App game "Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic" promo video & release date!

News from 2020.02.16
Archived on 2020.02.16

Promotion video for upcoming smartphone app game "Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic" was released on SEGA's official YouTube Channel!
The game is now available for pre-register on Google Play and App Store, and you will receive special items according to the number of registrations achieved!
100k: BGM "Ocean View" from Team Sonic Racing
300k: Training Points
500k: Badge of the mascot character of Tokyo 2020 Olympic "Miraitowa"

Release date is planned for May 7th 2020.

Information from official website

https://www.olympicvideogames.com/sonic/jp/

↑ ↑ ↑ Visit the website for interactive details & new images to the game! ↑ ↑ ↑ 

Playable characters
Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, Vector, Espio, Blaze, Silver, Eggman, Metal Sonic, Shadow, Zavok, Zazz, Jet, Rouge, Eggman Nega

Story
Sonic and his friends came to Tokyo for participating to the Olympic games.
Suddenly, the city of Tokyo was occupied by Eggman who plans to build the 'Eggman City'! At this rate, Tokyo Olympic can't be held...
Can Sonic win against Eggman with Olympic sports and take back the dominated Tokyo!?

Sports
Various sports from Tokyo Olympic games are included. Some of them are also available with extra rules and gimmicks unique to Sonic series!
- 400m hurdle
- 100m
- Hammer throw
- Archery
- Badminton
- Trap shooting
- 3m diving
- Trampolin
- Karate
- Sports climbing
- Fencing
- BMX racing
- Long jump
- Table tennis
- Javelin throw

Mini games based on Tokyo
- Tokyo Sky Tree Jump
- Number Lock
- Crane game
- Challenge quiz
- Egg Pawn Rush
- Find the Souvenior!

System
- Compete with worldwide players with each stage for the ranking.
- The country/region of top rankers decide which country/region is the strongest with each stage.
- Aim for the completion of every stage with your coutnry/region flag!
- Challenge other players with your own play record of a stage. Receive gift items as by playing with people from other countries/regions!


English version of the website:
https://www.olympicvideogames.com/sonic/en/
(other languages also available)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
I can't wait to the release of the game.
Pre-register now and let's get all the special gifts!

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More of Yasuhiro Moriki-san's Sonic X setting boards!

News from 2019.08.29
Archived on 2019.09.09

Mechanic designer Yasuhiro Moriki-san once again dug out his old arts - now we get to see even more setting boards from Sonic X!

★See this post for previous collection of his Sonic X setting boards.


1. Early setting boards for Sonic X.

アニメ「ソニックX」最初のシリーズの設定を発掘。

「D.N.ANGEL.」の設定と同時期に描いたもの。

「デカレンジャー」のデザイン画も同じケースにあったので、やはり同時期に描いた模様。

何だか凄い量の仕事をこなしてるなぁ…
今じゃ無理だけど… pic.twitter.com/7t4y7mDhM1

— 森木 靖泰 (@kouryoukan) August 29, 2019

↓　 ↓　 ↓　

New trailers & website update on "Mario&Sonic AT 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games"!

News from 2019.08.20-21
Archived on 2019.08.21

New trailers of "Mario & Sonic AT 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games" were released & official website of the game was updated with tons of new information!

There are two versions of the trailer: one for US & Europe and one for Japan, which is longer and has more interesting new footages.

These trailers confirmed the anticipated '2D Classic Mode' of the game which was teased in the first trailer in June. Moreover, the release dates were revealed to be beginning of November this year!

Have a look at them yourself!

↓　↓　↓

Don't miss this, Sonic fans! Crush 40's best edition album "DRIVING THROUGH FOREVER - THE ULTIMATE CRUSH 40 COLLECTION"

News from 2019.08.12
Archived on 2019.08.16

Crush 40's best edition album "DRIVING THROUGH FOREVER - THE ULTIMATE CRUSH 40 COLLECTION" is out now!

Senoue-san explained on Twitter about his track choices and retakes he has done for the new album.
I translated them briefly so that you get the idea too!

