PONIES/mki/314

Welcome back to KUTV. I'm your host, Michelle Illg. Now it's time for another KUTV review!

Remake skeptics usually have good reason for their suspicions. But every once in a while, a franchise is
reimagined, revived, and reborn into something quite apart from prior versions, that actually stands up
perfectly well all on its own. If the fact that I’m talking about a TV series aimed at little girls sounds like
a turn-off, you might want to think again. Last year’s new My Little Pony cartoon is worth watching even
if there IS no sweet young tot by your side.

The show, currently nearing the end of its first season, is the creation of Lauren Faust, veteran of The
Powerpuff Girls and Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends, along with Hasbro, Inc. Last October, the
Discovery Kids network was replaced by Discovery Communications’ and Hasbro’s new channel, the
Hub. Featuring a fantastic array of family-friendly programming that includes other highly commendable
reincarnations of 80s toons like Strawberry Shortcake and the Pound Puppies, the Hub has already found
great success with the helplessly engaging My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

In this boldly-colored, magic-infused series boasting some of the most delightful character designs and
fluid, expressive, distinctive, beautiful Flash—or any!—animation to be found on television in a long
while, a bookish pony by the name of Twilight Sparkle is invited by Equestrian ruler Princess Celestia to
a fascinating place called Ponyville in order to discover friendship. As soon as Twilight’s encountered the
rest of the main cast--which includes the fashionably ladylike Rarity, rugged cowgirl Applejack, meek
and ridiculously precious Fluttershy, outrageous and puzzling Pinkie Pie, and tough tomboy Rainbow
Dash—it’s evident that the show’s going to take you for a fun ride.

Each episode essentially stands alone--though there is a degree of continuity evident—and most tend to
have one or two focal characters, with some featuring all six of the mains, and a few others revolving
around a trio of younger fillies named Applebloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. The basic conclusion
to most adventures involves Twilight Sparkle dictating a message to her dragon assistant, Spike, to inform
Celestia of their latest lesson in friendship. Although each character has different abilities and talents,
they’re all portrayed as equal contributors to the group, and likewise, each strengthens the overall series
in her own unique way.

Everything from the remarkable voice work and smart writing to the involving storylines and a number of
shockingly catchy and cleverly composed musical numbers suggests that a high degree of care and pride
is taken in all aspects of production. The ponies of Friendship is Magic are as adorable as the ones you
might remember, but this take on the idea also has a fresh spirit and walks a line that allows it to be
perfect for its target audience while simultaneously holding an immense appeal for a far broader fan base
of considerably older viewers, which a few minutes on the Internet will quickly confirm beyond any
doubt. It fulfills creator Faust’s vision of a quality, non-typical, non-dumbed-down kid’s show that’s hip
and modernized in only the very best of ways and doesn’t even need to rely upon merchandise like this;
but hey, they’re really cute.

For the real animation lover, the adult who refuses to see even very young cartoons as something to be
‘outgrown,’ or the family looking for a very tolerable show that won’t talk down to their child, this
generation of ponies is a true visual treat starring a compelling cast of numerous well-developed, diverse,
and relatable characters with believable interaction amongst them. Its style even harks back and makes
loving homages to such classics as the Looney Tunes, making it an exceedingly welcome addition to
contemporary cartoondom by getting back to its roots and reminding us of just how enchanting and
memorable cartoons can be. With all the right ingredients for a great show of any genre or medium, it’s
no wonder that this program has managed to work its own sort of curiously addictive magic over so
many.

I'm Michelle Illg signing off from KUTV Reviews. Thanks for watching.