-pony-flag-fly.html | title = A Brony gathering: SoCal men let their 'My Little Pony' flag fly | first = T.L. | last = Stanley | date = 2012-04-19 | access-date = 2012-04-19 | work = Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://tosh.comedycentral.com/blog/2011/05/26/do-you-have-ten-minutes-to-watch-a-physics-presentation-on-my-little-pony/ |title=Do You Have Ten Minutes To Watch A Physics Presentation On 'My Little Pony'? |first=Carly |last=Hallam |date=2011-05-26 |access-date=2011-10-07 |publisher=Comedy Central |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519161444/http://tosh.comedycentral.com/blog/2011/05/26/do-you-have-ten-minutes-to-watch-a-physics-presentation-on-my-little-pony |url-status=dead }}</ref> Remixed versions of professional works using ''Friendship Is Magic'' footage have been noticed by their creators; filmmaker Edgar Wright noted ''My Little Pony'' versions of the trailers for his films ''Scott Pilgrim vs. the World'' and ''Hot Fuzz''. ''Top Gear''{{'}}s UK blog team and the UK edition of the ''Top Gear'' magazine noted a video using clips of their show featuring pony characters.<ref name="escapist videos"/><ref>{{cite magazine | title = My Little Pony does Top Gear | magazine = Top Gear | publisher = BBC Worldwide Ltd. | date = September 2011 | asin = B00CCV5R4O | asin-tld = co.uk }}</ref> A fan-made ''Friendship Is Magic'' version of South Korean rapper Psy's "Gangnam Style" music video incorporating an "invisible horse dance" has been highlighted by media outlets as one of the top takes on the video.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2012/08/22/5-must-see-gangnam-style-response-videos/ | title = 5 Must-See 'Gangnam Style' Response Videos | date = 2012-08-22 | access-date = 2012-08-24 | work = The Wall Street Journal }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/12819/20120819/pony-dances-gangnam-style-too.htm | title = Pony Dances 'Gangnam Style' Too | publisher = KPopStarz | date = 2012-08-23 | access-date = 2012-08-24 | archive-date = October 14, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131014131936/http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/12819/20120819/pony-dances-gangnam-style-too.htm | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/the-10-best-gangnam-style-parodies-475025/ | title = The 10 Best 'Gangnam Style' Parodies | first1 = Nick | last1 = Williams | first2 = Sarah | last2 = Maloy | magazine = Billboard | date = 2012-09-19 | access-date =2012-09-19 }}</ref> One fan, Zachary Rich, created a full-length Flash-based fan film, "Double Rainboom", as part of his college coursework at the Savannah College of Art and Design.<ref name="alicorn drama">{{cite magazine| url = http://family-room.ew.com/2013/01/31/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-bronies-princess-twilight/ | title = 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic': A Brony explains why fans say 'neigh' to Princess Twilight | first = Hiliary | last = Busis | date = 2013-01-31 | access-date = 2013-05-30 | magazine = Entertainment Weekly}}</ref> Pony-based videos of "Weird Al" Yankovic's songs that Yankovic had highlighted in his Twitter feed led to discussions between the musician and the show directors, and eventually guest appearances in the show in the fourth season episode "Pinkie Pride" and the ninth season episode "The Last Laugh" as the character Cheese Sandwich.<ref>{{Cite news | url =https://www.usatoday.com/story/popcandy/2014/01/15/weird-al-my-little-pony/4490001/ | title = Exclusive: 'Weird Al' Yankovic graces 'My Little Pony' | work = USA Today | date = 2014-01-15 | access-date = 2014-01-15 | first = Whitney | last = Matheson }}</ref>

Some fans have created video games based on ''Friendship Is Magic'', such as the fighting game ''My Little Pony: Fighting Is Magic''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.itworld.com/article/2741161/my-little-pony-gets-a-street-fighter-style-fighting-game.html | title = My Little Pony Gets a Street Fighter Style Fighting Game | date = 2011-06-23 | access-date = 2011-08-07 | first = McKinley | last = Noble | work = ITworld | archive-date = December 8, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191208053936/https://www.itworld.com/article/2741161/my-little-pony-gets-a-street-fighter-style-fighting-game.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> (which eventually became ''Them's Fightin' Herds''), modifications of existing games like ''Team Fortress 2'' and ''The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'',<ref>{{cite journal |last=Ченцов |first=Илья |date=2011-07-28 |url=http://www.gameland.ru/magstorage/si/324/si_324.pdf  |script-title=ru:Большие Безобразия маленьких пони |trans-title=Big Hijinks of Little Ponies |journal=Страна Игр |issue=324 |pages=62–70 |location=Russia |publisher=Gameland |language=ru |id=EAN-13 4607157100056 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506015801/http://gameland.ru/magstorage/si/324/si_324.pdf |archive-date=May 6, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-01-19-skyrim-mod-replaces-dragons-with-my-little-pony | title = Skyrim mod replaces dragons with My Little Pony | first = Tom | last = Phillips | date = 2012-01-19 | access-date = 2012-01-19 | website = Eurogamer }}</ref> ''Hearts of Iron IV'',<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steam Workshop::Equestria at War |url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1826643372 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=steamcommunity.com |language=en}}</ref> or crossover artwork between the animated show and video game settings,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/video-game-character-or-my-little-pony-yes-5892605 | title = Video Game Character or My Little Pony? Yes. | first = Mike | last = Fahey | date = 2012-03-12 | access-date = 2012-03-12 | website = Kotaku }}</ref> including "Turnabout Storm", a crossover with the ''Ace Attorney'' series.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.equestriadaily.com/2023/07/lets-talk-about-my-little-pony-ace.html | title = Let's Talk About: The ''My Little Pony Ace Attorney'' Crossover Turnabout Storm - Review | author = DigiKate | date = 2023-07-19 | access-date = 2023-07-19 | website = Equestria Daily }}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media | url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eqGdf1wn68 | title=''The Bizarre World of'' Ace Attorney ''Crossovers'' | date=July 1, 2024 | access-date=July 1, 2024 | via=YouTube | work=Barbieronpa }}</ref> Flash-based applications allow fans to create their own pony characters in the artistic style of the show.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2012/01/make-your-own-little-pony/ | title = Make Your Own Little Pony (Because the Intenet Needs More Ponies) | first = Angela | last = Wattercutter | journal = Wired | date = 2012-01-06 | access-date = 2012-01-06 }}</ref>

=== Fan fiction === {{Main|My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan fiction}} [[File:Fallout Equestria PH; Glory BlackJack moment by zouyugi dbv9v2x.png|thumb|upright=1.0|''Fallout: Equestria'', one of the most influential and acclaimed works of the ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' fan fiction community, has inspired a large amount of fan art.]] The brony fandom has authored a vast amount of fan fiction. One of the longest works of ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' fan fiction is ''Fallout: Equestria'', written by pseudonymous author "Kkat" based on the ''Fallout'' video game series.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513082059/http://www.emetro.pl/emetro/1%2C85652%2C11098458%2CKochamy_pony__sa_nas_miliony.html |archive-date=May 13, 2012 |url=http://www.emetro.pl/emetro/1,85652,11098458,Kochamy_pony__sa_nas_miliony.html |title=Kochamy pony, są nas miliony |trans-title=We love the pony, there are millions of us |language=pl |date=2012-02-06 |access-date=2013-10-11 |first=Igor |last=Nazaruk |quote="Najdłuższy z nich – 'Fallout: Equestria' – rozgrywa się w postapokaliptycznej rzeczywistości i liczy już 40 rozdziałów, a jego tekst mieści się na ok. 2000 stronach A4" – "The longest of them – 'Fallout: Equestria' – set in post-apocalyptic reality and now consists of 40 chapters, and the text is located at approximately 2000 pages of A4." |publisher=Agora SA |work=emetro.pl |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/culture/fallout-equestria-fim-kkat-interview/ | title = Behind 'Fallout: Equestria', the ultimate 'My Little Pony' tribute | work = The Daily Dot | date = 2012-10-08 | access-date = 2012-10-16 | first = Lauren Rae | last = Orsini }}</ref> A 2018 study reported that 39% of bronies read fan fiction almost daily and 8.6% frequently wrote their own stories.<ref name="Edwards-2019" />{{rp|76}} Unlike most fan fiction communities, which typically have a female majority, the ''My Little Pony'' fan fiction community is predominantly male.<ref name="Campbell-2016">{{cite book |last1=Campbell |first1=Julie Ann |last2=Aragon |first2=Cecilia |last3=Davis |first3=Katie |last4=Evans |first4=Sarah |last5=Evans |first5=Abigail |last6=Randall |first6=David P. |title=Proceedings of the 19th ACM Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work & Social Computing |chapter=Thousands of Positive Reviews: Distributed Mentoring in Online Fan Communities |year=2016 |pages=691–704|doi=10.1145/2818048.2819934 |arxiv=1510.01425 |isbn=978-1-4503-3592-8 }}</ref> Some fan fiction works, such as ''Fallout: Equestria'', have been adapted into other media formats, such as audiobooks, dramatic readings, and audio plays.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-01-31|title=What's real anymore? My Little Pony / Fallout novels|url=https://www.destructoid.com/whats-real-anymore-my-little-pony-fallout-novels/|access-date=2021-07-09|website=Destructoid|last1=Ponce|first1=Tony}}</ref>

=== Music === {{Main|Music of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}} [[File:BronyPalooza (48596249472).jpg|thumb|right|BronyPalooza at the Baltimore Convention Center during BronyCon 2019.]] {{Listen|type=music |filename = Fall Of An Empire - Chapter 3 - Heavy Is The Crown (instrumental).ogg |title = "Heavy Is the Crown (instrumental)" |description = A piece of symphonic metal music inspired by ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'', performed by [https://thel-train.bandcamp.com/ L-Train & the Royal Canterlot Symphonic Metal Orchestra] }} The fandom has been noted for the quantity and diversity of music produced by its members, including cover versions of songs from the show and original songs inspired by the show and its fandom.<ref name="rollingstone ingram">{{Cite magazine | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/behind-the-music-of-pop-culture-smash-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-20120420 | title = Behind the Music of Pop Culture Smash 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic' | date = 2012-04-20 | access-date = 2012-04-20 | first = Kevin | last = Rutherford | magazine = Rolling Stone }}</ref><ref name="dailydot ponymusic">{{cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/entertainment/music-brony-friendship-is-magic-my-little-pony/ | title = For brony musicians, 'Friendship Is Magic' serves as muse | work = The Daily Dot | first = Lauren Rae | last = Orsini | date = 2012-04-21 | access-date = 2012-04-21 }}</ref> The musical subculture spans a large range of content, including classical guitar, electronic dance music, and rock music, with several brony musicians accumulating hundreds of thousands of subscribers on YouTube.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Patrick |last2=Chadborn |first2=Daniel P. |last3=Plante |first3=Courtney N. |last4=Reysen |first4=Stephen |last5=Redden |first5=Marsha Howze |title=Meet the Bronies: The Psychology of the Adult My Little Pony Fandom |publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers |location=United States |isbn=9781476663715 |pages=49–50 |date=September 11, 2019}}</ref> In a 2018 study, 70% of bronies reported listening to brony music almost daily.<ref name="Edwards-2019" />{{rp|52}} Jayson Thiessen commented that many of these fan productions approach the quality of his studio's work, and suggested the possibility of crowd-sourcing some aspects of future production,<ref name="csm"/> while the show's composer, Daniel Ingram, often features fan-made songs on his personal webspace.<ref name="dailydot ponymusic"/> Some fandom musicians, such as The Living Tombstone, have successfully transitioned to mainstream music careers,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Literat |first=Ioana |title=The Power of a Pony: Youth Literacies, Participatory Culture, and Active Meaning Making |journal=Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy |volume=61 |issue=1 |pages=113–116 |year=2017 |doi=10.1002/jaal.661 |publisher=International Literacy Association|editor1-last=Rodriguez Kerr |editor1-first=Kristine |editor2-last=Vasudevan |editor2-first=Lalitha}}</ref> with their work being acknowledged by show composer Daniel Ingram as "rivaling those of label-signed musicians."<ref name="rollingstone ingram"/> Brony conventions often feature their own music concerts, such as Ponystock at Everfree Northwest<ref name="dailydot ponymusic"/> and BronyPalooza at BronyCon.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/feature/8-things/2015/08/8-things-you-need-to-know-about-bronycon-the-my.html|title=8 things you need to know about BronyCon, the 'My Little Pony' convention|website=Baltimore Business Journal|last=Meehan|first=Sarah}}</ref>