Crush 40の新規編集ベスト盤、"DRIVING THROUGH FOREVER - THE ULTIMATE CRUSH 40 COLLECTION"は好評発売中！色々と忙しかったこともあり、6月発売済の"THE WORKS III"も、これも、タイムリーにリリースのタイミングで告知できてませんでした！17曲収録のCDにボーナスDVD付き！
ぜひCDを入手してね！ pic.twitter.com/BS1QdQLMuI

— crush40 (@crush40) August 12, 2019

The CD comes with 17 tracks chosen from Crush 40's most popular songs, plus a bonus DVD with video clip to every song! Don't miss it!

01. GREEN LIGHT RIDE：目下の最新作となる『チームソニックレーシング』のメインテーマ。シンプルな編成、構成でまとめた曲。Crush 40ナンバーとしては久しぶりにレギュラーチューニングで作ったかも。ちなみに、この曲のレコーディングにおいては全編に渡ってストラトのシングルコイルで録りました。

— crush40 (@crush40) August 12, 2019

01. GREEN LIGHT RIDE, the main theme of "Team Sonic Racing".
Simple structure. A Crush 40 song with regular tuning. Strat single coil.

New Sonic goods for SEGA's lucky tombola online!

News from 2019.07.24
Archived on 2019.08.14

New Sonic merchandise for SEGA's lucky tombola online will be available tomorrow ~ Aug 25th!
Try your luck with 500 yen and get a clear folder, tin badges, key chain or a tote bag!
(SEGA ID is required; shipping in end November, only inside Japan)

Look how adorable this artwork is!

There is no empty draw; you win a prize with every draw! See details to the prize by clicking on the picture abve (leads to the homepage with list of prizes & the percentage chances for winning them with each draw).

If you live in Japan or have an address to send your prize to, try this out and get these items! If the demand is high enough, they might consider making second set with more Sonic characters in this style. I would like to see that!


These were the announcement tweet by SEGA Plaza Official, SEGA Official and Sonic Committee.

【オンラインくじ】“セガ ラッキーくじオンライン「ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」”、7月25日(木)12:00よりついに発売開始です！全等級の賞品情報も公開しました！オンラインでくじを引いて、ここだけのアイテムをGETしよう！　https://t.co/7oLi0oQStL　#ソニック pic.twitter.com/9C3u4brVEs

— セガプラザ公式 (@seganewsnavi) July 24, 2019

7月25日12:00スタート！
“セガ ラッキーくじオンライン「ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」”

クリアファイル、缶バッチ（2個セット）、アクリルキーホルダー、トートバックをご用意！パソコンやスマートフォンからくじが引けるので、アクセスしてくださいね♪！

⇒ https://t.co/lZfeN4HhPC#ソニック pic.twitter.com/ru9PNLqAnU

— セガ公式アカウント (@SEGA_OFFICIAL) July 24, 2019

🔵New Sonic goods for SEGA's lucky tombola online will be available tomorrow ~ Aug 25th!
Try your luck with 500 yen and get a clear folder, tin badges, key chain or a tote bag!
(SEGA ID is required; shipping in end November, only inside Japan) https://t.co/slsThgZyDH

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) July 24, 2019

Senoue-san approves them too!😄

パソコンやスマホでくじが引けるセガ ラッキーくじオンライン「ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグ」、好評発売中！A賞は水彩タッチの絵柄が可愛いトートバッグです！
現在ECサイトで予約受付中の“おでかけぬいぐるみ”と一緒にGETしてくださいね！#ソニックチャンネル https://t.co/ThurTixhwT #SonicChannel pic.twitter.com/aZiEVEvSB6

— ソニック委員会「R」 (@sonic20th) August 7, 2019

The tombola available until August 25th. Don't miss this chance!
Enjoy & comment below which prize you won!


Tweets collected by: Tabiki
Texts by: Knuttunk

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Sonic and Tails appear in OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

News from 2019.07.20
Archived on 2019.08.16

Big news! A collaboration between Sonic the Hedgehog and the American action comedy animation series "OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes" happened!
Sonic and Tails will visit the world of OK K.O.! They already showed us a sneak peak on the animation... this looks 'way past cool'!

