Who is Sonic? All about the energetic blue hedgehog!

Sonic is the mascot of the American-Japanese firm SEGA. Appeared in 1991 in the computer game Sonic the Hedgehog, it is in the form of a anthropomorphic blue hedgehog who travels to the speed of sound. It is also in reference to this ability that its creators decide to give it the name of Sonic. Discover in this article the history of the Blue tornado ! His birth and its evolution through the Movies and the various channels of dissemination of its Adventures will soon have no secrets for you!

The birth of the blue hedgehog

Who created Sonic?

The story of Sonic begins with the video game and console development company SEGA. Direct competitor of Nintendo which wins in 1990 all the successes with the character Super Mario, the firm seeks to compete. For this, he needs a mascot. An internal competition and some 200 proposals later, Sonic is elected official rival of the mustachioed plumber alias Mario.

"I'm Sonic: a little blue ball with super energy in handsome mode. »

The blue hedgehog was born under the pencil of Naoto Oshima, a Japanese video game artist then employed at Sega. His features infuse the idea of a fast, nervous character who likes to act quickly and well: a personality supposedly inspired by that of Bill Clinton, the future president of the United States.

Why is Sonic blue?

But why a blue hedgehog? This is simply a reference to the color of the SEGA logo. And the wink doesn't stop there! The red shoes of the fastest character in the world allude to Santa Claus. As for the golden buckles of his shoes, they evoke those of the King of Pop Michael Jackson.

And then, blue is the color of peace. It also symbolizes a certain assurance and a cool attitude: isn't that the very character of Sonic? Independent and relaxed, this free-spirited and adventurous hero will stop at nothing. Throughout his adventures, he fights tirelessly against injustice, wickedness and oppression.

What are Sonic's powers?

Beyond powers, the creators of the Sega star prefer to talk about abilities. It's as if this hedgehog who loves to run (and still run) has developed these abilities over time. It is then able to break the sound barrier by displaying a peak speed of 1224 km / h. Thanks to this frantic pace, he can also jump incredible distances.

Sonic is also an excellent driver. Plan, car, jet ski, no means of transport has any secrets for him. He handles them all without exception, with the immeasurable energy that we know him.

His dynamism, speed and quick wit allow him to get out of perilous situations, help his friends and defeat Machiavellian spirits. Its only weak point: it does not know how to swim and sinks like a stone when it finds itself in the water.

Sonic's environment

Throughout its history, the Blue Tornado meets future friends, but also a formidable enemy. While his fellow travelers take on the traits of animals, his main adversary appears in human form: a Machiavellian man whose greatest wish is to control the planet.

Loyal friends

Miles Prower aka Tails is Sonic's best friend. Its name refers to the expression "miles per hour": another nod to the speed of the blue hedgehog! Tails is a fox with two tails. By turning like the propellers of an airplane, these tails allow it to fly. Passionate about mechanics, the young fox does not hesitate to help his friends with his ingenious creations.

Amy Rose is a staple character in Sonic. She is a pink hedgehog, secretly in love with the fastest hedgehog in the world. Like a real girl, she loves fashion and romance. Her distinguishing mark: a huge hammer named Piko Piko that she carries everywhere. Amy has a tempestuous character, but remains an extremely sociable character who keeps a prominent place in Sonic's adventures.

Knuckles is Sonic's first rival. Yet, he will become a loyal ally, always present to fight against Dr. Robotnik's delusional ambitions. A kind of red mole with thorns, this solitary guardian imposes his power through his fists. Indeed, his strength proves to be superior to that of Sonic. A loyal and honest character, he hates being fooled.

A sworn enemy

Every good video game needs a villain. In the adventures of Sonic, the role is given to Dr. Ivo Robotnik aka Eggman. Unlike most anthropomorphic characters in the Sonic universe, this mad scientist is a real man. This mustachioed bastard with a round build like an egg is decked out in a red and yellow suit jacket.

Eggman uses his expertise in robotic engineering and his extraordinary intelligence to mount plans more Machiavellian than each other. His goal: to take control of the planet. Sonic fights relentlessly with his friends to counter the ruthless ambitions of the selfish megalomaniac.

Sonic celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021

Video games dedicated to Sega's blue mascot

Sonic has been part of the video game world since 1991. Suffice to say that the number of games dedicated to the blue hedgehog is exponential. On arcades, but also on consoles, computers, and more recently on smartphones and tablets, Sega's mascot is everywhere. Here is a non-exhaustive list of consoles that have hosted Sonic's adventures:

• Megadrive;
• Game gear;
• Sega Pico;
• Sega saturn;
• Dreamcast;
• Xbox then Xbox 360, Xbox One;
• PS2, PS3, PS4, PS5;
• PSP;
• Wii, Wii U;
• Nintendo DS;
• Switch;
• Etc.

By offering itself a place in new generation consoles that are ever more innovative, theÉClair bleu ensures its status as a leading character in the world of video games.

>Discover in the article Ouest France published in 2021, the 5 best-selling Sonic games in the world.

The Sonic Movies

The appeal of SEGA's hedgehog is such that in 2020, Paramount Picture is releasing the first fantasy adventure film dedicated to the blue hero. This blockbuster is a nice way to present the story of Sonic to the general public and especially to children. Two major stars of American cinema promote it:

• Jim Carrey is ruthless as Dr. Robotnik;
• James Mardsen plays police officer Tom Wachowski.

This first film seduces fans. So, two years later, Sonic 2 the Movie released in cinemas. Success exceeds expectations. According to critics, this second installment is much better. The main actors remain the same however Sonic is no longer alone, he returns surrounded by his friend Tails and his rival Knuckles. Even more speed and more references to Sonic video games, that's the recipe for success for this family comedy. When will Sonic 3? A little patience, the studio formalizes the release date for the end of December 2024!

Derivatives bearing the effigy of Blue Lightning

For thirty years, goodies like Sonic have flooded the world market. So much so that making an exhaustive list of these derivatives is simply impossible.

Nevertheless, as the license is mainly aimed at children, some objects stand out. Among them: school bags and other school supplies, duvet covers for a person's bed or stuffed animals.

Interest in these articles is even stronger since the success of the films. The blue hedgehog then invades the playgrounds: the Sonic binders accompany kindergarten and primary school children always ready for an avalanche of adventures!

At home, children fans of the blue hedgehog are happy to find it in their room in bed linen, plaid or plush mode.

Sonic has gone through the last thirty years with a lot of energy! It has constantly reinvented itself through different distribution channels: video games, cartoons, films, merchandising... Thus, like Super Mario, he was able to conquer parents and children. And according to the latest successes of the Blue Lightning, the phenomenon is not about to stop! "Ready to shift into supersonic gear?"

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Sources:

planete-sonic.com