How Old Is Sonic

The Hedgehog

Sonic The Hedgehog is one of the most beloved characters in gaming and animation. His iconic blue hedgehog form is recognizable around the world, and new generations of fans are being charmed by his presence in video games, movies, television and more. But how old is Sonic The Hedgehog?

The answer to the question is a bit complicated, as the timeline of the Sonic universe is vast and full of retcons and different continuities. The simplest answer is that Sonic himself is around 15-years old, having first debuted in the original game in 1991. The game literally took line from Sega’s "Sonic Year” calendar, as 1991 was the 15th anniversary of their mascot.

In the original timeline, Sonic was born on Christmas Island from egg-like monitors containing various animals. In the issue of Sonic #25, the date was revealed to be July 15, 1987. This date has since been retconned and altered in various ways, so it is not completely canon.

The Sonic character design was created in 1990 by artist Naoto Ōshima. Sonic has often been portrayed as younger than 15-years old, with a more innocent and adventurous personality. Sega’s official promotion of Sonic typically features him as a teenager, however. This seems to be aimed more towards the younger audience of gamers, with an emphasis on cartoonish aesthetics and a playful attitude.

The character of Sonic has been around for over 30 years now and has evolved in many ways. He has gone through various designs and continuities, but the core of Sonic himself has remained the same. Sonic is a classic example of how a beloved character can stay timeless as fans and creators continue to re-imagine him in fun and creative ways.