Difference between revisions of "G4 Blind Bag Ponies"

Latest revision as of 18:47, 1 December 2024

This article refers to the G4 releases. For similar figurines from G3 and G3.5 see Blind Bag Ponies.

Rainbow Dash figurine

G4 Blind Bag Ponies are pony toys that take the form of fully molded figurines that approximately half the size of a Playful Pony figure. Blind Bag Ponies tend to more closely resemble the characters from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic due to their molded hair. However, like the majority of G4 merchandise, the pony's cutie mark will be featured on only one side of the flank. Similar figurines, such as the Ponyvillesets have been released as part of G3 and G3.5

The term Blind Bag Pony refers to the packaging that the majority of figurines comes in (opaque "surprise" packaging that prevents the user from determining which pony is inside), but related figurines can also be found in Sets, Collections, or as part of games and other miscellaneous merchandise. The term "figurines" will be used to refer to these groups as a whole.

Figurine Sources

Blind Bag Ponies

The main source of figurines is Blind Bags, released in Waves. Blind Bag Ponies come with a matching collector card, featuring the name and artwork of the pony, and a brief description about the pony's personality and/or favorite activity. These cards can sometimes be found in other merchandise. In addition to the figurine and collector card, each package includes a small parts warning sheet and sometimes a colorful pamphlet.

As of October 2014, there have been:

• 11 Blind Bag waves, 15 Miniature Sets and 5 Collection Sets released so far
• 46 various molds designed
• 175 different ponies, one zebra, a gryphon, three Breezies, few second-plane characters and Smarty Pants doll represented
• 306 different, distinguishable at least in featuring character, mold, style or coloring figurines are made, 66 of which can be found only in sets or collections

Other Sources

Some figurines are released as a part of a Miniature Sets, including anywhere from three to six ponies. Most revolve around a specific theme. Those figurines are more likely to have unique, individual molds, rather than being recolors and thus, are more likely to be accurate to the show. Some of the molds used for these figurines have been used in later Blind Bag Waves for re-releases or as recolors for other ponies. Sets does not include collector cards.

Other figurines have been released as Miniature Collections. While Miniature Collections are similar to sets in that they involve groups of figurines, Collections usually are not arranged around a theme. Collections are packaged in groups of 4-12 ponies, some which are unique to the collection. Collections are often exclusive to certain retail chains, such as Wal-Mart or Toys R' Us and can be difficult to find. So far, only the Toys 'R Us "Pony Collection Set" has included collector cards.

Other sources of figurines includes:

• Game Pieces, e.g. Playhouse Puzzle, My Little Pony Chutes and Ladders Game or Regnbågsspelet Game
• Individual packs. The packaging allowed the buyer to see the pony they were getting. The Mane Six, with the exception of Fluttershy were released in this manner.
• 4-pack with four visible ponies. The sole release featured Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash
• 2011 Advert calendar which included Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle
• DVD releases which included Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle)
• Mini Pony Collector's Guide book which included Tealove as an exclusive release

Possible Prototypes & Chinese Fakes

Yes, they exists and numerous, so here be text :)

Blind Bag Specifics

Appearance

Each wave comes out with originally designed bags (please note that Euro and US bags versions are slightly, but not significantly differs; some examples can be found in Blind Bag Waves section), so it is not hard to identify which bag relates to which wave :

• 

  Wave I

• 

  Wave II

• 

  Wave III

• 

  Wave IV

• 

  Wave V

• 

  Wave VI

• 

  Wave VII

• 

  Wave VIII

• 

  Wave IX

• 

  Wave X

• 

  Wave XI

• 

  Wave XII

• 

  Wave XIII

Distribution

Distribution pattens have varied between countries. In the US, for example, Wave I was late while Wave II was skipped entirely. In their place were some packaged ponies on cards.The initial delay spurred collectors to source their ponies from Taobao.

Later Blind Bag waves, e.g. Wave VIII, may come splitted into two sub-waves of twelve ponies each in some countries (spotted in UK for example). These subwaves have a different numbering system, and subtly different bag designs. However, there is no difference in the ponies that can be found in the sub waves in total when compared to the original wave.

International Releases

US/Euro cards comparision

When compared to the US Market, Blind Bags released in Europe markets have some minor differences such as:

• Slight differences in packaging
• Multilingual collector cards with a reduced description
• Colorful pamphlets, if they are found in blind bag, differ in art arrangement and also tend to be either mono- or multilingual, though the pony's artwork remains identical

Identification

Though Blind Bag packaging is meant to obscure the identity of each pony, collectors have discovered that each bag has a unique imprinted code that can be deciphered to reveal the identity of the enclosed pony. Several coding patterns exist and are described below in more detail.

Two Digit Codes

Identifying 2-digit codes Blind Bags Chart^[1]

Early European blind bags (Wave I, Wave III at least) may have two numerals stamped on the outside of the bag on the top of the the back seam. These numbers directly corresponds to the pony's number on collector card and character numbering for each appropriate wave below.

But some of even early European waves may already have more common later Five Digit Codes though:

Five Digit Codes

Hard to read 5-digit code, 22445 for Glittery Rainbow Dash, US Wave I

Up until the Wave VIII (Neon Wave), all American and later European blind bags have a five digit code stamped on the top of the back seam. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th number are random numbers meant to obscure the identity of the pony. The combination of the second and fourth numbers serves as the pony's identification, and directly corresponds to the pony's number on collector card and character numbering for each appropriate wave below. Single digit card's numbers are written with a leading zero, e.g. 2 will be written as 02 = X0X2X, where "X" represents the random numbers.

For example, codes for US Wave I consist of :

Two Letter Codes

Letter code positions

From Wave VIII on, coding scheme was changed: there is no longer a back seam on the package, thus, codes consisting of two capital letters are imprinted along the bottom edge of the bags.

