Sonic Boom

You have to understand Sonic Boom is a spin off series, and focuses a lot on comedy. It is completely different from the original games (it isn't a reboot) so are some changes to characters. Some people dislike the cutscenes in the Sonic games and Sonic X because of the cheesy phrases like "I'M THE COOLEST", and the gender stereotypes like how Amy Rose is an obsessed fangirl. Sonic Boom doesn't do that. In fact there's actually times when the show makes fun of it. Like when the characters are trying to AVOID gender stereotypes to be good role- models. But Amy responds by saying she normally would agree with that, however she's the only one who can cook. There is also a time where Sonic tries to come up with a cool catchphrase but the town finds it overrated. (By the way there are a lot of sonamy jokes in this show) I also find the character traits in this series interesting. Sonic being a smart aleck, Tails being the smart one but still a child on the inside, Knuckles being the strong but not so bright one, Amy being the artist/critic, Sticks always having superstition, and Eggman staying close to characters but still being silly and evil. The show will take some getting used to (the first few episodes were a bit 'meh') but I believe it has potential. I'm really looking forward to what season 2 has to offer. I really wish this show wasn't on at 7am. (it would probably get better ratings if it wasn't)

So I've been looking at the reviews for this show and, apart from the theory I have that most of the reviewers are made up of misogynistic men who call actresses "strumpets" for no good reason other than misguided nostalgia for the good old badly acted days, the hating reviews seem to be split into two groups: the people who hate Sonic anyways and love to have another outlet for their over-dramatic rage; and the people who "like" Sonic, but hate that it's been reduced to a comedy when, in the past, Sonic used to have good characters with depth and a plot that could be taken seriously. For this review, I'm going to address the latter group, because they seem a little closer to sanity.

For those who are blissfully ignorant, Sonic Boom the game series is absolute garbage. As far as I'm concerned, it hits Sonic '06 out of the park with how much worse it is than that game. With 06, at least the creators knew their characters, and actually tried with the plot. Yes, the story was weird, the romance was weirder, and the glitches were hilariously bad. But with Sonic Boom, all the characters were reduced to 2D cutouts of cliché stereotypes. Sonic became the cocky hero, Knuckles was the brawn with absolutely no brains, Tails was a discount Jimmy Neutron (for all you 90's/early 2000's folks), and Amy was the girl. That's pretty much it. The game tried too hard for funny banter and humorous one-liners to the point where all of us were yelling at them through the screen to shut up, and it didn't help that all the humor sucked anyways. The music was bland as hell (you can tell this isn't really a Sonic game, because even the music is bad. At least Sonic 06 had amazing music), the plot was stupid, the graphics were dated, and the glitches could so easily be taken advantage of (Knuckles, anyone?). And the mechanics…well…let's just say they weren't great either. Not exactly revolutionary.

You're probably asking yourself at this point, "Why are they talking about the game when this is a review for the show?" It's because the show has nothing to go off of except for the game and the characters in the game. It IS Sonic Boom the show, after all. And because those elements are already so bland to begin with, the show's writers can't really do too much with them. Sonic stays the cocky hero guy, Tails stays Jimmy Neutron, Knuckles stays brawn no brains, and Amy stays the girl. I agree with a good portion of the negative reviews on the fact that the characters are cutouts, the plots are boring and overused, and the setting is just bland.

Now, if you're still with me, this is where I reveal why I love this show anyways. It's because I love a show that knows it's bad, knows all the history behind the franchise and the fan-base, and chooses to make fun of itself and that culture at almost every turn. And not only its own franchise and fan-base, either! There was one episode in particular that became a bit too real for how it poked fun at Trump winning the election. And there was another recent episode that just made fun of the common rhetoric of female characters that are attempting to be on equal grounds of guys in shows. The characters are constantly breaking the fourth wall in ways that are usually in line with their characters in the show, and they make fun of old references and memes in the Sonic fandom, but not in an overly obvious way that's cringe-worthy. It works simply because they're not just doing it to be cool and hip, but to make fun of itself and show us that they're on our side. WE think that the show and game is bad? So do they! And they're doing their best to make something hilarious out of it anyways, because they have to work with what they have!

I'll be completely honest here. I wish they still made shows of Sonic where the characters were interesting and the plot was worth a damn, too! But the games have to get back to the point where they can do that, and with Sonic Boom, they're not exactly capable of that right now. So yes, the show can only be a comedy to thrive best right now, but I'm more than satisfied with that for the time being. It's refreshing for the humor and mockery to be coming from us, rather than from outside haters, right? And not every show has to have a well-thought-out plot to be enjoyable. Sometimes people just want a laugh. And besides, there could still be hope for the future! Sonic's struggling along, but he's still going, so I believe we can make it!

