My Little Pony Season 5 - What Are the Merch Expectations?

It has just been announced that My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Season 5 will debut on April 4, and this will be the first new episode on Discovery Family. So far we know that two of the episodes will be called 'Cutie Markless', which will the two-part start of the new season.

Everything indicates that season 5 will be centered around Cutie Marks, especially after watching the previews plus the fact that two episodes are called Cutie Markless. And then there's the merch-related hints: the Cutie Mark Magic line! If we compare it to season 4 we can safely say that it's the Rainbow Power of season 5: New markings on the ponies that have no clear explanation before the season started. Last season we had to wait for the final two episodes to learn more about Rainbow Power, will this also be the case with Cutie Mark Magic?

Even though the Cutie Mark Magic brushables are already out, I don't expect to see Cutie Mark Magic in the show right away. Last year the Rainbow Power merch had a comparable release schedule with many people in doubt about what it all meant.

But something that we probably WILL see in the first two episodes (regarding to the season 5 trailer) is the new antagonist (image above): Starlight Glimmer! We've already seen her brushable variant on the NY Toy Fair, but that Cutie Mark doesn't match with the equal-sign she has in the show, so expect to see something about her changing Cutie Mark in Season 5!

And what about the Ponyville Friendship is Magic Collection? The apple family will get quite some attention with all the special sets plus a complete blind bag wave centered around them. Perhaps the Apple Family will play a big role in the 5th season as well?

I hope that most of these questions will be answered when the season starts, on April 4, or when more episode names are revealed later this month. If anything Cutie Mark Magic-related is going to happen, you'll hear it from us! Below we've also listed the official press release will all related information on the season 5 premiere.

Official Season 5 Press Release

Silver Spring, Md. and Los Angeles, CA, March 5, 2015 – Pony fans, rejoice! An all-new season of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the beloved series created by Hasbro Studios, debuts on Discovery Family April 4, with two back-to-back premiere episodes beginning at 11am ET / 10am CT. Packed with new adventures, characters and self-discovery, Season 5 kicks off with a very special one-hour premiere, as our favorite ponies continue to explore the true magic of friendship only possible in Equestria.

“Season 5 will really delve more into how the magic of cutie marks and friendship can impact those around you,” teases Hasbro Studios Executive Director, Brian Lenard. “You’re going to see a lot of new and exciting characters this season, and first and foremost is Starlight Glimmer.”

In the Season 5 premiere of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, the Mane 6: Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack meet Starlight Glimmer when they are summoned to solve a friendship problem only to find a utopian village in which everyone has given up their Cutie Marks. At first look, the ponies in this village appear happy, but it soon becomes clear that Starlight Glimmer has a vastly different and rather sinister view on friendship and the individual talents that make Equestria’s ponies so special. The season is full of Cutie Mark Magic!

This cliff-hanger episode heralds a season filled with surprises and special treats for viewers, including the appearance of celebrity guest voice Tony Award-winner Lena Hall, the series’ exciting 100th episode, fun holiday specials and several new, original songs soon to be fan-favorites. In this season, viewers will be introduced to new characters and see background characters brought to the forefront for the first time, all as part of a journey that embraces such themes as individuality, coming of age, facing fears and achieving your dreams.