Revision as of 14:03, 8 November 2014

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, but as well as the majority of G4 merchandise, they still have only one cutie mark either on left or right side of the flank.

The term Blind Bag Pony refers to the packaging that the figurine 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, as part of the games or other MLP merchandise, so in this this article all of them will also be referenced just as "figurines".

All figurines from blind bags (and some others too) comes with matching collector card, featuring the name and artwork of the pony, and a brief description about the pony's personality, almost always - about her/him favorite activity.

Altogether, at the moment of October 2014 there are:

10 different Blind Bags waves released so far (with wave 11 expected at stores in nearest future), 15 Sets, 5 Collections
46 different molds
306 different, distinguished by molds, style, cuitie marks and colors figurines, 66 of which can be found only in Sets or Collections.
174 unique Ponies, one particular Zebra, a gryphon, three Breezies, a few second-plane characters, Smarty Pants doll and of course Derpy ;)

Sources of Figurines

Besides blind bags, figurines have been 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.

Also some of them was released as Miniature Collections, which are similar to Sets, but does not always refering to some general theme. They usually consists of clearly visible through plastic fold 4-12 ponies, many of them tended to not be found in other sources. Such collections were often exclusives for a particular retail chains, such as Wallmart or Toys 'R Us stores, and some of them are hard to find nowdays. Only Toys 'R Us "Pony Collection Set" includes collector cards so far.

Other sources of figurines includes:

Being parts of the games (e.g. Playhouse Puzzle, My Little Pony Chutes and Ladders Game or Regnbågsspelet Game)
Individual packs with only one, but visible pony (all Mane 6 was released except for Fluttershy)
4-pack with four visible ponies (only one had been released so far with Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash)
2011 Advert calendar (Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle)
DVD releases (Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle)
Mini Pony Collector's Guide book (Tealove)

None of those figurines had collector cards coming with them so far.

Possible Prototypes & Chinese Fakes

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

About Blind Bags

Every bag always have an unique imprinted code somewhere on the bag. As collectors have discovered, this code can be deciphered to reveal the identity of the pony within the bag. Inside each bag you will find: a pony mini figurine, collector's card, small parts warning sheet and sometimes a colorful pamphlet.

Previous Gens

G4 are not the first My Little Pony blind bags. See Blind Bag Ponies. The scale of G4 blind bag ponies is similar to Ponyville figurines of G3 and G3.5 (so they may be referred to also G4 Ponyville or G4 PV).

International Releases

US/Euro cards comparision

Blind Bags, released in US and Europe markets have some minor differences:

Subtle distinctions in bags cover art
US collector cards are monolingual (English only) and tend to feature a longer description of a Pony, while European collector cards are multilingual (besides English, description is done in many European languages also), and therefore info are somewhat reduced
Colorful pamphlets (if they are found in blind bag) are differs in art arrangement and also tend to be either mono- or multilingual, but pony's artwork itself are identical

Distribution

The US distribution of blind bags was very late with the Wave I and entirely missed Wave II. In their place were some packaged ponies on cards.

The initial delay spurred collectors to source their ponies from Taobao.

Identification

Two Digit Codes: Early European blind bags have two numerals lightly stamped on the outside of the bag on the top the back seam. These numbers correspond with the pony's number listed below.

Five Digit Codes: Up until the Neon set, all American blind bags and later European blind bags have a five digit code stamped into the flap on the back of the package. The 1st, 3rd, and 5th number is to confuse you. The second and forth numbers tell you which pony is inside. See the charts below.

Two Letter Codes: Starting with the Neon set, each bag has a two letter code stamped into the bottom flap of the bag. The first letter is A and the second letter tells you which pony is inside. See below for a chart matching ponies to letters.

Wave I
Wave II
Wave III
Wave IV
Wave V
Wave VI
Wave VII
Wave VIII
Wave IX
Wave X
Wave XI

Blind Bag Waves

Bland Bags 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) pony figurines, sharing a common style (e.g. pastel colored ponies in wave 9, bright translucent in wave 8, etc.), but often includes a few "specials", 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% if we count all known figurines from all known sources till October 2014 (and considering different molds, styles and paintings for one pony as different figurines), and is about 11% if we focus only on Blind Bags waves from I to XI. Mane 6 receives the most of re-releases, as you can guess of course.

Each wave offers it's own design for collector cards (with an exception for the first two Waves and TRU Pony Collection Set, which shares 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

Identifying Blind Bags Chart^[1]

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

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.

Very hard to read six-digit id number, 22445 for Glittery Rainbow Dash.

