The My Little Pony Scrapbook: G1 in the UK and Europe

Surprise

Pegasus Pony, 1985/Fable Pony, 1986

White pegasus with neon yellow mane and tail, glittery purple balloons symbol

White pegasus with neon yellow hair and balloons
Pony Data
Set Unicorn and Pegasus Ponies 1985
"Fable" Pony (1986, Scandinavia, Finland Australia, and South Africa)
Asst. Number 4860
Accessories Purple moon and stars comb, purple ribbon, puffy sticker
Pose Surprise
Distribution North America
  Some European countries had versions made in other places, eg Italy.
Australia and Nordic Countries
South Africa
Other Versions So Soft Surprise (North America, 1985-6)

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Ponies Sold in 1985 in the UK Groom & Style Ponies | Play & Care Set Babies | Rainbow Ponies (Set 1) | Grooming Parlour |UK Adult Sea Ponies | Earth Ponies (1984) | Show Stable | Butterscotch's Gymkhana | Baby Bow Tie | Waterfall | Dream Castle | Baby Ember | Snuzzle (Concave)| Bluebelle (Concave)

Other 1985 Ponies Twinkle Eyed Ponies (UK:1986) | Flutter Ponies (UK:1986) | Baby Sea Ponies (UK:1986) | Lullabye Nursery (UK:1986) | Year 3 Unicorn & Pegasus | Rainbow Ponies (Set 2) | Adult Sea Ponies (US) | Baby Ponies | So Soft Ponies | Birthflower Ponies

Surprise in North America

Surprise was one of the new characters introduced into the North American unicorn and pegasus line in 1985. She also debuted one of the new poses for the year, along with her set-mate, Heart Throb. She was subsequently re-released as a So Soft Pony.

MOC Surprise, USA
Surprise, Mint on Card
(USA, 1985)


Surprise in the United Kingdom

Surprise was not sold in the United Kingdom, although she featured heavily in early pony comics and merchandise over here. She was often used on the front cover of the pony comic, usually in a sleeping pose beneath the rainbow, during the mid-1980s.
Surprise on the front of Comic
Surprise asleep under the rainbow on the front of the My Little Pony Comic (issue 14)

Surprise in Other Places

Surprise was available in many different countries, often manufactured in Italy, Spain, France or other locations. A Hong Kong version was sold in Scandinavia, Finland and South Africa in 1986, as part of the Fable set. It is not entirely confirmed whether there are major variations between the version sold in the US and this 'Fable' version - but her accessories in this release were likely the same as in the Year 3 North American set.

Italian-made versions of Surprise were also sold in some European countries, such as Germany. This version of Surprise had blue eyes, and the balloons on her symbol were metallic, rather than glittery. This version was probably sold on the same style of card as the 'Fable' pony release, under the name "Fabelponys".



Surprise's Character

In some of the animation, Surprise was depicted as a random and impulsive character who did mad things, jumped out and startled people, and basically behaved eccentrically. This character depiction contradicts her actual personality, both on her US backcard and in her later UK Fact File entry, which is completely different. Far from being an impulsive airhead, Surprise was the kind of pony who went out of her way to help. Her backcard story talks about her rescuing Spike, who has become stranded in a hot air balloon above the clouds. Her Factfile entry also indicates a kind and generous personality. It mentions Surprise leaving a balloon as a gift above the clouds, ostensibly for the reader to find.

Her sensitivity is also on show in one of the early comic stories, when all the ponies are preparing for a surprise party, but Surprise has not had an invitation. This omission causes her to cry, because she can't understand why she has been left out. Far from being the driving force behind chaotic parties, Surprise is actually the one being surprised here, for all her friends crown her queen of 'Pony Day' and shower her with gifts. (I assume this was meant to be her birthday, but it came from such an early comic that maybe the idea of ponies and birthdays had not yet been established).

Surprise
Surprise feels left out
My Little Pony Comic, 1985

Of course, Surprise in the animation (notably in the introduction of End of Flutter Valley, where she startles Baby Cuddles) is technically So-Soft Surprise. However, her association with the Generation 4 character, Pinkie Pie, has sadly cemented this one representation over the others.