View source for Sonic X

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{{Short description|2003 anime television series}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
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{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image           = Sonic_X_English_Logo.png
| caption         = 
| ja_kanji        = ソニックX
| ja_romaji       = Sonikku Ekkusu
| genre           = {{ubl|[[Adventure fiction|Adventure]]<ref name="jpint" />|[[Science fiction]]<ref name="jpint" />}}<!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). -->
| creator         = {{ubl|[[Sega]]|[[Sonic Team]]}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type            = tv series
| director        = Hajime Kamegaki
| producer        = {{ubl|Takeshi Sasamura (#1–52)|Tadahito Matsumoto}}
| writer          = {{ubl|Hiro Masaki (#1–52)|Kiyoko Yoshimura (#53–78)}}
| music           = [[Yoshihiro Ike]]
| studio          = [[TMS Entertainment]]
| licensee        = {{English anime licensee
| EU = [[Jetix Europe|Fox Kids Europe/Jetix Europe]]<ref name="digitalspy.com">{{Cite web|date=August 28, 2003|title=Fox Kids Europe adds three new shows|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a11624/fox-kids-europe-adds-three-new-shows/|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=December 15, 2020|archive-date=April 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190407181915/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a11624/fox-kids-europe-adds-three-new-shows/|url-status=live}}</ref> (2003–2009)
| NA = {{ubl|[[4Kids Entertainment]] (2003–2012)|[[Saban Brands]] (2012–2014)|[[TMS Entertainment|TMS Entertainment USA, Inc.]]/[[Discotek Media]] (2015–present)}}
}}
| network         = [[TX Network|TXN]] ([[TV Tokyo]])
| network_en      = {{collapsible list|title=List|
{{English anime network
 | AU = [[Network 10|Network Ten]], [[Seven Network]]
 | AUS = [[Disney Channel (Australian TV channel)|Disney Channel]]
 | CA = [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]], [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC/SRC]]
 | HK = [[TVB Jade]]
 | NZ = [[TVNZ]]
 | PH = [[GMA Network]], [[TV5 (Philippine TV network)|TV5]]
 | SG = [[Central (TV channel)|Central]], [[Channel 5 (Singaporean TV channel)|Channel 5]]
 | PO = [[SIC]], [[Biggs (TV channel)|Biggs]], [[SIC K]]
 | UK = [[CITV]], [[Disney XD (British and Irish TV channel)|Jetix]]
 | US = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] ([[4Kids TV|FoxBox/4Kids TV]])
}}
}}
| first           = {{Start date|2003|4|6}}
| last            = {{Start date|2005|4|18}}
| episodes        = 78
| episode_list    = List of Sonic X episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Game
| developer       = [[Torus Games]]
| publisher       = [[LeapFrog Enterprises]]
| genre           = [[Educational entertainment|Edutainment]]
| platforms       = [[Leapster]]
| released        = 2007
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Sonic X'''''|ソニックX|Sonikku Ekkusu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} <onlyinclude>is a Japanese [[anime]] television series based on [[Sega]]'s ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' video game series. Produced by [[TMS Entertainment]] under partnership with Sega and [[Sonic Team]], and directed by Hajime Kamegaki, ''Sonic X'' initially ran for 52 episodes, broadcasting on [[TV Tokyo]] from April 2003 to March 2004. A further 26 episodes aired in North America, Europe, and the Middle East from 2005 to 2006. The American localization and broadcasting were handled by [[4Kids Entertainment]], which [[editing of anime in American distribution|edited it]] and created new music.

The series follows [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] and his [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] friends that accidentally teleport from their home planet to Earth after attempting to save one of their friends from Sonic's nemesis [[Doctor Eggman]]. Separated, Sonic is saved by a human boy named Chris Thorndyke, who helps him find his friends while repeatedly scuffling with Doctor Eggman and his robots over control of the powerful [[Chaos Emeralds]], and becoming celebrities. The final story arc sees Sonic and his friends return with Chris to their world, where they enter outer space with a newfound plant-like creature named Cosmo and fight an army of aliens called the Metarex.</onlyinclude>

''Sonic X'' received mixed reviews. Generally, reviewers criticized its American localization and the human characters, but praised its story and animation. The series was popular in the United States and France, though less so in its native Japan. The show's merchandise included an [[edutainment]] video game for the [[Leapster]], a [[trading card game]], a comic book series featuring an original storyline, and various toys and other items.

== Plot ==
{{see also|List of Sonic X episodes|Sonic Adventure|Sonic Adventure 2|Sonic Battle|l1=List of ''Sonic X'' episodes|l2=''Sonic Adventure''|l3=''Sonic Adventure 2''|l4=''Sonic Battle''}}

=== Season 1 ===
Following a battle between  [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]] and [[Doctor Eggman|Doctor Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik]], a freak accident involving the seven [[Chaos Emeralds]] causes them to create "Chaos Control"—a powerful space-time force that causes both of them, along with [[Tails (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Miles "Tails" Prower]], [[Amy Rose]], [[Cream the Rabbit]] and her pet [[Chao (Sonic)|Chao]] [[Cheese the Chao|Cheese]], [[Knuckles the Echidna]], and [[Rouge the Bat]], to be transported to a parallel universe containing Earth. Sonic and his friends find themselves landing in the city of Station Square, where they befriend twelve-year-old Christopher "Chris" Thorndyke—a lonely young boy, whose parents, movie-star mother Lindsey, and corporate executive father Nelson, tend to be absent with work, leaving him to be looked after by his grandfather Chuck, maid and chef Ella, and butler Mr. Tanaka.

Seeking to find the Chaos Emeralds in order to go home, the group battle against Eggman as he re-establishes himself on the planet in order to conquer it—aided by his bumbling robotic assistants Becoe and Decoe, and his robotic courier Bokkun—with Rouge joining forces with the local government as a spy in order to help them defend against his attacks. In the course of battling Eggman, Sonic and the others befriend Chris' friends Danny, Frances and Helen, while slowly becoming celebrities thanks to their exploits, eventually being accepted amongst the human population, despite reservations of what might happen when the seven Chaos Emeralds are found.

=== Season 2 ===
Six months after the Chaos Emeralds are found and used by Sonic in his Super Sonic form, Chaos Control causes parts of their world to appear on Earth, including Angel Island and the Master Emerald, along with the arrival of [[Big the Cat]] and his pet Froggy. Whilst the group adapt to this and carry on with their lives, the government works to establish better defences in anticipation of another attack by Eggman, including the creation of a robotic army to counter the evil scientist's own creations. Much of the first half of this season is focused on adaptations of both ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'' and ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]''. After Station Square is rebuilt following the attack by [[Chaos (Sonic)|Chaos]], and Sonic and [[Shadow the Hedgehog|Shadow]] prevent Space Colony ARK from crashing into Earth, another Chaos Control event brings several inhabitants of Sonic's world to the planet, including the [[Chaotix|Chaotix Detective Agency]]—[[Vector the Crocodile]], [[Espio the Chameleon]], and [[Charmy Bee]]—and Vanilla, Cream's mother.