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. Each of the two-digit numbers have been interspersed with the numbers: 2, 4, and 5. (Single digit numbers written with a zero ie 2 is written as 02). ^[4]

e.g. 02 + 245 = 20425:

Pinkie Pie - 20415
Applejack - 20425
Rainbow Dash - 20435
Rarity - 20445
Twilight Sparkle - 20455
Fluttershy - 20465
Sugar Grape - 20475
Lily Blossom - 20485
Minty - 20495
Bumblesweet - 21405
Fizzypop - 21415
Flower Wishes - 21425
Roseluck - 21435
Sweetie Blue - 21445
Pepperdance - 21455
Lemon Hearts - 21465
Cherry Spices - 21475
Sweetie Swirl - 21485
Lucky Swirl - 21495
Sweetcream Scoops - 22405
Firecracker Burst - 22415
Pinkie Pie (Glittery) - 22425
Twilight Sparkle (Glittery) - 22435
Rainbow Dash (Glittery) - 22445

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 are 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)

The secret ID number on some packaging may have five digits rather than two digit. (Single digit numbers written with a zero ie 2 is written as 02.) The two-digit numbers have been interspersed with the numbers: 5, 4, and 2. ^[10]

So 02 + 542 = 50422.

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, making possible our beloved Princesses to come out. Also introducing many of G3 generation characters and a new, better colored versions of Trixie Lulamoon and Lyra Heartstrings (and now they are named so also)
This wave completely lucks 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 have yellow main color. All, but one for Forsythia (#21) in European (not US) edition - it is pink, for whatever reason
Style: regular painted ponies
Specials: Princess Cadance (#2), Princess Luna (#7) and Princess Celestia (#19)

Stock photos from Equestria Daily.

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

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 box.
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!
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
18. Lucky Clover
19. Lily Blossom
20. Apple Stars
21. Barber Groomsby
22. Caramel Apple
23. Spitfire
24. Lily Valley

Wave VIII

Close-up of the letter code

US card example

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 was no longer a center flap for the codes to be imprinted on. Instead, letters were imprinted along the bottom edge of the bags. The numbers for the ponies were changed to the corresponding letter of the alphabet skipping the letters "J" and "Q" and adding an additional A at the beginning. That made #1 Applejack's code "AA," #2 Big McIntosh's code "AB" and so on through "AZ" for #24 Twilight Sparkle.

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

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

Rainbow-themed wave, Yay!
Big Mac appears here again, with Fluttershy, now in her own unique mold (debuted in Elements of Harmony Friends set), Sea Swirl with two-toned mane, Noteworthy with (attention!) cutie mark on right flank (compare to Wave 3 Noteworthy), Nurse Snowherat sharing her mold with Nurse Redheart from Cake Family Babysitting Fun set, also here we will find Mr. Carrot Cake from the mentioned set; Amethyst Star now in Twilight mold, Shoeshine now in Pinkie's mold, Peachy Sweet in AJ mold
Berryshine suddenly becomes an Earth Pony (compare her with Wave 3 release) and Lily Valley becomes a Pegasus (compare to Wave 7)
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(A). Applejack (pic from different wave)
2(B). Big McIntosh (pic from different wave)
3(C). Fluttershy (pic from different wave)
4(D). Pinkie Pie (pic from different wave)
5(E). Rainbow Dash
6(F). Rarity
7(G). Amethyst Star
8(H). Shoeshine
9(I). Noteworthy (pic from different wave)
10(K). Sea Swirl
11(L). Berryshine
12(M). Princess Cadance
13(N). Peachy Sweet
14(O). Lily Valley
15(P). Nurse Snowheart
16(R). Sprinkle Medley
17(S). Tropical Storm
18(T). Mr. Carrot Cake
19(U). Green Jewel
20(V). Lavender Fritter
21(W). Apple Honey
22(X). Honey Rays
23(Y). Prism Glider
24(Z). 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 interesting figurines here (all using recent Set's molds) are Princess Twilight Sparkle, Lotus Blossom (when we will see at least one Aloe, huh?), Snail Squirm with Snipsy Snap, and Strawberry Sunrise in Derpy's mold from Soaring Pegasus Set, not yet used for other figurines
Style: translucent glittery ponies with manes and tails painted
Specials: nope

