RJ Writing Ink

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Series Finale Review

Looking back on this decade of animation, I think few shows have been as successful as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. This cartoon took a toy line and turned it into something amazing. A sprawling and complex world rivaling decades old. A spin-off series of films, specials, comics, merchandise, and a theatrical movie. Additionally, there’s an actual Brony Convention. In other words, this show about a bunch of ponies has done an incredible job of becoming successful.

All good things must come to an end, though, lest they end up like The Simpsons. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic had a phenomenal run, but it’s time has finally come. However, it manages to end on one massive note, as Twilight and her friends face their biggest challenge ever.

The Triple Threats Plan

While everyone prepares for Twilight to be crowned ruler of Equestria, the villainous trio of Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow has been working from the shadows. They’ve sown seeds of discord between Equestria’s inhabitants, turning everyone against each other while they make their move. They then turn on Grogar and use his own bell to drain his power. Although, it was never Grogar, but Discord.

Discord had seen how Twilight was unsure of herself as Equestria’s ruler. Therefore, he brought back all her enemies so she could beat them and get the confidence she needed. I get what Discord was trying to do, and this is in his character, but it still seems like a bad idea. Plus, it seems a bit of a cop-out, introducing this ancient foe only for him to be a red herring.

However, the finale more than makes up for the red herring as the Mane Six has to throw everything they have at the villains. The resulting fights are suitably epic and filled with action and amazing, and each of the heroes gets a moment to shine.

There Will Always Be Problems

I don’t want to spoil the ending, but for those worried that it will end with the bad guys redeemed, don’t fret. The villains don’t change their ways in the 11th hour, something the show even acknowledges. No matter how great things get, there will always be people in the dark trying to wreck everything. However, there will also be people ready to stand up for what’s right. With all of Equestria united as one, light and friendship overcome darkness one last time.

The question is, what now?

Epilogue and Final Lesson

The final episode takes us into the future with all the people’s of Equestria thriving under Twilight’s leadership. Yet one of her top students questions the importance of friendship, since it seems like Twilight rules alone. In other words, how do friends stay friends when things change in their lives. It’s a very real-world problem we’ve all had to face at some point. That’s the final lesson Friendship is Magic tried to teach its fans: learning to let go and accept change.

Thankfully, I think the show does a good job of explaining it. Even if things in their lives can change, and they might not always have time for each other, friends can still find ways to be together. In Twilight’s case, she and the Mane Six promised to meet once a moon as a Friendship Council to run Equestria. Additionally, it gives us a look at how the Mane Six have changed:

• Pinkie Pie married Cheese Sandwich and has a kid (no surprise there)
• Rainbow Dash and Applejack may or may not be a couple.
• Fluttershy might be living with Discord.
• Rarity aged gracefully.

They all have been busy, and so has Equestria, but they still make time for each other. So the final lesson the show has to teach it’s viewers is about change. People’s lives can change and they may not have as much time as before, but if they’re willing to put in the effort, they can stay friends. Plus, there are always more friends that people can make, and more bonds to forge. Not to sound corny, but that’s what makes friendship magic.

Bookends

In the final moments of the finale, the show gives us one final song that bookends the way the show started. When Twilight’s student wants to learn more about friendship, Twilight knows where to send her. She brings her to Ponyville, where she learned the magic of friendship all those years ago. It’s symbolic of how the show began, and also gives us a final, important lesson.

The kids who have been with the show from the start will be teens and young adults by now. Part of being an adult is passing on what you learned to the next generation. That’s what Twilight and her friends do in the show’s final moments, and what the show wants it’s fans to do with the show’s lessons.

Final Thoughts

Am I sad that My Little Pony is over? I am. I may not have gotten into it as some people, and my interest did wane over time, but I can appreciate what the show teaches people. In this world filled with so much strife, it’s better to make friends instead. The show may be over, but the lessons live on. The lessons, and the merchandise

This won’t be the end of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, though, not by a long shot. Hasbro’s already moving forward with the upcoming Generation V of the franchise, and I hope they keep the fun and magic that fans have come to expect.

So, the finale may not have entirely perfect, but I think it was enough to satisfy me. For those who want more of Equestria, worry not. Hasbro has another MLP:FIM film in the works. In the more immediate future, though, it was announced at NYCC that the comics would be giving us a Season 10 of the show. The show may be over, but this won’t be the last we see of Twilight Sparkle or the magical land of Equestria.

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss

I Give My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Series Finale a Solid 4.5/5

Click here to see my other animation stuff.

Yes, people, I am a Brony, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I never cared for My Little Pony at first, thought it was not for me. But then I saw Rainbow Dash beat the circuits out of Starscream in an episode of Death Battle:

And then Pinkie Pie fighting Deadpool:

And then Twilight Sparkle fought Raven.

The point being, the ponies from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic are pretty cool. Unlike previous versions, the characters in this version are not overly “girly” and go on funny and exciting adventures. But I’m not here to talk about the show outright. Today, I want to talk about their new holiday special, The Best Gift Ever.

My Little Pony: The Best Gift Ever

It’s the day before Hearth’s Warming Eve, the Equestrian equivalent to Christmas, and the Mane Six is busy trying to get each other gifts. And Twilight is… having her holiday meltdown from the stress of getting gifts for everyone. And preparing for her family to visit.

So Applejack suggests that they do a Hearth’s Warming helper (AKA a Secret Santa). So the gang goes their separate ways to find the perfect gifts for each other:

• Rarity heads to recover the gift she got for Applejack after it got sent to the wrong address
• Discord tags along with Rainbow Dash to get Fluttershy a new pet
• Fluttershy and Applejack head to a craft fair for gifts for Spike and Rainbow Dash
• Spike wants to get Rarity the best gift ever (because he loves her).
• Pinkie Pie heads to a trio of Reindeer to get a gift for Twilight.
• And Twilight’s gift for Pinkie Pie?

It wouldn’t be an adventure, though, if they didn’t run into hijinks. So things end up getting crazy, and no one ends up getting the gifts they wanted to give.

That’s alright, though, because, like any episode of My Little Pony, there’s a moral behind everything. The moral in this case is that you shouldn’t stress so much about what to get your friends and family for the holiday season. Getting gifts is always fun, but the best gift can be just spending time with loved ones and enjoying yourself. That’s what the holidays are for!

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s mention the touches that I liked about this special- in photo form!

So, yeah, the message of the story is one that has been told a thousand times, but I don’t think that that is a bad thing as long as it’s told in a fun way. And considering how much care Hasbro, the cast, and writers of the show put into it, I’d say that it was plenty of fun. I know I enjoyed it, at least.

Don’t go anywhere yet! I’ve got a bevy of more blogs that I want to do today! Then, check back tomorrow as I go over a bonus movie, recap the year, and what I look forward to in 2019.

Click here to see my other animation stuff. Or here to see all holiday related posts!