Eggman launches further schemes following the ARK incident, even when briefly captured by the government, whilst Sonic and his friends provide shelter for a robot named Emerl, who later goes on the rampage after coming into possession of a Chaos Emerald and forcing Cream to stop it (the story arc being a loose adaption of ''[[Sonic Battle]]''). Eventually, after Eggman is thwarted from another world conquering scheme, the government learns that Earth and Sonic's world are slowly merging together, threatening to end time for them. As a result, Sonic, Eggman, and the others are forced to return home to prevent this, with Chris having to bravely allow his new friends to go, but with hope of seeing them again.

=== Season 3 ===
Six months after returning home, Sonic and his friends find themselves battling a new threat in the form of the Metarex—a race of villainous robots who seek to conquer the galaxy—aided by Cosmo, an antromorphic plant girl, who seeks to stop them. At the same time on Earth, where [[time dilation|six years have passed]], Chris finishes completing a portal device to take him to Sonic, arriving in his world to assist with his new found knowledge, despite the differences in time between the two worlds causing his body to revert back to that of his 12 year-old self. Departing their world, the group explore the galaxy for the Chaos Emeralds, after Sonic had to disperse them to avoid them being used by the Metarex. Alongside the group, Eggman also pursues after the Emeralds, accompanied by Rouge, and aided by Shadow, whom he had recovered following his supposed demise.

Much of the journey sees Tails and Cosmo bonding, while Eggman secretly sides with the Metarex in order to uncover their plans, with the Chaotix Detective Agency also journeying into space and providing assistance where they can. The series reaches its conclusion with the group learning of the Metarex's origins, and both groups battling them to prevent them taking full control of the galaxy, culminating in both Cosmo and Shadow sacrificing themselves to achieve this.

== History ==
=== Creation and development ===
[[File:Sonic X scene.png|thumb|left|This scene shows (clockwise from top left) Sonic, Tails, and two original major characters—Cosmo and Chris—in the typical outer-space setting of the third season.]]
The show was created by [[TMS Entertainment]], the animation subsidiary of [[Sega Sammy Holdings]].<ref name="them" /> It was primarily influenced by other anime rather than work from the West, and was created for a Japanese audience.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=February 6, 2014|title=Why Sega handed Sonic over to Western studios and gave him a scarf|url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/2/6/5387184/why-sega-handed-sonic-over-to-western-studios-and-gave-him-a-scarf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705002244/http://www.polygon.com/2014/2/6/5387184/why-sega-handed-sonic-over-to-western-studios-and-gave-him-a-scarf|archive-date=July 5, 2014|access-date=July 7, 2014|publisher=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> [[Yuji Naka]], then the head of [[Sonic Team]], filled in as executive producer, and Satoshi Hirayama designed all of the original characters, basing the designs on [[Yuji Uekawa]]'s original concept. Most of the series consists of original content featuring new as well as established characters, but the second season is mostly based on the plots of ''[[Sonic Adventure]]'', ''[[Sonic Adventure 2]]'', and ''[[Sonic Battle]]''. While traditionally animated, it includes non-outlined [[CGI animation|CGI]] elements for things such as Sonic's homing attack.<ref name="them" />

Two trailers for the series were produced. The first was developed before Cheese had been given a name in ''[[Sonic Advance 2]]'' (2002); it referred to Cheese simply as "Chao". It was made up largely of footage that would later appear in the series' intro, but also of unused scenes featuring unique anthropomorphic people.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7AqlIp5evA|title=Sonic|type=YouTube|year=2002|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117063855/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7AqlIp5evA|archive-date=November 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Sega showed off the second, which was narrated in Japanese, at its booth at the World Hobby Fair video gaming event on February 19, 2003.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 19, 2003|title=Event Report: World Hobby Fair 2003|url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/world_hobby_fair_2003/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724190055/http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/world_hobby_fair_2003/|archive-date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=The Next Level}}</ref> It consisted mostly of scenes from the first few episodes, followed by introductions to the main characters. However, it also showed a still frame of a silver anthropomorphic hedgehog who never appeared in the series.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpfje29rqqU|title=ソニックX|type=YouTube|language=ja|year=2003|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117064031/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpfje29rqqU|archive-date=November 17, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Fans nicknamed the character "Nazo", based on the Japanese word for {{Nihongo|"mystery"|謎|nazo}}. Years later, on April 20, 2015, Sonic Team producer Takashi Iizuka clarified the character was simply Super Sonic in its early contour.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 20, 2015|title=Sonic X: Mistério do NAZO finalmente revelado?|url=http://sega.epicplay.com.br/planetasonic/2015/04/sonic-x-misterio-do-nazo-finalmente-revelado/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527020931/http://sega.epicplay.com.br/planetasonic/2015/04/sonic-x-misterio-do-nazo-finalmente-revelado/|archive-date=May 27, 2015|access-date=September 18, 2015}}</ref>

Several of the Japanese performers had voiced their characters in the games, but they were also given ample information about their characters' roles in the anime. Chris' voice actress [[Sanae Kobayashi]] was not sure she would be able to effectively communicate Chris' growth as a person owing to Sonic's presence, but found that a worthwhile goal. [[Chikao Ōtsuka]], who voiced Eggman, found him a difficult character to play due to the tension in his voice and the desire to have children who watched the show recognize the character as a villain but not hate him.<ref name="jpint">{{Cite web|date=June 21, 2003|script-title=ja:世界最速の青いハリネズミ、ビデオリリース決定！ この秋には世界デビューだ！|url=https://www.lycos.co.jp/anime/story.html?q=21nttpubn10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030818220841/http://www.lycos.co.jp/anime/story.html?q=21nttpubn10|archive-date=August 18, 2003|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=Lycos|language=ja}}</ref>

Iizuka believed that ''Sonic X'' and its merchandise, along with the game ''[[Sonic Heroes]]'', had helped expose the ''Sonic'' franchise to a new generation of potential gamers in 2003, and he dubbed it a "Sonic Year" as a result.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2004|title=Afterthoughts: Sonic Heroes|url=http://www.1up.com/features/afterthoughts-sonic-heroes|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604094138/http://www.1up.com/features/afterthoughts-sonic-heroes|archive-date=June 4, 2011|access-date=September 15, 2014|publisher=[[1UP.com]]}}</ref> More boldly, Naka hoped that ''Sonic X'' alone would cause the popularity of the ''Sonic'' series to skyrocket, as that of the ''[[Pokémon (video game series)|Pokémon]]'' series did after its [[Pokémon (anime)|anime adaptation]] was first released.<ref name="pokemon">{{Cite web|last=Niizumi|first=Hirohiko|date=March 18, 2003|title=Sega to begin major Sonic promotion|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-to-begin-major-sonic-promotion/1100-6023404/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151207134517/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/sega-to-begin-major-sonic-promotion/1100-6023404/|archive-date=December 7, 2015|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>
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=== Broadcast and localization ===
==== North America ====
The show's American localization was handled by [[4Kids Productions]], and distributed by [[20th Television#20th Television (distribution arm)|20th Television]]. The episodes were [[Editing of anime in distribution|heavily edited for content and length]]; 4Kids has been described by [[Destructoid]] as being "infamous" among anime fans for this type of overzealous editing. 4Kids removed alcohol consumption, coarse language, instances of breaking the [[fourth wall]], and numerous sexual scenes.<ref name="negativity" /> Unlike some other series that 4Kids translated around the early to mid 2000s, such as ''[[Kirby: Right Back at Ya!]]'', ''Sonic X'' suffered no full episodes being cut. Producer Michael Haigney personally disliked realistic violence in children's programs, but had not intended to make massive changes himself. Instead, he was bound by [[Fox Broadcasting Company]]'s strict guidelines, which forbid content such as smoking and strong violence. In 2006, near the end of the show's American production, Haigney stated in an interview that he had never played a ''Sonic'' game, read the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (comics)|comics]], or watched any of the previous ''Sonic'' animated series.<ref name="producer">{{Cite web|last=Rasmussen|first=David|date=February 12, 2006|title=mr. michael haigney interview (4kids)|url=https://animeboredom.co.uk/anime-articles/80|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217075303/http://www.animeboredom.co.uk/anime-articles/80|archive-date=February 17, 2007|access-date=April 30, 2014|publisher=Anime Boredom}}</ref>

