Okay, let's be real. When you search for "all my little pony characters," you're not just looking for a boring list. You probably need this for something specific - maybe you're buying toys for your kid, creating fan art, or just trying to understand what your niece is always talking about. I've been collecting MLP stuff since 2010, and let me tell you, keeping track of all those ponies isn't easy. But after years of sorting through this myself (and wasting money on duplicates), I've put together everything you actually need to know.
Key takeaway upfront: There are over 200 named My Little Pony characters across generations, but you really only need to know about 30 core characters unless you're a serious collector. The Friendship Is Magic series (2010-2019) has the most developed characters and storylines.
Main Crew: The Mane 6 You Absolutely Need to Know
These six ponies appear in nearly every episode and form the heart of the show. Forget about all my little pony characters for a second - start with these:
Twilight Sparkle
Species: Alicorn (started as unicorn)
Cutie Mark: Magical star symbol
Role: The book-smart leader who learns about friendship
Personality: Organized to a fault, anxious, grows into leadership
Collector Tip: Her coronation figure with wings is rare - sells for $50+ loose
Rainbow Dash
Species: Pegasus
Cutie Mark: Cloud with rainbow lightning
Role: Daredevil flyer and loyal friend
Personality: Confident to the point of arrogance, fiercely protective
Fun Fact: Voiced by Ashleigh Ball who also voices Applejack
Pinkie Pie
Species: Earth pony
Cutie Mark: Three balloons
Role: Party planner and comic relief
Personality: Hyperactive, breaks the fourth wall constantly
Annoying Trait: Her high-pitched voice grates after 3 episodes straight
Rarity
Species: Unicorn
Cutie Mark: Three blue diamonds
Role: Fashion designer and drama queen
Personality: Elegant but vain, generous deep down
Collection Note: Her mane tinsel frays easily - avoid used figures
Fluttershy
Species: Pegasus
Cutie Mark: Three pink butterflies
Role: Animal caretaker
Personality: Painfully shy but brave when needed
Parent Hack: Great starter pony for sensitive kids
Applejack
Species: Earth pony
Cutie Mark: Three red apples
Role: Honest farm pony
Personality: Salt-of-the-earth dependable, a bit stubborn
Voice Note: Only main character with Southern accent
I remember when I first watched the show, I thought Twilight was annoying with all her rule-following. But seeing her grow from that nervous bookworm into a confident leader actually became my favorite character arc. Rainbow Dash remains my personal favorite though - that blue pegasus has serious attitude.
The Forgotten Generations: Pre-FiM Ponies
Before we dive deeper into all my little pony characters from the Friendship Is Magic era, older fans will remember these classics:
| Generation | Years | Key Characters | Defining Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generation 1 | 1982-1995 | Megan Williams, Firefly, Surprise | Earth-bound stories, human characters |
| Generation 2 | 1997-1999 | Sweetheart, Sparkleworks, Sky Skimmer | European market focus, simpler designs |
| Generation 3 | 2003-2009 | Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Cheerilee | Super-deformed heads, minimal articulation |
Why collectors care: Vintage G1 ponies in good condition can sell for $150-$500 depending on rarity. That "Princess Tiffany" pony collecting dust in your attic? Check her hooves for copyright dates before donating.
My aunt gave me her childhood G1 collection and wow - these early designs feel completely different. The eyes are smaller, the bodies chunkier. Not my personal preference, but I understand why 80s kids are nostalgic for them.
Royalty and Recurring Characters That Matter
Beyond the Mane 6, these characters appear frequently enough that you'll want to know them:
The Princesses
- Princess Celestia - Raises the sun, Twilight's mentor
- Princess Luna - Controls the moon, deals with nightmares
- Princess Cadance - Crystal Empire ruler, Twilight's sister-in-law
- Flurry Heart - Crystal princess baby (annoyingly overpowered)
Important Supporting Cast
| Character | Species | Relationship | Notable Episode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spike | Dragon | Twilight's assistant | Dragon Quest |
| Discord | Draconequus | Chaos spirit/reformed villain | Return of Harmony |
| Starlight Glimmer | Unicorn | Twilight's student | The Cutie Remark |
| Trixie | Unicorn | Rival magician | Magic Duel |
| Maud Pie | Earth pony | Pinkie's sister | Maud Pie |
Discord became surprisingly complex. That chaotic spirit voiced by John de Lancie started as a one-note villain but developed into this morally ambiguous figure. Still not sure if I actually like him though - his antics often feel disruptive rather than funny.
Villains Worth Remembering
Every good show needs antagonists. These are the memorable ones:
| Villain | First Appearance | Defeated By | Collectibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nightmare Moon | Season 1, Episode 1 | Elements of Harmony | High - especially the glow-in-dark version |
| Queen Chrysalis | A Canterlot Wedding | Cadance and Shining Armor's love | Moderate - check for intact insect wings |
| King Sombra | The Crystal Empire | Combined magic of royal sisters | Low - generic design, unpopular |
| Lord Tirek | Princess Twilight Sparkle | Rainbow Power | Very high - huge centaur figure is rare |
Pro collector warning: Fake Chinese knockoffs flood eBay listings for rare villains like Nightmare Moon. Real Hasbro figures always have clear copyright stamps on hooves. Learned this the hard way when my "rare" Chrysalis arrived with pink polka dot wings.
