Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!
Doctor Robotnik is back Sonic the Hedgehog 3 after almost dying in Sonic the Hedgehog 2and here's how he survived the end of the second film. Jim Carrey plays newcomer Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3but he also returns as Ivo Robotnik, Sonic's original nemesis in the live-action film series. This was shocking to many fans, as it appeared that Doctor Robotnik died at the end of the previous film, with his survival being one of the biggest revelations of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has finally been released, and the Robotnik family plays a bigger role than ever before, with Ivo Robotnik accompanied by Gerald Robotnik and his late granddaughter, Maria. Doctor Robotnik has an interesting arc in Sonic the Hedgehog 3with him initially having to work alongside Team Sonic to find out who released Keanu Reeves' Shadow the Hedgehog. Upon learning of his grandfather's existence, however, Robotnik changes sides, once again assuming the role of villain from the previous two films.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 doesn't explain how Dr. Robotnik survived the end of Sonic 2
He only appears in the third film
Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are shocked to discover that Doctor Robotnik is still alive in Sonic the Hedgehog 3for they thought he certainly died at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The second film ends with Sonic defeating Robotnik's Giant Eggman Robot, with the machine collapsing. Doctor Robotnik apparently falls to his death alongside the machine, with Team Sonic and the GUN organization believing him to be dead at the beginning of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Team Sonic discovers that Robotnik and Agent Stone are living inside a giant robotic crab in Sonic the Hedgehog 3and despite characters pointing out that he should be dead, the film never explains how he is still alive. Robotnik never talks about how he avoided death during the destruction of the Giant Eggman Robot, with him simply pointing out that he is still alive before the film continues with his story.
How Robotnik Potentially Survived Sonic 2
Could it have to do with the Master Emerald
There are a few possible explanations for how Doctor Robotnik could have survived the end of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Most likely it has to do with Doctor Robotnik's contact with the Master Emerald, which made him incredibly powerful. The Master Emerald's lingering effects could have given Robotnik enough power to survive the fall, allowing him to return in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Although the villain is goofy, Doctor Robotnik is incredibly intelligent, meaning he could have predicted Sonic defeating his robot. It's possible that Robotnik had some kind of contingency plan, with an off-screen robotic invention saving his life. It's doubtful a future film will explain how Robotnik is alive, meaning that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 left this matter entirely to speculation.