History WesternAnimation / SonicSatam

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[[caption-width-right:350:In case you didn't get the memo, he's the fastest thing alive.]]

->''Blue streak speeds by\\
Sonic the Hedgehog\\
Too fast for the naked eye\\
Sonic the Hedgehog\\
Sonic! He can really move!\\
Sonic! He's got an attitude!\\
Sonic! He's the fastest thing alive!''
-->-- Sonic's BraggingThemeTune

''Sonic the Hedgehog'' is a cartoon adaptation of ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' produced by Creator/DiCEntertainment, and currently distributed by Creator/DHXMedia. The cartoon is quite unique for airing ''[[https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/18/21140375/sonic-90s-cartoons-streaming-satam-jaleel-white-adventures-of-sonic simultaneously]]'' with another, entirely different cartoon based on the exact same character: ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''. Being the [[DarkerAndEdgier more serious of the two]], it is a very sharp contrast to its [[SimilarlyNamedWorks similarly named]] but [[DenserAndWackier much more comedic]] weekday counterpart. The show is commonly known as ''[[FanNickname Sonic SatAM]]'' (as in [[SaturdayMorningCartoon Saturday Morning]], when it aired on the American Creator/{{ABC}} network) to distinguish it from the other show, which was aired in syndication on weekdays. It premiered on September 18, 1993, replacing ''WesternAnimation/GoofTroop'' on the 9:00 AM time slot. It was bumped to the 8:30 AM time slot for season two, where it remained until it ended on December 3, 1994.

The series features Sonic as the [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority leader]] and [[TheHero primary member]] of the [[LaResistance Freedom Fighters]], a [[BadassCrew closely-knit resistance force]] attempting to [[OccupiersOutOfOurCountry overthrow the dominion]] of Dr. Julian Robotnik, a [[EmperorScientist genius dictator]] who has [[VillainWorld already conquered most of the planet Mobius]] and [[PollutedWasteland turned it into a cold, urban, metal nightmare]]. All of the conquered peoples are forced to undergo [[UnwillingRoboticisation roboticization]] - a process that [[AndIMustScream turns living creatures into automatons]] that [[SlaveRace serve his empire as forced laborers]].

The series fell victim to the demise of many Saturday Morning Cartoons, being [[CutShort abruptly cancelled]] after two seasons on a CliffHanger, on a total of only 26 episodes. Even when it was originally aired on ABC, it was [[ScrewedByTheNetwork pre-empted in many markets]]: some viewers didn't see the show at all until it was re-aired on Creator/{{USA Network}}.

''VideoGame/SonicSpinball'' is based on some of the show's concepts. Sega had also planned to make a proper spinoff game of the show, [[VaporWare but that was also cancelled]].

''ComicBook/ArchieComicsSonicTheHedgehog'' was licensed as [[ComicBookAdaptation a spin-off of this show]], [[AnimationLeadTime though the comic book got to the consumers first]]. Despite being officially licensed as a spinoff and using many of the same characters, the comic bears little similarity to the shows' overall plot thanks to [[PoorCommunicationKills problems in communication early on]].[[note]]resulting in confusion over ''[[NamesTheSame which]]'' [[NamesTheSame Sonic cartoon was being adapted]][[/note]] As a result, the comic quickly [[ContinuityDrift shifted away from the show's continuity and tone]] and - despite running for 24 years before being cancelled in 2017 - ''[[NoEnding did not]]'' provide a [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised conclusion]] for the cartoon's CliffHanger ending.

In addition to the aforementioned ''Adventures'', this show is not to be confused with ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'', ''Anime/SonicX'', [[Anime/SonicTheHedgehogTheMovie the Sonic animated film]], ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom'', or [[Film/SonicTheHedgehog2020 The 2020 movie of the same name]].

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!!The show provides examples of:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Tropes # to C]]
* AbhorrentAdmirer: In "[[SomethingCompletelyDifferent Ro-becca]]", Rotor constructs a female cat robot who is supposed to be his lab assistant, but fixates obsessively on Antoine, who inadvertently activates her before she's finished. With tacky hair, a screechy voice, and an intimidating stature, the lovestruck android pursues the poor coyote rain or shine.
* AbusiveParents: Dr. Robotnik is [[{{Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible}} actually Snively’s uncle]]. He's still the closest thing his nephew has to a father, and he treats him like crap. As a result, Snively has grown an utter dislike of Dr. Robotnik and plans to overthrow him.
* ActionGirl: Bunnie, Sally, and Dulcy.
* AdaptationalBadass: Doctor Robotnik plays it straight. In the games, he's portrayed as a clownish and whimsical MadScientist who is [[CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass suprisingly threatening in a fight]] but [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain largely incapable]] of [[DidNotThinkThisThrough gaining or maintaining]] his goal of [[TakeOverTheWorld world domination.]][[note]][[AmericanKirbyIsHardcore Despite the West's best attempts to harden him up]][[/note]] In this series, he is a [[FourStarBadass high-ranking]] [[TheStrategist military genius]] and [[HeroOfAnotherStory war hero]] who became the de-facto [[EvilOverlord reigning Overlord of Mobius]] in a [[TheChessmaster very carefully planned]] [[TheCoup hostile takeover]]. He has so much power now that he usually doesn't ''need'' to fight his enemies directly: he just uses his [[RobotSoldier Swat-Bot army]] from a distance, living quite comfortably in his lair - though [[WorthyOpponent some enemies]] can spur him into [[FrontlineGeneral more direct action]]. He is also treated [[KnightofCerebus very seriously]] until his {{Flanderization}} in the second season, and even then he was a major threat to the point of possible [[ApocalypseHow global]] [[OmnicidalManiac genocide]].
* AdaptationalVillainy: Dr. Robotnik. [[{{Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible}} While he was always a villain]] and is still a villain here, [[AdaptationalNameChange Julian Robotnik]] is [[TheSociopath outright monstrous]] and [[DefangedHorrors scary]] compared to his video game counterparts.
* AdaptationalWimp: Tails in the earlier games was a LightningBruiser who was [[MovesetClone almost as fast and powerful as Sonic]]. In order to give [[LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters its original characters]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad more screentime]], the show changed Tails' role from Sonic's sidekick and [[TheLancer main ally]] to a TagAlongKid who only rarely ventured outside of Knothole Village and tended to play the role of DistressedDude.
* AdaptationNameChange: [[invoked]] The Archie comics adaptation changed several of the characters' names. Thanks to the heavy overlap of themes and characters between ''[=SatAM=]'' and the comics, and the comics' much longer run,[[IAmNotShazam many fans are unaware that the show HAS different names for some characters]]:
** "Robotnik" is revealed to be a [[SelfAppliedNickname pseudonym]] - his real name is Julian.[[note]]Given Robotnik's [[BilingualBonus literal]] [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190814230825/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/meaning-word-robot_n_5706b66de4b0537661891e54 definition]], this is definitely a MeaningfulRename.[[/note]] Contrast this with every other Sonic media, where his birth name is "Ivo Robotnik" and he [[AppropriatedAppellation takes the nickname]] "Eggman" after [[HeyYou Sonic uses that name to insult him]]. The comics, in one of their ''many'' attempts at CanonWelding, gave him the birth name "Julian Kintobor", had him take the name "Ivo Robotnik" after he overthrew the monarchy. ''Then'' they had an [[ContinuitySnarl alternate universe version him from the future]] take "Eggman" as his actual name sometime later.
** Very late into the comic's run, Bunnie Rabbot's PunnyName was [[{{Retcon}} retconned]] to be a disparaging nickname [[NamedByDemocracy she couldn't shake]]. This isn't indicated or implied at all in [=SatAM=] (or even in the comics, until that point).
** Antoine Depardieu is known as Antoine D'Coolette in the comics.
** The sorcerer Naugus was renamed Ixis Naugus in the comics.
* AdoptedToTheHouse: In "The Odd Couple", the huts get destroyed by Dulcy when she crash-lands into it. Sonic moves into Antoine's until the storm blows over and he can rebuild his hut. Being a homage to [[Series/TheOddCouple the series of the same name]], Sonic is the Oscar to Antoine's Felix. At the end of the episode, Sonic decides to rebuild his house, storm or no storm. However, a tree falls on Antoine's house, quicky turning it into a HereWeGoAgain situation.
* AffablyEvil: Naugus seems surprisingly friendly and easy-going when the Freedom Fighters meet him. However, he's got a [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge score to settle with Robotnik]], and is willing to do ''[[TheUnfettered anything]]'' in order to get his revenge.
* AffectionateNickname:
** Sonic tends to call Sally "Sal" and Tails a whole host of nicknames.
** Bunnie tends to call Sonic "sugah-hog", Sally "Sally-girl", Antoine "sugah-'twan" and Tails "sugah-Tails".
** Tails calls Sally and Bunnie "Aunt Sally" and "Aunt Bunnie". The former more than the latter.
* AfterTheEnd: At the start of the series, Mobius is not in a good place, what with [[ApocalypseHow/Class2 civilization all but broken down]] and 90% of the entire planet's population [[UnwillingRoboticization enslaved as robots]]. The few survivors either [[UndergroundCity moved underground]] or fled into the wilderness before forming scattered pockets of resistance.
* AgeLift: Eight year old Tails is age lifted up to ten.
* AirVentPassageway: One of the Freedom Fighters' favorite ways of getting around Robotropolis. [[JustifiedTrope Since the main characters are so small, it makes sense.]]
* TheAlcatraz: Ironlock Prison was one of these when it was in use.
* AliensSpeakingEnglish: [[BeastMan Mobians]] are definitely not human. They all speak English anyway, and Antoine speaks French.
* AllBikersAreHellsAngels: In "Fed Up With Antoine", Antoine comes across a biker gang known as the "Nasty Hyenas" who promptly makes him their king. The other Freedom Fighters discover the Nasty Hyenas regularly [[SapientEatSapient eat their own king]] and rush off to save Antoine.
* AllWorkVsAllPlay: While this trope is [[AvertedTrope completely averted the first season]], in the ''second'' season, Sonic tends to treat missions to [[DeathWorld Robotropolis]] like a game and fool around, while Sally is a humorless workaholic who constantly berates him for being reckless. Sonic's careless attitude tends give an opening for the villains. See the entry for {{Flanderization}} for more details.
