Netflix announces Sonic Prime, a new Sonic the Hedgehog animated series

News is spreading almost as fast as Sonic himself that a new animated series, Sonic Prime, is in development and slated to release on Netflix in 2022. According to the information that dropped this morning, the 24-episode series is aimed both at children aged 6-11 and “long-time fans,” and focuses on Sonic having to save “a strange new multiverse.” Sega and WildBrain are collaborating for the production, distribution, and licensing, while talent from Man of Action Entertainment, known for titles such as Ben 10 and Big Hero 6, have signed on as showrunners and executive producers.

Although the announcement of a new cartoon for the franchise is always newsworthy, the real buzz among Sonic the Hedgehog fans actually lies between the lines; specifically, speculation is already circulating as to what exactly the multiverse might entail. Will these be entirely original worlds, or as the noted long-time fans are hoping, will the series nod to other existing Sonic media? The fact that Sega is working with WildBrain in particular could potentially be a huge sign, as the studio currently holds the rights to the classic SatAM show (in fact, you can watch the entire series on their Youtube channel). Fans have fought for years to get the Freedom Fighter characters re-incorporated into the franchise; the characters lived on in the Archie comic series following the cancellation of the cartoon, but have yet to appear in the new IDW comics despite constant fan requests. Ian Flynn, lead writer for the Sonic the Hedgehog comics, has confirmed that Sega is aware of the fan interest.

Whatever the new series turns out to be, it’s coming at a great time for the franchise. Sonic is still riding high following the outrageously successful live-action movie last year, and a 30th anniversary coming up this June. With no concrete details and at least a year of waiting ahead of us, it’s too early to call whether or not this long-shot will come to be. All we know is that they can’t stop us hoping in the meantime.

 

Obligatory Legal Crap

I do not own Sonic the Hedgehog, nor am I affiliated in any way with Sega, WildBrain, Netflix, or Man of Action Entertainment. If I was, I’d like to think I wouldn’t have to work so hard to collect SatAM memorabilia. Seriously, instead of paying way too much money for a whisper of a trinket here or there, I could potentially get something from the inside while getting paid for it!

oh god, this has also made me realize that, should the impossible happen and the Freedom Fighters return, there could potentially be new merch of them. I literally just realized this while typing and my brain wasn’t prepared to handle it. I think I need to lie down for a while.