What's behind 'My Little Pony' phenomenon?

• %27My Little Pony%27 has drawn fans in kids and adults
• Kids watch because it%27s new%3B older fans watch for nostalgia
• Episodes convey simple messages

Kids (and adults!) have united around Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, a gang of colorful pony friends who solve problems through the power of friendship. As the Hasbro team gears up for a new season—which will feature Twilight Sparkle as a newly crowned princess—Mike Vogel, vice president of development for Hasbro Studios, talks about the fans, friendship and fun inspired by this herd of pretty ponies.

Tell us about the longtime fans of My Little Pony. What do they tell you about following the show through the decades?

I think there was something magical about a lot of the animated shows that came out in the '80s. Something about that time and those shows had a very powerful and long-lasting impact on an entire generation of kids. The old fans watch for the nostalgia, and the new fans watch because it is a brand-new show.

Of all the episodes, which are the fan favorites and why?

There are so many great episodes and, depending on who your favorite pony is, there are many different opinions on what the best episodes are. The episodes that seem to rise to the top are the ones that strike that perfect balance between humor, epic mythology, great storytelling and a clear friendship message.

What is the one thing that happens in the writing and development of the show that would surprise some viewers?

We have had very long meetings where we argue about things like what exactly might happen if a pony were to make fun of a Pegasus that can't fly. That may seem silly, but part of what makes the show so popular is the simplicity of the message. Everyone from Hasbro executives to the writers, directors, storyboard artists and everyone else are just as obsessively in love with the show as the most hard-core fans.

FROM PONY TO PRINCESS

• My Little Pony has grown well beyond its 1980s'beginnings as small plastic figurines into a cultural phenomenon. The Hasbro brand has been rebooted several times to appeal to new audiences. The current TV show— My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic —is the No. 2 show on the Hub Network for girls ages 2 to 11 and women 18 to 49.
• The Season 3 finale where Twilight Sparkle becomes a princess was the highest-rated telecast in Hub Network history among kids ages 2 to 11. Season 4 adventures premiere on Nov. 23.

This article is excerpted from USA TODAY Guide to Kids' Health. This special edition magazine contains articles on raising happy and healthy children. Buy it wherever magazines are sold or atkidshealth.usatoday.com.