The first letter is always "A", and only the second letter actually tells you which pony is inside. Ponies card number simply corresponds to the position in English alphabet for this second letter, skipping the letters "J" and "Q" (they are never used). For example, in Wave VIII that makes #1 Applejack's code "AA", #2 Big McIntosh's code "AB" and so on through "AZ" for #24 Twilight Sparkle.

See character images for each appropriate wave below for individual pony codes.

Blind Bag Waves

Blind Bags are released in "waves", usually 2-4 within a calendar year, starting from 2011 for G4. Each wave consists of 24 unique (for this particular wave at least) pony figurines, sharing a common style (e.g. pastel colored ponies in wave 9, bright translucent in wave 8, etc.). Special Ponies are sometimes included, such as glittery versions of Pinkie, Twi and Dashie in wave 1; glow in the dark versions of Rarity, Twilight and Pinkie in wave 3, etc. In some countries (UK for sure) later waves were splitted in two sub-waves (consists of 12 ponies each), distinguishable by slightly different bags and boxes designs.

Although ponies are not repeated inside each wave (except for the specials, which sometimes represents an already being in this wave character), some of them can duplicate figurines from earlier waves, sets or other toys. Duplicate rate is around 30% all known figurines until October 2014 are counted, considering different molds, styles and paintings for one pony as different figurines). If only Blind Bag waves I through XI are counted, the duplication rates drops to 11%. The highest proportion of re-releases consist of the Mane Six.

Each wave offers its own design for collector cards, with an exception for the first two Waves and TRU Pony Collection Set, which share the same design. So, for example, common Twilight Sparkle figurines from wave 3 and wave 5 are identical, but have differing cards.

Early Blind Bag waves consisted solely of female ponies and were recolors of the Mane 6. At this point, Unicorns were based off of Twilight Sparkle or Rarity, while Earth Ponies were based off of Pinkie Pie or Applejack. All Pegasus Ponies were recolors of Rainbow Dash, including Fluttershy, one of the Mane 6. Later waves added more variety in molds, including male Earth, Unicorn, and Pegasus Ponies, and Alicorn Ponies. Also, while some early waves featured the Mane 6 and recycled G3 ponies, later waves tend to include more supporting and minor characters from the MLP:FiM.

Wave I

Euro Blind Bag

US Blind Bag

US card example

Monolingual mini pamphlet

Purple and pink variants of Glittery Twilight Sparkle

Lily Blossom variants

Release date: May 2011 at the latest^[2] in Europe; much later (but at least in January 2012 they already were^[3]) in USA

• The very first set of G4 Ponies
• Introduced 5 unique molds: Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight and Pegasus pony (used for both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy)
• Each bag includes a mini pamphlet with 21 out of 24 Pony's pics and names
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: translucent glittery versions of Pinkie Pie (#22), Twilight Sparkle (#23), Rainbow Dash (#24)
• Glittery Twilight Sparkle had pink body color instead of purple in early European releases. While many fans desired the show-accurate purple variant then, now pink version is quite rare and sought by some of the collectors

• G4 Blind Bag Ponies<ref
• 

  1. Pinkie Pie

• 

  2. Applejack

• 

  3. Rainbow Dash

• 

  4. Rarity

• 

  5. Twilight Sparkle

• 

  6. Fluttershy

• 

  7. Sugar Grape

• 

  8. Lily Blossom

• 

  9. Minty

• 

  10. Bumblesweet

• 

  11. Fizzypop

• 

  12. Flower Wishes

• 

  13. Roseluck

• 

  14. Sweetie Blue

• 

  15. Pepperdance

• 

  16. Lemon Hearts

• 

  17. Cherry Spices

• 

  18. Sweetie Swirl

• 

  19. Lucky Swirl

• 

  20. Sweetcream Scoops

• 

  21. Firecracker Burst

• 

  22. Glittery Pinkie Pie

• 

  23. Glittery Twilight Sparkle

• 

  24. Glittery Rainbow Dash

• 

  23.5. Glittery (Pink Variant) Twilight Sparkle

For identifying which pony is inside each blind bag, please see Two Digit Codes section.

Early Alternatives for Wave I in USA

At first in the US/North America only the mane characters were released. Fluttershy at first only appeared in the US with the puzzle house (which is still quite rare), which drove her value up extremely high initially.

They have been packaged:

• as individually packed singles
• as a four pack
• as singles in a cardboard house with a puzzle

See Individually packaged mini ponies

The individual on card ponies have been sold in the US, Canada, and the UK so far.

Wave I Coming Out in USA

US Box of Blind Bags

The first set of blind bags appeared by the box (finally) on hasbrotoyshop.com February 2012, ie officially available in the US.

It seems that some/all of the first full run of blind bags released in North America do not have their collector card number punched into the packaging. Secretly however they do^[4]. See the Five Digit Codes for details.

Wave II

Euro card example

Multilingual mini pamphlet

Release date: in August 2011 they already were^[5] in Europe; never in USA

• Re-releases the Mane 6, and now includes the glitter versions of the rest of the Mane 6 (ie Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy). The set is about 1/3 characters that have been released as G4 full sized toys, 1/3 mane cast and 1/3 entirely new characters, but there are no new molds.
• First ever release of Cheerilee
• Each bag includes mini pamphlet with 21 out of 24 Pony's pics and names
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: translucent glittery versions of Rarity (#22), Applejack (#23), Fluttershy (#24)
• 17 new figurines, including 10 completely unique ponies, 3 ponies shared with Friendship Celebration Collection (which is rare too) and Cheerilee in Applejack's mold are rather tricky to find nowdays probably because this wave was never released in vast USA market. Only Tealove can be quite easily obtained with Mini Pony Collector's Guide book today.

