Thirty-five years of Sonic history are heading to Ikebukuro this week, including development materials that have never previously been shown to the public.
SONIC the Exhibition -ACROSS GENERATIONS- opens at PARCO FACTORY on the seventh floor of Ikebukuro PARCO on October 9, bringing together game archives, scripts, character and production materials, music, new artwork from 16 guest artists and a range of exhibition merchandise.
The exhibition runs through November 1, with admission priced at ¥1,500 including tax. Opening hours are 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with final admission at 8:30 PM. The final day closes early at 6:00 PM.
The timed-entry ticket lottery covering October 9 through October 11 closed on October 4.
A large part of the exhibition is dedicated to the development history of the Sonic series. SEGA says visitors will be able to see material covering past games alongside scripts, setting documents, production materials used during development, music and audio, as well as behind-the-scenes development stories.
Some of those archive materials are specifically billed as being shown to the public for the first time.
The other major part of the exhibition comes from 16 artists, brought together by creative studio R11R to produce new work based on different periods of Sonic history.
R11R has divided the artwork into four themes: 1990s, 2000s, 2010s and NEXT RUN.
The participating artists are Yusuke Nakamura, Taku Inoue, TSCR, HUKANZEN, Yuki Kikuchi, STUDY Yusaku, Aoi Neon, Panasony™, Ryosuke Takeuchi, BRIDGE SHIP HOUSE, SIO (The TOMODACHI!), Tomowaka, move nao, Hakui Kiiroi, Yuki Imada and Nirosuya-san.
Among the pieces already revealed is Yusuke Nakamura’s “Supersonic Speed of the 90s”, inspired by the impact Sonic artwork and the Mega Drive had on him during his middle-school years.
TSCR has created “Stardust Speedway Bad Future,” depicting Classic Sonic and Metal Sonic racing through the Sonic CD stage, while Ryosuke Takeuchi’s “Sonic Colors in IKEBUKURO” brings Sonic, Tails, Wisps and environments from Sonic Colors into a new illustration.
Tomowaka’s “PLAY BACK” draws from the online video, Vocaloid and “utaite” culture of the 2010s, while move nao’s “SONIC – NEXT RUN” depicts Sonic running toward the future.
Some of the artists’ work will also be offered for sale, with further sales details still to be announced.
The exhibition will have its own merchandise lineup too, including clear files, black and white T-shirts, trading can badges, artist collaboration acrylic keychains and acrylic blocks, alongside selected official SEGA merchandise.
The ¥1 million Sonic the Hedgehog Arita Ware “Infinite Blue” statue will also be displayed at the venue. As previously covered by Sonic City, the first five pieces will be offered first-come, first-served at the exhibition before the wider online lottery.
Sonic himself is scheduled to appear for special greeting events on October 17, October 18, October 24 and October 25. Further participation details have not yet been announced.
Paid visitors will receive one random sticker using artwork from past Sonic games with each admission while supplies last. PARCO Members can also receive a separate sticker using the exhibition’s original visual.
Sonic series producer Takashi Iizuka said he was pleased to hold the exhibition during the 35th anniversary and described it as something intended both for longtime fans and people who have only recently discovered Sonic.
Creative director Kazuyuki Hoshino also pointed to the range of artists involved, saying the collection brings together different interpretations of the character from across Sonic’s 35-year history.
SONIC the Exhibition -ACROSS GENERATIONS- runs from October 9 through November 1 at PARCO FACTORY, Ikebukuro PARCO. Admission is ¥1,500, with children of elementary-school age and younger admitted free.
Stay tuned to Sonic City for more Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary News and Updates!
Discover more from Sonic City ⋆★ Sonic the Hedgehog News, Media, & Community ★⋆
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
