View source for Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog

{{VideoBob
| bobscreen=AoStH title.png
| studio={{company|[[DiC Entertainment]]}}, {{company|[[Bohbot Kids Network]]}}, {{company|[[TMS Entertainment]]}} (overseas animation for some episodes)
| seasons=
| episodes=65 + special
| airdate=1993-09-06
| airdate_final=1993-12-03
}}
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (commonly shortened to '''''AoStH''''') is an American-produced animated television series created by [[DiC Entertainment]]. First airing on September 6th, 1993, the series (along with its darker, network-broadcast sister show ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'') was the face of the [[:Category:Games|Sonic the Hedgehog]] franchise through the mid-90s. Focusing more on slapstick humor and cheap gags as opposed to the more story-driven ''Sonic the Hedgehog'', the series has nevertheless gained its own distinct fanbase. 

Being originally packaged and sold as a syndicated series, the program continues to air on numerous stations across the globe, a continued testament to the character's popularity.

==Premise==
[[File:Sonictailsandatable.jpg|thumb|190px|Sonic and "Tails" along with reoccurring characters Breezie and Wes Weasley.]]
''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' follows the exploits of the titular hero [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] and his best friend [[Miles "Tails" Prower]] through various adventures across the planet [[Mobius]]. More often than not, this pits the duo against the nefarious [[Dr. Eggman|Dr. Ivo Robotnik]], who alongside his mechanical henchmen, [[Scratch]], [[Grounder (AoStH)|Grounder]], and occasionally [[Coconuts (AoStH)|Coconuts]], attempt to capture Sonic and secure Robotnik's place as ruler of Mobius.

The show is loosely inspired by ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (16-bit)|Sonic the Hedgehog 2]]'', though takes a far more comedic tone similar to classic ''Looney Tunes'' shorts by Warner Bros, particularly Bugs Bunny and Road Runner cartoons from the 1940s-to-1960s. The show uses a standalone episode format, where more often than not actions happen for the sake of happening, with little ever being explained or followed up on. Some loose continuity does exist, but not at the same level as later cartoons, and aside from character designs, very little is tied directly to the video games.

The backstories of the Sonic and Robotnik are never explained, however the first episode details the creation of Scratch and Grounder, the two leaders of the [[Super Special Sonic Search & Smash Squad]]. Designed to be just as smart and cunning as Robotnik believes himself to be, neither are able to catch Sonic, and are consistently foiled (alongside Robotnik) by the hedgehog.

Occasional third member of the robot underlings, Coconuts, was for some reason demoted to a janitorial position, and since has done nothing but plotted how to not only capture Sonic but beat Scratch and Grounder to the punch, wanting to one day become the head of the S.S.S.S.S. Squad. Though the episodes like to play around with the fact that Coconuts is actually more intelligent than Scratch and Grounder, and can even look beyond Sonic's frequent disguises, Coconuts is still unable to get his way. If he makes any headway whatsoever and receives the promotion he seeks, he loses it before the episode is over, restoring the status quo.

There are moments when history is expanded upon, such as the episode "[[Tails' New Home]]" which explains how Sonic first met "Tails," the young fox being an orphan and thinking he was a bird due to his ability to fly. There is also quite a bit of focus on Robotnik's history and parentage, such as the pinning over a [[Best Hedgehog|schoolyard crush]], the desire to [[Robotnik Junior|build himself a son]] to continue his legacy, and the continued appearances of his [[Momma Robotnik's Birthday|crazed mother]].

A handful of recurring characters also appear, such as the good-intentioned yet absentminded [[Professor Von Schlemmer]], the Phil Silvers-inspired salesman [[Wes Weasley]], the robotic female hedgehog [[Breezie]] and [[Professor Caninestein]], who is an essential part of the four part [[Chaos Emerald]] saga that begins in "[[Blackbot the Pirate]]."

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog episodes}}
''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' ran for one 65-episode season during the last three months of 1993, returning for a Christmas special, ''[[Sonic Christmas Blast]]'' three years later in 1996. With the exception of ''Sonic Christmas Blast'' which has a 28-minute runtime, episodes in their original forms average around 22 minutes in length, containing both a main story and an educational "Sonic Says" segment at the end.