Thank you @sonic_hedgehog for visiting OK KO! Everyone please stay tuned for the full episode on Sunday August 4! https://t.co/ilc8mubnNv

— ianjq (@ianjq) July 19, 2019

Surprise! Sonic is visiting OK KO! on Sunday, August 4th on @cartoonnetwork! pic.twitter.com/bvLkNQJixA

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) July 19, 2019

Way past cool! https://t.co/cNEtKdnMQw

— Roger Craig Smith (@RogerCraigSmith) July 19, 2019

Huge kudos - @ianjq and the entire team at @cartoonnetwork did a fantastic job on this episode. Don't miss it! https://t.co/KyTElT8Iey

— Aaron Webber (@RubyEclipse) July 19, 2019

And the day has come! The episode "Let's Meet Sonic" was released on August 4th.

Today, people!
This was such a blast to hang with the #okko team!
Tune in to @cartoonnetwork!#SonicTheHedgehog https://t.co/ixSWp0Hcio

— Roger Craig Smith (@RogerCraigSmith) August 4, 2019

Today’s the day! Join Sonic in an all-new epic crossover with KO at 4:45pm on @cartoonnetwork! pic.twitter.com/vueccFHYxU

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) August 4, 2019

I can't wait for you all to see this labor of love! Huge props and congrats to everyone who made this a reality! https://t.co/vz83FK6J33

— Katie - MiniKitty (@KatieChrz) August 4, 2019

The episode contained lots of references and easter eggs from Sonic series! Overall it seems to be received well to majority of the fandom.
Did you watch it live? How did you like it?


Tweets collected by: Tabiki
Texts by: Knuttunk
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Hideki Naganuma wants a 'Sonic Set Radio'!

News from 2019.07.14
Archived on 2019.07.22

Hideki Naganuma-san mentioned Sonic again! His favorite character is Blaze the Cat, and he showed his interest in taking part in another SEGA game again, saying a mixture of Sonic and Jet Set Radio would be his 'dream'.

Sonic the Hedgehog.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) July 14, 2019

Sonic the Hedgehog is a media franchise owned by Sega, centering on a series of high-speed platform games. Sonic, the protagonist, is an anthropomorphic blue hedgehog with supersonic speed.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) July 14, 2019

Sonic Set Radio... is my dream.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) July 14, 2019

Blaze the Cat... is my favorite.

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) July 14, 2019

😍❣️ RT @andreslop24: same pic.twitter.com/IWmiBRp92x

— HIDEKI NAGANUMA｜長沼 英樹 (@Hideki_Naganuma) July 15, 2019

Well that would be interesting!
What kind of game would a 'Sonic Set Radio' game look like? What's your ideas?

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Sonic Emblem T-shirt available at EDITMODE

News from 2019.07.11
Archived on 2019.07.22

New Sonic merchandise are now available from EDITMODE! Get your new Sonic T-shirts now!

EDITMODEよりソニックエンブレムTシャツが発売！初代ソニック・ザ・ヘッジホッグのタイトル画面にも使用されている象徴的なエンブレムモチーフを、シルクスクリーンプリントの多色刷りで表現しました。#ソニックチャンネルhttps://t.co/ohcOJfafnm

— ソニック委員会「R」 (@sonic20th) July 11, 2019

EDITMODEより1POINTソニックポケットTが発売！2011年にソニック20周年記念商品として“ドットライクブランド”で制作した「1POINTソニックポケットT」が、ボディカラーをネイビーと新たにブラックを追加して、“GET READYブランド”として復活！#ソニックチャンネルhttps://t.co/0FyDsyXAqY

— ソニック委員会「R」 (@sonic20th) July 11, 2019

🔵Sonic Emblem T-shirt is also available at EDITMODE! https://t.co/5yx9ct3JWP

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) July 11, 2019

🔵 'One-point Sonic Pocket T-shirt' which was originally designed for the 20th anniversary in 2011 are now available at EDITMODE in two color variants! https://t.co/Awg5xbJiCR

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) July 11, 2019

Tweets collected by: Tabiki
Texts by: Knuttunk

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Senoue-san asks: What's your top 3 tracks from TSR?

