 The episodes were the final to feature Lauren Faust as executive producer . Near the end of the first season , Faust announced that she had left the series , and for the second season , she stepped down as executive producer , to become consulting producer . Her involvement in the second season consisted mainly of story conception and scripts . Despite her decreased participation , she still has high hopes for the staff members , stating that " the gaps I have left are being filled by the same amazing artists , writers , and directors who brought you Season 1 . I 'm certain the show will be as entertaining as ever " . In addition , a new storyboard editor named Jim Miller was hired for the second season and a majority of the animation was " outsourced " to animation company Top Draw . According to Thiessen , this allowed for a greater pre @-@ production process for season two episodes . 