* AndIMustScream: [[UnwillingRoboticisation Roboticized]] victims remain fully aware of everything they do while under Robotnik's control. As [[spoiler:Uncle Chuck states when restored]]: "we just can't ''do'' anything about it."
* AndroclesLion: In "Blast To The Past", Sonic and Sally save Dulcy's mother, Sabina, from several [=SWATbots=]. She later returns the favor by destroying Robotnik's airship, and saving Sonic and Sally from the ensuing fall.
* AnimalFacialHair: Uncle Chuck sports a large, bushy mustache and equally bushy eyebrows. The King has a mustache.
* AnimationBump: Some episodes such as "No Brainer" have a slightly wackier, more expressive method of animating the characters compared to the rest of the series.
* AnotherDimension: Travelling to [[AlienGeometries bizarre alternate dimensions]] to collect [[GreenRocks important magical stones]] was a [[https://youtu.be/B1FEHo_RcNw?t=93 mainstay]] [[https://youtu.be/apPGHEZxu6s?t=363 mechanic]] in the Sonic games of the time. In particular, [[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]] featured Time Stones, which were used to [[SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong undo the damage Robotnik had already done to Little Planet.]] Taking from this, the episode ''Blast To The Past'' had [[https://youtu.be/hyIn18JBwKE?t=499 Sonic and Sally travel through one of these]][[note]]Based heavily on [[http://archive.is/MmrzM M. C. Escher's Relativity]] [[/note]] to collect the Time Stones in an attempt to defeat Robotnik before he could conquer Mobius. An earlier episode also introduced [[PhantomZone The Void]]: a dimension of pure magic from which no one can escape.
* ApocalypseHow: Thanks to [[CivilizationDestroyer Robotnik]], Planet Mobius has experienced a [[ApocalypseHow/Class2 worldwide societal collapse]], and is steadily progressing towards the [[ApocalypseHow/Class6 total extinction]] of all life on the planet unless he can be stopped.
* TheArchmage: Naugus was originally the King's [[CourtMage court wizard]]. He was one of the few beings War Minister Julian [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness actually feared]] - even his technology couldn't hope to control or harm someone so incredibly powerful. So, when Naugus decided to explore [[AnotherDimension the Void]], Julian took the opportunity to [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere trap him inside it]].
* ArcWords: At the end of "The Void", King Max tells Sonic "Take care of her" when he refers to Sally. In "Spyhog", Uncle Chuck tells Sally "Take care of him" when he refers to Sonic.
* ArgumentOfContradictions: Some arguments between Sonic and Sally devolve into this.
** As revealed in "Blast to the Past Part 1", they've been arguing thusly pretty much all their lives. Sally's older self even lampshades this after overhearing her younger self and Sonic's argue over whether his messy eating and subsequent belch was cool or disgusting: "*sigh* Some things never change."
* ArmiesAreEvil: During the Mobian [[GreatOffscreenWar Great War]], Robotnik proposed to [[TheGoodKing the King]] - Princess Sally's father - that he could win the war by [[FrontlineGeneral personally leading]] an army entirely comprised of [[SuperFunHappyThingOfDoom Peace-Bots]] (later known as [=SWATbots=]): [[RobotSoldier robotic]] [[SuperSoldier super soldiers]] of [[RobotMaster his own design]]. This landed him the job of being [[FourStarBadass head of the King's War Ministry]]. After winning the war in the King's favor, [[CavalryBetrayal Robotnik used that same army to overthrow the King]] in a MilitaryCoup. Though the [=SWATbots=] '''''are''''' [[ArtificialIntelligence clearly able to think and act on their own]], they are [[JustAMachine just machines]]: they are all programmed with a [[UndyingLoyalty total and unwavering reverence to Robotnik]] and never fail to follow their orders, [[SociopathicSoldier no matter how heinous, no matter how cruel]].
* ArtEvolution:
** Many character designs were changed for the second season, if even just slightly (like giving Bunnie pupils) or drastically ([[http://archive.is/9xykb looking at Rotor]], [[YouDontLookLikeYou you wouldn't recognize him from season one to season two]]).
** Also, during season 1 the animators seemed much more concerned with their artwork keeping with the show's "realistic" physics. In season 2, although the characters seem more artistically complete, the focus on smaller details falters. Not ''quite'' OffModel, more like Off-Scenery. Shading, actual muscle movements, and realistic ("gritty") fragmentation effects on the backgrounds as lasers hit walls are all examples.
* ArtificialIntelligence: Unlike all the other machines in Robotnik's army, the [[EliteMook SWAT-bots]] are shown to be quite sentient. They have separate identities, have varied emotions (including fear), engage in small talk, and it's recognized that their skill increases with experience. Occasionally, Robotnik even [[YouHaveFailedMe executes them for incompetence]]. The Freedom Fighters destroy them by the dozens, and it [[WhatMeasureIsANonHuman never morally affects them in any way]].
* ArtificialLimbs: Dr. Robotnik's left arm is robotic, Bunnie Rabbot's left arm and both of her legs are robotic.
* AscendedExtra:
** [[invoked]] Tails started out in the series as a TagalongKid with moments of minor usefulness. In the second season, his role was substantially expanded in the last few episodes to TVGenius - the [[OlderThanTheyThink first time that Tails ever showed any great intelligence]]. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen He was also apparently supposed to become even more prominent if the show hadn't been canceled.]]
** Originally, Sally Acorn was a ''very'' minor character from the original ''[[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic The Hedgehog]]'' (specifically, she's [[https://archive.is/Vapei one of Sonic's animal friends]] who [[DamselInDistress Robotnik captured]], and is freed when Sonic breaks her out of a badnik). She had her own official merchandise [[https://archive.is/Xysj2 as early as 1991]]. The cartoon upgrades her to Sonic's [[BattleCouple love interest and main ally]]. Her presence in the cartoon made her so popular that an official statue of her standing alongside Sonic was placed [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190801020525/https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/35d229d9-03c3-4b6c-a42b-f576716c510f/d82hmyo-c4bf0c58-182d-4227-8b8e-173882a18277.jpg/v1/fill/w_1024,h_689,q_75,strp/sonic_and_sally_3_by_johnk222_d82hmyo-fullview.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9Njg5IiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvMzVkMjI5ZDktMDNjMy00YjZjLWE0MmItZjU3NjcxNmM1MTBmXC9kODJobXlvLWM0YmYwYzU4LTE4MmQtNDIyNy04YjhlLTE3Mzg4MmExODI3Ny5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTAyNCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.WQORS0bGmXH6XlKC3vIUAnV2UcgSYktgjKMpYyoiMig near the entrance the SegaWorld theme park in Sydney, Australia.]]
* AscendedFridgeHorror: The early video games did not explore the process of roboticization in much depth, other than implying that the robots were more like mecha being piloted by a brainwashed animal ([[GameplayAndStoryIntegration hence why a random critter pops out of one and runs away when a Badnik is smashed]]) while ''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' and later games sidestep the issue by having Robotnik build ''all'' of his robots from scratch. This show thoroughly explores the [[PainfulTransformation agony]], BodyHorror, and LossOfIdentity implicit in being [[ReforgedIntoAMinion transformed from flesh into an obedient robot]].
* TheBabyOfTheBunch: Due to being the youngest of their group, Tails is doted on and fussed over by the whole team of Freedom Fighters.
* BadassAdorable: Most of the [[BadassCrew Freedom]] [[RidiculouslyCuteCritter Fighters]] qualify.
* BadassAndChildDuo: Whenever Sonic and Tails team up, this trope is in effect: Sonic is the [[StreetSmart experienced and pragmatic one]], while Tails is [[ThePollyanna optimistic]] and [[InnocentProdigy surprisingly intelligent]] kid.
* BadassMustache: Dr. Robotnik, Uncle Chuck, and the King all have one.
* BadBoss: Robotnik very frequently vents his frustrations out on his subordinates, mechanical or otherwise - [[NeverMyFault even for failures they had no responsibility for]]. In ''Hooked on Sonics,'' [[YouHaveFailedMe he executed a SWAT-bot for failing to save the Shredder]] when the problem was an inherent design flaw. Snively ends up being the target of most of his hostility, and in the final episode, when his [[DoomsdayDevice greatest project]] is destroyed, Robotnik outright sentences Snively to die in the exploding city out of fury (ironically this act would end up saving Snively who escaped through safer means than him, [[LaserGuidedKarma while ensuring his own demise]]). Even in his better moods, his relationship with his nephew is not affectionate to say the least.
* {{Badbutt}}: Sonic and Bunnie have the edgiest dialogue in the cast, complete with some [[GoshDangItToHeck fake cursing]].
* BaldOfEvil: Robotnik is completely bald. Snively only has five hairs on his head. [[NoodleIncident He used to have more]].
* BattleCouple: Sonic and Sally.
* BeautifulVoid: [[AnotherDimension The Void]] is a vast, empty dimension. When inside it, a person can [[TheOmniscient see everything on Mobius]], and magic can allow a person to do quite literally ''[[RealityWarper anything]]'' [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere except escape]] or [[AndIMustScream interact with the outside world.]] Robotnik used it to exile the wizard [[TheArchmage Naugus]], who used his magic to shape the Void into a [[http://archive.is/XOcbM beautiful crystalline city]] designed to resemble Mobitropolis.
* BeleagueredAssistant: Robotnik isn't exactly incompetent, but he is prone to great outbursts of rage with Snively as the main target. Snively ''despises'' Robotnik.
* BigBrotherMentor: Sonic takes Tails on training missions and teaches him the finer points about being a Freedom Fighter.
* TheBigDamnKiss: Sonic and Sally share ''two'' [[StockKisses big kisses]] in this series.
** Their first big kiss (in ''Hooked on Sonics'') came about as a result of Sonic [[BelligerentSexualTension showing off]] to Sally [[TakeThatKiss how much better he was at kissing than she was]]. Interestingly enough, the kiss was ''[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JubzKEniPBE&feature=youtu.be&t=24 slow and intimate]]'' - two things one wouldn't normally associate with someone like Sonic.