• 

  1. Pinkie Pie

• 

  2. Applejack

• 

  3. Rainbow Dash

• 

  4. Rarity

• 

  5. Twilight Sparkle

• 

  6. Fluttershy

• 

  7. Feathermay

• 

  8. Blossomforth

• 

  9. Lulu Luck

• 

  10. Star Swirl

• 

  11. Tealove

• 

  12. Ribbon Heart

• 

  13. Cheerilee

• 

  14. Daisy Dreams

• 

  15. Stardash

• 

  16. Honeybelle

• 

  17. Dewdrop Dazzle

• 

  18. Rainbow Flash

• 

  19. Pudding Pie

• 

  20. Snowcatcher

• 

  21. Twinkleshine

• 

  22. Glittering Rarity

• 

  23. Glittery Applejack

• 

  24. Glittering Fluttershy

Wave III

US card example

Euro box

Release date: July 2012 in USA^[6]

• The set is the first G4 merchandise to feature male ponies ^[7] or anything glow-in-the-dark
• First ever release of Big Mac and Lyra (listed as Heartstrings), eeyup!
• Introduced stallion mold (Goldengrape, Big McIntosh, Meadow Song and Noteworthy)
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: glow-in-the-dark versions of Pinkie Pie (#6), Twilight Sparkle (#12), Rarity (#18)

• 

  1. Twilight Sparkle

• 

  2. Rarity

• 

  3. Bitta Luck

• 

  4. Rainbowshine

• 

  5. Goldengrape

• 

  6. Pinkie Pie (glow-in-the-dark)

• 

  7. Rainbow Dash

• 

  8. Golden Harvest

• 

  9. Sprinkle Stripe

• 

  10. Sea Swirl

• 

  11. Big McIntosh

• 

  12. Twilight Sparkle (glow-in-the-dark)

• 

  13. Pinkie Pie

• 

  14. Apple Dazzle

• 

  15. Lovestruck

• 

  16. Berryshine

• 

  17. Meadow Song

• 

  18. Rarity (glow-in-the-dark)

• 

  19. Applejack

• 

  20. Fluttershy

• 

  21. Cherry Berry

• 

  22. Heartstrings

• 

  23. Noteworthy

• 

  24. Lucky Dreams

Wave IV

US card example

L to R: Wave 2, Pony Rainbow Collection, Wave 4

L to R: Pony Rainbow Collection, Wave 2, Wave 4

Release date: May 2012 in Europe^[8]; July 2012 in USA^[9]

• And now we learned that not only Mane 6 can glitter :). But no new molds, alas.
• First ever release of Great And Powerful Someone (Trixie, yep; listed as Lulamoon). Also there is another popular pony: Minuette, more known as "Colgate" among a fan community
• Style: translucent glittery ponies
• Specials: metallic, opaque painted Rarity (#12), Applejack (#18), Pinkie Pie (#24)

It seems that starting from this wave, identification codes on European bags changed entirely to US 5-digit coding scheme^[10].

Stock photos from Equestria Daily.

• 

  1. Applejack (glittery)

• 

  2. Fluttershy (glittery)

• 

  3. Lulamoon (glittery)

• 

  4. Crimson Gala (glittery)

• 

  5. Minuette (glittery)

• 

  6. Royal Riff (glittery)

• 

  7. Pinkie Pie (glittery)

• 

  8. Merry May (glittery)

• 

  9. Electric Sky (glittery)

• 

  10. Chance-A-Lot (glittery)

• 

  11. Berry Green (glittery)

• 

  12. Rarity - Special Edition (metallic silver)

• 

  13. Twilight Sparkle (glittery)

• 

  14. Rarity (glittery)

• 

  15. Sassaflash (glittery)

• 

  16. Peachy Sweet (glittery)

• 

  17. Twilight Sky (glittery)

• 

  18. Applejack - Special Edition (metallic gold)

• 

  19. Rainbow Dash (glittery)

• 

  20. Mosely Orange (glittery)

• 

  21. Amethyst Star

• 

  22. Twilight Velvet

• 

  23. Shoeshine

• 

  24. Pinkie Pie - Special Edition (metallic pink)

Wave V

US card example

Common yellow card example vs. Forsythia's pink card (both are European versions)

Left Wave 3 Heartstrings; Right Wave 5 Lyra Heartstrings

Release date: August 2012 in USA/Europe^[11]

• New Alicorn mold, allowing for Figurines of the Princesses. Also introducing many of G3 generation characters and a new, better colored versions of Trixie Lulamoon and Lyra Heartstrings (and they called so henceforth)
• This wave completely lacks of any Earth Ponies or Stallions, featuring only female Unicorns, Pegasus and Alicorns
• G3 generation ponies are: Breezie, Cinnamon Breeze, Diamond Rose, Flippity Flop, Gardenia Glow, Island Rainbow, Ribbon Wishes, Skywishes; ponies from G3 generation, which changed race from Earth Pony to Unicorn and some of them are very differently colored too: Golden Delicious, Forsythia, Sapphire Shores, Junebug. Also Junebug, Golden Delicious and Sapphire Shores, all appearing here as unicorn mares, really are an earth mare, earth stallion and earth mare in MLP:FiM respectively. Flitter Heart, Ploomette, Rainbow Wishes and Sunny Rays seems to be all-new ponies here (though Sunny Rays had a minor appearance in the show)
• Collector cards in this wave are yellow-colored. However, Forsythia (#21) has a pink card in European edition.
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: Princess Cadance (#2), Princess Luna (#7) and Princess Celestia (#19)

Stock photos from Equestria Daily.

