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Information in this article is about real-life people, companies, and objects, which do not relate to the in-universe Sonic series. |
Logo of Jazwares in the 2010s.
Jazwares, LLC is an American toy company based in Sunrise, Florida. They were established in 1997.[1] Jazwares acquired the rights to make Sonic the Hedgehog toys in 2008. They released merchandise including action figures and plush toys based on specific Sonic games as well as the general Sonic the Hedgehog series. In late 2014, Jazwares lost the Sonic toy license to Tomy due to Jazwares wanting to focus on other licenses.
Re-released Toy Island figures
Jazwares re-released three of the Sonic X action figures by Toy Island in new packaging. For this release, they did not come with any accessories. They are otherwise unchanged; however, the paint job had been slightly touched up.
Re-release lineup
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| Sonic | Tails | Knuckles |
Super Posers
The first two Super Poser figures were re-decos of Sonic and Shadow from the Toy Island Sonic X toy line. These two Super Posers were slightly improved with more accurate paint jobs and better-looking eyes. Jazwares later released repaints of these figures as Super Sonic and Super Shadow, Jazwares eventually re-sculpted the head on the Super Sonic Super Poser. Another re-deco of Sonic was later released where he was completely made of clear blue plastic, along with this figure they re-released Super Sonic and Super Shadow in new "Super Poser" specific packages. Shortly after Sonic and Shadow were re-packaged in the new "Super Poser" specific packages, however some were mislabeled as "Super Sonic" and "Super Shadow", but later releases corrected that. Jazwares has also released a Super Poser version of Knuckles, which their first Super Poser to have an original Jazwares sculpt. Jazwares has also made a Super Poser of Tails. The "Super Poser" figures had been criticized for having loose joints, although there is a method to fix the loose joints that works with other figures (5-inch, 3-inch, etc.) as well. A common home-repair method is to put some super glue on the loose joints, then move the joint in all ways possible. In summer 2011, Jazwares re-packaged the Sonic, Shadow, Knuckles and Tails super posers in new "20th Anniversary" specific packages, and have slightly better paint jobs. A Silver Super Poser was released in early 2014.
Super Poser lineup
| Character | Highlights | 1st ver. packaging | 2nd ver. packaging | 20th Ann. packaging | 3rd ver. packaging |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog |
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| Shadow the Hedgehog |
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| Super Sonic |
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| Super Shadow |
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| Clear Blue Sonic |
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| Knuckles the Echidna |
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| Tails |
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| Super Sonic (re-sculpted head) |
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| Silver the Hedgehog |
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5-inch Sonic the Hedgehog figures
5-inch Classic Sonic figure.
Jazwares released a variety of 5-inch action figures, several of which came in unique packaging promoting specific games. In the generic Sonic the Hedgehog packaging, Jazwares re-released their Sonic Unleashed Sonic the Werehog figure and the Sonic and the Black Knight figure without the Sword and Gauntlet; just as a regular Sonic the Hedgehog figure. In 2010, Jazwares re-released the same 5-inch Sonic but with Wisps in a Sonic Colors packaging. The following year, in celebration of Sonic's 20th Anniversary, Jazwares released a line of figures with both Classic and Modern Sonic. Curiously, the final 5" action figures released were characters from Sonic and the Black Knight.
| Character | Release Date | Highlights | First release | Second release |
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| Sonic the Werehog | Fall 2008
Summer 2009 (re-release) |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog & Caliburn | Summer 2009
Winter 2010 (re-release) |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | Summer 2009
Summer 2011 (re-release) |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog & Wisps | Winter 2010 |
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| Classic Sonic the Hedgehog | Summer 2011
Summer 2012 (re-release) |
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| 2 Pack | Summer 2011
Fall 2012 (re-release) |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog (re-design) | Summer 2011
Summer 2012 (re-release) |
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| Excalibur Sonic with Caliburn | Fall 2012 |
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| Sir Lancelot | Fall 2012 |
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| Classic Sonic with light-up Chaos Emeralds | Summer 2013 |
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| Excalibur Sonic & Sir Lancelot | Fall 2014 |
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| Sir Galahad | Fall 2014 |
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Cancelled
- 5" figures with light-up Chaos Emeralds (cancelled in favour of Classic Sonic with light-up Chaos Emeralds pack)
- Sir Gawain[2]
- Blacksmith[2]
3.75-inch Sonic the Hedgehog figures
With ten to sixteen points of articulation, Jazwares produced a 3.75-inch line of Sonic figures. Jazwares representatives revealed that they hoped to make as many Sonic characters in this size as possible. However, they also stated that all their figures must be approved by Sega of Japan, therefore they could not make any characters that were not created by Sega of Japan, thus ruling out the hundreds of characters from the Sonic the Comic series, Archie Comics' Sonic the Hedgehog, the cartoon shows and many of the non-Sega-developed video games such as Sonic R. Fans of the Sonic series were drawn to this line because the figures are relatively inexpensive compared to the standard 5-inch figures and Jazwares made characters that past toy companies never have, such as Vector the Crocodile, Jet the Hawk, and Silver the Hedgehog.
