Sonic the Hedgehoghas been a massively iconic franchise since the 90s for several reasons. Whatever people say about the quality of his games and shows, Sonic’s real success often comes from its beloved characters. The franchise has a near-perfect grasp of classic Saturday Morning Cartoon-level characterization. Sonic’s effervescent 90s coolness pairs well with his straightforward allies and enemies. Miles “Tails” Prower is Sonic’s most prolific and steadfast supporter, but his decades in the game have done little to grant him a chance to fly solo.
TheSonic the Hedgehogmovies wisely sellthemselves off the strength of their characters. No movie would have ever gotten away with the nightmarish depiction of the character in the initial trailers, but Sonic’s grim portrayal was especially egregious. When Knuckles joined the cast with world-renowned star Idris Elba behind him, fans lost their minds in celebration. The same reaction followed Keanu Reeves' Shadow after the first trailer forSonic the Hedgehog3. Characters are the draw for this franchise, and it was wise of Paramount to lean into that.
Tails is underused in theSonicmovies
It’s fair to say that Tails gets the least screen time of the animal characters inSonic the Hedgehog. It would be more fair to say that Tails kind of gets the short end of the stick innearly allSonicmedia. He’s a great sidekick, but his presence only works when he’s a hanger-on to Sonic’s much larger star. This isn’t true of every Sonic character. From the days ofSonic the Hedgehog 2, Tails was the “little brother” character that most players would consider a consolation prize. He allowed the player to enjoy the game, but the camera only followed Sonic, guaranteeing a distinctly diminished experience. A funnier example comes from Sonic’s early 3D era. When Sonic Team started introducing unique theme songs for each character inSonic Adventureand its sequel, all Tails' songs expressed his desire to live up to the example of his best friend Sonic. Most of Sonic’s songs maintain his excellence as a lone wolf who accomplishes everything on his own terms. That mismatch carries through almost every iteration of the franchise. Cartoons,especiallySonic Boom, give Tails occasional opportunities to be funny, capable, and charming on his own terms, but they’re the exception to the rule. Tails was the big reveal at the end of the firstSonic the Hedgehogfilm, but his appearance in the sequel became far less notable as soon as Knuckles appeared.
John Whittington and Toby Ascher
Idris Elba and Adam Pally
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Streaming On
Paramount+
Knuckleswas a limited series that followed the eponymous echidna on a new adventure. Ithad very little to dowith the first twoSonicmovies, and though the third entry isn’t out yet, it seems reasonable to assume that it won’t affect it much either.Knucklessought to give a spotlight to the second film’s breakout character. Idris Elba’s presence in the film drew a ton of attention, and his performance did not disappoint. A Knuckles-centric spinoff felt like a no-brainer. He’s a fun, charming, and identifiable character with a stellar performer behind him. The show didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but it was a long-awaited spotlight for a guy who hasn’t led a solo game sinceKnuckles Chaotix, the 1995predecessor toChained Together. Still, there are other characters who could enjoy the same treatment.
Could Tails carry his own show?
The version of Tails whoappears in theSonicmoviesis both the most accurate adaptation from the games and the one that lacks the most nuance. He’s almost everything he was in the early games, but the films never give him more than a moment to communicate his unique personality. A spinoff would be the perfect opportunity to let him spread his metaphorical wings and take to the sky. Tails is a mechanical genius, a dedicated friend, and a little kid. There’s more to him than just inventing the things that get Sonic out of a jam. He’s always been the second fiddle, and that’s the position he’s happy in. He’s a natural sidekick, and he wouldn’t generally strive to be more than that. There’s something charming about a character who knows where they want to be and rigorously sticks to that position. Still, removing a character from the placethey feel most comfortablein is the starting point of most stories.
TheSonicmovies don’t make especially complex characters. It’s a franchise for children, but the hardcore fanbase loves every talking animal in the cast. Everycharacter is someone’s favorite. Tails has the unique traits it would take to carry a spinoff series, but there’s no telling whether he’ll ever get it. Miles “Tails” Prower is happy by Sonic’s side, but a lot of fans would love to see what he can do on his own.