• 

  1. Twilight Sparkle

• 

  2. Princess Cadance

• 

  3. Sunny Rays

• 

  4. Junebug

• 

  5. Breezie

• 

  6. Island Rainbow

• 

  7. Princess Luna

• 

  8. Sapphire Shores

• 

  9. Rainbow Dash

• 

  10. Flippity Flop

• 

  11. Gardenia Glow

• 

  12. Skywishes

• 

  13. Trixie Lulamoon

• 

  14. Diamond Rose

• 

  15. Cinnamon Breeze

• 

  16. Ploomette

• 

  17. Golden Delicious

• 

  18. Ribbon Wishes

• 

  19. Princess Celestia

• 

  20. Fluttershy

• 

  21. Forsythia

• 

  22. Flitterheart

• 

  23. Rainbow Wishes

• 

  24. Lyra Heartstrings

Wave VI

US Wave VI packaging

Euro Wave VI packaging

US card example

Wave 1 (left) and Wave 6 (right) Roseluck comparison

Release date: December 2012 in USA stores^[12]

• This wave consists of regular versions of the glitter toys from Wave IV, some of them with tridimensional cutie marks, Cherry Spices and Trixie Lulamoon with Twilight Sparkle's mold rather than the usual Rarity mold and Roseluck with new colors. The only new pony in this wave was #20 Magnet Bolt. No new molds.
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: Twilight Sparkle (#3), Trixie Lulamoon (#9), Twilight Velvet (#10) - all with 3D, gem-stylized cutie marks

Photos from Strawberry Reef.

• 

  1. Pinkie Pie

• 

  2. Fluttershy

• 

  3. Twilight Sparkle - Special Edition (3D Cutie Mark)

• 

  4. Rainbow Dash

• 

  5. Rarity

• 

  6. Applejack

• 

  7. Minuette

• 

  8. Roseluck (new colors)

• 

  9. Trixie Lulamoon - Special Edition (3D Cutie Mark; Twilight Sparkle mold)

• 

  10. Twilight Velvet - Special Edition (3D Cutie Mark)

• 

  11. Mosely Orange

• 

  12. Berry Green

• 

  13. Merry May

• 

  14. Cherry Spices (Twilight Sparkle mold)

• 

  15. Electric Sky

• 

  16. Crimson Gala

• 

  17. Amethyst Star

• 

  18. Twilight Sky

• 

  19. Sassaflash

• 

  20. Magnet Bolt

• 

  21. Royal Riff

• 

  22. Peachy Sweet

• 

  23. Chance-A-Lot

• 

  24. Shoeshine

Wave VII

US card example

Wave 7 bag identifying Soarin and Spitfire

Mistaken Soarin (actually Spitfire's) card

Mistaken Spitfire (actually Soarin's) card

Release date: January 2013 in USA stores^[13]

• This wave introduced the translucent, non-glittery pony miniatures. It featured three of the Wonderbolts with unique mold, two of which were pictured on the bag's art.
• Spitfire and Soarin had their names and descriptions mistakenly switched on corresponding collector cards, though they were named correctly on the package.
• Also here is a first ever release of Bon Bon, listed as Sweetie Drops and had her tail colors switched the blue and pink strands, but nevertheless - Lyra will be happy to have a friend!
• Featuring a first stallion with mustache - Barber Groomsby
• An interesting fact that Holly Dash, whose figurine is also featured in this wave, is actually the first OC that appears in the show. She was named after her creator, one of the series animator - Holly Giesbrecht
• Style: translucent ponies with painted manes and tails
• Specials: Wonderbolt team - Misty Fly (#12), Spitfire (#17), Soarin (#23)

White background photos from 123toyuk.

• 

  1. Pinkie Pie

• 

  2. Fluttershy

• 

  3. Twilight Sparkle

• 

  4. Rainbow Dash

• 

  5. Rarity

• 

  6. Applejack

• 

  7. Cherry Pie

• 

  8. Apple Fritter

• 

  9. Banana Fluff

• 

  10. Lilac Links

• 

  11. Cherry Fizzy

• 

  12. Misty Fly

• 

  13. Banana Bliss

• 

  14. Sweetie Drops

• 

  15. Holly Dash

• 

  16. Berry Dreams

• 

  17. Soarin according to card, actually Spitfire

• 

  18. Lucky Clover

• 

  19. Lily Blossom

• 

  20. Apple Stars

• 

  21. Barber Groomsby

• 

  22. Caramel Apple

• 

  23. Spitfire according to card, actually Soarin

• 

  24. Lily Valley

Wave VIII

US card example

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

L to R: Wave 7, Wave 8

Release date: June 2013 in USA stores^[14]

• Another translucent without glitter wave, like the previous one. Named "Neon Bright" on the box, but really there are not much style difference from Wave VII
• Seems to have a plenty of new molds and characters, but: Princess Cadance, Granny Smith, Lotus Blossom and Gilda the Griffon were presented earlier in miniature sets; Comet Tail is a new pony, but shares the same mold with Shining Armor (Pony Wedding Set)
• The only first ever released figurines here were Flim and Flam brothers, each shares a new unique mold
• Mane 6 are simply re-releases of those in previous wave, but tend to have more intense colors, with the except for Twilight Sparkle: although there ARE subtle color distinctions, but wheter figurines are placed side by side, you will notice that they really ARE very alike
• Other ponies are translucent versions of those being regulary painted in earlier waves
• Style: translucent ponies with painted manes and tails
• Specials: nope, for a change

The bags for this wave were changed so that there is no longer a center flap for the identification codes to be imprinted on. Instead, letters are imprinted along the bottom edge of the bags. Please see Two Letter Codes section for details.

