Welcome, everypony! I was going to start the reviews off with the wonder and horror that is the Toys 'R Us Collector Series Princess Celestia (the "properly colored" one), however, it made more sense to start at the beginning.
A Little Background
This was the first pony merchandise I bought in person. I had bought one or two things over the internet before this, but this... this was the big experience. For a 31-year-old male to go into a store and buy something "for girls", with no girl to give it to? Well, at the time, I was still wondering what exactly it was I was doing. I worried about how people would look at me. When the time came to bring it to the check-out, of course I made it clear "this would be perfect for my cousin", or something like that. Now, of course, I'd just go in and buy it, but those were strange days.
It speaks for how ingrained in our thought is the societal thought of what is for boys, what is for girls, what is for the young, and what is for the adult. I am happy to say that those lines are blurring, but there is so much more to do. It is not so much to make everyone comfortable with it, but to make everyone comfortable that some are comfortable with it. As a certain video goes, "It's okay to not like things..."
Presentation
Pink. Very pink. This is something that is, sadly, to be expected still in toys in general, and I do hope the trend someday dies a death. Pink is okay, but there is such a thing as too much. I have to say, though, I really do like the shape of the box. It is more of a basic carrying case, with almost a flat barn-like shape. The front comes open, but it doesn't keep closed easily, with no tabs to keep it in place. Let's be honest, though: if you're taking the figures out, you're probably going to display (or play with) them anyway. While it's sealed, though, the handles on the top are a welcome addition.
The artwork is... well, it's early G4 artwork. There's the very common prancing Pinkie Pie vector in the lower left corner. The back of the box has some common, but very eye-catching images of the characters within. We also get this blurb:
"Join Princess Celestia, along with Twilight Sparkle, Spike the Dragon, Applejack and Pinkie Pie as they discover the magic of friendship together!"
Of course, Rarity and Rainbow Dash were "Too busy to be bothered", and Fluttershy was too afraid of the artist to pose.
Product
The aforementioned characters appear in this set. In addition, Tia's crown is separate, and there's a storybook. Ohh, but we save that little glory for last. Simple but serviceable is the name of the game. These are not brushables, but are plastic through and through. This means that the designs are very close to the shows, which is a big plus in the fan book. The figures aren't articulated in any way. The addition of the removable crown is... a bit odd, admittedly. All I can think of is, sometimes, that crown can get a bit heavy. Like when you have to send your sister to the moon.
Applejack and Pinkie Pie are the crowns of this set. Sure, Applejack doesn't have her trademark hat, but otherwise, she's 100% apple-powered awesome. The mane bands are there, though the paint cuts off close to the body. Some mold lines are visible, but nothing annoying. Pinkie is practically perfect. Rather surprisingly so, considering the complexity of her fluffy mane.
Twilight is
close to perfection, but...something seems off. It seems like she's a bit off in the neck area, less proud and more... child-like. There's a bit of this to the Applejack, now that I look, but it's not nearly as noticeable. Spike, Twilight's Number One Assistant, is on all fours. As far as I remember, we have never seen Spike on all fours, ever. This does make him look like Twilight's pet, rather than her valued cleaning service. Perhaps... oh, dear no. We're not going there.
Then, there's Princess Celestia. I remember this being very, very frustrating. 'Tia's design in show is so unique, and they captured a lot of that figure quite well. Less lanky? Yes. More compact at the head? Sure, but it's impressive, knowing what ponies HAVE looked like, to see such a different design. Her shoes are not painted, though they are there, but that's not that bad a thing. Except... she's pink. PINK? Even the back art has her as white, though, as she does, she has a very light pink outline. But pink?
The Elephant in the Castle
Yes, My Little Pony is a franchise focused at young girls, and there's really little escaping that. As much as the show may play with that, redefining just what that means, the products... not so much. Or, at least, at this point in the product line. This was early on, and we'll see proof of that in a moment. However, there's that unspoken thought: princesses go with pink, or occasionally light blue or yellow. White's more for marriage.
Now, in real life we try to buck those stereotypes with the force of a thousand angry stallions (Princess Kate, if you are reading this, you are awesome and keep being that way). Yet, when it comes to toys, the producers are sadly behind in such thoughts, mainly because... well, they're in it to do business. This is no excuse, but it is an explanation. Hope does spring, as some of our later reviews will show, but sometimes one step ahead gets one step back... but I digress.
That Glorious Storybook
Since I haven't opened my gift set, the storybook sits there, mocking me. There's Twilight, and prancing Pinkie again (wonder if she knows Strider?), and Canterlot of course and... but wait a second. Flying through is a version of Rainbow Dash that is immensely appealing to the eye. I can only describe this as... Deco Dash. She should be gracing the front end of a 1925 Rolls-Royce. It's as if Lalique did a pony.
Alas, what's inside... does not live up. Story-wise (as I can tell from scans available around), it's simply a condensed version of the first two episodes, with only two of the big challenges being mentioned and no Pinkie songs. A travesty. There are two interesting points. Firstly, when the background story is told, the Princess Formerly Known as Nightmare Moon, AKA Luna the Metal is in fact referred to as Selena. Apparently, this was an early name for her, but there was a trademark issue. You have to admit, Luna as a Sailor Senshi would be interesting...
The other point actually makes the ending of the storybook more than a bit heartbreaking. You see, Nightmare Moon has no resolution. Twi figures out the Elements of Harmony, Celestia reappears, and the day is sav... err, Equestria is Saved! Alas, Nightmare Moon remains lost in the storytelling abyss, waiting, watching for her opportunity.
The artwork inside leaves lots to be desired. There is something horribly wrong with Twilight's face in most scenes, and by the end, it appears her neck has snapped and all she can do is smilingly look upward... toward release. Sweet release. Pinkie's prancing pony look gets used everywhere, even when it just doesn't look appropriate. The ponies who complain about Twilight being too busy studying? Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Yeah, I'd get out of Canterlot, too. The Mayor has lines, but it's Cheerilee and Sweetie Belle who appear on the balcony for the big reveal. In all, the storybook is best to skip... but Deco Dash, you call to me!
Review Wrap-up, Review Wrap-up!
Yeah, that'll be in your head all week now.
To close it up, the set's pretty straightforward. It's a gift set, and it definitely is a gift. As toys go, they're... pretty static, though imagination and the right age range can do wonders even with that. From the collector's standpoint, though? This is one of the sets to get. It's not perfect by any means, but it's good, and it's solid. The Pink Celestia is, well, it is, but even that can be handled. The storybook is better left where it is, as opening it will do your eyes little good, really. Also, yes, Celestia's crown is too small for your head. Not the usurper's playset.
Children's Score: 2 Horseshoes
Collector's Score: 4 Horseshoes
See y'all next week, when we delve into the horror that is... voice chipped Celestia. BEWARE! Beware, pony folk! The stereotype is not a joke!
