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Sonic the Werehog[2] (ソニック・ザ・ウェアホッグ[2],Sonikku za Weahoggu?), also known as simply the Werehog (ウェアホッグ,Weahoggu?) for short, is a transformation that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. A bestial and werewolf-like form of Sonic the Hedgehog, this extreme physical transformation was created when Sonic forcibly absorbed the negative energy of the Chaos Emeralds, though the transformation itself only activated at night and remained active until day. After using it on several occasions, Sonic lost this form permanently when Dark Gaia absorbed the energy that caused the transformation in order to accelerate his maturation.
In this form, Sonic loses his speed in exchange for incredible strength and stretchable arms. He also gains a bit more feral and bestial behavior as a Werehog, including a slightly deeper and gravelly voice, a tendency to roar and howl, occasional quadrupedal movement patterns and a shorter temper. Even when Sonic turns into this form, though, his heart is (almost[3]) no different than usual, meaning he is still the fearless hero looking to protect the innocent by putting the kibosh on Dr. Eggman's evil plans.[2]
What triggers Sonic's transformation into the Werehog?
The transformation of Sonic into the Werehog is initiated by different factors in various contexts. In the Sonic Unleashed game, it happens when Dr. Eggman extracts the Chaos Emeralds' power during Sonic's Super Sonic state. In the comic series, extreme stress triggers the transformation. Contact with concentrated Dark Gaia energy also prompts the Werehog transformation. Exposure to sunlight causes Sonic to revert to his original form.
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How does Sonic the Werehog differ from his regular form?
Transforming into Sonic the Werehog, Sonic the Hedgehog loses his speed, gaining instead remarkable strength, stretchable arms, and sharp claws. His behavior becomes more feral, with a deeper voice, a propensity to roar, and a shorter temper. Despite these changes, Sonic's core character remains unchanged. Exposure to sunlight reverts him back to his regular form.
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What role do the Chaos Emeralds play in Sonic's Werehog transformation?
Dr. Eggman uses a machine to drain the power of the Chaos Emeralds from Sonic the Hedgehog, triggering his transformation into Sonic the Werehog. This transformation, influenced by Dark Gaia's energy due to Sonic's proximity to the Chaos Emeralds, is also triggered by extreme stress. The Chaos Emeralds become inert post-drain. Sunlight exposure reverts Sonic back to his original form.
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Does Sonic's Werehog form have any special abilities?
As Sonic the Werehog, Sonic's physical strength significantly increases, enabling him to destroy metal and robotic suits with a single punch. His arms can stretch long distances, and he can withstand considerable pain. Despite losing his speed, he maintains his agility and reflexes. His new abilities include super strength, sharp claws, extendable arms, and some energy control. Additionally, he displays more feral behavior, such as roaring, howling, and quadrupedal movement, and has a shorter temper.
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In which Sonic the Hedgehog series does the Werehog transformation appear?
Sonic the Werehog, a more aggressive form of Sonic the Hedgehog, features in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs by Archie Comics. This transformation occurs due to Sonic's inhalation of Dark Gaia energy and is lost when the energy is reclaimed by Dark Gaia.
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Concept and creation[]
Early concept artwork of Sonic the Werehog, tentatively named "Beast Sonic" (獣ソニック,Kemono Sonikku?).
Originally, the Werehog was called "Evil Sonic" within the development team due to his uneven, rough-like appearance, but because the word "evil" has connotations of a villainous character in Western countries, Sega of America suggested the name "Werehog."[4][5] Despite this, he is still called Evil Sonic in the final game's files.
