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The fourth season of the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, developed by Lauren Faust, is currently airing on the Hub Network in the United States. The series is considered to be the fourth generation (G4) of the My Little Pony franchise, following earlier lines and television show tie-ins in the 1980s and 1990s. Season 4 of the series premiered on November 23, 2013, on the Hub Network, an American pay television channel partly owned by Hasbro.

The show follows Princess Twilight Sparkle, a studious alicorn (portrayed in previous seasons as a unicorn) pony as her mentor Princess Celestia guides her to learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville. Twilight continues to learn with her close friends Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Each represents a different face of friendship, and Twilight discovers herself to be a key part of the magical artifacts, the "Elements of Harmony". The ponies share adventures and help out other residents of Ponyville, while working out the troublesome moments in their own friendships.

Hasbro selected animator Lauren Faust as the creative director and executive producer for the show. Faust sought to challenge the established "girly" nature of the existing My Little Pony line, creating more in-depth characters and adventurous settings, incorporating Hasbro's suggestions for marketing of the toy line.

Development

Concept

Season 4 continues from the events of the third season finale, "Magical Mystery Cure", where Twilight, shown to have come to hone her magic skills while learning the value of friendship, has been crowned as Equestria's newest princess, becoming an alicorn in the process. Some elements of the season focus on Twilight coming to terms with her new status; lead writer Meghan McCarthy stated that "What we didn't want to do was change who is as a character, because she's certainly someone that everyone's proud to know and love", while Tara Strong, the voice actress for Twilight, claimed that the episode is "a birth of a new era for Twilight, but not the end of what makes the show so wonderful". In addition, with the directive of the letters to Princess Celestia no longer in force, the six main characters also resolve to keep a collective journal of their formative experiences for posterity's sake. According to a Twitter post from McCarthy, the season also includes a story arc that features the ponies on the hunt to find keys to open a mysterious six locked chest.

Production

Investment documents for DHX Media's 2012 financial year indicate that production for a fourth season had been financed. Before the season premiered, aspects of it were discussed by Meghan McCarthy, Tara Strong and other writers and voice actors at various fan conventions. Hasbro's vice president for international distribution, Finn Arnesen, had stated that My Little Pony is a "top-priority" brand for the company and expects the series to continue beyond the fourth season. The fourth season of the series premiered on November 23, 2013. This season marks the first time storyboard artist Jim Miller will be co-directing alongside Jayson Thiessen. This season also marks the first time to be executive produced by Meghan McCarthy and Jayson Thiessen.

At the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con International in July 2013, the writers and voice actors talked about the upcoming season. It is expected to have between 15 and 20 songs, even though the writers had envisioned more, and will include a musical episode centered around Pinkie Pie. Rarity will have her own episode, and Pinkie will have a visit from one of her sisters. The season will also include a return of Nightmare Moon, the evil version of Princess Luna. The writers have stated that they will include references and darker tones aimed for its adult audience, and will also include more appearances by the fan-named character Derpy Hooves.

Cast

Main

• Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle
  • Rebecca Shoichet as Twilight Sparkle (singing voice)
• Tabitha St. Germain as Rarity
  • Kazumi Evans as Rarity (singing voice)
• Ashleigh Ball as Applejack and Rainbow Dash
• Andrea Libman as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie
  • Shannon Chan-Kent as Pinkie Pie (singing voice); Libman occasionally
• Cathy Weseluck as Spike

Supporting

• Nicole Oliver as Princess Celestia
• Tabitha St. Germain as Princess Luna
  • Kazumi Evans as Princess Luna (singing voice)
• The Cutie Mark Crusaders
  • Claire Corlett as Sweetie Belle
  • Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom
  • Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo

Minor

• Peter New as Big McIntosh
• Tabitha St. Germain as Granny Smith and Mrs. Cake
• Brian Drummond as Mr. Cake
• Brenda Crichlow as Zecora
• Nicole Oliver as Cheerilee
• Chantal Strand as Diamond Tiara
• Shannon Chan-Kent as Silver Spoon
• Lee Tockar as Snips
• Richard Ian Cox as Snails
• John de Lancie as Discord
• Britt McKillip as Princess Cadance
• Andrew Francis as Shining Armor
• Veena Sood as Ms. Harshwhinny