1(A). Applejack
2(B). Trixie Lulamoon
3(C). Fluttershy
4(D). Pinkie Pie
5(E). Green Jewel
6(F). Rainbowshine
7(G). Sunny Rays
8(H). Lotus Blossom
9(I). Ribbon Wishes
10(K). Snail Squirm
11(L). Diamond Mint
12(M). Princess Twilight Sparkle
13(N). Peachy Sweet
14(O). Flower Wishes
15(P). Snipsy Snap
16(R). Mosely Orange
17(S). Junebug
18(T). Rainbow Swoop
19(U). Sunshower Raindrops
20(V). Gilda the Griffon
21(W). Strawberry Sunrise
22(X). Sassaflash
23(Y). Royal Riff
24(Z). 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.
New mold for Breezies, other "not common" molds actually are from recent miniature sets. Neon Lights shares a mold with Vinyl Scratch (DJ Pon-3) from Friend Forever Collecton/Rainbow Pony Favorite Set of course
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

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^[18]

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 ^[19]

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^[20]

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)

Pony Rainbow Collection (Target)

Unopened Collection photo

Package from behind

All together

Release date: 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)

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: released 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

Pony Friends Forever Collection (Toys R' Us)

Pony Friends Forever Collection

Release date: 2014?

10 ponies
Toys R' Us exclusive
Vinyl Scratch and Octavia!
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 5: hooves painted), Princess Luna (Cadance mold)
Seems to have two versions with the places for Dr. Hooves/Apple Bloom and Octavia Melody/Lyrica Lilac are swapped?

Miniature Sets

For more photos see G4 Mini Ponies and Sets.

Wave I

Apple Family Set

Unopened MIP Apple Family Set photo

All together

Cloudsdale Set

Unopened MIP Cloudsdale Set photo

All together

Cloudsdale
Rainbow Dash
Gilda
Wonderbolt

Pony Wedding Set

Unopened MIP Pony Wedding Set

Royal family

Wave II

Spa Pony Set

Wave III

Class of Cutie Marks Set

Class of Cutie Marks Set
Apple Bloom
Diamond Dazzle Tiara
Applejack

Famous Friends Set

Famous Friends Set
Hoity Toity
Photo Finish
Rarity

Wave IV

Cake Family Babysitting Fun

Unopened Set photo

Family photo :)

Release date: 2013

Although often mentioned as "Deluxe Mini Collection" and not bearing the word "Set" in the title, this toy easily can be considered as just another Set because of the same packaging style, distribution, etc. Consists of six characters.

Elements of Harmony Friends

Unopened Set photo

All together

Release date: 2013

Although often mentioned as "Deluxe Mini Collection" and not bearing the word "Set" in the title, this toy easily can be considered as just another Set because of the same packaging style, distribution, etc. Consists of five characters.

Elements of Harmony Friends
Nightmare Moon
Manny Roar
Fluttershy
Rarity
Steven Magnet

Pony Lesson Set

Left Wave 2 Cheerilee; Right later Pony Lesson Set Cheerilee

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)

Groovin' Hooves Set

Royal Surprise Set

Wave V

Rainbow Pony Favorite Set

Rainbow Pony Favorite Set
Rarity
Dr. Hooves
Applejack
DJ Pon-3
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Daring Pony Story Set

Daring Pony Story Set
Daring Do Dazzle
Rainbow Dash
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Soaring Pegasus Set

Soaring Pegasus Set
Thunderlane
Fluttershy
Derpy

Ponyville Newsmaker Set

Ponyville Newsmaker Set
Snailsquirm
Snipsy Snap
Pinkie Pie

Board Games

Rainbow Magic

Game came with four blind bag ponies: Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Fluttershy.

Regnbågsspelet

Regnbågsspelet means "The Rainbow Game" in Swedish. It came out in Sweden, as you can guess, with four blind bag ponies inside: Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and Lyra Heartstrings - all identical to those in Blind Bags Wave III.

Chutes and Ladders

My Little Pony version of the game came with three blind bag ponies to use as pieces - Princess Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash, all have coloring nuances, making them an unique figurines

Chutes and Ladders
Princess Twilight Sparkle
Pinkie Pie
Rainbow Dash

Mini Pony Collector's Guide Book

Tealove

First Edition published in October 2013 by Little, Brown and Company, ISBN 978-0-316-24907-2, this book offers rather comprehensive source of information for collectors, quote from the backcover: "Intended for ages 6 and up" ;). Nothing that you would not find elsewhere in Internet, but it is nice try to gather all the info in one place, with high-quality figurines photos, their descriptions, collector's cards pic's (both sides + separetely duplicated text), characters art and blind bags examples. Not forgetting to mention a rare Tealove figurine from Blind Bags Wave II, alas without her card. Also it has a "Pony Checklist" for each figurine/Set/Collection, so you can check there figurines you already have, yeehaw!

