RW665 wrote:
I'm starting my research, but I could use some information from fellow MLP-FiM fans. If anybody is willing, could you answer some questions for me, such as:
1- How did you get into the show?
2- Why do you like the show?
3- Do you identify yourself as part of the brony community?
4-What do you think about said community?
5- And any other information you think is relevant.
(Numbered for convenience.)
1- About a year ago my boyfriend mentioned a phenomenon that he'd read about where lots of straight, sane, adult males were crazy about MLP:FIM. We knew next to nothing about the show except that, but it was enough to intrigue us to try watching it. Bf downloaded a few episodes and we started watching. I thought it was interesting at first, but after a few episodes, I found myself wanting to watch more. It was kind of like a slowly-built relationship, rather than love-at-first-sight. Now I'm hooked! Bf and I are currently waiting patiently through the season break...
2- The characters are fun, with rich personalities that have both strengths and weaknesses, the lessons at the end make sense, and there are a lot of little jokes that, if you're knowledgeable/alert enough for them, they will reward you time and again. There's also just the right amount of random humor that easily comes across as cute. There is no relying on hidden "adult humor" jokes, as many kids' shows/movies do in order to entertain the adult audience. (Not that I have a problem with hidden adult humor, but it seems that it's what most stories rely on in this day and age.)
3- Sort of yes, sort of no. I don't participate in the online Bronie community (this thread being a first for me.) However, I have a few real-life friends that are also Bronies, and we love to talk about it together. I've been tempted to write fan fiction, but I'm fairly certain that I wouldn't be able to come up with stories to match what I've heard about already (via those same friends. One is a pretty popular MLP:FIM fanfic author, so he tells me about a lot of them.)
4- I think it's great how people have taken this fictional world, immersed themselves into it, and really started molding it from the inside. Even more than that, I love how the show's creators reciprocate, by changing parts of the show to support said-community's work. It's like this symbiotic relationship with give-and-take, each party being further encouraged by the other's recognition.
5- No, I think that's it!