Picture an American storyteller who spun tales of magical ponies and fearless princesses, capturing hearts across screens and pages—meet M.A. Larson! Born in Burnsville, Minnesota, Larson’s journey from a film enthusiast to a celebrated screenwriter and author is as enchanting as his stories. With a knack for crafting strong characters and vibrant worlds, he’s left an indelible mark on animation and young adult literature.
The Making of M.A. Larson
Mitchell Aaron Larson entered the world on August 3, 1976, growing up in a Minnesota household steeped in classic movies, thanks to his movie-buff father. After attending Burnsville High School, he pursued film at the University of Miami before transferring to the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in screenwriting, production, and film theory in 2000. His early career took him to New York, where he worked as an assistant to legendary director Mike Nichols on projects like Angels in America and Spamalot. In 2005, Larson moved to Los Angeles, diving into animation writing with Cartoon Network’s My Gym Partner’s a Monkey, setting the stage for his iconic contributions.
M.A. Larson’s Unforgettable Stories
Larson’s big break came with My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, where he wrote beloved episodes like “The Cutie Mark Chronicles,” “Magical Mystery Cure,” and “The Return of Harmony” from 2010 to 2017. Collaborating with showrunner Lauren Faust, his scripts infused humor, heart, and surprising depth into a show about colorful ponies, earning him a devoted “brony” fanbase. As a season five story editor, he shaped the series’ narrative arc, cementing its cultural impact. In 2014, Larson debuted his Pennyroyal Academy novel, a fairy-tale-inspired saga about Evie, a girl training to become a witch-fighting princess. Influenced by “princess fatigue” and Bruno Bettelheim’s analysis of dark fairy tales, the book blended grit and magic. Its sequels, The Shadow Cadets of Pennyroyal Academy (2016) and The Warrior Princess of Pennyroyal Academy (2017), expanded Evie’s adventures, earning praise for their bold heroines and immersive world. Larson’s style—vivid, character-driven, and laced with themes of courage and compassion—shines in both mediums.
Why M.A. Larson Matters
Larson’s work transcends entertainment, redefining princesses as fierce, independent heroes and fostering real-world friendships among My Little Pony fans. His Pennyroyal Academy series, lauded by The New York Times as “breathtakingly exciting,” inspired young readers to embrace resilience and kindness. Picked up for a film adaptation by Reese Witherspoon’s Pacific Standard, the series reflects values young women aspire to embody. Larson’s ability to craft stories that resonate across ages and mediums has made him a quiet giant in storytelling, with a legacy of empowering narratives.
- Born: August 3, 1976, Burnsville, Minnesota
- Key Works: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Pennyroyal Academy series
- Notable Role: Story editor for My Little Pony season five
- Fun Fact: He’s a frequent guest at “brony” conventions worldwide!
Snag Pennyroyal Academy or stream My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic to dive into M.A. Larson’s magical worlds of courage and friendship!