• 

  1(AA). Applejack

• 

  2(AB). Big McIntosh

• 

  3(AC). Royal Riff

• 

  4(AD). Mosely Orange

• 

  5(AE). Gilda the Griffon

• 

  6(AF). Flam

• 

  7(AG). Flim Skim

• 

  8(AH). Fluttershy

• 

  9(AI). Skywishes

• 

  10(AK). Granny Smith

• 

  11(AL). Princess Cadance

• 

  12(AM). Golden Harvest

• 

  13(AN). Flower Wishes

• 

  14(AO). Pinkie Pie

• 

  15(AP). Sassaflash

• 

  16(AR). Comet Tail

• 

  17(AS). Rainbow Dash

• 

  18(AT). Sunny Rays

• 

  19(AU). Gardenia Glow

• 

  20(AV). Lemon Hearts

• 

  21(AW). Rarity

• 

  22(AX). Ribbon Wishes

• 

  23(AY). Lotus Blossom

• 

  24(AZ). Twilight Sparkle

Wave IX

US card example

Sea Swirl Comparison L: Wave 3, R: Wave 9

Noteworthy Comparison L: Wave 9, R: Wave 3

Berryshine Comparison L: Wave 3, R: Wave 9

Lily Valley Comparison L: Wave 9, R: Wave 7

Prism Glider with her card :)

Release date: November 2013 in USA stores^[15]

• Rainbow-themed wave, Yay!
• Big Mac appears here again, together with Fluttershy, now in her own unique mold (debuted in Elements of Harmony Friends Set), Sea Swirl with two-toned mane, Noteworthy with cutie mark on right flank (compare to Wave III), Nurse Snowherat sharing her mold with Nurse Redheart from Cake Family Babysitting Fun Set, and also Mr. Carrot Cake from the mentioned set; Amethyst Star now in Twilight mold, Shoeshine in Pinkie's mold, Peachy Sweet in AJ mold
• Berryshine suddenly becomes an Earth Pony with red eyes (compare to Wave III) and Lily Valley becomes a Pegasus (compare to Wave VII)
• Sprinkle Medley, Tropical Storm, Green Jewel, Lavender Fritter, Apple Honey, Honey Rays, Prism Glider and Grape Delight are all-new ponies in well-known molds.
• It seems that this wave hits the jackpot with the number of oddities. Already mentioned two ponies changed their race, but there is another funny thing: Prism Glider's card artwork clearly shows her as a colt, though her mold is female Pegasus pony. Also consider the description (US version): "glides across the sky with his friends!". So the gender changing is also possible, as we can see. Probably some powerful Alicorn magic, huh? :)
• Style: regular painted pastel ponies
• Specials: Rainbow Dash (#5), Rarity (#6), Princess Cadance (#12) - all painted in Rainbow accents theme. The coloring is different from those in Rainbow Pony Favorite and Daring Pony Story sets, though they came almost simultaneously and all accenting MLP:FiM Season 4 events

• 

  1(AA). Applejack (pic from different wave)

• 

  2(AB). Big McIntosh (pic from different wave)

• 

  3(AC). Fluttershy (pic from different wave)

• 

  4(AD). Pinkie Pie (pic from different wave)

• 

  5(AE). Rainbow Dash

• 

  6(AF). Rarity

• 

  7(AG). Amethyst Star

• 

  8(AH). Shoeshine

• 

  9(AI). Noteworthy

• 

  10(AK). Sea Swirl

• 

  11(AL). Berryshine

• 

  12(AM). Princess Cadance

• 

  13(AN). Peachy Sweet

• 

  14(AO). Lily Valley

• 

  15(AP). Nurse Snowheart

• 

  16(AR). Sprinkle Medley

• 

  17(AS). Tropical Storm

• 

  18(AT). Mr. Carrot Cake

• 

  19(AU). Green Jewel

• 

  20(AV). Lavender Fritter

• 

  21(AW). Apple Honey

• 

  22(AX). Honey Rays

• 

  23(AY). Prism Glider

• 

  24(AZ). Grape Delight

Wave X

US card example

Royal Riff L: Wave 4; R: Wave 10

Peachy Sweet L: Wave 4; R: Wave 10

Mosely Orange L: Wave 4; R: Wave 10

Sassaflash L: Wave 4; R: Wave 10

Trixie L: Wave 4; R: Wave 10

Release date: April 2014 in USA stores^[16]

• This wave introduce us translucent glittery figurines with painted manes and tails, which deffers them from all of the previous translucent glittery releases
• It seems that toy's producers have a soft spot for Trixie. So do we :). Anyway, here is her 4-th re-release. Another notable figurines here, using recent sets molds, are Princess Twilight Sparkle, Snail Squirm with Snipsy Snap, and Strawberry Sunrise in Derpy's mold from Soaring Pegasus Set (not yet used for other characters). Lotus Blossom from Spa Pony Set was re-released also - when we will see at least one of her sister's Aloe figurine, huh?
• Style: translucent glittery ponies with manes and tails painted
• Specials: nope

• 

  1(AA). Applejack

• 

  2(AB). Trixie Lulamoon

• 

  3(AC). Fluttershy

• 

  4(AD). Pinkie Pie

• 

  5(AE). Green Jewel

• 

  6(AF). Rainbowshine

• 

  7(AG). Sunny Rays

• 

  8(AH). Lotus Blossom

• 

  9(AI). Ribbon Wishes

• 

  10(AK). Snail Squirm

• 

  11(AL). Diamond Mint

• 

  12(AM). Princess Twilight Sparkle

• 

  13(AN). Peachy Sweet

• 

  14(AO). Flower Wishes

• 

  15(AP). Snipsy Snap

• 

  16(AR). Mosely Orange

• 

  17(AS). Junebug

• 

  18(AT). Rainbow Swoop

• 

  19(AU). Sunshower Raindrops

• 

  20(AV). Gilda the Griffon

• 

  21(AW). Strawberry Sunrise

• 

  22(AX). Sassaflash

• 

  23(AY). Royal Riff

• 

  24(AZ). Lemon Hearts

Wave XI

US card example

Release date: September 2014 in USA stores^[17]

• Breezies, Neon Lights, Cheese Sandwich, Cloud Chaser and first-ever regular, accurate painted Spitfire! And Sunset Shimmer with Flash Sentry, yep.
• A new mold for Breezies (while their wings are made from a thick and rather strong film), but other "not common" molds are actually from recent miniature sets, and Neon Lights shares his mold with Vinyl Scratch (DJ Pon-3) from Friend Forever Collecton/Rainbow Pony Favorite Set
• Style: regular painted ponies
• Specials: Cloudia Breezie (#22), Sunny Breezie (#23), Lilac Breezie (#24)