News from 2019.07.07
Archived on 2019.07.22

Senoue-san asks you the top three favorite tracks from Team Sonic Racing's soundtrack MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE! What's yours?

Let me know your top 3 favorite songs on "MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE" TEAM SONIC RACING Original Soundtrack. Let's go!

Apple: https://t.co/6axcNQgxIp
Spotify: https://t.co/cGoEpEBIbI
AmazonMusic: https://t.co/O5t7Cjr0tG
Google: https://t.co/SDjSV1L0hN

Link may be vary on your locations. pic.twitter.com/bBp12csXpf

— crush40 (@crush40) July 7, 2019

Later he posted his top 3 list! Did you and Senoue-san have anything in common?

Enjoy your weekend with TEAM SONIC RACING music! I wanna hear your top 3 favorite songs on this soundtrack. You don't have to repost if you did last weekend, thank you! Mine is "Frozen Junkyard", "Mother's Canyon" and "Sand Road". And of course GLR. Hard to pick! How about yours? https://t.co/Q9KMm1w2F0

— crush40 (@crush40) July 13, 2019

Buy and listen to the CD on various music streaming sites!

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'Mario & Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games': Famitsu interview with producer Takaya Ōhashi-san

News from 2019.06.27
Archived on 2019.06.27

Famitsu released an interview conducted on E3 with Takaya Ōhashi-san, the producer of the upcoming latest game to Mario & Sonic series: the 'Mario & Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games' for Nintendo Switch!

Here is a brief summary.

「本作を遊んで、東京2020オリンピックをより楽しんでほしい」『マリオ&ソニック AT 東京2020オリンピックTM』プロデューサー・大橋宜哉氏インタビュー【E3 2019】 https://t.co/cmJGlaJaDT pic.twitter.com/uAHv5wg6uL

— ファミ通.com (@famitsu) June 26, 2019

GO TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FIRST

Original Article:
「本作を遊んで、東京2020オリンピックをより楽しんでほしい」『マリオ&ソニック AT 東京2020オリンピックTM』プロデューサー・大橋宜哉氏インタビュー【E3 2019】
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201906/27178599.html

GO TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FIRST

'Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games': Famitsu interview with Kasahara-san

News from 2019.06.27
Archived on 2019.06.27

Famitsu released an interview conducted on E3 with Eigo Kasahara-san, the director of the upcoming smartphone app game 'Sonic AT Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games'!

Here is a brief summary.

191ヵ国で競い合う！『ソニック AT 東京2020オリンピックTM』の詳細を深掘り。ディレクター・笠原英伍氏にインタビュー【E3 2019】 https://t.co/dfWqHCjFfu pic.twitter.com/e56bF2IZLZ

— ファミ通.com (@famitsu) June 26, 2019

GO TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FIRST

Original Article:
191ヵ国で競い合う！『ソニック AT 東京2020オリンピックTM』の詳細を深掘り。ディレクター・笠原英伍氏にインタビュー【E3 2019】
https://www.famitsu.com/news/201906/27178624.html

GO TO THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FIRST

NDW's direct interview with TSR teams #5: Team Eggman

News from 2019.05.21
Archived on 2019.05.21

Nintendo Dreams conducted an interview with each team of Team Sonic Racing!

The full article can be found on their vol. 302 issued this month, but they are also releasing a part of these interviews online!

Each interview-part will be released on Nintendo Dreams Web (NDW) from April 23rd onwards every Tuesday towards the game release on May 21st.

And I will translate all of them and collect them here on my archive blog!

Schedule for Team Sonic Racing racers direct interview:
#1: Team Sonic (April 23rd) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#2: Team Rose (April 30th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#3: Team Dark (May 7th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#4: Team Vector (May 14th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#5: Team Eggman (May 21st) - you are here 


The third team they interviewed is... Team Eggman!

