Difference between revisions of "Sonic the Hedgehog"
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| − | + | {{Sonic Bob}}'''Sonic the Hedgehog''' ([[Japanese language|Japanese]]:ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, [[Romaji]]: ''Sonikku za hejjihoggu'') is the flagship character for [[video game]], [[arcade game]] (and formerly home [[game console]]) company [[Sega]], which has released a series of video games in which he either stars or plays a role. Sonic was competeing head-to-head with [[Nintendo]]'s mascot [[Mario]] for over a decade until Sega went out of the home console market. He now lives on in various Nintendo and other consoles. | |
Sonic replaced [[Alex Kidd]], who was Sega's mascot prior to 1990. [[Naoto Oshima]] designed the character while [[Yuji Naka]] (who would later become head of the [[Sonic Team]] division) was the main programmer. The "game planner" was [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]]. The music of the first two ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games on the Megadrive and Genesis was composed by [[Masato Nakamura]] of the [[Japan|Japanese]] band [[DREAMS COME TRUE]]. | Sonic replaced [[Alex Kidd]], who was Sega's mascot prior to 1990. [[Naoto Oshima]] designed the character while [[Yuji Naka]] (who would later become head of the [[Sonic Team]] division) was the main programmer. The "game planner" was [[Hirokazu Yasuhara]]. The music of the first two ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' games on the Megadrive and Genesis was composed by [[Masato Nakamura]] of the [[Japan|Japanese]] band [[DREAMS COME TRUE]]. | ||
| − | Sega promoted the game's use of "[[Blast Processing]]", supposedly a feature of the [[Sega Genesis]] which allowed it to draw [[sprite | + | Sega promoted the game's use of "[[Blast Processing]]", supposedly a feature of the [[Sega Genesis]] which allowed it to draw [[sprite]]s faster, but which in reality simply referred to the console's fast CPU [[clock rate]]. |
Sonic was an early example of the "obscure anthropomorphic animal starring in a platform game" character archetype that was later seen in characters such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Blinx, and Sly Cooper. | Sonic was an early example of the "obscure anthropomorphic animal starring in a platform game" character archetype that was later seen in characters such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Blinx, and Sly Cooper. | ||
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===Former US/UK Version=== | ===Former US/UK Version=== | ||
| − | A short mini-comic by Sega of America was released in early 1991 which was synced with the release of [[Sonic 1]], no doubt a way to spread the word of the new blue hedgehog on the block. It was entitled, respectively, "Sonic the Hedgehog"; it introduced the characters Sonic and [[Dr. Robotnik]]. However, it also introduced the character that later became Dr. Robotnik, [[Dr. Ovi Kintobor]] (Ivo Robotnik spelled backwards.) It illustrated how this small, brown and rather prickly hedgehog named Sonic one day burrowed beneath a laboratory, and popped up through the floor to find Dr. Ovi Kintobor hard at work on the [[R.O.C.C.]] (Retro-Orbital Chaos Compressor), in which the 7 [[Chaos Emeralds]] were held, to contain their chaotic energies. Dr. Ovi is fascinated that Sonic can run at such incredible speeds, so the two experiment, seeing just how fast Sonic can go. He is placed on a treadmill and runs and runs until he reaches over 700 mph, and suddenly breaks the sound barrier, causing not only a "Sonic Boom", but the Cobalt Effect as well, turning Sonic from brown to his trademark blue hue. Having completely decimated his blue and white sneakers in the speed experiment, Dr. Ovi creates friction resistant sneakers for Sonic to wear, and he wears those shoes to this very day. | + | A short mini-comic by Sega of America was released in early 1991 which was synced with the release of [[Sonic 1]], no doubt a way to spread the word of the new blue hedgehog on the block. It was entitled, respectively, "Sonic the Hedgehog"; it introduced the characters Sonic and [[Dr. Robotnik]]. However, it also introduced the character that later became Dr. Robotnik, [[Dr. Ovi Kintobor]] (Ivo Robotnik spelled backwards.) It illustrated how this small, brown and rather prickly hedgehog named Sonic one day burrowed beneath a laboratory, and popped up through the floor to find Dr. Ovi Kintobor hard at work on the [[R.O.C.C.]] (Retro-Orbital Chaos Compressor), in which the 7 [[Chaos Emeralds]] were held, to contain their chaotic energies. Dr. Ovi is fascinated that Sonic can run at such incredible speeds, so the two experiment, seeing just how fast Sonic can go. He is placed on a treadmill and runs and runs until he reaches over 700 mph, and suddenly breaks the sound barrier, causing not only a "Sonic Boom", but the Cobalt Effect as well, turning Sonic from brown to his trademark blue hue. Having completely decimated his blue and white sneakers in the speed experiment, Dr. Ovi creates friction resistant sneakers for Sonic to wear, and he wears those shoes to this very day. Sonic and the Doctor become go |
