Description

Sonic the Hedgehog (ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ Sonikku za Hejjihoggu?) is the titular main protagonist of the Sonic the Hedgehog series and Sega's mascot. He is an anthropomorphic hedgehog known for his ability to run faster than the speed of sound, hence his name. As his species implies, Sonic can roll up into a concussive ball, primarily to attack enemies. Born on Christmas Island, Sonic abandoned his home at an early age to pursue a life of adventures. He has spent most of his life traveling around the world and beyond, usually accompanied by his best friend, Tails. In his journeys, he has defended his world and others from various threats, especially his arch-nemesis, Dr. Eggman. Described as being "like the wind", Sonic is easygoing and honest, but also impatient and short-tempered. He possesses a strong sense of independence and justice, despises oppression, and is loyal to his friends. His many adventures have earned him many titles, allies, and foes, and made him a celebrated hero. However, he remains indifferent to his fame, preferring to live on his own terms. Sonic was conceived to replace Alex Kidd as Sega's mascot and boost the company's popularity. He was chiefly created by Naoto Ohshima, Yuji Naka, and Hirokazu Yasuhara. He was designed to appeal to Americans, and thus his creators drew inspiration from the cultural and political landscape of the United States. Sonic debuted in 1991's Sonic the Hedgehog, whose success allowed Sega to compete against Nintendo throughout the 1990s, but had made a cameo earlier in the racing game Rad Mobile. The character was redesigned by Yuji Uekawa for 1998's Sonic Adventure, to allow for more flexibility in 3D spaces. Sonic remains one of the most famous video game characters and has starred in other mediums, like TV shows, comics, and films.