『#チームソニックレーシング』発売おめでとうございます！
NDWにて毎週火曜日に更新してきた、ソニックたちに直接インタビューする企画もついに最終回。
本日より第5回「チームエッグマン」公開です。悪の天才科学者、NDWに来たる！https://t.co/n9a2z8BugH pic.twitter.com/vltWpzeUta

— ニンテンドードリーム編集部（ニンドリ） (@nindori) May 21, 2019

🔵On the release day of Team Sonic Racing, the evil genius gives an interview to NDW! Read the 5th and the last article to the TSR teams direct interview series! https://t.co/Pen9fl0Buq

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 21, 2019

【特別企画】『チームソニックレーシング』レーサー直撃インタビュー！ その5「チーム エッグマン」

https://www.ndw.jp/teamsonicracing-interview_eggman/

↑↑↑↑　As usual, check out the original article first!   ↑↑↑↑

TSR developers' video message to fans right before the game release!

News from 2019.05.20
Archived on 2019.05.20

Tomorrow is the day! Team Sonic Racing will be released on May 21st!

Nintendo Dream, who has been releasing the Team Sonic Racing direct interviews every Tuesday
, has released a video today - this time it's messages from the TSR developers to fans!

Listen to the video message by Director Kawarazuka-san, Lead Composer Senoue-san and Producer Iizuka-san's passion towards the game and get ready to boost on!

いよいよ明日5月21日、#チームソニックレーシング 発売!
発売を記念して、開発陣のみなさまからファンの皆様へのビデオメッセージを公開します！
本作と同日に発売となるニンドリ7月号では、お三方のインタビューも実施していますので、合わせてお楽しみください。https://t.co/ik48FrdOaO

— ニンドリくんと編集部の仲間たち (@Nindorikun) May 20, 2019

🔵 Video message from the developers of Team Sonic Racing to fans! Listen to the messages from Director Kawarazuka-san, Lead Composer Senoue-san and Producer Iizuka-san and get ready for the game release tomorrow! https://t.co/rGIfbTPaza

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 20, 2019

Translation:

NDW's direct interview with TSR teams #4: Team Vector

News from 2019.05.14
Archived on 2019.05.14

Nintendo Dreams conducted an interview with each team of Team Sonic Racing!

The full article can be found on their vol. 302 issued this month, but they are also releasing a part of these interviews online!

Each interview-part will be released on Nintendo Dreams Web (NDW) from April 23rd onwards every Tuesday towards the game release on May 21st.

And I will translate all of them and collect them here on my archive blog!

Schedule for Team Sonic Racing racers direct interview:
#1: Team Sonic (April 23rd) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#2: Team Rose (April 30th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#3: Team Dark (May 7th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#4: Team Vector (May 14th) - you are here 
#5: Team Eggman (May 21st) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION


The third team they interviewed is... Team Vector!

『#チームソニックレーシング』に参戦するソニックの仲間たちに直接インタビュー！ NDWにて毎週火曜日に更新中です。本日より第3回「チームベクター」公開！
ベクター・シルバー・ブレイズが登場、彼らの軽快な掛け合いにご注目ください♪ https://t.co/n9a2z8BugH pic.twitter.com/s4W3xG8052

— ニンテンドードリーム編集部（ニンドリ） (@nindori) May 14, 2019

🔵NDW's Team Sonic Racing direct interview: Team Vector is now online! https://t.co/TkQOHu3zsZ

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 14, 2019

【特別企画】『チームソニックレーシング』レーサー直撃インタビュー！ その4「チーム ベクター」

https://www.ndw.jp/teamsonicracing-interview_vector/

↑↑↑↑　As usual, check out the original article first!   ↑↑↑↑

Translation

DARTSLIVE collaboration with Team Sonic Racing! Get free TSR theme for limited time!