The Werehog was designed and modeled by the lead character designer and artist for Sonic Unleashed, Shinkichi Tanahashi. At the time Tanahashi was ordered the design, there were firm concepts of "ferocious" and "werewolf" to base the Werehog on, and it was a trial-and-error process how to superimpose them on Sonic. The early designs ranged from emphasizing the "beast" to emphasizing the "curse" of transforming at night. As the story was not yet finalized at the time, Tanahashi had an impression of some kind of curse that caused Sonic to become beastly at night.[6][1]
Because the Werehog was supposed to claw at the enemies when hitting them, Tanahashi removed Sonic's gloves from his design early on. However, he felt that he would not be Sonic anymore if he also removed his iconic shoes for the design, so he decided to keep them but changed them to be spiky in order to make the Werehog look wilder. He then changed Sonic's overall form into something stronger looking by connecting his shoulder and headlines and making his chest wider and thicker to give the body an inverted triangle shape. As part of the trial-and-error process, Tanahashi also ended up drafting more outlandish designs, including one resembling a yeti.[7][8]
In this form, Sonic resembles a werewolf and gains increased muscular density[9] and weight. He grows slightly larger, with a broader torso, a longer muzzle, larger hands and longer and more muscular arms. Additionally, his fingernails become claw-like, his mouth becomes much larger, his inner lips become black and his teeth become fangs; two of which always protrude even when his mouth is closed. Likewise, his ears become more curved and thinner, resembling a pair of horns. His once peach skin is now a pale blue, while his fur grows into a lush and heavy dark blue coat. He also gains fur in places he normally does not, such as on his arms. Traits of white countershading also appear on his wrists and the ends of his quills, with an inverted droplet-shaped patch of pale blue-gray countershading on his chest. While his eyes remain green, they become a lot more angled, with more prominent brows, and they are almost never interconnected.
For attire, Sonic loses his white gloves, exposing his bare hands. His shoes become a darker shade of red and slightly frilled in the front, gain a gray metal strip with a trio of spikes on each top surface and gain eighteen small metal spikes on the bottom of each sole.
History[]
Sonic Unleashed[]
Sonic entering his Werehog form for the first time.
In Sonic Unleashed, when Sonic, while in his super state, was caught in the Chaos Energy Cannon by Dr. Eggman, he had the Chaos Emeralds stripped from him, which renders him weaker as most of his energy was completely absorbed into the cannon. Eggman then reversed the polarity of the Emeralds and used a negative Chaos Emerald energy blast with the Chaos Energy Cannon to awaken Dark Gaia by splitting the earth apart. However, due to his proximity to the Chaos Emerald when the dark energy was expelled, Sonic consequently absorbed this energy.[9] This caused him to transform into a feral Werehog for the first time. Shortly after his transformation, Sonic was rejected from the Chaos Energy Cannon's space station and plummeted down to earth with the powerless Chaos Emeralds. Along the way, Sonic's fall was temporarily broken by a mysterious power, although he still fell head-first into Windmill Isle. There, he found an unconscious Chip, who made Sonic aware of his new form. Regardless, once Sonic learned that Chip suffered from amnesia and could not recall who he was, Sonic agreed to help him regain his memories, quietly blaming himself as being responsible for Chip's amnesia. Soon after, the sun came up, and Sonic returned to normal. However, Sonic eventually assumed his Werehog form again during the following nightfall, making him understand the nature of his transformation. He also discovered his form's ability to stretch his arms when he grabbed an ice cream cone that Chip dropped. Soon after, Sonic saved Tails from some of Dark Gaia's Minions, before heading to Spagonia to find Professor Pickle. Tracking the professor to Eggman's base near Mazuri, Sonic, Tails, and Chip broke Pickle out of Eggman's captivity and returned to Spagonia where Pickle presented them with a plan of action to repair the planet and stop Dark Gaia with: find the Gaia Temples and insert the Chaos Emeralds into them, which would heal both the Chaos Emeralds and the planet. At the same time, Sonic sought a cure for his Werehog condition. After globetrotting for a while, Sonic and Chip returned to Spagonia, only to be found by Amy. However, Amy did not recognize Sonic as a Werehog and thus left them. Seeing Amy not recognize him (which was not made better by Chip's commentary), made Sonic feel down about his condition. Regardless, Sonic pressed on and eventually helped Amy when she got entangled with people possessed by Dark Gaia. After exorcising the people, Sonic could not face Amy and left before she could talk to him. However, he eventually came clean to her.
Sonic being stripped of the negative energy, curing him of the Werehog condition.