** Their second big kiss in "The Doomsday Project" came about after [[spoiler:Robotnik's defeat]]. Unlike the first, it was completely spontaneous, and involved an abrupt [[https://youtu.be/XtmmSqC4zEM?t=1265 mutual embrace]].
* BigEater: Sonic can pack away a ''massive'' amount of food.
* BigNo: Sally getting roboticized (in Sonic's bad dream) in "Sonic's Nightmare". Robotnik also gives these out a couple odd times he is foiled.
* BigShutUp:
** A funny moment in "Sonic and the Secret Scrolls". The heroes' plane is diving out of control and [[TheDragAlong Antoine]] is yelling manically.
--->'''All:''' Antoine, ''SHUT UP!''
** From the same episode:
--->'''Antoine:''' BUNNIE! WOULD YOU PLEASE TO BE SHUTTING UP YOUR OWN FACE?!
* BillionsOfButtons: Parodied in "Sub Sonic" when Sonic sabotages Robotnik's oil drilling operation, though he takes out the drilling probes with their emergency destruct button first. ("I wonder what'll happen if I punch all these buttons? Only one way to find out!") He proceeds to do just that while singing a slight remix of the song he sang earlier in the episode, thus causing the drilling platform's destruction.
* BluffTheImpostor: "Sonic and Sally" had Sonic bluff a robot imposter of Sally with a long and rather complicated handshake that they tended to use. However, he changed the last part from a thumbs-up to a thumbs-down. When Sally followed along and didn't correct him, Sonic knew she was an impostor.
* BluntMetaphorsTrauma: Antoine is pretty good at this.
-->'''Antoine''': She was making me a bookcase!
-->'''Rotor''': You mean basket case.
** [[MindScrew He even messes up ones from his own language]].
-->'''Antoine''': Sacre bleu cheese!
* BodyHorror: Roboticization [[PainfulTransformation is not a pleasant experience]]: it involves physically transmuting flesh, bone, organs and blood into metal, cybernetic components and oil. It's little wonder why Bunnie is yearning for the day she can change herself back into a normal rabbit again.
* BondOneLiner: Sonic had a few of these.
* BondVillainStupidity: Robotnik was portrayed ''far'' less competently in Season Two compared to his portrayal as a [[ManipulativeBastard manipulative]] and [[TheStrategist cunning]] foe in Season One. While in his past he was able to [[PragmaticEvil make lengthy charades to maintain his plans for power]], in Season Two, he just can't help from [[BondVillainStupidity screwing up at the most inappropriate times]]. See the entries for {{Flanderization}} and VillainDecay for more info.
* BoobsOfSteel: Bunnie is the primary melee fighter of the Freedom Fighters. Accordingly, her breasts are notably larger than Sally's, and show more cleavage.
* BraggingThemeTune: The opening theme song is definitely an example.
* {{Brainwashed}}: The [[UnwillingRoboticization Roboticizer]] essentially does this to its victims, making them unable to act without being given orders first. Robotnik has programmed his roboticized minions to [[BrainwashedAndCrazy attack and detain]] any non-roboticized individuals that they encounter. In addition, Lazaar's [[{{Magitek}} magical computer]] has a "submission spell" which can be used to control a person's will in the same way - [[spoiler:Robotnik uses it to control Sally and Bunny in ''Super Sonic''.]]
* BreakingTheFourthWall: [[invoked]] The end of the season 2 premiere episode ends with [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment Sonic grabbing the iris-out]].
* BreatherEpisode: [[invoked]] Thanks to [[ExecutiveMeddling executive insistence that the show was too dark]], the second season has two comedic episodes [[EnforcedTrope by mandate]], both of which consisted of [[TwoShorts two 15 minute shorts]] rather than a full 30 minute episode. While the regular episodes had very dark themes, and were typically about the characters fighting Robotnik or uncovering clues from the past, the first of these irregular two-in-one episodes involves Antoine being kicked out of the Freedom Fighters and joining a gang of biker hyenas, and Sonic telling ghost stories to Tails and Antoine. The second two-in-one episode involves Sonic's house being destroyed during a snowstorm and moving in with Antoine, which drives him nuts, and the second segment was a more ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''-style episode where one of Rotor's robots falls in love with Antoine and keeps stalking him. As you can tell, Antoine is the most prominently featured character in these episodes.
* BridalCarry: Sonic carries Sally in this fashion whenever they escape from danger. [[OfficialCouple This even occurs in the theme song]]!
* BritishBrevity: Two seasons, each 13 episodes, curiously brief for a kids' show. It was planned to have a third season which would presumably have been the same length.
* BrokenAesop:
** Despite being known for its [[ShowDontTell refreshing lack of preachiness]], the show has an accidental FamilyUnfriendlyAesop in the Season 2 episode, "Game Guy." In this episode, the heroes meet a strange freedom fighter called Ari. Although Sonic wants to trust him, Sally wants to err on the side of caution. Eventually Ari leads Sonic into one of Robotnik's traps in exchange for the freedom of his own teammates. When it becomes apparent to Ari that Robotnik has no intention of honoring his end of the deal, he "proves" himself trustworthy by freeing Sonic from the trap, sacrificing himself in the process. At the end of the episode, Sonic gently chides Sally for not being trusting enough, and Sally admits she was wrong despite the fact that ''everything that happened in the episode proved that she was right''. Note she ''does'' add playfully how careless Sonic had been however, which he can only sulkily accept.
** This is a [[GenderInvertedTrope role reversal]] of the Season 1 episode, "Warp Sonic", in which ''Sally'' was shown to be wrong for not listening to Sonic's claim of a mysterious Freedom Fighter named Griff being untrustworthy. The dichotomy between these episodes shows the [[{{Flanderization}} difference in the character writing between the two seasons]]: Sonic playing the fool to Sally's unerring wisdom becomes a recurring theme in Season 2.
* BroughtDownToNormal: Sonic loses his speed in the ironically named episode, ''Super Sonic''.
* BulletSeed: Muttsky, who has been roboticized, can use this as an attack.
* ButtMonkey: Antoine and Snively. Definitely whipping-boys existing solely for comic relief. Robotnik also becomes a bit of this in the second season, especially in any scene involving Naugus.
* ByTheLightsOfTheirEyes: The eyes at the very end of the last episode.
* CantCatchUp: Antoine to Sonic, both literally and figuratively. He was nowhere near as fast or competent as Sonic, and despite his efforts, he couldn't make Sally admire him as much as she does Sonic.
* CaptainCrash: Dulcy almost always messes up her landings. The only time she doesn't is when she's carrying another dragon's egg.
* CardCarryingVillain: While not as frequently so as the [[WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog [=AoStH=]]] Robotnik, he ''is'' inclined to boast about his evilness as if it's something to be proud of, especially in the company of those he believes are evil.
-->'''Robotnik''': I want the location of Lazar's lair. Name your prize.
-->'''Lazar's guardian''': You intend harm to my master.
-->'''Robotnik''': Oh, you wound me dear guardian! I merely want to wake the grand wizard and honor his evilness! We have much in common.
-->'''Lazar's guardian''': ... yes. I can see that.
* CassandraTruth:
** In "Sonic and Sally", Tails is the only one who knows that Sally has been replaced with a robot.
** Sally after she travels back in time and tries to convince her father than Julian is evil.
** A less serious example in "Spyhog". Antoine genuinely did rescue Sally during a mission, but [[TheMunchausen he plays up the story so much as he's retelling it]] that it's no wonder Sonic didn't believe him.
* CatapultNightmare: Sonic's nightmare has him waking up like this in the beginning of the selfsame-titled episode.
* CatchPhrase:
** For Sonic, it's "Gotta juice!" and "[[TotallyRadical way past cool]]!"
** For Bunnie, it's "[[OhMyGods Oh my stars!]]".
** And for the Freedom Fighters as a whole, it's "Let's do it to it!"
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: Most of the cast were at least moderately goofier in the pilot episode. In addition, several characters were changed in Season Two, but [[ThisIsNotThatTrope not in the way this trope implies]]. For those examples, see {{Flanderization}}:
** Snively was actually a sincere YesMan to Robotnik in Season One, even taking pleasure in what rare praise he received from his BadBoss. In Season Two he blatantly loathes Robotnik and plots behind his back.
** In the pilot and odd early episodes, Rotor was more clumsy and dorky, a role that was associated more with Antoine and Dulcy afterwards.
* ChasteToons: This cartoon introduced Uncle Chuck and Snively Robotnik, meaning that Sonic ''has'' an uncle and Robotnik ''is'' an uncle. Neither Sonic nor Snively's actual parents are ever referenced.
* CheeseEatingSurrenderMonkeys: The series did not last long enough for Antoine to develop out of this trope.
* ChekhovsGun: In Season 1, an episode has the Freedom Fighters discover a species of "metal-eating" plants that instantly corrode metal into dust upon contact. The plants' harmless seeds are harvested before the episode is over, but they aren't ever brought up again. In the final episode of the series, we discover that Rotor's been developing metal-eating ''balloons'' (water balloon-like thrown projectiles) that instantly corrode metal into dust upon contact.
* ChekhovsGunman: [[invoked]] Season 3 would've made [[spoiler: Naugus]] into the BigBad [[WhatCouldHaveBeen if the series hadn't been cut short]].
* ChildhoodFriendRomance: Sonic and Sally are revealed to have known each other since the age of five in "Blast to the Past", and the two grew a strong relationship before finally (openly) revealing their feelings for each other in "Doomsday". Their relationship would carry on in the comic adaption, leading to Sonic [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sonic_is_princess_sallys_consort.jpg officially becoming Sally's]] [[HotConsort consort]] before becoming the new [[http://web.archive.org/web/20190903222718/http://images6.fanpop.com/image/photos/38500000/King-Sonic-and-Queen-Sally-s-children-sonally-38508685-625-735.jpg King of Mobitropolis]].
** Antoine and Bunny are pretty much a BetaCouple, and they eventually married each other in the comic adaption as well.
* ChildhoodFriends: "Blast to the Past" reveals that the main Freedom Fighters have known each other since they were little kids.
* ChildSoldier: Almost all of the Freedom Fighters are teenage or younger.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Cluck and Muttski.
* CivilizationDestroyer: Robotnik is one of these.