In the 2020s, ''Friendship Is Magic'' fan music continues to attract critical and mainstream attention.<ref name="pitchfork"/><ref name="bi"/>

=== Science, technology, and engineering === {{Main|15.ai}} {{Listen | header = Voice lines of Derpy Hooves reciting the FitnessGram PACER test introduction generated using 15.ai. | type = speech | filename = Derpy hooves neutral 1747377367364 variation0.wav | title = Variation #1 | filename2 = Derpy hooves neutral 1747377367929 variation1.wav | title2 = Variation #2 | filename3 = Derpy hooves neutral 1747377368356 variation2.wav | title3 = Variation #3 }} 15.ai, a text-to-speech website credited with popularizing AI voice cloning in memes and content creation,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Ruppert |first=Liana |date=January 18, 2021 |title=Make Portal's GLaDOS And Other Beloved Characters Say The Weirdest Things With This App |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2021/01/18/make-portals-glados-and-other-beloved-characters-say-the-weirdest-things |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118175543/https://www.gameinformer.com/gamer-culture/2021/01/18/make-portals-glados-and-other-beloved-characters-say-the-weirdest-things |archive-date=January 18, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2024 |magazine=Game Informer|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Anirudh VK |date=March 18, 2023 |title=Deepfakes Are Elevating Meme Culture, But At What Cost? |url=https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-origins-evolution/deepfakes-are-elevating-meme-culture-but-at-what-cost/ |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Analytics India Magazine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226163953/https://analyticsindiamag.com/ai-origins-evolution/deepfakes-are-elevating-meme-culture-but-at-what-cost/ |archive-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Wright |first=Steven |date=March 21, 2023 |title=Why Biden, Trump, and Obama Arguing Over Video Games Is YouTube's New Obsession |url=https://www.inverse.com/gaming/youtube-ai-presidential-gaming-debates |url-status=live |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Inverse |archive-date=December 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220012854/https://www.inverse.com/gaming/youtube-ai-presidential-gaming-debates}}</ref><ref name="Temitope-2024"/> features the voices of a large number of characters from ''Friendship Is Magic'', including all of the Mane Six and Derpy Hooves.<ref>{{cite web |last=Chandraseta |first=Rionaldi |date=January 21, 2021 |title=Generate Your Favourite Characters' Voice Lines using Machine Learning |url=https://towardsdatascience.com/generate-your-favourite-characters-voice-lines-using-machine-learning-c0939270c0c6 |url-status=live |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Towards Data Science |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121132456/https://towardsdatascience.com/generate-your-favourite-characters-voice-lines-using-machine-learning-c0939270c0c6}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Scotellaro |first=Shaun |date=2020a |title=15.ai Adds Tons of New Pony Voices |url=https://www.equestriadaily.com/2020/10/15ai-adds-tons-of-new-pony-voices.html |access-date=December 21, 2024 |website=Equestria Daily |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226174007/https://www.equestriadaily.com/2020/10/15ai-adds-tons-of-new-pony-voices.html |archive-date=December 26, 2024}}</ref> During its development, 15.ai's creator (an MIT alumnus known pseudonymously as 15<ref>{{cite web |last=Kurosawa |first=Yuki |year=2021 |title=ゲームキャラ音声読み上げソフト「15.ai」公開中。『Undertale』や『Portal』のキャラに好きなセリフを言ってもらえる |trans-title=Game Character Voice Reading Software "15.ai" Now Available. Get Characters from Undertale and Portal to Say Your Desired Lines |url=https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20210119-149494/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119103031/https://automaton-media.com/articles/newsjp/20210119-149494/ |archive-date=January 19, 2021 |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=AUTOMATON |language=ja}}</ref>) sought out more challenging voice samples with complex speech patterns and emotional undertones to test the application's performance. They used a large dataset that was crowdsourced by bronies on :/mlp/, who had manually trimmed, denoised, transcribed, and emotion-tagged thousands of voice lines from the show.<ref name="Temitope-2024">{{Cite news |last=Temitope |first=Yusuf |date=December 10, 2024 |title=15.ai Creator reveals journey from MIT Project to internet phenomenon |url=https://guardian.ng/technology/15-ai-creator-reveals-journey-from-mit-project-to-internet-phenomenon/ |location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=December 25, 2024 |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228152312/https://guardian.ng/technology/15-ai-creator-reveals-journey-from-mit-project-to-internet-phenomenon/ |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> The earliest voices available on 15.ai were those of characters from ''Friendship Is Magic''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ng |first=Andrew |date=April 1, 2020 |title=Voice Cloning for the Masses |url=https://www.deeplearning.ai/the-batch/voice-cloning-for-the-masses/ |access-date=December 22, 2024 |website=DeepLearning.AI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228151726/https://www.deeplearning.ai/the-batch/voice-cloning-for-the-masses/ |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2022, it was discovered that a cryptocurrency company called Voiceverse had generated voice lines of Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash using 15.ai, pitched them up to sound unrecognizable, promoted them as the byproduct of their own technology, and sold them as non-fungible tokens without permission.<ref>{{cite web |last=Innes |first=Ruby |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Voiceverse Is The Latest NFT Company Caught Using Someone Else's Content |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/01/voiceverse-caught-using-someone-elses-content/ |access-date=February 28, 2025 |website=Kotaku Australia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726140924/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2022/01/voiceverse-caught-using-someone-elses-content/|archive-date=July 26, 2024|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |date=January 17, 2022 |title=Troy Baker-backed NFT firm admits using voice lines taken from another service without permission |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-17-troy-baker-backed-nft-firm-admits-using-voice-lines-taken-from-another-service-without-permission |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117164033/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2022-01-17-troy-baker-backed-nft-firm-admits-using-voice-lines-taken-from-another-service-without-permission |archive-date=January 17, 2022 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Williams |first=Demi |date=January 18, 2022 |title=Voiceverse NFT admits to taking voice lines from non-commercial service |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/voiceverse-nft-admits-to-taking-voice-lines-from-non-commercial-service-3140663 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118162845/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/voiceverse-nft-admits-to-taking-voice-lines-from-non-commercial-service-3140663 |archive-date=January 18, 2022 |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=NME}}</ref>

=== Military personnel === {{Main|Military bronies}} [[File:Star Spangler The AMERICAN Pony.png|thumb|right|upright=1.1|Fan art of a ponification of the United States]] Many bronies are enlisted in the United States Armed Forces; a 2016 study estimated that 4–5% of bronies were enlisted military personnel.<ref name="Amon-2016">{{cite journal |last=Amon |first=Maria Patrice |title=Candy coloured ponies and pastel uniforms: Military Bronies and masculine innocence |journal=Journal of Fandom Studies |volume=4 |issue=1 |year=2016 |pages=89–104 |doi=10.1386/jfs.4.1.89_1}}</ref> The military brony subculture gained mainstream attention when it was reported that some service members were displaying cutie mark patches on their uniforms.<ref name="navytimes">{{cite news | url = http://www.navytimes.com/entertainment/tv/offduty-bronies-in-uniform-083012/ | title = Bronies in uniform — and proud of it | first = Jon R. | last = Anderson | date = 2012-08-30 | access-date = 2012-08-30 | work = Navy Times | archive-date = November 7, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107132732/https://www.navytimes.com/entertainment/tv/offduty-bronies-in-uniform-083012/ | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/ | title = Trainees adopt 'My Little Pony' class patch | first = Jeff | last = Schogol | date = 2013-07-25 | access-date = 2013-07-29 | publisher = Military Times | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130728143654/http://blogs.militarytimes.com/flightlines/2013/07/25/trainees-adopt-my-little-pony-class-patch/ | archive-date = 2013-07-28}}</ref> Margaret Loesch, the CEO and President of The Hub, noted from an email from a group of United States enlisted personnel in Afghanistan explained how they came by the show by way of their daughters, but found the emphasis on teamwork and covering each other's backs resonated with their military fellowship.<ref name="usatoday fandom">{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2012/11/26/my-little-pony/1725375/ | title = 'My Little Pony' plants a hoof in pop culture | work = USA Today | first = Brian | last = Truitt | date = 2012-11-26 | access-date = 2012-11-26 }}</ref>

==Reception== ===Production staff and cast=== thumb|upright|Lauren Faust, creator and developer of the show, has interacted directly with the fandom, shown here at the 2012 Summer BronyCon.