• 

  1(AA). Fluttershy

• 

  2(AB). Pinkie Pie

• 

  3(AC). Rainbow Dash

• 

  4(AD). Sunset Shimmer

• 

  5(AE). Flash Sentry

• 

  6(AF). Big Wig

• 

  7(AG). Helia

• 

  8(AH). Candy Apples

• 

  9(AI). Purple Wave

• 

  10(AK). Spitfire

• 

  11(AL). Neon Lights

• 

  12(AM). Wensley

• 

  13(AN). Cheese Sandwich

• 

  14(AO). Cloud Chaser

• 

  15(AP). Pursey Pink

• 

  16(AR). Swanky Hank

• 

  17(AS). Buttonbelle

• 

  18(AT). Luckette

• 

  19(AU). Lilac Hearts

• 

  20(AV). Royal Pin

• 

  21(AW). Ruby Splash

• 

  22(AX). Cloudia Breezie

• 

  23(AY). Sunny Breezie

• 

  24(AZ). Lilac Breezie

Wave XII

Release date: January 2015 in USA stores^[18]

Some info at mlpmerch revealed here, here, here, here and here.

Wave XIII

US card example

Release date: Fall 2015 in USA stores

• Style: Glitter-embedded translucent ponies

Specials:Regular painted Lavender Fritter (AV), Apple Bumpkin (AW), Candy Apples (AX), Apple Split (AY) and Uncle Orange

• 

  1(AA). Twilight Sparkle

• 

  2(AB). Rarity

• 

  3(AC) Bitta Luck

• 

  4(AD) Rainbowshine

• 

  5(AE) Goldengrape

• 

  6(AF) Rainbow Dash

• 

  7(AG) Ribbon Heart

• 

  8(AH) Sprinkle Stripe

• 

  8(AI) Berryshine

• 

  9(AK) Sea Swirl

• 

  10(AL) Lovestruck

• 

  11(AM) Meadow Song

• 

  12(AN) Fluttershy

• 

  13(AO) Cherry Berry

• 

  14(AP) Lyra Heartstrings

• 

  15(AR) Noteworthy

• 

  16(AS) Lucky Dreams

• 

  17(AT) Pinkie Pie

• 

  19(AU) Ribbon Wishes

• 

  20(AV) Lavender Fritter

• 

  21(AW) Apple Bumpkin

• 

  22(AX) Candy Apples

• 

  23(AY) Apple Split

• 

  24(AZ) Mosely Orange

Wave XIV

• 

  3(AC) Trixie Lulamoon

• 

  4(AD) Minuette

• 

  5(AE) Royal Riff

• 

  7(AG) Merry May

• 

  8(AH) Electric Sky

• 

  9(AI) Chance-A-Lot

• 

  10(AK) Berry Green

• 

  13(AN) Peachy Pie

• 

  14(AO) Twilight Sky

• 

  15(AP) Rainbow Dash

• 

  16(AR) Lucky Clover

• 

  18(AT) Beachberry

• 

  19(AU) Plumsweet

• 

  20(AV) Florina Tart

• 

  21(AW) Perfect Pie

• 

  23(AY) Golden Delicious

Wave XV

• 

  1(AA) Twilight Sparkle

• 

  2(AB) Rainbow Dash

• 

  3(AC) Fluttershy

• 

  4(AD) Rarity

• 

  6(AF) Sunny Rays

• 

  8(AH) Breezie Flora

• 

  9(AI) Sunset Rainbow

• 

  10(AK) Pinkie Pie

• 

  11(AL) Sapphire Shores

• 

  12(AM) Flippity Flop

• 

  13(AN) Gardenia Glow

• 

  15(AP) Trixie Lulamoon

• 

  16(AR) Diamond Rose

• 

  18(AT) Ploomette

• 

  19(AU) Golden Delicious

• 

  20(AV) Ribbon Wishes

• 

  21(AW) Forsythia

• 

  22(AX) Flitterheart

• 

  23(AY) Rainbow Wishes

• 

  24(AZ) Lyra Heartstrings

Wave XVI

• 

  7(AG) Minuette

• 

  10(AK) Twilight Velvet

• 

  11(AL) Uncle Orange

• 

  15(AP) Electric Sky

• 

  18(AT) Twilight Sky

• 

  19(AU) Sassaflash

• 

  22(AX) Peachy Sweet

• 

  24(AZ) Shoeshine

Wave XVII

• 

  1(AA) Pinkie Pie

• 

  3(AC) Twilight Sparkle

• 

  5(AE) Rarity

• 

  7(AG) Cherry Pie

• 

  8(AI) Banana Fluff

• 

  11(AL) Cherry Fizzy

• 

  12(AM) Banana Bliss

• 

  13(AN) Sweetie Drops

• 

  15(AP) Berry Dreams

• 

  16(AR) Lucky Clover

• 

  17(AS) Lily Blossom

• 

  19(AU) Lily Valley

• 

  21(AW) Lyra Heartstrings

• 

  22(AX) Cherry Berry

• 

  24(AZ) Cloud Kicker

Wave XVIII

• 

  14(AP) Gardenia Glow

• 

  23(AY) Raven Inkwell

Wave XIX

• 

  4(AD) Soigne Folio

• 

  6(AF) Long Shot

• 

  7(AG) Minuette

• 

  9(AI) Vidale Swoon

• 

  10(AK) Roxie Rave

• 

  11(AL) Press Release

• 

  12(AM) Snappy Scoop

• 

  13(AN) Royal Ribbon

• 

  14(AO) Mane Moon

• 

  15(AP) Lyrica Lilac

• 

  16(AR) Sweetie Drops

• 

  17(AS) Twinkle Shine

• 

  19(AU) Powder Rouge

• 

  20(AV) Lyra Heartstrings

• 

  21(AW) Amethyst Star

• 

  24(AZ) Shoeshine

Wave XX

• 

  3(AC) Pursey Pink

• 

  4(AD) Prim Hemline

• 

  6(AF) Miss Pommel

• 

  9(AI) Mare E Lynn

• 

  11(AL) Business Savvy

• 

  13(AN) Lavender Bloom

• 

  14(AO) Janine Manewitz

• 

  15(AP) Mare E Belle

• 

  19(AU) Levon Song

Wave XXI

• 

  2(AB) Moon Dancer

• 

  5(AD) Royal Guard

• 

  7(AG) Crystal Beau

• 

  10(AK) Fleur de Verre

• 

  17(AS) Spring Melody

• 

  21(AW) Aunt Orange

Wave XXII

• 

  13(AO) Autumn Gem

Wave XXIII

Wave XXIV

Origin unknown

This image was compiled originally by VioletCLM on mlparena.com; seems that many of them already come out in Blind Bags Wave XI

