SEGA has shared reactions from a special preview event for Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond, the animated short made for the series' 35th anniversary. The short premieres tomorrow, November 12, and SEGA is marking the release with a Memories and Beyond tee in its 35th Anniversary merch collection on SEGA Shop. Check out the official post down below:
The 64-second video shows guests arriving in front of a SEGA backdrop, meeting a costumed Sonic and holding up Memories and Beyond posters, along with a presenter speaking at a podium. Several Sonic content creators appear on camera, and a few brief clips from the short play between the interviews, including Knuckles standing in the clouds and Sonic in a beam of light. One attendee says, "Memories are what people in this franchise hold dear to them when they think of Sonic. And I think that really did shine through this animation." Another rates the action "10 out of 10." The video ends with a card promoting special-edition merch available only on SEGA Shop.
What Memories And Beyond Is About
Memories and Beyond is a 3D animated special produced for the Sonic the Hedgehog 35th Anniversary, with animation by Studio Giggex. Its synopsis reads:
"Dr. Eggman's evil scheme is to upgrade Metal Sonic to the ultimate fighting machine. By stealing Sonic's life data and harnessing the power of the Chaos Emeralds, Sonic and his friends realize that in order to defeat Metal Sonic, they must rely on the friendship they built through their adventures!"
SEGA first showed the short at the Sonic the Hedgehog Animated Shorts: A Frame-by-Frame Retrospective panel at Anime Expo 2026 in July, then posted a final trailer in October. Here is the official trailer post:
The trailer features Shadow, Amy swinging her Piko Piko Hammer, Dr. Eggman at a control console and a red-eyed Metal Sonic, before ending on a golden, powered-up Metal Sonic and the November 12, 2026 date.
The 35th Anniversary Merch Collection
The SEGA Shop collection includes apparel, accessories and collectibles. The featured Memories and Beyond 35th Anniversary Tee costs $34.99 and is made from Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton with a front print and an inside neck print. Other items in the collection include:
- 35th Anniversary Chaos Emeralds Set: $59.99, with 7 crystal glass emeralds on color-plated brass stands in a gift box
- 35th Anniversary Green Hill Zone Statue: $184.99, showing Sonic running around a pillar topped with a CRT monitor
- 35th Anniversary Varsity Jacket: $127.49, marked down from $149.99
- 35th Anniversary SuperSonic Hero Pin Set: $64.99
- 35th Anniversary Varsity Jacket Buddy Plush: $47.99
- 35th Anniversary Limited Edition Then & Now Medallion Set by Fanattik: $39.99
- Chaos Emerald Tee, Green Hill Zone Tee and Snapback Hat: $29.74 each, marked down from $34.99
- Run Crossbody Bag, Mug and Journal: $46.74, $21.24 and $15.29
Sonic's Anniversary Year
The 35th anniversary celebrates the original Sonic the Hedgehog, which Sonic Team developed and SEGA published for the Sega Genesis in June 1991. SEGA opened the anniversary in January with a dedicated website and trailer. GXS Productions, which partnered with SEGA on the animated project Dark Beginnings and on animation for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, hosted a LightBox Expo panel on its work with the series, and SIMAGE Animation and Studio Giggex shared a preview of Memories and Beyond at the expo on October 23.
Metal Sonic is also set to appear on the big screen in Sonic the Hedgehog 4, which Paramount Pictures has dated for March 19, 2027, as covered in Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Wraps Filming With A First Look At Metal Sonic. More on Sonic's recent crossovers is in Fortnite Confirms Sonic The Hedgehog For Chapter 7 Season 4.
The official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel posted the trailer for the short:
Will you be watching Sonic the Hedgehog: Memories and Beyond when it premieres tomorrow?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.