Introduction
Today, I’m taking a look at the Sonic the Hedgehog minifigure, inspired by the popular character from Sega. This minifigure is also referred to by its Bricklink number, SON001. Released in 2023, it features Sonic’s iconic traits, like a light nougat face and arms, a playful winking eye, and a big grin. Currently, it can be found in sets such as Tails’ Workshop, the Tornado Plane, and Sonic’s Green Hill Zone Loop Challenge.
Minifigure Design
Sonic, famously known as the fastest thing alive, stands out with his bright green eyes and distinct blue spiky hair. He sports a sporty outfit with white hands that symbolize his gloves and red shoe prints on his legs representing his speedy red shoes.
Backstory
Sonic, introduced in the 1991 video game, is famous for his incredible speed as he races through various landscapes to stop his rival, Dr. Robotnik, later named Dr. Eggman, who schemes to turn animals into robots. In the Sonic world, he often protects his friends, Tails and Knuckles, from Dr. Eggman’s evil plans. The LEGO Sonic-themed sets allow players to collect rings and fight enemies. Unlike the LEGO Mario sets, the Sonic sets feature regular minifigures.
Learning Corner
Historical Context:
The LEGO Sonic theme spun off from a LEGO Ideas project titled Sonic Mania – Green Hill Zone.
STEM Connection:
Sonic the Hedgehog LEGO can make it more fun to learn about different subjects, like the basics of physics, including speed and friction. For instance, why does Sonic run faster on some surfaces? How does his speed help him dodge obstacles? It can also teach about various types of environments. With the Sonic minifigure, you could create and explore different landscapes from the Sonic universe, including grasslands, cities, jungles, outer space, deserts, and underwater worlds.
Cultural Significance:
The LEGO Sonic minifigure is a fantastic find for fans of video games and hedgehogs, carrying a lot of cultural meaning. Sonic the Hedgehog has grown from just video games into a big franchise, including TV shows, books, and a loyal fan community. Hedgehogs are known for their sharp quills and symbolize strength and protection, much like Sonic, who curls up into a ball to fend off danger.
This unique little creature stands for resilience, as well as wisdom and cleverness. In Jim Collins’ book “Good to Great,” he compares the focused hedgehog to the clever but scattered fox. In various tales, hedgehogs illustrate the strength of having a clear vision, which makes Sonic not only a beloved character in gaming but also a symbol of creativity and determination that connects with many stories. Whether you’ve loved Sonic for years or are just discovering him, this minifigure captures the fun and lasting appeal of hedgehogs in our culture.