image creditMy Little Pony galloped into the world in 1983 on a cloud of pink and purple sparkles, bent on winning the hearts of little girls. Set to a saccharine jingle, commercials showed pigtailed girls admiring these pastel-colored vinyl toy horses, unicorns, and pegasus, lovingly brushing their unnatural neon manes. And love them girls did.
Now, nearly 30 year later, My Little Pony mania has exploded again. But this time, the main drivers of the craze are teenage boys and 20-something men. Known as 'bronies' (a portmanteau of 'bro' and 'pony'), these bros fell under the Pony spell thanks to a clever new cartoon, 'My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic,' which airs on children-centered digital cable channel The Hub.
(thanks Lisa)
