The 30th anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog is nearly here, and it looks like in celebration of that we will be getting an entirely new 3D animated Netflix series about the speedy blue hedgehog.
Netflix has been investing a lot into various video game adaptations lately, with shows planned for Cyberpunk, Assassin’s Creed and The Witcher. But what we can expect from this brand new Sonic the Hedgehog show?
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know. You can also check out the best TV shows and movies on Netflix right now, as well as our most anticipated games for 2021.
Sonic Prime release date
The series will debut on Netflix in 2022, and will be 24 episodes long. This announcement came via Netflix on Twitter – along with the official name reveal and logo. We don’t yet have an estimated month for the series, but if we hear more, we’ll update this article.
Yes, it’s true! SEGA’s legendary video game icon Sonic the Hedgehog will star in a new 3D animated series from @SEGA, @WildBrainStudio and @ManOfActionEnt premiering on Netflix in 2022. pic.twitter.com/ydJto8c8i8
— NX (@NXOnNetflix)
February 1, 2021
This happens to be the same year that the sequel to the Sonic the Hedgehog film starring Ben Schwartz is due to come out. In addition, 2021 should be a big year game wise for the franchise as it marks 30 years since the first ever Sonic title, so we’ve got a lot to look forward to.
Sonic Prime cast and crew
We don’t yet have any casting announcements for the show. However, we do know that the series will be produced in partnership with Sega, WildBrain and Man of Action Entertainment. The latter has worked on Ben 10 and the TV series for Big Hero 6 – so it’s safe to say we’re excited.
We can hedge some bets on who might be voicing Sonic, with one main contender in the running. There’s Ben Schwartz, who voiced the blue blur in the official 2020 film and was received very well.
If its not Schwartz, then SEGA may be hiring someone completely new. Roger Craig Smith – the voice actor for Sonic since 2010 – announced he will no longer be voicing the blue blur after a ten year stint. His replacement hasn’t yet been revealed, once we know more we’ll update this article.
We also imagine that Eggman/Doctor Robotnik will star in the series. The movie adaptation saw renowned nineties star Jim Carrey slip into the role, whilst Mike Pollock has been the voice actor for the scientist across a huge number of games, dating all the way back to Shadow the Hedgehog (2005). He made his debut appearance in Sonic X, which first aired in 2003.
Sonic Prime plot
According to a statement from Wildbrain, Sonic will find himself ‘in a high-octant adventure where the fate of a strange new multiverse rests in his gloved hands’. The site also reported that the character will go through a ‘journey of self-discovery and redemption’.
The concept of multiverse is very interesting – it could mean that we see different versions of Sonic coming together in one place. If we draw on current multiverses, we could see the main game version, the recent Boom version, the anime version from Sonic X and the 2020 movie variant – to name a few.
This multiverse plot is further supported by leaked concept art, which appears to show multiple versions of Eggman, a kitsune version of Tails and a jungle-dressed Amy Rose (via TailsChannel on Twitter). Take a look below:
Breaking: Multiple #SonicPrime concept art found on artist’s portfolio. #SonicNews pic.twitter.com/E7cOp5vPEU
— Sonic the Hedgehog News & Updates · Tails’ Channel (@TailsChannel)
June 23, 2021
It’s worth noting that the two most recent animated series – Sonic Boom and Sonic Mania Adventures – tied into the games directly. Therefore, we’d suspect that this latest 3D animation may also be connected to whatever plot is scheduled for the 30th anniversary game title.
The Fandom now seems to be speculating that this animation is tying into the upcoming 2022 game, in which an alleged tester for SEGA leaked that during testing, Sonic went through ‘different dimensions’.
SEGA accidentally sent out a press release for the upcoming game, confirming that it was called ‘Sonic Rangers’ (via Tails Channel).
You can see the teaser trailer for this below:
This is of course all speculation, but the plot threads do seem to be adding up.
In previous animations, Sonic’s had many different companions. From the classic line-up of Tails, Knuckles and Amy Rose, to being a part of a band with his brother and sister, Sonia and Manic (yes, really).
In every single iteration though, Eggman (AKA Doctor Robotnik) has always been the antagonist, so we’re certain to see him return.
