Sonic the Hedgehog in animation

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993)

Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog was the first Sonic television series, produced by DiC Entertainment, Bohbot Entertainment and Fininvest, and started airing in 1993. The series consisted of 65 episodes, most of which follow Sonic and Tails as they attempt to stop Doctor Robotnik's tyranny.^[1] At the end of every episode is a short PSA titled "Sonic Says" where Sonic teaches the audience a lesson. The series has received mixed reviews,^[2][3] although the series has spawned several internet memes and is a major source in YouTube poop material.^[4]

Three years after the series completed its original run, a Christmas special titled Sonic Christmas Blast aired on USA Network on November 24, 1996;^[5] the special was originally intended to tie-in with Sonic X-treme, and was produced under the title X-tremely Sonic Christmas,^[6] however, its cancellation resulted in the special being rebranded as a tie-in to Sonic 3D Blast.

Sonic the Hedgehog (1993–1994)

The second of DiC's Sonic cartoons, Sonic the Hedgehog (more commonly known as Sonic SatAM)^[7] aired from September 18, 1993, to December 3, 1994, lasting two 13 episode seasons.^[8] Considered one of the darker incarnations of Sonic, SatAM takes place in a time where Robotnik successfully took over Mobius, with Sonic and a team called the Freedom Fighters attempting to take back the planet.

Originally intended to last three seasons, Sonic the Hedgehog was cancelled after its second season, which left the show on a cliffhanger. Since its release, the series has become a cult classic,^[9] inspiring a video game titled Sonic Spinball and the Sonic Archie Comics series.^[10]

Sonic Underground (1999)

The third and final DiC Sonic cartoon,^[11] Sonic Underground^[a] aired in 1999 and lasted only one season with 40 episodes.^[12] The series takes inspiration from SatAM. In Sonic Underground, hedgehog Queen Aleena gives birth to triplets: Sonic, Sonia and Manic, on the same day as Robotnik's takeover of Mobotropolis. Based on a prophecy, Aleena separates her three children, who, years later, join a rebellion to take back the planet. Every episode of the show includes a musical number near the end.^[13] The series was commissioned as a way to promote the Dreamcast.^[7][14]

Unlike the previous two series, Sonic Underground has been met with a generally negative reception from media critics for its confusing plot, although praise has been given to the series' musical numbers.^[15][16][17] Originally, a conclusion for the series was planned to be included in issue #50 of the Sonic Universe comic, however, it was later replaced due to license issues.^[18]

Sonic X (2003–2005)

Sonic X^[b] is a Japanese anime created by TMS Entertainment under a partnership with Sega and Sonic Team.^[19] In the series, after an infiltration into Eggman's base goes wrong, Sonic and his friends are transported to a parallel world inhabited by humans where they meet a 12-year-old boy named Christopher Thorndyke, who helps Sonic along with his friends to take on Eggman continuously while trying to retrieve all seven Chaos Emeralds so that they would return home. The series initially ran for two 26 episode seasons on TV Tokyo from April 6, 2003^[20] to March 28, 2004.^[21][c]

Internationally, Sonic X was dubbed by 4Kids Entertainment and ran from September 6, 2003, to March 26, 2005. Although the series suffered from low ratings in Japan,^{[citation needed]} it was more successful internationally, with 4Kids commissioning a third season consisting of 26 episodes. Season 3 sees Sonic and his friends traveling across planets to retrieve the Chaos Emeralds to stop an alien race called the Metarex. This season did not air nor receive a home release in Japan until 2020,^[22] although it was later made available via streaming services.^[19]

The series has received generally average reviews from critics, although the English dub was heavily criticised for its censorship and voice acting.^[19][23] The English voice cast would later become the voice cast for the games from Shadow the Hedgehog to Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.^[24][25]

Sonic Boom (2014–2017)

Sonic Boom is an American-French CGI animated series produced by OuiDo! Productions and distributed on Cartoon Network,^[d] Canal J and Gulli. The series revolves around Sonic and his friends attempting to stop Dr. Eggman's plans. It ran from November 8, 2014,^[26] to November 18, 2017,^[27] having two 52 episode seasons.

The television series is part of a larger spin-off franchise also known as Sonic Boom. According to Takashi Iizuka, head of Sonic Team, Sonic Boom was designed to appeal to Western fans.^[28] The series also spans three video games (Rise of Lyric, Shattered Crystal and Fire & Ice), a comic book from Archie^[29] and a toyline by Tomy.^[30] The series was met with positive reviews.^[31]

As of May 21, 2020, showrunner Bill Freiberger confirmed that there are no plans to continue the series.^[32]

Sonic Prime (2022–2024)

Sonic Prime^[33] is an animated series co-produced by Sega, Netflix Animation, WildBrain and Man of Action Entertainment. It sees Sonic traveling across an accidentally-created multiverse, with themes of self-discovery and redemption.^[34] The series was officially announced on February 1, 2021,^[35] although its existence was accidentally leaked in December 2020 with a now-deleted Twitter post.^[34] The series has three seasons totalling 23 episodes, including a double-length series premiere, released from December 15, 2022, to January 11, 2024.^{[36][37][38][39]} It received generally favorable reviews.^{[citation needed]}

