A new prequel story to the manga featuring hedgehog shadow it is expected to be released just in time for Sonic the Hedgehog 3long awaited release. With 2024 just a few weeks away, all eyes are on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Following the success of the previous two films, fans are gearing up for the final showdown between Sonic and Shadow, especially with Keanu Reeves set to voice the latter. Now, with just a few days left until its release, a new manga featuring the duo is preparing to release in select regions.
According to Manga Mogura RE (Anime and Manga News) on XParamount Pictures and SEGA of America are releasing a new manga starring Sonic and Shadow that serves as a prequel to the highly anticipated film. Entitled Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission – Episode 0the cover shows the titular hedgehogs approaching and preparing to throw a punch. It's beautifully captured in a mix of reds and blues with a style that looks like it's straight out of Shonen Jump. This exclusive manga title will only be distributed to a certain number of fans who watch the film… but there's a big catch to the promotion that fans will need to keep in mind before rushing to their local cinema.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 prequel manga will only be available in Japan
No worldwide release for this prequel story is currently planned
Unfortunately, Blue Blur fans won't be able to get a copy of this exclusive prequel story unless they plan to see the film in one of Japan's many cinemas. Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission – Episode 0 is currently set to be a one-off promotion that will only be distributed in Japan, with no worldwide release planned. This is why the image provided by Paramount and SEGA is only available in Japanese, as there are currently no other translations available.
There is still a possibility that this exclusive story will reach other countries in the future. It is not uncommon for titles that were previously exclusive to Japan to reach other audiences around the world. However, as this is a film promotion, it's entirely possible that this is a tale that doesn't entirely justify an individual global release. Instead, it could be provided as a potential special feature in the film's imminent Blu-Ray release. For now, though, there will be no way to get the new story unless fans find it for sale from someone who bought it in Japan through a popular web retailer like Amazon.
Japan-exclusive Sonic manga prequel has a good reason for being exclusive
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is shaping up to be a huge celebration of Sonic's Japanese roots
While it may disappoint some fans that they won't be able to read this new Sonic story, there actually appears to be some interesting strategy behind this exclusive release. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is shaping up to be a huge celebration of Japanese culture. From the Chao Garden Easter egg set in Tokyo to the film's official Japanese title – Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission the film will definitely pay homage to the place where Sonic was originally created by Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima. This manga is a way for Paramount and SEGA to celebrate Sonic's original birthplace, making it a fun little promotion for anyone who sees the film where it was made.
Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission – Episode 0 it is expected to be distributed to moviegoers in Japan starting December 27, 2024, when the film is officially released in Japan. Sonic has come a long way since his creation in the 90s. He has gone through many evolutions that have made him an icon worldwide. And now with the release of this manga featuring Shadow the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is celebrating how far the franchise has come in perfect fashion.
Sources: Manga Mogura RE (anime and manga news), Paramount Images
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the sequel to the 2022 comedy-adventure film that featured Blue Blur and his companions on an adventure to stop Dr. The new film sees new antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog arrive to cause trouble for the newly minted trio of heroes, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, as they adapt to their earthly lives.