My Little Pony (TV series)

My Little Pony is a 1986-1987 American animated television series produced by Sunbow Productions and Marvel Productions and animated by Toei Animation and AKOM based on the My Little Pony toys released by Hasbro. The series featured as the first segment of a program called My Little Pony 'n Friends.[1] The second segment would be an unrelated cartoon based on another Hasbro franchise – including The Glo Friends, MoonDreamers and the Potato Head Kids.[2] The series debuted on September 15, 1986, nearly three months after the release of My Little Pony: The Movie (which had introduced the Paradise Estate and many of the series' main characters), and ended on September 25, 1987. Two previous television specials were edited into segments of My Little Pony 'n Friends: Rescue at Midnight Castle and Escape from Catrina. The complete series of My Little Pony segments has been released on DVD in Regions 1 and 4. Other sections have been released on DVD such as "My Little Pony: The Glo Friends" as of 2013.

This article is about the 1986 television series. For the 1992 television series, see My Little Pony Tales. For the 2010 television series, see My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
My Little Pony
Based onMy Little Pony toyline
by Bonnie Zacherle
Written by
Creative directorJay Bacal
Voices of
ComposerRobert J. Walsh
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes65
Production
Executive producers
Producers
Running time10 minutes per episode
Production companies
DistributorClaster Television
Release
Original networkSyndication
Audio formatStereo
Original releaseSeptember 15, 1986 (1986-09-15) –
September 25, 1987 (1987-09-25)
Chronology
Related shows

Synopsis

Ponyland is a mystical land, home to all kinds of magical creatures. The Little Ponies make their home in Paradise Estate, living a peaceful life filled with song and games. However, not all of the creatures of Ponyland are so peaceful, and the Ponies often find themselves having to fight for survival against witches, trolls, goblins and all the other beasts that would love to see the Little Ponies destroyed, enslaved or otherwise harmed.[3]

Cast

Additional voices by Michael Bell, Joey Camen, Melanie Gaffin, Tress MacNeille, and Frank Welker

Characters
Main articles: List of My Little Pony (1986) characters and List of My Little Pony characters
  • Earth Ponies are like normal horses, but brightly colored as many creatures in Dream Valley are.
  • Pegasus Ponies are agile winged horses who can fly in the skies of Dream Valley and even go beyond the rainbow to our world.
  • Unicorn Ponies possess a single horn on their forehead; all are able to wink in & out (short range teleport), as well as each possessing a unique individual ability (e.g. telepathy, telekinesis, aerokinesis, hydrokinesis, and intuition).
  • Flutter Ponies are shy but powerful creatures with magic in their gossamer wings, granting them flight as well as various undefined abilities. They live in a remote area of Dream Valley known as Flutter Valley.
  • Sea Ponies are brightly colored seahorse-like creatures who dwell in the rivers and lakes of Dream Valley.
  • The Bushwoolies, a joyful species of furballs with a hive-mind, causing them to think alike and always in total agreement. They seem to be led by a blue Bushwoolie named Hugster.
  • The Furbobs, cousins of the Bushwoolies. They primarily walk on four legs as opposed to Bushwoolies who seem to walk on the equivalent of two legs. Unlike the Bushwoolies, they constantly disagree with each other. Any agreement between them usually signals an emergency situation.
  • Stonebacks, ferocious looking armadillo-like creatures. They were enemies of the Furbobs until Megan helped the Furbobs realize that the two species can overcome their differences with love and understanding.
  • The Grundles, a small race of creatures ruled by the Grundle King. They used to live in Grundleland before it was smoozed; they now live in Dream Castle.

Three human children, siblings Megan, Danny, and Molly, often fly across the Rainbow to join the Little Ponies. The group often seeks advice on magical matters from the Moochick, a wise but eccentric gnome who lives in the nearby Mushromp, and his rabbit assistant, Habbit.