Continuing their adventure, Sonic and Chip eventually found Chun-nan's Gaia Temple. There, they saved Zonshen, and Sonic defeated the Dark Gaia-possessed Dark Gaia Phoenix. Afterward, the duo restored their second Chaos Emerald and second continent, before saying goodbye to the restored phoenix. Later, upon finding the fourth Gaia Temple near Holoska, Sonic defeated Dark Moray and restored the fourth Chaos Emerald and its associated continent with Chip's aid. Afterward, Sonic and Chip went to Shamar, where Sonic defeated Dark Guardian. In the aftermath, he and Chip restored the fifth Chaos Emerald and the fifth continent. When Chip later regained his memories and told Sonic that he was Light Gaia, Sonic turned into the Werehog again as nighttime arrived. He believed that it was Chip's influence that kept him from going bonkers like other people possessed by Dark Gaia, but Chip revealed that it was Sonic's own will that kept him pure, even with his Werehog condition. Afterward, Sonic promised Chip to help him finish the job of sealing Dark Gaia up once more. After restoring the final Chaos Emerald in Eggmanland's Gaia Temple, however, Sonic and Chip were attacked by Eggman and his Egg Dragoon. After a heated battle that led to the core of the planet, Sonic defeated the Egg Dragoon. However, Dark Gaia appeared and knocked down Eggman before attacking Sonic and Chip. Sensing the negative energy from Sonic's body, Dark Gaia forcibly drained the Werehog's negative power from Sonic to speed up his maturation, thus depriving the hedgehog of his werewolf form permanently and then returning him to normal.
In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, Sonic the Werehog is only playable in the nighttime versions of the Town Stages, Action Stages, and Entrance Stages. In the Action Stages, his nighttime objective is the same as his daytime objective: reaching the Goal within a time limit. However, his Werehog form is much slower than his daytime form. In return, he can jump (albeit without entering a Spin Jump), Double Jump, and move faster by Dashing. He can also pick up and manipulate certain enemies and objects with the Grab technique. Depending on Sonic the Werehog's Skill level, he can perform a variety of attacks on enemies while holding them. Additionally, a number of gimmicks, like Hanging Ledges and poles, can be grabbed onto by him, thus enabling him to climb or swing to an otherwise inaccessible area. Also, when confronted by enemies, Sonic can damage them with a number of hand-to-hand combat techniques via attack combos. Attack combos can be initiated with / // /. Starting an attack combo with / leads to circular attacks, which generally do damage in a wider area around Sonic. Starting an attack combo with / leads to straight attacks which generally do heavier damage to enemies in front of Sonic. Once a combo is started with / // /, the player can combine /, /, /, and / as they please to execute different moves. The player can also hold down / // / to build up a charged attack (once upgraded). Sonic the Werehog can also perform Critical Attacks on certain weakened opponents. Outside of attack combos, the player can also guard against attacks and initiate the Unleashed Mode to make Sonic temporarily stronger and invulnerable. In addition, in the majority of the game's environments, Sonic relies on a Life Gauge that determines the maximum amount of damage he can take, the Unleashed Gauge that determines his usage of Unleashed Mode, and a Shield Gauge that determines how much damage his guard technique can negate. Also, as Experience is allotted, the player can upgrade Sonic the Werehog's "Combat" (number of Skill available), "Strength" (attack power), "Life" (size of his Life Gauge), "Unleash" (size of his Unleashed Gauge) and "Shield" (size of his Shield Gauge) parameters.
