Sonic Prime, the latest Sonic the Hedgehog animation due for release on Netflix in 2022, will descend from a long dynasty of animations that reach all the way back from 1993’s slapstick Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, through to the modern charm of Sonic Mania Adventures. Each show has cultivated its own personality, and legion of Sonic the Hedgehog fanatics to boot. Similarly, there are now a multitude of genre-crossing Sonic the Hedgehog video game titles, that you’d be hard pushed to not find something for everyone in the Sonic the Hedgehog universe.
While variety might be the spice of life, this does leave SEGA with the Herculean task of attempting to satisfy the Sonic fanbase with each new release. If you’ve followed Sonic social media over the last few years, you are probably familiar with the common demands from fans: “We want Sonic Adventure 3!”, “Make more classic-style 2D Sonic games!”, “Bring back Richard Jacques for the soundtrack!” – the list goes on.
In all likelihood there is no title that would satisfy each and every corner of the fanbase, and differences in opinion regarding how the Sonic games progress and evolve into the future is now virtually generational; something that will likely become more so as a new cohort of fans is introduced to the world of Sonic through the movies.
The concept behind Sonic Prime, however, has the potential to deliver something that might come close to doing this – in fact, you only need to go as far as to see the WildBrain intend to target both under 11s as well as “legacy Sonic fans”.
Many will roll their eyes, and remind us that we have been promised a new, fresh look for Sonic before and been bitterly disappointed, or that they have trepidation that Prime might constitute another show that does away once again with a timeline that is already severely fractured and convoluted as it is.
While these are undoubtedly understandable concerns, it is worth pointing out that many well-established franchises have seen a renaissance in recent years by doing just this. You only need to look to the likes of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse to see an example of a well-executed production, in which creators lovingly draw upon a wealth of source material to create something new, while retaining the most-loved parts of the heritage.
Sonic Prime has nearly 30 years of material to draw from, across many media platforms and countless different takes on Sonic the Hedgehog lore, that a Sonic show based on a multiverse themed seems almost like an obvious idea; indeed, it is something that several of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book series have already capitalised upon.
The crucial factor of course will be down to those who sit at the helm of Prime, and their history with the world’s most famous hedgehog – fans can only hope that like Sonic Mania and the Sonic the Hedgehog movie, there will be a lot of love invested.
One thing is for sure though: Sonic the Hedgehog remains one of the few video game licenses that still, years on from his debut, warrants the commissioning of another cartoon series, and continues to resonate with new generations of children across the world – and quite possibly – the multiverse.
The multiverse concept makes me wonder. Will we be revisiting the worlds of past Sonic continuities (Adventures, StC, Boom, etc.)? And if so, will we be seeing some long forgotten faces?
I only concern is man of actions role in this if megman fully charged was anything to go by.
Finally! A TMNT approach! I still remain skeptical though…
If Blaze makes an appearance somehow that alone would make my day.
Same! I mean, she’s the one Sonic character that can travel freely between dimensions, also she has never appeared in any tv show yet so it would be great if she had an important role in Sonic Prime.
From the vague blurb alone, it sounds like they going to turn Sonic into Ben 10 (the character), making him as flawed as possible to the point where several characters nag him for his incompetence, all just so they can look better in comparison.
I hate that idea. Considering Ben Tennyson’s character and how Gwen/Max/Azmuth/other characters view him, what else can we expect in Sonic Prime if Man of Action is involved.
Sonic being “too perfect” was never an issue for the character. In fact, Sonic himself never needed a dark, sad, or personal backstory to expand his character. The Jason Griffith era made him too passive/mellow, but the RCS/Pontaff era was the first one to truly ruin him. This new show, and whatever direction the franchise is going to go (since so many voice actors are leaving) are most likely going to double down on that. That scares the sh** out of me. Especially when I’m already trying to fix this franchise. Sonic does not need to be a Ben 10/Naruto archetype.
“Especially when I’m already trying to fix this franchise.”
And you are?
You seem to be making a ton of assumptions off of very, very little and absolutely running to the hills with them. Reel it in a bit dude.
Also, nice copy-paste from Reddit.
Far as the multiverse premise goes, I’m gonna wait with my speculations until I see how it will work out in this show first. For all we know, other universes may refer to just lame “original” parallel realities that are exclusive to Prime and have nothing to do with the other Sonic series. I’m not hoping this is the case but you can never be too careful.