==History==
===Development===
[[File:Robotnikmodel2.jpg|thumb|190px|Model sheet of Dr. Robotnik from the show.]]
With the huge success of the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' video games, animation studio [[DiC Entertainment|DIC Enterprises]], who had previously made video game based television series such as ''[[wikipedia:The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!|The Super Mario Bros. Super Show]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Captain N: The Game Master|Captain N: The Game Master]]'', believed they could sell a ''Sonic'' animated series to one of the television networks in the USA. DIC approached Sega and made a deal with them, leading to the development of the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)|''Sonic the Hedgehog'']] television series, which they then sold to the [[wikipedia:American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] network.

DIC then tried to convince ABC that it would be to their advantage to allow them to sell other episodes of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' into syndication at the same time, a strategy DIC had previously employed with their hit show ''[[wikipedia:The Real Ghostbusters|The Real Ghostbusters]]''. However, ABC rejected this proposal for ''Sonic'', telling DIC that if they planned to syndicate the show simultaneously, then the deal was off.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20150114130241/http://www.gamestm.co.uk/uncategorised/from-pixels-to-primetime-the-making-of-mario-and-sonics-cartoon-careers/2/}} DIC's Robby London proposed an unprecedented solution, producing '''two''' very different Sonic series; the one that the network wanted for their Saturday morning lineup, which was darker and more serious, and one that was goofy, cartoony and gag-driven, which could be syndicated during the week. ABC agreed to this proposal and DIC began work on the syndicated show, ''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog''.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20180208161607/https://www.gamestm.co.uk/uncategorised/from-pixels-to-primetime-the-making-of-mario-and-sonics-cartoon-careers/3/}}

Though the two shows were made by the same animation house at the same time, production for the two remained separate entities. There was very little contact between either side, and the team behind ''Adventures'' never felt like they were in direct competition with the other show, as they both were doing vastly different things.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20110808145857/http://www.toonzone.net/news/articles/18227/pierre-de-celles-on-animating-sonic-the-hedgehog-and-other-tales}} One notable moment where the two attempted to interact was when the writing team of [[Ben Hurst]] and [[Pat Allee]] of the Saturday morning show pitched an idea to the story editors of ''Adventures'' for an episode. Though what the episode could have been about has never been said, the outline was ultimately never used.

In the ''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' series bible, the series is said to be a prequel to ABC's Saturday morning ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series, set before Dr. Robotnik had taken over [[Robotropolis]].{{ref|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20150725124711/http://ledastudios.rubberslug.com/gallery/inv_info.asp?ItemID=243381}} However, neither show referenced the events of the other, and the second season of ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' would go on to depict Dr. Robotnik taking over [[Mobotropolis]] and renaming it Robotropolis when Sonic was five years old.

One key player recruited by DIC was cartoonist Milton Knight, a relative newcomer to the industry tasked with designing the characters and being in charge of storyboarding for many of the episodes. Though the appearances of Sonic and "Tails" were relatively close to how they are portrayed in DIC's ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series, the character of Dr. Robotnik was heavily redesigned. Exaggerating features such as his weight, his mustache and being given a greater eye space to promote expressiveness, Milton Knight also gave a great deal of focus to the physical and emotional state of Robotnik.

{{quote|1=Robotnik is...the perfect image of self love...He's not perfect, he's imperfect...his full blown belief in himself. He is actually extremely excited by the fact that he exists, and the fact the others do not feel the same way simply spurns him on to greater heights of villainy. He is jealous of the hedgehog - why should he get the applause? Give it to Robotnik! He really believes in his own romantic self and...his sexiness.|2=Milton Knight, ''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' Storyboard Artist{{ref|http://ghostarchive.org/varchive/YYccr7YqCrs|2=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYccr7YqCrs}}}}
[[File:Robotnikmodel1new.jpg|thumb|190px|A detailed model sheet of Robotnik's head.]]
Transforming him into "Animation's Sexiest Fat Man!," Robotnik became just as important a focus in the show as the title character, Knight not wanting Robotnik to be a stale, generic villain but an intriguing and (most importantly) funny character in his own right. Though initially voiced by [[Jim Cummings]] in the unaired pilot, [[Long John Baldry]], a British crooner from the '60s and '70s was given the role once production for the show went underway, his expressive delivery matching the character's intent in the show.

