You forgot ice cream sonic

I LOVE modern Sonic in his Unleashed - present design, Naoto Oshima’s Classic Sonic, and Toei Sonic. There’s a certain “classic 1930s Mickey Mouse” charm to Naoto’s original design on the early 90s Japanese SEGASonic merchandise (which I have a vast collection of).

One design I think is underappreciated (as is the whole art style) that you didn't go over is the designs from Sonic Battle. I like the sharper edges they used for all the characters and they way the used certain colors to outline them

My God I just LOVE the Sonic Riders design! I might be a bit bias considering Riders was my first ever Sonic title, but to me, Sonic is simply the apex of cool in that game. It also probably helps that so much of what I think is cool is routed in early 2000's pop culture just because of what I was exposed to when I grew up. Those sweet race maps, gameplay, and music only complement Sonic's look in this game.

Seeing all these different designs has made me realize how adaptable Sonic. This makes sense I suppose as a core part of Sonic's identity (in America at least) is based on being "cool". This is in direct contrast to the timeless look of Mario. Now Mario is a lot of awesome things but I rarely think of him as cool, which is reflected in his timelessness. Cool is a pretty subjective quality and it changes over time. If Sonic is to perpetually be cool he must accordingly adapt to fit the definition of cool in that specific era, be that the 90's, 2000's or the 2010's. I think that this adaptability makes is one of Sonic's best traits. It makes it so that many people can have different interpretations of Sonic over the last 25 years even though he a different character. Sega also seems to know how much to change and how much needs to stay the same in each Sonic design. I think they have been pretty successful in this regard as I have yet to come across an official Sonic design in video games, cartoons, or movies (I'm looking at you Wreck-It Raph) and think to myself "that character is not Sonic". I would even go as far as to say this adaptability expands to other elements in Sonic games. I once saw a video that dissected how Sonic's music constantly changed to fit what was popular at the time, exploring pop, rock, instrumental, rap, techno, and more over the last 25 years! Cool to think that the same blue hedgehog has changed so much overtime yet still retained a beloved identity adored by fans everywhere!

Mr Needlemouse is an 11/10 from me.

My favorite will forever be the 2D Adventure/Advance design. I'd say they visually represent Sonic perfectly

ok Sonic Advance just looks PERFECT

I wonder why there is not any main sonic game with 2d drawing graphics, because that riders intro was really good just like the CD intro

I LOVE Modern Sonic, especially him in Unleashed and 06. I also really like the Sonic Riders Sonic.

Honestly, 06 design is sick

box art wise Japanese s3k is better just because "don't make the sun laugh at you"

How did paramount mess up so much?

“ADVANCE SONIC” makes me want to die, lmao. Nah, I’m really happy you mentioned that design, but it’s typically titled with the name of “Uekawa Sonic”, named after the art director of the same name. He usually runs under the same lines as the Sonic Adventure designs, being much less saggy-looking and defined; but not different enough to warrant another design title, the fact he was a part of the Advance series didn’t help much. Also, one more thing, you’d forgotten to reference the Saturn Sonic design, which is one of my favourites, since it’d always just made me think of Toei Sonic in 3D.

0:27 DAT BOI SONIC IS COMING!

Absolutely excellent videos dude, just went back & watched the other one too. Personally I love both the original box art designs of classic Sonic, but totally agree that the animated ste of CD and Mania intros is absolutely boss. 😎

So what'd you think? Did I include your fave design... Or were there still a few let out? PS. Let me know what other characters you'd like to see retrospectives on!

My personal favorite is Dreamcast Sonic, he just is so late 90’s!

The subscriber to quality ratio of your channel is honestly a crime. Please keep up the good work man, love what you've done so far

Some of the comic designs were AMAZING! You should definitely take a look at those

I met Duncan too a couple of years back, and had a nice chat with him and his wife. Great guy. Got an awesome signed print too! Looking forward to the Sonic 3 & Knuckles VS Sonic Mania vid!

I still REALLY like the Boom design. It just feels like it adds to the character. Sonic is an adventurer, so it would make sense to have a scarf. and wearing Sports tape around his shoes shows his shoes are probably starting to fall apart from all the running around and probably doesnt want to shell out the money for new ones as they hold value to him, so he keeps them together with the tape.

