Sonic the Hedgehog (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ Sonikku za Hejjihoggu) is the titular main protagonist of Sega's flagship franchise, Sonic the Hedgehog. Created in 1991 as a new mascot to replace the previously unsuccessful Opa-Opa and Alex Kidd, and to competently compete against Sega's rival, Nintendo, Sonic gained enough popularity to become a mascot and earn notoriety in the hands of Sega.
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Concept and creation
Despite multiple who people were involved in Sonic the Hedgehog's creation, artist Naoto Ohshima, programmer Yuji Naka, and designer Hirokazu Yasuhara are generally credited as the character's creators.
Sonic's base design was based off/inspired by an originally sketched character named "Mr. Hedgehog", by Ohshima. The team settled on Sonic's final name to represent speed and took the name Sonic Team. Sonic was designed to be easy to draw for kids. Main colour of blue was adjusted several times during development to match Sega's logo and for higher contrast against backgrounds. Ohshima fused Felix the Cat's head with Mickey Mouse's body for reference for Sonic's design, with inspiration from the cover for Michael Jackson's album Bad, the American flag and Santa Claus's costume for Sonic's signature shoes. The modern design was created by four different designers, and the current appearance was selected by a vote by all Sega employees at the time
Appearance
Modern
Sonic is an anthropomorphic hedgehog with blue being is main body coat, and peach skin on his arms, muzzle, insides of his ears and front torso. He has normal small, triangular ears on his head, six long quills on the back of his head, two spines sticking out from his back, a short tail, and two conjoined eyes. For attire, he wears red shoes and white gloves.
Classic
He is basically a shorter/smaller version of his Modern self. He has a round peach torso and black eyes.
History
TBA
Games
Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)
Other media
Sonic Comic
Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW Publishing)
Sonic Prime
Other appearances
Segagaga
Sonic appears several times throughout Segagaga. He appears in Alex Kidd's backstory, replacing him as the face of Sega. He later turns up alongside Tails to race Taro Sega over to Sega HQ during DOGMA's invasion, joins in on the final showdown alongside other Sega characters (such as Nei, Alis Landale, Opa-Opa, Alex Kidd, Ristar, NiGHTS, Sir Pepper and Astal)
Sonic Pinball Party
Sega Superstars series
Mario & Sonic series
Sonic makes regular appearances as a playable character in the Mario & Sonic series, making his series debut in the very first title; Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. He is consistently the joint fastest 'speed' character alongside Shadow, often with a high acceleration stat alongside this max top speed. Due to Sonic's inability to swim, during swimming events he will wear a lifejacket to keep him from sinking.
Sega Splash! Golf
Sonic is one of the optional Sega caddies in Sega Splash! Golf.
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Phantasy Star Online 2
Sonic Boom series
Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric
Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal
Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom
Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice
LEGO Dimensions
Puyo Puyo!! Quest
Sega Heroes
In Sega Heroes, Sonic is a playable blue epic hero who was added on the game launch. He has the following gameplay characteristics:
| Hero | Rarity | Skills | MAX Skill Mana Costs | Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Epic | Spin Dash Sonic Boom Gotta Go Fast |
10 | Campaign Barrage Original Bold Speedy Virtuous |
Sonic Forces: Speed Battle
Chain Chronicle
Sonic at the Olympic Games (2020)
Other media
Sonic the Comic
Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie Comics)
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)
Sonic the Hedgehog (OVA)
Sonic Underground
Sonic X
In the anime series Sonic X and its comic series published by Archie Comics. Sonic is always active in supersonic speed, going lightning fast on his feet, but super-slow to lose his cool. He's is ready for a run-in with his arch-enemy, Dr. Eggman whenever he tries to cause trouble to the world to show his heroic deeds.
Wreck-It Ralph
In Wreck-It Ralph, Sonic appears around Game Central Station's billboards performing a Public Safety Announcement. He warns his fellow game characters about the risks of entering other people's game worlds, and that if they die in someone else's game they will be deleted due to being seen as alien code by the native programme. He can occasionally be seen hanging around Game Central Station in crowd shots and gets accidentally hit by Ralph whilst walking across Hero's Duty's entrance, causing him to scatter his rings. In the film's finale he is at Fix It Felix and Calhoun's wedding. Lastly, a portrait of Sonic can be seen in Tapper's Bar.
