@Background Pony #2AF1  

 
Since mid-2014 (when DHX splitted into 3 independent teams: tv, EQG, Feature_Movie); it was a badly kept secret that HASBRO invested on the overseas production of plastic molds for the same type of dolls (ponies, “humanes” and the new EQG minis), with corporation_level contracts that would officially end on the 3rd quarter of 2019 [but could be renewed with ease to 2023 without changing a coma).
 
The 2017 1st quarter financial report of HASBRO implies they already requested the season 9 of Friendship is Magic [season 8 is already being worked on episodes scripts, officially 26 of them].  
While S9 could be a shorter 13 episode run [unlikely]; even if they stopped making new toys by the end of 2019 they would still use the popularity of the show to promote the sell of the last “waves” of G4 ponies (selling them through 2020/2021).  
There will be an episode 200.

@Nightweaver20xx  
Sorry night they said they’re gonna go to at least 2019.

@Vree  
I’d call Season 6 Starlight, “Glimmer A. Cute”.

@Nightweaver20xx  
@Background Pony #4584  
Personally I call s5 SG “Glim Glam” and s6 SG “Glimmy”.  
Like a pokepone evolution.

@Meanlucario  
I sure hope you’re right. I guess we’ll find out in a few years, when someone reads over these comments and either nods approvingly at them, or laughs mockingly at them.

I love how people are acting like the ride ends when the show stops, or the show will never end. Why do we need the show to keep the fandom running? Did the Lord of the Rings die when the books were finished, Blair Witch after the movie was showed, or The Last Airbender final aired? I think we’ll be good for a long time.

@J4m35  

 
I think people misunderstand the generational gaps in the franchise. They’re not sequels that came out one after another. One show didn’t end and a new generation began. There were some huge gaps between most of them.
 
It would make zero sense to end G4, then immediately tool up a G5. It would cost far less, and be far smarter with brand recognition to keep G4 running.
 
If Hasbro ends the show, they’re not going to immediately start up a new one. In each case the franchise had been dormant for some length of time, and the merchandise off the shelves.

@Vinyl Fluff
 
@Nightweaver20xx
 
 
@J4m35  

@Vinyl Fluff  
Trust me on this one.

@Nightweaver20xx  

 
Not necessarily.
 
The fandom thought the series was ending at the end of the third season (half the episodes as normal sent people into a panic.)
 
Then some thought season 4 would be the end, with Twilight being Alicorned.
 
Then season 5.
 
Despite having unofficial confirmation for months of season 7 in the works, lots assumed 6 was the end.
 
As long as the series is profitable, Hasbro will continue to pay for it. We’ve got the movie coming up in a year, and that’s going to give the series a large boost.

The ride ends at the Season 7 2-part finale.

The ride may never end, but it does make you wait on board for five months before it starts moving again.

Ride really does never end.

Starlight better hope there aren’t any tunnels on that ride.

@EmployeeAMillion  

 
I don’t see why they have to be a physical thing at all. They’re clearly magical, and don’t need a physical element to explain them. All of the pony races have magic in some form. While unicorns can use magic directly, pegasi flight and cloudwalking, along with Earth pony’s ambiguous crop growing enhancement have both been officially described as magic.

@Vinyl Fluff  
Given that, because they said so, ponies are born with their cutie marks and have them be revealed at some point later in their childhood, I’m pretty sure it would be some sort of genetic anomoly either way.

@Vinyl Fluff  
Yeah, they are. I’m just in a weird mood tonight.

@Nightweaver20xx  

 
I would’ve thought they’d go down to the skin, like zebra stripes, but they’re only fur-deep. When Snips and Snails need to get shaved to get them out of the bubble gum, they lose them.

I love how this shows that Rarity’s CM is engraved on her bones. That would be an interesting way to explain them: Abnormal bone growths.

@sumbozo  
More refs.
 
On that note: https://youtube.com/watch?v=tz04p5neGr0

@Background Pony #4584  
Glimmy = Glim Glam = Starlight Glimmer.

@Background Pony #57AB  
Who’s glimmy?

I’m still spreading love and tolerance.
 
Through steel and fire

>All these newfags.  
I’m starting to feel old.

Glimmy looks cute in this pic.