Boy, I am so glad you mentioned Sonic Advance and Riders! Those series are truly underrated and part of my childhood.

Great vids! As some others have suggested, if you ever make a part 3, I'd love to hear your opinions on Archie Sonic, particularly the various designs of Patrick Spaziante (he's drawn multiple variations of Sonic's design since the early 90s and they all look incredible imo) and Tracy Yardley

The BEST Sonic Character Design 3 & Knuckles

Great 2nd part. Can't wait for part 3 with Movie Sonic... Also Toei for Classic and Riders for Modern are my favorite ones.

What about Sonic X? I think Sonic X was the next step from adventure/advanced

Personally my favorite designs would be... Boom Modern Tieo Modern Sonic By the way, 3 more designs that weren’t mentioned: *Fleetway Comic Sonic* (I hope I spelled that right) *manga comic Sonic* & *IDW comic Sonic*

I know this was 2 years ago but I really liked their designs in Sonic Battle

i personally loved the sonic riders intro ;-; but to be fair that was my first sonic game. great video!

The art for Sonic Battle is great. Jagged edges, thick outlines, and it takes inspiration from Advance Sonic, which was made alongside Sonic Battle.

Another slam dunk of a video. I appreciate how you respected those who like the Sonic 06 look. Personally, I still love that game and I hadn't really noticed either that the design was much different. I prefer other designs, but I still think it looks good.

sanic gota jog quickly

My personal favorite Sonic design is the Sonic Riders design because of the shoes.

One design I’ve never seen really talked about is the richard elson Sonic the comic version not the Archie comics, although I do love the art in them too. I read the collected them when I was really young this was kinda my definitive version of sonic. Richard Elson’s art in the Sonic the comic really influenced my own style heavily when I look back on them.

I really like these videos keep it up mate

Probably never gonna see this, but my favorite by far is from the Sonic Battle art. Really underappreciated imho.

Im liking your content I hope you continue talking about designs. After seeing this video I remember that Freedom Planet is a thing I like the first designs but the new ones I did not have take a good look on them Im waiting the new game.

This is awesome Mark! ;)

I personally LOVE the riders sonic look. He just looks so cool! And the glasses look just fits him so well!

Sonic X (and OVA/Movie Sonic) has a neat character design - facial expressions always look really intense on him - but I think you've covered the topic pretty thoroughly, already.

I really like the design of sonic in the sonic mania animated intro, and trailer, it looks different from the cover art and looks in my opinion very similar to sonic jam's 3D model. Its overall my favourite.

I love all the designs. EVEN MEMES

I kept this video on Watch Later for a while now, so you might not see this comment, but I definitely wanted to leave my own input. I think my most favourite design of the Sonic is from Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, which is the same as that Sonic Channel design. I really love it. He does have that "coolness" to him and the longer quills, but it's also sort of a calmer cool, that isn't very smug or boastful. He looks mature enough for a game that has an RPG story to it, but also adventurous enough to be the Sonic we know and love. I've actually perfected drawing this style of Sonic because I'm so used to it, and I love it. Anyways, great video, pffft, but we may need another entry for the greatest design: The Sonic 2019 Movie Poster.

Late to the party but was happy u mentioned Sonic riders. Was actually saying the other night that riders version is one of my favs and I draw him a lot. Just happy he got a bit of love lol

I like Tyson's redesign a whole lot and would LOVE to see a rebrand/reboot of Sonic using this design. Maybe go back to the adventure style Sonic gameplay (before boost) but refined and modernized.

I actually met Ian Gutterridge at a convention once, even showed him a sketch I did when everyone was doing this Sonic sketch thing and he wrote "V.Good I like the way you have put your own spin on Sonic!" I still have the thing to this day

I love the advanced series for the design they have on sonic. It is classic animation (kinda) mixed with adventure sonic :) And as an adventure lover, I find it cool as it has some of the characters from adventure too :)

I know I’m a bit late but fun fact is the sonic riders animated opening was done by the same studio who did the attack on titan anime.