* CivilWar: The war against Robotnik for Mobius is technically this, as Robotnik used to be the King's Minister of War, and the [[RoyalBlood King's daughter]] is one of the most important Freedom Fighters.
* CliffHanger: The Season Finale to Season Two was also The Series Finale. While the Freedom Fighters celebreate their triumphant victory, Snively is still around and planning to take over where Robotnik ended. And we see glowing red eyes from his accomplice who remains in the dark, unseen.
* CombatParkour: Both Sonic and Bunnie fight this way - using acrobatic movements both to reposition themselves and dodge incoming attacks. With enough speed, Sonic becomes a BouncingBattler instead.
* ComputerVoice: All robots in the series speak like this, from Lazaar's [[MagicalComputer computer of magic spells]], to the SWAT-bots, to Sally's personal computer, Nicole.
* CoolAndUnusualPunishment: In "Spyhog", Snively tortures Antoine by offending his refined tastes in food: using too much batter for a crepe suzette, and using margarine for escargot.
* CoolAunt: Tails affectionately refers to Sally and Bunnie as "aunt". Whereas Sally takes on a paternal role, Bunnie is more sisterly.
* CoolBigBro: Sonic to Tails.
* CoolBigSis: Sally and Bunnie to Tails.
* CoolOldGuy: Uncle Chuck.
* CoversAlwaysLie: The art promo of the series on Netflix. It's the DVD boxart. of ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'' volume 1, which also has that show's version of Robotnik, Scratch, and Grounder on it. The only thing there from this show is the logo and Lazaar's guardian in the background.
* CrapsackWorld: When Robotnik overthrew the monarchy [[HigherTechspecies with his technologically advanced]] [[RobotSoldier robotic army]], he immediately [[TakeOverTheWorld started conquering the rest of the planet]] with the goal of roboticizing [[FinalSolution absolutely everyone]]. The result of this has been years of world-spanning conflict, causing [[ApocalypseHow/Class2 extensive damage to all civilization]] and [[GaiasLament most of the environment]]. The series begins [[AfterTheEnd ten years after Robotnik won]]: The native populations have all either been captured or forced into hiding, leaving behind nothing except [[GhostCity empty, decaying cites]] where proud cultures used to stand. ''Nothing'' opposes him now but [[LaResistance small groups of freedom fighters]] attacking from hidden bases, and they don't have it easy: the [[VillainWorld entire planet]] is against them. Yet, for all of that, they are making [[AWorldHalfFull slow progress towards victory]].
* CriminalAmnesiac: Sonic is this in "No Brainer."
* CursedWithAwesome: Bunnie Rabbot, who lost half of her body and gained super strength in the process.
* CuteBruiser: Bunnie.
* CuteIndignantGirlStance: Sally does this in some of her exceptionally childish arguments with Sonic, even adding a tantrum-esque foot stomp to the mix.
* CutShort: The series ended on a cliffhanger in which Dr. Robotnik appeared to have died but his increasingly dissatisfied henchman Snively has plans to usurped his place as the series' primary antagonist, revealing a threatening new foe, shown out of the darkness with menacing red eyes. Whoever this new character was, viewers never found out, as [[TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised the series was abruptly cancelled]]. Writer Ben Hurst revealed his plans for a third season where the mysterious red eyes belonged to [[spoiler: Naugus, an EvilSorcerer who Robotnik betrayed years prior.]] There was a long running comic adaptation by Archie comics, but because the comic strove to merge the other ([[ContinuitySnarl often conflicting]]) versions of the franchise together, it [[ContinuityDrift fell short]] of serving as a conclusion for ''Sonic [=SatAM=]''.
* CyberCyclops: [=SWATbots=] have a single red glowing visor.
* CyberPunk: The world has become an industrial nightmare. Cybernetics and other technologies have transformed society. Young streetwise punks flaunt the law, conducting guerrilla raids to overthrow a corrupt government. Coming off the heels of the 1980's, it's no surprise that this show would feature these themes. Interestingly enough, the essence of this trope is present in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25QfKGuiims earliest]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlB_lHSJrQk Sonic]] [[https://youtu.be/Ks6DsbJXaVA?t=2119 games]], and still exists in [[https://youtu.be/WNfv2Efd3Gk Sonic Mania]]: as you get closer to Robotnik, you will see sprawling cities, humongous factories, and various pro-Robotnik propaganda.
* CyberpunkWithAChanceOfRain: Robotopolis has consistently crummy weather.
* {{Cyborg}}:
** Bunnie was in the middle of [[UnwillingRoboticization being roboticized]] before she was rescued at the last second; as a result, both of her legs and one of her arms are robotic. [[CursedWithAwesome However]], she retained her free will and gained SuperStrength in the bargain.
** Robotnik has a mechanical arm, robotic eyes, and robotic ears.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tropes D to F]]
* DangerousDeviceDisposalDebacle: Uncle Chuck created the robotocizer for the purpose of allowing the elderly to live longer by converting their flesh into cybernetics, but discarded the invention after it turned out it also robbed people of their free will in the process. Leaving the blueprints unattended was the pivot in Julian Robotnik's conquest of planet Mobius.
* DarkerAndEdgier:
** This cartoon is easily the darkest incarnation of the [[Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog Sonic franchise]], detailing a world where [[VillainWorld Robotnik won]], and used his technology to [[CrapsackWorld turn the world into an industrial wasteland dystopia]] and [[UnwillingRoboticisation turn most of the population into robotic slaves]]. The heroes have it very hard, and even if they manage to win, [[WorldHalfFull it will be a very long road to full recovery]].
** Watching the pilot episode reveals that the series is darker and edgier than ''itself'' originally was. Much of the animation in the pilot (particularly Sally and Bunnie) had a much brighter, softer look than the actual show and the tone is much more whimsical.
** This show is also far more serious than the other shows that Creator/DiCEntertainment has produced before or since.
* DeadpanSnarker: Most characters have their moments of this, but Sonic, Sally, and Snively were the most prominent examples.
* DeathWorld: Robotropolis is ''not'' a nice place. The city is surrounded on all sides by a [[GaiasLament vast, noxious wasteland where nothing lives except the odd roboticized rat]]. The outskirts consist of literal ''mountains'' of garbage that form a wall all around, and dangers ''inside'' the city include pools of acid, toxic lakes, noxious fumes, and vast amounts of [[MalevolentArchitecture lethally dangerous machinery]], ranging from [[NoOSHACompliance broken things that Robotnik simply doesn't use anymore]], to power plants and factories that were [[NightmarishFactory never built for safety in the first place]]. [[FromBadToWorse As if that wasn't enough]], the city itself is [[SinisterSurveillance under constant surveillance]] and patrolled 24/7 by relentless [[RobotSoldier mechanical warriors]] and [[CoolPlane drone aircraft]] that are ''hell bent'' on [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticizing]] or killing anything that lives.
* DefangedHorrors: This show has an awful lot of intentionally scary content, especially for a Sonic cartoon. All of it helps to establish the dreary atmosphere of [[VillainWorld a world where Robotnik won]].
** The visuals in Robotropolis are [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190727221014/http://sonicsatam.com/prettysideofpain/SatAM/SatAM_racingaway.jpg quite dark and oppressive]].
** Aside from the [[AndIMustScream existential horror]] of being roboticized, the sight of a Roboticizer in action is [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190724040045/https://78.media.tumblr.com/b9dc43739e9ec4c89a356e0d827ca6d1/tumblr_p3i0glgL7F1u78h1go1_400.gif actually terrifying]].
** This also impacts many character designs: [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190727215751/https://i.ytimg.com/vi/44dwsrArDX8/hqdefault.jpg Robotnik]] [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190727220043/http://sonicsatam.com/prettysideofpain/SatAM/SAS_pushybutton.jpg himself]] is the most notable example, but other examples include [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190727222141/https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5RRD-IGURz4/WEjcGvBV3kI/AAAAAAAAJk4/YXOU_11FhAUudzBtQIx9BOda3mmqsp59ACLcB/s320/S03.png roboticized creatures]] and the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190727222315/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/6/68/Kraken_SatAM.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/350?cb=20131027175401 horribly mutated subterranean king]] in ''Sub Sonic.''
* DefiantToTheEnd: When Sally gets captured by Dr. Robotnik in "Sonic and Sally", he demands her to tell where Knothole is located. Sally's response: "Sure I will. When you get a life."
* DegradedBoss: The Doomsday Test Pod in "Cry of the Wolf" proved itself to be almost indestructible and a robotic version of the ImplacableMan, only destroyed when it was [[spoiler:coerced into a lightning storm]]. In "The Doomsday Project", the pods are [[OneHitPointWonder one-shotted]] by balloons filled with some kind of corrosive chemical, though they are still invulnerable to normal attacks.
* DemotedToExtra: Bunnie and Rotor both get ''far'' smaller roles in season two than they had in the first season. In particular, Bunnie's role as TheBigGuy was taken by [[RememberTheNewGuy Dulcy]].
* DespotismJustifiesTheMeans: Robotnik's motivation is very simple - [[https://youtu.be/O75DmcC6owg?t=484 he wants to control everything on Mobius]].
* {{Determinator}}: Antoine, Tails, Sonic, Sally, and Robotnik all have traces of this.
* DiabolicalMastermind: Robotnik's method of rule resembles this trope: he's already conquered the planet, so he's generally content to send his robot armies to do his dirty work for him instead of getting directly involved in a fight. That said, there are [[WorthyOpponent exceptions]] that will [[https://youtu.be/rQ8BHeuoXYw?t=256 cause him to get directly involved]].
* DirtyCoward: Antoine, initially more of an arrogant LovableCoward, was {{Flanderized}} into this trope later on, at least once offering to switch sides when the Freedom Fighter base had supposedly been found. Even Snively found him to be a "little worm".
* DisappearedDad: Sally's father, King Max. [[spoiler: He has been trapped in [[AnotherDimension The Void]].]]
* DistressedDamsel: Though a competent Freedom Fighter, Sally falls under this role on several occasions. Antoine also plays a male variant on occasion.
* TheDitz: Antoine and Dulcy. Bunnie to a lesser extent on occasion as well.
* DodgeTheBullet: Sonic uses his SuperSpeed and SuperReflexes to do this throughout the series, more explicitly in Season 1.
