Is Elise Sonic’s Girlfriend? Untangling the Romance in the Sonic Universe
The short answer: Yes, Princess Elise the Third is considered Sonic’s girlfriend within the context of the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game. However, this relationship is highly controversial and exists within a specific, and largely unpopular, corner of the Sonic canon. The relationship is not a consistent or prevailing one across the entire franchise. To understand the complexities, let’s delve deeper.
The Contentious Relationship
Love in a 3D World
The 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game introduced players to Princess Elise III, a human sovereign of Soleanna, and portrayed a budding romantic relationship between her and the blue blur himself. Elise was not a Mobian, nor an anthropomorphic animal like most of Sonic’s acquaintances. This fact, coupled with the implied romantic intimacy between a human and a cartoon hedgehog, caused a major uproar amongst fans. This is why the idea of Elise being Sonic’s girlfriend is so divisive.
More Than Just a Damsel
While Elise was initially kidnapped by Dr. Eggman as a ploy to control the Flames of Disaster locked within her, her character was portrayed as more than just a damsel in distress. She displayed tenacity, a desire for normalcy despite her royal duties, and a genuine connection with Sonic. This connection is specifically framed as a romantic one, with lingering stares, close proximity, and culminating in a kiss. This romantic angle was unusual for the Sonic games at the time, where character interactions were usually more action-oriented.
The Kiss Heard ‘Round the Fandom
The kiss between Sonic and Elise is one of the major points of contention. It solidified the romantic dynamic between them and sent shockwaves through the fan community. Whether the kiss was a ‘tongue-slip’ or not, as some have speculated, it was definitely a kiss born out of romantic feeling for a character many found jarringly out of place. This has led many to reject Elise as a love interest for Sonic and question if this was the intention.
The Bigger Picture: Sonic’s Other Romantic Entanglements
While the 2006 game presented Elise as Sonic’s romantic interest, this stands in contrast to other established relationships and hints at romantic feelings within the franchise. The most notable is Sonic’s relationship with Amy Rose, the pink hedgehog who considers herself his girlfriend.
The Enduring Admiration of Amy Rose
Amy Rose is the self-proclaimed girlfriend of Sonic and has a long-running infatuation with the blue hero. While Sonic doesn’t usually reciprocate her advances, the comic books and other media have hinted at secret feelings on his part. This dynamic provides a stark contrast to the relationship with Elise, one of a somewhat comedic but persistent pursuit versus a more dramatic and fleeting romance.
Alternative Futures and Love Interests
Further complicating the situation, some alternate timelines, like the Mobius: X Years Later arc, see Sonic married to Sally Acorn and having children. This shows a different possible love interest, one outside the traditional canon and game continuity.
The End of Human Romance
In a move to avoid further controversies, Takashi Iizuka, a producer of many Sonic games, has unofficially stated that Sonic will not be kissing any humans in future games. This effectively ended any possibility of further developing the Sonic/Elise relationship in the main gaming canon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonic’s Love Life
1. Did Sonic date Elise?
Yes, within the context of the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, Sonic did indeed date Elise. Their relationship was presented as a romantic love story, albeit a controversial one.
2. Did Sonic have feelings for Elise?
Yes, Sonic is shown to have romantic feelings for Elise in the 2006 game, admiring her tenacity and desire to be normal.
3. Who is Sonic’s self-proclaimed girlfriend?
Amy Rose, a pink hedgehog, is Sonic’s self-proclaimed girlfriend. She is a character who has an energetic and persistent crush on him.
4. Who is Sonic’s human girlfriend?
Princess Elise III of Soleanna is the closest thing to a “human girlfriend” that Sonic has had within the main canon, due to the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game.
5. Who did Sonic marry in the comics?
In the “Mobius: X Years Later” arc, Sonic marries Sally Acorn and they have two children, Sonia and Manik. This is part of an alternate future, not the standard canon.
6. Who has a crush on Sonic?
Amy Rose has a long-standing and very obvious crush on Sonic. She was introduced in Sonic CD and has been a staple character ever since.
7. Is Amy Sonic’s girlfriend?
Amy Rose considers herself Sonic’s girlfriend, but the feelings are not consistently reciprocated by Sonic in the games.
8. Why does Elise kiss Sonic?
Elise kisses Sonic because she is romantically in love with him, despite the unusual nature of the pairing.
9. Why does Eggman want Elise?
Eggman kidnaps Elise to use her power over the Flames of Disaster, which is locked within her.
10. How old is Elise in Sonic?
Elise is 17 years old in the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game.
11. Does Sonic kiss humans?
Sonic kissed Elise in the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game, but the producers have stated that will not happen again.
12. Does Sonic secretly love Amy?
While not explicitly confirmed in the games, some comics and other media suggest that Sonic has secret feelings for Amy, though these are often unacknowledged in his usual adventures.
13. Who has a crush on Amy?
In the unofficial comics, Sonic is shown to have secret feelings for Amy, in the series Tails mentioned that she has an “unhealthy attachment” to Sonic.
14. Who is Sonic’s twin sister?
Sonic does have a twin sister named Katrina, otherwise known as Katie in the Archie Comics series.
15. Who is Sonic’s sister?
Sonia is the sister of Sonic and Manic in the Sonic Underground series. She isn’t related to Sonic in the main timeline.
Conclusion
The relationship between Sonic and Elise remains a point of contention in the Sonic fandom. While the 2006 Sonic the Hedgehog game definitively portrayed them as having romantic feelings for each other, this is not a relationship that is consistently followed through in the rest of the franchise. The controversy surrounding the human/cartoon pairing, combined with the presence of other potential love interests like Amy Rose, makes Elise’s status as Sonic’s girlfriend a complicated matter. In the end, it is a singular instance of a different direction for the series, one that, ultimately, the franchise has moved away from.