My Little Pony - Generations - Generation Four

Generation Four

The fourth and current incarnation of My Little Pony began in 2010 and is generally referred to Generation Four (G4). It features eight characters tied into the TV show My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, which airs on The Hub: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, Spike the Dragon and Princess Celestia. Set in Equestria, the show centers around the unicorn pony Twilight Sparkle as she learns lessons about friendship. Most of the ponies on the show were designed by animator Lauren Faust, who also developed the show for television. Faust has also worked on other cartoons, most notably as a storyboard artist on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Kids Next Door and The Powerpuff Girls.

Playful Ponies

The first line of Generation Four toys were the Playful Ponies. These feature a smaller pony mold with brushable hair, a saddle or wagon, an animal companion and a comb. This is considered the "basic" release of the series. The first six ponies released were Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity. There are also promotional packs: two-packs, released in Europe. Event Singles were also released in a particular month, including a Valentine's Day Pinkie Pie, released in February 2011, and an Easter Fluttershy, released in April 2011.

Hasbro later announced that the second wave of toys would be released in March 2011. Due to the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, however, the release was postponed and the toys were released the following month. The second wave omits Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and includes two new ponies: Cheerilee and Lily Blossom. The third wave was released in May 2011, introducing four new ponies: Cupcake, Lulu Luck, Dewdrop Dazzle and Blossomforth. Wave four was released in July 2011, introducing six new ponies: Feathermay, Flitterheart, Snowcatcher, Twinkleshine, Honeybuzz and Plumsweet.

The Fifth wave is then later announced to be released in early 2012, with two new debuting characters: Cherry Pie and Diamond Rose. Later on in May 2012, Lyra Heartstrings, Trixie Lulamoon, Cherry Berry and Sunny Rays, characters who were originally from the animated series also debuted as playful ponies.

Collector Series

In the 2012 New York Toy Fair, Hasbro announced to release several exclusive My Little Pony toys for collectors. The characters represented were actually requested by fans of the animated series and will be released in September 2012. The characters in this line includes an animation accurate Princess Celestia, Nightmare Moon, DJ-P0n-3, Lemony Gem, Flower Wishes/Daisy and Zecora.

Story packs

Story Packs were the playsets of the generation. As in previous generations these playsets include at least one pony, one large playset piece and numerous accessories, and were released like the Playful Ponies. Story-pack exclusives include Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Swirl, Star Swirl (Europe only), Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. These sets include:

• Twilight Sparkle's Twinkling Balloon
• Talking Princess Celestia
• Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle's Sweets Boutique
• Fun at the Fair with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle
• Rainbow Dash's Camping Trip
• Fluttershy's Nursery Tree
• Cheerilee's Schoolhouse
• Rarity's Royal Gem Carriage
• Applejack's Farm Truck
• Pinkie Pie's RC Car
• Rarity's Carrousel Boutique
• Pony School Pals with Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Cheerilee
• Friendship Express Train
• Royal Canterlot Friends with Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia and Spike
• Pony Princess Wedding Castle with Princess Cadence and Shining Armor

Ride-Along Ponies

The Ride-Along Ponies are special versions of the Playful Ponies, each with a scooter and an animal companion. Three sets were released in July 2011 with Wave Four of the Playful Ponies. Skywishes is also released in this set as an bonus exclusive:

• Rainbow Dash and Tortoise on a skateboard
• Twilight Sparkle and Cat on a scooter
• Fluttershy and Butterfly on a tricycle

So-Soft Newborn

These versions are identical in design to their G3 counterparts, except they are plush-bodied babies. Five characters are in this line: Sunny Daze, Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and Spike. Each of them includes a pacifier.

Shine Bright Ponies

The Shine Bright Ponies have a light-up section when their saddle is pressed. They are slightly bigger than the Playful Ponies, and their legs are poseable. The ponies Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash were released, and Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna were released as Target Exclusives.

Fashion Style Ponies

Fashion Style Ponies are larger versions of the Playful Ponies, each with a unique dress and accessories. Two were released each wave.

Glimmer Wing Ponies

Inspired by the episode, "Sonic Rainboom", The Glimmer Wing Ponies have special colorful butterfly-like wings on their backs, which can be moved. Three ponies were released: Rainbow Dash, Rairty and Ploomette. Sweetsong, is also added as an exclusive.

Jumbo plush

Several jumbo-plush pony characters were released as Toys "R" Us exclusives. They are updated versions of the G3 jumbo-plush line, and a Special Storyteller Twilight Sparkle Plush was released as a Target exclusive. This pony sings, talks and tells stories; she has three songs: "Friendship is Magic", "Winter Wrap-Up", and a coda to "Friendship is Magic".

Ponyville singles and surprise bags

In addition to the larger toys, Hasbro also released several Ponyville singles of the main characters. Similar to the G3 Ponyville line, these sculpted toys were sold individually or in a four-pack. In Europe, there were 24 smaller "surprise-bag" sculpted toys. They were sold in opaque packages, without noting which toy is in the bag (hence the "surprise"). In America, the opaque bags were released in a 12-piece box set as a Toys "R" Us exclusive.

Canterlot

In July 2011, Hasbro agreed with Target to release an exclusive line centering around Canterlot, the capital city of Equestria, where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna live. The promotion included a theme area in stores with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic stands and signage.

Pony Royal Wedding/Crystal Empire

In 2012, Hasbro revealed several new toys in the 2012 New York Toy Fair, which coincide with the 2-part episodic arc in the second season of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. The toys and theme are based on the royal wedding between Princess Cadence and Shining Armor. Alongside the release of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor, several new characters are confirmed to be released as Playful Ponies as well as characters that were requested by the fans to be released in toy form. The promotion will include a same theme area in stores with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic stands and signage.