Chao In Space

Tomoko Sasaki

***Chao In Space*** is an American-Japanese animated short film based on Sega's video game series *Sonic the Hedgehog*. Written and directed by Tyson Hesse, it was theatrically released alongside *Twin, Duo, and Forever* on November 27, 2019.

## Plot

After chaos ensued on the Death Egg, a Neutral Chao finds itself flying its spaceship away from a Dark Chao. The Dark Chao puts up an intense chase, shooting its lasers at the Neutral Chao. The Neutral Chao performs several evasive maneuvers but is soon hit by one laser, much to its annoyance but to the glee of the Dark Chao. This pushes the Neutral Chao to turn its ship around and fly back at the Dark Chao.

This sequence is revealed to be a dream. In reality, a Neutral Chao is taking a nap under a tree with Sonic in the Neutral Garden but is showing signs of distress that the hedgehog takes notice to. In the dream, the two Chao clash several times which results in part of the Neutral Chao's spaceship to get damaged. The dreaming Chao is soon annoyed enough to stand up and start walking towards the garden pool. Sonic quickly guides it away from it, only for the Chao to instead trip over. Back in the dream, the Neutral Chao is disheartened after its ship had been wrecked. However, as it looks at a picture of it graduating with its two other Neutral Chao friends, the Neutral Chao finds its determination again and drives off once more. In reality, the Neutral Chao is climbing the small mountains which Sonic quickly notices. He attempts to save the Chao but it flies away at the last minute, leaving him to fall into the pool. As two Chao look at the slightly annoyed hedgehog, a Penguin swims over to hug Sonic.

In the dream, the two Chao shoot at each other and clash once again. Back in reality, Sonic is busy chasing the Neutral Chao as the other Chao in the garden watch them. As everyone else is distracted, Dr. Eggman, dressed as Santa Claus, arrives in the garden and plots to steal the garden's presents. Soon, Sonic sees the Neutral Chao flop onto the ground with a sad mood. In the dream, the Dark Chao managed to destroy the Neutral Chao's spaceship and turns to fly off. As the Chao floats helplessly in space, its friends from graduation fly in via hyperspace by his side. They provide the Neutral Chao with seven Chaos Drives that makes it enter a cocoon and enter a Super State. The Dark Chao turns around to see the phenomenon and is initially not impressed, but after a Penguin flies in and grants the Neutral Chao thick eyebrows, it becomes intimidated. The super-powered Chao then flies directly at its foe. In reality, the Neutral Chao sleepily runs with its arm extended. Sonic lifts his leg to let the Chao continue its route peacefully. The Chao unknowingly runs before the thieving Eggman and punches him in the face, just as his dream self blasts through the Dark Chao's ship.

Sonic quickly catches the Chao before it can fall off the cliff and looks over to see Eggman helplessly falling. Sonic is initially confused by the event but smiles and cradles the sleeping Chao. In the dream, the Neutral Chao is celebrating its victory with its friends and is about to open a bottle of Chao Soda. Before it does, it spots the spirit of Tikal clapping for it, which brings tears to its eyes. The Chao then turns back to its bottle, trying to take the cork off. In reality, the Chao is actually pulling Sonic's nose. Despite this, the Chao manages to get the cork off, much to Sonic's dismay.

## Cast

* Roger Craig Smith as Sonic the Hedgehog
* Mike Pollock as Dr. Eggman
* Tomoko Sasaki as Chao

## Release

*Chao In Space* was theatrically released on November 27, 2019 with Paramount Animation's 53rd film *Twin, Duo, and Forever*. It was also released on *Sonic the Hedgehog*'s official YouTube channel on December 12, 2019. Additionally, the film was re-released and paired with Paramount's *Sonic the Hedgehog* for the film's release in the United Kingdom.