Sonic the Hedgehog on the Small Screen... Ranked

By Jason Koop

Everyone: in this, the month of March, the year of our Lord 2025, I am petitioning that this be henceforth known as “The Month of Sonic the Hedgehog”.  Why, you ask?  Simple, because everyone knows that a march is like walking really fast.  That’s as close as you can get to running without lifting your knees that high.

So, to celebrate this inaugural month of Sonic, let’s do something that is still very much “in” these days.  Ranking media.

But what to rank… the Sonic video games, where the hedgehog got his start?  Nah, I haven’t played every Sonic game. How about the comics?  I’ve certainly talked ad nauseum about those on the podcast.  Yeah… about that.  I’ve only really read the IDW comics, and have only seen parts of the Archie comic run. And the movies… well, the less I say about those the better.

Hmmm… the problem with making these click-bait-y type blogs is you either need to come in with a ton of knowledge or a lot of time to get caught up on what you don’t know.

For the sake of brevity, we will rank something from a relatively small selection size.  Sonic’s adventures on the small screen.  Heck, we can make it even smaller by reducing it to purely animated series.  That way I can eliminate the Knuckles mini-series.

#6.   The Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog (1993)

Full disclaimer, I have only seen a couple episodes of this, and… I honestly feel that gives me a pretty good grasp on the series as a whole.  The theme song kind of summarizes what to expect.  Sonic and Tails run around, clash with the Dr. Robotnik and his minions, wacky hi-jinks ensue, with no real plot or character to make them stick.  Frankly, it has more in common with a Looney Tunes cartoon than anything particularly “Sonic”.  While certain characters from the show got limited exposure in the Archie comic run, there’s a reason why no one is really clamouring for references to this part of Sonic’s history.

#5.   Sonic Underground (1999)

Again, having only seen a couple episodes of this, this is another insanely wacky chapter in the Hedgehog’s existence.  Really, about the only thing it does is affirm the Hedgehog’s affinity to music.  Which, while neat in of itself, does little to make this one worth watching.  At least it pretends at having a plot/story arc for its protagonists.  That’s something.  And the title is a pun.

#4.   Sonic Boom (2014-17)

Part of an attempted re-boot for the franchise (which also included a few video games sharing the same title), this series presented both different designs for the characters and a much lighter tone.  While the characters are relatively flat, there are some fun episodes and truly humorous jokes.  Thankfully, the show is self-aware enough not to take itself seriously.  Overall though, it’s best described by its in-show fast-food franchise, a “Meh Burger”.

#3.   Sonic Prime (2022-24)

This series is… confusing to me.  On the one hand, it cuts out the wacky silliness that Sonic has been known to indulge in with his animated shows.  On the other hand, it replaces it with a multi-verse story that frankly feels too spread out.  While the multi-verse does give the audience interesting takes on certain characters (like Nine, Knuckles the Dread and Mangey Tails), we aren’t given any real reason to get attached to them and their conflict.

The Chaos Council – comprised of 5 different Eggmen – is pretty funny with its squabbles and Shadow does his best to keep things on point.  There are multiple cool action sequences, and the dialogue is pretty good too.  However, it’s all too… surface and would have been better off with less multi-verse hopping.

#2.   Sonic the Hedgehog (1993-94)

Also known as Sonic SatAM (because it typically played on Saturday mornings), this is the series that is arguably the most recognizable.  In a world where Robotnik has pretty much won, polluting most of the planet and robotizing many of its inhabitants, it’s up to Sonic, Tails and the Freedom Fighters to fight back.  It provided the groundwork for the initial 10 years of Sonic’s run in Archie comics; with several characters introduced in the show being main characters, like Princess Sally Acorn, Bunnie Rabbot, Antoine, Rotor, Nicole, and Robotnik’s lackey Snively.  There is a surprising amount of world-building that happens to separate it from just being “stop the evil Dr.’s most recent evil plan”.

#1.   Sonic X (2003-06)

This is by far the largest Sonic show, in terms of story and scope.  The cast is big, including Sonic, Tails, Amy, Knuckles, Cream, Shadow, Rouge, and a human character, Chris Thorndyke. In the first season, the episodes range from funny side-stories (like where they play a baseball game against Eggman and his robots for a Chaos emerald), to more serious fare (like dealing with the fact that Chris feels very much an after thought of his parents).

The second season is where the series truly shines, taking Sonic and his friends away from Earth, and placing them in their own planet where they are soon caught up in an intergalactic war with the Metarex.  Here the series really goes big with its spectacle and stakes, leading to some surprisingly dark turns for a kids show, which makes the victory feel all the more earned.

The theme song is a fun jam.  And finally, it proves my theory that the perfect Sonic show should be an anime.

