Over the years Sonic has had many cartoons, shorts, and even a few "movies" based off him. In honor of Sonic Mania Adventures' end, we're reviewing the shows that have come and gone. As a bonus, I linked the pictures to each show/video.
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog ("AoStH," 1993)
Comical, Sonic and his bud Tails take on Dr. Robotnik and his robots (Scratch, Grounder, and Coconuts) and constantly save the people of Mobius from harm. Despite it's lighthearted tone, Adventures was actually close to the games canon (at the time): Tail's being with Sonic "since a cub"(Sonic 2 manual)/being named Miles Prower, occasional rings, a few chaos emeralds, and even Madonna references (scrapped character, not the 80s singer). This show set the stage for all others with Sonic's way-cool attitude, a clumsy yet evil Robotnik, robot side-kicks, and most important-- chilidogs. A few years after the show ended a special, Sonic's Christmas Blast, was created with a couple changes but the same tone.
Sonic the Hedgehog ("SatAM," 1993)
Much like the Archie comics, Sonic is a freedom fighter with pals Tails, Antoine(?), Bunnie, Rotor, and implied girlfriend, Sally Acorn. In this version, Dr. Robotnik, aided by his unhappy nephew, Snively, had taken over the world when Sonic & Co. were just kids by "robotisizing"anyone who got in his way. It featured chilidogs, power rings, two timestones, and some seriously recognizable voice acting (In addition to Jaleel White reprising his role as Sonic, there are a few Rugrat cast members, and Pooh Bear's current voice as one of the darkest versions of Robotnik to date). Unfortunately, it was cancelled, leaving an open cliff-hanger.
Man of the Year ("SONIC/MoY/StA," 1997)
This short was released in Sonic Jam. It follows Dr. Robotnik/Eggman as he ruins Sonic's reputation. With no voice acting, it used (familiar!) music to set the tone. The character animation was cool but the CGI add-ins were trash. It was never concluded.
Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie ("OVA," 1996 JPN, 1999 USA)
Sonic, Tails, and a hat-wearing Knuckles take on Dr. Robotnik and an uncanny Metal Sonic. It featured some strange characters like Old Man Owl and a President. The President's annoying daughter, Sara, was taken captive, and even though she "likes Sonic," she "hangs out" with everyone but. The voice acting left much to be desired, but the animation is similar to Sonic CD. Metal Sonic's close connection to Sonic was one of the highlights, if not the best part.
Sonic Underground ("Underground," 1999)
While different from the games, Underground has plenty of plot-twists, humor, and action to hold attention. The background is similar to SatAm, with Robotnik taking over most of the world and a resistance forming to oppose him. This time, however, it's revealed that Sonic was a triplet and that his mother, Aleena, was a queen. She separated the three when the were babies so they'd escape robotsization. Years later, Sonic reunites with his siblings Manic, a "former" thief, and Sonia, a "high class" hedgehog, forming the Sonic Underground, a band with (sometimes cute, sometimes crap) music. Together the trio battle Robotnik, and his lousy bounty hunters, Sleet and Dingo, while searching for their Ma. This was the first cartoon to feature Knuckles, and the only one to exclude Tails. It also had a few chaos emeralds. Unfortunately this is another abandoned story, as it was cancelled before given a proper ending. It was the last to include voice work from Jaleel White.
Sonic X ("X," 2003)
The first cartoon in the "modern" era (transitional, technically, but...). This time Sonic and his friends Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Cream are find themselves in a strange world--full of humans. He makes fast friends with local (rich) boy, Chris, helps the crew get used to earth. They protect the world from Eggman and his crazy robots, including laugh-able lackeys Decoe, Bocoe, and Bokkun. It has rings, chaos emeralds, plenty of "game" characters, and several events are adapted through out the second season. It's the only series not to feature chilidogs in a re-occurring role, showing only one through out 78 episodes. The third takes place in Sonic's dimension--but not for long, as everyone heads into space for an epic showdown with the universe's greatest threat: no, not Eggman. This is the first series with a "real" end, and although many criticize the extensive censorship by 4kids, is easily recognized with it's "Gotta go Fast" theme song. The show's voice actors started voicing in the games with Shadow the Hedgehog until everyone but Eggman Mike Pollock was replaced in 2010 ( :'( ).