| − | Sonic and the Doctor become | + | od friends, and spend much time together in the lab. However, one day, Dr. Ovi Kintobor is working on the R.O.C.C., when he asks a favor of Sonic: "Sonic, could you get me a soda and a hard-boiled egg.." Sonic retrieves it and is back before the Doctor can finish his sentence. "..please?" Dr. Kintobor accidentally knocks over his soda onto the console of the R.O.C.C., while in his other hand, he holds the hard-boiled egg. He's suddenly electrocuted, causing the chaotic (and apparently somewhat evil) energies of the Chaos Emeralds to transfer into him; and due to the egg in his hand, takes on an egg-shaped physique. The R.O.C.C. explodes, scattering its [[Containment Rings]] all over the planet (these are the rings that you collect in just about every Sonic game created.) He begins to chase after Sonic, now bent on the hedgehog's destruction. With a heavy heart, Sonic accepts that the kind Doctor he once knew no longer exists, and vows to protect the world from what the newly turned Doctor has proclaimed himself to be: Dr. Robotnik. And thus, the story of [[Sonic 1]] begins. There is an alternative explanation in ''Stay Sonic: Official Sega Handbook'', a book about Sonic the Hedgehog written by Mike Pattenden. At some point it was divulged (probably from an American source) that Sonic enjoys eating chilli dogs. |
The premise of the games revolves around Doctor Eggman (Doctor Robotnik in the earlier releases in North America and Europe) trying to take over the world by turning the animals into (often called [[Badniks]], though this is an US/EUR term and hasn't been used since [[Sonic Adventure]]). Sonic is charged with saving them. In later games he is joined by [[Miles Prower|Miles "Tails" Prower]], [[Amy Rose]], [[Knuckles the Echidna]], [[Cream the Rabbit]] and a host of others. Sonic must collect Golden [[Rings]] to protect himself from the Badniks, and he ultimately must collect the [[Chaos Emeralds]] on the Emerald Isle in order to become his most powerful form, [[Super Sonic]]. However, Sonic's quest does not necessitate collecting the Emeralds himself; he must only prevent Robotnik from collecting them and dooming the world with their power. | The premise of the games revolves around Doctor Eggman (Doctor Robotnik in the earlier releases in North America and Europe) trying to take over the world by turning the animals into (often called [[Badniks]], though this is an US/EUR term and hasn't been used since [[Sonic Adventure]]). Sonic is charged with saving them. In later games he is joined by [[Miles Prower|Miles "Tails" Prower]], [[Amy Rose]], [[Knuckles the Echidna]], [[Cream the Rabbit]] and a host of others. Sonic must collect Golden [[Rings]] to protect himself from the Badniks, and he ultimately must collect the [[Chaos Emeralds]] on the Emerald Isle in order to become his most powerful form, [[Super Sonic]]. However, Sonic's quest does not necessitate collecting the Emeralds himself; he must only prevent Robotnik from collecting them and dooming the world with their power. | ||
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In all games, Sonic is voiced by either [[Jun'ichi Kanemaru]] or [[Ryan Drummond]]. In the TV shows, he is voiced by five different actors (specific to each show): [[Jaleel White]], [[Masami Kikuchi]], [[Martin Burke]], [[Jun'ichi Kanemaru]] and [[Jason Griffith]]. | In all games, Sonic is voiced by either [[Jun'ichi Kanemaru]] or [[Ryan Drummond]]. In the TV shows, he is voiced by five different actors (specific to each show): [[Jaleel White]], [[Masami Kikuchi]], [[Martin Burke]], [[Jun'ichi Kanemaru]] and [[Jason Griffith]]. | ||
| − | [[Sonic the Comic]] later featured a story involving time travel, in which it was revealed that revealed that Sonic himself was responsible for Kintobor's accident. | + | [[Sonic the Comic]] later featured a story involving time travel, in which it was revealed that revealed that Sonic himself was responsible for Kintobor's accident. His foes, the Brotherhood of |
| − | + | Metallix, had travelled back and removed the rotten egg from the fridge, preventing [[Robotnik]] from being created and leaving them free to dominate the planet. In order to prevent this future, Sonic had to replace the egg, and pulled the cable that tripped [[Kintobor]] - thereby making himself responsible for the creation of his greatest enemy. | |
==Video Games== | ==Video Games== | ||
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{{SonicHeroes}} | {{SonicHeroes}} | ||
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| + | [[Category:Characters]] | ||
Revision as of 15:12, 27 January 2005
Template:Sonic BobSonic the Hedgehog (Japanese:ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ, Romaji: Sonikku za hejjihoggu) is the flagship character for video game, arcade game (and formerly home game console) company Sega, which has released a series of video games in which he either stars or plays a role. Sonic was competeing head-to-head with Nintendo's mascot Mario for over a decade until Sega went out of the home console market. He now lives on in various Nintendo and other consoles.
