While a large number of male students pride themselves on their ability to nuke opponents in “Call of Duty,” a more vibrant minority prefers to study the “magic of friendship.”
‘Bronies,’ a combination of the words ‘bro’ and ‘pony’, is a term for diehard fans of the television series, “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.” Although outsiders may not understand the obsession over the show, bronies are adamant in their support.
“The show’s characters are well-developed, and there are themes in each episode that give them depth,” junior Nelson Lam said. “The stories also have twists that viewers don’t expect; these always lure them back for more.”
Film studies teacher Jody McCabe said another draw of the series may be its exploration of more mature themes from the viewpoint of cartoon ponies.
“The popularity of the show among teenage boys can come from its idea of recapturing their youth,” McCabe said. “It’s the same reason why students revisit Disney movies, or adults purchase toys for their children that they used to play with themselves.”
Junior Wesley Hunt said, although he initially wrote off the series, he gave it a chance and was pleasantly surprised. “My life was forever changed,” Hunt said. “I even used a pony profile picture on Facebook for a month to celebrate my enjoyment.”
Lam said he believes bronies rarely discuss their fandom except with fellow fans due to the taunting they may receive for their interest in what others may dismiss as a ‘girly’ show. However, he said he could not care less about any jeers, and has gone so far as to choose “My Little Pony” for his IB Extended Essay topic.
“People often expect ‘My Little Pony’ is a show for girls, and that you should only watch shows adjusted for your gender,” Lam said. “They just can’t accept a change in taste, which bronies are in favor of.”
The bronies do not restrict their following of “Friendship is Magic” to the show itself. In actuality, many continue their involvement in the fandom on Equestria Daily, an extensive fansite featuring a plethora of pony-related media.
Junior Tommy Jun said he started watching “Friendship is Magic” after Internet-based pony material piqued his interest.
“A lot of the creativity of the series can be seen online,” Jun said. “Fans put together compositions with music from the show, as well as pony music videos and fanfiction, which can expand on the backstories of underdeveloped characters.”
With the show’s third season in the pipeline, bronies are unlikely to ride off into the sunset anytime soon.