Lauren Faust, the then-executive producer, expressed appreciation for show's adult fans on her DeviantArt page.<ref name="dalaurenthankyou">{{cite web|url=http://fyre-flye.deviantart.com/journal/THANK-YOU-218911691|date=2011-05-08|title=THANK YOU!!!|last=Faust|first=Lauren|publisher=deviantArt|access-date=2011-08-02}}</ref> Faust had not expected men without children to watch it, but said, "The fact that they did and that they were open-minded and cool enough and secure in their masculinity enough to embrace it and love it and go online and talk about how much they love it—I'm kind of proud."<ref name="wired brony">{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/06/bronies-my-little-ponys/ | title = My Little Pony Corrals Unlikely Fanboys Known as 'Bronies' | first= Angela| last = Watchcutter | date = 2011-06-09 | access-date = 2011-06-09 | journal = Wired}}</ref> Of her surprise to the unexpected fandom, Faust said, "From the messages I've received, these episodes have lifted spirits, brought parents and kids together, changed perspectives and inspired the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of places. Who would have thought it from a show about candy-colored ponies?"<ref name="national post"/>

Faust noted the cynicism about the brony fandom, and commented that in considering the idea of grown men watching a show for little girls, "They think there's something wrong with that, something devious about it"; she noted that it was "upsetting to me that people jump to those conclusions".<ref name="ap bronycon">{{cite news | url = http://bigstory.ap.org/article/guys-who-my-little-pony-gather-bronycon | title = Guys Who Like My Little Pony Gather for 'BronyCon' | first = Dave | last = Collins | date = 2012-07-01 | access-date = 2012-07-01 | agency = Associated Press | archive-date = July 1, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120701175503/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/guys-who-my-little-pony-gather-bronycon | url-status = dead }}</ref> Faust believes that her future animated shows aimed at girls will be easier to sell considering the male adult fandom of ''Friendship Is Magic'', and that the type of programming is not as great a risk as is perceived.<ref name="bitch">{{cite journal | url = https://www.bitchmedia.org/post/lauren-faust-creator-of-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-live-from-bronycon-feminist-magazine-bronies-gender-fandom | title = Brony Love: Lauren Faust, Creator of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, Live from Bronycon! | journal = Bitch | date = 2012-07-03 | access-date = 2012-07-03 | first = Melody | last = Wilson | archive-date = November 8, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201108200615/https://www.bitchmedia.org/post/lauren-faust-creator-of-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-live-from-bronycon-feminist-magazine-bronies-gender-fandom | url-status = dead }}</ref> After Hasbro issued a cease and desist to the ''Fighting Is Magic'' project over the use of copyrighted and trademarked characters, Faust offered to provide the developers with original character arts to allow them to continue to develop the game without copyright issues.<ref name="faust team">{{cite web | url = http://www.vg247.com/2013/03/04/my-little-pony-creator-to-help-resurrect-fighting-is-magic-game/| title = My Little Pony creator to help resurrect Fighting is Magic game | website = VG247 | date = 3 March 2013 | access-date = 3 March 2013 | first = Brenna | last = Hillier }}</ref>

The internet groups surrounding the fandom have enabled the show's producers to quickly assess their work; director and producer Jayson Thiessen stated "As soon as the episode airs, I can go online and see people's responses in real time".<ref name="csm">{{Cite news | url = https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/TV/2012/0320/Is-TV-paying-too-much-attention-to-fans | title = Is TV paying too much attention to fans? | work = The Christian Science Monitor | date =2012-03-20 | access-date = 2012-03-20 | first = James | last = Turner }}</ref> Many of the creative staff are on various social media services and directly interact with the fandom, including doing questions-and-answer sessions live during the broadcast of new episodes.<ref name="american conservative">{{cite journal | url = http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/rise-of-the-bronies/ | title = Rise of the Bronies | first= Kelley | last = Vlahos | date = 2014-01-03 | access-date = 2014-01-03 | journal = The American Conservative }}</ref> Daniel Ingram, who writes and composes some of the songs featured in the show, was pleased with the fan's reaction to the series' music but said, "I never forget about the original demographic of our show, which is six-year-old girls. Just because it's for kids... I don't think that influences me in terms of how sophisticated I want to make the music."<ref name="rollingstone ingram"/>

The voice actors also showed appreciation for the adult and male fans. Andrea Libman, who voices Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, found that more people wanted to meet her as a result of the show and commented that among the fan community, "there's some really talented artists doing really amazing stuff".<ref name="libman calgarysun"/> Tara Strong, who voices Twilight Sparkle, used Twitter to interact with fans and started a "Twilightlicious" meme trend.<ref name="navytimes"/><ref name="libman calgarysun">{{cite news | url = http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/05/21/voicing-pony-magic | title = Voicing pony magic | first = Ellen | last = Keeble | date = 2012-05-21 | access-date = 2012-05-21 | work = Calgary Sun | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121021070212/http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/05/21/voicing-pony-magic | archive-date = October 21, 2012 | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Ashleigh Ball, who voices Rainbow Dash and Applejack, attributes increased attention her band Hey Ocean! has received to the brony community.<ref>{{cite news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614054217/http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Vancouver%2Brock%2Bband%2BOcean%2Bplays%2Btheir%2Bwith%2Bvideo/6607126/story.html |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/Vancouver+rock+band+Ocean+plays+their+with+video/6607126/story.html |title=Vancouver pop-rock band Hey Ocean! plays it their way |date=2012-05-11 |access-date=2013-10-11 |work=The Vancouver Sun |first=Francois |last=Marchand |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Michelle Creber, who voices Apple Bloom and provided the singing voice for Sweetie Belle, has collaborated with fan musicians in order to create new works.<ref name="dailydot ponymusic"/>

[[File:John de lancie bronycon summer 2012 cropped.png|thumb|upright|Actor John de Lancie, who voices the reformed villain Discord, was so overwhelmed with the response from fans that he helped develop a documentary about the fandom.]]

John de Lancie was enthralled by the sudden surge in fandom from the brony community after the broadcast of the two-part second season premiere featuring his voice work as the main antagonist Discord (which Faust had created after a character previously played by de Lancie, Q from ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''), and has embraced the attention. He compared the male fandom of a girl-oriented show to the large number of female fans of the original ''Star Trek'' series, and the parallels of what the fans did to support the respective shows.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.sfx.co.uk/2012/10/02/john-de-lancie-interview/ | title = Star Trek's John de Lancie Interviewed | first = Alasdair | last = Stewart | date = 2012-10-02 | access-date = 2012-10-02 | journal = SFX }}</ref> De Lancie helped to make a Kickstarter-funded documentary at the fourth BronyCon convention about the growing fandom, ''Bronies: The Extremely Unexpected Adult Fans of My Little Pony''. Faust, de Lancie and Strong were credited as executive producers on the project.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/257527888/bronycon-the-documentary | title = BronyCon: The Documentary | publisher = Kickstarter | access-date = 2012-05-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = http://archive.wired.com/geekmom/2012/05/kickstarter-bronycon-documentary/ | title = Kickstart BronyCon: The Documentary | author = Jules | date = 2012-05-30 | access-date = 2012-05-30 | journal = Wired | archive-date = May 5, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150505144322/http://archive.wired.com/geekmom/2012/05/kickstarter-bronycon-documentary/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> The funding drive ended with over $320,000 in pledges, making it the second most funded film project on Kickstarter at the time.<ref name="ks funding">{{cite web | url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/06/12/bronies-make-my-little-pony-convention-film-the-second-most-funded-in-the-history-of-kickstarter/ | title = Bronies Make My Little Pony Convention Film The Second Most Funded In The History Of Kickstarter | first = Brendon | last = Connelly | work = Bleeding Cool News And Rumors | date = 2012-06-12 | access-date = 2012-06-12 | publisher = Bleeding Cool }}</ref> After its release, the project has announced plans to remake the documentary to incorporate additional footage taken at European fandom gatherings. This has been shown at film festivals in 2013 and released for home media distribution.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/257527888/bronycon-the-documentary/posts/261948?cursor=1006276 | title = Documentary Update & Release Information | author = Michael Brockhoff | date = July 7, 2012 | access-date = October 11, 2016 | publisher = Kickstarter }}</ref>

Similarly, Ball's surprise at the appreciation of the fandom led her to participate in another documentary, ''A Brony Tale'', directed by Brent Hodge, recording her participation at the January 2012 BronyCon event in New York City, as well as discussions with members of the fandom.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2013/08/new-brony-documentary/ | title = Our Enduring Fascination With Bronies Continues With Yet Another Documentary | first = Angela | last = Wattercutter | date = 2013-08-21 | access-date = 2013-08-21 | journal = Wired }}</ref> The film, which was picked up for distribution by Morgan Spurlock, debuted to critical praise at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, and reached theatrical and home media markets in July 2014.<ref>{{Cite journal | url = https://variety.com/2014/film/news/joss-whedon-courteney-cox-katie-holmes-zombeavers-and-bronies-round-out-the-2014-tribeca-film-festival-slate-1201125999/ | title = Joss Whedon, Courteney Cox, Katie Holmes, 'Zombeavers' and Bronies Round Out the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival Slate | journal = Variety | date = 2014-03-06 | access-date = 2014-03-06 | first = Gordon | last = Cox }}</ref>

At times, portions of the brony fandom have reacted passionately to changes in the direction of the show, such as in the change to "The Last Roundup" involving the character Derpy Hooves. Similarly, the Season 3 finale episode "Magical Mystery Cure" ended with main character Twilight Sparkle transforming into a winged unicorn (alicorn) and being named a princess. This change was revealed prior to the episode's airing and a portion of the fandom were critical of the change, referring to it as a "jump the shark" moment for the series while others considered that it was a significant change of one of the show's more popular characters that most of the brony fandom could relate with. The showrunners stated in response that while Twilight's physical appearance would change, this would not otherwise alter her personality or the general concept of the show.<ref name="alicorn drama"/> On the announcement of the ''My Little Pony: Equestria Girls'' feature-length animated film, in which the pony characters are re-envisioned as human teenage girls attending high school, a large fraction of the adult fandom reacted negatively towards the premise. Several fans stated that this was a corporate play by Hasbro and veered away from the direction that Faust had envisioned for the show at its onset, while others commented on the clichéd aspect of a high school comedy, the overly thin appearance of the human characters, and other factors. The fan site Equestria Daily had issued a caution to its readers to not lash out at the show's creators who had also worked on the film, and other more predominant figures of the fandom urged others to continue to support the staff.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.dailydot.com/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 = 2013-05-15 | access-date = 2013-05-30 | work = The Daily Dot }}</ref> Equestria Daily's Shaun Scotellaro considered the fandom's behavior to be "your typical overreaction to something changing in your favorite series".<ref name="alicorn drama"/>

====Allusions within the show==== Faust and the production team have acknowledged some of the fandom and fan-created elements of the show and incorporated them into the animation. Though Hasbro's priority is to deliver a child-friendly show, the writers and production staff, according to Linda Steiner, senior vice president of Hasbro Studios, "We will certainly, for fun, do the 'bronie'{{sic}} check to see if this could pass with them, but our job is to deliver to the kids first."<ref name="steiner interview">{{cite web | url = http://www.danielnyegriffiths.org/2011/09/friendship-is-money-ponies-internet.html | title = Friendship is Massive – Ponies, Internet phenomena and crossover audiences | first = Daniel Nye | last = Griffiths | date = 2011-09-27 | access-date = 2012-01-19 | publisher = Daniel Nye Griffiths }}</ref> Margaret Loesch, president and chief executive of Hub Network, said that they have kept their nods to the fandom to subtle hints. She added, "We haven't driven this movement, the fans have, and we don't want to get ahead of that. We want to nourish this phenomenon, not manipulate it."<ref name="latimes bronies"/> A writer for the show, Meghan McCarthy, said, "Some pop culture-y things are thrown in, but we don't want to do anything that's too 'wink wink'. It detracts from the story that we're trying to tell".<ref name="ew wedding"/> Many of the nods to the older audience are drawn in by the storyboard artists and animators, who are challenged to populate scripted scenes with background ponies; McCarthy points to the example of ponies fashioned after the main characters from ''The Big Lebowski'' due to having to fill in space for scenes set in a bowling alley for the episode "The Cutie Pox".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://comicsalliance.com/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-interview-sdcc-2012/ |title='We Love The Bronies': The Cast And Writer Of 'My Little Pony' On MLP And Its Fans [SDCC] |first=Chris |last=Sims |date=2012-07-15 |access-date=2019-12-01 |work=ComicsAlliance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718014907/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/07/15/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-interview-sdcc-2012 |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

{{anchor|Derpy}} {{anchor|Derpy Hooves}} In the first episode, a background gray Pegasus pony is shown in one scene with a cross-eyed stare, which was the result of an overlooked animator's joke. The 4chan boards quickly dubbed the character "Derpy Hooves" (based on the Internet slang word "derp") and created a more detailed personality for her, despite having minimal screen time. Faust responded to the fans, and the production team has kept the "Derpy" character with the cross-eyed look starting with "Feeling Pinkie Keen", where the team incorporated her into a slapstick sight gag.<ref name="awn"/> The character has since become a mascot of the fandom.<ref name="csm"/> According to supervising director Jayson Thiessen, the teams considered the character "like a little Easter egg for people to catch".<ref name="awn"/>

thumb|"Derpy" (right) is berated by Rainbow Dash (left) in the episode "The Last Roundup".

