The Better Dark Sonic

Sonic has had many "evil" duplicates, from metal copies to a sunglasses-loving criminal. When Sonic himself transforms, though, fans tend to take notice. 

Fleetway Super Sonic, Darkspine Sonic, Sonic the Werehog...none really gained the same attention as "Dark Sonic/Dark Super Sonic" from episode 67 of Sonic X. 

The scene varies between versions, however.

The main difference is that in the original (Japanese) take, Sonic seems sadder. Seeing no other option, he gives himself to hatred and destroys the "test" Meterex with an angered cry. Again alone with Black Narcissus, he simply asks if that's what the dark Meterex wanted before Eggman intervenes. 

The English version paints a very different picture. Overwhelmed by the fake-emerald's power and his anger, his personality transforms just as radically as his appearance. Where his laugh had been sort of crestfallen or nervous in the Japanese version, in the dub it turns insane. Sonic seems to relish the idea of slaughtering the "test" Meterex. He quickly takes them out in a rage and tells Narcissus to "go back to the drawing board" before Eggman intervenes.

VS

I tend to see the "subvsdub" debate as an old argument, but it does kinda' tick me off people are still whinnying that the dub wasn't a complete copy of the original. 4kids had some strict rules that seem irrelevant nowadays, but it can't be changed now. 

Regardless, I view Dark Sonic as the time the Dub whole-heartedly did a better job than the original. 

Mr. Popular

And it may be the one time the world agrees with me. Dark Sonic grew popular because of the English version, I believe. It's a bit hard to judge for a couple reasons ("Dark Sonic" is not an official name--there is no official name and much of his popularity is expressed through fan art, which isn't an obvious indication). 

• However, altering the search tools to 2005 resulted in only 2 relevant results--both of the same origin. More results, including the Sonic Wiki, came up for after 2006, which is when the dub aired. In 2014 someone even made a SFM animated version of it. 
• Though now that I think about it, the Japanese version didn't air at all...hm...google?!
  
• His personality may have inspired Gigi-D's fan creation, Tainted Sonic, or maybe it even influenced whatever the hell Sonic.exe is (Creepypasta). 
• Anyway, Sonic X's popularity in the West is credited with granting the show a 3rd season. Of the Sonic cartoons, it may be the most popular or at least most recognized, as "Gotta Go Fast" has been associated alongside Sonic to the point that it's leaked way beyond Sonic X. 
• As further evidence for Dark Sonic specifically, youtube: 
• a video from 2008 of the 4kids scene has 1,678,589 views, while a 2013 video of the Japanese version only has 5,447. 
• a newer video of the Japanese version (2017) has 15,647, but the official TMS video (with the English version, 2020) managed to gather 5,061,416 views.

Now I don't usually care about what's popular or not, but I am pointing it out because fans of the original seem a bit more vocal and it a nice reminder that not everyone thinks "the dub ruined it."

Compared

What I get from the original: Sonic gives up, becomes a slave to his anger/despair and does what Narcissus wanted. Eggman saves him from falling further into the "Black Trap."

What I get from the 4kids one: Sonic loses control and uses his rage/power to become an unstoppable force...until Eggman interrupts.   

Sonic doesn't give up, not on purpose. As Chip described it in Sonic Unleashed, "You're too strong to lose yourself." In another case, after continuing to fight against a more powerful enemy Sonic simply put it, "I just gotta' do what I've gotta' do. That's all." 

So it seems a bit out of character for Sonic to surrender to desperation. The episode its still impactful--that scream-like attack as he shreds the second Meta'creep is extraordinary. But the personality (and ergo the transformation) is not as potent. 

In the 4kids version, Sonic is overwhelmed by the energy around him/his own his emotions. The transformation seems unintentional. This is more plausible--it's a lot like what happens when Sonic turns into "Darkspine Sonic" in Sonic and the Secret Rings. 

His personality makes the real difference, with his crazed actions reflecting the darker side of Sonic's attitude. It was obvious that Sonic enjoyed that power. The quick turn from just wanting to know his friends were okay to the violence-craving was a shock. Sonic's creepy laugh is especially fitting. 

Adding to the scene are the allusions to Shadow. A hint of Shadow's 4kids theme plays as Sonic transforms. Likewise, Eggman warns Sonic that if he lets fury take control, he'll always be angry, "just like another hedgehog we know." This implies that Sonic may have become more like Shadow (or worse) if he had lost Chris/Cosmo like Shadow lost Maria (adding more depth to the event).  

