Sega surprised fans at Anime Expo 2026 by announcing Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond, a new short animated film marking 35 years of the blue hedgehog. The studio released a sneak peek video at the event, with the full film coming this fall.

The story follows Dr. Eggman's latest scheme: upgrading Metal Sonic into the ultimate fighter by stealing Sonic's life-data and harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds. To stop this threat, Sonic and his friends must lean on the bonds they've built through their adventures—a fitting theme for celebrating the franchise's long history.

The panel at Anime Expo featured key members of the Sonic art and animation team, including Takashi Iizuka, Austin Keys, and Jasmin Hernandez, who discussed the character's enduring legacy and future direction.

Beyond the anniversary short, the Sonic franchise continues expanding across multiple media. The live-action Sonic the Hedgehog 4 film is scheduled for March 19, 2027, with a fifth live-action film planned for 2028. On the manga side, Yūki Imada launched Sonic to Yūki no Tsurugi (Sonic and the Blade of Courage) in Shogakukan's Monthly CoroCoro Comic magazine last June.

These announcements underscore the franchise's continued momentum. As of 2022, Sonic had sold over 1.51 billion units across video games and digital downloads, making it one of gaming's most successful properties. The combination of a nostalgic animated short, theatrical films, and original manga shows Sega's commitment to keeping Sonic relevant across generations of fans.

Whether you're a longtime Sonic enthusiast or newer to the series, Memories and Beyond looks to be a love letter to the franchise's storied past while keeping its eye on the future.