One of the more memorable aspects of the show were the ''Sonic Says'' segments featured at the end of each episode. To help fulfill a quota of educational television on broadcast stations, these segments were planned from the beginning, an early form appearing in the original pilot animation. However, as other countries did not have the same laws over what needed to be broadcast, the segments were removed from their initial airings in the U.K., including releases on VHS. However, when the series was later re-aired years later, the segments were restored, and have been included on the DVD releases in the United Kingdom.

After the completion of the 65 episodes necessary to keep the show in syndicated rotation, production ceased. The characters and settings were revisited when a Christmas special was commissioned in 1996. Featuring a cameo by a pink-hued [[Princess Sally Acorn|Princess Sally]], the special was originally meant to be titled ''An X-Tremely Sonic Christmas'' to tie in with the upcoming [[sega:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] game ''[[Sonic X-treme]]''. In the wake of that game's cancellation, it was renamed ''[[Sonic Christmas Blast]]'' to tie-in with the game ''[[Sonic 3D: Flickies' Island]]'', which was called ''Sonic 3D Blast'' in North America.

====Physical scans====
<gallery>
AoStH StockColorBook.pdf|''238-100<br>Stock Color Book — Master''
</gallery>

===Airings===
[[File:AoStH Promo Poster.jpg|thumb|190px|A promotional poster using a frame from the unaired pilot.]]
Premiering on September 6th, 1993, the 65-episode syndicated show began its run in the United States, appearing on numerous weekday cartoon blocks including those owned by ABC. After its initial run ended in 1995, the series would begin airing on the USA Network, appearing in the "USA Cartoon Express" and the "USA Action Extreme Team" programming blocks, often paired with its sister show ''Sonic the Hedgehog''. In 1998, the series found a home on Toon Disney, sometimes being part of the "Chillin' with the Villains" block. The series remained on the network until 2002. It was later broadcasted on the This TV network from 2010 until late 2011, only airing 25 episodes.

In the United Kingdom, the program was originally aired on Channel 4, remaining in rotation until 1997. The show was also aired on The Children's Channel from 1995-1998, and was aired in its entirety on POP! starting in 2004. In was briefly found on ITV2 in 2005, and also aired on CBBC from 1994 to 2002. It can currently be found on CITV and KidsCo.

The show has also aired in Sweden on Filmnet and TV3, the Netherlands on Filmnet Plus and RTL4, Argentina on PakaPaka, Australia on Network Ten and ABC, France on France 3 and France 5, and in Greece, Germany, the Czech Republic and Russia, still airing in many of those countries. In Germany, the title of show was called ''Sonic der irre Igel'', literally translating into ''Sonic the Insane Hedgehog''. The series also has a home on YTV in Canada. The show also found it way to the Middle East and North Africa, airing on Spacetoon Arabic.

In Portugal it originally aired on RTP (RTP 1) in 1993, subtitled in Portuguese and in 1994 on SIC, this time dubbed in Portuguese, by Vila Nova de Gaia{{ref|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_Nova_de_Gaia}} (Oporto, Portugal) based company, ''Somnorte - Estúdios de Som, S.A.''{{ref|https://archive.is/3u1Y0|https://www.somnorte.com/Somnorte/Apresentacao_2.html}}{{fileref|Sala de estar.jpg}} (founded in 1991). It was released in VHS, in 1993 and 1994  by ''Prisvideo'' ([https://segaretro.org/Ecoplay Ecofilmes]'s sister company) under RTC's license (Rádio Televisão Comercial, a division of RTP founded in 1983 and extinct in 1996, which acted as a distributor, publisher and publicity controller for the parent company). For some of the initial VHS releases it was used the RTP version, subtitled in Portuguese and for the rest of the releases, the SIC version was choosed which is dubbed in Portuguese. Prisvideo re-released the show in DVD in 2006, also dubbed in Portuguese but this time the dubbing was made by another Portuguese company, also from Vila Nova de Gaia{{ref|https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vila_Nova_de_Gaia}}, namely, ''Cinemágica - Sociedade de Serviços Audiovisuais, Lda'' (founded in 1997, and currently active).