News from 2019.05.10
Archived on 2019.05.25

The dar game DARTSLIVE is collaborating with Team Sonic Racing!
Its original TSR-designed theme is now available for.. FREE!
Get the theme while you can! Offer ends on June 16th.

セガよりリリースされる『#チームソニックレーシング』の発売を記念して、オリジナルデザインのテーマを…なんと、0Coinで販売します!!!
ゲットできるのはこの期間だけ！アクセル全開でカードページへGO!!!!https://t.co/F9ankYr8aY#ソニック #ダーツ #DARTSLIVE pic.twitter.com/BHkPeO8Eo8

— DARTSLIVE / ダーツライブ (@DARTSLIVE) May 9, 2019

Kanemaru-san saw the information and offers everyone to play the game & get the special theme!

是非に❗ https://t.co/uebCjqsUMf

— 金丸淳一VoiceActor&Vocalist Kanemaru Jun-ichi (@junichisonic) May 10, 2019

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Mazin-san on Sonic CD: 'I'm outta here' or 'I'm outer here'?

News from 2019.05.09
Archived on 2019.05.26

Have you ever left the game untouched for 3 minutes long while playing Sonic CD?
Then you must have seen Sonic jumping off the stage, saying "I'm outta here'. And you've successfully lost a life.

This is Mazin-san's another unique contribution to Sonic CD, aside from that infamous 'Fun is Infinite' illustration which he addressed the other day.

And today, he spoke about his voice acting for Sonic as he found an old game magazine with an article on Sonic CD development team!

海外で出てたグッズの影響で「I'm outta here.」って浸透してたけど、自分で喋った時は「I'm outer here.」って言った記憶があってよく分からなくなってたけど、当時の雑誌の画像が出て来てやっぱりouterで合ってたｗ
ていうか私の英語の発音が悪かったんだろうｗ
ていうかみんな若いな・・・ pic.twitter.com/fLKtNFpCLc

— まぢん (@Mazin__) May 9, 2019

"Due to influence of overseas merchandise, 'I'm outta here.' is now common - but I remember saying it as 'I'm outer here.' and got confused. But now I found this image from a magazine from that time, and as I checked, I was right with 'outer'.
I guess my English pronounciation was bad. *laugh*
By the way, everyone looks so young..."
- Masato Nishimura (Mazin)


So it seems like in his script back then, it was written as 'I'm outer here'!
But that doesn't quite make sense as an English sentence in that context. I think 'I'm outta here' is correct because that means 'I'm going out of here', the shortform of a verb - which Sonic executes as he says. He is not in the state of being 'outside' of the game yet, so using 'outer' (an adjective) wouldn't fit here.

The pronounciation of both words are a similar and might sound pretty much the same to those who are not faimilar with English that much. The scriptwriter, Mazin-san and the magazine writer apparently didn't know the difference. Welp!

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NDW's direct interview with TSR teams #3: Team Dark

News from 2019.05.07
Archived on 2019.05.07

Nintendo Dreams conducted an interview with each team of Team Sonic Racing!

The full article can be found on their vol. 302 issued this month, but they are also releasing a part of these interviews online!

Each interview-part will be released on Nintendo Dreams Web (NDW) from April 23rd onwards every Tuesday towards the game release on May 21st.

And I will translate all of them and collect them here on my archive blog!

Schedule for Team Sonic Racing racers direct interview:
#1: Team Sonic (April 23rd) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#2: Team Rose (April 30th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#3: Team Dark (May 7th) - you are here 
#4: Team Vector (May 14th) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION
#5: Team Eggman (May 21st) - ORIGINAL / TRANSLATION


The third team they interviewed is... Team Dark!