* DontCallMeSir: In the pilot episode, Sally indicates that she prefers not to be addressed as "Princess", because - as she sees it - "in the Great Forest, titles are meaningless". This is mimicked by a robot duplicate of her in the show proper.
* DoomedHometown: Mobotropolis.
* DoomsdayDevice: The Doomsday Project, which was central to the show's climactic story arc.
* DoomTroops: SWAT-bots [[https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/f/fc/Swat_Bot_SatAM.png/revision/latest?cb=20190518143927 fit the bill]].
* DownerEnding: "Ultra Sonic", "Sonic Conversion", and "The Void" all end on a low note for the heroes.
** BittersweetEnding: However, they also end with the team stopping Robotnik's current scheme and some small ray of hope of retrieving their lost companion.
* DragonAscendant: Snively was shown stepping up to this role in the final episode after Robotnik fled, [[ScrewedByTheNetwork but the series was canceled before he got to do anything]].
* DragonWithAnAgenda: Snively in the final minutes of the series finale was revealed to be this.
* DressingAsTheEnemy: Sally, Bunnie and Antoine do this in "Sonic's Nightmare", to less-than-desirable results. They do it again in season 2 with better results.
* DumbMuscle: Dulcy isn't the "sharpest tool in the shed" by any means.
* EarlyAdaptationWeirdness: The series has almost nothing in common with the post-''Sonic Adventure'' games, to the point where it seems like an [[InNameOnly in name only adaptation]]. The thing is, at the time this show was made, ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'' did not exist yet, and the Genesis games [[ExcusePlot didn't have much plot or characterization to work with]] aside from a [[GreenAesop vague message about preserving nature]] and a hint of CyberPunk genre. So, the writers decided to [[PragmaticAdaptation exaggerate the core plot of the first two games]]: Sonic's little animal friends are now [[AscendedExtra equally anthropomorphic co-stars with Sonic]], the nature message is made into a [[GaiasLament major subplot]], the villain Dr. Robotnik is made [[AdaptationalVillainy substantially more dangerous]], and Sonic was given a LoveInterest because Sega hadn't decided to make him a CelibateHero yet - and even now [[ZigZaggedTrope they haven't fully decided on that one]].
* EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference: In the first episode, Sally had pink fur and black hair while NICOLE was a desktop computer.
* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The pilot episode, "Heads or Tails", has several noteworthy differences from the series proper:
** The episode has a much goofier tone that wasn't revisited until the second season was [[EnforcedTrope forced]] to [[DenserAndWackier lighten up]].
** The overall coloring and animation is brighter and lighter.
** Sally has [[EarlyInstallmentCharacterDesignDifference pink fur and black hair]], rather than the brown fur and hair she has in the rest of the show.
** NICOLE is a computer monitor on a wheeled stand, rather than a handheld computer.
** Buzzbombers appear in this episode, attacking Knothole, making them the only enemies from the games to directly appear in this series. They are never seen again.
** The episode's title doesn't have the word "Sonic" in it (though that naming scheme was dropped in the second season anyway).
** Rotor is purple rather than blue, and has a different, goofier looking design. Franchise/ArchieComics would keep the sillier design and purple coloration for their adaptation.
* EarsAsHair: In the DenserAndWackier pilot, Bunnie is shown using curlers on her ears.
* EarthAllAlong: According to the show's third season outline, Mobius is a post-Apocalyptic version of Earth. It explained Robotnik and Snively's presence as them having been in a space colony when the Apocalypse happened, resulting in them being among the few humans still alive. This was backed by an episode featuring a third human in the form of an old wizard who had been in slumber for centuries.
* EarthDrift: [[invoked]] In the pilot episode, Sonic mentions [[Music/GunsNRoses Axl Rose]] by name while playing an electric guitar. This is a show that takes place on [[ConstructedWorld Planet Mobius in the 33rd century.]] During an episode of the second season, Robotnik makes reference to "Topeka" but then immediately muses that he doesn't know where it is. No more references to real life places or people are made after this. It's worth noting that the original plan for Mobius was that it was [[EarthAllAlong post-apocalyptic Earth]], though this is never expressly stated in the show itself thanks to it's [[ScrewedByTheNetwork premature cancellation.]]
* {{Egopolis}}: Dr. Robotnik takes over Mobotropolis and renames it Robotropolis.
* EmpathyPet: [[RightHandCat Cluck]] is Robotnik's empathy pet. His emotions towards anything are closely synchronized with his master's, whether it's felt towards his subordinates or enemies. Robotnik also dotes on Cluck constantly, so much so that he talks to it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAvvhS35ftA in his first appearance]].
** In ''Sonic's Nightmare'', there's a moment where Sally, Antoine and Bunnie are captured by SWAT-bots. Ever the DefiantCaptive, Sally expresses her distaste by implying that Robotnik is "too chicken" to face them himself. Robotnik appears immediately afterwards, having clearly [[OhCrap overheard her]]. Though he [[FauxAffablyEvil maintains a placid tone]], Cluck can be seen expressing his carefully repressed anger by [[https://youtu.be/5fIHsLYzR7w?t=547 snapping at her face.]]
* EmperorScientist: Robotnik conquered Mobius with his machines, and held on to it for 11 years.
* EmpoweredBadassNormal: [[spoiler:Sally becomes this in the last episode, when she uses the [[GreenRocks Deep Power Stones]] along with Sonic to destroy Robotropolis.]]
* EndangeredSpecies: ''[[UpToEleven All]]'' life on Mobius is endangered. Robotnik has already destroyed most civilization in the world, [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticizing]] every living thing unlucky enough to cross his path. Even more, the pollution he leaves in his wake as his war factories expand production is [[GaiasLament steadily destroying the biosphere]], killing off everything else that remains. He has no intention of stopping until [[FinalSolution everything on the planet is either roboticized or dead.]]
* EpicFail: Antoine's martial arts training results in him getting flung into Sonic's house after running into a twig.
* EpisodeTitleCard: Every episode of the series began with an expressive title card.
* EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: In the [[EnforcedTrope mandated]] BreatherEpisode ''Ro-Becca'', Antoine gets a very aggressive female robot to fall in love with him with his French accent. After a few minutes of [[AbhorrentAdmirer trying to elude her in vain,]] he finally repels her with a surprisingly convincing [[TheAhnold Ahnold]] impression. Then he accidentally attracts her again by relapsing back to his French accent. Sonic later unintentionally attracts Robecca's attention [[HereWeGoAgain with a little French of his own...]]
* EvilIsHammy: While this shows' Robotnik's is [[KnightOfCerebus much darker than most other versions of the character,]] he still makes a habit out of chewing the scenery.
* EvilIsPetty: Robotnik actively belittles his minions (usually Snively) and gloats over his roboticized slaves.
* EvilKnockoff: In "Sonic and Sally", Robotnik had kidnapped Sally and replaced her with a robot double that was so convincing, it fooled almost everybody. Tails was the only one who realized something was off, and Sonic only began to catch on as well after Tails had warned him. In the end, Sonic was able to trick Robotnik by switching Sally out with the very same robot.
* EvilLaugh:
** Robotnik has a series of evil laughs, ranging from low, menacing chuckling to full on deranged cackling. The fact that he's voiced by Creator/JimCummings certainly helps matters.
** Snively gave an crazy one when he believed that Robotnik died with the Doomsday Project, and the being with the red eyes in the end also gave a creepy chuckle too.
* EvilOverlord: Robotnik. There's a reason the Freedom Fighters want him overthrown.
* EvilSoundsDeep: Robotnik's speaking voice - provided by Creator/JimCummings - is a [[https://youtu.be/rQ8BHeuoXYw?t=291 low, menacing drawl with a metallic reverb]], that [[ColdHam only seldom rises above a whisper]]. His voice alone is among the most memorable aspects of the series, and a strong contrast to every other version of the character, who all have much more normal vocal tones and a [[LargeHam more bombastic delivery]].
* ExplainExplainOhCrap: In "Sonic Conversion," the Freedom Fighters finally manage to make a working de-roboticizer, and use it to revert [[{{Cyborg}} Bunnie]] back to normal. Seeing this, Sonic retrieves his Uncle Chuck from Robotropolis and brings him to Knothole, where the same process is used to change him back as well. Later, it turns out that [[HopeSpot the effects are only temporary]]: Bunnie's arm and legs revert back to cybernetics, causing her to break down into tears. Sally makes an attempt to comfort her and reassure her they'll restore her back to normal again in due time... only to realize that if the deroboticization on Bunnie was only temporary, then the same thing will happen to Uncle Chuck, [[ManchurianAgent immediately creating an enemy agent inside Knothole]].
-->'''Sally''': It's okay, Bunnie. We'll get you back to normal again. Listen, all we have to do— ''Oh, no!''
-->'''Bunnie''': What?
-->'''Sally:''' ''Uncle Chuck!''
* FamilyOfChoice[=/=]TrueCompanions: The Freedom Fighters are clearly a tightly-knit group of friends, all of whom have lost their actual families and so turn to each other for that kind of support; Tails even considers Princess Sally his "Aunt", [[LikeASonToMe and she treats him very much like her own son at times]]. Likewise, Sonic and Tails have a very brotherly relationship.
* FanOfTheUnderdog: Tails is the only one who can bear Antoine's self aggrandizing stories. Sally also defends him at times.
-->'''Sally:''' Come on Sonic, Antoine has his good points.
-->'''Sonic:''' You mean besides his ''head''?
-->'''Sally:''' *thinks desperately* Errrr...he has a nice haircut.
* FatBastard: Dr. Robotnik is definitely one of the bigger versions of the character, even larger than the ''Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog'' incarnation, and every single fiber of his being is incredibly repulsive.
* FauxActionGirl:
** Bunnie is demoted into this in the second season.
** Lupe is boasted as a capable and wise leader of the Wolf Pack. However, she and her team spend both of their appearances as TheLoad, left in the sidelines in the first and getting captured in the second.
* FauxAffablyEvil: [[AdaptationalVillainy In contrast to his more comedic portrayals in the rest of the franchise]], Dr Robotnik is shown to be a complete [[TheSociopath sociopath]] with a goal to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy all organic life on Mobius]]. He will happily take [[NoNonsenseNemesis the shortest path to victory]] and has no qualms about killing or roboticizing literally everything and everyone that lives, including [[WouldHurtAChild children]]. Despite all that, he is also [[WickedCultured well cultured and erudite]].