Book have the unusual format, where pages occupy only about 2/3 of the actual cover size, whereas at the top plastic figurine holder situated. The holder can be easily opened (two halfs of it are bonded by adhesive tape), so the figurine can be pulled out and back at your discretion.

This edition covers Blind Bags, Collections (Target Exclusives) and Sets, released at the time of publishing, with some exceptions (see below). The Waves numbering are differs from that adopted on most collector's Internet sites (and also in this article), but matches those used by many vendors.

What you WILL find in this book

Wave I (named "2011/Wave 1"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave II (named "European Blind Bags"): brief description (small figurine photo + front side of the card + cutie mark art only) only for 8 figurines (Star Swirl, Tealove, Ribbon Heart, Daisy Dream^[21], Stardash, Honeybelle, Rainbow Flash, Pudding Pie)
Wave III (named "2012/Wave 1"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave IV (named "2012/Wave 2"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave V (named "2012/Wave 3"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave VI (named "2013/Wave 1"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave VII (named "2013/Wave 2"): comprehensive description^[22] (figurines, cards, etc.)
Wave VIII (named "2013/Wave 3"): comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Miniature Sets - Pony Wedding, Spa Pony, Cloudsdale, Class Of Cutie Marks, Apple Family, Famous Friends, Pony Lesson, Royal Surprise, Groovin' Hooves, Cake Family Babysitting Fun, Elements of Harmony Friends: only figurines photos mostly, sometimes unopened sets photos also
Pony Collection Set: comprehensive description (figurines, cards, etc.)
Friendship Celebration Collection, Pinkie Pie & Friends Mini Collection, Pony Rainbow Collection: figurines (including accessories for Friendship Celebration Collection) and unopened collections photos only
Tealove figurine

What you WILL NOT find in this edition

Full Wave II description, some ponies are not even mentioned
Some curious nuances, like glittery pink variant of Twilight Sparkle figurine in Euro Wave I, etc. Anyway, current edition seems to focus on US releases mostly

Few pages examples from the book for review purposes
Table of Contents
Wave 1 with checklist page
Figurine description example
Set description example

Funny facts

Ponie's cutie marks can rarely undergo minor appearance changes in re-releases. [here be pictures]

A few not vastly involved in MLP:FiM ponies had even managed to change their race due to mistakes in later waves:

Berryshine: Unicorn (Wave 3) -> Earth Pony (Wave 9)
Lily Valley: Earth Pony (Wave 7) -> Pegasus (Wave 9)

@@ Line 851: / Line 851: @@
 === Pony Wedding Set ===
+[[Image: Minis Pony Wedding Set.jpg|thumb|300px|Unopened MIP Pony Wedding Set]]
+[[Image: Pony Wedding Minis.jpg|thumb|300px|Royal family]]
 <gallery widths="150" heights="150" caption="Pony Wedding" perrow=3>
 File: Pony Wedding Set Shining Armor.jpg|[[Shining Armor]]

Difference between revisions of "G4 Blind Bag Ponies"

Revision as of 14:03, 8 November 2014

Contents

Sources of Figurines

Possible Prototypes & Chinese Fakes

About Blind Bags

Previous Gens

International Releases

Distribution

Identification

Blind Bag Waves

Wave I

Early Alternatives for Wave I in USA

Wave I Coming Out in USA

Wave II

Wave III

Wave IV

Wave V

Wave VI

Wave VII

Wave VIII

Wave IX

Wave X

Wave XI

Origin unknown

Collection Sets

Pony Collection Set (Toys R' Us)

Friendship Celebration Collection (Toys R' Us)

Pony Rainbow Collection (Target)

Pinkie Pie and Friends Mini Collection (Walmart)

Pony Friends Forever Collection (Toys R' Us)

Miniature Sets

Wave I

Apple Family Set

Cloudsdale Set

Pony Wedding Set

Wave II

Spa Pony Set

Wave III

Class of Cutie Marks Set

Famous Friends Set

Wave IV

Cake Family Babysitting Fun

Elements of Harmony Friends

Pony Lesson Set

Groovin' Hooves Set

Royal Surprise Set

Wave V

Rainbow Pony Favorite Set

Daring Pony Story Set

Soaring Pegasus Set

Ponyville Newsmaker Set

Board Games

Rainbow Magic

Regnbågsspelet

Chutes and Ladders

Mini Pony Collector's Guide Book

Funny facts

See also

References

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