Even though audiences still have two years to wait for Sonic the Hedgehog 4, there is a brilliant TV show adaptation worth checking out in the meantime, Sonic X. The Sonic the Hedgehog timeline is a complex one, seeing as there are so many titles to take into consideration. Since the release of the franchise’s first game back in 1991, there have been loads of live-action Sonic movies and TV shows, the most notable being the three films that have been released across the last few years.
There is more excitement than ever for another film, and viewers are eagerly awaiting the release of Sonic the Hedgehog 4 in 2027. Until then, the underrated and lesser-known Sonic X is an animated series that focuses on the titular character and his friends in classic battles against Doctor Eggman for the Chaos Emeralds, and it’s available to stream on several services.
Sonic X Is One Of The Best Sonic The Hedgehog Adaptations For A Different Medium
Even Without Live-Action, The Show Does A Great Job Of Bringing The Sonic Team To Life
Sonic X is considered one of the best Sonic the Hedgehog TV shows for several reasons. The first notable thing about the show is the parallels it shares with the Sonic the Hedgehog 2020 movies. Sonic X is a classic Sonic the Hedgehog story, similar to that of the games, too. It sees iconic characters like Sonic, Amy Rose, Tails, Knuckles, as well as ones who are yet to appear in the current movie franchise, such as Cream the Rabbit, Rouge the Bat, and Chao Cheese, accidentally teleport from their home planet to Earth.
Sonic is separated from his rest but meets human boy Chris, who helps him reunite with his friends while fighting back against the evil Doctor Eggman and other familiar Sonic the Hedgehog villains later on. While Sonic X uses a different medium, and is purely 2D animated in comparison to the recent film’s implementation of 3D graphics in a live-action world, it’s still a typical Sonic the Hedgehog adventure.
Both Sonic The Hedgehog Fans And New Viewers Can Enjoy Sonic X
There’s Something For Everyone In Sonic X
Despite being released in 2003, Sonic X is an enjoyable watch for dedicated fans of the franchise and those who are just being introduced to it. Incredibly, season 3 has only been available to watch in Japan since 2020 (an incredible 14 years after ending), but this has resulted in a surge of new viewers worldwide checking out the show for the first time, as well as a wave of past audiences returning to Sonic X years later. Sonic X is the source of the iconic “Gotta go fast” meme, and is full of brilliant and engaging moments for all.

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From the classic old-school Sonic the Hedgehog fights to the underrated and clever lines of dialogue, Sonic X is a fantastic encapsulation of the Sonic franchise in general. Everyone can relate to Chris’ storyline, which focuses on his loneliness due to his parents’ busy careers, in one way or another, which makes Sonic X a great watch for both children and adults. Plus, amongst the high-stakes battles and intense events, Sonic X doesn’t forget to be silly or light-hearted, either.
Sonic Has A Lot Of Animated Shows, But Sonic X Is Easily The Best One
Sonic X Stands Out From The Rest Of The Sonic The Hedgehog TV Shows
Despite initially receiving mixed reviews upon release, Sonic X is easily the best Sonic the Hedgehog TV show, even if it has taken until recently for audiences to appreciate it. The adaptation of the classic Sonic the Hedgehog stories is stellar, and just like the recent movies, it heavily relies on themes of family, responsibility, and finding a sense of belonging in life. Sonic X also leans into Sonic the Hedgehog’s extended lore and introduces characters that the franchise’s current movies have so far forgotten about.
Sonic the Hedgehog TV Shows |
Release Dates |
---|---|
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog |
1993 |
Sonic the Hedgehog |
1993-1994 |
Sonic Underground |
1999 |
Sonic X |
2003-2006 |
Sonic Boom |
2014-2017 |
Sonic Prime |
2024-2024 |
Knuckles |
2024 |
One thing Sonic X is frequently praised for is how deeply it delves into the source material. The TV show stays true to the game stories it is adapting from, while ensuring that no matter the age of the audience member, the overall narrative is understandable and endearing.
Sonic X implements the weird and wonderful.
Sonic X implements the weird and wonderful side of these Sonic the Hedgehog video game characters, but it ensures that Planet Earth is always at the forefront of the story, too. While there are many great Sonic the Hedgehog TV shows, Sonic X will forever be remembered as the title that best encapsulated the franchise for the screen.