『#チームソニックレーシング』に参戦するソニックたちに直接インタビュー！
NDWにて毎週火曜日に更新中です。本日より第3回「チームダーク」公開！
ふだんはクールな3人の“絶妙”な掛け合いをお楽しみください♪https://t.co/n9a2z8BugH pic.twitter.com/632q0qeRWl

— ニンテンドードリーム編集部（ニンドリ） (@nindori) May 7, 2019

🔵NDW's Team Sonic Racing interview #3 is up online! This time it's Team Dark's turn! https://t.co/RwTNHEL2UR

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 7, 2019

【特別企画】『チームソニックレーシング』レーサー直撃インタビュー！ その3「チーム ダーク」

https://www.ndw.jp/teamsonicracing-interview_dark/

↑↑↑↑　As usual, check out the original article first!   ↑↑↑↑

Translation

Maekawa-san on SA2 analysis - "Did SA2 take Sonic's life?"

News from 2019.05.05
Archived on 2019.05.06

Do you like heavy and serious stories for Sonic?

Then you definitely like Maekawa-san's script.

He is the man who wrote scenario&plot for Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic Heroes, Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, and Sonic and the Black Knight, along with his other contributions to the series as game planner and designer.

And today, he stumbled upon a fan's analysis on how Sonic Adventure 2, for it being a masterpiece, "ended Sonic":

「ソニアド2がソニックの息の根を止めた」😱😱😱 https://t.co/8cdeRqwzox

— 前川司郎 (@mizuhano) May 4, 2019

マリオとの比較はマトを得ているカモ。
今でこそ仲良く並んでスポーツに興じているが昔はシノギを削るライバルだったし、マリオに勝つために、敢えてマリオとは違う路線に突き進もうとしていたのは確か。

— 前川司郎 (@mizuhano) May 4, 2019

あのまま進んでいれば今のアベンジャーズになれた可能性も…いや、ないか😅

— 前川司郎 (@mizuhano) May 4, 2019

取り敢えずソニアド2のシナリオ書いた奴は死刑で👍

— 前川司郎 (@mizuhano) May 4, 2019

Here are my translations and response:

🔵Maekawa-san reacted to a Sonic fan's theory analysing that SA2 was what took Sonic's life as its complicated story unlike simple 'defeat Eggman because he is the baddy' caused fans' high expectations and inability to accept light story with easygoing attitude of Sonic anymore:

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

" 'SA2 was what took Sonic's life' 😱😱😱"

"Their comparison to Mario might be true.
Today they can stand side by side to enjoy sports together, but back then they were rivals, and it's true that we were trying to go for other direction than Mario in order to win against him."
-

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

- "If we had chosen to pursue that direction further, Sonic might had the possibility to become today's Avengers... Or probably not."
-

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

- "Alright, so the guy who wrote SA2's scenario gets death penalty👍"- Shiro Maekawa

No Maekawa-san! You brought us so many more great stories like Sonic Heroes, Sonic 06, Sonic and the Black Knight. You deserve to be hired at SEGA again to tell us more about Sonic's adventures!

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

I knew he was joking in his last tweet, but still I felt that he was shocked by hearing this and wanted to encourage him. Because I really love the Sonic scenario he writes and want him back in Sonic Team again for more great stories that give people hope, joy and life lessons.

And even though SA2 was the most successful work in Sonic series, there were many games which came afterwards and had great stories with good balance of comedy and seriousness - incuding Maekawa-san's other works. My top favorites are Sonic World Adventure and the Storybook series (Sonic and the Secret Rings, Sonic and the Black Knight). There are still many games I haven't played, but I hear that Sonic Heroes and Sonic Battle have good stories too.
So even though I partially understand the theory of this fan, I don't agree with it 100%. It's more of the problem of stories from Sonic Colors and on which in some parts lacked the basic essence of character personalities and consistensy as a story. Sure, because I first played Sonic World Adventure and Storybook series and grew up with this cool and caring Sonic, this one would stay as my ideal Sonic. I was also playing Colors a short while later, and thought that story itself is really good - just some of Sonic's lines and his actions in cutscenes were a little too childish compared to the Sonic I met in previous three works. Then Generations came in, with the cool Sonic again but lacking much story. Well, for this one being an anniversary title, I could take it easily. Then Lost World, Boom, and Forces. I had hard time finding the Sonic I knew from few years ago. Sure he had cool moments, but somehow he didn't shine much as a character like before. It's in the story, it's i nthe lines, it's in the actions - all these factors affect a character's impression, And this has changed a lot over the last decade.
It's true that I have hard time accepting Sonic who acts self-centered rather than trying to help others in needs. I do have high ideal of Sonic's character - but so was the depiction of him in the past series  for a very long time. The main points are even written in their character description on official website. And it's been working well. Why did they change it then? Why did they hire somebody who has zero understanding towards Sonic universe as scenario writer?