I think alot of people responded positively to Tyson's Sonic Blend. It really does capture a good medium of everything Sega expects of the character to everything fans new and old want of him.

Just found this channel, it's awesome! Just like to ask, what do you think about Sonic Ova (the movie and it's art style) I personally love the designs for Sonic and the cast, I think it's a cool mix of classic and the upcoming dreamcast design (which I also love). It kinda reminds me of the art style of the Saturn games and the sonic screensavers at the time. Would love to hear your opinion on the Sonic Ova stuff. You earned a sub today dude, keep it up.

Good job i like this

My favorite sonic was sonic rush sonic. I have a lot of nostalgia for that sonic and played it when the DS was a thing. In fact, this sonic was my introduction to sonic

For artwork, gotta go for the advance series. But in game? I really like the Sonic 06' design. I was 13 at the time, but didn't get to play till much later. Tho when it came out I remember seeing the game in store shelves with a few demos here and there, and I thought Sonic looked so cool.

My favorite sonic design has always been the animated section of Riders i always wanted an animated series in that syle and universe of sonic to be adapted in Sonic X

I actually really like all of Sonic's designs over the years, though my all time favorite is definitely Toei Sonic from Sonic CD's intro. That said, I too would really love to see more done with the Riders intro Sonic

New design looks cool

One of my favourite Sonic designs is his SSBU design. He keeps the edge of Adventure Sonic, but he still reminds me of Classic Sonic.

My favorite Modern Sonic design is Modern Hesse Sonic My favorite Classic Sonic design is Toei Sonic/Classic Hesse Sonic

We need more of theese

It's clear that Sonic's original Classic Design was intended to practically make him somewhat like Cuphead: an almost exact replication of 1930's rubberhose cartoons. With each new installation, that vibe eventually dropped, and with Sonic Adventure, it seemed that Sonic Team wanted to create a new Sonic partly in response to the USA vs Japan's design inconsistencies by using a bit of both designs: the assfaced and shinily airbrushed "coolness" of Greg Martin's added onto the lankier Classic Sonic of the Saturn era.

Sonic 06 design is my favorite I like the bottom part of his shoes and how they made him a bit taller

I grew up with the Adventure Style of Sonic and it will always have a place in my heart. It fit the "What is cool" at the time look and wouldn't mind if it came back. With Team Sonic Racing made in game art that looked as though it was Adventure Sonic in 3D. He even had fangs! Now two designs that weren't brought up was the Werehog design from Sonic Unleashed and the story book games (Secret Rings and Black Knight) as these two designs are often forgotten. The werehog is drastic, so some will hate it or love it, the story book games use a model that looks very similar to the Heroes design but updated and looks like a proper transition to Modern Sonic. The model still looks like plastic figurines though. I would mention Sonic Chronicles also but that game is hideous and we will leave it at that.

i love how everyone followed the title “mr needlemouse” until it was corrected by sega in the 30th anniversary, as mr hedgehog.

Regarding Sonics' 06 design, the intent of the game developers was that Sonic had grown up. They wanted him to look taller and more mature to show that he was no longer a teenager and was now a young adult. I think that this is a very interesting idea and I wish it had been executed better.

That jet set radio design of sonic was OP. I wish they go back to that.

The renders for Sonic in 3D Blast were great! It made the Classic design slightly older and tougher; yet it was pre-Adventure. Also it holds a special place in my heart, as it was the first Sonic game I ever owned.

If this is the case I go with the Sonic Advanced versions, BOTH in game where they took the classic Sonic game and MODERNIZED everything AND in game art where they scaled down the 2D Adventure Sonic design to a SHORTER physique.

the one you forgot that I used to think was CRAZY good, is Sonic Battle's Sonic on the GBA. would have loved another game or two in that style

There's also a version of Classic Sonic that was used during the Saturn era. You can see it on Sonic Jam's Box Art.

Sonic 1 JP, and Advance are my favorite, but I feel like hesse's is great outside of the main series.

There's a rather important one you forgot, Sonic's design from Sonic the Fighters. He's made out of distorted polygons and it looks weird nowadays, but it was his first step into 3D.