An unpainted prototype of the 3.75-inch Silver figure
These figures were released in multiple assortments. They could be purchased individually, in two-packs with specific issues of the Archie Sonic the Hedgehog comics, and in themed box sets with dioramas. Some of these toys have also been recycled into the Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing line of figures which would have them accompany their vehicle from that game.
As of 17 January 2011, Jazwares had redesigned each 3.5-inch figure in the series due to complaints about pin looseness. Multiple figures were corrected and the designs were completely re-engineered to prevent the wobbly limbs found in previous builds. Contact information were also provided on replacements of broken figures for the redesigned figures on the official website. However, some reported that the new 3-inch Sonic's knee joints are worse than the original loose-jointed Sonic. So far, all the figures have been re-released except for Black Knight Sonic.
In honor of Sonic's 20th Anniversary, Jazwares released a line of figures with one or two Badniks, figures with a collectable tin, comic book packs, and a collector's box set of figures, with each of the modern figures having improved paint jobs.
Single figure packs
| Character | Wave | Highlights | Image |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | 1 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog and Caliburn | 1 |
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| Tails (1st release) |
1 |
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| Tails (2nd release) |
1 |
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| Sonic the Werehog | 2 |
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| Shadow the Hedgehog | 2 |
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| Silver the Hedgehog | 2 |
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| Knuckles the Echidna | 2 |
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| Amy Rose | 2 |
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| Metal Sonic | 2 |
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| Clear Purple Espio The Chameleon (Corrected version with the hole in the shoe is pink) | 3 |
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| Super Shadow | 3 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog (Sonic Riders design) | 4 |
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| Jet the Hawk | 4 |
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| Classic Sonic & Moto Bug | 5 |
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| Classic Tails & Grabber | 5 |
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| Sonic & Spinner | 5 |
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| Shadow & Mono Beetle | 5 |
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| Knuckles & Egg Pawn | 5 |
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| Silver & Iblis Biter | 5 |
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| Tails & Sandworm | 5 |
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| Collector's Tin Set: Classic Sonic | 5 |
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| Collector's Tin Set: Classic Super Sonic | 5 |
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| Tails (Sonic Riders design) | 6 |
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| Storm the Albatross | 6 |
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| Knuckles (Sonic Riders design) | 6 |
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| Wave the Swallow | 6 |
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| 7 |
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| 7 |
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Tails (with Miles Electric) |
7 |
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Knuckles (with Master Emerald) |
7 |
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Amy (with Piko Piko Hammer) |
7 |
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Silver (with a Steel Container) |
7 |
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Comic Book Packs
| Characters | Comic | Wave | Highlights | Image | Alternate comic | Alternate comic |
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Sonic the Hedgehog #200 | 1 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #207 | 2 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #207 | 2 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #138 | 3 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #138 or Sonic the Hedgehog #207 | 3 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #138 | 4 |
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| Sonic Universe #25 or Sonic the Hedgehog #218 | 5 |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog #226 or | 5 |
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| Sonic Universe #1 or Sonic the Hedgehog #218 or Sonic the Hedgehog #229 | 7 |
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Boxed Packs
| Characters | Wave | Highlights | Image |
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| 3 |
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| 5 |
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Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing Figure with Vehicle Packs
| Characters | Wave | Vehicle | Image |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | 2 | Speed Star | 
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| Knuckles the Echidna | 2 | Land Breaker | 
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| Shadow the Hedgehog | 2 | Dark Rider | 
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| Tails | 3 | Tornado Racer | 
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Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed Figure with Vehicle Packs
| Characters | Wave | Vehicle | Image | Image (alternate packaging) |
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | 7 | Speed Star | 
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| Shadow the Hedgehog | 7 | G.U.N. Auto Tread | 
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Rejected figures
- Metal Sonic 3.0[3]
- Silver repaint of Metal Sonic[3]
- Mighty the Armadillo
Cancelled
- Shadow and Rouge Comic 2-Pack
- Classic Knuckles
JUVI figures
An original Werehog Juvi (right) next to a corrected re-release (left)
Jazwares released a line of JUVI Sonic figures. Metal Sonic was released at the 2009 Comic-Con in San Diego. Jazwares also released a regular line of JUVIs available at Toys R Us. Metal Sonic was the first JUVI to be released, only available at the San Diego Comic-Con 2009. The Metal Sonic figure received praise for its paint job. When the other four JUVI figures were released in stores, they were greatly criticized for having strange painted-on shading, crossed eyes and heads that were looking down at their feet. After dissatisfaction from fans, Jazwares eventually re-released the figures with corrected heads, although the Knuckles JUVI remained the same due to his dreadlocks.[4]
| Original release | 
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| Character | Metal Sonic | Sonic | Sonic the Werehog | Knuckles | Shadow |
10-inch Sonic the Hedgehog figures
Jazwares released 10-inch figures of several Sonic characters, with the 10-inch Sonic figure having 18 points of articulation. Many 10-inch Sonic figures have been reported broken in the package. The 10" Classic Sonic figure was released as part of Sonic's 20th Anniversary celebration along with Modern Sonic in new 20th Anniversary packaging. A new flocked Modern Sonic was available at San Diego Comic-Con and at Toys R Us. In 2013, Jazwares re-released the 10-inch Modern Sonic in new packaging.
