"My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic", a cartoon that pretty much defined the 2010s. I mean, it started in 2010 and ended in 2019, it is the 2010s. And if you were even semi-conscious during that time online you'll know how this series dominated the internet. I watched this show a lot as a kid, back when I was the target demographic. I also had toys, clothes, even a My Little Pony piggy bank (which was shattered... twice.) However, I recently revisited the series and wow- did not this show to tug on my heartstrings. Yes everybody, today's blogpost is about a 17 year old girl getting overly emotional over a show meant for children. (Which no hate to anyone, I love cartoons.)

Why did I start rewatching MLP? Me and my mom were reminiscing about old cartoons I as well as my brother used to watch as kids. Middle child things because my mom forgot that I also watched a lot of things my older brother watched lolz. But anyways, she mentioned I used to watch a lot of My Little Pony, so I turned on an episode from a totally legal site and we both had a lot of nostalgia from the opening song. My mom watched for like a minute before getting up do to something else, idek, but I kept watching. And... I was hooked! I just kept pressing next episode over and over again, I don't even know how many I watched. I couldn't believe it, this show was amazing! But I was also kinda thinking great, another immature thing I like that I'm going to be bothered for liking. But honestly, I was already too far gone, MLP is just a drop in an ocean.

So, what made me so emotional? A lot of scenes lol... Firstly the opening. The lyrics "I used wonder what friendship could be. Until you all shared its magic with me." These lines really tug on my heartstrings as kid who had a hard time making/keeping friends and fitting in in general. I did wonder what friendship could be, and now that I have friends (both irl and online), it does feel like magic lol. And the line at the end "Do you know you're all my very best friends?" with a picture of Twilight with her new friends, it makes me want to cry just typing this and I tear up almost everytime in this opening. Having not just friends, but best friends you feel like you can say anything to is just so magical. I feel like I can actually be my true self and not worry about being too "weird" or whatever. Shoutouts to my two best friends I made in grade 10, you were the only good part of that so-called school. And in relation to this, I can also relate to Twilight Sparkle as a character. Now I'm only on episode 24 or so, but from what I know so far she's a gifted unicorn who studies magic under Princess Celestia herself, but is more book smart than anything. And I relate to this a lot because academically, I did very well in school (which I'm super grateful for and priviledged for, not trying to brag,) but socially not really. Especially in the 6th grade... we don't talk about whatever the hell that was. Thank god Covid cut that short. So I see myself in her and relate a lot to her struggles. Like in the episode where Ponyville was doing a winter wrap up, (which now typing this that song is now stuck in my head again...), Twilight had a hard time finding where she belonged in the project and I've also felt that way too in projects that require teamwork and working with others. However I do NOT relate to the fact that she's really good at organizing. Trust me, I wish I did.

Another episode that made me emotional was the episode where Rainbow Dash redid her super-sonic rainboom. I can relate to the building nervousness she got throughout the episode until it consumed her, as someone with a little stage-fright. Obviously being nervous is a common emotion but I really liked how they portrayed Rainbow Dash with this problem, who is usually the over confident type, it shows that anyone can get nervous. What got me emotional was when Rarity was falling, Rainbow Dash cared so much about saving her that she let go of her nerves and achieved the super-sonic rainboom. The fact that she'd pull such a hard, never before seen move for her friend, and she won a competition she cared so much for, made me tear up. What also added to this was Fluttershy's loud cheering, like she was so genuinely happy for Rainbow Dash it made my heart melt oh my god.

Lastly, two quick ones. The first episode of the Cutie Mark Crusaders really meant a lot to me. At first I didn't really care for the episode as I thought it was going to be some sort of puberty euphemism, which is fine and can even be interpreted like that, I just personally can't relate. But when Applebloom was being made fun of for not having her cutie mark, Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle stepped in and what they said has stuck with me. "No, it means she's full of potential!" "It means she could be great at anything! The possibilities are like endless." This really hit home as in this weird era in my life, I have no idea what I'll be or what my hypothetical cutie mark would be. So this was a very inspiring and soothing message to hear. Also "blank flank" is such a creative insult, I love the world building in this series. Lastly but like, actually lastly, is the first episode with Zecora. As an African Muslim this was a very heartwarming message, as people tend to demonize me simply for being a Muslim or being from Africa. I wish everyone could watch this episode and realize that it's okay if people are different from you, and difference doesn't equal dangerous or scary. Especially in this day and age with a certain president. (Trying hard to stay apolitical here but I said what I said.)

So yeah, those are my intial thoughts on "My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic". I can see why this show has a large adult following, it's genuinely good and doesn't take its child audience to be idiots. The art style is cute, the designs are uniquie, the world building of Equestria is interesting, and I can see this taking a good chunk of my time. I can't wait to see what other episodes have in store and I'm excited to watch all nine seasons, which sounds like an absolute treat. I also want to watch the movie, as well as the Equestria Girls movies. The first one had a death grip on me as a child, I loved it so much and I think back to it fondly, especially the cafeteria song. And so what if watching MLP and getting emotional over it is "childish" or "stupid"? I like what I like, and that's why I have this site, to ramble unfiltered about anything.

Have a great rest of your day everypony!