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Shaped like a beetle, the Kanabuns have round black bodies with a red helmet-like upper shell, a pair of black eyes, and a pair of blue antennas. On their rear they have four ovular light blue wings which they use to fly in a similar fashion to a propeller.
Game appearances
Sonic the Hedgehog CD
In their debut in Sonic the Hedgehog CD, this Badnik appears as an enemy and is referred to as Kanabun[note 1] in the internal game files. However, it is unnamed in any material. In this game, the player encounters them in Stardust Speedway.
In gameplay, the Kanabuns fly in and out of the background and foreground in spiral patterns in an attempt to damage the playable character. The playable character can only make physical contact with them when they are on the same plane as the playable character however. Otherwise, the Spin Jump can easily defeat them in mid-air.
In the Bad Future or sometimes in the present timeframe of the Rounds, the Kanabuns have decayed; their upper shell has turned purple, their sclera have turned green, and their wings are holed. These dilapidated variants fly even slower than before, making it even less of a threat. Also, like every Badnik in the game, the Kanabuns are powered by Little Planet flower seeds which will pop out of them after they are defeated.
Sonic Mania
In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, these Badniks returned as enemies and are referred to as Kanabuns in the internal game files,[note 2] but are otherwise unnamed in any materials. In term of design, they are identical to their pristine versions in Sonic the Hedgehog CD. In these games, they are encountered in Stardust Speedway Zone Act 1 and 2.
In gameplay, Kanabuns utilize their old attack pattern: they fly in and out of the background, and can only be destroyed on the same plane as the player. Also, upon a Kanabun's destruction, it releases an Animal.
Trivia
"Kanabun" (カナブン,"Kanabun"?) is the Japanese word for "beetle".