So

I know how ironic it is, with "the Molly episode" right after it. But the dub did it stronger, darker, and better.  

4kids probably didn't intend to create such an intense version of Dark Sonic. They probably hoped that the shift in dialogue would make it seem like Sonic was still the hero. Instead, for about a minute Sonic was a psychopath. Oops? 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Conclusion

Surprisingly, Wave Ocean and Emerald Coast tied. However, as a whole there can only be one winner. After considering the different elements, a choice had to be made. 

Review

Emerald Coast was decided better: 

1. Gameplay
2. Sonic's stage
3. Story

Wave Ocean was decided better:

1. Visuals
2. Music
3. Other characters' stages 

The better level is: Emerald Coast

What really gave Emerald Coast the edge in the end was creativity. Wave Ocean was a nice nod at Emerald Coast, but with the moving spikes, flying seagulls, swimming dolphins, and angry Orcas, some might call it too much of a "rip-off." 

While there had been hints of beaches in the past, Emerald Coast is the first to really focus on that type of scenery. Like Speed Highway, many remember the level fondly and it was apparently used in the DS version of Sonic Generations. It inspired many other zones other than Wave Ocean, including Neo Green Hill and Seaside Hill. 

Wave Ocean was still pretty nice. It's better visuals and music make a better atmosphere. It might be a better "tourist" location, but this is a video game, designed to be played through. In that sense, Emerald Coast makes a better level.

...

Sorry, but the best beach-themed level is actually Jungle Joyride. 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Others

Neither level was exclusive to Sonic. 

Big the Cat and E-102 Gamma both go to Emerald Coast. Amy, Knuckles, at one time Tails could all glitch into the first portion of Sonic's Emerald Coast. 

Wave Ocean was visited by Tails, Blaze, Omega, Shadow, and Rouge in the End of the World.  

Big's is slow and tedious, like all Big levels. There is a nice secret room to fish at, if only I was patient enough to appreciate such a thing. Still, since Big always has to be around water (to fish) this one is visually nicer and makes the most sense. 

Gamma is not here long. It's only his second stage and he finds Froggy a heck of a lot faster than Big ever did. 

It's cool to glitch in with other characters. Thankfully Knuckles could still climb things. Amy's seemed a bit glitch-ier, and I don't think Tails is possible on the re-releases. It's cool but really it's just Sonic's level again.

Tails is in Wave Ocean. Again. To make things more boring, it's mostly the same location. The goal ring is even where Tails had to get the switch in Sonic's level. Tails feels just as pointless in Wave Ocean as his reason for being there. 

It's nicer to play as Blaze because her moves are more complex yet she has a speed closer to Sonic's. Her level is nice and short. Kind of a shame, because I wouldn't mind being stuck with a longer level, since this seems to be the closest thing to 3-D Sonic Rush possible. 

Shadow glides in, kinda' boring but at least it's not the same loop-de-loop everyone else st--Omega. Omega goes through the "Sonic" section, making him the 3rd. Luckily Shadow's part is a bit more interesting, if not scattered. As an interesting bonus, it's also possible to use Omega to "fly" to the goal and finish early. Still not totally necessary, though, since the level's fairly short compared to the 06 standard.   

I really like the stormy, lighting effect Wave Ocean has in the "end" level. Rouge's is a breeze since she can climb and glide, making her section a nice break after Silver's longer path. 

Winner: Wave Ocean

Sonic 06 overused Wave Ocean, mainly the "sonic section."  They all mostly start the same. At least robots have been rotated out I guess. 

However Adventure underused Emerald Coast. I didn't know how badly I needed to see Knux vs Whale until using that glitch...ha, anyway. Adventure didn't do to much aside from Sonic's level. Big's looked nice but he's too slow to be a fun explorer like Knuckles. Gamma's was pathetically short--it was a bit of a shock, I think. 

I do think that Blaze and Shadow have better gameplay than most 06 characters, and they help balance out the double-Tails experience. 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Sonic

Both Sonic Adventure and Sonic 06 had similar levels for Sonic. Which is stage plays out the best? 

Emerald Coast is Sonic's first level. He quickly leaves the hotel behind and navigates the nearby docks and formations while taking out a few robots. He's chased by an orca! After passing a light house, the second part of the stage begins. Passing through caves and water, Sonic makes his way back out to the sandy coast until he reaches a bare stretch and finds Tails/hits the capsule. 

