Sonic Boom

The entire logo for the Sonic Boom franchise.

***Sonic Boom*** is a spin-off franchise in the *Sonic the Hedgehog* series which consists of several video games, its connected TV series, a comic series, and a toyline. The goal of the series was to be a new comedic take on Sonic, his friends, and his foes that would appeal the Sonic brand popularity to new generations of Sonic fans across the globe.

Like all the previous *Sonic the Hedgehog* media, *Sonic Boom* is its own timeline. However, *Sonic Boom* carries its own canon that is not limited to games, but rather covers all published media under its title.

## Development

On 2 October 2013, Sonic the Hedgehog, along with his friends and foes, were first announced to appear in a CG animated, action-packed comedy television series entitled *Sonic Boom* that was to be produced by The Rocketman Company during sometime during the 2014/2015 season. Takashi Iizuka, the head of Sonic Team, is overseeing the series to ensure that it’s true to the Sonic characters and universe. The TV series would contain 52 episodes, each with a runtime of 11 minutes.

On 6 February 2014, Sega announced that in addition with the TV series, *Sonic Boom* would also comprise of two new video games for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and a toyline. The games served as a prequel to the television series. The Wii U video game was developed by Big Red Button Entertainment while the Nintendo 3DS video game was developed by Sanzaru Games; Sonic Team would collaborate with the aforementioned developers to assist. The first trailers for the video games and the TV series were unveiled. The toyline was assigned to Tomy which they would showcase the characters' new looks by creating a comprehensive toy range including plush, action figures, RC, role play, vehicles and novelty.

Later on 25 February, Sega confirmed the cast of the English voice actors of some of the characters that would appear the *Sonic Boom* video game and TV series as well as the voice director, Jack Fletcher. A behind-the-scenes trailer was also shown which included the interviews of some of the important people associated with *Sonic Boom* such as Stephen Frost, Evan Baily and Bob Rafei.

On 29 May 2014, Sega unveiled one of the original *Sonic Boom* characters, Sticks the Badger. Four days later, Sega revealed the names of the *Sonic Boom* video games: *Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric* (Wii U version) and *Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal* (Nintendo 3DS version) and they were both showcased at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) 2014 in Los Angeles Convention Center.

## Characters

The cast for *Sonic Boom* was confirmed by Sega on 25 February 2014. Jack Fletcher works as the voice director.

### Primary cast

* Sonic the Hedgehog
* Miles "Tails" Prower
* Amy Rose
* Knuckles the Echidna
* Sticks the Badger
* Dr. Eggman
* Orbot
* Cubot

### Secondary cast

* Shadow the Hedgehog
* Metal Sonic
* Burnbot
* Lyric the Last Ancient
* T.W. Barker
* Q-N-C
* Perci
* Salty
* Pepper
* Fastidious Beaver
* Mayor Fink
* Hokey
* Pokey
* Chef Woody
* Doc Ginger
* Cliff
* Hayward
* Foreman Fred
* Old Tucker
* Dave the Intern
* Vector the Crocodile

## TV series

Main article: Sonic Boom (TV series)
A CGI-animated cartoon based on the series premiered on Saturday, November 8, 2014 on Cartoon Network. The series also aired on LEGO Channel starting September 2015, while the series also debuted in Japan on NHK on April 11, 2016.

## Games

Two video games of the *Sonic the Hedgehog* series, titled *Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric* for the Wii U and *Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal* for the Nintendo 3DS serve as the series' prequel. It was released as the third and final game of Sega and Nintendo's partnership. Both games were released in North America on 11 November 2014, in Europe on 21 November 2014, in Australia on 29 November 2014, and in Japan on 18 December 2014. A sequel to *Shattered Crystal*, *Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice*, was released on 27 September 2016 for the Nintendo 3DS as well.

Currently, the *Sonic Boom* series consist of two games:

* *Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric* (2014)
* *Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal* (2014)

## Merchandise

### Toys

Main article: Sonic Boom (toyline)
*Sonic Boom* has been confirmed to have a toyline based on the television series. The action figures were first revealed during the New York Toy Fair in 16 February 2014. The toyline is being produced by Tomy.