* FieryRedhead: Sally has her moments of this.
* FighterLaunchingSequence: The Stealth Bots always have a scene like this when they launch.
* FiveManBand
** TheLeader: Sonic (Also TheHero.)
** TheLancer: Sally (Also TheStrategist and, to a lesser degree, TheSmartGuy.)
** TheSmartGuy: Rotor
** TheBigGuy: Bunnie (Also TheChick.)
** TheLoad: Antoine
** TagalongKid: Tails
*** Uncle Chuck takes up Rotor's [[TheSmartGuy Smart Guy]] role while Dulcy does the same for Bunnie's [[TheBigGuy Big Guy]] role in season 2. Tails also becomes quite TheSmartGuy himself in ''Drood Henge'', which resulted in him being bumped up to [[TheSixthRanger Sixth Ranger]] status.
* {{Flanderization}}: Between the two seasons of the show, most of the main characters had parts of their personalities exaggerated to the exclusion of other important personality traits. In addition, the remaining characters [[OutOfFocus were made far less prominent]].
** Robotnik was plainly shown to be [[TheUnfettered completely without limitations]] [[EstablishingCharacterMoment in his very first appearance]] ''in the LighterAndSofter [[{{Pilot}} pilot episode]]:'' it was made very clear that he actually ''would'' [[JustShootHim just kill]] or [[UnwillingRoboticization immediately roboticize]] any of his enemies at the first opportunity he got, [[https://youtu.be/PewVN_KprPs?t=103 with no warning or scruples.]] In the DarkerAndEdgier episodes that followed, this trait was only magnified, resulting in him using any personality flaws and or feelings of attachment he could see in others as weapons against them. This pragmatic part of him is [[VillainDecay very, very reduced]] in Season Two: while in his past he was able to [[PragmaticEvil make lengthy charades]] and [[TheChessmaster carefully laid his plans to expand and maintain his power]], in Season Two, Robotnik just can't resist wasting huge amounts of time gloating over his enemies [[WhyDontYouJustShootHim instead of finishing them off]]. This extends to [[MotiveDecay his entire motivation for conquering Mobius]]: in season one, he was in it to [[DespotismJustifiesTheMeans ensure that he alone was in control]], the second season [[{{retcon}} changed]] his motive to [[DystopiaJustifiesTheMeans a love of how pollution smells]].
** Sonic was originally a ''somewhat'' BookDumb hero with a not totally undeserved, but [[{{Pride}} still problematic arrogant streak]]. He was a master of ImprovFu, and when he slowed down and stopped letting his ego dictate his actions, he could be quite perceptive and even a bit manipulative. In the second season, this was exaggerated to [[IdiotHero complete idiocy]] and [[ItsAllAboutMe borderline narcissism]], making him so cocky and incompetent that more than half of the episodes are devoted to him making some sort of error out of recklessness and needing to be bailed out by the rest of the team. In addition, his tendency to improvise simply disappeared, and got replaced with [[PowersDoTheFighting simply abusing the heck out of his speed.]]
** In direct contrast, Sally had her positive aspects exaggerated: In season one, she was a NotSoDifferent {{Foil}} for Sonic, often unnecessarily competing with him out of selfish pride, and suffering similar BreakTheHaughty moments. In Season two she acts as his HyperCompetentSidekick to accommodate his increased recklessness. Case in point: "Sonic And The Secret Scrolls" from Season 1 is a role reversal of later episodes' standard formula, with Sonic playing TheStraightMan to a blundering plan of Sally's.
** Antoine was originally rather pompous and cowardly, but had some amount of [[HiddenDepths lucidity and nobility]]. However, in Season Two he is a full time StrawLoser who is barely able to last five seconds without saying or doing something stupid or narcissistic and acting like a full blown DirtyCoward.
* FootPopping: In the final episode, Sonic kisses Sally, whose foot "pops" off the ground.
* ForbiddenZone: Simply labelled as such, it's a hazardous slum of Robotropolis where the wizard Lazaar rested.
* FrenchJerk: [[JerkassToOne Antoine was quite rude to Sonic]].
* TheFriendsWhoNeverHang: In season one, the main team was Sonic, Rotor, Sally, and Bunnie, with Rotor being Sonic's closest friend and confidant, and Bunnie being Sally's closest friend and confidant. In Season 2, Sally rarely ever interacts with Bunnie, while Sally replaced Rotor as Sonic's confidant, making them both [[DemotedToExtra largely irrelevant.]]
** The ones who interacted the least were Tails and Rotor, which is ironic given that they're both tech-savvy.
* FullNameUltimatum: Sally often calls the title character "Sonic Hedgehog" when she gets angry. Apparently, that's his actual full name.
* FunctionalMagic: In this cartoon, [[FantasticScience magic is itself a studied science.]] The episode "Super Sonic" features Lazaar, a wizard who built a literal MagicalComputer with an index of specific spells. In addition, the Power Rings that Sonic uses are made from [[BackgroundMagicField ambient magical energy]] harnessed through a machine made by [[GadgeteerGenius Uncle Chuck]]. Because the Deep Power Stones generate the same type of energy as what's contained in the rings, Sonic can use them in the same way.
* FurryFemaleMane: This trope is in play, though some female characters choose to keep their hair short. Sally and Lupe both have a mane of hair, while Bunnie only has a tuft of fur on her forehead (despite sometimes [[EarsAsHair treating her ears as hair]]). Most male characters have just fur, though Antoine has a blond cut and some elderly characters such as Uncle Chuck and King Acorn have mustaches.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tropes G to J]]
* {{Gasshole}}: Sonic projects quite the belch whenever he's he had a chili dog, much to Sally's disgust.
* GeniusBruiser: Rotor, who was the smartest and one of the strongest members of the Freedom Fighters. Robotnik also fits this trope by way of his mechanical arm, which demonstrates great strength.
* GettingCrapPastTheRadar:
** These start with the first episode in the series. Robotnik's plan is to air-drop a newly invented tree-killing chemical to destroy the Great Forest, [[NoNonsenseNemesis exposing Knothole Village]]. You [[http://archive.is/Oge6j might happen to notice]] [[UsefulNotes/TheVietnamWar that the chemicals are colored]] ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange orange.]]''
** The kiss between Sonic and Sally in "Hooked on Sonics" (the second one, ''after'' the peck on the cheek with the faux PostKissCatatonia) gets rather ''[[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything intimate]].'' [[https://youtu.be/JubzKEniPBE?t=24 Judge for yourself]]. Also counts as ParentService.
** [[spoiler: Sally's tone of voice when she uses the Power Stones with Sonic [[StealthPun for the first time]]:]]
---> [[spoiler: [[https://youtu.be/iqC2ZKTL3-Y?t=1050 "So this is what Power Rings feel like.]] ''[[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything Wow.]]'' Let's do it to it!"]]
** Bunnie. In addition to having a flirty disposition, [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190725065450/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/princebalto/images/d/da/Sonic143.JPG/revision/latest?cb=20131012135919 her outfit]] is strikingly similar to (and somewhat ''more'' revealing than) a PlayboyBunny.
** Bunnie's dialogue tends to contain [[GoshDangItToHeck mild expletives]], some of which aren't as child-friendly as they may seem to be:
--> '''Bunnie:''' "What in the [[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/hoo-ha#Noun hoo-hah]] just happened?"
** A very subtle but clever example occurs during in "Warp Sonic", with Sally cutting Sonic off just before he recites a famous rhetorical question:
-->'''Sonic:''' Sal, is the sky blue? Is dirt dirty? [[CurseCutShort Do bears-]]
-->'''Sally:''' Sorry I asked.
*** For those not versed in English idioms, he was about to ask if [[ToiletHumor bears shit in the woods]].
** Antoine has ''trouble'' [[{{Malaproper}} using the correct word in a sentence.]]
--> '''Antoine:''' ''[[MistakenForRacist Gringo!]]''
--> '''Rotor:''' Antoine... it's ''bingo,'' not gringo.
* GhostCity: Mobius is full of these - [[http://archive.is/rpF8G vast cities]] and [[http://archive.is/oHt3l city-sized complexes]] outside of Robotropolis that are [[http://archive.is/7FIe5 absolutely]], [[http://archive.is/9GqWT completely]], [[http://archive.is/mrULe empty]] of any life except for plant overgrowth and what few birds and rats avoided being Roboticized.
* GilliganCut:
--> '''Sonic''': Well this hedgehog's never giving up!
--> '''Sonic''': I give up! [[spoiler:[[ISurrenderSuckers Suckers!]]]]
* GoodBadGirl: Bunnie is unambiguously a G-rated version of this trope[[note]][[AnimalStereotype She is a]] ''[[ExplosiveBreeder rabbit]]'', after all.[[/note]] At one point she casually, yet ''seriously'' [[https://youtu.be/GZDWLRFAbPs?t=595 jokes about eyeing]] ''[[MayDecemberRomance Uncle Chuck]].'' She is very flirty, and wears a somewhat skimpier version of a [[PlayboyBunny well known sexy outfit]]. Along with Antoine, Bunnie is one of only two characters in the show who will fuss over their appearance, and is the ''only'' one to wear makeup. She's also easily the sweetest character in the cast, and has a good rapport with nearly everyone: a FemmeFatale she is not.
** [[https://web.archive.org/web/20170611053254/http://sonicsatam.com/exclusive/bible/page12.jpg Page 12]] of Sonic [=SatAM's=] UniverseBible (which can be read in full [[https://web.archive.org/web/20160322024407/http://www.sonicsatam.com/?s=bible at this link]]) reveals that she isn't ''at all'' picky about love - she has her eye on [[AnythingThatMoves nearly every male in the cast except Tails]].
-->'''Bunnie:''' "Speaking of be-hinds,... I dearly love boys. I can sit for hours and watch em' walk by one by one. Um-um."
* GoshdangItToHeck: Bunnie frequently uses "colorful metaphors" when surprised. Sonic does too, but less frequently. They also cuss outright, but that's always [[GettingCrapPastTheRadar obscured]] through a [[UnusualEuphemism careful choice of words]] or [[CurseCutShort cutting them off before they actually say it]].