Wave Ocean is Sonic's first level. He quickly slides into the water and fights off nearby bots. After grinding past a lighthouse, he soon ends up chased by an orca! Stuck, Sonic asks Tails for help. Tails then has to find a switch before Sonic can move on. The next part is a "mach speed" section, where Sonic speeds up tries not to run into everything. After, he hits the goal ring.  

Winner: Emerald Coast

Wave Ocean is big and nice to explore. Though not the most original concept, there was an effort to add something new to the whale idea. Where things start to slow is with Tails, which is a bit annoying and seemingly unnecessary for a beginning level. I'm not a fan of the fast and tricky "mach" sections, but this might be the best one in the game, sadly.  

Emerald Coast, meanwhile, is just right for a starting level. It has a short pace, plenty of rings and hints for new players, and it was all new and original. The only con is the greenish water part, but it can be avoided with a simple shortcut. 

Sonic's style is better in the layout of Emerald Coast. 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: "Story"

There has to be a reason to be in a level, even if it's just to get to the next. 

Sonic sees his bud Tails crash in Emerald Coast and runs to help. Later Big looks for Froggy and Gamma finds Froggy. 

After Elise is kidnapped, Sonic and Tails head to Wave Ocean to track her. Eggman gets away, unfortunately, and later Tails returns yet again to try to help Elise but fails. Blaze heads towards town to try and find Silver in the meantime. Omega tracks Mephiles to Wave Ocean, and Shadow rushes there to help. 

Winner: Emerald Coast  

Shadow's story in 06 is awesome and "Omega's Confession," one of my favorite cutscenes, does take place in Wave Ocean. Shadow's reason for being there also makes the most sense. Still, what's Mephiles doing in Wave Ocean, anyway? Mephiles likes the beach? And maybe Rouge should have had a playable section, too, since she's also there.

Why did Mephiles separate Silver and Blaze? It makes sense for her to want to find him, but she could have been left in any other stage and it would not have made a difference. 

As for Sonic and Tails...it's bad enough to deal with the Mario/damsel-in-distress thing once, but twice in the same place? Elise shouldn't have been 'napped right away. The first Wave Ocean should have been a more relaxed, fun level for Sonic/Tails and for the player to adjust to the controls. And the second one shouldn't have been a thing. 

Sonic had a clear cut reason to be Emerald Coast, simple and short enough. And Big and Gamma's connected to the story, at least. Emerald Coast never felt forced, it just felt like a part of the game. Sonic, Big, and Gamma each went to Emerald Coast to get things done. And they did. Well...Sonic and Gamma did. But Big got some fish out of it probably.  

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Gameplay

Sonic Adventure wasn't perfect. In this case there are some spots that aren't the best while spin dashing, and Sonic doesn't like to stay on the walls he's running on. Generally seems awkward and primitive compared to the future. 

Sonic 06 is no picnic. Sure, glitches can be exploited, but they aren't supposed to be there. As with any level, the problems can vary from lag or camera angles that should not be possible to characters not doing their moves or going where they should not be able to. 

Winner: Emerald Coast

The springs and wall jump bother me, as well as a few spots like on the wall, but it is generally smooth. Emerald Coast feels set up faster, too. 

06 is not as bad as people believe, but glitches are sadly a guarantee. One good thing is that the water won't slow the characters down as in Adventure. Sonic usually is slower in water, but since it is shallow and he's not under it I preferred it without the slow-down.  

Sonic Adventure was not perfect, but Emerald Coast was fair. Wave Ocean, meanwhile, wasn't a kind welcome to new players.  

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Music

Emerald Coast is easily identifiable as a song of Sonic Adventure with it's rock and guitar-led tones, though it takes on a more laid back style to match the location. Might be some old Sonic 3D Blast in there a bit, too. There is "Azure Blue World," "Windy & Ripply for Emerald Coast," and, lazier, "Big fishes at Emerald Coast."

One thing that isn't criticized when it comes to 06 is the soundtrack. It's an atmospheric mix of instruments and even some simple vocals at points. The relaxed track "The Water's Edge" turns into the faster/edgier, "The Inlet."

Winner: Wave Ocean

This is certainly an example of how music can have different effects. These levels look a lot a like, but the tracks for Emerald Coast seem to mix the adventure with the feel of a hot summer day. Meanwhile Wave Ocean gives off a cooler vibe, more like a focus on the water instead. 