4Kids found new voice actors rather than using those from the games.<ref name="tssz">{{Cite web|last=Paulson|first=Andrew|date=September 13, 2004|title=Mike Pollock Interview|url=http://www.tssznews.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1095125883&archive=1096605103&start_from=&ucat=5&|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312193422/http://www.tssznews.com/story.php?subaction=showfull&id=1095125883&archive=1096605103&start_from=&ucat=5&|archive-date=March 12, 2005|access-date=July 6, 2014|publisher=TSSZNews}}</ref> 4Kids president [[Norman J. Grossfeld]] invited [[Jason Griffith]] and [[Mike Pollock (voice actor)|Mike Pollock]] to audition for Sonic and Eggman, having known them from their work on ''[[Kinnikuman#Ultimate Muscle|Ultimate Muscle]]'' and ''Kirby: Right Back at Ya!'' and chose him for his yelling and pitch-wavering talents;<ref name="soah">{{Cite web|title=An Interview with Mike Pollock|url=http://www.planetdreamcast.com/sonic/learn/interviews/2003-11-11-mike_pollock.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041025061444/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/sonic/learn/interviews/2003-11-11-mike_pollock.shtml|archive-date=October 25, 2004|access-date=July 6, 2014|publisher=Shadow of a Hedgehog (linked from Pollock's website)}}</ref> Pollock and Griffith also voiced Ella and Shadow.<ref name="tssz" /> 4Kids allowed Pollock to make minor alterations to the dialogue when lines "[didn't] work for some reason."<ref name="soah" /> He recalled being given only short samples of Eggman's voice from the games—he was not told specifically which game—and brief descriptions of his characters' roles.<ref name="tssz" /><ref name="soah" /> The rest of the cast assumed their characters' voice roles after their auditions. Beginning with ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'', the cast of ''Sonic X'' would assume their respective voice roles in all Sonic games released between 2005 and 2010, at which point all the roles were recast with the exception of Mike Pollock as Eggman.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Joscelyne|first=Svend|date=September 12, 2005|title=Sonic Voiceover Cast Replaced|url=https://www.sonicstadium.org/2005/09/sonic-voiceover-cast-replaced/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121064154/http://www.sonicstadium.org/2005/09/sonic-voiceover-cast-replaced/|archive-date=November 21, 2015|access-date=November 17, 2014|publisher=The Sonic Stadium}}</ref>

''Sonic X'' aired in Japan on [[TV Tokyo]]'s 8:30&nbsp;a.m. time slot from April 6, 2003<ref name="famguy1" /> to March 28, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ja:これまでの話|url=https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/sonic_x/story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055035/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/sonic_x/story.html|archive-date=March 4, 2016|access-date=June 24, 2014|publisher=[[TV Tokyo]]|language=ja}}</ref> It consisted of three seasons, each of them 26 half-hour episodes long. The first two seasons were also syndicated by delay to a handful of stations outside of the reach of the [[TX Network]]: four JAITS member stations ([[Wakayama Telecasting Corporation|Television Wakayama]], [[Biwako Broadcasting]], [[Nara Television]] and [[Gifu Broadcasting System|Gifu Broadcasting]]) and one station each of the four larger networks ([[Aomori Asahi Broadcasting]] (ANN), [[Nagasaki International Television]]), [[Shizuoka Broadcasting System|SBS]] (JNN) and [[Sendai Television|Sendai Broadcasting]] (FNN)).<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ja:『 ソニック X 』|url=http://backup.segakore.fr/sonicteam/sonicx/schedule.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204210729/http://backup.segakore.fr/sonicteam/sonicx/schedule.html|archive-date=December 4, 2019|access-date=June 15, 2023|publisher=[[Sonic Team]]|language=ja}}</ref> In Japan, the third season was never aired on TV until 2020 or released on DVD, but was available through rental streaming services. 4Kids licensed the series in North America from the beginning,<ref name="them" /> [[Viz Media|ShoPro Entertainment]] was also made a license holder in October 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shopro-entertainment.com/press/sonic.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20031118190512/http://www.shopro-entertainment.com:80/press/sonic.html|title=ShoPro Entertainment named North American Licensing Agency For Sonic X, The #1-Rated Show on FoxBox|website=[[ShoPro Entertainment]]|archivedate=November 18, 2003|date=October 16, 2003|accessdate=June 19, 2025}}</ref> It aired in North America on the [[4Kids TV|FoxBox]] block of Fox channels.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 16, 2003|title=ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ、FOX BOXへ疾走|url=https://www.sega.co.jp/release/nr030516_1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060220135912/http://www.sega.co.jp/release/nr030516_1.html|archive-date=February 20, 2006|access-date=July 7, 2014|publisher=[[Sega]]|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 14, 2003|title=Sonic The Hedgehog Speeds, Spins And Zips Into The Fox Box 4Kids Entertainment's Fox Box Adds All-New Sonic X Animated Series To Saturday Morning Line Up Beginning Fall 2003|url=http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/docs/news/2003-0515b.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614230203/http://www.4kidsentertainment.com/docs/news/2003-0515b.pdf|archive-date=June 14, 2006|access-date=September 14, 2016|publisher=4kidsentertainment.com}}</ref> 

