Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to Release Special Shadow Prequel Ahead of the Movie's Long-Awaited Launch

A new manga prequel story featuring Shadow the Hedgehog is expected to release just in time for Sonic the Hedgehog 3's long-awaited launch. With only a couple of weeks remaining in 2024, all eyes are fixed on Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Following the success of the two films that came before it, fans are gearing up for the ultimate confrontation between Sonic and Shadow, especially with Keanu Reeves set to voice the latter. Now, with only a few days left until its release, a new manga featuring the pair is preparing to release in select regions.

According to Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) on X, Paramount Pictures and SEGA of America are giving out a brand-new manga starring Sonic and Shadow that serves as a prequel to the highly anticipated film. Titled Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission - Episode 0, the cover features the titular hedgehogs closing in on each other and preparing to throw a punch. It's gorgeously captured in a mix of reds and blues with a style that looks like it could come right out of Shonen Jump. This exclusive manga title will only be given out to a certain number of fans that see the film...but there's a major catch to the promotion that fans will need to keep in mind before rushing to their local cinema.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3's Manga Prequel Will Only Be Available in Japan

No Worldwide Release for This Prequel Story Is Currently Planned

Unfortunately, fans of the Blue Blur 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 theaters. Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission - Episode 0 is currently set to be a unique promotion that will only be given out in Japan with no planned worldwide release. This is why the supplied image from Paramount and SEGA is only available in Japanese, as there are currently no other translations available.

There's still a possibility that this exclusive story could make its way to other countries in the future. It's not uncommon for once-exclusive titles in Japan to make their way to other audiences around the world. However, given this is a movie promotion, it's entirely possible that this will be a short story that won't entirely warrant an individual global release. Rather, it could be supplied as a potential special feature on the impending Blu-Ray release of the film. For now though, there won't be a way to obtain the new story unless fans find it for sale from someone who got it in Japan through a popular web retailer like Amazon.

Sonic's Japan-Only Manga Prequel Has a Good Reason to Be Exclusive

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is Shaping Up to Be a Major Celebration of Sonic's Japanese Roots

While it may disappoint certain fans that they won't be able to read this new Sonic story, there actually seems 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 that takes place in Tokyo to the official Japanese title of the film - Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission - the film is absolutely going to pay homage to 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 those that see the film where he was made.

Sonic x Shadow Tokyo Mission - Episode 0 is expected to be handed out to cinemagoers in Japan starting December 27, 2024 when the film officially releases in Japan. Sonic has come a long way since his creation in the 90s. He's undergone many evolutions that has made him a worldwide icon. 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 the perfect way.

Sources: Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News), Paramount Pictures