The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, and to mark the occasion, a brand-new release has officially been confirmed. However, it comes with a major catch: this new Sonic the Hedgehog release costs a massive $6,500, making it unaffordable for many dedicated series fans.
35 years after the first titles in the series, Sonic the Hedgehog remains one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. The blue hedgehog and his colorful cast of friends remain at the forefront for Sega, with games across genres including platformers, racing games, fighting games, and more. Not every title has been a hit with fans, but with so many swings, there are bound to be a few misses. That Sonic remains so popular after all this time is a testament to Sega’s great work on the franchise.
Sonic the Hedgehog Porcelain Statue Costs $6,500
-
Image via YOYOYO -
Image via YOYOYO -
Image via YOYOYO
The latest release is courtesy of Japanese porcelain brand YOYOYO, which has unveiled a new Arita ware porcelain statue of Sonic the Hedgehog to mark the franchise’s 35th anniversary. An official press release reveals more about the process to bring the statue to life, which is aptly named “Infinite Blue”. Posed mid-run, Sonic’s iconic blue coloring comes from gosu, a traditional blue pigment. From start to finish, development on this exclusive piece of Sonic merch took eight months, which is why it’s priced at a whopping ¥1,000,000, or approximately $6,500.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
Even beyond the prohibitive price, this Sonic porcelain statue will not be easy to get a hold of. Five pieces will be available on October 9 at Sonic the Exhibition: Across Generations in Ikebukuro Parco, Tokyo, on a first-come, first-served basis. The remaining 45 units will be sold via an online lottery sale, with applications open between October 9 and 18, bringing the total to 50 pieces. Applications are limited to one per person.
Sonic the Hedgehog YOYOYO Porcelain Statue Key Features
- Arita ware porcelain
- Stunning depiction of Sonic the Hedgehog in porcelain form
- Gosu pigment for Sonic’s iconic blue
- Design handled by 224porcelain, a “cutting-edge company that combines the 400-year tradition of Hizen Yoshida ware with 3D digital technology”
- 8.4 inches high, 6.1 inches wide, 9 inches deep
Unfortunately, Sega hasn’t managed to mark Sonic‘s 35th anniversary with a new game in the series. Still, the celebrations have continued in other ways, including some pretty incredible merch. Alongside this porcelain statue, Sega also created a life-size Sonic with synthetic DNA earlier this year. And with a few months left in the year, there’s time yet for even more tributes to Sega’s blue hedgehog.
It emerged recently that Sega once tried to cancel the Sonic franchise. In hindsight, it would have been a massive error for the company, which has continued to benefit from its mascot’s popularity for well over three decades. As long as Sega continues to innovate on the formula, there’s no reason to suggest that Sonic the Hedgehog is going anywhere anytime soon, either.
- Released
-
October 25, 2024
- ESRB
-
E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