Sonic: Night of the Werehog ("Sonic Unleashed: Night of the Werehog/Night of the Werehog," 2008)
This mini-movie went alongside Sonic Unleashed. With little words spoken, it relied on sound effects and action to convey the situation. Sonic and Chip explore a haunted house, while two ghosts, fighting for the attention of a female ghost, try to scare the duo. Well. They scare Chip. The ghouls make it their mission to frighten the blue-blur, but they're in for a surprise when Sonic transforms into his Werehog form. This was a great and satisfying short, but it left us with one little, bothersome thought: "Uh...I thought he transformed at nightfall, not when the moon was full..."
Sonic Boom ("Boom," 2014)
A shock to the community, Sonic Boom resigns the main cast and adds in an oddball called Sticks. Taking a comedic approach, the first CGI cartoon references "memes" and Sonic inside-jokes. Scarf wearing Sonic is a fast hero aided by Tails, who, surprise-surprise, likes inventing and riding planes (he even did that stuff in AoStH once). Amy, unlike her obsessive game-counterpart, is calm and believes in a good metal-being. Beefed up Knuckles isn't the brightest, but he's always ready for a fight while paranoid conspiracy-lover Sticks is there to help. They protect the area they live in from Eggman (with Orbot and Cubot), Metal Sonic, and a weird "Just let me fight Sonic" version of Shadow. There are a few allusions to the past series (Dude-itude--Sonic Underground, MomBot--Mama Robotnik), and to the actual games (Eggman wants Eggmanland, Shadow is the second most popular character in the canon, Sonic talking about fans hating him/his scarf...once Sonic and Eggman watched a movie with Eggman's theme as the music). It's supposedly the longest running series, but their episodes are half the length compared to the others, so for now Sonic X is still ahead. Although it seemed disappointing and silly at first (not to mention the crap voice-acting cast--the same that took over in 2010), it's gotten better. Knuckles is less stupid, Amy sounds less Minnie Mouse, and they've made jokes that are actually funny. This is currently the only show still on.
Sonic Mania Adventures ("SMA," 2018)
Released on Youtube over a few months as a continuation of Sonic Mania/Sonic Mania Plus, this one has episodes only a few minutes long (being about 11 in total). It starts with Sonic after he returns from Sonic Forces, and picks up characters Tails, Knuckles, Ray, and Mighty along the way. The villain--Eggman again, with Metal Sonic on the lose, too. With adorable animation that perfectly matched Sonic Mania, awesome expressions and attitude, this mini-series left many fans begging for more.
SONIC (the movie) ("The Movie," 2019)
While most of this disaster is still a mystery, a few details have been revealed, including Jim Carry as Eggman (like I said, disaster). It will be a (disgusting?) CGI-live-action hybrid. Sonic will be a juvenile delinquent (whether this is due to Eggman controlling the world or to Sonic's sometimes extreme attitude is unknown) and he will go on some world-saving adventure with a cop. As if it's not obvious, Sega has little to do with this movie, and it will be another separate continuity. Hopin' for some Easter Eggs. Not sure if a game will be made along-side it's release, but it seems plausible.
Other
Sonic had some cameos in Wreck-It Ralph, so he might in it's sequel. He's been referenced in other shows, too, and apparently he was the star of some Russian quiz show in 1994...
Sometimes Sonic-media can get a little crazy, but they're all good shows. I personally favor AoStH, Sonic Underground, and Sonic X because I grew up with them, and I think it's great that others get to watch him, too. While each has their own pros and con, they're a great introduction to the games.
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