On June 16, 2012, the bankrupt 4Kids sold its ''Sonic X'' license to [[Saban Brands]]'s Kidsco Media Ventures.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 16, 2012|title=Konami to Get 4Kids' Yu-Gi-Oh! Assets Under Proposed Deal|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-16/konami-to-get-4kids-yu-gi-oh-assets-under-proposed-deal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711150037/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2012-06-16/konami-to-get-4kids-yu-gi-oh-assets-under-proposed-deal|archive-date=July 11, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> On April 29, 2013, [[Saban Capital Group|Saban Brands's]] [[Vortexx]] would partner with [[Kabillion]] to add shows like ''Sonic X'' to the lineup.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Vortexx on-demand channel launches on Kabillion|url=https://kidscreen.com/2013/04/29/vortexx-on-demand-channel-launches-on-kabillion/|access-date=January 3, 2023|archive-date=February 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223105620/https://kidscreen.com/2013/04/29/vortexx-on-demand-channel-launches-on-kabillion/|url-status=live}}</ref> TMS Entertainment has since taken US rights, and in 2015, [[Discotek Media]] licensed the series alongside several other TMS properties for home media releases.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 7, 2015|title=Discotek Media Licenses Lupin III Vs. Detective Conan, Library Wars, Sonic X, Giant Gorg Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/discotek-media-licenses-lupin-iii-vs-detective-conan-library-wars-sonic-x-giant-gorg-anime/.86871|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909211718/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-04-07/discotek-media-licenses-lupin-iii-vs-detective-conan-library-wars-sonic-x-giant-gorg-anime/.86871|archive-date=September 9, 2020|access-date=June 4, 2015|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> In 2021, FilmRise was given the AVOD rights to 38 TMS Entertainment titles including ''Sonic X'' for US and Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 12, 2021|title=FilmRise acquires anime titles from TMS Entertainment|url=https://advanced-television.com/2021/10/12/filmrise-acquires-anime-titles-from-tms-entertainment/|website=advanced-television.com|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421161359/https://advanced-television.com/2021/10/12/filmrise-acquires-anime-titles-from-tms-entertainment/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Internationally ====
Outside North America and Asia, [[Jetix Europe]] (previously Fox Kids Europe) held the rights to the series, which the company acquired in August 2003.<ref name="digitalspy.com"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=December 12, 2005|title=Jetix Europe Appoints Anil Mistry as Creative Director|url=https://www.afm.nl/registers/kgi_documents/200512120000000013_Jetix%20Europe%20Appoints%20Creative%20Director.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727003020/http://www.afm.nl/registers/kgi_documents/200512120000000013_Jetix%20Europe%20Appoints%20Creative%20Director.pdf|archive-date=July 27, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=Jetix Europe}}</ref> [[Buena Vista International Television]] handled distribution services<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.c21media.net/news/busy-market-for-buena-vista/|title=Busy market for Buena Vista|access-date=April 10, 2022|archive-date=April 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421161359/https://www.c21media.net/news/busy-market-for-buena-vista/|url-status=live}}</ref> while Jetix Europe handled all other television rights. The company's Jetix Consumer Products (JCP) subsidiary held consumer product and home media rights to the series in Pan-European, MENA, and Latin American territories.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ball|first=Ryan|title=Fox Kids Europe Inks Super Sonic Deal|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/06/fox-kids-europe-inks-super-sonic-deal|access-date=November 8, 2023|date=June 7, 2004|archive-date=November 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108210149/https://www.animationmagazine.net/2004/06/fox-kids-europe-inks-super-sonic-deal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Baisley|first=Sarah|url=https://www.awn.com/news/jcp-names-sonic-x-pan-european-master-toy-licensee|title=JCP Names Sonic X Pan-European Master Toy Licensee|access-date=April 10, 2022|archive-date=April 10, 2022|date=October 27, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410151823/https://www.awn.com/news/jcp-names-sonic-x-pan-european-master-toy-licensee|url-status=live}}</ref>

For the 60th anniversary of TMS Entertainment, the company streamed a select number of episodes on its [[YouTube]] channel, available with the original Japanese audio with English subtitles, from August 5–9 and 12–16, 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|title=TMS Entertainment Streams N. American Premiere of Big X, More Anime on YouTube for 60th Anniversary|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-08-02/tms-entertainment-streams-n-american-premiere-of-big-x-more-anime-on-youtube-for-60th-anniversary/.213900|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 17, 2024|date=August 2, 2024|archive-date=September 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915132638/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-08-02/tms-entertainment-streams-n-american-premiere-of-big-x-more-anime-on-youtube-for-60th-anniversary/.213900|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title=TMS Entertainment Announces its 60th Anniversary YouTube Campaign Featuring Special Programs in August|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2024-08-02/tms-entertainment-announces-its-60th-anniversary-youtube-campaign-featuring-special-programs-in-/.213904|publisher=[[TMS Entertainment]]|via=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 17, 2024|date=August 2, 2024|archive-date=September 26, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926120828/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2024-08-02/tms-entertainment-announces-its-60th-anniversary-youtube-campaign-featuring-special-programs-in-/.213904|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Asia ====
TMS Entertainment handled rights to the series in Asian territories.<ref name="pokemon" />

=== Home video ===
==== Japan ====
The series was released on [[DVD]], in Japan, only seasons one and two were released, and their 52 episodes spanned 13 discs.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ja:グッズ|url=http://www.sonicteam.com/sonicx/goods.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130163012/http://www.sonicteam.com/sonicx/goods.html|archive-date=November 30, 2014|access-date=July 7, 2014|publisher=[[Sonic Team]]|language=ja}}</ref>

==== United States ====
From 2003 to 2009 in the United States, 4Kids Home Video and their exclusive distributor [[FUNimation Entertainment]] released [[VHS tapes]] (until 2005) and DVDs of the series in single-release volumes and later multi-disc boxsets. The first two to be released were "A Super Sonic Hero" and "The Chaos Factor," released on June 1, 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2004|title=4Kids Announces Home Entertainment Releases For June 2004|url=https://www.awn.com/news/4kids-announces-home-entertainment-releases-june-2004|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212020826/http://www.awn.com/news/4kids-announces-home-entertainment-releases-june-2004|archive-date=February 12, 2015|access-date=August 20, 2021|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>

Another such volume released was "Project Shadow," released on November 15, 2005. It was released to tie in with the release of the game ''[[Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)|Shadow the Hedgehog]]'', and covered the first arc that focused on Shadow (episodes 33–38).<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 25, 2005|title=4Kids Home Video Debuts Sonic X Project: Shadow on DVD|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-10-25/4kids-home-video-debuts-sonic-x-project-shadow-on-dvd|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212020826/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-10-25/4kids-home-video-debuts-sonic-x-project-shadow-on-dvd|archive-date=February 12, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2014|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>

Discotek Media released the 8-disc DVD set, "Sonic X Collection 1" in North America, which includes the English-dubbed seasons 1 and 2 (episodes 1–52) on November 22, 2016. They later released the 4-disc DVD set, "Sonic X Collection 2" in North America, which includes the English-dubbed Season 3 (episodes 53–78) on December 6, 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|date=September 21, 2016|title=Discotek Media gives update on North American Sonic X DVD releases - Sonic Retro|language=en-US|work=Sonic Retro|url=https://sonicretro.org/2016/09/21/discotek-media-gives-update-north-american-sonic-x-dvd-releases/|url-status=live|access-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126131319/http://www.sonicretro.org/2016/09/discotek-media-gives-update-north-american-sonic-x-dvd-releases/|archive-date=November 26, 2016}}</ref>