Sunset Shimmer • Suri Polomare • Big Wig • Spitfire • Purple Wave • Emerald Ray (plain version?) • Flash Sentry • Rising Star • Apple Munchies • Lightning Dust • Pinprick • Violet Velvet • pale blue earth pony with magenta hair • dark pink stallion with light blue hair • lavender earth pony with dark pink hair • yellow earth pony with pink hair and purse cutie mark^[19]

• 

  Lightning Dust

• 

  alternate colored Pepperdance

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

  alternate colored Dainty Daisy

• 

  different colored Daisy Dreams

• 
• 

  alternate earth G4 Forsythia

• 

  Cadance look alike?

• 

  Cadance look alike?

Collection Sets

Collection Sets are all exclusive to North America. Each set is exclusive to a particular store (Target, Toys 'R Us, Walmart thus far).

For more photos see G4 Mini Ponies and Sets.

Pony Collection Set (Toys R' Us)

Unopened Collection photo

Ponies with cards

Pinkie Pie variants - single on left, TRU set on right

Release date: August 2011 in Toys R' Us stores, USA ^[20]

• 12 ponies with collector cards
• Toys 'R Us exclusive
• Contains the Mane 6 and six new G4 characters (different from Euro Blind Bags Wave II), that are all G3 up-cycles

• 

  Twilight Sparkle

• 

  Pinkie Pie

• 

  Rainbow Dash

• 

  Applejack

• 

  Rarity

• 

  Fluttershy

• 

  Coconut Cream (see also G3 Coconut Cream)

• 

  Beachberry (see also G3 Beachberry)

• 

  Peachy Pie (see also G3 Peachy Pie)

• 

  Skywishes (see also G3 Skywishes)

• 

  Sweetsong (see also G3 Sweetsong)

• 

  Gardenia Glow (see also G3 Gardenia Glow)

Friendship Celebration Collection (Toys R' Us)

Unopened Taobao MIP Friendship Celebration Collection

Release date: May 2012 at Taobao^[21]

• 12 ponies with a few accessories
• Toys R' Us exclusive
• All figurines are re-releases from the first two Blind Bags Waves (9 ponies from Wave I and 3 from Wave II; no one is from Mane 6 cast)

• 

  Sweetie Swirl

• 

  Firecracker Burst

• 

  Lily Blossom

• 

  Bumblesweet

• 

  Lemon Hearts

• 

  Pepperdance

• 

  Sugar Grape

• 

  Lulu Luck

• 

  Rainbow Flash

• 

  Sweetie Blue

• 

  Blossomforth

• 

  Flower Wishes

Pony Rainbow Collection (Target)

Unopened Collection photo

Package from behind

All together

Release date: 2012, between blind bag waves VI and VII

• 7 ponies: Mane 6 and a new stallion - Emerald Ray
• Target stores exclusive
• Translucent glittery figurines much like Wave's I and II specials, but with slight difference in appearance (see below)

• Pony Rainbow Collection
• 

  Pinkie Pie

• 

  Applejack

• 

  Fluttershy

• 

  Emerald Ray

• 

  Rainbow Dash

• 

  Twilight Sparkle

• 

  Rarity

The Pony Rainbow Collection versions of Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity are almost exact matches to the Wave 4 versions. Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash are darker than their Wave 1 versions. Twilight Sparkle is a brighter purple than Wave 1 as well. Fluttershy is darker than Wave 4 and slightly lighter but still close in color to her Wave 2 counterpart. Applejack is darker than in both Wave 4 and Wave 2. Rarity is more opaque than her Wave 2 version. With the exception of Emerald Ray, the Rainbow Collection does not have the black numbers stamped on the bottoms of their hooves differentiating them from the other waves.

• Comparisons
• 

  L to R: Wave 2, Pony Rainbow Collection, Wave 4

• 

  L to R: Pony Rainbow Collection, Wave 2, Wave 4

• 

  L to R: Wave 1 pink, Wave 1 purple, Pony Rainbow Collection

• 

  L to R: Wave 1, Pony Rainbow Collection

• 

  L to R: Wave 1, Pony Rainbow Collection

• 

  L to R: Wave 2, Pony Rainbow Collection

Pinkie Pie and Friends Mini Collection (Walmart)

Pinkie Pie & Friends
Mini Collection™

Release date: 2012, between blind bag waves VI and VII

• 12 ponies
• Walmart exclusive
• The Applejack included in this set did not have her hair ties painted
• Not Mane 6 ponies in this collection are redesigned G3 ponies

• 

  Rainbow Dash

• 

  Pinkie Pie

• 

  Kiwi Tart

• 

  Seascape

• 

  Star Dasher

• 

  Dainty Daisy

• 

  Periwinkle

• 

  Applejack

• 

  Rarity

• 

  Waterfire

• 

  Pick-a-Lily

• 

  Rainbow Swirl

Pony Friends Forever Collection (Toys R' Us)

Pony Friends Forever Collection

Alternate version

Rear view

Friends Forever!