| Character | First release | Second release | Third release |
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| Metal Sonic | 
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| Sonic | 
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| Flocked Sonic | 
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N/A | N/A |
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N/A | N/A |
Plush toys
7" plush
7" Classic Sonic, Classic Tails and Classic Knuckles plush toys
Jazwares released a line of plush toys of various characters.
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | Shadow the Hedgehog | Sonic the Werehog |
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| Silver the Hedgehog | Miles "Tails" Prower |
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| Sonic (dark blue) | Classic Sonic | Classic Tails |
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| Classic Knuckles | Classic Amy | Classic Metal Sonic | |
12" plush
| 12" plush | ||
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| Sonic | Tails | Shadow |
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Other plush
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| White Wisp | Classic Sonic |
| 3" | 15" |
Cancelled
- Super Sonic[2]
- Classic Super Sonic[2]
- Super Shadow[2]
- Big the Cat[5]
- Dr. Eggman[6]
- Knuckles the Echidna
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing mini racers
Based on the 2010 cross-over game Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing, Jazwares released 1.5" racers, which are rolling toys with figures fused to their vehicle. Starting with wave 2, this set included characters from other Sega series who were also playable in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.
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| Wave 2 | 
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| Wave 3 | 
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Sonic Generations
In celebration of the game, Sonic Generations, Jazwares released a commemorative statue with Classic and Modern Sonic running on a ring base. Also included were codes to unlock all of the statues in the Statue Room.
Sonic Mini Figure packs
In celebration of Sonic's 20th Anniversary, Jazwares released Mini Figure packs, containing several modern and classic figurines. The figurines in the modern pack were made by Jazwares, but the Classic pack was repackaged figurines made by First 4 Figures.
| Image | Pack |
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Classic Sonic Pack |
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Modern Sonic Pack |
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed mini racers
For Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, like its predecessor, mini racers were made in promotion of the game.
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| Sonic and Speed Star | Shadow and G.U.N. Auto Tread |
Cancelled
- Tails and his vechile[2]
- Knuckles and Land Breaker[2]
Mini Flocked figures
In fall of 2012, Jazwares released a pack of mini flocked Sonic figures consisting of Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, and Shadow.
Mini Morph figures
Prototypes, including Knuckles.
Jazwares released a line of "Mini Morph" figures which consisted of Classic Sonic, Tails, and Metal Sonic. A "Mini Morph" Knuckles was on display at Toy Fair 2013 but was later cancelled.
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| Sonic the Hedgehog | Miles "Tails" Prower | Metal Sonic |
Roleplay
Jazwares has released a line of roleplay toys which consits of masks and a Ring.
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| Sonic mask | Shadow mask | Ring |
Electronics
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| CD boombox | Digital camera | MP3 player |
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| Sonic and Shadow walkie talkies | Sonic and Shadow walkie talkies (alternative) | Earbuds | Headphones |
Other Sonic merchandise
Trivia
- The year that Jazwares was founded (1997) was the same year that development on the Dreamcast, Sonic Adventure, and Sonic Underground had begun.
References
- ↑ About us. Jazwares. Archived from the original on 6 September 2019.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 Luty, Dave (6 April 2013). Jazwares Announces Even More New Sonic Toys. The Sonic Stadium. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kellie (1 June 2010). Joe Amaro from Jazwares Answers Your Questions. SEGA America Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on 6 June 2010.
- ↑ Jazwares JUVI Vinyl Sonic Figures. Sonic Gear. Archived from the original on 9 January 2020.
- ↑ PatMac (22 June 2017). Jazwares Big The Cat Plush Prototype - History & Showcase. Youtube. Retrieved on 12 January 2021.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog USA Plush Dolls 7. Sonic Gear. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020.
External links
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