Sonic replaced Alex Kidd, who was Sega's mascot prior to 1990. Naoto Oshima designed the character while Yuji Naka (who would later become head of the Sonic Team division) was the main programmer. The "game planner" was Hirokazu Yasuhara. The music of the first two Sonic the Hedgehog games on the Megadrive and Genesis was composed by Masato Nakamura of the Japanese band DREAMS COME TRUE.
Sega promoted the game's use of "Blast Processing", supposedly a feature of the Sega Genesis which allowed it to draw sprites faster, but which in reality simply referred to the console's fast CPU clock rate.
Sonic was an early example of the "obscure anthropomorphic animal starring in a platform game" character archetype that was later seen in characters such as Crash Bandicoot, Spyro the Dragon, Blinx, and Sly Cooper.
Sonic is a blue, 15-year-old hedgehog who lives on the planet Earth (or Mobius in various other American or European sources, which, depending on the universe, varies from being simply the name of Earth in the future to being an entirely different planet). He has the ability to run at supersonic speeds, hence his name. He is always running all over the world, rarely stopping for anything. He is carefree and relaxed; however, he is also very intolerant of injustice, and he will do anything he can to help those in need. He has also got a quick wit, short temper, and a fairly large ego.
Contents
Origin of Sonic
Due to the many differences between universes, Sonic's history and world varies greatly. These are some of the backstories.
Games Version
We know very little about Sonic's past; he was supposedly born on Christmas Island and that he has frequented around South Island, and that he and Dr. Eggman have a fierce rivalry. Beyond that, though, his past is a complete mystery. Sonic is something of a nomad; he travels from area to area of the Earth searching for new things to see and do, rarely stopping for anything or anyone unless he's needed, often times getting himself involved in Eggman's schemes to take over the world.
Former US/UK Version
A short mini-comic by Sega of America was released in early 1991 which was synced with the release of Sonic 1, no doubt a way to spread the word of the new blue hedgehog on the block. It was entitled, respectively, "Sonic the Hedgehog"; it introduced the characters Sonic and Dr. Robotnik. However, it also introduced the character that later became Dr. Robotnik, Dr. Ovi Kintobor (Ivo Robotnik spelled backwards.) It illustrated how this small, brown and rather prickly hedgehog named Sonic one day burrowed beneath a laboratory, and popped up through the floor to find Dr. Ovi Kintobor hard at work on the R.O.C.C. (Retro-Orbital Chaos Compressor), in which the 7 Chaos Emeralds were held, to contain their chaotic energies. Dr. Ovi is fascinated that Sonic can run at such incredible speeds, so the two experiment, seeing just how fast Sonic can go. He is placed on a treadmill and runs and runs until he reaches over 700 mph, and suddenly breaks the sound barrier, causing not only a "Sonic Boom", but the Cobalt Effect as well, turning Sonic from brown to his trademark blue hue. Having completely decimated his blue and white sneakers in the speed experiment, Dr. Ovi creates friction resistant sneakers for Sonic to wear, and he wears those shoes to this very day. Sonic and the Doctor become go od friends, and spend much time together in the lab. However, one day, Dr. Ovi Kintobor is working on the R.O.C.C., when he asks a favor of Sonic: "Sonic, could you get me a soda and a hard-boiled egg.." Sonic retrieves it and is back before the Doctor can finish his sentence. "..please?" Dr. Kintobor accidentally knocks over his soda onto the console of the R.O.C.C., while in his other hand, he holds the hard-boiled egg. He's suddenly electrocuted, causing the chaotic (and apparently somewhat evil) energies of the Chaos Emeralds to transfer into him; and due to the egg in his hand, takes on an egg-shaped physique. The R.O.C.C. explodes, scattering its Containment Rings all over the planet (these are the rings that you collect in just about every Sonic game created.) He begins to chase after Sonic, now bent on the hedgehog's destruction. With a heavy heart, Sonic accepts that the kind Doctor he once knew no longer exists, and vows to protect the world from what the newly turned Doctor has proclaimed himself to be: Dr. Robotnik. And thus, the story of Sonic 1 begins. There is an alternative explanation in Stay Sonic: Official Sega Handbook, a book about Sonic the Hedgehog written by Mike Pattenden. At some point it was divulged (probably from an American source) that Sonic enjoys eating chilli dogs.
