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Why the redesign of characters in AoStH?

Discussion in 'General Sonic Discussion' started by Blastfrog, Apr 9, 2012.

  1. E-122-Psi

    E-122-Psi

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    Admittedly SEGASonic arcade had Eggman in a very Satam-ish type role (in his lair plotting and making sinister looks) up until his Wile E Coyote comeuppance in the stinger. I wonder how far this localization was intended to go. Sally and Bunnie in place of Ray and Mighty anyone?

    It was odd how none of the western variations wanted to touch the games style Eggman (STC briefly used it, though converted to AoSth Robotnik as quick as possible, and without nearly as much squash and stretch and Milton Knight's ass antics there was far less charm). My guess is, as mentioned, he was more awkward to draw and animate expressively. That and maybe they thought it was too 'cute'.

    The redesigned Eggman proves he has potential for funny animation, but he is restructured a bit for easier animation, bigger forelimbs, slightly more expressiveness and less perfectly round posture, there's an ass to jiggle around now (look at the Generations stinger and he does seem animated a bit more fluidly than the classic Eggman).

    One redesign that interested me was the one in Spinball, the one that was still very Eggman like, but had the black eyes with pupils, gloves and a bit more menacing in stature. He may have been interesting to see in a cartoon.

    Concerning AoSth game references, some other badniks such as Ballhog made the odd cameo, though obviously looking very little like their original selves. It was supposedly the first western variant to use the term Eggman as well (if maybe as an unintended insult). Satam was also meant to be slightly more games centric originally, the pilot has a spruced up Buzz Bomber, while the show bible makes references to similar variants of Crabmeat and Caterkiller. I suppose it at least used rings in some form, and they actually looked like games rings too, not glitzed up in any way. Sally Acorn is Satam's answer to an overhauled minor character as well (if almost all links are lost due to a gender and species change from Ricky).
     
  2. Xilla

    Xilla

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    The interesting thing is that the 1993 Sonic annual and STC had Robotnik wearing something which resembled his AoStH outfit well before the cartoon was revealed. There was also that one strip (where Robotnik steals Sonic's powers) where he was drawn quite close to his TV counterpart, rather than the hulking brute he normally was.

    I once watched AoStH with my ex girlfriend whilst we were both completely baked. It was...interesting!
     
  3. E-122-Psi

    E-122-Psi

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    Interestingly, the same STC that the redesigned Robotnik appeared was also to introduce Snively, but they altered it into a new character when they realized they weren't being enforced to do it, implying there may have been some executive meddling in the matter. I know that AoSth style Tails also appeared in many strips, and the attires given to the small animal Freedom Fighters resembled the outfits their redesigns had in the proto cartoon.
     
  4. Sonic Warrior TJ

    Sonic Warrior TJ

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    Whoa, Scratch references one of Mr. Sitton's other Eggman names in that episode, just before the 15-minute mark. "We're gonna hijack the station, and introduce Sonic to Mr. Badwrench! A-ha-ha-ha!"

    "86 on that chicken!" Oh man, I love this episode.
     
  5. Ell678

    Ell678

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    I'l always have a soft spot for the AOSTH Robotnik as I grew up reading STC and watching the show. I think it's great.
     
  6. Nova

    Nova

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    Fuck the design of AoStH Robotnik, I want an updated remix of his theme song made for a new Sonic game. :v:
     
  7. Xilla

    Xilla

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    The remix on Newgrounds is awesome :) Hez used it in Sonic Classic.

    Always found it puzzling why no-one has swapped the classic design for his Ass of Sexy the Human one in a hack to be honest! If I had the know-how I'd give it a try :)
     
  8. VAdaPEGA

    VAdaPEGA

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    Probably something minimalistic
    You mean like how it was done in Sonic Code Gray?
    [​IMG]
     
  9. LockOnRommy11

    LockOnRommy11

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    I thought the redesigns were excellent. Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog was huge in the UK. The characters were kooky, the plots were wild, the music was memorable, and ... well, it was a fucktonne better than SatAM.

    The reason for the redesigns? Ease. The cartoons weren't the most expensive to make, and changing aspects of the design made it easier to animate I'm sure. Cartoons do it all the time, even Sonic X wasn't spot on with the character designs from the games. Sonic's head was larger, his spikes rounder and shorter, and he looked meatier in the limbs.

    Also, Robotnik is THE classic villain. Borderline sex-icon, fantastic vocal performance, he was a real stinker in the cartoon.

    Still one of my favorite cartoons.
     
  10. Xilla

    Xilla

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    I think AoStH stands out in the UK because Channel 4 and later TCC repeated it for years. SatAM only got a single run on 4 and TCC rarely showed it (if they even did, I can't remember ever really seeing it). POP later showed both series although again it was mainly AoStH.

    Personally I reckon the UK broadcasters had a soft spot for it simply because it was funny (more suited to the 9AM Sunday time slot it had) and also due to Long John Baldry having the real starring role as Robotnik - since he was a pretty famous English musician back in the day.
     
  11. Meat Miracle

    Meat Miracle

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    I recall some interview with the animators where they state that they redesigned him like that because they wanted him to be the sexiest fat man in animation.
     
  12. ICEknight

    ICEknight

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  13. Xilla

    Xilla

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    Milton Knight was the one who coined "Animation's Sexiest Fat Man" for his adaption, as he mentions in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYccr7YqCrs (5:09 for the Robotnik part)