At the conclusion of the first season, one of the show's animators confirmed that "Derpy" would be a scripted background character in the second season, and was a part of several sight gags.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kreoss.deviantart.com/journal/And-so-it-ends-218913650 | title = And so it ends... | date = 2011-05-07 | access-date = 2012-06-05 | author = Kreoss | publisher = DeviantArt }}</ref> In the original broadcast of the second season episode "The Last Roundup" as well as on the home media release ''The Friendship Express'', "Derpy" was called out by name by Rainbow Dash and was given lines (as voiced by St. Germain) and klutzy mannerisms as a direct call-out to the brony fandom.<ref>{{cite web | title = Derpy Backlash? | url = http://comments.deviantart.com/1/282491737/2393093453 | first = Sabrina | last = Alberghetti | publisher = DeviantArt | date = 2012-01-31 | access-date = 2012-01-31 }}</ref> Though many fans appreciated the inclusion, some viewers had a negative response to the character, believing her portrayal insulted the mentally handicapped. Hasbro subsequently modified these scenes and while "Derpy" is still present in subsequent broadcast and digital versions of the episode, she is unnamed and a different voice is used. According to Hasbro's Nicole Agnello, "Some viewers felt that aspects of the episode 'The Last Roundup' did not stay true to the core message of friendship which is the heart and soul of the series. Hasbro Studios decided to make slight audio alterations to this single episode."<ref name="gawker deprygate">{{cite web|url=https://gawker.com/5889084/bronies-furious-after-minor-my-little-pony-character-is-changed-to-seem-less-mentally-disabled |title=Bronies Furious After Minor My Little Pony Character Is Changed to Seem Less Mentally Disabled |work=Gawker |date=2012-02-28 |access-date=2012-02-28 |first=Adrien |last=Chen |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301182732/http://gawker.com/5889084/bronies-furious-after-minor-my-little-pony-character-is-changed-to-seem-less-mentally-disabled |archive-date=March 1, 2012}}</ref> Despite Hasbro's intentions, some members of the brony community were disappointed to which they made efforts to restore the original voice.<ref name="gawker deprygate"/> "Derpy" remained in background cameos throughout other episodes in season 2 and 3. Within season 4, Derpy was re-introduced, remaining silent and unnamed but with her original wall-eyed look, as a side character in the main story of "Rainbow Falls".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.unleashthefanboy.com/news/little-pony-friendship-magic-rainbow-falls-review/87091 | title = My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic 'Rainbow Falls' Review | work = Unleash the Fanboy | date = 2014-01-18 | access-date = 2014-01-18 | first = David | last = Alvarez }}</ref> The appearance was planned as a big reveal for the brony fans, according to co-director Jim Miller,<ref>{{cite tweet | user=TheBiggestJim|number=424582482239832065 | title = Jim Miller on Derpy | date = 2014-01-18 | access-date = 2014-01-18 | first = Jim | last = Miller }}</ref> and that "she is here to stay" according to Hasbro's vice president for entertainment Mike Vogel.<ref>{{Cite tweet | user = mktoon|number=424576960547680256 | title = Mike Vogel on Derpy | date = 2014-01-18 | access-date = 2014-02-04 | first = Mike | last = Vogel }}</ref> The Derpy character is used often on Hasbro's marketing of the show. For example, Hasbro's exclusive pony toy at San Diego Comic-Con and My Little Pony Fair in 2012 was based on "Derpy", and has the same cross-eye look.<ref name="derpy sdcc2012"/>

{{anchor|DJ P0N-3}} {{anchor|DJ Pon3}} Other non-speaking background characters that caught the attention of the fandom also had expanded roles. For example, a silent female unicorn pony character sporting neon colors and sunglasses and manning a DJ mixer that briefly appeared in "Suited for Success", was given the stage name "DJ P0N-3" in an online poll held by Equestria Daily.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/02/poll-results-what-is-pony-djs-name.html| title=Poll Results: What is the DJ Pony's Name?| author=Sethisto| publisher=Equestria Daily| date= 2010-12-05| access-date=2011-10-07}}</ref> This name was reused in the "Equestria Girls" advertisement.<ref name=bnet>{{cite news | url = https://www.cbsnews.com/news/my-little-pony-the-hip-new-trend-among-the-geekerati/ | title = My Little Pony: the Hip, New Trend Among the Geekerati | first = Constantine | last = von Hoffman | date =2011-05-31 | access-date = 2011-05-31 | work = CBSN | publisher = CBS Interactive }}</ref> The character also appeared as a DJ in the season 2 finale "A Canterlot Wedding – Part 2" and became part of the new release of ''My Little Pony'' toys in late 2012,<ref name="sdcc12 toys">{{cite news | url = https://www.laweekly.com/san-diego-comic-con-2012-hasbro-listens-to-fans-with-new-exclusive-toys/ | title = San Diego Comic-Con 2012: Hasbro Listens to Fans with New, Exclusive Toys | first = Liz | last = Ohanesian | date = 2012-07-13 | access-date = 2012-07-13 | newspaper = LA Weekly | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120715212019/http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2012/07/my_little_pony_exclusive_toys.php | archive-date = July 15, 2012 | url-status = live}}</ref> as well as the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con exclusive figurine.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2013/06/05/hasbro-2013-comic-con-exclusive-toys/2392107/ | title = Hasbro Comic-Con exclusives star Marvel, 'Jem', 'Pony' | work = USA Today | date = 2013-06-05 | access-date = 2013-06-05 | first = Brian | last= Truitt }}</ref> The character additionally had an expanded yet also non-speaking role in the second ''Equestria Girls'' film ''Rainbow Rocks''.

{{anchor|Doctor Whooves}} {{anchor|Doctor Whoof}} Fans of the show also nicknamed a male pony character with a brown coat, messy brown mane and an hourglass cutie mark "Doctor Whooves" because of a purported likeness to David Tennant's portrayal of the Doctor from the long-running BBC television series ''Doctor Who''. The character had a minor speaking role in the episode "Call of the Cutie" and a brief role as a time-keeper in the episode "The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000".<ref name="awn"/><ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.tvguide.com/galleries/doctor-who-influence-1073650/6/ | title = 10 Awesome Examples of Doctor Who's Cultural Influence | journal = TV Guide | date= 2013-11-22 | access-date = 2013-11-22 }}</ref><ref name="cliqueclack SSCD6K">{{cite web |url= http://cliqueclack.com/tv/2012/01/28/cartoonclack-my-little-pony-music-man/ |title= Harold Hill comes to My Little Pony |last= Schenkel, Katie |date= 2012-01-28 |access-date= 2012-01-31 |work= cliqueclack.com |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120203075406/http://cliqueclack.com/tv/2012/01/28/cartoonclack-my-little-pony-music-man/ |archive-date= February 3, 2012 |url-status= dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url = http://comments.deviantart.com/4/1453017/2391104972 |title= Comment on *Sibsy's profile | date = 2012-01-30 | access-date = 2012-01-31 | first = Sabrina | last = Alberghetti | publisher = DeviantArt }}</ref> Other licensed media further carry the homage: Enterplay's trading card line associates the character, named "Time Turner", as dealing with "all things timey-wimey" around Ponyville, alluding to a famous quote from the episode "Blink", while one of the store-exclusive covers for the ''Friendship Is Magic'' comic set the Doctor Whooves character among many iconic ''Doctor Who'' elements.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/08/my-little-pony-2-gets-a-doctor-whooves-cover-from-midtown-comics/ | title = My Little Pony #2 Gets a Doctor Whooves Cover from Midtown Comics | first = Rich | last = Johnson | date = 2012-11-08 | access-date = 2012-11-10 | publisher = Bleeding Cool News }}</ref> The character was openly named Doctor Hooves in ''The Elements of Harmony: The Official Guidebook'', published by Little, Brown and Company.<ref>{{cite book| title=My Little Pony: The Elements of Harmony: Friendship Is Magic: Official Guidebook| isbn=9780316247542 |page=30 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company| date=June 4, 2013 }}</ref> Professor Colin Burnett of Washington University in St. Louis considered the adoption of these fan names and characteristics within the show as demonstration of co-creative collaboration that can exist in modern media, emphasized by unexpected demographics of bronies that helped to bolster the creators' success with the work.<ref>{{cite book | first = Colin | last = Burnett | title= A Companion to Media Authorship | isbn = 978-0470670965 | editor1-first = Jonathan | editor1-last = Gray | editor2-first = Derek | editor2-last= Johnson | year= 2013 | publisher = John Wiley & Sons | chapter = Chapter 7 : Participation is Magic }}</ref>

As a tribute to the older fandom as well as all other fans of the show, the milestone 100th episode "Slice of Life", which was first broadcast in 2015, featured several of the background characters that the fans had made popular, including Derpy (now named "Muffins"), Doctor Whooves and DJ P0N-3 among others.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://zap2it.com/2015/06/bronies-celebrate-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magics-100th-episode/ | title = Bronies celebrate 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic's' 100th episode | first = Andrea | last = Reiher | date = 2015-06-13 | access-date = 2015-08-15 | publisher = Zap2It |archive-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716215842/http://zap2it.com/2015/06/bronies-celebrate-my-little-pony-friendship-is-magics-100th-episode/ }}</ref>

===Hasbro and Hub Network=== thumb|upright|''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' was heavily promoted by Hasbro at their booth during San Diego Comic-Con in 2011.