The premise of the games revolves around Doctor Eggman (Doctor Robotnik in the earlier releases in North America and Europe) trying to take over the world by turning the animals into (often called Badniks, though this is an US/EUR term and hasn't been used since Sonic Adventure). Sonic is charged with saving them. In later games he is joined by Miles "Tails" Prower, Amy Rose, Knuckles the Echidna, Cream the Rabbit and a host of others. Sonic must collect Golden Rings to protect himself from the Badniks, and he ultimately must collect the Chaos Emeralds on the Emerald Isle in order to become his most powerful form, Super Sonic. However, Sonic's quest does not necessitate collecting the Emeralds himself; he must only prevent Robotnik from collecting them and dooming the world with their power.
Sonic is a poor swimmer, and will drown in water, even as Super Sonic. As Hyper Sonic in Sonic and Knuckles, he can stay alive in water.
In SatAM Sonic's love interest is Princess Sally Acorn; in the video games Amy Rose thinks she's Sonic's girlfriend (Sonic, however, is quite repelled by Amy's constant advances but in the modern day Sonic TV show Sonic X, there is a bit more of a mutual vibe between Sonic and Amy); Breezie hedgehog in Adventures of Sonic the hedgehog cartoon; and both Sally Acorn and Mina Mongoose in Sonic's Archie comics.
Sonic has faced several other adversaries in the games, such as Metal Sonic (Mecha Sonic), Fang the Sniper (Nack the Weasel in America), Shadow the Hedgehog, and Rouge the Bat.
When it became possible to trademark certain three dimensional shape configurations for trademarked products and objects, Sonic the Hedgehog was one of the very first fictional characters to have his all-round shape trademarked.
Interestingly, one of a class of genes involved in fruit fly embryonic development, called hedgehog genes after the name given to the first member of this class discovered, has been named sonic hedgehog after this character. The same gene (named Shh for simplicity) has been found to be, in conjunction with another gene, pivotal in the formation of the pentadactyl limb in mice, and plays an interesting role in shaping the brain.
In all games, Sonic is voiced by either Jun'ichi Kanemaru or Ryan Drummond. In the TV shows, he is voiced by five different actors (specific to each show): Jaleel White, Masami Kikuchi, Martin Burke, Jun'ichi Kanemaru and Jason Griffith.
Sonic the Comic later featured a story involving time travel, in which it was revealed that revealed that Sonic himself was responsible for Kintobor's accident. His foes, the Brotherhood of Metallix, had travelled back and removed the rotten egg from the fridge, preventing Robotnik from being created and leaving them free to dominate the planet. In order to prevent this future, Sonic had to replace the egg, and pulled the cable that tripped Kintobor - thereby making himself responsible for the creation of his greatest enemy.
Video Games
See Games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog.
Television Series
- Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (AoStH, US)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (SatAM, US)
- Sonic Underground (US, France)
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Anime, Japan)
- Sonic X (Anime, Japan)
Comic Books
- Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie, US)
- Sonic the Comic (Fleetway, UK)
Sonic Manga and Sonic Doujinshi have also been released in Japan