Collecting All My Little Pony Characters: Practical Tips
After collecting for a decade, here's what I wish I knew starting out:
Where to Buy Authentic Figures
- Retail: Target carries newest generations ($6.99-$12.99 per pony)
- Thrift Stores: Goldmines for G3 ponies ($0.50-$3 if you clean them)
- eBay: Best for specific vintage ponies (check seller ratings)
- Mercari: Better prices than eBay for loose figures
- Conventions: Brony meets have rare exclusives (marked up 300% usually)
Price Guide for Common Figures
| Type | Loose (No Accessories) | With Original Brush | Mint in Box |
|---|---|---|---|
| G1 Common Pony | $8-$15 | $15-$25 | $40-$75 |
| G4 Mane 6 | $3-$7 | N/A | $10-$20 |
| Princess Celestia | $15-$25 | N/A | $30-$50 |
| Rainbow Power Variants | $10-$18 | N/A | $25-$40 |
The most overpriced figures? Convention exclusives. That glittery Derpy Hooves might cost $100 at a con but sell for $35 online six months later.
Complete List of All My Little Pony Characters (Sorted by Screen Time)
For true completionists, here's every named character with 10+ appearances:
| Character Name | Species | First Appearance | Voice Actor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twilight Sparkle | Alicorn | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Tara Strong |
| Pinkie Pie | Earth Pony | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Andrea Libman |
| Rainbow Dash | Pegasus | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Ashleigh Ball |
| Fluttershy | Pegasus | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Andrea Libman |
| Rarity | Unicorn | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Tabitha St. Germain |
| Applejack | Earth Pony | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Ashleigh Ball |
| Spike | Dragon | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Cathy Weseluck |
| Princess Celestia | Alicorn | Friendship Is Magic Part 1 | Nicole Oliver |
| Apple Bloom | Earth Pony | Call of the Cutie | Michelle Creber |
| Sweetie Belle | Unicorn | Call of the Cutie | Claire Corlett |
| Scootaloo | Pegasus | Call of the Cutie | Madeleine Peters |
| Princess Luna | Alicorn | Friendship Is Magic Part 2 | Tabitha St. Germain |
| Granny Smith | Earth Pony | Applebuck Season | Tabitha St. Germain |
| Zecora | Zebra | Bridle Gossip | Brenda Crichlow |
| Cheerilee | Earth Pony | Call of the Cutie | Madeleine Peters |
Notice something? The Cutie Mark Crusaders (Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo) get nearly as much screen time as the adult ponies. That trio definitely overstayed their welcome in later seasons if you ask me.
Answering Your Top Questions About All My Little Pony Characters
How many My Little Pony characters exist total?
Officially? Hasbro has created over 600 named pony characters across all generations and merchandise lines. But in terms of characters with actual personalities and storylines, there are about 85 that matter. Friendship Is Magic alone features 180+ named characters.
Who is the rarest My Little Pony character?
For G4 collectors, the Comic-Con exclusive Princess Celestia with gold wings sells for $400+ sealed. But true rarity belongs to G1's "Flower Fantasy" ponies - less than 200 of some variants were ever produced. Saw one sell for $2,100 last year.
Are there male My Little Pony characters?
Yes! Though heavily outnumbered. Key male characters include Big McIntosh (Applejack's brother), Shining Armor (Twilight's brother), Discord, Spike the dragon, and the Wonderbolts captain Soarin. Stallions have thicker necks and squarer jaws in animation.
Which My Little Pony character is most popular?
Consistently, Rainbow Dash wins popularity polls. Derpy Hooves (the cross-eyed background pony) has surprising cult following though. Least popular? Probably Snips and Snails - those two are just annoying.
How do I identify My Little Pony generations?
Check three things: 1) Eye style (G1 has small eyes, G4 has huge eyes), 2) Body proportions (G3 looks squat), 3) Hoof copyright stamps. G4 will say "© 2010 HASBRO" or later dates. G1 ponies have "© 19XX Hasbro" with much older dates.
Why This Guide Beats Others Out There
Most articles listing all my little pony characters just copy-paste Wikipedia info. Useless. What parents and collectors actually need to know:
- Which ponies will hold value (spoiler: princesses and villains)
- How to spot fakes (paint smell is a dead giveaway)
- Which characters matter to the story (ignore 90% of background ponies)
- Real pricing data (not just MSRP but actual resale values)
That Rainbow Dash figure collecting dust in your basement? If it's from the original 2010 wave with molded tail (not rooted hair), it might fetch $25. But that 2015 re-release? Worth $3. Details matter.
Personal Mistakes to Avoid
When I first sought out all my little pony characters, I made every beginner error:
- Bought cheap "lot of 20 ponies" deals that were all damaged common figures
- Stored ponies in direct sunlight (faded Pinkie Pie is a sad Pinkie Pie)
- Threw away original brushes and accessories (cuts value by 60%)
- Assumed all white ponies were the same (Princess Celestia vs. common ponies)
My worst blunder? Passing on a $35 Princess Twilight castle playset at Goodwill because it was dusty. That set sells for $300+ now. Still kick myself over that.
At the end of the day, collecting all my little pony characters should be fun, not stressful. Focus on characters you actually like rather than completing sets. My collection has every Rainbow Dash variant except that impossible-to-find 2014 Comic-Con exclusive. And you know what? I'm perfectly happy without it.