In conclusion, I rate this show the same way I rate the English dub of Ghost Stories: a solid 7.5 out of 10. Because if not for that dub, that show wouldn't be as notorious as it is for being the official version of an abridged parody of a show. It would have just rotted away in the forgotten section of anime with a plot and characters that, much like Sonic Boom, were just too cookie cutter and forgettable to be interesting. But then the English voice actors came along, were told they could do whatever they wanted with the show as long as it made money and followed three rules, and proceeded to make the entire show into a hilariously over-the-top joke that saved the entire thing.

So all of you just let your hair down, relax, let optimism back into your life, and enjoy the show for what it managed to make of itself, rather than "what could be." We have plenty of time to complain about that later.

Being a fan of the blue hedgehog, I was pleased to find that when this show came out that it was somewhat enjoyable but still mediocre. It had good animation but it just felt a little bland. But, season 2 turned it into a show that I legitimately love, no joke. It's become a lot more self aware with it's jokes and often pokes fun at Sonic and SEGA themselves which is always really funny, but there is some original comedy here that definitely works. The animation looks a little less polished in season 2 but it's still acceptable, the voice acting is still great with Roger Craig Smith being, objectively, the best voice of Sonic to date, and it really does bring justice to the Sonic Boom franchise. The games were horrible (except for Fire and Ice) so I think it's great that this interesting concept is actually being put to use. The new designs of the characters are still good, characters that started out as one dimensional like Knuckles haven't really changed but they aren't really seen as cringe worthy anymore, and I'm just gonna say this: Sonic's characterization in this show is top notch and is exactly what I expect from Sonic The Hedgehog. Overall, this isn't a show that will change anything or blow anyone away, but it's great if you want to watch something funny or something related to Sonic The Hedgehog that doesn't suck (except SatAm, that one's legitimately fantastic).

Sonic Boom is the first Sonic TV series we've had in quite a while and it bursts onto the scene with full speed for Cartoon Network. The series is simple, short 11 minute episodes of various goofy misadventures of Sonic and his friends with schemes cooked up by Dr. Eggman. The series probably bears more resemblance to the original weekday afternoon Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog over the more plot driven serials of the Saturday morning Sonic the Hedgehog series, Sonic X and Sonic Underground before it.

The show is full of silly quirky comedy and the CGI animation is very well made though it does suffer a few moments from stiffness or poor lip synch.

The characters retain much of their personalities, Sonic is his usual cocky self, Tails is the dependable sidekick, Knuckles is still a little dumb. Amy however seems to have developed from an obsessed fangirl stalker with a crush to a new persona giving a little more depth to her.

This series would probably be more entertaining and have more action if it were full half-hour episodes or at least two 11 minute segments in a single half-hour-episode but as it is, kids will still find it an enjoyable experience. Cartoon Network's horrible time slot probably will hurt the series overall chances but there are plenty of ways to check it out and when you get a chance you'll be entertained.

With this show following an unfinished and poorly reviewed game, coming out to an unplease-able fandom, and very under-advertised, it seems like a wonder the show got a second season.

But is it really that surprising?

I went into this show clinging to the desperate hope that it would be good. With many of the Sonic games being disappointing as of late, I at least wanted some Sonic I could enjoy.

After watching all of season 1, I must say, I love this show.

There really is a lot to love about it. The animation is bright and smooth. The voice acting is well done. Many of the jokes are very funny, and I have laughed out loud multiple times. Since the show's goal is to be an action-comedy, if the action is good and you laugh at it, then the show has succeeded.

That isn't to say there are no flaws. I've noticed a few animation errors in a few episodes (i.e. Sonic falling face first but is shown right side up when he hits the ground). Some of the jokes do fall flat and the Knuckles-centric episodes are much weaker than many of the others. However, the above-mentioned pros make it a show worth watching.

Then again... there is one thing I have not addressed. As a show about Sonic the Hedgehog, how does it fare?

Well... It's okay.

Since Sonic Boom is a spin-off series, it does well as a show that is a part of the Sonic Boom universe, but many fans are enraged that they aren't getting the Sonic they know and love from the mainstream games. We aren't seeing the same personalities or character designs that we all grew up with, which is why this is only an "okay" Sonic show.

I consider myself to be a long-time fan of the Sonic franchise. Even though my first Sonic Game was Sonic Heroes, I fell in love with all of the characters. The Sonic Adventure series remains one of my favorites gaming series of all time (despite the fact that it appears I've lost my touch...). But as someone who loves Sonic the way he was in the mainstream games, please don't condemn this show so easily. Yes, I know Knuckles is an idiot and yes I know Kirk Thornton isn't a good fit for Shadow, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a good show that can be enjoyed because of its own merits.

In short, the show is good and fun with a few flaws, and even though it is not Sonic as many fans like to think of him, the show can still be enjoyed.

(... hey, why are people so mad about Tails's voice actor being a girl? She does a good job.)