First article:
Judging a Horse Show

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic premiered October 10 2010. The show was developed by Lauren Faust, who previously wokred on The Powerpuff Girls and Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends. After a critical essay was posted on the imageboard 4chan.org, discussing the author's disguest with it, older people began to watch the show. With the unexpected fan base, the show has quickly become one of the popular kids' shows this year. The show is now nearing the end of its second season with a third season in pre-production.
The show stars six ponies, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, with the main character being Twilight Sparkle. The show resolves around Twilight Sparkles' lessons on friendship and magic. Each episode starts with a problem and ends up with a closing narration of the lesson that episode's main character learned.
Staring with the obvious, the show is a girl's show, a little girl's show, but at the same time its more than that. Faust, annoyed with the idea that all girl shows are only girly mushy, gooshi goody-ness, has made a show where the characters are more realistic. They often get into confrontations and giths, but ultimately make-up. Each character shows flaws and several slip into a state of hysteria when pushed too far. While attempting to reach a broader audience, the show has several "older people" jokes in the episodes.
The animation of the show and overall the presentation are far greater than previous attempts by Hasbro. The voice acting gives each character a distinct voice, that does not get lost in the sea of characters. The show also features several songs throughout the episodes. The songs are not forced into each episode and are instead use only when needed. Overall the show's structure is sound, although each episode's story is often very predictable.
The show has the obvious lessons on love and friendship that would be exprected in a kid's show. THe lighthearted nature and silly comedy is what has attracted the "brony" following. When put into the mindset of a child, it helps one leave the hardships of life and appreciate the good things in life. Overall MLP: FiM is rated four and a half ponies out of five.



Second article:
Becoming a Brony

From witty jokes to well developed characters, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is, without a doubt, an amazing show. It is no surpirse that the show would garner a fan base. However, different kinds of attention were drawn by these elements.
The Brony, or hardcore fan of the show, came to life when members of 4chan.org gathered together to discuss the show online.
Since then, the Brony has exceeded the targer audience of the show. Being a little children's show, a majority of Bronies are older males, ranging from ages 15-25.
Why exactly does the show appeal to older people, especially men? With creator Lauren Faust's creative mind, the humor and story of the episodes manage to connect and tickle the funny bones of both matured and developing minds.
Throughout criticism and being made fun of, Bronies have grown to become tightly bound. Working off of the moral of being tolerant to others which is displayed numerous times during the show, Bronies are known not to argue back with those who try to criticize their interests.
No matter the future of the show, the fan base remains strong. From almost every website on the Internet to recent "Brony Cons" popping up around the world, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic has influenced all kinds of people while also delivering a show with products that go beyond a simple television show.

©The RAMpage Cyridge High school
Dated printed: Thursday, April 12, 2012