On May 28, 2019, Discotek Media released a 2-disc [[Blu-ray]] set of the English dub of the series with all three seasons and seventy-eight episodes. Despite the upgraded format, the series is based on the original 4Kids beta tape, retaining a 480p resolution as opposed to the standard 1080p resolution on most Blu-rays.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sonic-X-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/239206/| title=Sonic X: The Complete Series Blu-ray (SD on Blu-ray)| access-date=July 30, 2022| archive-date=July 30, 2022| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730003446/https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Sonic-X-The-Complete-Series-Blu-ray/239206/| url-status=live}}</ref> On April 25, 2023, Discotek released a subtitled Blu-ray release of the complete series in its original Japanese language. While remastered, the series is still presented in standard definition like the previous release.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/10/24-1/discotek-announces-the-king-of-braves-gaogaigar-sonic-x-kamen-rider-black-and-more|title=Discotek Announces The King of Braves: GAOGAIGAR, Sonic X, Kamen Rider Black and More|last=Cardine|first=Kyle|date=October 24, 2022|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|access-date=October 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027084546/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2022/10/24-1/discotek-announces-the-king-of-braves-gaogaigar-sonic-x-kamen-rider-black-and-more|archive-date=October 27, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{Redirect-distinguish|Sonic Drive|Sonic Drive-In}}
[[Yoshihiro Ike]] composed the score for the Japanese version of ''Sonic X''. Its opening theme was "Sonic Drive", performed by [[Hironobu Kageyama]] and [[Hideaki Takatori]]. The series included three ending themes: {{nihongo|"Mi-ra-i"|ミ・ラ・イ|Future}} by [[Run&Gun]] for episodes 1–13, {{nihongo|"Hikaru Michi"|光る道|Shining Road}} by Aya Hiroshige for episodes 14–39 and again for episodes 53–78, and "T.O.P" by KP for episodes 40–52.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Chaos Control Freaks|episode-link=List of Sonic X episodes#Episodes 1-26|series=Sonic X|season=1|number=1|time=credits (Japanese)|airdate=April 6, 2003}}</ref> Three songs by [[Off Course]], "Kotoba ni Dekinai", "Midori no Hibi" and "Natsu no Hi", were featured as insert songs in the original broadcasts of episodes 26 and 52; these were replaced in subsequent broadcasts and home releases. Tracks from ''Sonic Adventure'' and ''Sonic Adventure 2'' were used infrequently during some episodes, including ''Sonic Adventure 2'' theme "Live and Learn" by [[Crush 40]] in episode 38.<ref>{{cite web|last=Esposito|first=Rachel|title=10 Best Sonic Songs With Lyrics|url=https://www.cbr.com/sonic-best-lyric-songs/|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|access-date=May 6, 2023|date=October 13, 2022|archive-date=May 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506153330/https://www.cbr.com/sonic-best-lyric-songs/|url-status=live}}</ref> A soundtrack titled ''Sonic X ~Original Sound Tracks~'' was released in Japan on March 8, 2004, it consisted of 40 tracks of original music from the first two Seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic X [Original Game Soundtrack]|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-x-original-game-soundtrack-mw0000727324|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310145456/http://www.allmusic.com/album/sonic-x-original-game-soundtrack-mw0000727324|archive-date=March 10, 2016|access-date=July 7, 2014|publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>

4Kids musicians John Angier, Craig Marks, Joel Douek, Louis Cortelezzi, Manny Corallo, Matt McGuire, and Ralph Schuckett, known for their work on the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' franchise, composed a new background score for the North American release "for both artistic and commercial reasons."<ref name="producer" /> The North American opening and closing theme (also used as the closing theme in the European version), titled "Gotta Go Fast," was composed by Grossfeld and Russell Velazquez.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Chaos Control Freaks|episode-link=List of Sonic X episodes#Episodes 1-26|series=Sonic X|season=1|number=1|time=credits (English)|airdate=April 6, 2003}}</ref>

== Other media ==
''Sonic X'' was extensively merchandised in various forms of media and other products. Two [[Game Boy Advance]] [[Game Boy Advance Video|Videos]] of episodes from the first season of ''Sonic X'' were released in May 2004.<ref name="game1">{{Cite web|title=Game Boy Advance Video: Sonic X, Vol. 1|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45249&tab=overview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115205232/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45249&tab=overview|archive-date=November 15, 2014|access-date=April 28, 2014|publisher=[[AllGame]]}}</ref><ref name="game2">{{Cite web|title=Game Boy Advance Video: Sonic X, Vol. 2|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45250&tab=overview|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115205230/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=45250&tab=overview|archive-date=November 15, 2014|access-date=April 28, 2014|publisher=Allgame}}</ref> In October 2004, ShoPro licensed four manufacturers to create ''Sonic X'' merchandise, they variously produced items such as toys, bedding, beach towels, backpacks, stationery, and pajamas.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=October 2004|title=ShoPro names four licensees for Sonic X|journal=Kids Today|page=15}}</ref> Six ''Sonic X'' novels were published between 2005 and 2007: ''Aqua Planet,''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fullerton|first=Charlotte|url=https://archive.org/details/dreggmangoestowa0000full|title=Aqua Planet|date=July 6, 2006|publisher=[[Grosset & Dunlap]]|isbn=978-0-448-44327-0|author-link=Charlotte Fullerton|url-access=registration}}</ref> ''Dr. Eggman Goes to War'',<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fullerton|first=Charlotte|title=Dr. Eggman Goes to War|date=March 16, 2006|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-448-44254-9}}</ref> ''Battle at Ice Palace,''<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fullerton|first=Charlotte|url=https://archive.org/details/battleaticepalac00full|title=Battle at Ice Palace|date=November 2, 2006|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-448-44409-3}}</ref> and ''Desperately Seeking Sonic'' by [[Charlotte Fullerton]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fullerton|first=Charlotte|title=Desperately Seeking Sonic|date=March 1, 2007|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-448-44479-6}}</ref> ''Meteor Shower Messenger'' by [[Paul Ruditis]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ruditis|first=Paul|url=https://archive.org/details/meteorshowermess00rudi|title=Meteor Shower Messenger|date=September 8, 2005|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-448-43996-9|author-link=Paul Ruditis}}</ref> and ''Spaceship Blue Typhoon'' by [[Diana G. Gallagher]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Gallagher|first=Diana G.|title=Spaceship Blue Typhoon|date=September 8, 2005|publisher=Grosset & Dunlap|isbn=978-0-448-43997-6|author-link=Diana G. Gallagher}}</ref>

=== Comic series ===
{{Infobox comic book title

|image = 
|alt = On Halloween night, a cartoon hedgehog and fox and a human boy bring their bags up to a house with small bat decorations. An overweight man, two traditional-looking robots, and a third robot that flies and looks like a little imp answer the door and toss the trick-or-treaters apple-shaped explosives. Everyone is in costume. The "Sonic X" logo and a tagline, "Based on the hit cartoon! Trick or treat?!", adorn the top of the image.
|publisher = [[Archie Comics]]
|date = September 18, 2005 – January 1, 2009
|issues = 40
|genre = 
|writers = [[Ian Flynn]], Joe Edkin
|pencillers = Tim Smith III
|inkers = Jim Amash
|letterers = [[John Workman]]
|colorists = Josh Ray
|editors = Mike Pellerito
}}
[[Archie Comics]], which published ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' comics until 2017, started a ''Sonic X'' series in 2005. It was originally set to run for only four issues, but was extended to 40 issues due to high demand. The last issue was released on January 1, 2009, and led into the first arc of the ''[[Sonic Universe]]'' series. The comics were written by [[Ian Flynn]], who also authored the main comic series.<ref name="last">{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=[[Archie Comics]]|issue=40|date=December 2008|page=p. 26}}.</ref> Some issues were published in ''[[Jetix#Magazine|Jetix Magazine]]'' in the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jetix Magazine|url=http://www.parkproductions.co.uk/zeoranger/merch/mags/jetix/mag1.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505181442/http://www.parkproductions.co.uk/zeoranger/merch/mags/jetix/mag1.htm|archive-date=May 5, 2014|access-date=October 4, 2014|publisher=Park Productions}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Magazyn Jetix|url=https://www.komiks.gildia.pl/prasa/magazyn_jetix/2|publisher=Media Service Zawada|access-date=August 26, 2020|archive-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819035800/https://www.komiks.gildia.pl/prasa/magazyn_jetix/2|url-status=live}}</ref>

