Sonic X, Episode 1.03: Missile Wrist Rampage

Sonic X, Episode 1.03: Missile Wrist Rampage

Japanese Title: Dr. Eggman's Ambition 

Japanese Air Date: April 20th, 2003

U.S. Air Date: September 20th, 2003

We are three episodes into "Sonic X" and, honestly, I'm kind of hooked. I did not expect this to happen, considering I've vaguely resented this show's very existence for years. Maybe watching the subtitled version was all I needed to do to really start to like this version. Or maybe it's just the thrill of exploring a "Sonic" show I've never really seen before. Either way, I'm sure I'll start to hate "Sonic X" eventually but, as of now, I'm actually looking forward to watching this show.

Though I don't know how I'll feel if daily recaps – episode three starts with the last five minutes of episode two – continue to be a thing. Anyway, Tails settles in at the Thorndyke residence while Sonic is off running around some mountains somewhere. Eggman decides he's going to simply take over this world too. He starts by marching Missile Wrist, a murder-bot that shoots missiles out of its wrists, into the nearest city and intimidating the local authorities. Amy and Knuckles debate what to do, Tails and Chris fly in on the Tornado, and Sonic eventually shows up to save the day.

When reviewing the OVA, I noted that the Japanese characterization of Robotnik slingshots between two extreme poles. On one hand, SEGA Eggman often threatens the world with massive doom-machines or eldritch abominations. On the other hand, he also builds comical machines and environments, which are easily navigated by his always-victorious teenage nemesis. This schizophrenic approach, between the farcical and the completely psychotic, is present in "Sonic X." This Eggman selects his robot-of-the-week via trading cards and a slot machine. His goofy appearance is emphasized. At the same time, his robot wrecks entire buildings and nearly crushes Amy Rose to death. We were this close to seeing splattering hedgehog intestines in this show, which would presumably be followed by Eggman doing a goofy laugh. 

No matter how deadly Eggman may potentially be, comedy is definitely the focus of this episode. As he marches Missile Wrist into the city, he's confronted by a series of different authority figures. He demands they surrender the city to him, before being told that this is the duty of a higher ranking official. Officer Albright gets the police chief, who gets the mayor, who wants to get the governor or president. This is a pretty funny gag. It seems bureaucracy is the greatest hinderance to Eggman's global takeover. 

Jokes like this might also be "Sonic X" biding its time. Sonic isn't in most of this episode, as he's too busy running around and being a free bird, baby. He's not even aware that Eggman is out there, wrecking the municipal police's collective shit. The second he is made aware, he runs in, grabs a Power Ring, and completely wrecks Eggman in minutes. He mocks his opponent throughout the short fight, smashes the robot with a few simple moves, and leaves Eggman humiliated. It's a lot more like "Adventures of Sonic The Hedgehog" than I expected, though admittedly less frantic. 

Whether "Sonic X" will be able to make this clear imbalance of power between the good guys and the bad guys consistently entertaining remains to be seen. Maybe the fight would've been harder if Sonic hadn't grabbed a Power Ring beforehand... (A plot device which did remind me of early "SatAM," which also often had Sonic saving the day the minute he grabbed a ring.) I guess Tails has a cache of rings on the Tornado, since there's no other explanation where he got it from. Also, the show makes sure to show the Tornado 2's transformation from bi-plane mode to jet mode, presumably because Japan loves transforming machinery. 

"Sonic X" continues to methodically introduce the Sega cast through these early episodes. This episode gives us a bigger peek at Amy and Knuckles, clearly establishing their personalities. Amy is concerned about Sonic and this entire crazy situation. She seems kind of whiny before her more proactive side shines through. She finally gets sick of Knuckles' shit, runs off without him, and goes rushing at Missile Wrist while swinging her hammer. I prefer it when Amy's soft, pink, feminine side is balanced out by a desire to hammer the living hell out of things. 

As for the "X" version of Knuckles, gruffness continues to be his defining characteristic. He just wants to get back to his island and reunite with his giant glowing rock. He has limited patience for anything else, which includes getting involved in heroics. It's only after Eggman reveals how dangerous he truly is, and after Amy thrusts herself into the path of that danger, that he leaps into action. He then flies off at the end, choosing to be all stoic and lone wolf and shit instead of hanging with Sonic and his new rich friends. He's also stubborn, facing down a SWAT team of machine gun wielding cops with coolness. (I really like that, at least for now, this show is portraying Sonic and his buddies as outlaws.)

Oh yeah, Chris has a pretty small role in this episode, which might be why I found its goofy side more charming than annoying. By the way, despite his name, Missile Wrist's projectiles are more like grappling hooks or battering rams than proper explosives. (Apparently the Italian dub calls him "Iron Fist," a more accurate name.) Also, the animation still hasn't topped the first episode, though there is a nice bit here where a freaky toothpaste billboard dissolves to a mountaintop. Will "Sonic X" be able to develop the simple takes on these familiar characters into more complex people? It's too soon to tell but I'm willing to ride along with this one a little longer before I start to get hyper-critical and bitchy. [7/10]