Kanabun

The Kanabun^{[note 1][note 2]} is an enemy that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. It is a mass-produced, beetle-based Badnik model created by Dr. Eggman.

Appearance

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 Sonic the Hedgehog CD, Kanabuns are only found at Stardust Speedway. In gameplay, these Badniks fly in and out of the background and foreground in spiral patterns in an attempt to damage the player. The player 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. Like every Badnik in the game, the Kanabuns are powered by Little Planet flower seeds which will pop out of them after being defeated.

Sonic Mania

In Sonic Mania, and its expansion Sonic Mania Plus, the Kanabuns returned as enemies. 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".

Notes

1. ↑ While not listed in any instruction manuals, in-game source code from the Sonic Gems Collection version of Sonic the Hedgehog CD refers to this Badnik as "kanabun".
2. ↑ The PC version of Sonic Mania listed the enemy as "Kanabun" according to the internal files of the game.