It’s pretty incredible to think that Sonic the Hedgehog has been racing through pop culture for 35 years. What started as SEGA’s answer to the platforming craze has grown into one of gaming’s biggest franchises, and right now Sonic feels bigger than ever.
While fans are already looking ahead to Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which will finally bring Amy to the live-action movie series, SEGA had another surprise waiting at Anime Expo 2026.
The company officially revealed a brand-new anime short titled Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond, and the first trailer is packed with fast-paced action featuring Sonic and the whole crew.
The preview throws Sonic, Amy, Knuckles, Shadow, Rouge, and Tails into a showdown against one of their most dangerous enemies, Metal Sonic. Even with Team Sonic fighting together, we can see that Metal Sonic has become a serious threat, and defeating him won’t be easy.
The animated short is expected to arrive this fall, though an exact release date hasn’t been announced yet.
The official synopsis reads: “Dr. Eggman’s new evil scheme is to upgrade Metal Sonic into the ultimate fighting machine by stealing Sonic’s life-data and harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Sonic and his friends realize that to defeat Metal Sonic they must rely on the friendship they built through their adventures.”
A milestone like a 35th anniversary is worth celebrating, but what makes Sonic’s story especially impressive is how the franchise has managed to grow after experiencing a quieter period years ago.
The games have continued, the comics have found loyal readers, and animated series have kept the character alive, but everything shifted in 2020 when the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie hit theaters.
It earned more than $300 million worldwide, proving audiences were ready for Sonic’s return. The momentum only grew from there, with Sonic the Hedgehog 2 bringing in $405 million globally and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 climbing to an impressive $492 million.
Now we’re all waiting for Sonic the Hedgehog 4. With Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow already established in the live-action universe, Amy is finally getting her chance to shine.
Jim Carrey is also returning as Dr. Robotnik, and with Kristen Bell joining the franchise as Amy, the next movie has a real shot at becoming the first Sonic film to cross the $500 million mark worldwide.
One of the most interesting things about Sonic’s popularity today is that an entire generation of fans actually discovered him through the movies instead of the classic SEGA Genesis games.
That has opened the door for even more projects, including new games like Shadow Generations and Sonic CrossWorlds, along with fun crossover events such as the excellent DC x Sonic the Hedgehog comic series.
Between Sonic the Hedgehog 4 and now Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond, there’s plenty to get excited about. If the trailer is any indication, this anime short is going to deliver exactly the kind of high-speed adventure fans have been hoping for, and I’m looking forward to seeing the full showdown with Metal Sonic when it arrives this fall.