Mrs. Dazzle Cake variants - L: Cake Family Babysitting Fun, R: Pony Friends Forever Collection

Pinkie Pie variants - L: Pony Friends Forever Collection, R: common variant

Release date: June 2014 in Toys R' Us stores, USA ^[22]

Seems to have two versions with the places for Dr. Hooves/Apple Bloom and Octavia Melody/Lyrica Lilac are swapped?

• 10 ponies
• Toys R' Us exclusive
• Vinyl Scratch and Octavia! Dr. Hooves and cute Princess Luna!
• Featuring 4 unique, not found elsewhere figurines: regular colored Dr. Hooves, regular colored Vinyl Scratch (DJ Pon-3), Princess Celestia (difference from Royal Surprise Set: cutie mark on right flank, from Blind Bags Wave V: hooves painted), Princess Luna (Cadance mold)
• Pinkie Pie coloring seems to be the same as in Pony Collection Set (tail and mane are more bluish)?
• In contrast to Cake Family Babysitting Fun Set Mrs. Dazzle Cake eyes are the show-correct red color

• 

  Dr. Hooves

• 

  Apple Bloom

• 

  Octavia Melody

• 

  Lyrica Lilac

• 

  Princess Celestia

• 

  Princess Luna

• 

  Pinkie Pie

• 

  DJ PON-3

• 

  Mrs. Dazzle Cake

• 

  Mr. Carrot Cake

Rainbow Equestria Favorites (Walmart)

• 10 ponies
• Walmart exclusive
• Features the Mane 6, Princess Celestia, Princess Cadance, Shining Armor, and Flurry Heart

Miniature Sets

For more photos see G4 Mini Ponies and Sets.

As it seems that Miniature Sets comes out in wave-style, ie a few at the same time, they arranged below in groups according to release date.

Summer 2012

It seems that all three of those sets came out simultaneously, and was available at least in Target stores, USA in July 2012^[23].

Pony Wedding Set

Unopened MIP Pony Wedding Set

Royal family

• Introduced a new, specially for her mold for Princess Cadance and featuring first-ever release of her husband, Shining Armor - also in unique new mold. Twilight figurine is common.

• Pony Wedding
• 

  Shining Armor

• 

  Princess Cadance

• 

  Twilight Sparkle

Cloudsdale Set

Unopened MIP Cloudsdale Set photo

Let's fly!

• First ever releases of Gilda and Wonderbolt Pony, both in new, unique mold. We can only guess which Wonderbolt member is she 'cause her name never mentioned in the set. Rainbow Dash figurine is common.

• Cloudsdale
• 

  Rainbow Dash

• 

  Gilda the Griffon

• 

  Wonderbolts Pony

Apple Family Set

Unopened MIP Apple Family Set photo

Tight-knit Apple family

• First ever release of Granny Smith, and in unique mold, but Big McIntosh can also be found in Blind Bags Wave III, which comes roughly at the same time. Applejack figurine is common.

• Apple Family
• 

  Granny Smith

• 

  Big McIntosh

• 

  Applejack

Spring 2013

Spa Pony Set

Unopened Set photo

Ponies!

• Spa Pony Set
• 

  Lotus Blossom

• 

  Zecora

• 

  Pinkie Pie

Class of Cutie Marks Set

Unopened Class of Cutie Marks Set MIB photo

Fillie's affairs

• Class of Cutie Marks Set
• 

  Apple Bloom

• 

  Diamond Dazzle Tiara

• 

  Applejack

Famous Friends Set

Unopened Famous Friends Set MIB photo

Group photo

• Famous Friends Set
• 

  Hoity Toity

• 

  Photo Finish

• 

  Rarity

Summer 2013

Although often mentioned as "Deluxe Mini Collections" and not bearing the word "Set" in the title, this toys easily can be classified as just another Miniature Sets because of the same packaging style, distribution, etc.

Cake Family Babysitting Fun

Unopened Set photo

Family photo

Release date: July 2013 in USA stores ^[24]

• Consists of six characters.
• Mrs. Dazzle Cake eyes are blue (compare to Pony Friends Forever Collection)

• Cake Family Babysitting Fun
• 

  Mrs. Dazzle Cake

• 

  Pumpkin Cake

• 

  Pound Cake

• 

  Mr. Carrot Cake

• 

  Nurse Redheart

• 

  Pinkie Pie

Elements of Harmony Friends

Unopened Set photo

All together

Release date: August 2013 in USA stores^[25]

• Consists of five characters.

• Elements of Harmony Friends
• 

  Nightmare Moon

• 

  Manny Roar

• 

  Fluttershy

• 

  Rarity

• 

  Steven Magnet

Autumn 2013

Pony Lesson Set

Unopened Set photo

After school!

Left Wave 2 Cheerilee; Right later Pony Lesson Set Cheerilee

Release date: September 2013^[26]

• First re-release (after Wave II) of Cheerilee, now in Pinkie's mold
• Glasses have different shape and removable

• Pony Lesson Set
• 

  Cheerilee

• 

  Silver Spoon

• 

  Twist-a-loo

• 

  Smarty Pants doll (not labeled in set)

• 

  Silver Spoon's Glasses (not labeled in set)

• 

  Twist-a-loo's Glasses (not labeled in set)

Royal Surprise Set

Unopened Royal Surprise Set photo

Surprise, surprise!

• At a quick glance it may seem that the only unique figurine here is Queen Chrysalis, but (surprise! surprise!) really two other figurines has their distinctive features also: Princess Celestia has her hooves painted (compare to Wave V) and cutie mark on left flank (compare to later Pony Friends Forever Collection), Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark is glitters!
• Queen Chrysalis wings are actually transparent and looks cool

• Royal Surprise Set
• 

  Queen Chrysalis

• 

  Princess Celestia

• 

  Twilight Sparkle

Groovin' Hooves Set

Unopened Set photo

At the concert

• Groovin' Hooves Set
• 

  Lyra Heartstrings

• 

  Octavia Melody

• 

  Lyrica Lilac