Sonic the Hedgehog (TV series)/Development

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The following details the development of Sonic the Hedgehog.

Early concepts

A 1993 issue of Sonic the Poster Mag contains images of early concepts for the show. These images are part of an article which contains information about the two upcoming Sonic cartoons, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog.

Sonic the Poster Mag Concept Art

A Resistance is Born/A Hero's Reward

These images feature the Princess Acorn character.

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Mystery3.jpg

Freedom Team

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In this image several characters are shown Johnny Lightfoot (rabbit), Tux (penguin), Princess Acorn (probably a squirrel), Sonic, Joe Sushi (walrus), Chirps (chicken), Porker Lewis (pig), and Flicky (bird). Tails isn't shown, so the concept art may have been created before Sonic the Hedgehog 2 was even released.

The characters are based on the animals rescued by Sonic in the first game.

The characters Sally, Bunnie, and Rotor have similarities to Princess Acorn, Johnny Lightfoot, and Joe Sushi as in they are based on the same animals.

Dr Robotnik's Robotic Transformation Machine

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Robotniks design is different from any of the cartoons. He has black fingernails, a white mustache, and a green tongue.

This conveyor belt roboticizer is totally different from the final version, which was a glass capsule.

One character is shown which doesn't have a corresponding animal in the games, a wolf. It's not clear if it was to be a supporting character or just a random character thrown in the picture. The wolf concept was used for the character Antoine in the SatAM.

Sales Card

This sales card shows the differently designed Robotnik and Princess Acorn. It also has a mention of Sonic the Hedgehog and Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog on the back of the card, meaning this card represented at least one of them. This means one of the cartoons was meant to have this Robotnik design.

Front of card
Back of card

Early opening sequence

A prototype opening sequence was created for the show, using the art style and character designs seen in the pilot episode, Heads or Tails. This opening was shown at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show 1993, however only a partial recording of the sequence exists online. A short snippet from the end of the opening was also featured on the ABC Saturday Morning Preview Special, the evening before the show's television debut.

A storyboard of this opening was featured in the bonus section of the Sonic the Hedgehog: The Complete Series DVD set released by Shout! Factory in 2007. A few cels have been found by the fan community, matching the storyboard.

Concept art

Early designs

Bunny Rabbot [sic]
Dr. Robotnic [sic]
Princess Sally
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring
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Sketch of Sonic with a Power Ring

Pilot

Season 2

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Concept art of Sally, powered by the Deep Power Stones from The Doomsday Project
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Concept art of Sonic, powered by the Deep Power Stones from The Doomsday Project

Model sheets

Pilot

Sonic Golden Glow (unused)
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Antoine model sheet
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Final model of Antoine
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Final model of Tails
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Bunnie. Pilot episode design with season 1 colors. Thighs miscolored.