According to Wikipedia's general definition, a “fandom” refers to a group people whom are fans of a certain form of entertainment (i.e. a book, TV show, movie, etc). These fans are not just causally interested; they don't simply have light conversation or discussion of their favorite show/movie with friends and family, these fandom members are more obsessive than that (Wikipedia). They will obsess over the minor and most smallest details of the plot or of a certain character and want to expand on it by creating their own theories, backstories, and ideas. They will have their own gatherings to discuss these theories and ideas, online and offline, depending on the fandom they will even have specialized conventions where members from all over the world can meet up in one location and celebrate their interest (Jenkins). Jenkins also characterizes fans as being; predominately male, social misfits, and “feminized and/or desexualized”. They will also purchase any merchandise relating to their interest just because they can, be obsessive over the smallest details, give value/priority to unimportant entertainment, and be unable to “separate fantasy from reality” (10). Many entertainment medias are directed at certain audiences and in turn, gain a likely fan base, depending on the targeted audience. This paper will deal with a certain TV show, that while being directed at a specific age and gender of an audience, has accumulated an excessive and unlikely amount of fans that is completely outside of the targeted area. The show in question is “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic”, produced by Hasbro and developed by Lauren Faust, which aired in October 2010. It is important to note that this is specifically the fourth generation of the original TV series, that is the main source of the creation of this fandom, simply meaning that the fandom was formed specifically around this generation of the show. The reason I choose this show, is that it is obviously targeted towards small children, specifically females. However, it would seem as though, for some reason, it has accumulated a rather large fan base of – wait for it – teenage, adolescent and even adult males. Venetia Robertson's article titled “Of Ponies and men:” goes into great detail on the history of the show, the fandom, and references to outside things that contribute to the idea of how and why is has gained such a fan base. To start off, these people – or I should say fans – have created their own name, they call themselves “bronies,” which is just a word made from “bro” and “pony” (21). They also refer to themselves (the fandom) as “the Herd” (27) as in the literal sense and definition “a large group of animals, especially hoofed mammals...” (Google). The central theory brought up by Robertson as to why MLP:FiM has such a following, is due to the use of anthropomorphic animals in the show, which symbolize humans and human identity as well as simplify “complex ideas such as politics, society, and personhood” (22). Robertson writes that anthropomorphic animals have been around for ages; from classic Loony Toons, to Disney movies, to DreamWorks and Pixar CG animated
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Since its creation, there have been a number of websites dedicated to the fandom that have also been created such as “Everypony's Network” and “Brony Haven” as well as its own “Ponychan” outside of 4chan due to an over excessive amount of pony posts in the Comics & Cartoons discussion board (27). Brony fandom has had very mixed reactions from its critics, ranging from being praised for smashing gender stereotypes and socialization to being put down and seen as a bunch of creepy, weirdo (27), man-children1. Since the majority of, if not the whole of, the fandom hangs out in online discussion boards, it is virtually impossible to tell what gender users are. However, in Bill Ellis' article “What Bronies See When They Brohoof:”, a survey had been conducted in 2012 by Edwards and Redden which found that 86% were male, 96.4% were single, and 70% were students (312). This shows that the fans are not too far off from the general stereotype Jenkins lists that fans are predominately male, single, and potentially
Since its creation, there have been a number of websites dedicated to the fandom that have also been created such as “Everypony's Network” and “Brony Haven” as well as its own “Ponychan” outside of 4chan due to an over excessive amount of pony posts in the Comics & Cartoons discussion board (27). Brony fandom has had very mixed reactions from its critics, ranging from being praised for smashing gender stereotypes and socialization to being put down and seen as a bunch of creepy, weirdo (27), man-children1. Since the majority of, if not the whole of, the fandom hangs out in online discussion boards, it is virtually impossible to tell what gender users are. However, in Bill Ellis' article “What Bronies See When They Brohoof:”, a survey had been conducted in 2012 by Edwards and Redden which found that 86% were male, 96.4% were single, and 70% were students (312). This shows that the fans are not too far off from the general stereotype Jenkins lists that fans are predominately male, single, and potentially