There are two easy things to remember about the Blue Blur, Sonic the Hedgehog. One, he’sthe fastest thing alive, and two, he loves chili dogs. In multiple forms of media,chili dogs are Sonic’s favorite food. His love for chili dogs has been an ongoing motif through various adaptations since the early 1990s, and it’s even carried over intothe live-action film franchise. Even Sega now officially recognizes chili dogs asSonic’s meal of choice. How did this whole chili dog thing start? It’s time to unpack Sonic’s love of good old-fashioned chili dogs and showcase how theSonic the Hedgehoglive-action film series brought back this beloved trope that dates back tothe character’s earliest media adaptations.
Sonic’s Love of Chili Dogs Originated in the ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ Animated Series Bible
During the production ofthe originalSonic the Hedgehoggamein 1991, Sega of America created The Sonic Bible. This internal document established a definitive backstory for Sonic in non-Japanese regions. The document doesn’t mention chili dogs, but it does mention that Sonic loves fast food and candy bars, specifically: “burgers, tacos, nachos, fries, anything chocolate, and cola. Sonic does not eat or drink diet anything – he needs the calories.” Sonic was a 1990s kid and a teenager with an attitude, so, of course, he loves fast food. The junk food and empty calories help him go fast, andhe does not gain weight because he metabolizes it so quickly.
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The first chronological instanceof Sonic loving chili dogs as his favorite is mentioned inthe story biblefor the 1993Sonic the Hedgehoganimated series, akaSonic SatAM, created in 1992. This darker, story-drivenSonic the Hedgehoganimated show debuted on ABC in 1993. However, the syndicated animated series,Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, a more comedicLooney Tunes-style version of Sonic and Tails' adventures, also debuted in 1993. This was the first officialSonic the Hedgehogmedia that featured his love of chili dogs. The trope carried over intoSonic SatAM. However, Sonic’s love of the chili dogs would not carry over intothe video games developed by Japan’s Sonic Team until years later.
‘Sonic and the Black Knight’ Is the First Video Game Depicting Sonic’s Love of Chili Dogs
TheSonic the Hedgehogvideo games largely avoided the chili dog trope until the late 2000s. The character trait was adopted throughoutthe animated shows and comic book adaptationsof the iconic game franchise throughout the Western world. However,the video game franchisedid not start depicting the trope until 2009’sSonic and the Black Knight. For the first time in a Sonic video game, Sonic was seen enjoying chili dogs, which were also depicted in the 2011 video game,Sonic Generations. As a character who has been around for over thirty-five years, Sonic the Hedgehog has had multiple adaptations and various forms of canon. However, now his love of chili dogs has consistently carried over for decades in multiple canons, and eventually,Sonic’s live-action Hollywood debut.
The Sonic the Hedgehog Movies Maintained Sonic’s Love of Chili Dogs
Of course, directorJeff FowlerandwritersJosh MillerandPat Caseyincluded Sonic eating chili dogs inhis debut live-action featurereleased in 2020, as Sonic (Ben Schwartz) is introduced to them for the first time in the film by Tom Wachowski (James Marsden). The chili dog trope later continues throughout the hit sequelsSonic the Hedgehog 2andSonic the Hedgehog 3. It was great to see the movies incorporating Sonic’s love of chili dogs, as they evoke the classic Sonic cartoons many fans likely grew up watching,establishing their love for the video game icon. It reinforces how the filmmakers behind the franchise are fans, just like the rest of us, and they pay attention to little details by referencing Sonic’s affinity for chili dogs. It represents a granular microcosm ofthe film franchise’s overwhelming success.
The chili dog trope was an idea likely conceived for his western animated adaptations, and it endured with the character for decades. The trope has become widely accepted by fans, writers, directors, and game developers alike. Fans can find recipes featuring chili dogs in the officially licensed book,Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Cookbook, released in October 2023. Sonic and chili dogs simply go together like Bugs Bunny and carrots. To those concerned about Sonic possibly eating his animal buddies, one should remember that hedgehogs are omnivores, so they eat both plants and meat.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3is available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure movie that featured the Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. The new film sees the new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog, arriving to cause trouble for the newly formed trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles, as they adjust to their earthly lives.