In the Wii/PlayStation 2 version of Sonic Unleashed, Sonic the Werehog is only playable in the Night Stages and all Gaia Gates except for the main room of Apotos' Gaia Gate. In the Night Stages, the objective of Sonic is to reach the Goal Ring within a limited time, much like in Sonic's daytime Stages. However, in these levels, Sonic is much slower than his regular form. In exchange, he can jump (without it turning into a Spin Jump), Double Jump, and move faster with the Dash technique. Also, when encountering enemies, Sonic can inflict damage on them with the following attacks:
By alternating between the aforementioned right and left attacks, Sonic the Werehog can normally execute a variety of attack Combos. However, the player can also use the same attack option to achieve the same effect. The player can also perform the Dash, pick up and throw certain enemies and objects with the Grab technique, protect Sonic from attacks with the Guard technique, and initiate the Unleashed Mode to increase Sonic's attack power and lower the damage he would otherwise receive. With the Grab technique in particular, Sonic can also climb Vertical Poles, swing on Horizontal Poles and Swinging Poles, and traverse Hanging Ledges. In addition, in the game's environments, Sonic relies on a Vitality Gauge that determines the maximum amount of damage he can take and the Unleashed Gauge that determines his usage of Unleashed Mode. Also, as red orbs are allotted in gameplay, the player can upgrade Sonic the Werehog's "Vitality," "Combat," and "Attack Power Rank" parameters, as well as his number of skills, on the Orb Result screen.
In the Wii version of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Sonic the Werehog does not physically appear. However, a Mii costume based on Sonic the Werehog can be unlocked in the game by placing first twenty-five times in Single Event Mode, after which Espio will send the player the costume in the mail.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games[]
In Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games, Sonic the Werehog does not physically appear. However, a Mii costume based on Sonic the Werehog can be unlocked in the game by scoring four points at one end of the Curling event.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games[]
In the Wii U version of Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, Sonic the Werehog does not physically appear. However, a Mii costume set based on Sonic the Werehog can be unlocked in the game. However, it must be collected in two separate parts, each with its own stat changes.
Sonic Generations[]
In the console/PC version of Sonic Generations, Sonic the Werehog makes a small cameo appearance during the game's ending credits. Also, in the Nintendo 3DSversion of the game, the Werehog makes a small cameo appearance on a bonus artwork in the Collection Room.
Sonic Dash[]
In Sonic Dash, Sonic the Werehog (shortened to simply "Werehog" in-game), appears as one of the playable characters. In this game, he can be unlocked after obtaining 500 of his Character Cards.
In Sonic Runners, Sonic the Werehog was a playable Power/Wild Type character with the following characteristics:
Icon
Type
Controls
Profile
Unlock Requirement
Dash attack
37% Distance bonus
37% Animal bonus
As a result of Dr. Eggman's trap, Sonic turns into the Werehog after dark! He is incredibly strong, and has extendable arms.
Available on Premium Roulette.
Sonic Forces: Speed Battle[]
In Sonic Forces: Speed Battle, Sonic the Werehog, (shortened to simply "Werehog" in-game), is one of the playable characters, who was added to the game's roster on 14 October 2021. He has the following gameplay characteristics:
Battle via Spirit Board (unlocked after obtaining spirit once)
Purchase from the Vault Shop for 1000G (unlocked after obtaining spirit once)
No.
Slot Cost
Ability
796
1
Physical Attack ↑
Sonic Dash+ / Sonic Prime Dash[]
In Sonic Dash+ and Sonic Prime Dash, Sonic the Werehog, (shortened to simply "Werehog" in-game), appears as one of the playable characters. In these games, he can be unlocked by obtaining 500 of his Character Tokens.
Image
Affinity Bonus
Unlock Requirement
Upgrade Profile
Power-Up
Highest level
Obtain 500
Dash Boost
9
x2 Multiplier
11
Magnet
11
Shield
11
Headstart
8
Sonic Speed Simulator[]
In Sonic Speed Simulator, Sonic the Werehog appears as a playable character. He first appeared during the "Unleash the Beast Event" on 29 October 2022.
Image
Unlocking requirement
Bonus Stat(s)
Rarity
Sonic the Werehog
Complete all three event tasks during "Unleash the Beast Event"
Purchase for 999 Robux during "Unleash the Beast Event"
+3 Stamina
Seasonal
In this game, the Werehog is controlled in the same way as the other characters in the game. He also has the Spin Dash, Spin Jump, Spin Dash Charge, and Homing Attack in his move set. His base speed and jumping height depend on the player's current level.