* GratuitousSpanish: Dulcy's and Lupe's names, which mean "sweet" and "wolf" respectively.
* GreatOffscreenWar: The Great War mentioned in "Blast to the Past part 1". No reference is ever made to it outside of one line from King Acorn. Additionally, it's revealed in various episodes that Mobitropolis was not the only power on the planet, however, ''everything'' left of the other cultures on the planet is unpopulated ruins.
* GreenAesop: [[invoked]] Taking cues directly from ''[[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic The Hedgehog]]'' and ''[[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]'',[[note]][[WordOfGod Yuji Naka himself]] speaks on this trope [[http://archive.is/LHCVO in this interview]][[/note]] ''Sonic [=SatAM=]'' features a message about preserving nature. The show is [[https://youtu.be/8sV-Qk2pl7c?t=776 consistently noted]] to be a refreshingly ''subtle'' example of this trope, as a result of adhering to ShowDontTell via the distinct contrast between [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309230120/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonicsatam/images/8/8a/Bg_11.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100620230256 Knothole Village]] and [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309225852/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/evil/images/8/8b/The_Robotropolis.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190112000014 Robotropolis]][[note]]Robotropolis is visually based directly on the appearance of [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309222455/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/f/f4/Scrap_Brain_Act_1.png/revision/latest/top-crop/width/360/height/360?cb=20140311201700 Scrap Brain Zone from Sonic 1,]] but with a cooler color palate, though it has the red sky in [[http://archive.is/RY2zj some concept art]].[[/note]] rather than resorting to preachy diatribes a-la ''[[WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers Captain Planet]]''.
** In addition, as with Sonic CD, technology itself is not the problem: the problem is Robotnik. Mobius was already enjoying advanced computer technology, MagiTek, robots and flying machines... machinery only stared destroying nature after [[MadScientist Robotnik]] took over and perverted it's use.
* GreenRocks: The Deep Power Stones, the Power Rings, and the Time Stones.
* GrossUpCloseUp: A memorable example can be found in "Sonic Conversion".
-->'''Robotnik''': Snively, what color is my heart?
* GuardianEntity: [[SorcerousOverlord Lazaar]] has one that ensures that [[ThresholdGuardians only someone "evil enough" may approach him]] while he [[SealedEvilInACan sleeps]].
* GuiltFreeExterminationWar: Robotnik wants everything on Mobius roboticized or dead - nothing less will do. On the other side, the Freedom Fighters explicitly mention that they want Robotnik dead, and it's obvious they wouldn't shed a single tear for Snively, either.
* HairTodayGoneTomorrow: Snively used to have long wavy hair before a time-traveling Sonic accidentally blew it off.
* HalfDressedCartoonAnimal: Most of the good guys are missing clothing in some way. In the main cast, only Antoine and Bunnie avert this trope.
* HarmlessElectrocution: In "Ro-Becca", Antoine gets struck by lightning and then shoots dozens of feet into the air, wailing like a dying cat, only to land right in Ro-Becca's arms.
* HartmanHips: Sally has these, depending on the artist.
* HateSink: In most of his incarnations, Robotnik is selfish and cruel, but also bombastic, loves showboating, and his evil nature sometimes is overcome with a pang of remorse, so it's difficult to really hate him. Here, however, those redeeming features are stripped away and replace with pure seething sadism and malicious intent, making him truly repulsive and despicable.
* HeadbuttingHeroes: Sally and Sonic [[BelligerentSexualTension often compete with each other]]. Also, Sonic and Antoine often argue with each other or competing for Sally's affections. (Though that particular "competition" is [[OfficialCouple very one-sided]]) As Sally once [[VerbalBackspace inadvertently]] pointed out, should one get captured, the other likely wouldn't even lift a finger if she didn't lecture them enough.
* TheHeavy: Robotnik. With very few exceptions, he drives the plot of nearly every episode, typically in the form of him doing something to obtain a powerful artifact, create an unstoppable weapon, and/or destroy the Freedom Fighters.
* HeelFaceBrainwashing: For most "No Brainer", Snively, with the help of a "memory scrambler" device, has brainwashed Sonic into working for the bad guys, but by the end, the tables have turned, and Sonic brainwashes Snively. While he doesn't really force Snively into doing anything directly helpful for the good guys, Snively does physically attack Robotnik when he sees him, thanks to Sonic filling his freshly-laundered brain with insults about Robotnik. It doesn't end well for Snively. But then again, for Snively, nothing ever does.
* HeelFaceTurn: Lazaar the wizard once terrorized Mobius through the power of a [[{{Magitek}} spell-casting computer]] he created, which he [[SealedEvilInACan filled with evil magic]]. For reasons unknown, he went to the ForbiddenZone, sealed himself inside a massive fortress full of all manner of deadly traps, and put himself into a magical sleep for centuries until someone ''[[OnlyTheWorthyMayPass vile enough]]'' came along to awaken him. During that sleep, he dreamed for centuries, [[BeingEvilSucks reliving every evil act]] [[PsychologicalTormentZone he ever committed]]. He eventually came to [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regret being so evil]]. Unfortunately, destroying the magic computer would release all the evil inside and cause a catastrophe, so upon being awakened, he took his magical computer and willingly left Mobius into another dimension to guard it, presumably for eternity.
* HeinousHyena: The Nasty Hyenas in "Fed Up With Antoine/Ghost Busted", are a biker gang who who come from a cannibalistic tribe who always eat their king.
* HeroesWantRedHeads: [[OfficialCouple Sonic has a thing for Princess Sally]].
* HeroicBSOD:
** In "Ultra Sonic", Sonic and the team convert Uncle Chuck back to their side, but by the episode's end, his robotic programming reverts him back into a mindless drone, and the team are forced to abandon him. [[BreakTheHaughty The normally overconfident and optimistic Sonic completely breaks down into tears as a result]].
** Sally has a similar, albeit more subtle one after her father returns to the title vortex of "The Void".
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:Cat]] in "Sonic Boom", [[spoiler:Ari]] in "Game Guy" and [[spoiler:Uncle Chuck]] in "Blast To The Past Part 2."
* HeroicWillpower: After several brief periods of freedom thanks to the Power Rings, Sir Charles (or "Uncle Chuck") ultimately breaks free of Robotnik's control this way.
* HigherTechSpecies: Humans to Mobians. Julian Robotnik actually made it possible for [[TheGoodKing King Maximilian]] to win the Great War by [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190725180748/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/0/03/Schematics_Great_War.png/revision/latest?cb=20150819162217 giving his forces advanced technology]] and an army of [[RobotSoldier Peace-bots]] - once the war was over, Julian used that army to [[TheCoup take the throne]] by ordering the machines to only respond to his voice commands.
* HiMom: In the pilot, Sonic, Tails and Rotor are confronted with a surveillance orb. It's just Robotnik and Snively at the other end, but [[InnocentInaccurate Tails still says this phrase]].
* HitAndRunTactics: The Freedom Fighters' [[https://youtu.be/HkLw81PwFHs?t=1176 most]] [[https://youtu.be/irXmgaRjTQo?t=1264 common]] [[https://youtu.be/A4030J27h8Y?t=806 tactic]] is to sneak their way close to some important asset Robotnik has, blow it up, [[RunOrDie and run]]. They're forced to fight this way: Robotnik's power is too great for them to oppose in any conventional manner.
* HonoraryUncle: Tails calls Sally "Aunt Sally," Bunnie "Aunt Bunnie", and everyone calls Sonic's uncle "Uncle Chuck."
* HorrifyingTheHorror: As these pages have established, this version of Doctor Robotnik is a thoroughly nasty and scary individual. Naugus makes him ''quiver in terror'' at the mere sight of him.
* HowDoYouSay: Antoine:
-->Princess, I hate to be a, how you say, worryworm...
* HumanoidFemaleAnimal: All of the females except Dulcy.
* HumanityIsAdvanced: Over the last two decades, Mobius has seen sudden and ''extreme'' technological advancement, so much so that the population's entire way of life [[TheSingularity was irrevocably changed]]: [[MagicalComputer portable computers]], ArtificialIntelligence, [[{{Cyborg}} cybernetics]], [[HolographicTerminal holographic interface technology]], the deployment of [[RobotSoldier fully automated warfare]] and [[EnergyWeapon directed energy weapons]]... all of it is derived from Human technology.
* HumansAreBastards: [[EmperorScientist Robotnik]] and [[TheStarscream Snively]] are the only two human characters in the story. Neither of them are a shining example of humanity's positive virtues.
* HumblePie: Sonic several times over after his arrogance screws up a mission. [[NotSoAboveItAll Sally]] is made to accept this at least once too. Antoine also admits his mistakes after nearly dying in "Hooked On Sonics".
* HypnotizeThePrincess: Sally becomes the victim of magical hypnosis twice in the series - once in each season.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Griff in "Warp Sonic" finds out about the Freedom Fighters power ring source. He declines a comrade's suggestion to ask for their help since he believes ''they'' can't be trusted, and makes an elaborate plan to trick Sally and steal it from them instead.
* AnIcePerson: [[OurDragonsAreDifferent Surprisingly]], Dulcy is one, being able to shoot ice beams through her nose.
* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: Every episode in Season 1 (except for the pilot, "Heads or Tails") had "Sonic" in the title. Super Sonic, Ultra Sonic, Hooked on Sonics, etc.
* IJustWantToBeNormal: Bunnie Rabbot hates having robotic body parts.
* IKissYourHand: Sonic does this to Sally towards the end of the finale, a gesture which is generally unlike him.
* IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight: Done by Sonic in "Sonic Conversion" to keep his robotizised uncle from doing the same to Tails and Antoine. It worked.
* IndividualityIsIllegal: Robotnik [[VillainWorld runs the planet]], and his society doesn't tolerate freethinking individuals of any stripe. Individuality is ruthlessly suppressed by either [[UnwillingRoboticization forcible transformation of the offender into a robotic slave]], or death - [[LackOfEmpathy whichever is more immediately convenient]].