"Azure Blue World" helps set the pace, but the similar "Windy & Ripply" was more relaxed and better suited for the location. Big's certainly has a different rhythm, but I also think it matches the location a bit better that "Azure Blue World." 

In Wave Ocean, "The Water's Edge" is pretty stunning. It's calm yet picks up when it needs to. The mix of instruments is beautiful and it's perfect for the beach. "The Inlet" matches the sudden change in speed for Sonic and seems to catch some of his attitude with it.  

Overall there's no question. Emerald's Coast music was good, but Wave Ocean blows it out of the water. 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Visuals

Some people are more affected by graphics than others. For the not-so realistic Sonic series, most aren't expecting the best, but having clarity and varying designs is always a plus. 

A vacation resort, Emerald Coast is just beyond Station Square's hotel. Wooden and sand paths lead past a light house and waterfall while coconut palms grow all over. Meanwhile the location is home to packs of seagulls and fish, as well as friendly dolphins and a pesky killer whale. 

Soleanna relies heavily on tourism, and "the City of Water" also has itself a nice nearby beach, Wave Ocean. It sports many of the same elements, including Seagulls, Dolphins, and more Orcas as well as similar rock formations, etc. 

 

Winner of this round: Wave Ocean 

I was genuinely surprised at how much of an improvement there actually was. 

I tend to remember Wave Ocean as mostly ugly rock formations, and the lighter versions in Emerald Coast are better. There is also something very likable about Emerald Coast's blue water, and I love the details like the lounge chairs and both colorful & thatch umbrellas. 

The returning elements have been improved upon in 06. The chairs are now wooden but especially the umbrellas are similar. The wood paths are more defined, and the water's hues are calmer and a bit closer to real life. There are more dolphins, but notably less birds (which is fine because Adventure may have gotten a bit carried away). The plants look a little more unique, too. 

Surprisingly the background is greatly improved. While it just looked like a picture wrapped around the level in Sonic Adventure, tricks like mist and fading gave Wave Ocean more depth. 

While Emerald Coast had little more than a piece of the hotel and a few wood platforms in the area surrounding, Wave Ocean had nice rows of colorful sailboats parked along wooden shacks. 

Wave Ocean is, visually, better than it's predecessor. 

Emerald Coast vs Wave Ocean: Intro

Just as Green Hill became an instant classic, many Dreamcast-ers and transitional fans grew immediately fond of Sonic Adventure's Emerald Coast, though ultimately Seaside Hill (Sonic Heroes) would be used more. 

Even though the game performed poorly, the 2006 game Sonic the Hedgehog created a re-imagined Emerald Coast, Wave Ocean, as homage to Sonic's "first" 3-D level. 

Which is better?

For most the answer seems obvious. Emerald Coast. Sonic Adventure is beloved, and 06 is considered the series' lowest point. Done deal, right? Not exactly. 

Despite 06's naturally glitch-ier state, it did have roughly seven years to try and gain some advantages. That into account, it's possible Wave Ocean was actually an improvement over Emerald Coast.

But 06 is 06, and Adventure is Adventure. Many factors will have to be considered...Are these beach-themed levels are really that different? It's time to find out. 

The Molly Debate (Part 5)

Episode 5: The More They Stay the Same...

Conclusion

I like to defend the dub because sometimes people draw conclusions without even giving it a chance. It could be worse. But this is a known weak point.

They should have worked around their rules without disrupting the story. I really wish they had done the original scene and put it on DVD as a special feature or something. Except for fan edits, we'll never see Molly's death in English.

So should 4kids' have censored Molly's death? Probably not. Should they be blamed for it? The show is like, 15 years old. Complaining about 4kids won't do anything--4kids is gone.

Should the entire dub be remembered for this and this only? No. Like it or not, it was Sonic X's success in the west that even allowed the series to go on for another season. So it can't be all bad, now can it?

The Verdict: The dub did not "ruin everything," but no, they shouldn't have changed the ending.

Cersorsh*t, in the first degree.  

So is the English "A Revolutionary Tale" episode worthless? No. It has some nice qualities, and the end game is the same--Shadow leaves Eggman and goes out on his own mission. It would be a good idea for fans to see the original, but the English version serves its purpose.