On October 19, 2024, Werehog was re-released as "Chained-Up Werehog", a variant of Werehog that's chained-up and wearing shoes very similar to that of the Stomping Shoes.
Image
Unlocking requirement
Bonus Stat(s)
Rarity
Chained-Up Werehog
Complete all four event tasks during "Howl at the Moon Event"
+5 Stamina
Seasonal
Sonic Racing: Crossworlds[]
Sonic the Werehog is set to be a pre-order bonus character in Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds for players who purchased the game 3 days ahead of its September 25, 2025 release.
Sonic Blitz[]
This section requires an expansion.
Powers and abilities[]
As the Werehog, Sonic loses his trademark ability to move at super speed.[2][3] In exchange, he receives an increase in muscular density[9] that grants him overwhelming[2] physical strength. His powerful arms[3] in particular have enough strength to throw and topple creatures as large as a Titan and the Dark Gaia Phoenix, pick up and swing around enemies, and smash open metal vaults with a single punch. Nonetheless, he retains his lightning-fast reflexes and agility, being perfectly capable of performing various aerial stunts during interactions and Critical Attacks on Dark Gaia's Minions and reacting accordingly to Dark Guardian's near-instantaneous movements. Sonic is likewise very durable as the Werehog, being able to survive being hammered into the ground by Dark Guardian's hammer and still retain consciousness. He can also achieve above-average running speed by dashing on all fours.
In addition to the above, Sonic the Werehog also has the ability to stretch his arms at will.[2][3] His maximum stretching limit is unknown though. Sonic mainly uses this ability to attack and grab enemies from a distance[3] and build momentum for his attacks. He can even enlarge his arms, hands, and feet to increase the power of his attacks. Outside combat, Sonic can also use this ability to move around by grabbing targets from a distance and easily swinging or jumping from pole to pole.[2][3] In addition, Sonic the Werehog possesses sharp claws that can cut through solid rock and Badnik armor. Combining these abilities, Sonic can utilize a moveset of ferocious combat techniques that make up for his lack of speed.[3]
Sonic the Werehog is also capable of harnessing the Negative Energy for different applications. He mainly applies it in his combat techniques to empower his attacks, put up a force-field when guarding, and harness excess Dark Gaia Force. Gathering up enough of the aforementioned energy allows Sonic to enter the Unleashed Mode, a temporary state that increases his strength and durability.
By harnessing different variants of Hyper-go-on from Wisps, Sonic the Werehog can use specific Color Powers to transform into a certain form, such as a drill, a laser, or even a planet, each one possessing its own unique abilities. So far, Sonic the Werehog has been able to transform into the Cyan Laser, Yellow Drill, and Indigo Asteroid. However, these transformations require a steady supply of Hyper-go-on to be maintained.
In the Prime Zone, the Werehog appeared shortly after Sonic the Hedgehog came into contact with some concentrated Dark Gaia energy. Each time under extreme stress following that, Sonic would start to transform into the Werehog, only for it to subdue. When caught by the Soumerca Egg Army however, Sonic finally turned into Werehog and briefly lost control. After receiving training from Moss the Sloth though, Sonic gained control over his Werehog form, which would return during nighttime and revert at dawn from then on. Sonic later lost this transformation permanently when Dark Gaia reabsorbed the Dark Gaia energy Sonic had ingested.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series published by IDW Publishing, Sonic the Werehog makes a cameo appearance. During the time the world was broken apart by Dr. Eggman's Chaos Energy Cannon, Sonic came down with an illness that caused him to transform into Sonic the Werehog. However, he eventually rid himself of that condition.[10][11]
Quotes[]
"ROOAARR...!!!"
—Sonic the Werehog's first roar after his first transformation, Sonic Unleashed
"You've really... gone and done it this time, Eggman."
—Sonic the Werehog's first lines after Eggman shatters the earth, Sonic Unleashed
"I bet it's thanks to you. Even at night when I'm like this. I'm still myself. Not like all the other people we've seen. You must've been protecting me this whole time."
Sonic the Werehog is based on the mythical Werewolf.
