The idea that teenage boys gather together after school to watch episodes of My Little Pony in a so-called “Brony Club” strikes many students as odd.

The Brony club is a club for people who are fans of the kids TV show My Little Pony. The majority of these fans are not little girls; instead they are men which ages range from teens to adults. They call themselves “Bronies”.

“Most non and anti Bronies have never seen the show or given it a chance. So they don’t understand,” junior Tyler Stephens said.

For some people, they think it’s strange that boys would watch a show that is designed to appeal to pre-school girls. And that’s where the misconceptions start.

“People think we just watch pony videos and be weird, but were not,” freshman Monica Alberto said. “There’s more to it than watching pony videos.”

But in reality the club has nothing to do with ponies or the girl-friendly characters. The problem originates in the fact that the show has changed substantially from the show that most high school students are familiar with from their youth.

“Club members make pony themed t-shirts, make their own versions of the show and hang out while playing games like Halo and Minecraft,” Joe Broome, club sponsor and digital media teacher, said.

The new version of the show, called My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, has a different focus and look, having been revamped by a new creative team. The show is now less about marketing toys to young girls and more about exploring in-depth character and story development.

This new focus has attracted fans that reach beyond the youth girl demographic that once dominated the My Little Pony cartoon franchise.

Fans of the show say that the most important aspect is the lesson it teaches about friendship, which may at first seem basic. However, it is a universal message that is relevant to young kids, teens and even adults.

“Well, being a brony to me is just fun,” Taylor Stephens said. “I mean if you like the show then you like the show. It’s just kind of like that.”

While many students may think that the idea of teenage boys watching My Little Pony is strange, the dedicated “bronies” say that people shouldn’t criticize the club without watching the show themselves. Viewers can learn important life lessons if they do, they say.

“Say if you’re a loner and don’t really have friends, then this show and club is perfect for you and anyone,” freshman Dwight Hawley said. “It teaches good morals like being being fair and the real meaning of friendship.”