Why is MLP so popular?

[prongsie]

To reinstate the obvious, MLP initially attracted its target audience (young girls) with its girly and playful nature. Parents allow their children to watch because it teaches basic concepts of positive relationships and a little variety of personality types that they can relate to and look for in their peers at school. Animations appeal to both demographics because it is bright, colourful and full of connotative symbols of simple happiness: rainbows, butterflies, ponies, clouds etc etc. Evidently, the show fully succeeds in its intended purposes which is why its success has attracted an outburst in new audience members.

In recent times, we have seen an increase in popularity with adults who typically are "outliers" in society (sorry guys). Generally speaking, it may be observed that those who have been attracted to these basic concepts of happiness and friendship probably have struggled or are currently struggling with maintaining real relationships. I say this because all episodes are structured to an extent; and in these episodes we see characters with archetypal personalities and are involved in situations that meet a conflict and struggles to reach a happy conclusion that reinstates the "friendship is magic" slogan. These characters live in a near-perfect world that obviously isn't exactly realistic. Normal people usually adjust and find a medium in their midlife or generally accept their co-workers, friends, family members...w/e, but it appears that people who may not have healthy relationships and have isolated themselves are more likely to find comfort in young, childhood concepts of friendship.

The MLP fanbase of the older demographic has also appeared to develop primarily online. If anyone has been introduced to the TV show in person by another irl friend, I would be pretty surprised. I would also assume that the person is also a bit of an outlier and is socially awkward which is fine, because of course people like people that are like themselves. Online communities have given people opportunity to divulge in their otherwise taboo interest of the TV show and make more friends due to mutual and common interests. The socially awkward are attracted to the childhood concepts of perfect friendships and are able to develop their own in communities. They dig even deeper by "realistically" identifying themselves with the ponies.

"Why the hate? The plot is good, the characters and animations are amazing and deep!" Well, the average person is able to recognize and accept that even though these writers are able to structure a good plot, at the end of the day it is intended for little girls who have basic understanding of the real world and relationships. Older people have experience and should be able to identify with things of their own demographic and of course if you're not doing so, it appears that something is very wrong. Unfortunately that is why "bronies" are often assumed and generalized to be autistic and sometimes it is the truth. Why should people be okay with adults having mutual interests as their 4-year old daughter? Children and adults definitely do not have the same hobbies that they do in their own time - it is no wonder why they are often seen as child molesters and perverts. Normal people generally have a social understanding so cannot see any other motive of their obsession except for pedophilia.

Mob mentality and the passing of popular phases are also major contributing factors to this. It will pass and people will find other things to place their interest in, not entirely a big deal to me.

just how I see it, idk.