I don't like the anime look all that much more. I chalk it up to DHX making a finished product under a time-limit, so they used their familiar style.
Not thaaaaat animu, not like that. The massive eyes make MLP sorta animu, though. Nightmare Moon's eyes, I'll never get over them...
But it isn't just the eyes, the whole series is quite anime'd, but that's probably one of many reasons why it's so popular.
Someone drawn ponies like human in similar style but it was much better than original. Maybe because wings on the back, pony ears and fur colored skin is not good for human, neh? Hasbro has watched too much Gurren Laggan - DO IMPOSSIBLE. CONNECT UNCONNECTABLE. UPD. Someone said 'anime'?
It underwent a transformation. My sister literally laughed out loud when I showed her part of the laser battle from the season premiere. Then there was the tatzlwurm battle, and the wacky haircuts all around, especially with newer ponies. It's funny how plain the main six looked next to Coco, you know? The colored skin was probably to entirely avoid any sort of political correctness. Making them all white would cause problems; making some of them not-white would also cause problems. At least the technicolor crown is getting some love with this...
I'm wondering why Lauren's initial designs were way more simple. I mean, wouldn't the conception of the main six predate their bonecrushing production schedule? Or perhaps she just left them spartan so they'd appeal to the most people?
Political correctness was not a problem for any other mahou shoujo anime. They are colorful because Hasbro wanted to make colorful dolls. Colorful doll is just much easier to produce then "realistic" one. Maybe it is more interesting for 6 years girls - they are target group for Hasbro. So it's not surprise that Hasbro made this crap dolls like that. Kids buy it - greedy Hasbro make money. Twilicorn made 'cause of these reason too. Girls likes princesses. UPD. I found funny video. Henshin pony-style.