[Warning: this article contains MAJOR SPOILERS for the Sonic the Hedgehog movie.]
So you saw the mid-credit scene for Sonic The Hedgehog and you have questions. We’ve got answers.
The credits are interrupted. You are brought back into Green Hills, Montana. Leaves swirl whimsically. A ring portal opens from another land. Out pops a two-tailed fox. If you aren’t familiar with the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise then this may have left you scratching your head. However, if you are a fan of the blue hedgehog, then this was the first glimpse at your favorite sidekick (sorry Tom). Let’s break down what we need to know about Tails, and what his appearance might mean to the film’s sequel.
In The Games
Miles ‘Tails’ Prower made his first appearance in 1992’s Sonic The Hedgehog 2. Tails has appeared in almost every Sonic title since as Sonic’s best friend and most trusted ally. He has even played the titular character in a number of his own games.
Canonically, Tails was an orphan who has always been incredibly intelligent, but not very brave. Sonic befriended and supported Tails from a young age. From there, Tails grew into something of a genius near the level of Dr. Robotnik. He is always creating new gadgets and mechs to prove his worth as a valued member of the team.
What The Movie Shows Us
The after credits appearance seems to keep Tails’ essence intact. Tails jumps through that portal with a gadget in hand and readings of a foreign planet in tow. He is clearly smart. We can also infer that he and Sonic have a long history together. This is because Tails is wearing the same type of shoes that Baby Sonic had on at the beginning of the film. As an added treat for fans, the voice actor for Tails is Colleen O’ Shaughnessey. Collen is the current voice actor for Tails in the games and from the 2014 show, Sonic Boom.
What Might Be Getting Teased
The last thing Tails says before flying into Green Hills is, ‘I just hope I’m not too late.’ Eggman is still stuck on Mushroom Planet. This means there is likely another force in the universe after Sonic which may or may not have already found its way to Earth. This line could also mean that Sonic’s home world is in grave danger.
We saw Sonic hunted by echidnas at the beginning of the film. Dr. Robotnik tricks the echidnas to help him fight Sonic and Tails in the game canon. If the film follows suit then expect an echidna, likely the franchise mainstay Knuckles, to meet Eggman on the mushroom planet and be sent against our heroes.
It will be fun to see how they incorporate Tails’ backstory and the rest of the games’ history into the films. So far, so good for cinema Sonic.
