Sonic X, Episode 2.13: Defective Detectives

Sonic X, Episode 2.13: Defective Detectives

Original Japanese Title: The Chaotix Detective Agency

Japanese Air Date: December 28th, 2003

U.S. Air Date: December 11th, 2004

When "Knuckles' Chaotix" was released in 1995, it attempted to give Knuckles the Echidna his own supporting cast of characters, presumably to make him a mascot on equal footing with Sonic. This didn't exactly work, because "Knuckles' Chaotix" came out on the 32X, a console that nobody owned. Knuckles' team of heroes — Vector, Charmy, Espio, a rescue from an obscure arcade game, and two random robots — quickly faded into obscurity. Because the game cast was still small at the time, the Archie "Sonic" comics would quickly introduce the Chaotix to their four color world. There, they became beloved members of the cast who stuck around in semi-prominent roles for years.

Even though it defines the series for me, most "Sonic" fans didn't read the Archie comics. For most "Sonic" fans, the Chaotix were obscure footnotes from a forgotten game. (Assuming the fans knew about the Chaotix at all.) This is probably why, when Sega decided to reintroduce the Chaotix in 2003's "Sonic Heroes," they completely redesigned the characters. The team was cut down to just a trio, Mighty and the robots being cast into the void. In addiction to radically different designs, Vector, Espio, and Charmy received one-note, defining characteristics. Vector was now the big doofy comic relief. Espio was now a ninja, for some reason. Charmy became a small, annoying, child. The trio were now private detectives that operated independently from Knuckles. 

These choices were very different from the versions of the Chaotix that existed in the Archie comics, where they all had distinct (if not complex) personalities. For most fans, the "Sonic Heroes" version of the Chaotix are the only version they've ever known. And this always bugged me, as I much preferred the less gimmicky takes on the characters that had existed in the comics for a solid decade by this point. Despite that, the new Sega Chaotix became the defining versions and the comic eventually made several awkward retcons to bring their Chaotix more in-line with their video game counterparts. 

What is the point of this rambling introduction? Because episode 39 of "Sonic X" would introduce the new Chaotix to the world, debuting on television two days before "Sonic Heroes'" Japanese release date. In this episode, random Chaos Control events are teleporting more creatures from Sonic's world to Earth. This includes the Chaotix and some random Flickies. The Chaotix quickly resume their latest assignment, which is to locate Cream on the behalf of her mother, Vanilla. (Who, we soon learn, is also on Earth.) Shenanigans ensue. Meanwhile, Eggman decides to replace the half of the moon he blew up with robotic parts. 

If you're wondering why random people, animals, and animal-people are suddenly appearing on Earth, don't get too curious. No attempt is made to explain these events. We can only assume it's some sort of lingering after-effect of Sonic and Shadow Chaos Controlling the ARK out of the upper atmosphere. If this is eventually explained, I apologize to the "Sonic X" writing staff. But I kind of suspect this happened because Sega demanded they put the Chaotix and Vanilla in the cartoon and they didn't care how they did it. But it is sort of neat that the "Sonic 3D Blast" Flickies appear for a cameo. I appreciated that. 

Truthfully, the most notable thing about this episode is, once again, "Sonic X's" bizarre sense of humor. Their introductory scene — which has the roughshod pacing of a rocket-sled — features a number of fourth wall breaking gags. Charmy presents a DVD of "Sonic X" to Vector and Espio. At first, I assumed this was a disc of news footage or something. But, no, it's clips from the actual cartoon you're watching. After that reality bending moment, the Chaotix introduce themselves directly to the audience... But Charmy is cut-off mid-sentence, as the show flashes to his data card, which features a confused look on his face. Later, the detectives make reference to a scene transition and the episode ends with Eggman promising he'll reveal all next week. I guess, when this show isn't in its more serious moments, you just have to accept that these characters know what cartoon they're in. 

The fourth wall breaching jokes are far from the only oddball humor here. The Chaotix don't know what a DVD is and, after attempting to shove the disc into a projector, Espio has to shoplift a DVD player from an electronics store. This is not the ninja's only humiliation, as he's later clobbered in the head accidentally by Amy while cloaked. By fat the strangest scene has Vector dressing up as Detective Conan — a reference it took me a minute to understand, because nobody in America cares about Detective Conan — and Columbo. (Which seems like an especially arbitrary reference until you remember the Japanese fucking love Columbo.) The Chaotix don't take up all the weirdo humor, as there's also an extended scene of Rouge flirting with Knuckles by asking if he wants her to live with him. Rouge, stop being a ho and teasing that poor virgin! You're giving him false hope. 

This episode is so thick with shtick that the actual dramatic elements feel like afterthoughts. The series is pushing towards this idea that conflict will inevitably arise between the visitors from Sonic's world and humanity. Chris, the President, and Eggman (and Rouge, in the dub) all reference it. Considering the real world would've had all the furries round up in concentration camps by this point, especially following Shadow's rampage, I think the cartoon President is handling this potential crisis pretty well. I genuinely don't know if the show is going somewhere with this plot point or if it's just filling time. This certainly takes up more screen time than Cream being reunited with her mother, which is ostensibly the emotional core of the episode considering how much Cream has whined about her mom. Their reunion is shoved into the back half of the episode.

As for the business of Eggman replacing half of the moon with robotics, I'm really surprised the U.S. government just lets him do that. They even see the rocket launch from his former island base — wasn't that destroyed? — and proceed to do nothing about. Exhibit 1056 for why the U.S. government is incompetent! But I guess the moon doesn't really belong to us, does it? I was sort of hoping the half-moon in the sky would just be a bit of continuity throughout the rest of the series, like "CHA" always being on the surface of the moon in "The Tick." Presumably, the next episode will focus on that business more.

Anyway, this is not likely to rank among my favorite episode of "Sonic X" but it has just enough weird shit in it for me to be entertained. We can always count on this cartoon to do something unexpected and odd. (We can also count on it not to feature Sonic that much, as the titular hedgehog is only in two scenes, I think. He's always so busy running around and doing things that are more important than starring in his own cartoon!) [6/10]