Guest stars

• Chiara Zanni as Daring Do/A.K. Yearling
• Brian Drummond as Ahuizotl and Seabreeze
• Michael Dobson as Dr. Caballeron and Bulk Biceps
• Ellen Kennedy as the Mane-iac and the Chimera
• Ashleigh Ball as Prim Hemline and Crystal Chalice Stand Pony
• Tabitha St. Germain as Suri Polomare
• Cathy Weseluck as Coco Pommel and Torch Song
  • Jerrica Santos as Torch Song (singing voice)
• Peter New as Goldie Delicious
• Trevor Devall as Thunderlane
• Kelly Metzger as Spitfire and Blossomforth
• Matt Hill as Soarin'
• Andrea Libman as Fleetfoot
• "Weird Al" Yankovic as Cheese Sandwich
• Doron Bell as Trenderhoof
• Alvin Sanders as Flutterguy
  • Marcus Mosley as Flutterguy (singing voice)
• Danny Balkwill as Toe-Tapper
• Graham Verchere as Pipsqueak
• Ingrid Nilson as Maud Pie
• Rena Anakwe as Sapphire Shores
• The Flim Flam Brothers
  • Samuel Vincent as Flim
  • Scott McNeil as Flam
• Ian James Corlett as Silver Shill
• Saffron Henderson as Daring Do Collector
• Michael Daingerfield as Ancient Beast Dealer and Antique Chicken Stand Pony
• Sylvain LeVasseur Portelance as Stellar Eclipse
• Jay Brazeau as Claude the Puppeteer
• Mark Acheson as Tirek

Episodes

Songs

Song notes

1. ^ Pinkie's singing voice by Andrea Libman.
2. Song not orchestrated by Steffan Andrews.
3. Music by William Anderson.
4. Background singers voiced by Jayson Thiessen and Jim Miller.

Notes

1. Not seen, but is credited in the closing credits of "Rainbow Falls"; Metzger voiced a similar-looking character.
2. ^ Information about the directors and writers are taken from the episodes' opening credits.
3. The episode miscredited Meghan McCarthy as the writer in initial airings, but was later corrected in reruns.
4. Within the episode, the title is spelled as "Pinky Apple Pie".

References

1. Miller, Jim (2013-11-24), [Number of episodes confirmation], Twitter, retrieved 2013-11-24. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
2. Busis, Hillary (2013-01-29). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic exclusive: Twilight's becoming a princess!". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
3. Busis, Hillary (2013-02-15). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: Exclusive clip from season 3's royal finale". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
4. McCarthy, Meghan (2013-11-23), [Season-long story arc confirmation], Twitter, retrieved 2013-11-24. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
5. "Management Discussion and Analysis" (PDF). Fiscal 2012 (Press release). DHX Media. 2012-06-30. p. 11. Retrieved 2013-11-25.
6. Watercutter, Angela (2013-02-15). "Exclusive: Watch a Clip from the Controversial My Little Pony Season 3 Finale". Wired.
7. Busis, Hillary (2013-01-31). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic: A Brony explains why fans say 'neigh' to Princess Twilight". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
8. Christie, Brendan (February–March 2013). Lana, Castleman (ed.). "Hasbro hits its stride" (PDF). Kidscreen: 33–34.
9. Busis, Hillary (2013-07-25). "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic exclusive: Season 4 premieres on..." Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
10. Miller, Jim (2013-04-12), [Co-director credit confirmation], Twitter, retrieved 2013-04-12. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
11. Nyugen, Hanh (2013-07-20). "My Little Pony: Pinkie Pie Lands a Musical Episode and More Season 4 Scoop". TV Guide. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
12. ^ Pucci, Douglas (2013-11-29). "Hub Network Weekly Ratings Scorecard (November 18–24, 2013)". Son of the Bronx. Blogger. Retrieved 2013-11-29.
13. Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-06). "Hub Network Weekly Ratings Scorecard (November 25 – December 1, 2013)". Son of the Bronx. Blogger. Retrieved 2013-12-06.
14. Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-13). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 2, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
15. Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-20). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 9, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-20.
16. Pucci, Douglas (2013-12-26). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 16–22, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
17. McCarthy, Meghan (2013-12-28), [Writing confirmation following error in episode credits], Twitter. {{citation}}: templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)
18. Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-02). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 23–29, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
19. Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-09). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Dec. 30, 2013". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-09.
20. Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-16). "The Hub Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 6, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-16.
21. Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-24). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 13, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
22. Pucci, Douglas (2014-01-31). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 20, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
23. Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-07). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Jan. 27, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
24. Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-13). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 3, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-13.
25. Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-20). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 10, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-22.
26. Pucci, Douglas (2014-02-28). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 17, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-02-28.
27. Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-06). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Feb. 24, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-06.
28. Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-13). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 3, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-13.
29. Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-21). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 10, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-21.
30. Pucci, Douglas (2014-03-28). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 17, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-03-28.
31. Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-04). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 24, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
32. Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-10). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Mar. 31, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-10.
33. Pucci, Douglas (2014-04-25). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 14, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
34. Pucci, Douglas (2014-05-03). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 21, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-05-03.
35. Pucci, Douglas (2014-05-09). "Hub Network Ratings Scorecard—Week of Apr. 28, 2014". TV Media Insights. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
36. Miller, Jim (2014-4-5), [Background rap singers confirmation], Twitter, retrieved 2014-4-8. {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); templatestyles stripmarker in |title= at position 1 (help)

• 2013 television seasons
• 2014 television seasons
• Lists of American animated television series episodes
• My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic episodes