Hasbro and Hub Network (prior to its rebranding as Discovery Family) have also sought to market to bronies. Steiner said, "You develop the best show you can, and hope the humor will translate to a broader audience. But I've been in the business for 25 years and I've never seen anything like this."<ref name="wired uk">{{cite magazine | magazine = Wired UK | date = 2011-08-15 | first = Daniel Nye | last = Griffiths | title = Colt Success | url = https://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/09/play/colt-success | access-date = 2011-10-10 | archive-date = November 21, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111121111102/http://www.wired.co.uk/magazine/archive/2011/09/play/colt-success | url-status = dead }}</ref> A company spokeswoman said that bronies are "a small group of ''My Little Pony'' fans who don't necessarily fit what one might expect to be the brand's target audience", while its core audience in the older market is predominantly females.<ref name="wsj"/> Despite the bronies being an unusual and unexpected audience, Hasbro and Hub Network chose to "salute and embrace all the viewers who have embraced our brand", according to Margaret Loesch, CEO of Hub Network and former executive producer of the original ''My Little Pony'' animated series.<ref name="ad age">{{cite magazine | url = http://adage.com/article/special-report-americas-hottest-brands/america-s-hottest-brands-pony-friendship-magic/231166/ | title = 'My Little Pony: The Friendship Is Magic' Gains Unexpected Audience – Adults | first = Judann | last = Pollack | date = 2011-11-28 | access-date = 2011-11-28 | magazine = Ad Age }}</ref> Hasbro has allowed the fandom to be an organic movement leading to its growth and success, according to Stephen Davis, head of Hasbro Studios.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://collider.com/stephen-davis-hasbro-transformers-interview/ | title = Comic-Con: Hasbro Studios Head Stephen Davis Talks the Brony Movement, Transformers, Stretch Armstrong, Battleship and More | publisher = Collider.com | first = Hunter | last = Daniels | date = 2012-07-15 | access-date = 2012-07-15 | archive-date = March 20, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140320114304/http://collider.com/stephen-davis-hasbro-transformers-interview/180591/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

Before the brony fandom arose, Hasbro had introduced new ''My Little Pony'' toys, including convention-exclusives, at San Diego Comic-Con. With a brony element in attendance, the convention-exclusive toys have reflected the brony culture; a large poster was published in 2011 that included several background characters that had attracted the fandom's interest. A toy of a pegasus pony character named Derpy Hooves was made available for both the convention and My Little Pony Fair in 2012.<ref name="derpy sdcc2012">{{cite journal | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2012/05/exclusive-preview-the-2012-special-edition-my-little-pony/1 | title = Exclusive: Preview the 2012 Special Edition My Little Pony | first = Whitney | last = Matheson | date = 2012-05-30 | access-date = 2012-05-30 | journal = USA Today }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/07/hasbro-comic-con-exclusives/ | title = Marvel's Sentinel Faces My Little Pony at Comic-Con | first = Lewis | last = Wallace | date = 2011-07-06 | access-date = 2011-07-08 | journal = Wired }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | url = http://content.usatoday.com/communities/popcandy/post/2011/06/exclusive-see-hasbros-comic-con-my-little-pony | title = Exclusive: See Hasbro's Comic-Con My Little Pony | first = Whitney | last = Matheson | date = 2011-06-28 | access-date= 2011-07-10 | journal = USA Today }}</ref> Toys "R" Us provided early, limited numbers of new toy based on the zebra character Zecora, due for release in late 2012 by Hasbro. Both Zecora and "Derpy" toys sold out within the first day of the convention.<ref name="sdcc12 toys"/> In 2014, Shapeways announced an association with Hasbro to create 3D printed versions of ''Friendship Is Magic'' characters, with fan artists creating and selling their designs under Hasbro's license and approval.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/21/business/hasbro-selling-my-little-pony-fan-art.html?_r=0&referrer= | title = Hasbro to Collaborate With 3-D Printing Company to Sell Artwork | first = Elizabeth | last = Harris | date = 2014-07-20 | access-date = 2014-07-20 | work = New York Times }}</ref> Shapeways had previously published fan-financed and -created models without Hasbro's license before being asked to cease and desist such practice;<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/brony-star-wars-fan-3-d-printing-can-make-toy-n163411 | title = Brony? 'Star Wars' Fan? 3-D Printing Can Make a Toy For You | first = Ken | last = Wagstaff | date = 2014-07-26 | access-date = 2014-07-26 | publisher = NBC News }}</ref> the new approach with Hasbro's blessing has been seen as helping to break down the walls between content and fans in the age of social media.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.fastcompany.com/3033269/innovation-agents/bronies-little-girls-rejoice-3d-printing-is-now-legal | title = Bronies, Little Girls Rejoice: 3-D Pony Printing is Now Legal | magazine = Fast Company | first = Eric | last = Alt | date = 2014-07-21 | access-date = 2014-07-21 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://time.com/3761716/keep-3d-printing-revolutionary/ | title = How To Keep 3D Printing Revolutionary | first = Megan | last = Garcia | date = 2015-03-28 | access-date = 2015-03-28 | magazine = Time }}</ref>

Teenage and adult fans have shown interest in clothing with images from the show; Erin Comella, brand manager for ''My Little Pony'', said that these fans are "literally dressed in the brand".<ref name="sdcc12 toys"/> Hasbro has been providing its licensed clothing vendors such as Hot Topic with ''My Little Pony''-themed shirts and other apparel for all genders and multiple age groups.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://adage.com/article/guest-columnists/fashion-showing-international-licensing-expo/235370/ | title = Fashion's a Factor at the Licensing Expo | first = Michael | last = Stone | date = 2012-06-13 | access-date = 2012-06-15 | journal = Advertising Age }}</ref> In part of the older fanbase, Hasbro has come to consider ''My Little Pony'' as a "lifestyle" brand, and {{as of|2013|02|lc=y}}, has arranged over 200 licenses across fifteen categories of products.<ref name="nytimes equestria girls"/> According to Julie Duffy, Hasbro's vice president of global brand publicity, while their primary market is the young demographic, "[Hasbro has] found ways to strike the right balance by working with licensees to offer [their] adult fans exciting merchandise geared just for them".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2013/04/01/17518995-hasbro-aims-for-winners-circle-as-build-a-bear-adds-my-little-ponies-to-its-stable?lite | title = Hasbro aims for winner's circle as Build-A-Bear adds My Little Ponies to its stable | publisher = NBC Today | date = 2013-04-01 | access-date = 2013-04-01 | first = Martha C. | last = White | archive-date = April 1, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130401161528/http://lifeinc.today.com/_news/2013/04/01/17518995-hasbro-aims-for-winners-circle-as-build-a-bear-adds-my-little-ponies-to-its-stable?lite | url-status = dead }}</ref> Though Hasbro has not revealed how much of ''My Little Pony'' product sales are bolstered by the brony fandom, Caitlin Dewey of ''The Washington Post'' suggests that the continued success of the franchise four years after its introduction is tied in part to bronies' interest in the show and products, and Hasbro's williness to market products towards the adult audience.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2014/04/23/dont-laugh-but-bronies-may-be-propping-up-one-of-americas-favorite-companies/ | title = Don't laugh, but bronies may be propping up one of America's favorite companies | date =2014-04-23 | access-date = 2014-04-23 | newspaper = The Washington Post | first=Caitlin | last=Dewey}}</ref>

Hasbro and Hub Network have used advertising parodying others' works that are more geared towards the adult fans. Hub Network used a promotional billboard in Los Angeles showing the pony characters parodying the films ''Bridesmaids'' and ''Poltergeist''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.toplessrobot.com/2012/05/the_10_nerdiest_easter_eggs_in_my_little_pony_frie.php | title = The 10 Nerdiest Easter Eggs in My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic | first = Anne | last = Matthews | date = 2012-05-15 | access-date = 2012-06-05 | publisher = Topless Robot}}</ref> Hub Network also made a parody of Apple's App Store, which included the phrase, "There's a pony for that."<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/underwire/2011/07/my-little-pony-iphone-parody/ | title = My Little Pony Ad Parodies 'There's an App for That' | journal = Wired | date= 2011-07-08 | access-date = 2011-07-08 | first= Angela | last = Watercutter }}</ref> A promotional campaign leading up to the second season finale, "A Canterlot Wedding", in which Twilight's brother Shining Armor marries Princess Cadance, parodied elements of the 2011 British royal wedding, including the placement of an advertisement in the ''New York Times'' wedding announcement section.<ref name="ew wedding">{{cite magazine | url = https://ew.com/article/2012/04/13/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-wedding-announcement/ | title = 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic' exclusive: A royal wedding invitation | first = Hillary | last = Busis | date = 2012-04-13 | access-date = 2012-04-16 | magazine = Entertainment Weekly }}</ref>

At the onset of the fandom, Hasbro was generally tolerant of uploads of content and derivative works on sites such as YouTube. However, in late 2011, a fan-run website called "Ponyarchive" that was reposting for no cost the complete high-definition episodes that were being sold on iTunes closed down after receiving cease and desist letters from Hasbro.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://gawker.com/5871969/hasbro-crushes-dreams-of-grown-men-who-love-my-little-pony |title=Hasbro Crushes Dreams of Grown Men Who Love My Little Pony |publisher=Gawker |first=Katie |last=Notopoulos |date=2011-12-30 |access-date=2012-02-29 }}</ref> The otherwise "hands-off" policy has enabled the growth of the fandom.<ref name="oregonian"/> In another case, Hasbro was required to take legal action to protect the ''My Little Pony'' trademark against a group working on a massively multiplayer online game, ''MLP: Online'', though the developers, after working with Hasbro's legal team, are seeking to develop a new ''Friendship Is Magic''-related game without the trademark issues.<ref name="kotaku shutdown">{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/bronies-shut-down-their-my-little-pony-mmo-blaming-cop-5966874 | title = Bronies Shut Down Their My Little Pony MMO, Blaming Copyright Law | first = Owen | last = Good | date = 2012-12-08 | access-date = 2012-12-09 | website = Kotaku }}</ref> Though many fan-created videos combine copyright footage of ''Friendship Is Magic'' with adult elements from films inappropriate for children like ''Inglourious Basterds'' or foul language from musical artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Hasbro has not taken a stance against these videos and has recognized that the parodies and remixes form a culture of participation that has helped to draw larger attention to the show.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/brands-frown-on-fair-use-1118040411/ | title = Brands frown on fair use | journal = Variety | first = Andrew | last = Wallenstein | date = 2011-07-26 | access-date = 2011-07-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/cyberclinic-copyright-sharks-dont-need-to-bite-the-parodies-2334849.html | title = Cyberclinic: Copyright sharks don't need to bite the parodies | first = Rhodri | last = Marsden | date = 2011-08-09 | access-date = 2011-08-09 | work = The Independent | location=London}}</ref> In November 2012, Hasbro sent a cease-and-desist letter to ''MLP Online'',<ref name="kotaku shutdown"/> and in February 2013, sent one to the producers of ''My Little Pony: Fighting Is Magic''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://kotaku.com/hasbro-lawyers-stable-my-little-pony-fighting-is-magic-5982987 | title = Hasbro Lawyers Stable My Little Pony: Fighting is Magic Fan Project | first = Mike | last = Fahey | date = 2013-02-08 | access-date = 2013-02-08 | website = Kotaku }}</ref>

