The allure of the “real thing” discovered through reprinted T-shirts【20th UT ARCHIVE vol.3 Sonic the Hedgehog】

Countless alluring graphics have adorned UT items to date. As we mark UT’s 20th anniversary this year, an archive project has started to reprint some of our past offerings. What kinds of feelings and emotions rest in the motifs that have transcended time and are loved by people all over the world? 　Let’s explore this through the words of the creators and those involved. This time we are focusing on the game Sonic the Hedgehog, which appeared on UT in 2009. We spoke about the franchise with Takashi Iizuka, the producer of the Sonic Series, which has also been made into a Hollywood movie that is still fresh in people’s minds.

A freewheeling hedgehog to brighten up gloomy times.

Q. What innovation did Sonic the Hedgehog bring as a game when it was first released in 1991?

A. Before the release of the first Sonic the Hedgehog, it was natural to play video games carefully and cautiously to avoid making mistakes. With Sonic, on the other hand, even if you made a mistake, as long as you held one ring, you could keep playing. You could attack and jump using a single button, making it easy for anyone to play while enjoying a sense of speed. This “speed” in particular is the game’s starting point, and it is still an innovative element today.

A scene from Sonic Origins. Sonic Origins is the latest work in the franchise, an enhanced version of the first four games, which are the starting point for the Sonic Series.

Q. The T-shirt this time uses Sonic, the game’s main character. What exactly is the appeal of Sonic as a character?

A. In order to leverage the sense of speed, we came up with the concept of “attacking just by jumping,” and from there, the motif of a hedgehog was born. As we wanted Sonic to grow to be a representative character of SEGA, we decided to use SEGA’s image color of blue for the character’s body color. I believe Sonic’s appeal lies not only in his unique appearance but also in the fact that he is not a stereotypical hero with his freewheeling spirit, mischievous nature, and aura of coolness. I think that is one of the reasons he has been loved for so long. Also, as a character, I want Sonic to give people inspiration and courage. I am sure Sonic’s ability to jokingly laugh at any difficult situation and face any formidable enemy with a smile on his face will give people courage. There is still a lot of gloom in the world, so I hope Sonic will be a source of emotional support for everyone.

The package for the first Sonic game.

Q. What do you think “evolution” means for the Sonic series?

A. From the start, we wanted to deliver the character’s allure and unique worldview to everyone through the game. Now, we have gone beyond those initial desires and are able to deliver this through a variety of media, including anime and movies, as well as a wide range of products such as merchandise and apparel. As a game developer going forward, I, of course, want to focus on evolution, but also want to transcend national borders and spread Sonic to more people, regions, and fields. I believe this is the “evolution” we should aim for.

Scenes from “Sonic Adventure” that Iizuka worked on.

From the film Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (in theaters now).

Q. What are video games to you?

A. In a few words, “a treasure chest of dreams.” I was an elementary school student when I first came into contact with arcade games. Up to that point, the only entertainment I had known was TV and manga, so games were truly “a treasure chest of dreams” for me. I was instantly attracted to the medium of games that allowed me to immerse myself in other worlds projected onto a monitor, such as outer space, medieval monsters, and the near future. Even today, I believe in the infinite possibilities I felt at that time, and I would like to continue to provide people with the excitement of opening up their own “treasure chest of dreams.”

PROFILE

Takashi Iizuka, SEGA Sonic Series producer. He has been involved in game development since Sonic the Hedgehog 3 for Mega Drive and has since worked as a director/producer for Sonic titles, including Sonic Adventure. Currently, he is the creative officer for Sonic Team USA in Los Angeles, where he oversees all creative activities related to Sonic.