I hope Sonic Team will have better people for plot and scenario writer who can convey the already establihed personalities of Sonic characters through the game. A game first needs good action, and second they need good stage design, and third, if the game is character-driven, a good story to make players want to continue playing. + great music to make everything better. Sonic Team never fails with the last point, but for other three they sometimes seem to have difficulties with some of them.

Maekawa-san himself has been saying that if he has a chance, he would gladly take the opportunity to write more stories for Sonic series. It would be wonderful if this can be realized.

SEGA, please hire Maekawa-san again for Sonic plots and scenarios! Please---!

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May the Chaos Drive be with you...

News from 2019.05.04
Archived on 2019.05.06

May the Force be with you...

Here, have your favorite Sonic Movie: CHAO IN SPACE!!!

May the 4th be with you! pic.twitter.com/fQxFZIlIr5

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) May 4, 2019

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Kanemaru-san and Naka-san on unique TV commercial of Sonic Adventure!

News from 2019.05.04-06
Archived on 2019.05.06
It looks like it's a Look-back day on Sonic Adventure!

Kanemaru-san and Naka-san talk about their memories on Sonic Adventure's unique TV commercial!

Kanemaru-san recalled the bizzare but fun TV ad which was aired in Japan for promoting Sonic Adventure before its release.

何度観てもシュールな感じがスキ。#ソニックアドベンチャー#Dreamcasthttps://t.co/1STh5OeIBK

— 金丸淳一VoiceActor&Vocalist Kanemaru Jun-ichi (@junichisonic) May 5, 2019

🔵 Kanemaru-san on Sonic Adventure's ad with Sonic Plush:
"I like the surreal way of this commercial every time I watch it."
RT⬇

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

Sonic really seems to have fun in the CM, and Kanemaru-san's voice acting is perfect for its comedic touch! I can't stop smiling while watching this one.

Then Naka-san found his tweet and responded to it too!

ソニックアドベンチャーのCM懐かしいですね。確かこのCMの撮影場所ってオーストラリアで撮影だったと思うのですが、僕は忙しくて連れて行ってもらえなかったんですよ。飛行機から飛んだソニックは何体か飛んだそうですよ。だれか回収してあげて下さい(^^) https://t.co/mesKEsM6XJ

— Yuji Naka / 中　裕司 (@nakayuji) May 5, 2019

🔵Naka-san on Kanemaru-san's tweet on SA ad w/ Sonic Plush:
"This commercial for Sonic Adventure is nostalgic. If I recall correctly, they filmed this in Australia - I was too busy so I couldn't go. I heard that many Sonic flew from the airplane. Somebody, please collect them!"↓

— ●SonicJPNews● (@SonicJPNews) May 5, 2019

Oh wow, so they really did throw several Sonic plushies out of the plane, it's no CG at all...! I wonder what kind of adventures those Sonic are having in Australia now...


And Kanemaru-san replied Naka-san's comment!

ソニックを探せツアー in Australia～！

一緒に行きたかったですね、中さん！

— 金丸淳一VoiceActor&Vocalist Kanemaru Jun-ichi (@junichisonic) May 5, 2019

"Find Sonic Tour in Australia!
I wish we could go there together, Naka-san!"
- Junichi Kanemaru


That would be another opportunity for cool documentrary!
I really love the Sonic Adventure Production Presentation event they had back then including 'Sonic Adventure Story', a documentary video on Sonic Team travelling to mid-south America for collecting materials for game development. It's really cool!

Here is a video with Japanese and English captions. (I helped out a little with Japanese one.)
Have a look!



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