While the comics are set during the ''Sonic X'' timeline, their plot is original. Eggman imprisons humans inside robots and tries to use them to kill the animals, but the animals destroy the robots.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=4|date=December 2005}}.</ref> Eggman uses malicious Chao to destroy Station Square, but Tikal and Chaos arrive from the past, return the Chao to normal, and bring them back to the past.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=6|date=February 2006}}.</ref> Soon, Sonic finds a machine in the desert and thinks nothing of it,<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=7|date=March 2006}}.</ref> but after fighting with Eggman in [[Paris]] and a bizarre world created by the doctor,<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=9|date=May 2006}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=11|date=July 2006}}.</ref> Eggman reveals the desert machine was his and it begins to wreck Station Square. Sonic defeats it, but he is accused of working with Eggman, so he and Eggman are both locked up.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=12|date=August 2006}}.</ref> Nelson [[bail]]s Sonic out of jail, and he saves Cream and Chris from some ghosts.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=14|date=October 2006}}.</ref>

Eggman enacts more malicious schemes based on holidays like [[Christmas]],<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=15|date=November 2006}}.</ref> [[Valentine's Day]]<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=16|date=December 2006}}.</ref> and [[St. Patrick's Day]].<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=17|date=January 2007}}.</ref> Afterwards, he temporarily fires Decoe and Bocoe and creates replacements, Dukow and Bukow,<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=22|date=June 2007}}.</ref> who kidnap Sonic and give him to an organization called S.O.N.I.C.X. Sonic escapes with ease,<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=23|date=July 2007}}.</ref> but S.O.N.I.C.X. repeatedly tries to ruin his reputation.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=25|date=September 2007}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=38|date=October 2008}}.</ref> Meanwhile, the animals take on Eggman in his various schemes—including becoming a wrestler and creating a circus—to keep the Emeralds from him.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=26|date=October 2007}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=30|date=February 2008}}.</ref> In the final issue, a crossover with the continuity of the [[Sonic the Hedgehog (comics)|main comic series]], that continuity's [[Metal Sonic]] appears and allies with Eggman to defeat Sonic, but that continuity's version of Shadow steps in and warps himself and Metal Sonic to another dimension, leading into the events of the first issue of ''Sonic Universe''.<ref>{{Cite comic|title=Sonic X|publisher=Archie Comics|issue=40|date=December 2008}}.</ref>

=== Video games ===
In 2003, [[McDonald's]] packaged five different single-button [[dedicated console]] games, mostly based on various sports, with [[Happy Meal]]s to promote ''Sonic X'': two featuring Sonic and one each for Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow. Another Happy Meal game based on Big the Cat fishing arrived the following year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gander|first=Matt (of [[Retro Gamer]])|date=April 17, 2013|title=The history of fast-food freebies|url=https://www.gamesasylum.com/2013/04/17/gaming-happy-meals-a-grease-covered-history/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825171204/http://www.gamesasylum.com/2013/04/17/gaming-happy-meals-a-grease-covered-history/|archive-date=August 25, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|publisher=Games Asylum}}</ref>

In 2007, [[LeapFrog Enterprises]] released a ''[[Sonic X (video game)|Sonic X]]'' [[educational entertainment|educational]] math game for its [[Leapster]] handheld game console.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.leapfrog.com/content/press_releases/021207ToyFairproducts.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070316135221/http://www2.leapfrog.com/content/press_releases/021207ToyFairproducts.pdf|title=LeapFrog Takes Learning to New Levels In 2007|publisher=[[LeapFrog Enterprises]]|date=February 12, 2007|archive-date=March 16, 2007|access-date=September 19, 2023}}</ref> The game stars Sonic and Chris, who must rescue Tails, Amy, and Knuckles from Eggman. It is a fast-paced [[platform game|platform]]/[[action game|action]] game in which Sonic runs and jumps through levels and destroys Eggman's robots along the way. Periodically, Sonic must answer math questions to continue. The game features three levels, each with its own math concepts: the city Station Square (sequencing, counting in increments); Angel Island, the home of the Master Emerald (addition), and Eggman's base (subtraction).<ref>''Sonic X'' (Leapster) instruction manual, pp. 2–3.</ref> There are also math-based minigames unrelated to the levels to supplement these skills.<ref>''Sonic X'' (Leapster) instruction manual, pp. 4–6.</ref>

=== Trading card game ===
[[Score Entertainment]] created a ''Sonic X'' [[collectible card game]] for two players released in 2005. Players battle for Chaos Emeralds, whoever gets three first wins. Each turn, both players lay out five cards face-down and flip over one at a time; whichever card has a lower number value is eliminated. Eliminating the other player's cards and combining the special abilities of one's own cards allows one to score rings; whichever player has the most rings at the end of the turn wins an Emerald. As the game does not emphasize collecting rare cards, a few booster packs are enough to build a competent deck. KidzWorld gave a positive review, praising its ease of learning, low cost, and inherent strategy, but also noting that it feels more like a generic card game with ''Sonic'' characters than like a wholly ''Sonic''-based product.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sonic X Card Game Review|url=https://www.kidzworld.com/article/6039-sonic-x-card-game-review|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814102446/http://www.kidzworld.com/article/6039-sonic-x-card-game-review|archive-date=August 14, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|publisher=KidzWorld}}</ref>

== Reception ==
''Sonic X'' received divided reviews. Many reviewers were critical of its American localization. Conrad Zimmerman of Destructoid cited ''Sonic X''{{'s}} "horrible localization" as a main reason for negativity.<ref name="negativity">{{Cite web|last=Zimmerman|first=Conrad|date=April 4, 2010|title=Watch Sonic X on Hulu This Easter|url=https://www.destructoid.com/watch-sonic-x-on-hulu-this-easter-169872.phtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122419/http://www.destructoid.com/watch-sonic-x-on-hulu-this-easter-169872.phtml|archive-date=October 6, 2014|access-date=April 6, 2014|publisher=[[Destructoid]]}}</ref> Tim Jones of THEM Anime gave the show two stars out of five and criticized the English voice acting: "It's really annoying how all the recent Sonic games use these untalented actors/actresses in their dubs, because they make the original English voices sound like award-winning performers."<ref name="them">{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Tim|title=Sonic X|url=http://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=355|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915060412/http://themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=355|archive-date=September 15, 2014|access-date=April 6, 2014|publisher=THEM Anime}}</ref> Other comments on the show's aesthetics were mostly positive. Staff of [[GamesRadar]] admitted, "At least the song fits. Can't imagine Sonic listening to ''[[Sonic Underground|Underground]]''{{'}}s wailing [[Meat Loaf]] [[soft rock|light rock]], but he'd definitely jam to ''Sonic X''."<ref name="gamesradar" /> Jones praised the [[rock music]] from ''Sonic Adventure 1'' and ''2'', as well as the "pretty piano music" and "catchy" Japanese intro and outro themes. He also found the backgrounds "nice to look at" but did not like the use of CGI for Sonic's homing attack.<ref name="them" />