Besides, much as 4kids may be criticized for censoring, Sega themselves have strayed from "darker" or "deeper" stories in favor of silly, comical ones. Sonic was supposed to be tortured yet he's acting like a clown for most of Sonic Forces. Dub or Subbed, Sonic X treated Sonic more seriously than that.

Apparently being eaten by a tree is appropriate for TV-7, though? 

The Molly Debate (Part 4)

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look into "why" Molly's death may have been censored. 

Episode 4: Who Gave You the Key, Molly?!

Why this was "maybe necessary."

My number one guess as to why this happened: rules and mandates. I'm sure 4kids ("for kids") probably had some kind of mandate against showing a direct, on-screen death (Ya' know, kinda' like how Sega says Sonic can't cry in the comics).

This wasn't aimed at Sonic, though, but for the company as a whole. In some cases, 4kids completely cut episodes (of other shows). No doubt the same company that censored signs reading "Casino" or "House of Amy Rose" saw Molly being blasted out of the sky as too harsh.

It could been broadcasting rules, though. I remember Sonic X being rated TV-7, the same as, for example, Spongebob. Now think. Did anyone ever officially die on screen on Spongebob? The closest I can think of is Bubble Buddy letting the tide come in, but that wasn't "onscreen."

Point is Sonic X may have needed a higher raking for an on-screen death, and 4kids wanted to keep it at that level. Even "darker" Sonic games are for players of at least 10.

Sonic probably attracted an older audience than expected (much like a lot of things "Sonic"). They weren't accounting for such viewers.

My final theory: they saw Molly's death as a suicide. She viciously attacks the Meterex in a futile way after finding out everyone she trusted betrayed her. Suicide is an even deeper topic to expose to a younger audience, so cutting such a scene would make sense. However, if that were the case the dialogue could just be changed so her death would be more of an accident.

Hm...Conclusions? The answers are just up ahead...

The Molly Debate (Part 3)

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look at both sides. In this episode, the English version.

Episode 3: Just Like in That Story, Remember? 

What the Dub did good

Being the 4kids cast, I'm generally impressed with the voice acting. As I have mentioned before, Jason Griffith does a perfect voice for Shadow. Kathleen Delaney (Rouge) did all right. Bella Hudson (also known for voicing Blaze and Wave) voiced Molly as determined but vulnerable as well.

Shadow isn't nice, but he's not as cold-hearted as in the original. Sure, Shadow's an anti-hero, but he's not complete a$$4@!*, either. "Don't cry, Molly," is probably the best moment of the episode. Overall 4kids gave the audience the same sympathy for Shadow that SA 2 did by arguably writing the character better.

Molly was also portrayed with more confidence than her Japanese version, who seemed...determined, yet doomed. Rouge is portrayed with her usual flair, and if I recall accurately, some viewers got a kick out of the line, "some boob set a booby trap."

This version also named the planet Cascade. Pretty name, plus the Wiki doesn't have to call it "Molly's planet," ha.

Update: Another name was listed in Japanese on an Eyecatch card, but it's not actually spoken, giving English viewers the impression the planet had no name.

I also think 4kids was justified in censoring Rouge appearance a bit, because in this episode...

WTH?

They got a little too carried away.

lol they try.

Next up, Molly's "goodbye."

The Molly Debate (Part 2)

They were too lazy to eliminate the grave from this scene.

Before I draw any conclusions, this debate will look at both sides. In this episode, the original.

Episode 2: A Revolutionary Fail 

Why this was "totally unnecessary."

The original is has a deep moment for Shadow. It's like he loses Maria again--if Maria was a star-fighter pilot (or, uh, whatever it's called). It's a turning point for him, and explains why he became so focused on stopping the Meterex in later episodes.

Also, death is a part of life. Trying to shield away from it may cause more trouble than help.

Also, the deaths of other characters like Maria, Emerl, and Cosmo are not eliminated (though they were not as direct). Plus the video games had characters "die" or reach a fate equivalent (Sonic dumped that magic lamp in LAVA, I don't see how the Erazor Djinn could still be around).

What ELSE did the dub cut?

In addition to Molly's death scene and her grave, the other major change would be a conversation Rouge and Shadow have. In the Dub, it's worrying about the current situation--which is...okay. But there was a deeper discussion in the original.

Since her death was cut, of course her makeshift grave is also gone. Along with it is a brief comparison to Maria that was perhaps meant to imply Shadow's memory was back. 

The dialogue also makes the other Resistance members a bit more sympathetic.