Sega Teases New 'Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond' Animated Short

Sega has officially teased Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond, a brand-new animated short coming ahead of the franchise's 35th anniversary, the company revealed at Anime Expo. Because what is a milestone birthday without a little high-speed nostalgia to make us all feel incredibly old?

The sneak peek made its debut during the Sonic Animated Shorts retrospective panel at the convention, Sega confirmed. Rather than just looking back at where the blue hedgehog has been, the panel gave attendees a direct look at where the animation side of the franchise is heading next. Yes, Sonic is turning 35 soon—and yes, he still runs faster than any of us can walk to the fridge.

The details

• Project title: Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond
• First revealed: Anime Expo, during the Sonic Animated Shorts retrospective panel
• Occasion: Celebrating the upcoming 35th anniversary of the franchise

Why it matters

Sonic has a long, storied history with animation, stretching from nineties morning cartoons to modern web shorts that keep the fanbase fed between major game releases. By centering its upcoming 35th-anniversary celebrations around a dedicated animation project, Sega is continuing its strategy of using multimedia to keep its mascot in the spotlight and bridge the gap between classic nostalgia and the modern era of the franchise.