Sonic the Hedgehog OVA Review

Name(s): Sonic the Hedgehog OVA / Sonic OVA / ソニック★ザ★ヘッジホッグ
Format: Original video animation [OVA] (2 30-minute episodes)
Studio(s): Pierrot

Background

In a mall I often went to as a kid, there was an outlet that specialized in niche cultures. They would have racks of anime on VHS, and sometimes Pokémon merchandise I wouldn’t see sold anywhere else. I can’t remember the name of this magical place, but it’s where I found Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie (StH). I’d heard of the movie before then; somewhere.

I was ecstatic. You need to understand: it was incredibly rare to find video game merchandise or tie-ins based on Japanese properties. Seeing a bar of soap with Mario’s face on it would have been enough to make me start foaming at the mouth. I begged my mom to buy me the VHS tape, which I think was about $5 at the time.

Weird Localization Practices

For those not in the know, this “movie” was one of many victims of English localization companies attempting to pass off Japanese OVAs as a format more familiar to Westerners. Fearing our xenophobic, fragile minds couldn’t comprehend cartoons that weren’t delivered in 22-minute segments, distributors such as StH’s ADV Films would combine OVA episodes into one continuous sequence. Ta-da! It’s a movie!

In fairness, this practice usually benefitted Western audiences. Japanese anime OVAs were luxury purchases in deference to their relative lengths and high production qualities. Just buying a single episode could cost substantially more than what Westerners were used to paying for animation.

From my quick research, a VHS tape with one episode could cost around the equivalent of $50 in the era when StH was released. A stark difference when compared to the $5 I remember paying for “both episodes,” and all it cost us was some presentation authenticity.

I can’t imagine the OVA industry in its native country could have ever survived our pricing model, considering their production costs. It’s sad that animation in the West carried so little value that the thought of selling OVAs at their original price was likely considered unthinkable. In the end, things worked out. The OVA standard lasted about two decades, and we Westerners received an extensive library of high-quality animation at an affordable price.

I can’t help but wonder, however. How much more could we’ve gotten if the whole world acquiesced to their outrageous pricing model? I suppose it’s pointless to speculate. People are only willing to pay what they’re capable of, after all. The choice was in the hands of those writing our paychecks, not us.

Before Our Featured Presentation

So, yeah. Whether or not I knew back then, Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie was a splice of two OVA episodes. It’s still complete, mind, so sans an “intermission,” we’re no worse for wear. In the localization process, this release contained trailers for some other ADV Films properties, as well as an English dub.

I have almost as much affection for the commercials preceding the movie as I do the main event. In particular, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water had an amazing trailer, and I always desperately wanted to see it. Alas, that desire remains unfulfilled. Someday.

OVA Contents

Also, this OVA/movie/whatever is genuinely really good. I know it might sound ridiculous, especially given the negative reputation the Sonic franchise has from approaching anything involving “story”, but it’s the truth. This was created back in 1996, so the brand hadn’t morphed into the inconsistent nightmare it is today. Nothing takes itself too seriously, and everyone has their classic characterization.

The plot involves Sonic having to fight against his equal, Metal Sonic, which is basically the most badass plot possible by the standards of a 10 year-old, so they chose well. Pierrot was the studio behind this, and they had recently wrapped up Yu Yu Hakusho, so they’re at the top of their game.

Sonic the Hedgehog OVA Verdict

Where this OVA really excels is just the general vibe of the entire thing. The music is phenomenal, and still occasionally pops into my head. There’s a peppy, vaguely-techno sheen to the presentation that reflects that “futuristic” optimism felt in a lot of Japanese media of the ’90s—often from Sega themselves. It’s maybe my favorite kind of nostalgia. Anyway, if you have given a shit about Sonic the Hedgehog at any point in your life, then I genuinely recommend watching this.

If you want a laugh, go look up some screenshots of the English DVD menus. Also, revel in the horrendous tagline ADV Films gave this release.