Episodes

My Little Pony 'n Friends, Season 1 (1986)
No.TitleWritten byOriginal air date
1–10"The End of Flutter Valley (Episodes 1–10)"George Arthur Bloom15–26 September 1986 (15–26 September 1986)
Sequel to My Little Pony: The Movie. The ponies are on their way to Flutter Valley for the "Sun Tuesday" celebration with the Flutter ponies. Meanwhile, the witches from the Volcano of Gloom are busy hatching a plan to destroy Flutter Valley and the ponies, allying with an army of giant bees to get their revenge on the Flutter ponies. The bees steal the precious Sun Stone, and if the Flutter ponies can't get it back, their home will be destroyed.
11–14"The Ghost of Paradise Estate (Episodes 1–4)"George Arthur Bloom29 September-2 October 1986 (29 September-2 October 1986)
A ghost comes to Paradise Estate to scare the ponies. However, when it flies away, it becomes tangled in a tree, convincing Megan that it is not really a ghost. She introduces herself as Pluma, a shape-shifting bird. She tells them about a creature who lived in Dream Valley before the Paradise Estate was built and is planning to destroy the ponies' home. Megan and the others decide to help Pluma recover the Flashstone, and save her grandfather.
15"The Great Rainbow Caper"Diane Duane3 October 1986 (1986-10-03)
A pair of monkeys called Gizmonks take Danny and Surprise prisoner until Megan turns over the Rainbow of Light to them.
16–19"The Glass Princess (Episodes 1–4)"Tracey Mann Hall and Michael Charles Hill6–9 October 1986 (6–9 October 1986)

A self-obsessed witch named Porcina wants to turn the world into glass, to see her reflection everywhere. Three ponies, captured by a trio of Raptorians, are the key to Porcina's plan, and Megan and her friends must stop her using their own magic to destroy their friends. Meanwhile, Shady makes many accusations against her.