The human characters and, to a lesser extent, the animal ones were also criticized. Jones described Chris as "a dull, boring, uninspired character" and also described Tanaka and Ella as "bland" stereotypes of [[Stereotypes of East Asians in the United States|Japanese]] and [[Stereotypes of African Americans|African-Americans]], respectively. Jones also criticized the presence of Amy and Big, but took particular issue to the show's portrayal of Sonic, which he summarized as: {{" '}}I'm gonna run around downtown until something exciting happens and use a stinking [[Sonic the Hedgehog#Rings (Sonic the Hedgehog)|Ring]] to defeat my enemies{{' "}}.<ref name="them" /> GamesRadar bemoaned both the "piss-poor ''Adventure'' characters" and the original human ones.<ref name="gamesradar">{{Cite web|date=June 23, 2012|title=The absolute worst Sonic moments|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-absolute-worst-sonic-moments/?page=2|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010191612/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-absolute-worst-sonic-moments/?page=2|archive-date=October 10, 2014|access-date=April 6, 2014|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]}}</ref> In contrast, writer Gaz Plant of NintendoLife opined that "one of the key successes" of the series was its incorporation of numerous characters from the games, including lesser-used ones like Big and the Chaotix. Fans were divided on the merit of the Thorndykes.<ref name="nintendolife">{{Cite web|last=Plant|first=Gaz|date=October 18, 2013|title=Feature: A Supersonic History of Sonic Cartoons|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/feature_a_supersonic_history_of_sonic_cartoons|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818065606/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2013/10/feature_a_supersonic_history_of_sonic_cartoons|archive-date=August 18, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=NintendoLife}}</ref>

The show was praised for its faithfulness to the games. ''[[Famitsu]]'' offered a uniformly positive review before the first episode broadcast in 2003, commending the skillful transition of the games' speed and style to animation, and expected the series to continue to grow more interesting.<ref name="famguy1">{{Cite magazine|date=March 18, 2003|title=アニメ『ソニックX』の制作発表会が開催！|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1139336_1124.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019045655/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1139336_1124.html|archive-date=October 19, 2014|access-date=April 28, 2014|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|language=ja}}</ref> Plant stated that "where ''Sonic X'' truly succeeded was in its retelling of iconic stories."<ref name="nintendolife" /> Independent of the characters involved, GamesRadar appreciated the idea of following "Sonic's core concept."<ref name="gamesradar" /> The original storylines were also praised. Amidst his criticism of most of the show, Jones praised the first episode in general, especially its humor.<ref name="them" /> Plant acclaimed the character development that built on the stories of the original games, especially Sonic and Amy's relationship and the Chaotix's newfound viability as comedy devices. Concurrently, he found the show "surprisingly touching," particularly in its "emotional" final climax, and favorably compared the space exploration of season three to ''[[Star Trek]]''.<ref name="nintendolife" /> ''Famitsu''{{'}}s first preview called the story {{nihongo|profound|重厚|jūkō}}.<ref name="famguy1" /> Dave Trumbore of ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]'' noted that while the series' pacing remains much faster than the 1990s series, the introduction of multiple Earth-based human factions slowed it somewhat.<ref>{{cite web|last=Trumbore|first=Dave|title='Sonic the Hedgehog' Series Ranked from Worst to First|url=https://collider.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-series-ranked/|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|access-date=June 9, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250605024129/https://collider.com/sonic-the-hedgehog-series-ranked/|archive-date=June 5, 2025|date=February 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Common Sense Media]] gave it three stars out of five and, while not commenting further on its quality, stated that it was appropriate for grade-school children but that some violent scenes were inadvisable for younger viewers.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 14, 2006|title=Common Sense Media says: Hedgehog and human join together to battle evil.|url=https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/sonic-x|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726013924/https://www.commonsensemedia.org/tv-reviews/sonic-x|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=June 24, 2014|publisher=[[Common Sense Media]]}}</ref> A second ''Famitsu'' review from later in 2003 called the anime an outstanding success and encouraged readers to tune in.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 19, 2003|title=『ソニック X』アフレコ現場を潜入取材！|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1140433_1124.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021151230/http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1140433_1124.html|archive-date=October 21, 2014|access-date=April 28, 2014|magazine=Famitsu|language=ja}}</ref>

=== Popularity and cultural impact ===
The show was quite popular in the United States, France, Indonesia and Malaysia, consistently reaching the number-one position in its timeslot in those countries.<ref name="comics">{{Cite web|last=Weiland|first=Jonah|date=May 23, 2005|title=Archie Launches New 'Sonic X' Series|url=https://www.cbr.com/archie-launches-new-sonic-x-series/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726014213/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=5072|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}</ref><ref name="france">{{Cite web|date=December 8, 2004|title=Jetix Europe N.V. Announces Results for the Year Ended September 30, 2004|url=http://www.waidev2.com/php/PDFS/STUDIO_v2_Asset_Library/482---PDF.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724225521/http://www.waidev2.com/php/PDFS/STUDIO_v2_Asset_Library/482---PDF.pdf|archive-date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=Jetix Europe}}</ref> By 2007, it was TMS' best-selling anime in the non-Japanese market. Meanwhile, in its native country, Japan, the third season did not air until 2020, and it inspired TMS to focus on properties that would sell well outside Japan.<ref name="japanamerica">{{Cite book|last=Kelts|first=Roland|title=Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S.|date=November 13, 2007|publisher=[[Palgrave Macmillan]]|isbn=978-1-4039-8476-0|page=78}}</ref> In April 2009, a six-year-old [[Norway|Norwegian]] boy named Christer pressed his parents to send a letter to King [[Harald V of Norway]] to approve his name being changed to "Sonic X". They allowed Christer to write it himself but did not send it until he badgered them further, and the king responded that he could not approve the change because Christer was not eighteen years old.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sterling|first=Jim|date=April 23, 2009|title=Six-year-old boy asks King to change his name to Sonic X|url=https://www.destructoid.com/six-year-old-boy-asks-king-to-change-his-name-to-sonic-x-129705.phtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726094603/http://www.destructoid.com/six-year-old-boy-asks-king-to-change-his-name-to-sonic-x-129705.phtml|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|publisher=Destructoid}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Good|first=Owen|date=April 25, 2009|title=King Denies Little Boy's Wish to Be Named 'Sonic X'|url=https://kotaku.com/king-denies-little-boys-wish-to-be-named-sonic-x-5227434|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727084821/http://kotaku.com/5227434/king-denies-little-boys-wish-to-be-named-sonic-x|archive-date=July 27, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|publisher=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> Extending over a decade past the show's initial release, the show has spawned internet memes and the phrase "gotta go fast", the title of the song that plays in the opening and closing sequence, has been used in the titles of video game periodical articles to represent the ''Sonic'' series<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ponce|first=Tony|date=October 1, 2013|title=Sonic's gotta go fast in these Smash 4 screens|url=https://www.destructoid.com/sonic-s-gotta-go-fast-in-these-smash-4-screens-262785.phtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726103942/http://www.destructoid.com/sonic-s-gotta-go-fast-in-these-smash-4-screens-262785.phtml|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|publisher=Destructoid}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Prell|first=Sam|date=April 26, 2014|title=Sonic The Hedgehog's gotta go fast on Oculus Rift|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/26/sonic-the-hedgehogs-gotta-go-fast-on-oculus-rift/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018165846/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/26/sonic-the-hedgehogs-gotta-go-fast-on-oculus-rift/|archive-date=October 18, 2014|access-date=June 22, 2014|publisher=[[Joystiq]]}}</ref> and other fast-paced video games.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kellen|first=Seth|date=April 15, 2014|title=CloudBuilt Review: Gotta Go Fast|url=https://techraptor.net/gaming/review/cloudbuilt-review-gotta-go-fast|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726001815/http://techraptor.net/2014/04/15/cloudbuilt-review-gotta-go-fast/|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2020|publisher=TechRaptor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Blackburn|first=Troy|date=May 30, 2014|title=Gotta Go Fast In New World Of Speed Gameplay Teaser|url=http://www.gamebreaker.tv/news-main/pc-2/gotta-go-fast-in-new-world-of-speed-gameplay-teaser/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726214827/http://www.gamebreaker.tv/news-main/pc-2/gotta-go-fast-in-new-world-of-speed-gameplay-teaser/|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014|publisher=GameBreaker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Barrett|first=Ben|date=August 27, 2013|title=Gotta Go Fast: SpeedRunners|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/27/gotta-go-fast-speedrunners/|url-status=live|journal=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726031203/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/08/27/gotta-go-fast-speedrunners/|archive-date=July 26, 2014|access-date=July 16, 2014}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| cover        = 
| name         = Sonic X: Original Soundtrack
| type         = Soundtrack
| artist       = Sonic X
| released     = March 3, 2004
| recorded     = 2002
| genre        = {{hlist|[[Soundtrack]]|[[rock music|rock]]|[[pop music|pop]]|[[electronic music|electronic]]}}
| language     = Japanese
| length       = 1:06:59
| label        = [[Wave Master Entertainment]]
}}
'''''Sonic X: Original Soundtrack''''' is the soundtrack to the series of the same name. It was released in Japan on March 3, 2004, by [[Wave Master Entertainment]].
 
