I am in the same position, I don't understand the obsession, but I understand the hate.
It's a watchable show, if there is nothing else on, I would probably watch it. I used to think it was because, it was the flavour of the month thing on 4chan, but people have become bloody religious about it.

It sure seems that way doesn't it? It is indeed a watchable, but the way its just blown up still has my mind completely boggles.

I guess it's the cool thing to like or something. Personally, I can't see what makes MLP so popular, I saw an episode that an FA brony said I might have liked, but dude... it was lame to say the least, at least in my opinion that is.

I think the drama you mentioned was because of the MLP banner. I get it, the show's popular, everybody and their mothers talk about it... but I don't see why it should be in the banner just because of that.

LOL!! I remember when that banner was up and some artists and watchers went out of their way to make fun of it which I found quite hilarious at the time and that really made me wonder what the big fat deal was. Here's one example https://www.furaffinity.net/view/6517407/

I'm pretty sure the one reason why I like it is the same reason I like all sorts of Cutesy Slice-of-Life anime. Cute ponies doing cute things.

I'd even go so far to say that since it has the whole "Moral of the Day" thing, it actually has some more substance than the moe stuff I watch.

Also, did you really have to watch the first episode all the way up to the latest, just to establish that you don't really love or hate it? After putting that much effort in wouldn't that make you a brony by default?

Anyway the usual response I hear from other bronies, and that I can agree with. Is that it's nicely animated (compared to other MLPs), has a plot, has likable characters, doesn't talk down to it's intended audience (You know, the little girls that are suppose to be watching it), isn't afraid to go overboard a little (Pinkie Pie and Twilight's mental breakdown episodes). It even embraces it's brony fanbase instead of acting creeped out by it (I wish I knew why.) throwing in random cameos that adults would probably only get (Latest episode has a Big Lebowski cameo in the bowling alley), and taking the pony Derpy Hooves, who was just some unimportant pony in the background suffering from an animation error, and actually gave her a little more attention by throwing her in more episodes and turning her into a mailpony.

So Lauren Faust and friends took an unwatchable franchise and made it not only watchable, but enjoyable too. Granted that's not enough to give it a gold star or anything, that's just taking something that sucks and bringing it to at least being average. Combine that with subjective tastes along with the acceptance of the unintended audience and I think that explains a good deal why it's as big as it is.

Hoped I helped.

A lot of the fanbase still seems forced, like lost 4chan dwellers looking for something to latch onto

Yup, they seem to be a strong force behind it from what I can tell. >___>;;

It's funny that you mention that bc my girl totally thinks I'm a brony now bc I did a marathon watch of the show which was like last week and am now caught up with the show. It is nicely animated and I do find it funny and catch those adult references u mentioned in it as well. As I mentioned, it is a watchable show and it does make me laff, but I still for the life of can't understand how and why it became so freekin viral....I even see ppl cosplaying of MLP characters at conventions and noticed a LOT of ppl and artists have either started "humanizing" a lot of the characters on there or have been creating their own MLP characters. I have yet to feel the need or want to do any of these or draw anything MLP related at all and more than likely won't be on my own free will unless sum1 commissions me to do so. I Agree with all the stuff that you've stated so far and think they have a good thing working for them , but I just don't see being the next best thing as sliced-bread so to speak LOL1 Anywho, thanx a lot for ur input my friend.^

Btw, u did help. ^^

Honestly, I couldn't tell you why it's so popular, other than possibly that it's new and different from most of the cartoons on these days.

That it most DEFINITELY is without a question.

1. No one really expected a shit girl's show to actually be good. That an enjoyable show came out of something everyone thought would be just more of the same old shit is a source of endless amusement for the interwebs and everyone's curious as to how long they can keep it up. So in addition to being a pleasant surprise,it's also like watching a tight rope walker and wondering if they'll fall.

2. It sets a great precedent for female characters. While it probably won't mean the end of the fashion obsessed,boy crazy teen ho,it does prove there's an audience for well written female characters. And where there's an audience,there's a market. The pony girls are written better than some of the female characters on "adult" shows. To this end,a lot of people want to "get the word out" and not let the ponies amazing advances go unnoticed.

3. They're extremely silly and cute and,therefore,are great to use "ironically". Plus,it annoys the hell out of some people. And you know how it is when you hear a really good joke,you have to repeat it a few times to finish savoring it.

Haha!! All of those are VERY good points, I will admit I find Pinkie Pie the most hilarious outta all of them bc she's just so damn random and their expressions have made me lol on more than one occasion. XD

Yup. It's a good show.

I guess it's because that MLP is one of those shows that you hardly ever see on tv these days. A show that's not only funny, charming, has great songs and great characters, and not-bad animation, but is also so in touch with its fans. I mean, what other show does that?

Indeed good sir, indeed. ^^

It's a furry/ beastiality thing from my point and some of the artists on this site. I've seen some of characters from the show in BDSM posses.

I believe it's just that it's something that isn't shit.

The characters are likable, there is material to corrupt, it's being made currently, etc.

I find it to be enjoyable and I'm a fan, just don't call me a Brony or I'll have to kill you and hide the body.

hey

Ponies are lame, draw hot things