After the first run of Part 4, the song "Hurry" was removed, and the episode got slowed so that it would maintain its length. The scene with the song does not appear on any VHS or DVD release of this story.
20"Pony Puppy"Carla Joseph Conway and Gerry Conway10 October 1986 (1986-10-10)
The ponies find a giant puppy and decide to keep her, build her a doghouse, and name her Dina. When the new puppy is reunited with her family the following spring, the ponies are sad to see her go, but they realize that even though friends come and go they will never leave their hearts.
21–24"Bright Lights (Episodes 1–4)"Barbara Petty13–16 October 1986 (13–16 October 1986)
The baby ponies are delighted when rock star Knight Shade performs for them - but the concert is a front to steal their shadows and feed his dark master.
25"Sweet Stuff and the Treasure Hunt"Cherie Dee Wilkerson17 October 1986 (1986-10-17)
Sweet Stuff wants to play games with everyone else, but feels left out because she is an earth pony and doesn't seem to be good at anything. She ends up surprising everyone (even herself) when she joins a treasure hunt with the pegasi and is the only one able to answer the last riddle and win the game.
26–29"The Return of Tambelon (Episodes 1–4)"Michael Reaves20–23 October 1986 (20–23 October 1986)
The ancient city of Tambelon, the Realm of Darkness, disappeared 500 years ago. Now, it returns to Dream Valley and all of the unicorns mysteriously vanish.
30"Little Piece of Magic"Beth Bornstein24 October 1986 (1986-10-24)
The baby ponies are bored and want Ribbon and Buttons to play a game with them. Ribbon suggests that they play a game of make believe and runs out to go get them a red ball to use in their game. She explains that the red ball is magical and can be anything they want it to be. While she's gone, they take turns imagining what the red ball will be like.
31–34"The Magic Coins (Episodes 1–4)"Michael Reaves27–30 October 1986 (27–30 October 1986)
The ponies are delighted to discover a treasure chest of magic coins. However, Baby Lickety Split wishes for it to stop raining, causing a drought to spread all over Ponyland.
35"Mish Mash Melee"Bruce Faulk31 October 1986 (1986-10-31)
After a magical mishap, Fizzy, Shady, Wind Whistler, and Gusty must live each other's lives until they can restore the balance of nature.
36–37"Woe Is Me (Episodes 1–2)"Gordon Kent3–4 November 1986 (3–4 November 1986)
The ponies provide shelter to Woebegone, a wandering hobo who brings bad luck and disaster wherever he goes.
38–39"Fugitive Flowers (Episodes 1–2)"Martin Pasko and Rebecca Parr5–6 November 1986 (5–6 November 1986)
Posey finds some sentient flowers wandering around her garden and offers them shelter and water, but she has no idea what they have in store for her to repay her kindness. After the Flouries have taken Masquerade hostage, they are on their way to sucking the life out of Dream Valley unless the ponies can stop them.
40"Would Be Dragonslayer"Carla Joseph Conway and Gerry Conway7 November 1986 (1986-11-07)
Spike is harassed by a young boy trying to become a knight. The ponies help the boy to find a good deed that doesn't involve slaying their friend.
41–42"Baby, It's Cold Outside (Episodes 1–2)"Gordon Kent10–11 November 1986 (10–11 November 1986)
The ponies are delighted as snow falls in summer, not realizing that it's a plot by the Penguin King to freeze Ponyland and destroy those that can't survive the cold.
43–44"Crunch the Rockdog (Episodes 1–2)"Linda Woolverton12–13 November 1986 (12–13 November 1986)
A vicious dog carved from rock charges through Ponyland, turning everything it encounters to stone. Meanwhile, Wind Whistler gets her heart stomped on for being too analytical and not showing her emotions.
45–46"The Revolt of Paradise Estate (Episodes 1–2)"David Wise14, 17 November 1986 (14, 17 November 1986)
A magic spell brings the Paradise Estate to life, and its furniture declares war on the ponies.
47–48"Through the Door (Episodes 1–2)"David Wise18–19 November 1986 (18–19 November 1986)
A door is opened to the world of fairy tales, and the ponies meet legends such as Robin Hood, Aladdin's genie, and Hercules.
49–50"Rescue from Midnight Castle (Episodes 1–2)"George Arthur Bloom20–21 November 1986 (20–21 November 1986)
The first My Little Pony TV special from 1984, shortened and retitled "Escape from Midnight Castle".

My Little Pony 'n Friends, Season 2 (1987)
# Title Director Writer U.S. Original airdate
51–54"The Quest of the Princess Ponies (Episodes 1–4)"TBAMichael Reaves7–10 September 1987 (7–10 September 1987)
Lavan, a lava demon, kidnaps the princess ponies and steals their magic wands. As Lavan grows in power, Ponyland's magic is thrown into chaos. Can he be stopped before everything is destroyed?
55"Spike's Search"TBAMichael Charles Hill11 September 1987 (1987-09-11)
Spike goes in search of his roots and joins a dragon horde, but finds he does not agree with their bullying ways.
56–57"The Golden Horseshoes (Episodes 1–2)"TBACarla Joseph Conway and Gerry Conway14–15 September 1987 (14–15 September 1987)
When Mimic becomes afflicted with a mysterious illness, Megan and the ponies embark on a series of odd adventures to find the four golden horseshoes with the power to heal the ailing unicorn.
58–59"Flight to Cloud Castle (Episodes 1–2)"TBAMichael Reaves16–17 September 1987 (16–17 September 1987)
Heart Throb, Locket, and Twilight help a young elf called Garf rescue his true love Ariel from an enchanted castle, while facing many dangers on the way.
60"The Ice Cream Wars"TBADavid Wise18 September 1987 (1987-09-18)
The First Tooth baby ponies are put in charge of the Newborn Twins: Sniffles & Snookums and Milkweed & Tumbleweed. The unruly twins are temporarily subdued with the promise of ice cream, but first the First Tooth baby ponies must reunite the feuding ice cream makers Rocky Ripple and Fudgy McSwain, who have cut off Ponyland's ice cream supply.
61–62"Somnambula (Episodes 1–2)"TBADavid Wise21–22 September 1987 (21–22 September 1987)
The ponies prepare a surprise Welcome Home party for the Big Brother ponies who have been racing around the world. However, before the Big Brothers arrive, an old witch named Somnambula puts the adult ponies into a trance, then forces them to play in a circus as she drains the youth from them. The Big Brothers set out to rescue the ponies.
63"The Prince and the Ponies"TBADavid Wise23 September 1987 (1987-09-23)
The ponies come to the aid of two wronged royals when they attend an exclusive party at the Palace de Branforr. Meanwhile, the First Tooth Baby Ponies learn to be careful what they wish for.
64–65"Escape from Katrina (Episodes 1–2)"TBAGeorge Arthur Bloom24–25 September 1987 (24–25 September 1987)
The second My Little Pony TV special from 1985, shortened and retitled. A sorceress has grown dependent on witch weed potion and has enslaved dozens of bushwoolies to produce it for her. When she kidnaps a baby pony, Megan and the ponies have to confront her.

