Concept art for the upcoming Netflix 3D animated Sonic the Hedgehog cartoon Sonic Prime has leaked, revealing what may be in the final show.
As reported by Sonic the Hedgehog fan website Tails Channel, a tip revealed concept art for the series had appeared on an artist’s portfolio. While “no unauthorized acts were committed to obtain the images,” take down orders were given for the images on Tails Channel, and reportedly other websites. While we will not host the images, you can find them on Twitter here [1, 2].
The images show Sonic with a slightly futuristic version of his shoes and gloves. The shoes feature sweeping white marks, and almost seem metallic. Likewise, his gloves also seem segmented, with grey metal on the knuckles.
Tails also appears with blocky angular shoes (possibly with jets on them), and a red sleeveless jacket with tools in the pockets. Strangest of all, Tails seems to have more than just two tails; with )based on the lighter colored tip) at least eight. In Japanese mythology, kitsune can have up to nine; more tails meaning they are older and more powerful.
The first few images show Sonic in a futuristic city. The sky is black with pollution, and hazard strips and neon decorate black buildings. Dr. Eggman’s face on TV screens and in neon signs (not to mention how levels in Eggman-focused stages in past Sonic games and media) indicate this is his city.
While Sonic can be seen taunting and dancing after defeating classic Badniks, we also see him standing defiant against what seems to be multiple versions of Dr. Eggman. While the franchise has had humans before (with varying degrees of realism) each seem to be Dr. Eggman at various stages of his life.
Each are shown with their own Egg Mobile (apart from the usual Dr. Eggman), and range in ages from a toddler, a child, a balding adult with a single quaff of hair on his head, and an elderly Dr. Eggman with a thick grey beard (not unlike Gerald Robotnik from Sonic Adventure 2).
Sonic is also seen running towards what appears to be portals to other dimensions. One features a pirate flag with an echidna motif, while another seems to be Eggman Land from Sonic Unleashed. The latter may be a case of using existing art or renders as an example however.
One of the images shows Sonic in a jungle with large plants with jaws. He seems to be avoiding Amy; who is shown with her unkept hair in a messy pony tail, small earrings, an animal print skirt, and wielding a spear. She seems akin to the “wild savage” trope seen with Sticks the Jungle Badger in Sonic Boom.
Based on the above, it seems Sonic is travelling between dimensions, and his iconic friends and foes will be re-imagined as the natives in each of these worlds. This would also explain why the concept art of Sonic and Tails shows them being so wary of one another, and indicates we may see a pirate Knuckles the Echidna.
It could be that Dr. Eggman has called upon multiple versions of himself from other dimensions to aid in his quest for domination. Though the ages of the other “Eggmen” would suggest he went across time, a prior press release for the series describes it as “a high-octane adventure where the fate of a strange new multiverse rests in [Sonic’s] gloved hands.”
“Sonic’s adventure is about more than a race to save the universe, it’s a journey of self-discovery and redemption.” This may mean Sonic may develop doubts seeing a world where Eggman has won, along with his friends being so different. The “redemption” may mean he has failed, and that one of these alternate dimensions is in fact the future.
However, it is worth keeping in mind that the show is still in development. Elements from this concept art may not reflect the final show, and the fact a lot of information has leaked (and the reactions to it) may also affect development.
The new 3D animated series will premiere in 2022 and is being produced by Sega, WildBrain, and Man of Action Entertainment (Ben 10, Big Hero 6). While initially announced less than a week after longtime Sonic voice actor Roger Craig Smith announced he would no longer voice Sonic, months later it was announced he would be returning.
The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is currently celebrating its 30th anniversary, with yesterday being the anniversary of Sonic the Hedgehog launched in 1991. The day say the premiere of the Sonic 30th Anniversary Symphony digital concert; celebrating the series’ milestone and music.
Sonic Prime is not the only upcoming media to have suffered a leak. The as of yet officially untitled next game launching in 2022 was revealed, in data from earlier press release files, that it would be titled Sonic Rangers. Those leaks gave new context to earlier claims by supposed testers, stating the game is an open world The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild style game.
Even hopping between dimensions, multiple Eggmen, Tails having more tails, and Amy going native may pale in comparison to some of Sega’s other future plans for the Blue Blur. Producer Takashi Iizuka and art director Kazuyuki Hoshino have revealed in an interview that they want to make Sonic a VTuber; along with opening a theme park.
Image: Sonic Colors (YouTube)
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