Despite the term "Werehog" being a portmanteau of werewolf and hedgehog, it is actually a misnomer. The word werewolf is the modern English continuation of a late Old English "wer(e)wulf," a compound of were 'man' (cognate with Gothic wair, Latin vir) and wulf "wolf"; cognate with Middle Dutch weerwolf, Old High German werwolf. The term is literally "man-wolf," a man who becomes a wolf. Consequently, the term "Werehog" would literally mean "man-hog", an inaccurate term that would imply a man who becomes a hog rather than a hedgehog who becomes a wolf.
Oddly, when turning back to normal, Sonic's gloves repair themselves. In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, Chip will even acknowledge this if the player feeds him enough food by asking, "Where do you put your gloves at night?"
In the game, Lambros notes Sonic as being "shorter and stouter than before." However, Sonic grows almost a whole foot taller in his Werehog form, from 100cm (3'3") to 125cm (4'1").
It is popularly believed that Sonic was transformed into the Werehog by Dark Gaia, however, the Sonic Unleashed manual and the game itself state that Sonic's transformation was due to his proximity to the Chaos Emeralds when they emanated negative energy. In other words, the positive energy that Super Sonic was freely exploiting abruptly transformed into negative energy.
This is reinforced by the fact that Dark Gaia is an entity that can only exert its power over the planet, and Sonic was on Eggman's space station when the creature was released.
When Chip refers to the "Dark Gaia Force" it is something he made up when he had no memory.
In the game it is explained that Dark Gaia does not control a special energy, but only limits himself to using the negative energy of the planet, so controlling the negative power of the Chaos Emeralds is child's play for the creature.
Sonic the Werehog, being a creature of dark nature, can absorb the negative energy of Dark Gaia's minions, due to the simple fact that the dark energy of the Chaos Emeralds is similar to the dark energy of the planet itself, this explains why Dark Gaia can influence the negative energy in Sonic's body.
Perfect Chaos, who also used the negative energy of the Chaos Emeralds, demonstrated the ability to maintain the negative energy of the emeralds without needing them, so this explains how Sonic could become Werehog without needing the emeralds, and curiously the Chaos Emeralds remained in a dull state in both cases.
Sonic the Werehog is the second of Sonic's transformations to have a profile on Sonic Channel, the first one being Super Sonic.
In the Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 version of Sonic Unleashed, if a player would press the jump button just as he grabs a ledge, the Werehog would perform a Spin Jump similar to Sonic's.
This also happens when releasing a horizontal pole, grabbing an enemy while in midair, and jumping while sliding down a slippery path.
When performing this spin jump, he even glows like he does in his normal form, albeit purple rather than blue.
In 2009, a Sonic costume pack for Little Big Planet was released with a Werehog costume along with the Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Eggman costumes.
Sonic fought the Egg Dragoon as the Werehog at night. But moments later, when Dark Gaia becomes Perfect Dark Gaia, Amy states, "It was broad daylight a minute ago!", implying that it had been daytime for several hours. Amy was in Shamar, which is east of Eggmanland on the map screen, so it was at least sunrise in Eggmanland. If this is so, Sonic probably should not have fought the Egg Dragoon at night.
Granted, he was far underground and away from the sun.
In the opening of Sonic Unleashed, Sonic the Werehog's fangs are noticeably sharp, defined, and smooth. However, for the rest of the game, his fangs appear shorter and more in line with the rest of his teeth.
His Werehog form's voice sounds nearly identical to his Darkspine's. Both sound like Sonic talking in a growling voice, however Darkspine's voice sounds similar to his original voice, while his voice in Werehog form has him speak in a very deep and growly voice.
Sonic the Werehog is the only transformation of Sonic's that is not voiced by Jun'ichi Kanemaru in Japanese.
In February 2017, the official Sonic the Hedgehog Twitter account posted a meme featuring Sonic the Werehog. However, the artwork used was a fan-made render, made by Nibroc.Rock.[12]
/
// 
/
. Starting an attack combo with 
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, and 
/
as they please to execute different moves. The player can also hold down 
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