Aponysona (/ˌpoʊniˈsoʊnə/ ⓘPOH-nee-SOH-nə; aportmanteau ofpony andpersona) is a personalizedpony character created bybronies—fans of the animated television seriesMy Little Pony: Friendship is Magic—as analter ego. Similar tofursonas in thefurry fandom, ponysonas typically incorporate elements of the creator's personality, physical characteristics, or interests translated intoMy Little Pony form. The practice became popular following theshow's premiere in 2010 and the subsequent growth of thebrony fandom. Ponysonas are commonly used asprofile pictures, infan art,fan fiction, androle-playing communities across various social media platforms and forums dedicated to the franchise.[1][2]: 92–93 [3]
Ponysonas are typically designed following the visual style of the show, often incorporating distinctive coat colors, mane styles,cutie marks, and occasionally wings or horns to representunicorn orpegasus types. These personalized pony characters frequently reflect aspects of their creator's personality, appearance, or interests, with cutie marks specifically designed to symbolize the creator's talents, passions, or defining traits.
According to researchers studying thebrony fandom in 2016, 39% ofbronies have a ponysona.[2]: 92 [4] (In contrast, according to a 2020 survey inThe New Science of Narcissism, 95% offurries have afursona.[5]: 180 ) Forty-six percent of bronies reported having anoriginal character, and their ponysona was among the first original characters they created.[2]: 92 [4] Within the community, original character designs that simply recolor existing characters from the show are often criticized for lacking creativity, despite their prevalence.[4] Unlike fursonas, which often involve elaboratefursuits for physical embodiment atfurry conventions, ponysonas tend to be expressed primarily throughdigital art,roleplay, and online interaction, withcosplay being a less common but still present form of expression. Some bronies describe their ponysonas as idealized versions of themselves, serving as personal avatars within the community that represent how they wish to be perceived.[2]: 92–93
According to a 2018 study on the brony fandom, 49.3% of bronies reported that they either have, or would like to have, a drawing of themselves as aMy Little Pony pony character.[6]
