My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic season 2

The second season of the animated television series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, developed by Lauren Faust, originally aired on The Hub, an American pay television channel partly owned by Hasbro. The series is based on Hasbro's My Little Pony line of toys and animated works and is often referred by collectors to be the fourth generation, or "G4", of the My Little Pony franchise. Season 2 of the series premiered on September 17, 2011 and concluded on April 21, 2012.

The show follows a studious unicorn pony named Twilight Sparkle as her mentor Princess Celestia guides her to learn about friendship in the town of Ponyville. Twilight becomes close friends with five other ponies: Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie. Each represents a different face of friendship, and Twilight discovers herself to be a key part of the magical artifacts, the "Elements of Harmony". The ponies share adventures and help out other residents of Ponyville, while working out the troublesome moments in their own friendships.

Concept
Hasbro selected animator Lauren Faust as the creative director and executive producer for the show. Faust sought to challenge the established "girly" nature of the existing My Little Pony line, creating more in-depth characters and adventurous settings, incorporating Hasbro's suggestions for marketing of the toy line. From season 2 onward, E/I ("educational and informational") content was dropped in favor of only TV-Y, designed for ages 2 and up.

Production
Lauren Faust left the show after the conclusion of the first season. She was credited in the second season as Consulting Producer. Her involvement in the second season consisted mainly of story conception and scripts, and the involvement ceased after the second season. Despite leaving, she still has high hopes for the staff members, stating that "the gaps I have left are being filled by the same amazing artists, writers, and directors who brought you Season 1. I'm certain the show will be as entertaining as ever".

Main

 * Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle (speaking voice)
 * Rebecca Shoichet as Twilight Sparkle (singing voice)
 * Tabitha St. Germain as Rarity (speaking voice)
 * Kazumi Evans as Rarity (singing voice)
 * Ashleigh Ball as Applejack and Rainbow Dash
 * Andrea Libman as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie (speaking voice)
 * Shannon Chan-Kent as Pinkie Pie (singing voice); Libman occasionally
 * Cathy Weseluck as Spike

Recurring

 * Nicole Oliver as Princess Celestia and Cheerilee
 * Tabitha St. Germain as Princess Luna and Granny Smith
 * Peter New as Big McIntosh
 * Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom
 * Madeleine Peters as Scootaloo
 * Claire Corlett as Sweetie Belle (speaking voice)
 * Michelle Creber as Sweetie Belle (singing voice)

Minor

 * Kelly Metzger as Spitfire
 * Chantal Strand as Diamond Tiara
 * Shannon Chan-Kent as Silver Spoon
 * Brenda Crichlow as Zecora
 * Lee Tockar as Snips
 * Richard Ian Cox as Snails
 * Cathy Weseluck as Mayor Mare
 * Brian Drummond as Mr. Cake
 * Tabitha St. Germain as Mrs. Cake and Pound Cake
 * Andrea Libman as Pumpkin Cake

Guest stars

 * John de Lancie as Discord
 * William Lawrenson as Pipsqueak
 * Tabitha St. Germain as Derpy Hooves
 * Trevor Devall as Fancypants and Iron Will
 * Sylvia Zaradic as Cherry Jubilee
 * Samuel Vincent as Flim
 * Scott McNeil as Flam
 * Peter New as Doctor Horse
 * Chiara Zanni as Daring Do/A.K. Yearling
 * Brian Drummond as Ahuizotl
 * Richard Newman as Cranky Doodle Donkey
 * Brenda Crichlow as Matilda
 * Vincent Tong as Garble and Donut Joe
 * Michael Donovan as Stallion Tourist
 * Mark Oliver as Gustave le Grand
 * Jan Rabson as Mulia Mild
 * Andrew Francis as Shining Armor
 * Britt McKillip as Princess Cadance
 * Kathleen Barr as Queen Chrysalis

Reception
Reception for the second season of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic has generally been positive. Episodes "The Return of Harmony" and "A Canterlot Wedding" received widely positive reviews. We Got This Covered said the series was "plain awesome", calling it "[The] Lord of the Rings with ponies" and SF Weekly stated the series "never stops kicking at its envelope to see what it can get away with, nor does it ever underestimate the intelligence of its audience."