- "Sonic Boom" redirects here. For other uses, see Sonic Boom (disambiguation).
Sonic Boom, also known as Sonic Toon (ソニックトゥーン Sonikku Tūn?) in Japan, is a spin-off franchise in the Sonic the Hedgehog series which consists of several video games, its connected TV series, a comic series, and a toyline. The goal of the series was to be a new comedic take on Sonic, his friends, and his foes that would appeal the Sonic brand popularity to new generations of Sonic fans across the globe.[1][2]
Like all the previous Sonic the Hedgehog media, Sonic Boom is its own timeline. However, Sonic Boom carries its own canon that is not limited to games, but rather covers all published media under its title.
Development[]
On October 2, 2013, Sonic the Hedgehog, along with his friends and foes, were first announced to appear in a CG animated, action-packed comedy television series entitled Sonic Boom that was to be aired on Cartoon Network (USA) and on Canal J and Gulli (France) during sometime during the 2014/2015 season. Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team, is overseeing the series to ensure that it’s true to the Sonic characters and universe. The TV series would contain 52 episodes, each with a runtime of 11 minutes.[1]
On February 6, 2014, Sega announced that in addition with the TV series, Sonic Boom would also comprise of two new video games for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and a toyline. The games served as a prequel to the television series. The Wii U video game was developed by Big Red Button Entertainment while the Nintendo 3DS video game was developed by Sanzaru Games; Sonic Team would collaborate with the aforementioned developers to assist. The first trailers for the video games and the TV series were unveiled. The toyline was assigned to Tomy which they would showcase the characters' new looks by creating a comprehensive toy range including plush, action figures, RC, role play, vehicles and novelty.[2]
Later on February 25th, Sega confirmed the cast of the English voice actors of some of the characters that would appear the Sonic Boom video game and TV series as well as the voice director, Jack Fletcher. A behind-the-scenes trailer was also shown which included the interviews of some of the important people associated with Sonic Boom such as Stephen Frost, Evan Baily and Bob Rafei.[3]
On May 29, 2014, Sega unveiled one of the original Sonic Boom characters, Sticks the Badger.[4] Four days later, Sega revealed the names of the Sonic Boom video games: Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (Wii U version) and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (Nintendo 3DS version) and they were both showcased at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) 2014 in Los Angeles Convention Center.[5]
Characters[]
The cast for Sonic Boom was confirmed by Sega on February 25th,
2014. Jack Fletcher works as the voice director.
Primary cast[]
- Sonic the Hedgehog
- Miles "Tails" Prower
- Amy Rose
- Knuckles the Echidna
- Sticks the Badger[4][6]
- Dr. Eggman
- Orbot[7]
- Cubot[7]
Secondary cast[]
- Shadow the Hedgehog
- Metal Sonic
- Burnbot
- Lyric the Last Ancient
- T.W. Barker
- Q-N-C
- Perci
- Salty
- Pepper
- Fastidious Beaver
- Mayor Fink
- Hokey
- Pokey
- Chef Woody
- Doc Ginger
- Cliff
- Hayward
- Foreman Fred
- Old Tucker
- Dave the Intern
- Vector the Crocodile
TV series[]
A CGI-animated cartoon based on the series premiered on Saturday, November 8, 2014 on Cartoon Network. First announced in Late 2013, the television series is also broadcast on Canal J and Gulli in France. There is one new episode released every Saturday, while the French version releases on Wednesdays.
Games[]
Two video games of the Sonic the Hedgehog series, titled Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for the Wii U and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for the Nintendo 3DS serve as the series' prequel. It was released as the third and final game of Sega and Nintendo's partnership. Both games were released in North America on November 11, 2014, in Europe on November 21, 2014, in Australia on November 29, 2014, and in Japan on December 18, 2014. A sequel to Shattered Crystal, Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, was released on September 27, 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS as well.
Additionally, a Tetris-styled Flash game titled Sonic Boom: Link 'N Smash! was released on February 17, 2015 on the Cartoon Network website, and an endless runner mobile game titled Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom was released in 2015 on July 1st and on October 9th respectively for Android and iOS, serving as a sequel to Sonic Dash.
Currently, the Sonic Boom series consist of the following games:
- Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric (2014)
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal (2014)
- Sonic Boom: Link 'N Smash! (2015)
- Sonic Dash 2: Sonic Boom (2015)
- Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice (2016)
Merchandise[]
Toys[]
Sonic Boom has been confirmed to have a toyline based on the television series. The action figures were first revealed during the New York Toy Fair on February 16, 2014. The toyline is being produced by Tomy.