In the sequel Ralph Breaks the Internet, Sonic appears to have grown closer with Ralph, now explaining to him in person what Wi-Fi is. He is seen at the end of the film attending Ralph's book club. A deleted scene has him watch as Q-Bert accidentally gets sucked into the internet, and intends to join Fix It Felix to rescue him. When Calhoun starts shooting at the 'Wi-Fi' he is seen spindashing out of the way of her richocheted energy bullets.
Hi-sCoool! SeHa Girls
Sonic Boom (TV series)
Sonic the Hedgehog (film series)
Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sonic Drome Home
Knuckles
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Personality
Sonic's personality is a blend of a carefree, adventurous spirit with a strong sense of justice, but he can also be impulsive, reckless, and impatient. He is fearless, confident, and lives life by his own rules, always ready to help those in need and fight against injustice. Despite his sometimes cocky attitude, he is loyal to his friends, always keeps his promises, and has a strong belief in freedom.
Powers and abilities
TBA
Weaknesses
Sonic cannot swim and has a fear of water despite being a Hedgehog.
Relationships
Friends/allies
- Miles "Tails" Prower (best friend, sidekick and teammate)
- Knuckles the Echidna (best friend and rival)
- Amy Rose (close friend)
- Blaze the Cat (close friend)
- Cream the Rabbit
- Big the Cat
- Team Chaotix
- Shadow the Hedgehog (arch-rival)
- Rouge the Bat
- E-123 Omega
- Silver the Hedgehog
- Marine the Raccoon
- Yacker
- Avatar (helper)
- Honey the Cat
- Tikal
- Chip
- Sticks the Badger
- Tangle the Lemur
- Whisper the Wolf
- Jewel the Beetle
- Lanolin the Sheep
- Trip the Sungazer
Crossover
- AiAi
- Ulala
- NiGHTS
- Amigo
- Arle Nadja
- Carbuncle
- Amitie
- Ringo Ando
- Phoena
- Pirika
- Dreamcast
- Sega Saturn
- Mega Drive
- Hatsune Miku
- Kagamine Rin
- Kagamine Len
- Megurine Luka
- KAITO
- MEIKO
- Mario
- Luigi
- Princess Peach
- Princess Daisy
- Yoshi
- Donkey Kong
Non-canon
Neutral
- E-102 Gamma†
- Jet the Hawk (ability rival)
- Storm the Albatross
- Wave the Swallow
- Bean the Dynamite
- Bark the Polar Bear
- Chaos
- Sage
Crossover
- Wario
- Waluigi
Non-canon only
Enemies
- Dr. Eggman (arch-nemesis)
- Infinite
- Fang the Hunter
- Orbot
- Cubot
- Metal Sonic (rival enemy)
- Time Eater
- Mecha Sonic
- Eggman Nega
- Deadly Six
- Mephlies the Dark
- Black Doom
- Dark Gaia
- Silver Sonic
- Dr. Starline
- Rough the Skunk
- Tumble the Skunk
- Mimic the Octopus
- Surge the Tenrec
- Kitsunami the Fennec
Crossover
- Bowser
- Bowser Jr.
- Dremagen
Non-canon only
- Snively Robotnik
- Naugus
- Scourge the Hedgehog
- Lyric the Last Ancient
Reception
Trivia
- Sonic was created without the ability to swim because of Naka's accidental belief that hedgehogs could not do so.
- During development, Sonic was originally intended to be a rabbit who would pick items up using his ears. This rabbit that picks up items with it's ears concept would be tried again later, with this second version eventually becoming Ristar.
- The rabbit concept design went on to be a playable skin for Sonic in Sonic Superstars.
- Sonic's first appearance in his "classic" form is in Rad Mobile, whilst his first appearance in his "modern" form (complete with green eyes) is another non Sonic the Hedgehog cameo appearance in SpikeOut: Digital Battle Online.
External links
- Sonic the Hedgehog on Sonic Wiki Zone
- Sonic the Hedgehog on Sonic Channel
- Sonic the Hedgehog on Wikipedia
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