#0.   Sonic x Shadow Generations: Dark Beginnings (2024)

Karlissa went over my head an insisted I include this, to which I respond with…  IT’S NOT FAIR!!!  I mean, c’mon!  The animation is gorgeous, the dialogue is fantastic, the action scenes are flat-out SICK, and it features a hauntingly beautiful song by Casey Lee Williams!  I know, it’s a prelude to Shadow’s portion of the video game, and non-Sonic fans might not get a whole lot of it, but for someone like me (or even Karlissa, who has received fandom by association with me) its only flaw is that it’s not a full-on show!  Please, SEGA!!!  Make a show like this!  P.S.  Watch it on YouTube if you don’t own the game.

Fantasy Review: Castaways of the Flying Dutchman

By Jason Koop

Published in 2001 and written by Brian Jacques, this fantasy novel (which is in fact, the first book of a trilogy) sees its author writing at peak levels. Jacques packs all the charm, lavish descriptions, puzzles and riddles that are hallmarks of his Redwall series to elevate this tale into one of my all-time favourites.

Without going into too much spoilers, a boy and his dog, Neb and Den, take part on an ill-fated voyage upon the ship the Flying Dutchman, which results with the ship, its captain and crew cursed to sail the waters of the earth for all eternity.  Neb and Den are spared this fate by an angel, whom gifts them with eternal youth, among other mercies.

The second part of the story establishes how the two protagonists interact with the world around them, which leads to the third part – which is the bulk of the story.  Our protagonists, now going by Ben and Ned, must help a quiet English village fight back against industrialists which threaten to destroy it in the name of progress.

I know, sounds like something that’s been used to death in fiction, but what makes this one worth experiencing?  Oh… now you’re getting me started.

First of all, I absolutely love how Ben and Ned communicate.  They have a mental connection, and their banter very much befits two friends who have experienced so much together.  They work well together as a team, while remaining two distinct entities.

Second, the protagonists aren’t there to solve the village’s problems single-handed.  Rather, they tend to act as galvanizing forces, encouraging those they interact with to grapple with their problems and solve things by themselves.  I guess another way to describe it would be that Ben and Ned are active participants in helping the villagers, but they aren’t cheat codes that immediately solve everything themselves.

Third, and this one could apply to any of Jacques’ fantasy novels, I absolutely adore the descriptive way Jacques weaves the tale.  Whether it’s on a ship at sea, or at a quiet English village, Jacques weaves such colourful descriptions that it makes it easy for the audience to lose themselves in the locales and action.

Finally, it’s the story’s smallness.  Fantasy has long been marked by its proclivity for the fantastical – hence its name, most likely – and that fantastical-ness knows no bounds.  Fantastical journeys, feats, wars, events, settings, they seemingly know no bounds.

Castaway’s, despite its roaring start, reins things in as soon as the second part for a much slower, smaller tale.  There are no world-ending stakes, no one’s life is in danger (at least as of the third part), and yet… it’s the relatively small scope that makes the story more intimate and cozy.  Like a favourite hoodie, it will keep you hooked until the tale is done, and you will find yourself wanting to slip back into it in short order.

Those who listen to our podcast, or know me personally, should not find it surprising that I absolutely adore this story.  While I’m admittedly a huge fan of Jacques’ Redwall series, this story’s small scope and fun characters makes this a cozy, intimate tale that stands out even when compared to its author’s other works.  It’s what I would call a comfort fantasy of the highest order.

Rating:  2 of 2 eternal best friends

Fantasy Review: Avatar the Last Airbender

Written by: Jason Koop

Running from 2005-08 on Nickelodeon, Avatar: The Last Airbender is a series that needs little to no introduction to most.  And indeed, upon watching it for the first time this year (shout out to box DVD sets!), Karlissa and I can certainly see why.  The characters are funny and engaging on multiple levels.  The animation is quite simply gorgeous, colourful and expressive.  And the overarching story, while relatively simple, has its share of twists and turns that keep the audience engaged from the opening episode to the grand finale.

Following the adventures of Aang (the titular main character) and his friends – and some enemies – the world feels very much lived in.  Like there is much more going on than what is shown.  Its inhabitants have lives that, while they might not matter much to the show’s story, feel like more than just cardboard cutouts.

And while the overarching world stakes are high – Aang and his friends must stop the Fire nation from taking over the world – it doesn’t inherently lessen the more personal moments, moments of growth that occur during the show’s run. 

Unfortunately, the story can feel meandering at times, where the audience is left to wonder why we are being pulled into side stories/quests.  But, by and large even the side stories are a positive, as they serve as enhancers to the world as a whole.

The animation, while decidedly western, does borrow a lot from Japanese anime.  From character reactions to fight sequences to even its spirituality.  And while the last one might cause some to bristle at it, overall I feel like it enhances the show and differentiates it from a lot of western-made action-adventure series.  It’s not afraid to get super silly at times, or equally somber and reflective, and it manages to pull both off very well.

 Then there’s the action sequences.  Oh my.  This is where its anime influences really shine.  They are epic, martial art-infused sequences, that manage to feel both artistic and impactful.  And thankfully, they rarely seem to happen without being tied to something going on with a character during them, so they don’t seem gratuitous.

