If you are unfamiliar with the rebooted My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, just listen to the theme song. It quickly changes from the slow, angelic 80s theme to an upbeat girl-rock bop. This new show keeps the cuteness and moral values of old while adding in more energy. There is a reason why the show gave rise to fanboys known as Bronies, it is quality programming, children or otherwise.
This particular collection, Pony Trick or Treat, contains five episodes from seasons six and seven of “creepy, crawly pony fun.” It is described as spooky but is light on the frights.
The first episode “28 Pranks Later” is the closest to a Halloween-themed episode, which one would expect from the title. It is the most stand-alone inclusion and has the most appeal for even older horror fans. The rest (“Campfire Tales,” “To Change a Changeling,” and “Shadow Play: Part 1 & 2”) are more creepy-adjacent.
While at first, it may seem like a random collection of tonally similar episodes, they all feature the core theme: friendship is magic. When watched in order, there is some narrative build-up, helping connect viewers who are unfamiliar with the series and the larger mythos, to various characters and elements of the universe that appear as the collection resolves itself.
The biggest appeal of Pony Trick or Treat is that it can be viewed by all ages. Of course, the core, the targeted market is children, but babysitters, older siblings, and parents can sit down and enjoy the jokes that don’t downplay to kids. In fact, the series is known for little Easter Eggs of pop culture that only older audience members will notice.
So come October, when the teens are out scaring themselves with the newest horror flick, let the younger ones get their own spooks with My Little Pony. Recommended, Aud: K, E, I, P.