A monthly ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' comic began its run in November 2012 by IDW Publishing. The comic, like the show, is aimed to appeal to younger children with their parents, but includes various pop culture and fandom nods to draw in the older readers.<ref name="cbr cook2">{{cite web | url = http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42387 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121130152130/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=42387 | url-status = dead | archive-date = November 30, 2012 | title = 'My Little Pony' Writer Katie Cook Declares 'Friendship Is Magic' | website = Comic Book Resources | date = 2012-11-28 | access-date = 2012-11-28 | first =Jeffrey | last = Renaud }}</ref> IDW has reported that over 100,000 copies of the first issue were pre-ordered, outselling numerous other comic for that month,<ref name="usatoday fandom"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/10/11/my-little-pony-1-sells-over-90000-copies/ | title = My Little Pony #1 Sells Over 90,000 Copies | publisher = Bleeding Cool | date = 2012-10-11 | access-date = 2012-10-12 | first = Rich | last = Johnston }}</ref> and making it the best selling issue in IDW's history, as well as one of the best selling single issue comics of 2012.<ref name="WTVY_comic">{{cite video |url= http://www.wtvy.com/home/headlines/--IDWs-My-Little-Pony-Comic-Becomes-Best-Selling-in-Companys-History-186424801.html|title = IDW's 'My Little Pony' Comic Becomes Best Selling in Company's History | publisher = WTVY (TV) | date=2013-01-11 | access-date = 2013-01-13}}</ref> IDW have made plans to reprint the first issue to meet further demand as well as republish the first set as a standalone volume early in 2013.<ref name="usatoday fandom"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/11/08/my-little-pony-1-cracks-the-100000-barrier-for-first-print-goes-to-second-print/ | title = My Little Pony #1 Cracks The 100,000 Barrier For First Print, Goes To Second Print | first = Rich | last = Johnson | date = 2012-11-07 | access-date = 2012-11-08 | publisher = Bleeding Cool News }}</ref> The monthly comic and its separate "micro-series", featuring single-issue stories that focus on one character, have regularly been along the top 100 issues sold each month, one of the few non-DC, non-Marvel comics outside of ''The Walking Dead'' that appear in this list, and remain IDW's top-selling publication.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-book-news/article/56803-my-little-pony-leads-kids-comics-charge.html | title = 'My Little Pony' Leads Kids Comics Charge | first = Shannon | last = O'Leary | date = 2013-04-12 | access-date = 2013-04-12 | journal = Publishers Weekly }}</ref>

In addition to releasing official digital albums of songs from the show due to brony demand, Hasbro has worked with Lakeshore Records to create an album of EDM remixes of the show's songs, entitled ''DJPON3 Presents My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Remixed''; the album is inspired by the numerous fan remixes.<ref>{{cite journal | url = http://www.musictimes.com/articles/40538/20150609/my-little-pony-friendship-is-magic-remixed-album-preview-stream-tracklist-justin-lassen.htm | title = 'DJPON3 Presents My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Remixed' Album Preview & Tracklist [EXCLUSIVE PREMIERE] | journal = Music Times | date = June 9, 2015 | access-date = June 9, 2015 | first = Carolyn | last = Menyes }}</ref>

===Criticism=== {{Main|Criticism of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fandom}}

The adult fandom has been perceived negatively by some critics, with coverage of the brony fandom overshadowing the show itself.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.avclub.com/beyond-the-top-30-other-2011-tv-highlights-1798234118 | title = Beyond the Top 30: other 2011 TV highlights | newspaper = The A.V. Club | date =2011-12-23 | access-date = 2011-12-23 | first = Donna | last = Bowman }}</ref> Much of the fandom's ridicule from others comes from the perception of the mostly adult male fanbase enjoying a show that is marketed to the young female demographic. Through this, the brony community has encountered ridicule through trolling on internet forums, not only from its inception at 4chan, but also after moving away from the site.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/the-mane-event-2995047.html | title = The Mane Event | date = 2012-01-20 | access-date = 2012-01-21 | work = Irish Independent }}</ref>

Some media have been critical of the adult-oriented material created by fans. In some cases, these videos may appear in Internet searches that children may perform while looking for online copies of the program or while searching for images of characters from the show, forcing parents to have to discuss pornography and sex with their children.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/05/10/garden/porn-accident.html | title = How to Talk With Your Kids About Pornography | work = The New York Times | date = 2012-05-10 | access-date = 2012-06-26 | first = Randy | last = Harris }}</ref> For example, the parody series ''PONY.MOV'', animated by animator Max Gilardi in the style of John Kricfalusi, places the characters in explicit adult situations and was described by the web site io9 as "disgusting ... and most certainly NSFW".<ref name="netnews"/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://io9.gizmodo.com/incredibly-messed-up-short-gives-my-little-ponyss-pinki-5921536 | title = Incredibly messed-up short gives My Little Ponys's Pinkie Pie a sex tape | publisher = io9 | first = Meredith | last = Woerner | date =2012-06-26 | access-date = 2012-06-26 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.vita.mn/162941186.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120918155608/http://www.vita.mn/162941186.html | archive-date = 2012-09-18 | title = Alexis on the sexes: I want a pony | first = Alexis | last = McKinnis | date = 2012-07-19 | access-date = 2012-07-19 | work = Minneapolis Star-Tribune }}</ref>

A study found that "a particularly extreme subset" of the brony fandom shows characteristics of hegemonic masculinity, where male members strive to keep their majority in the numbers by purposely excluding and alienating females.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/12/what-a-masculinity-conference-taught-me-about-the-state-of-men | title = What a masculinity conference taught me about the state of men | first = Adam | last = Gabbatt | date = 2015-03-12 | access-date = 2015-03-13 | work = The Guardian }}</ref> In addition, ''Vice'' reported on alt-right attempts to infiltrate brony and furry fandoms, where edgy and politically incorrect memes proliferated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pony Nationalism and the Furred Reich: Inside the Alt-Furry's Online Zoo|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pony-nationalism-and-the-furred-reich-inside-the-alt-furrys-online-zoo/|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Vice.com|date=January 12, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> In ''Rolling Stone'', journalist Lauren Orsini acknowledged that extremist subsets of the fandom had existed since at least the mid-2010s.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Dickson|first=E. J.|date=2021-04-19|title=Do Bronies Have a 'Nazi Problem'? FedEx Shooting Shines Light on Faction of Subculture|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/brony-fed-ex-shooting-fandom-nazis-1157758/|access-date=2021-06-04|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Other media=== Before Hasbro revived the toy series with its ''Friendship Is Magic'' line, the ''My Little Pony'' toys were collected mainly by women who grew up with the toys during the 1980s and 1990s. Bonnie Zacherle, the original creator of the franchise, noted that the toys and show were originally conceived to appeal to preschool children of both genders, and considers it a "good thing" for the adult fandom to have the same appreciation of the show as the collectors.<ref>{{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160827183247/https://vt.tumblr.com/tumblr_mpmun5h1mK1sxjzra.mp4 | url = http://missapplessoda.tumblr.com/post/54935441225/i-asked-bonnie-zacherle-the-creator-of-the-my | title = Bonnie Zacherle Q&A at My Little Pony Fair 2013 | author = missapplessoda | date = August 2013 | access-date = October 11, 2016 | archive-date = August 27, 2016 | quote = My original concept, this one, it was supposed to be a preschool toy for boys and girls. It doesn't really bother me that little boys enjoy it and I think they should; I mean, why not? But anyway I do think that the cartoon show is probably geared towards girls and their parents so I don't have a problem with it. }}</ref> According to Summer Hayes, author of six books about ''My Little Pony'' toy collections and organizer of the annual ''My Little Pony'' collectors' fair, some of these collectors appreciated the attention of the brony community. Hayes said that the brony community has participated in the toy fair, and that other collectors resent the sudden popularity of ''Friendship Is Magic''. She said that these earlier fans and collectors had thought; " ... what about us? We've been here forever, and nobody seemed to care. But now that there are all these guys in their 20s that are crazy about it, it's suddenly important and it means something." Hayes also said, "To the bronies, I say, I think My Little Pony is awesome, so more power to you".<ref name="collectorsweekly"/>

The adult fandom has gained media attention through outlets such as ''Wired'', Fox News Channel and ''The Wall Street Journal''.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/11/4chan-based_bronies_continue_t.html | title = 4Chan-Based 'Bronies' Continue Their Media Takeover | journal = New York | date = 2011-11-04 | access-date = 2011-11-04 | first = Joe | last = Coscarelli }}</ref> Stephen Colbert gave a shout-out to the brony fandom at least twice on his comedy news show, ''The Colbert Report'',<ref name="latimes bronies"/> although since then his positive connection with the fan base has become questionable.<ref>{{cite episode | url= http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/kw3fj0/the-opposition-with-jordan-klepper-welcome-to-the-opposition-w--jordan-klepper/ddq41n | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200111030344/http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/kw3fj0/the-opposition-with-jordan-klepper-welcome-to-the-opposition-w--jordan-klepper/ddq41n | url-status= dead | archive-date= January 11, 2020 | series = The Colbert Report | title = April 18, 2012 | date = 2012-04-18 | access-date = 2012-12-03 | network = Comedy Central | publisher = Viacom International Inc. }}</ref> Erin Burnett of CNN's ''Outfront'' reported on the 2012 Summer BronyCon, and ended the segment with a recolored character from the show representing the pony version of herself.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/06/my-little-pony-meets-the-bronies/ | title = My Little Pony meets the Bronies | work = CNN | publisher = WarnerMedia News & Sports | first = Erin | last = Burnett | date = 2012-07-06 | access-date = 2012-07-12 | archive-date = July 12, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120712034319/http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/06/my-little-pony-meets-the-bronies/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> The fans gave her some artwork of her character as a way of "welcoming [her] to the herd".<ref>{{cite news | url = http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/09/thank-you-bronies/ | title = Thank you Bronies! | date = 2012-07-09 | access-date = 2012-07-12 | work = CNN | publisher = WarnerMedia News & Sports | first = Erin | last = Burnett | archive-date = July 14, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120714011554/http://outfront.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/09/thank-you-bronies/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> NPR's comedy radio show ''Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!'' highlighted the brony fandom in an episode in June 2011, and the following week quizzed former US President Bill Clinton about elements from the show during a telephone interview segment called "Not My Job"; Clinton correctly answered the three multiple choice questions, leading at least one journalist to jokingly refer to him as a brony.<ref>{{cite magazine| url = https://newsfeed.time.com/2011/06/27/guess-whos-a-fan-former-president-bill-clinton-is-a-brony/ | title= Guess Who's A Fan? Former President Bill Clinton is a 'Brony' | first = Megan | last = Gibson | date = 2011-06-27 | access-date = 2011-06-27 | magazine = Time | publisher = Meredith Corporation }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.npr.org/2011/06/25/137386121/bill-clinton-plays-not-my-job | title = Bill Clinton Plays Not My Job | date = 2011-06-25 | access-date = 2011-06-27 | publisher = NPR }}</ref> An episode of ''Hot in Cleveland'' dealing with fan conventions included references to the brony fandom.<ref>{{Cite episode | title = Cleveland Fantasy Con | series = Hot in Cleveland | series-link = Hot in Cleveland | airdate = 2013-01-02 | network = TV Land | season = 4 | number = 406 | time = 14:25 }}</ref>

