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This is What a My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Manga Looks Like

Given the popularity of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic amongst anime and manga fans, it was inevitable that we'd eventually see a manga adaptation. After lots of anticipation and lead-up, and flyers being distributed at Tokyo International Anime Fair, it's finally here.

The September issue of Shogakugan's children's magazine Pucchigumi shipped earlier this month and contains the first chapter of the manga. It is every bit as colorful and cute as you would expect. The first chapter introduces all of the main characters in full, glorious color, and even includes some apple pickin' and cake eatin'. The story is being adapted and drawn by two manga creators who call themselves Akira Himekawa, who've done a variety of Legend of Zelda manga in the past.

Pucchigumi has also been the home for manga from the Tamagotchi!, Barbie, Stitch!, Pretty Rhythm, Kirarin Revolution, and Jewelpet franchises.

The My Little Pony ~Tomodachi wa Mahō~ show premiered in Japan in April. The Japanese dub cast of Hasbro's show includes Miyuki Sawashiro (Twilight Sparkle), Suzuko Mimori (Pinkie Pie), Sora Tokui (Applejack), Izumi Kitta (Rainbow Dash), Mikoi Sasaki (Rarity), Emiri Katō (Fluttershy), Motoko Kumai (Spike), and Kikuko Inoue (Princess Celestia). Mimori and the cast of the Yuruyuri anime contributed the opening theme songs "Mirai Start" (Future Start) and "Magical Dai☆Dai☆Bōken!” (Great Big Magical Adventure!), while AKB48's sister idol group HKT48 contributed "Kataomoi no Karaage (Amakuchi Hime)" as the ending theme.