In Bulgaria, it was distributed on VHS under the name ''Приключенията на сприхавия Зоник''.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20230530012924/https://videotekata.com/%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BB%D1%8E%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D1%81%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%85%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%8F-%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA/}}

In Albania, ''Iriqi Sonik'' aired in 2010s on Bang Bang and later on Çufo.

===Legacy===
The setting and characters of the show also served as the inspiration for the [[sega:Sega Mega Drive|Sega Mega Drive]] game ''[[Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine]]'', a localized version of the puzzle-game ''[[sega:Puyo Puyo|Puyo Puyo]]'' utilizing the design of [[Dr. Eggman|Dr. Robotnik]] that populated Western media. In addition, the American-produced ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog Spinball]]'' has Scratch make a cameo in the bonus round stages of the game.

==Localised names==
{{aka
| en_name=Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
| fr_name=Les Aventures de Sonic
| fr_trans=The Adventures of Sonic
| de_name=Sonic der irre Igel
| de_trans=Sonic the Funky Hedgehog
| es_name=Las Aventuras de Sonic el Erizo
| es_trans=The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog
| br_name=As Aventuras de Sonic
| br_trans=The Adventures of Sonic
| sa_name=قنفوذ السريع سونيك الجزء الأول 
| sa_trans=Sonic The Fast Hedgehog Part One
| bg_name=Приключенията на сприхавия Зоник
| bg_trans=
| al_name=Aventurat e Iriqit Sonik 
| al_trans=
}}

==Voice cast==

{| class="prettytable sortable"
|-
! Role
! Voice Actor
|-
|[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]
|[[Jaleel White]]
|-
|[[Miles "Tails" Prower]]
|[[Christopher Stephen Welch]]/<br/>[[Chris Turner]] (Sonic Christmas Blast)
|-
|[[Doctor Ivo Robotnik]]
|[[Long John Baldry]]
|-
|[[Grounder]], Additional Voices
|[[Gary Chalk]]
|-
|[[Scratch]]
|[[Phil Hayes]]
|-
|[[Coconuts (AoStH)|Coconuts]], Additional Voices
|[[Ian James Corlett]]
|-
|Narrator (pilot episode)
|[[Gary Owens]]
|-
|Doctor Ivo Robotnik and <br/>Scratch (pilot episode)
|[[Jim Cummings]]
|}

