The toy line was revived in 1997, but these toys proved unpopular and were discontinued in 1999. One hundred fifty million ponies were sold in the 1980s. The first incarnation's popularity peaked in 1990, but the following year Hasbro decided to discontinue the toy line due to increased competition. The original toy line ran from 1982 to 1992 in the United States and to 1995 globally, and two animated specials, an animated feature-length film and two animated television series produced during the period up until 1992. The franchise is mainly targeted at girls, although it has found an unintended audience of bronies.įollowing the original My Pretty Pony toy that was introduced in 1981, My Little Pony was launched in 1982 and the line became popular during the 1980s.
My Little Pony has been revamped several times with new and more modern looks to continue its appeal to the market, with each new look called a 'generation' by the show's collectors and fans. Such symbols are referred to in the two most recent incarnations as 'cutie marks'. The ponies feature colorful bodies, manes and a unique symbol on one or both sides of their flanks. The first toys were developed by Bonnie Zacherle, Charles Muenchinger, and Steve D'Aguanno, and were produced in 1981. My Little Pony ( MLP) is a toy line and media franchise developed by American toy company Hasbro.