Sega have revealed that they intend on licensing out Sonic Boom within the following categories:
- Toys & Games
- Clothing
- Publishing
- Accessories
- Food and Drink
- Temporary tattoos
- Sticker collections
- Party goods
- Cakes
- Boutiques within stores
- Trading cards
- Dog tags
Digital merchandise[]
There is a Sonic Boom theme for the Nintendo 3DS Home Screen, which is free to download.
Comics[]
A comic book series for the Sonic Boom franchise, based on the television series and the two video games prequels, was also announced.[8] Published by Archie Comics, the publisher of other major comics in the Sonic franchise such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Universe, under the partnership with Sega.[9] The comic series was first hinted in the solicitation for Sonic Super Special Magazine #12, but was later officially revealed on July 16, 2014. The first issue was released on October 29, 2014 and subsequent issues are published every five weeks.
The Sonic Boom comic series was featured alongside the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and Mega Man comic series in the Sonic/Mega Man 2015 cross-over Worlds Unite.[10]
Literature[]
In early 2015, a series of children's books adapted from several Sonic Boom episodes were released in France by Bibliotheque Rose.[11]
Trivia[]
- The Sonic Boom series is likely named after "Sonic Boom", the main theme song for the US version of Sonic the Hedgehog CD.
- The series also shares its name with an unrelated video game made by Sega in 1987.
- According to Archie Comics, this franchise takes place within the Sonic Boom World reality.
- Sonic Boom is similar to Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures, in that it is a new take on a long-running video game franchise that is more comedic and features new designs.
- However, unlike Sonic Boom, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures temporarily took over canon from the original Pac-Man franchise, including its new designs.
- The Sonic Boom franchise was originally not going to have a Japanese release, but the franchise was eventually localized and re-branded for Japan under the name Sonic Toon.
- Characters introduced in Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric did not make any appearances in the Sonic Boom television series, except for Fastidious Beaver, Foreman Fred, Mayor Fink, Perci and Salty.
- Sonic Boom is the first Sonic the Hedgehog media dubbed in Chinese by mainland voice actors.
- Despite Dr. Eggman being the only human to appear throughout the series, he makes infrequent references to both his parents[12][13], as well as an unnamed great-aunt,[14] suggesting that there could be other humans in this continuity.
- In a video interview with Game Informer to promote Sonic Frontiers, Iizuka has stated in modest terms that he was "not a fan" of the redesigns of the characters for the Sonic Boom franchise.[15]
- Both Rise of Lyric and Shattered Crystal depict Sonic meeting Lyric for the first time, creating a continuity error between the games. Ignoring this detail, there is far more evidence to suggest that Rise of Lyric is set first.
- The group has the Enerbeam in Shattered Crystal after Tails creates it in Rise of Lyric.
- The group is living in Unnamed Village in Shattered Crystal, after visiting it for the first time in Rise of Lyric.
- Tails' blue plane, the Tornado, is seen in Shattered Crystal after being discovered in Rise of Lyric.
- The group is friends with Sticks in Shattered Crystal, after meeting her in person for the first time in Rise of Lyric.
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kellie (2 October 2013). Sonic Boom (Working Title) – A New Animated Series Coming Fall 2014. Sega Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved on 13 June 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kellie (6 February 2014). SEGA Launches New Franchise Strategy for Sonic the Hedgehog with Sonic Boom. Sega Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on 8 February 2014. Retrieved on 13 June 2014.
- ↑ Kellie (25 February 2014). Go Behind the Scenes with Sonic Boom. Sega Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved on 13 June 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Introducing Sticks to the Sonic Boom Franchise. Sega Blog. Sega (29 May 2014). Archived from the original on 2 June 2014.
- ↑ Kellie (2 June 2014). Sonic Boom Games at E3 2014. Sega Blog. Sega. Archived from the original on 4 June 2014. Retrieved on 18 June 2014.
- ↑ SegaAmerica (29 May 2014). Sonic Boom Sticks Announcement. YouTube.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sonic Boom Behind the Scenes: English VAs, Orbot & Cubot Confirmed. Sonic Stadium (25 February 2014).
- ↑ Sonic Boom. Archie Comics Shop. Archie Comics. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015.
- ↑ Cioletti, Amanda (16 June 2014). Sonic for a New Generation: Sonic Boom. License!. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014.
- ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (12 December 2014). Sonic Boom and Mega Man X Unite in Comic Book Crossover. IGN. Retrieved on 27 December 2014.
- ↑ Sonic Boom -Résumé de la série (French). La biblioèque rose & verte. Retrieved on 28 October 2017.
- ↑ Robot Battle Royale (episode)
- ↑ Closed Door Policy
- ↑ Curse of the Cross Eyed Moose
- ↑ Sonic Frontiers: 123 Rapid-Fire Questions With Takashi Iizuka. YouTube. Game Informer (12 July 2022). Retrieved on 13 July 2022.