If you were a little girl in the 80’s, chances are you owned a My Little Pony figurine or two. Or twelve.
Between my older sister and myself, our room probably housed somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 or so. Some of those were dupes, though, because we’d fight over certain ones (particularly any of the Twinkle-Eyes ponies). We also had the movie on VHS, and would watch the TV show before school while we ate our breakfast. I vaguely recall having a My Little Ponies lunch box as well (with matching Thermos, natch).
According to Hasbro, the colorful plastic ponies were first released in 1982 and enjoyed immense popularity throughout the 80’s and early 90’s, even outselling Mattel’s Barbie line at one point. The toys were discontinued in 1992 in the U.S., but were re-launched globally in 2003 and have enjoyed steady popularity for the last five years.
In addition to toys, clothing, and other merch, the dolls inspired two different television series, and, as I mentioned, a full-length feature film starring the voices of Danny DeVito and his wife, Rhea Perlman. (I now own the video on DVD, courtesy of my sister, along with both Care Bear movies and the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon collection. Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.)
What you may not have know, though, is that there is currently a two-year tour of a live production going on. Behold: My Little Ponies Live!
A bit frightening, isn’t it? And, seriously, “Shake Your Booty?” The guys from KC and the Sunshine Band would die if they saw this. DIE, I tell you. I do have to give props to the dancers, though. That’s a lot of high-kicking going on, and it has to be hot in those gigantic heads! I bet it was exhausting.
Anyway, moving on… Hasbro has also issued several limited-edition ponies, including an all-white “Decorate-Your-Own Pony” that you can fully customize, and this awesome superhero pony that was launched at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con:
There’s also been a rising market for custom ponies, like these by Alkarin:
So awesome. I wonder if she’d do a custom Toy Geek pony?
Have any photos of your My Little Ponies? Send them in and I’ll post them here!