Home media

UK VHS releases
  • St. Michael (Marks and Spencer), Tempo Video (MSD Video, Tempo Super Video Then: Tempo Kids Club) (1987–1993)
UK VHS releases
VHS title VHS Studios Release Date Episodes Notes
My Little Pony – The Magic Coins St. Michael (Marks and Spencer) 1987 The Magic Coins, The Would Be Dragonslayer, Spike's Search
My Little Pony – The Quest of the Princess Ponies and The Prince and the Pony Tempo Video (MSD Video) 1987 The Quest of the Princess Ponies, The Prince and the Ponies
My Little Pony - The Great Rainbow Caper Tempo Video (MSD Video) 1988 The Great Rainbow Caper, Somnambula, The Revolt of Paradise Estate
My Little Pony & Other Friends Tempo Video (MSD Video) 1988 My Little Pony - Flight To Cloud Castle, The Charmkins, MoonDreamers - Stuck On Bucky, The Glo Friends - The Forest Brigade
My Little Pony - Bright Lights Tempo Video (MSD Video) 1988 Bright Lights, The Ice Cream Wars
My Little Pony - The Would Be Dragonslayer & Spike's Search Tempo Video (MSD Video) September 19, 1988 Would Be Dragonslayer, Spike's Search This Video Also Contains Advertising 3 My Little Pony Toys Commercials, 3 Dolls and Toys Commercials, Promo: Spot's First Video, The Shoe People, MoonDreamers, Little Clowns of Happytown, My Little Pony And My Little Pony & Other Friends, Jem, Sparky's Magic Piano and Tempo tape cassettes
My Little Pony - The Return Of Tambelon Tempo Video (MSD Video) 1989 The Return Of Tambelon, Sweet Stuff and the Treasure Hunt, Pony Puppy A My Little Pony "Crimp and Curl" Hair Salon Toy Commercials, My Little Pony Competitions: My Little Pony

Broadcast United Kingdom
Networks
United Kingdom
CITV (1987–1989)
TCC (1988–1997) (Next Along With Jem On TCC in 1994)
Sky One (1989–1997) (Sky One's Fun Factory, Sky One's The DJ Kat Show and Sky One) (Along With The Transformers On Sky One And Sky One's Fun Factory In 1988 until 1995 and Jem On Sky One's Fun Factory and Sky One's The DJ Kat Show in 1987 until 1990)
Tiny Pop (2007–2008)

Broadcast UK history

Notes
  1. Although Megan's surname, Williams, appears in the writer's guide for My Little Pony 'n Friends, it has never been used in the series itself.

References
  1. Perlmutter, David (2018). The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 419–420. ISBN 978-1538103739.
  2. Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 575–576. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  3. "My Little Pony: The Complete First Season". DVD Talk. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
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