Lexicographer Grant Barrett listed "brony" as a memorable new word of 2011.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/opinion/sunday/the-words-that-defined-2011.html | title = Which Words Will Live On? | first = Grant | last = Barrett | date = 2012-01-01 | access-date =2012-01-01 | work = The New York Times }}</ref> ''Time'' named "the bronies" as the ninth-best meme of 2011,<ref>{{cite magazine | url = https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/0,28757,2101344,00.html | title = The Top 10 Everything of 2011 | first = Nick | last = Carbone | date = 2011-12-08 | access-date = 2011-12-08 | magazine = Time }}</ref> the Internet meme research site Know Your Meme listed it among its top ten memes of 2011,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/12/best-memes-2011.html | title = Rebecca Black, planking, My Little Pony: Best memes of 2011 | work = Los Angeles Times | date = 2011-12-08 | access-date = 2011-12-08 | first = Amy | last = Hubbard }}</ref> and ''PC Magazine'' named it one of 2011's top memes.<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397608,00.asp | title = Memes Every Techie Should Know | first = Jennifer | last = Bergen | journal = PC Magazine | date = 2011-12-14 | access-date = 2011-12-15 | archive-date = March 9, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170309234407/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2397608,00.asp | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==In popular culture== The adult fandom of ''My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic'' has led to references to the program in popular culture. The animated television show ''Mad'' spoofed ''Friendship Is Magic'' at least twice; one segment was called "My Little War Horse".<ref>{{cite episode | title = My Little War Horse / Tonight Show With Jay Lion-O | series = Mad | airdate = 2012-02-13 | season = 2 | number = 45 }}</ref> An episode of ''Bob's Burgers'', "The Equestranauts", satirized bronies and their conventions.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/11/bobs-burgers-exclusive-video-2/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140412020305/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/04/11/bobs-burgers-exclusive-video-2/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 12, 2014 | title = 'Bob's Burgers': Undercover horse dad to the rescue! – EXCLUSIVE VIDEO | magazine = Entertainment Weekly | date = 2014-04-12 | access-date = 2014-04-12 | first = Jake | last = Perlman }}</ref> A secret level in the video game ''Diablo III'' included enemies named "Rainbow Western", "Midnight Sparkle" and "Nightmarity", alluding to ''Friendship Is Magic''.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117317-My-Little-Diablo-The-Secret-Level-Is-Magic | title = My Little Diablo: The Secret Level Is Magic | first = John | last = Funk | date = 2012-05-17 | access-date = 2012-05-17 | magazine = The Escapist | archive-date = April 16, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140416182713/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117317-My-Little-Diablo-The-Secret-Level-Is-Magic | url-status = dead }}</ref> Owlchemy Labs added a "Brony Mode" to their video game ''Snuggle Truck'' as free downloadable content in October 2012 specifically as a nod to the brony community. The mode replaces the fuzzy animals in the game with ''Friendship Is Magic''-inspired ponies which the user must drive safely across a landscape.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/10/just-when-you-thought-snuggle-truck-couldnt-get-any-cuddlier-enter-brony-mode/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121005011530/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/10/just-when-you-thought-snuggle-truck-couldnt-get-any-cuddlier-enter-brony-mode/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 5, 2012 | title = Just When You Thought Snuggle Truck Couldn't Get Any Cuddlier, Enter Brony Mode | website = Kotaku | date = 2012-10-02 | access-date = 2012-10-02 | first = Mike | last = Fahey }}</ref> An extended character, the Mechromancer, available as downloadable content for the game ''Borderlands 2'', includes numerous references to the show and the fans through the character's skill tree.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/article/76118/borderlands-2-mechromancer-arrives-early-today | title = Borderlands 2 Mechromancer DLC arrives today | publisher = Shacknews | date = 2012-10-09 | access-date = 2012-10-09 | first = Alice | last = O'Conner }}</ref> ''Bronies: The Musical'' is a 2014 off-Broadway production written by Tom Moore and Heidi Powers that is inspired by the brony culture, and won for Best Musical in the Hollywood Fringe Festival.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.laweekly.com/publicspectacle/2014/10/06/how-bronies-the-musical-came-to-be | title = How Bronies: The Musical Came to Be | newspaper = LA Weekly | date = 2014-10-06 | access-date = 2014-10-07 | first = Liz | last= Ohanesian }}</ref> The popularity of the show as a result of the brony fandom led to a brief bit of animation created by the show to be used in an NFL advertisement during Super Bowl XLIX.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/pony-loved-young-girls-bronies-29237161 | title = 'My Little Pony' Loved By Young Girls, 'Bronies' | publisher = ABC News | date = 2015-02-26 | access-date = 2015-02-26 }}</ref> An episode in Season 3 of ''The Toys That Made Us'' covers the "My Little Pony" brand and includes discussions of the brony fandom.

thumb|One second animation of My Little Pony used in a Super Bowl XLIX ad

The Pirate Party Germany's parliamentary group in the Abgeordnetenhaus of Berlin (the Berlin state parliament) has insisted on the inclusion of a break called "pony time", in which an episode from the series is shown, during their meetings at their parliamentary office, which displeased many other members in the Berlin parliament.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/ponypause-bei-den-piraten-100.html | title = Ponypause bei den Piraten | publisher = Deutschlandradio | language = de | date = 2011-12-15 | access-date= 2011-12-23 |author=Philip Banse}}</ref> The internet activist group Anonymous used the character Rainbow Dash to deface the website of the Social Democratic Party of Austria in 2011<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kurier.at/nachrichten/3918815.php | title = 'Anonymous' hackt SPÖ-Homepage |trans-title='Anonymous' hacks SPÖ homepage | date = 2011-07-02 | access-date = 2012-06-18 | language = de | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110703025229/http://kurier.at/nachrichten/3918815.php | archive-date = 2011-07-03 | work = Kurier }}</ref> and 2012.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kurier.at/techno/4495358-anonymous-kapert-wkr-webseite.php | title = Anonymous kapert WKR-Webseite | date = 2012-05-09 | access-date = 2012-05-22 | work = Kurier | language = de | archive-date = May 12, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120512095437/http://kurier.at/techno/4495358-anonymous-kapert-wkr-webseite.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> A teenage white hat hacker used the name "Pinkie Pie" for anonymity and a fan drawing of the character wielding an axe as part of a successful entry in an early 2012 contest sponsored by Google Chrome to break the security of the web browser;<ref>{{cite journal | url = https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/03/zero-days-for-chrome/ | title = Teen Exploits Three Zero-Day Vulns for $60K Win in Google Chrome Hack Contest | first = Kim | last = Zetter | date = 2012-03-09 | access-date = 2012-03-09 | journal = Wired }}</ref> the same user also was the first to break the security in a second contest held later in 2012,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://arstechnica.com/security/2012/10/google-chrome-exploit-fetches-pinkie-pie-60000-hacking-prize/ | title = Google Chrome exploit fetches 'Pinkie Pie' $60,000 hacking prize | website = Ars Technica | date = 2012-10-10 | access-date = 2012-10-10 | first = Dan | last = Goodin }}</ref> and found an important security flaw in the Linux kernel.<ref>{{cite web| last1=Tung |first1=Liam |title=Patch ready for newly-discovered Linux kernel flaw |url= https://www.zdnet.com/article/patch-ready-for-newly-discovered-linux-kernel-flaw/| website=ZDNet| access-date=7 June 2014|ref=Young security researcher Pinkie Pie has found a bug in the Linux kernel that security experts say is urgent to fix.}}</ref> A May 2013 update to Google Hangouts included an easter egg that would have ''Friendship Is Magic''-inspired ponies run across the chat window.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/17/hangouts-easter-eggs/ | title = Hangouts Easter Eggs put dinos and ponies in your chat | first = Terrence | last = O'Brien | date = 2013-05-17 | access-date= 2013-05-17 | publisher = Engadget }}</ref> A similar update in August 2013 as part of YouTube's "Geek Week" added two easter eggs, one that would cause ponies to cross the screen on searching for "bronies", and a second that, if searching on a number of different pony names like "Twilight Sparkle", would change the site's title bar to a representative color of that pony.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://techcrunch.com/2013/08/10/youtubes-geek-week-easter-eggs-celebrate-missile-command-star-trek-and-my-little-pony/ | title = YouTube's Geek Week Easter Eggs Celebrate Missile Command, Star Trek And Bronies | date = 2013-08-10 | access-date = 2013-08-12 | work = TechCrunch |publisher=Verizon Media| first = Frederic | last = Lardinoid }}</ref>

An article that appeared in the ''New York Times'' on December 26, 2011, "Navigating Love and Autism" by Amy Harmon,<ref name="Navigating Love and Autism">{{Cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/26/us/navigating-love-and-autism.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all | title = Navigating Love and Autism | first = Amy | last = Harmon | date = 2011-12-26 | access-date = 2012-01-10 | work = The New York Times}}</ref> described how a young woman with Asperger syndrome used ''My Little Pony'' characters to relieve stress. She visualized the character Twilight Sparkle whenever she "found herself in a bad-mood rut".<ref name="Navigating Love and Autism"/> The story misidentified Twilight Sparkle as Fluttershy on initial publication and the paper issued a correction,<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/pageoneplus/corrections-december-30.html?_r=1 | title = Corrections: December 30 | work = The New York Times | date = 2011-12-30 | access-date = 2012-01-10 }}</ref> which some journalists have jokingly considered as "the best New York Times correction ever",<ref>{{cite web | url =http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/09/best-new-york-times-corrections-ever-twilight-sparkle-orcs-more.html | title = Best New York Times Corrections Ever: Twilight Sparkle, Orcs & More | date = 2012-01-09 | access-date = 2012-01-10 | website = The Daily Beast | first = Josh | last = Dzieza }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://boingboing.net/2012/01/05/the-best-new-york-times-correc.html | title = The best New York Times correction ever | date = 2012-01-05 | access-date = 2012-01-10 | first = Rob | last = Beschizza | publisher = Boing Boing }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.thestar.com/article/1115488--my-little-pony-error-in-n-y-times-sets-online-world-abuzz | title = My Little Pony error in N.Y. Times sets online world abuzz | first = Craig | last = Silverman | work = Toronto Star | date = 2012-01-13 | access-date = 2012-01-14 }}</ref> though others saw it as a sign of the journalistic integrity of the ''Times''.<ref name="nyobserver correction"/><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.ajr.org/Article.asp?id=5261 | title = Romenesko Roars Back | work = American Journalism Review | date = February–March 2012 | access-date = 2012-02-23 | first = Mark | last = Lisheron | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120223184026/http://ajr.org/Article.asp?id=5261 | archive-date = February 23, 2012 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Harmon was contacted by fans about the mistake, and said, "I hate to get anything wrong, but I confess to some enjoyment in finding the right way to phrase this one."<ref name="nyobserver correction">{{cite news | url = https://observer.com/2011/12/a-brony-correction-in-the-new-york-times/ | title = A Brony Correction in The New York Times | first = Kat | last = Stoeffel | date = 2011-12-29 | access-date = 2012-01-10 | work = The New York Observer }}</ref> In 2015, the ''New York Times'' reported that Dylann Roof, the sole perpetrator of the Charleston church shooting, was a fan of ''My Little Pony'', but later corrected itself after recognizing it had been duped in an experiment run by a blogger who had faked the claim but made it as credible as possible as to test how little fact checking major news sources were doing on a high-interest topic.<ref>{{Cite news | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2015/06/23/nyt-public-editor-failure-to-check-resulted-in-my-little-pony-embarrassment/ | title = NYT public editor: Failure to check resulted in 'My Little Pony' embarrassment | first = Eric | last = Wemple | date = 2015-06-23 | access-date = 2015-06-23 | newspaper = Washington Post }}</ref>

==Notable fans== [[File:Andrew_W.K._(5393562091).jpg|thumb|upright|Musician Andrew W.K. has stated he associated directly with the party-centric, hyperactive character of Pinkie Pie.]]