Sega have revealed that they intend on licensing out *Sonic Boom* within the following categories:

* Toys & Games
* Clothing
* Publishing
* Accessories
* Food and Drink
* Temporary tattoos
* Sticker collections
* Party goods
* Cakes
* Boutiques within stores
* Trading cards
* Dog tags

## Comics

Main article: Sonic Boom (comic series)
A comic book series for the *Sonic Boom* franchise, based on the television series and the two video games prequels, was also announced. Published by Archie Comics, the publisher of other major comics in the *Sonic* franchise such as *Sonic the Hedgehog* and *Sonic Universe*, under the partnership with Sega. The comic series was first hinted in the solicitation for *Sonic Super Special Magazine* #12, but was later officially revealed on 16 July 2014. The first issue was released on 29 October 2014 and subsequent issues are published every five weeks.

The *Sonic Boom* comic series was featured alongside the *Sonic the Hedgehog* comic series and *Mega Man* comic series in the Sonic/Mega Man 2015 cross-over Worlds Unite.

## Literature

Main article: Sonic Boom (book series)
In early 2015, a series of children's books adapted from several *Sonic Boom* episodes were released in France by *Bibliotheque Rose*.

## Trivia

* The Sonic Boom series is likely named after "Sonic Boom", the main theme song for the US version of *Sonic the Hedgehog CD*.
	+ The series also shares its name with an unrelated video game made by Sega in 1987.
* According to Archie Comics, this franchise takes place within the Sonic Boom World reality.
* *Sonic Boom* is similar to *Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures*, in that it is a new take on a long-running video game franchise that is more comedic and features new designs.
	+ However, unlike *Sonic Boom*, *Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures* temporarily took over canon from the original *Pac-Man* franchise, including its new designs.
* The *Sonic Boom* franchise was originally not going to have a Japanese release, but the franchise was eventually localized and re-branded for Japan under the name *Sonic Toon*.
* Characters introduced in *Sonic Boom: Rise of Lyric* did not make any appearances in the *Sonic Boom* television series, except for Fastidious Beaver, Foreman Fred, Mayor Fink, Perci and Salty.
* In a video interview with Game Informer to promote *Sonic Frontiers*, Iizuka has stated in modest terms that he was "not a fan" of the redesigns of the characters for the *Sonic Boom* franchise.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Kellie (2 October 2013). Sonic Boom (Working Title) – A New Animated Series Coming Fall 2014. *Sega Blog*. Sega. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved on June 13, 2014.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kellie (6 February 2014). SEGA Launches New Franchise Strategy for Sonic the Hedgehog with Sonic Boom. *Sega Blog*. Sega. Archived from the original on February 8, 2014. Retrieved on June 13, 2014.
3. ↑ Kellie (25 February 2014). Go Behind the Scenes with Sonic Boom. *Sega Blog*. Sega. Archived from the original on March 3, 2014. Retrieved on June 13, 2014.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Introducing Sticks to the Sonic Boom Franchise. *Sega Blog*. Sega (29 May 2014). Archived from the original on June 2, 2014.
5. ↑ Kellie (2 June 2014). Sonic Boom Games at E3 2014. *Sega Blog*. Sega. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved on June 18, 2014.
6. ↑ SegaAmerica (29 May 2014). Sonic Boom Sticks Announcement. *YouTube*.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Sonic Boom Behind the Scenes: English VAs, Orbot & Cubot Confirmed. Sonic Stadium (25 February 2014).
8. ↑ Sonic Boom. *Archie Comics Shop*. Archie Comics. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015.
9. ↑ Cioletti, Amanda (16 June 2014). Sonic for a New Generation: Sonic Boom. License!. Archived from the original on July 15, 2014.
10. ↑ Schedeen, Jesse (12 December 2014). Sonic Boom and Mega Man X Unite in Comic Book Crossover. IGN. Retrieved on December 27, 2014.
11. ↑ Sonic Boom -Résumé de la série (French). *La biblioèque rose & verte*. Retrieved on October 28, 2017.
12. ↑ Sonic Frontiers: 123 Rapid-Fire Questions With Takashi Iizuka. *YouTube*. Game Informer (12 July 2022). Retrieved on July 13, 2022.