==Syndication==
{|
!Country
!Television channels
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|US}} United States
|
*[[wikipedia:First-run syndication|First-run syndication]] (1993-09-06 — 1995)
*[[wikipedia:USA Network|USA Network]] (1995–1997)
*[[wikipedia:Toon Disney|Toon Disney]] (1998 — 2002)
*[[wikipedia:This TV|This TV]] (2010 — 2011)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|UK}} United Kingdom
|
*[[wikipedia:Channel 4|Channel 4]] (1993-11-07 — 1997)
*[[wikipedia:The Children's Channel|The Children's Channel]] (1995 — 1998)
*[[wikipedia:Pop (UK and Ireland)|POP!]] (2004)
*[[wikipedia:ITV2|ITV2]] (2005)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|IE}} Ireland
|
*[[wikipedia:RTÉ 2|RTÉ 2]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Pop (UK and Ireland)|POP!]] (2004)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|FR}} France
|
*[[wikipedia:TF1|TF1]] (1995-01-23 — 1996-6-21)
*[[wikipedia:Mangas (TV channel)|Mangas]] (2011-06-02 — 2012-01-01)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|DE}} Germany
|
*[[wikipedia:RTL II|RTL II]] (2000)
*[[wikipedia:kabel eins|Kabel 1]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|SE}} Sweden
|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|GR}} Greece
|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|IT}} Italy
|
*[[wikipedia:Italia 1|Italia 1]] (1994-08-11)
*[[wikipedia:Frisbee (TV channel)|Frisbee]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|CZ}} Czech Republic
|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|HU}} Hungary
|
*[[wikipedia:Minimax (TV channel)|Minimax]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|RU}} Russia
|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|PT}} Portugal
|
*[[wikipedia:Radio and Television of Portugal|RTP – Rádio e Televisão de Portugal]] (1993)
*[[wikipedia:Sociedade Independente de Comunicação|SIC – Sociedade Independente de Comunicação]] (1994)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|BR}} Brazil
|
*[[wikipedia:Rede Globo|Rede Globo]] (1996-01)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|AR}} Argentina
|
*[https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabl%C3%ADn Cablín] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Televisión Pública Argentina|Televisión Pública Argentina]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Telefe|Telefe]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Magic Kids (TV channel)|Magic Kids]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|GT}} Guatemala
|
*[[wikipedia:Guatevisión|Guatevisión]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|CR}} Costa Rica
|
*[[wikipedia:Teletica|Teletica]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|CL}} Chile
|
*[[wikipedia:ETC (canal de televisión)|ETC]] (xxxx)
*[//es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrokids Metrokids] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|CO}} Colombia
|
*[[wikipedia:Cenpro Televisión|Cenpro Televisión]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Canal A|Canal A]] (xxxx)
*[https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacho_Pistacho Tacho Pistacho] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|PE}} Peru
|
*[[wikipedia:Panamericana Televisión|Pantel]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Latina Televisión|Latina Televisión]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Red TV (Peru)|Red TV]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|CA}} Canada
|
*[[wikipedia:KidsCo|KidsCo]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:YTV|YTV]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|AU}} Australia
|
*[[wikipedia:Seven Network|Seven Network]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Network Ten|Network Ten]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:KidsCo|KidsCo]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|ID}} Indonesia
|
*[[wikipedia:ANTV|ANTV]] (xxxx)
*[[wikipedia:Spacetoon Plus|Spacetoon Plus]] (2017-04-10)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|SY}} Syria
|
*[[wikipedia:Spacetoon|Spacetoon]] (2000–2015)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|SA}} Saudi Arabia
|
*[[wikipedia:Saudi 2|Channel 2]] (199x)
*[https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A8%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A9_%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B7%D9%81%D8%A7%D9%84 Basma] (200x)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|AE}} United Arab Emirates
|
*[[wikipedia:Dubai 33|Channel 33]] (199x)
*[[wikipedia:Spacetoon English|Spacetoon English]] (2006)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|IL}} Israel
|
*[[wikipedia:Arutz HaYeladim|Arutz HaYeladim]] (xxxx)
|-
|style="vertical-align:top;"|{{flag|AL}} Albania
|
*[[wikipedia:Bang Bang|Bang Bang]] (201x)
*[[wikipedia:Çufo|Çufo]] (2021-02–-2021-03)
|}

==Home releases==
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Home releases}}

==Magazine articles==
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}

==External links==
* [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLySo2SlSHPSOOGZM3_2Qun52hCaRNYW9y Most full episodes of the show] officially uploaded on YouTube, courtesy of [[wikipedia:WildBrain Spark|WildBrain Spark]].
* ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on Amazon: [https://www.amazon.com/Super-Special-Sonic-Search-Smash/dp/B01DFVFX20/ US (1-30)], [https://www.amazon.com/The-Coachnik/dp/B01DFWEQTK/ US (31-65)], [https://www.amazon.com/Subterranean-Sonic/dp/B017SXHSHO/ US (CONtv)], [https://www.amazon.com/Grounder-The-Genius/dp/B084H9S5JQ/ US (CBS)], [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Special-Sonic-Search-Smash/dp/B01DFYUPBG/ UK (1-30)], [https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robolympics/dp/B01DFYUSPO/ UK (31-65)]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20200311074851/https://www.cbs.com/shows/adventures-of-sonic/ ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on CBS All Access] (archive)
* [https://tv.apple.com/gb/show/adventures-of-sonic-the-hedgehog/umc.cmc.5gzq7y4ftl794hj521ypxn53n ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on Apple TV+]

* [http://www.bcdb.com/cartoons/Other_Studios/D/DiC_Entertainment/Adventures_of_Sonic_the_Hedgehog/index.html ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on The Big Cartoon DataBase]
* [http://www.tv.com/shows/adventures-of-sonic-the-hedgehog/ ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on TV.com]
* [http://www.miltonknight.net/animation.html Milton Knight's official website], covering his animation work including that done on ''{{PAGENAME}}''.

==References==
<references />

{{SonicTV}}
{{AoStHOmni}}

[[Category:Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog]]