The musician Andrew W.K. said that he strongly identifies with the overenthusiastic character of Pinkie Pie.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.papermag.com/arts_and_style/2012/08/bronies.php |title=Pony Up |first=Andrew |last=W.K. |date=August 28, 2012 |access-date=September 6, 2012 |journal=Paper |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120908024453/http://www.papermag.com/arts_and_style/2012/08/bronies.php |archive-date=September 8, 2012 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> He said, "She's another creature, much like I am in this world, who is doing everything she can to have fun", and that he feels inspired by the character spreading excitement and joy to others.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/2696325/andrew-wk-my-little-pony/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160203121353/http://www.mtv.com/news/2696325/andrew-wk-my-little-pony/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= February 3, 2016 |title= Andrew WK Outlines His Love for My Little Pony |first=Dan |last=Soloman |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |work=MTV |publisher=Viacom International Inc.}}</ref> He hosted a panel called "What Would Pinkie Pie Do?" at the Canterlot Gardens convention in September 2012, and described it as "the most intense experience of [his] life".<ref name="rolling stone andrew wk">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-to-speak-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120613 |title=Andrew W.K. to Speak at 'My Little Pony' Convention |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |archive-date=June 15, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615184713/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-to-speak-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120613 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.spin.com/2012/06/andrew-wk-brony-and-hes-speaking-my-little-pony-convention/ |title=Andrew W.K. Is a Brony, and He's Speaking at a My Little Pony Convention |first=Kory |last=Grow |date=June 13, 2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |work=Spin}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/andrew-w-k-feels-the-love-at-my-little-pony-convention-20120929 |title=Andrew W.K. Feels the Love at 'My Little Pony' Convention |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 29, 2012 |access-date=September 29, 2012 |first=Kevin |last=Rutherford}}</ref>

Lena Hall, a Broadway actress and singer, stated she watches the show as it makes her feel "super happy" and appreciates the lessons the show teaches, and considers herself a pegasister.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/05/lena-hall-hedwig-bronies |title=Lena Hall on Bronies, Fake Man Parts, and Playing Neil Patrick Harris's Husband in Hedwig and the Angry Inch |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=May 29, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |first=Alex |last=Beggs |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140705045345/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2014/05/lena-hall-hedwig-bronies |archive-date=July 5, 2014}}</ref> In winning the 2014 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, Hall ended her acceptance speech mentioning the television show's subtitle, "Friendship Is Magic".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tony-awards-2014-top-moments-and-highlights/|title=Tony Awards 2014 top moments and highlights|first=Lauren|last=Moraski|date=June 9, 2014|access-date=June 9, 2014|publisher=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-4BCRkCoGw | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/D-4BCRkCoGw| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title=Lena Hall's Two Big Influences — Marlon Brando and "My Little Pony"?|magazine=Playbill|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=June 11, 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Over four months after her shout-out at the Tonys, Hall announced on her Twitter that she would be a guest star in the show's fifth season,<ref>{{cite tweet|user=LenaRockerHall|number=526832112952160258|title=Lena Hall recording Season 5 episode |date=October 27, 2014|access-date=October 27, 2014|first=Lena|last=Hall}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/wH7sdfvO8z/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/wH7sdfvO8z |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Lena Hall recording Song|publisher=Instagram|date=December 2, 2014|access-date=December 2, 2014|first=Lena|last=Hall}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and soon appeared in the episode "The Mane Attraction" as Coloratura/Rara.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Tony-Winner-Lena-Hall-Makes-Singing-Guest-Appearance-on-MY-LITTLE-PONY-20151124|title=VIDEO: Tony Winner Lena Hall Makes Singing Guest Appearance on MY LITTLE PONY|work=BroadwayWorld|date=November 24, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> Upon the episode's premiere, Hall live streamed her reaction to the episode with her niece on Periscope and letting viewers ask questions during the commercial breaks, she went into detail about her experiences behind the scenes of the production of the episode and her history with the show itself, admitting to binge-watching the first three seasons of the show when she first started to watch it.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka-ZHN91198| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/Ka-ZHN91198| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title=Lena Hall: Rara Reacts to Rara [MLP Countess Coloratura]|work=YouTube|publisher=Technocolored pon3|date=November 21, 2015|access-date=November 21, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

After a call-out to bronies on Twitter by fellow professional wrestler Dolph Ziggler, Xavier Woods publicly identified as a brony in March 2015.<ref>{{cite tweet|last=Ziggler|first=Dolph|user=HEELZiggler|number=508653806037794816|date=7 September 2014|title= HERE WE GO, BRONIES...}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4CtPk2pN5o 2K Tournament of Champions: Xavier Woods] 6 March 2015 (wearing a BRONY shirt) "Xavier Woods here, reigning and defending 2K champion. This year at WrestleMania, people are gonna come and try to take my title, take my championship. That cannot be done, you ban't neat me! '''Brony''': don't care, what up? Step up, and get bought!"</ref> Woods and his fellow members of The New Day, a wrestling stable who were WWE Raw Tag Team Champions at the time (and would go on to become the longest reigning team in WWE history), subsequently added unicorn imagery as a part of their gimmick, even claiming to possess "unicorn magic" to help them in their matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shop.wwe.com/The-New-Day-%22Feel-The-Power%22-Authentic-T-Shirt/W10497,default,pd.html|title=The New Day "Feel The Power" Authentic T-Shirt|work=WWE Shop|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.|quote=PRODUCT NO: W10497}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2015/dream-survivor-series-teams-2015-28201319/page-4|title=Superstars and Divas pick Survivor Series dream teams: 2015 edition (page 4)|work=WWE |quote=Woods disappeared in a puff of unicorn magic and the booming note of a trombone.|date=19 November 2015}}</ref> They also named one of their signature moves the ''Unicorn Stampede''.<ref name=Stampede>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqzRRs6s1Hk&t=20| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211118/LqzRRs6s1Hk| archive-date=2021-11-18 | url-status=live|title=Ryback & The Usos vs. The New Day: Raw, November 16, 2015|first=John|last=Layfield|website=YouTube| date=November 16, 2015|quote=This is the Unicorn Stampede, is what this is.}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/56905-wwe-raw-results-11-16-15-live-results-from-greenville|title=WWE RAW Results – 11/16/15 (Final Survivor Series hype) – WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, TNA News, ROH News|first=Mike|last=Tedesco|date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewrestlingnews.com/results/wwe-raw-results-11-16-the-wyatt-wyatt-vs-kane-the-undertaker-lots-more/4|title=WWE RAW Results (11/16) - The Wyatt Family vs, Kane & The Undertaker, & Lots More! - Page 4 of 4 - eWrestlingNews.com|first=Ryan|last=Clark|date=17 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1wrestling.com/2015/11/10/what-happened-this-week-wwes-monday-night-raw-15/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119221112/http://www.1wrestling.com/2015/11/10/what-happened-this-week-wwes-monday-night-raw-15/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 19, 2015|title=1Wrestling.com – Pro Wrestling's Daily News Source}}</ref>

Actor Billy Bob Thornton admitted to watching the show during a 2016 interview with ''GQ''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url= https://www.gq.com/story/billy-bob-thornton-bad-santa-2-profile |title=Billy Bob Thornton on Bad Santa 2, Ungrateful Fans, and Why He Won't Direct Anymore |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Taffy |magazine=GQ |date=November 10, 2016 |access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref> He and his daughter Bella used to watch ''My Little Pony'', which she eventually grew out of, and when searching for the series to watch again, came across ''Friendship Is Magic'' and started watching it with her. He also liked the show's positive messages about how the world works, pointing to "The Cutie Map" as an example.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uproxx.com/movies/billy-bob-thornton-brony-my-little-pony-fan/|title=Billy Bob Thornton Just Revealed His Inner Brony To The World|last=Harkness|first=Ryan|publisher=Uproxx|date=November 10, 2016|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref> On an episode of ''Late Night with Seth Meyers'', Thornton also claimed that while his daughter's favorite character is Twilight Sparkle, his favorites were Fluttershy (who he said was his favorite because "she talks like Marilyn Monroe") and Rainbow Dash.<ref>{{cite episode|series-no=449|series=Late Night with Seth Meyers|date=November 15, 2016|network=NBC}}</ref>

William Shatner confirmed himself to be a brony through his personal Twitter, and had been a guest star in the show's seventh season's episode "The Perfect Pear", along with Felicia Day, who appeared in the very same episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/03/confirmed-brony-william-shatner-joins-little-pony-season-7-cast/|title=Confirmed Brony William Shatner Confirms Appearance In My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic Season 7|last=Terror|first=Jude|publisher=Bleeding Cool|date=February 3, 2017|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/tv/my-little-pony-s7-more-friendship-magic-fun-arrives-april-15/|title='My Little Pony' S7: More Friendship, Magic & Fun Arrives April 15|last=Milligan|first=Mercedes|magazine=Animation Magazine|date=March 16, 2017|access-date=May 4, 2017}}</ref>

The CEO of Valve, Gabe Newell, has stated on multiple occasions that he is a fan of the show and is indeed a brony.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/gabe-newell-just-made-my-little-pony-fans-extremely-hap-5899357 |title=Gabe Newell Just Made My Little Pony Fans Extremely Happy |last=Fahey |first=Mike |date=April 12, 2012 |website=Kotaku |publisher=Gawker Media |access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref>

==See also== *Fantasy fandom *Furry fandom

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{Commons category-inline|Fandom of My Little Pony}}

{{My Little Pony}} {{Furry fandom}} {{Fandom}} {{Fan fiction}} {{Portal bar|Animation|Cartoon|Television|Toys|Internet|Canada|United States|2010s}}

Category:Brony fandom Category:2010s in American television Category:2010s in Canadian television Category:4chan phenomena Category:Animation fandom Category:Internet memes Category:Subcultures Category:Television fandom Category:2010s fads and trends Category:Fantasy fandom