; Track list
{{Track listing
| total_length = 1:06:59
| all_music = [[Yoshihiro Ike]], except where noted
| headline =
| extra_column = Performer(s)
| title1 = Sonic Drive
| note1 = TV version; lyrics by Takeshi Aida, music by Cher Watanabe
| length1 = 1:31
| extra1 = Hironobu Kageyama<Br>Hideaki Taketori
| title2 = Sonic's Fight
| note2 = from Episode 1
| length2 = 2:16
| title3 = Eggman
| note3 = from Episode 1
| length3 = 1:55
| title4 = Sonic
| note4 = from Episode 1
| length4 = 2:05
| title5 = The White Flower On Top of The Hill
| note5 = from Episode 16
| length5 = 1:00
| title6 = Sonic's Solution
| note6 = from Episode 2
| length6 = 1:02
| title7 = Eggman Robô
| note7 = from Episode 21
| length7 = 1:07
| title8 = Eggman Machine
| note8 = from Episode 33
| length8 = 2:44
| title9 = Encounter with Chris
| note9 = from Episode 1
| length9 = 1:26
| title10 = The Extravagant Appearance of Mom and Dad
| note10 = from Episode 6
| length10 = 0:48
| title11 = Shadow (1)
| note11 = from Episode 34
| length11 = 1:24
| title12 = Super Sonic
| note12 = from Episode 32
| length12 = 0:28
| title13 = Shadow (2)
| note13 = from Episode 34
| length13 = 1:42
| title14 = Amy's Hike 
| note14 = from Episode 5
| length14 = 1:01
| title15 = Egg Fort Launch
| note15 = from Episode 20
| length15 = 1:28
| title16 = X-Tornado
| note16 = from Episode 8
| length16 = 1:05
| title17 = Battle
| note17 = from Episode 28
| length17 = 1:27
| title18 = All Right!
| note18 = from Episode 14
| length18 = 1:53
| title19 = The Ghost's Tango
| note19 = from Episode 19
| length19 = 2:39
| title20 = Amy's Hammer
| note20 = from Episode 19
| length20 = 0:38
| title21 = Mysterious & Sexy Thief Rouge
| note21 = from Episode 11
| length21 = 2:43
| title22 = S-Team (1)
| note22 = from Episode 1
| length22 = 2:30
| title23 = Hawk (Chinese Compilation)
| note23 = from Episode 17
| length23 = 0:40
| title24 = Eggman's African Compilation
| note24 = from Episode 18
| length24 = 0:47
| title25 = Adventure
| note25 = from Episode 14
| length25 = 1:01
| title26 = Helen's Dinner
| note26 = from Episode 14
| length26 = 1:30
| title27 = X-Tornado Battle Compilation
| note27 = from Episode 29
| length27 = 1:07
| title28 = The Master Emerald
| note28 = from Episode 29
| length28 = 0:58
| title29 = Chaos
| note29 = from Episode 28
| length29 = 1:30
| title30 = Family
| note30 = from Episode 4
| length30 = 1:31
| title31 = S-Team (2)
| note31 = from Episode 31
| length31 = 1:50
| title32 = The Thorndyke Family
| note32 = from Episode 14
| length32 = 0:38
| title33 = Tornado Going Round and Round
| note33 = from Episode 5
| length33 = 2:00
| title34 = GUN
| note34 = from Episode 33
| length34 = 1:32
| title35 = Coalescence
| note35 = from Episode 26
| length35 = 0:37
| title36 = Dark Eggman
| note36 = from Episode 24
| length36 = 0:53
| title37 = Mi-Ra-I (Future)
| note37 = End credits; written by Kazuyoshi Baba
| extra37 = [[Run&Gun]]
| length37 = 4:25
| title38 = Sonic Drive
| note38 = Full Version; lyrics by Takeshi Aida, music by Cher Watanabe
| extra38 = Hironobu Kageyama & Hideaki Taketori
| length38 = 3:46
| title39 = Sonic Drive
| extra39 = Hironobu Kageyama
| note39 = Only version; lyrics by Takeshi Aida, music by Cher Watanabe
| length39 = 3:46
| title40 = Sonic Drive
| extra40 = Hideaki Taketori
| note40 = Only version; lyrics by Takeshi Aida, music by Cher Watanabe
| length40 = 3:46
}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://www.sonicteam.com/sonicx/ Official Sonic Team website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [http://www.tms-e.com/library/on_air_back/sonic/index.html Official TMS Entertainment website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030215206/http://www.tms-e.com/library/on_air_back/sonic/index.html|date=2020-10-30 }} {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/sonic_x/ Official TV Tokyo website] {{in lang|ja}}
* [https://www.tms-e.co.jp/global/alltitles/2000s/603101.html Official TMS Entertainment website] {{in lang|en}}
* {{anime News Network|anime|2266}}
* [https://www.absoluteanime.com/sonic_x/ ''Sonic X''] at Absolute Anime
* {{IMDb title|id=0367413}}
* {{bgg|20152|''Sonic X Trading Card Game''}}
* [http://discotekmedia.com/ Official Discotek Media website]

{{Sonic the Hedgehog in other media}}
{{Archie Comics titles}}
{{Fox Kids}}
{{TMS Entertainment}}

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