After the original announcement and availability at Amazon people spotted a second 12-figure box at Walmart, which we named Batch 1A quickly after. Instead of waiting for the second set to release at a later point we got a surprise update today: the second half of the set, Batch 1B, has just been released at Target!
Aside from the split of characters there are no other changes to the series. Even the codes on the packaging are exactly the same over all sets. More on that below.
This second half of the first batch (previously called waves) features Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Winona (black), Tank (blue), Angel, Gummy, Opalescence (black), a hippo and 4 unnamed unicorns.
Thanks to Victor & Samantha for the info and photos!

Earlier this week we found the first image of the brand new G4.5 blind bags set online, and just before the new year Walmart already released them in stores! (And Amazon now, too)
There's only one odd thing here: the set that was found on the shelves is a 12-pack, whereas the US normally gets a full 24-pack, just like the images we found earlier. Not only that, but the packaging only features English and French text, not Spanish as US releases usually have.
These 12-pack releases with two languages is commonly released in the UK, so it is possible that this set that hit the stores is a mix-up.
The figures included are the first set we posted in our previous post containing Tank, Winona, (brown) Angel, Opalescence, Lyra, Amethyst Star, unknown green pony, Gummy, Potion Nova, Cha Cha, a hippopotamus and Rarity.
While the Cutie Mark Crew confetti is gone, these new blind bags do come with another (potentially even messier) way of opening them: water! You can flip open the potion bottles, pour in some water, and after shaking them for a while the dust should dissolve and the pony will be revealed. Just make sure you close the potion bottle tight before shaking! (See photo and video of this below)
Update: First wave of Magical Potion Surprise is now on Amazon for just $2.99 each. Listing mentions 24 figures in contrast to the split box found in stores.

Thanks to SLPhotos for the photos & videos!

Over on the Chinese online marketplace Taobao, and associated sites, a new "blind bag" collection set has been spotted: the Rainbow Road Trip Collection. This set is, as the name already reveals, part of the Rainbow Road Trip series and features the complete mane 6, the 3 princesses and Gummy!

While the figures are presented in their usual body style, the variants these come in are, almost, all new. The mini figures have a colored translucent body with large glitter flakes and painted manes and tails. Princess Twilight Sparkle comes with a pretty unique rainbow-colored wing finish too.
In addition to the ponies, we also get the first translucent Gummy, which shares his body mold with that of an earlier FiM Collection release.

Seeing as the collection is published on the marketplace including the full packaging we can assume that it won't take long before we're seeing these in stores. Price-wise the listings all translate to about $35, which seems logical for these sets as they're usually offered around the $30 mark at release.

Two days ago it was revealed that there was a second Birthday Set exclusive to Toys'R'Us. And now it's already been listed on the Canadian Toys'R'Us Website!
We get a clearer look at what's included including the secret figure! Turns out one of my guesses was correct as it's Gummy! This set is listed online for $22.47 CAD which is about $17 USD
Have the listing and more below!

A quick update for one of the most incredible deals we've ever seen! The Amazon exclusive Glitter Pinkie Pie Seapony is part of a Cyber Monday deal and is now available for only $9.99! That's right: only today you get $40.00 off this incredible Pinkie Pie and Gummy combo, including the light-up base and collectible box. Be sure to order it soon, as this deal is only valid on Cyber Monday.

Exclusive 6" Glitter Pinkie Pie Seapony on Amazon

Welcome to the world of My Little Pony, a place filled with the magic of friendship! Meet Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack! These special friends always stick together. Explore Ponyville, the royal city of Canterlot, and all of Equestria, where kids can be introduced to more pony friends! Imaginative playsets help create the world of My Little Pony at home, while fun pony toys have great features including long, colorful hair for styling and accessories for dress up and play!

• See Pinkie Pie figure as a seapony
• Pinkie Pie seapony figure has glitter treatment
• Packaging lights up from the base
• Figure inspired by My Little Pony: The Movie

Are you looking for the ultimate seapony figure? Then look no further! The exclusive Glitter Pinkie Pie Seapony is finally available on Amazon and ships directly. The glitter-soaked Pinkie Pie stands 6 inches tall and comes with a light-up base to further accent the glitter on the pony. Her tail is made of fabric, she has a long brushable mane and comes with the 3D glass eyes seen on earlier seaponies too.
Also included is an equal glittery Gummy, which is about 2 inches.

Images have arrive of 5 upcoming Guardians of Harmony sets, themed after My Little Pony the Movie. From the sets we've at least seen the "Swashbuckler Pirate Airship" and Good vs. Evil sets at Abrin Toy Fair earlier this year. The two regular figures are brand new.
Starting with the airship, which comes with a unique Rainbow Dash figure, plenty of accessories and rotatable wings. There is also a storage spot on the top for your all the pirate loot. Sadly this set is marked as a Walmart exclusive, so getting your hands on this set might get difficult.

This month's MLP magazine in the UK is not bundled with any pony figures, but they made up for it big time by including 3 amazing erasers based on pets! The erasers of Gummy, Owlowiscious and Angel are spot-on with their show counterparts, even after a transformation to 3D, and include multiple colors.
Hopefully they will keep on releasing both the figures and the erasers, as for freebies with a magazine these releases are not bad at all!
Thanks to Victor for the images!

We keep posting about these don't we? But this time the final set of the first wave of the Equestria Girls Minis has been listed on Amazon. The Pinkie Pie Slumber Party Bedroom set has now gotten an updated listing together with a description and images. However just like the others on Amazon they aren't available for order yet. But judging by the fact that they are already in-stores in the UK can mean that they will be available within a few weeks. As always we will notify you when they are.

Listing: Pinkie Pie Equestria Girls Minis Slumber Party Bedroom Set