While neither Karlissa nor myself can say that this show is one of our favourites that we will be going out of our way to re-watch, both of us can safely say that it was a fun, engaging ride from start to finish and we are glad to have experienced it.

Rating:  3 out of 4 elements

30 Episodes Later!

The Book-Bat podcast has reached 30 episodes, with the latest being a bonus episode announcing the release of Davy Jones’ Aquarium!

Jason and Karlissa have been discussing Christian fantasy books and the wider fantasy landscape, from maturity in fantasy, to why they love fantasy, and their favourite fantasy characters.

Karlissa taught Jason ten fun facts about classic authors CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien, and George MacDonald.

And Jason brought to the table some of his musings and questions. What are the pros and cons of the Christian fantasy market? Which is better: aspirational characters or relatable characters? Have we lost the magic of friendship stories?

Also: “Words matter, people!” What are Mary Sue characters, and where did that term come from?

Many conversations have been planned for the future, so be sure to subscribe to the Book-Bat podcast on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) or Spotify to follow along!

Do you have any topics, books, authors, or shows you’d like to hear discussed? Write a comment on this blog post, or on one of our podcast episodes, or email us at connect@book-bat.com! We’d love to hear from you!

The Printed Book

Written by Karlissa J.

There’s something pleasant about holding a book in your hands.

The texture of the cover. The subtle scents of the paper.

When children are young, they’re already pulling novels off of book shelves. They can’t read, or even recognize lettering. But even when they’re aren’t any pictures, children enjoy just flipping through the pages of books.

I’ve heard that some people say ebooks will take over, and people will stop making printed books altogether. I find that highly unlikely.

There are certainly benefits to ebooks. They’re cheaper to make, easier to pack around, and save paper.

However, in an era of digital technology, ‘physical’ experiences - holding a real book, weeding the garden, tossing around a basketball - almost seem to have gone from mundane to special merely because we have easier, digital alternatives to fall back on. There is something sacred about embodied experiences.

I know I’m not the only one who enjoys having a printed book to hold, to flip through, to place on a shelf.

Our Podcast!

Want to hear some fun conversations about all things fantasy books? Listen to the Book-Bat podcast, here to help you navigate the world of Christian fantasy!

Since February 2023, Jason and I have been releasing podcast episodes the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Our focus is Christian fantasy books, though we also discuss fantasy in general. Each episode is approximately between 10 and 40 minutes long. Recently, we reached an early milestone in posting our tenth episode!

We began by introducing ourselves and our definition of Christian fantasy.

Twice we’ve done episodes about Christian authors from history: one on CS Lewis, author of the popular Narnia series; and one on George MacDonald, an early pioneer of the fantasy genre.

Other educational episodes include a discussion on manga and graphic novels, and one about the origins of popular fantasy creatures.

We’ve given tips on where to find fantasy and which underrated books are worth reading. And we’ve talked about magic in fantasy, and answered random questions from a jar in parts one and two.

We’re always on the lookout for more topics to discuss; so feel free to send us your questions about fantasy, or recommend books and conversation starters!

Fantasy and Money

Written by Jason Koop.

Money and economics: are they really necessary in fantasy?

In my humble opinion… no. 

One complaint I have heard about fantasy, particularly a series like Brian Jacques’ Redwall, is that its lack of money and economics make it automatically aimed at a younger audience.  Lacking in mature subject matter and tones, they might say.  Not relatable to an older audience. 

Now, the subject of what is and isn’t necessary in a fantasy story is incredibly varied by the genre’s diverse nature.  The Redwall series is in the fantasy genre, as is J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter, J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Lord of the Rings and Erin Hunter’s Warriors.  Each have differing types of creatures, cultures, and even tone.  Therefore, each has different elements that are essential to the story that is being told.  What is essential to one might be completely unnecessary in another. 

But there in lies the common denominator that I can’t help but wonder if some readers forget this simple, yet profound, fact.

When reading fantasy, it’s always important to remember that it is fiction.  Fantasy is – by its very nature – comprised of worlds, characters, cultures and situations created and curated by the author. 

Now, it’s perfectly fair to ask that the author is at the very least consistent in these things, but by no means do they have an obligation to anything more.  These are their worlds and their stories, not the reader’s. 

Perhaps they do take from real-world locations, cultures and situations, but the author is also fully within his/her creative rights to be selective in how much (or little) they take from these things.

So, back to the complaints about fantasy books not being “relatable” to a “mature audience” unless they have money…

Hold on a minute:  Are you telling me that themes of honour and bravery are not relatable to “mature audiences”?

If the reader’s main complaint – or praise – of a fantasy story is stringent on real-world things like money, economics and power structures, I can’t help but wonder if they’re reading the wrong genre.  Fantasy stories don’t have to feature specific real-world cultural practices, and I’d even argue that they tend to be a lot more focused when they don’t go out of their way to do so.

So… why does a fictional story, which entails fictional characters, settings, cultures, etc. need those elements again?