Sonic: Night of the Werehog (2008)

Sonic: Night of the Werehog is the first web animation and 3D computer-animated short, released on November 21, 2008, and produced by Marza Animation Planet, created to promote the release of Sonic Unleashed. In the short, Sonic and Chip enter a haunted house and must contend with the two ghosts Su and Uh, who attempt to take pictures of scared visitors to appease the female ghost Lah.^[45][46]

The three ghosts that appeared in the short film were created by Marza Animation Planet, as the studio's illustration staff members created various illustrations that featured them are posted on Marza Animation Planet's Staff Twitter account.

On October 31, 2023, a brand new short film, featuring the three ghosts, entitled "Ghost Tale", was posted on Marza Animation Planet's YouTube channel.

Sonic Mania Adventures (2018)

Sonic Mania Adventures is the second web animation and first 2D one, initially released as a series in five parts between March 31 and July 18, 2018, as a tie-in to Sonic Mania Plus.^[47][48] The series takes place shortly after the events of Sonic Forces, as Classic Sonic arrives back in his world to find Eggman is once again attempting to collect all the Chaos Emeralds.^[49] It was produced by Neko Productions and animated by Tyson Hesse, with supervision from Sega.^[50]

The series received generally favorable reviews from various critics, who praised the animation and writing.^[47][51] A Christmas-themed bonus episode, starring Amy Rose, was released on December 21, 2018, a few months after its initial completion.^[52][53]

Team Sonic Racing Overdrive (2019)

Team Sonic Racing Overdrive is a 2D two-part series released in March and April 2019.^[54] The miniseries is a promotional tie-in to Team Sonic Racing, and features Sonic, Shadow, and Amy's teams competing in a race on Planet Wisp while Eggman tries to interfere.

Chao in Space (2019)

Chao in Space is a 2D short released on December 13, 2019. In the short, a Chao dreams up the events of a fictional film titled Chao in Space, in which it endures a spaceship battle against a Dark Chao. As it sleeps, Sonic attempts to prevent the sleepwalking Chao from injuring itself, while Dr. Eggman disguises himself as Santa Claus to try to steal Christmas presents.^[55] The animation is based on a gag from Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2, which both feature faux advertisements for Chao in Space and its sequel Chao in Space 2.^[55]

Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps (2021)

Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps is a 2D two-episode miniseries released in Summer 2021, created as a tie-in to the release of Sonic Colors: Ultimate. The series takes place during the game, and follows Sonic and Tails as they work to save the Wisps imprisoned on Sweet Mountain from Metal Sonic, Orbot and Cubot.^[56]

TailsTube (2022–present)

TailsTube is an online YouTube web series starring Miles "Tails" Prower, who acts as a VTuber and host for the show. The show is described as a "fun and informative, Tails-hosted show about all things Sonic".^[57] The series' episodes are published irregularly, with 15 having been released as of April 2026.^[58]

Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence (2022)

Sonic Frontiers Prologue: Divergence is a 2D short released on November 1, 2022. The short was written by Ian Flynn and directed by Tyson Hesse, with animation by Powerhouse Animation Studios. Set shortly before the events of Sonic Frontiers, the short explains follows Knuckles on Angel Island, explaining how he was sent to the Starfall Islands.^[59]

Sonic & Friends (2023-present)

Sonic & Friends is a 3D computer-animated series released on Sega's Japanese TikTok account and featuring chibi versions of Sonic characters that originated from Sonic Boom merchandise. The teaser was released on August 7, 2023.^[60][61]

Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble (2023)

Sonic Superstars: Trio of Trouble is a 2D short released on September 20, 2023. The short is a prequel to Sonic Superstars, and features Doctor Eggman, Fang the Hunter, and Trip the Sungazer searching a ruin as part of a villainous plot. Beforehand, Fang dreams of an encounter with Sonic and his friends.^[62]

Sonic x Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings (2024)

Sonic x Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings is a three-episode miniseries that serves as a prequel to the events of Shadow Generations. Revealed at Anime Expo 2024, the series sees Shadow travelling to the Space Colony Ark, believing that Black Doom has been resurrected, while experiencing flashbacks to his past time on the Ark with Maria Robotnik. Other characters who appear include Rouge the Bat, E-123 Omega, and Emerl.^[63]

Chao Tales (2025)

Chao Tales is a 2025 8-episode animated web series that focuses on Sonic the Hedgehog visiting a Chao Garden throughout the year. The series features Sonic alongside an arrogant Shadow Chao.^[64] A Halloween-themed bonus episode was released in October 2025.^[65]

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - The Animation (2025)

Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds - The Animation is an animated short released on August 29, 2025, and as a tie-in to Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds.^[66] It focuses on Shadow the Hedgehog as he pursues eliminating everyone else in a race. The short was nominated for Best Sponsored at the 53rd Annie Awards.^[67][68]