>>42402434
While I still vastly prefer the ponies, I don't hate the other creatures and I like the Yak in small doses.
For S8-S9 I can understand the frustration of fans who watched them while airing. I watched them later, and I can isolate the students 6 episodes as effectively a spin-off that features the main series cast.
I like the novelty of Yonabar a lot. Sandbar feels like a typical teenage protagonist, being written more plainly to balance out the eccentricities of his friends. I don't mind that. I don't think you ever see someone like him paired with someone like Yona. You never see the straight man end up with the big softie girl. These kids are really likeable and I can't help but root for them.
Also, I think making jokes about Sandbar being a chubby chaser/architect is really funny.