Lego Sonic, Sonicman, Simpsons Sonic. Am I just digging up random stuff now? P.S I’m with you on the upcoming sonic design it looks cool

That Sonic Riders design is too good. I wish they'd revisit that style.

I fail to see how Advance Sonic isn't just Adventure Sonic in a different pose. But anyway, fun video concept. I always liked seeing so many different interpretations of Sonic given his "catchy" design, for lack of a better word.

Nice recommendation

Sonic OVA was another nice homage to Tei's Sonic. My favorite Sonic's are Toei, Tyson, Riders and IDW.

I really like Sonic's design in Sonic Battle for the GBA. It's a mix of Riders and Advance, and I love it. Also, this is purely nostalgia talking, but I really liked the designs in Sonic Chronicles. They're really clean and I also have fond memories of the game.

I like the toei sonic riders sonic and advanced sonic they all express sonics coolness pretty well and overall design just looks way better then most the others plus you can use there models perfectly for animation

The Sonic Designs I prefer are designs 4, 5, and 6. They all suit him the most.

The music for Sonic Riders wasn't cringey at all it basically shows that Sonic and his friends will never quit no matter what they face.

I must subscribe

Sonic Battle's design is epic.

It’s hard because I’ve found ways to like every design of sonic (for the most part...) When I think of Sonic, I don’t see him as a “cute” kind of character. Sonic to me is this edgy late 90’s early 2000’s teenager who listens to rock and has a huge attitude. So I especially love the more western US styled Sonic because I feel the Mohawk actually works wonderfully with this design. Really shows his rebellious nature. But at the same time, because of the character I see him as, the adventure era art I think it’s really unique. Because it genuinely has a neat, noodly, smooth style that is its own thing y’know? But I gotta agree about Riders. Looks like a JSR styles Sonic which I also think fits that time frame haha!

My personal favorite sonic is the soap shoes sonic, it was different an it looked cool and was the 1st game sonic grind on rails

Rider design art was really cool

Hesse's Sonic is by far my favorite, modern or classic. Toei and OVA Sonic are right up there with him

For me my favorite design for Sonic has to be Sonic Riders opening done by I.G Studio’s. Followed by unleashed opening cutscene

Thank you for covering 06 Sonic.

you did mention it but its not in the thing but my favorite is Mania sonic i think he is awesome and i like the cartoon-ish series of it too!

I personally love the design from sonic rush. Not sure why rush specifically but it just looks cleaner than adventure and more interesting than his modern design.

I think Adventure Sonic (especially the model sheet) is the perfect Modern Sonic. For Classic, probably Saturn/Jam Sonic

I'm still giving my favorites to Modern Sonic and the new Tyson one

I'm just gonna go with Tyson hesse sonic it's just perfection

I really like the Sonic Channel artwork for Sonic. It has a nice scetchy sort of look. Edit: turns out, it’s from the same guy behind the Advance art: Yuji Uekawa

Heroes Sonic is definitely in my top 3 of the Sonics. I grew up with that Sonic, so I have a bias.

My rankings after seeing this video, from best to worse: 1. Original Sonic Boom 2. Original JP 3. Advance 4. Adventure 5. Riders 6. Tyson's 7. Modern 8. Original NA 9. 3D 10 . Modern Sonic Boom

The 8 actual designs are Japanese Sonic,American Sonic,Animated Sonic,Modern Sonic,Soap Shoes Sonic,Riders Sonic,Boom Sonic,and Sonic from the Sonic The Hedgehog CGI/Live Action movie by SEGA and Paramount.

Some thing you didn’t bring up in these videos... 1. Toei sonic was also featured in a sonic OVA 2. The Generations/forces sonic takes many design aspects from the western box art sonic 3. M o v i e s o n i c

My personal favorite would have to be the in game Sonic Adventure 1 Sonic. It takes the cute but cool look he has from Sonic 2,3 and Knuckles. But matures it to not be lost to the sands of time. Like keeping his cute face but, making the eyes green to draw attention to it. His quills are both thicker and longer to give a better sense of speed. His body is still round so, it’s believable for him to roll into a ball but, his arms are thicker to show he’s stronger and, his chest is wider/broader for a more mature boy look. Idk I just really like that look and, most HD recreations of it miss a lot of those things. :)