I'm just as puzzled as you are

I suppose I'll give my reasons for enjoying the show then.

I wasn't a fan of it until just recently, but my brother had mentioned that he really liked it so I had seen an episode before and knew of it. What actually hooked me into the whole thing were the PMV's on youtube. I'm a long time anime fan and subscribe to a number of AMV creators on youtube because I just love watching them, and every now and then a PMV would get thrown into the mix of recommendations from youtube. Seeing all the things that happen in the series and the animation got me interested and I finally gave it a real shot and ended up watching through both seasons pretty much non-stop.

I guess the reason I like the MLP is the same reason I like certain animes like Lucky Star. Because it's funny and cute and the animation is great. I don't really care for the life lessons they put in there, (though Fluttershy's issues do speak to me on a certain level) but the show isn't worse off for it just like South Park used to do at the end of every episode. What makes MLP different is that if you like the show there's just so much fan-made stuff out there for you to check out and some of it is extremely well made such as the Dr. Hooves and Assistant series or Friendship is Witchcraft. I think that's why it quickly changes from being something you just kinda watch to something that is more just a part of your life, because there's always new stuff being made by the community. Sure that'll die down at some point, but for now it's a great time.

What's so confusing about liking pretty animation and interesting characters?

You are free to think as you would like, but some of us who do like the show have posted in this very thread why we watch and enjoy the show. Really, it's not complicated at all. There are a variety of reasons why people like the show. Most can be simplified into enjoying the show, the content produced by the fandom, or both.

I personally find the show entertaining and fun. It's happy and positive, and I like that. I also like to see what the fandom produces. And I really can't say enough about this game...

For more specific answers, you can read through this thread if you'd like, or check out the FiM thread on this site, here. The show isn't for everyone, and I get that. But understanding why people do like the show isn't nearly as complicated as many people seem to think it is.

Never heard of Thundarr the Babarian before, I'm familiar with Thundercats.  I grew up as a kid in Germany in the late 70's and early 80's.  They didn't show armerican cartoons much execpt for classic Disney, Looney Tunes and Hanna Babara (Tom and Jerry) shorts.  They mostly showed anime shows that where mainly made for the European market like Vicky the Viking, Maya the Bee, Pinocchio, Captain Future, Heidi, 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, and The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.

I haven't seen you post in the pony thread yet.

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I'm investing far too much time in this for that to be true (in my case). I'd have to have been consistently delusional for one and a half years,and be spending an hour or more per day engaging in something I hate (combining watching the show, listening to pony fan-music and catching up on pony news).

I suppose the animation is good that's for sure!

It's hard to explain why I like the show. I like the characters, animation, humor, songs, and the universe, One of the first shows I've actually interested in what happens to the characters. :)

Well I don't post much these days in general, but I do keep up with the thread.  I'll be sure to speak up if something comes to mind while reading.  

I hope I didn't come across as someone who thinks the show is bad....I've seen a couple shows and it's an okay show, it just dosen't resonate with me. I flipped through a couple and respect one opinion on the show as I will admit that I also watch "children themed" show myself(Aventure Time/Regular Show/Pokemon/Legend of Korra)

I think my first mostly comes from the shock of this becoming such and internet sensation that on most of the sites that I visit there's always a group of people with MLP avatars and signatures.