* ISurrenderSuckers: In "Sonic Conversion", Sonic pretends to give up so he'll be taken to Robotnik and the roboticizer. When Robotnik demands to know why he's there, Sonic hams it up, saying he can't take the stress anymore and his nerves are shot. Robotnik is unconvinced, and after a little banter, orders the [=SWATBots=] that brought Sonic in to put him in the roboticizer anyway. They grab Sonic, but he quickly trashes them and takes Robotnik for a spin in his own command chair as a diversion before getting to the true purpose of his mission: stealing parts from the roboticizer to fix the deroboticizer the Freedom Fighters have been working on.
* ImpliedDeathThreat: Sums up Robotnik's relationship with Snively. In one episode, he threatens to turn Snively into a paperweight.
* InASingleBound: Sonic can jump quite high.
* IndustrializedEvil: Robotropolis is totally and completely devoted to [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticizing]] all living things as quickly and efficiently as possible, and killing whatever can't be roboticized. As such, the ''entire city'' is little more than a combination of a [[HellholePrison prison]], a [[PeopleFarms processing plant]], and a [[EternalEngine war factory]]. [[FinalSolution Literally billions of Mobians were systematically roboticized there over the course of a decade]].
* InTheHood: Sonic wears a red hooded cloak in "Sonic Racer" when he arrives in Robotropolis to race against the robotic cheetah.
* InsultBackfire:
** When Robotnik orders Bunnie shot with a paralyzing ray in "Super Sonic":
-->'''Sally''': You are a miserable creep, Robotnik.
-->'''Robotnik''': Why, thank you, princess.
** And again in "Blast To The Past":
-->'''Chuck''': You're pure scum, Julian.
-->'''Robotnik''': I relish the thought.
* InterspeciesRomance: Sonic and Sally, a hedgehog and a chipmunk, respectively.
** Also attempted with Ro-Becca and Antoine, a robot cat and a coyote.
* ImpossiblyLowNeckline: Bunnie.
* InsultOfEndearment: Sonic and Sally often do this to each other.
* IntergenerationalFriendship: Most of the Freedom Fighters and Uncle Chuck Hedgehog. Of course, it's most because his nephew is the show's star. The same could also be said with Tails and the rest of the Freedom Fighters.
* InterrogationByVandalism: Snively tortures Antoine by cooking escargot ''in margarine''.
* IsTheAnswerToThisQuestionYes: Sonic makes extensive use of this. "Is grass green? Is water wet? Is the sky blue? Is dirt dirty? [[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/does_a_bear_shit_in_the_woods Do bears-]]"
* ItsProbablyNothing: In ''Sonic and Sally'', this trope is used, bizarrely, between two ''[[RobotSoldier SWAT-bots]]'' — who you'd think would have no business having separate thoughts. The two bots are in a [[CoolAirship hoverpod]] which happens to detect Bunnie with a built in [[InfraredXrayCamera heat sensor]]. The pilot is about to open fire when the co-pilot mentions that substation electricity interferes with the heat sensors. They opt to ignore her heat signature and move on.
** Minimum AI necessary for guard units likely to encounter crafty intruders + Possibility of differing age/experience/previous assignments = Difference in thought/processing patterns.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold:
** Sonic can be incredibly arrogant and frequently butts heads with the other Freedom Fighters (usually Sally or Antoine, even if the latter ''usually'' deserves it). He is altruistic to a fault however and in his reckless enthusiasm, he is only looking out for others.
** Antoine, who although being a cowardly, pompous oaf has proven to be unquestionably loyal to Princess Sally, and on occasion shown traits of CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass when one of the others was in trouble, like when Sonic was about to be ambushed from behind by a Nasty Hyena.
* JustBeforeTheEnd: In ''Blast to the Past'', Sonic and Sally use the Time Stones in attempt to go back before Robotnik took over and prevent his rise to power. [[YouAlreadyChangedThePast It didn't work]].
* JustEatGilligan:
** Why the team always take Antoine to missions over more useful (or at least less detrimental) Freedom Fighters is never explained.
** At least one episode showed that Sonic can easily break into Robotnik's lair and deliver a CurbstompBattle as a distraction. Why in over a decade of warfare has he never attempted to capture or destroy Robotnik this way is unexplainable. [[note]]It should be noted that the episode occurred in the [[SeasonalRot second season]], which as these pages show, was rampant with both {{Flanderization}} and VillainDecay: the SWAT-bots went from being [[SuperSoldier terrifying war machines]] to [[MechaMooks easily destroyed cannon fodder]], and Robotnik himself went from being [[ManipulativeBastard scarily competent]] to [[StupidEvil mildly threatening]]. Given how much trouble [[https://youtu.be/8yvsoWwg5xw?t=464 Robotnik's base defenses were shown to give Sonic before]], this plan would ''not'' have worked in season one by any means.[[/note]]
* JustInTime: Sally was nearly turned into a robot in "Sonic and Sally", but Sonic managed to rescue her and replace her with the fake.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tropes K to O]]
* KangarooPouchRide: Dulcy the dragon has a pouch for her passengers.
* KidAppealCharacter: Antoine has his moments of this, although it mostly falls to the role of Tails.
* KiddieKid: Tails is ten instead of his game version's eight. He's not allowed to be a Freedom Fighter for his own safety, which closely matches the way adults would [[RealityEnsues realistically]] treat a ten year old.
* KillerRobot: Almost every robot built by Robotnik is one of these.
* LaResistance: The Freedom Fighters.
* LackOfEmpathy: Robotnik has this in spades. Snively, while mostly only following orders, [[SmugSnake isn't exactly resentful about sending a good few Freedom Fighters to the robotocizer either]].
* LameRhymeDodge:
-->'''Snively''': Your stupidity will ruin everything, you ugly boil.
-->'''Dr. Robotnik''': '''''What''''' was that, Snively?
-->'''Snively''': I said the doomsday machine is going to need more oil, sir.
* LastFertileRegion: The Great Forest.
* LastOfHisKind: Thanks to Robotnik, the suburban monarch in "Sub Sonic" is the sole survivor of his kind. Also, [[spoiler: Dulcy]] is close to becoming this.
* LeftHanging: The final episode ends with Robotnik's sinister plot to launch doomsday pods all over Mobius ruined, and the city of Robotropolis can return to Mobotropolis as Dr. Robotnik is left to an unknown fate. Sonic and Sally realize their emotions for each other and kiss. But that's not it—Snively tells Sonic not to be so happy as it's now his turn, and a mysterious red-eyed figure (revealed in a later interview to be Ixis Naugus) laughs threateningly. Sadly, the show was canceled after Disney took over ABC.
* LetsSplitUpGang: On occasion, sometimes without actually saying "Let's split up". Episodes include "Sonic and Sally", where Sonic, Sally and Bunnie go in different directions to detonate a robot factory, and later on when Rotor and Bunnie take care of said factory while Sonic rescues Sally. In "Ultra Sonic", where Sonic and Sally go one way to look for parts for a new project, and Rotor, Bunnie and Antoine go another, and later on when Rotor, Antoine and Sally go one way to get to a set of controls, while Sonic, Uncle Chuck and Bunnie go another to get to another set.
* LighterAndSofter:
** Season 2, compared to Season 1. Robotnik became more comical in tone, Antoine became [[{{Flanderization}} much]] goofier than his season 1 persona: see the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2tmCvYoMQA infamous "Margarine!" scene.]] Dulcy, a comical dragon, is also added to the main cast. It did, however, manage to keep dramatic storytelling intact, especially prior to the final episode.
** Also the pilot episode (the one where Sally was pink and the Freedom Fighters fended off a squadron of Buzz Bombers with water balloons) when compared to the rest of the first season.
* LightningBruiser:
** In the games, Sonic is traditionally a FragileSpeedster: while he's great at dodging, he's far from being the hardest hitter, and can't do much damage at all [[IncreasinglyLethalEnemy if he doesn't take the time to get up to speed first]]. Here, he can punch and kick robots with enough force to [[PunchedAcrossTheRoom launch them several feet]] (though it [[RequiredSecondaryPowers makes sense that he could kick that hard]]), and when already running, he can use his momentum to throw armored things ''multiple times his size with enough force to shatter them.'' He is also the only Freedom Fighter to have broken security cameras ''by throwing junk at them...with ONE hand.''
** Dulcy, being a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent dragon]], is both very strong and very fast, especially when she "Cracks The Whip".
* LikeAnOldMarriedCouple: Sonic and Sally's arguments with each other [[http://archive.is/sPYo9/3263e8d0c23d0e9419e18dbd1da46241d698d80b.jpg fit this to a T]], thanks to their differing personalities and [[NotSoDifferent mutual stubbornness]].
* LikeBrotherAndSister: Tails has this relationship with both Sally and Bunnie. In the series' bible, the former even describes him as the little brother she always wanted but never had.
* LionsAndTigersAndHumansOhMy: Planet Mobius has both anthros and humans living on it. Much more the former than the latter, though.
* TheLoad: Antoine. He is incredibly cowardly and almost never contributes anything of value, yet for some reason they frequently bring him along on action missions.
* TheLostWoods: The Great Forest, wherein in Knothole itself is located. Though not magical, the foliage is so thick Robotnik can't move his machines through it to find the Freedom Fighters. The show's somewhat green message meant that the plot of a few episodes had him trying to remove this problem through various nasty methods.
* LovableCoward: Arguably what Antoine was aimed towards, though {{Flanderization}} leaned him more along the lines of a {{Jerkass}} DirtyCoward and an UpperClassTwit.
* LoveableRogue: Sonic fits the bill.
* LowAngleEmptyWorldShot: This filming style is used [[http://archive.is/HsG97 liberally]] to emphasize the devastation Robotnik caused.
* MadScientist: Dr. Robotnik and Snively both qualify.
* MagicCountdown: In the opening, the timer Sally sets actually counts down faster when it's not onscreen.
* {{Magitek}}: The plot of "Super Sonic" involves an ancient computerized spellbook that actually traps concentrated evil inside it.
* MakeOutKids: Both of Sonic and Sally's [[TheBigDamnKiss big kisses]] were made during a celebration in full view of the rest of the Freedom Fighters.
* MakeWayForTheNewVillains: Had the series continued, [[spoiler:Naugus]] would have taken over as the main villain, with Robotnik reduced to his lackey.
* {{Malaproper}}: Antoine. In his world, a fool is a fuel, bingo is pronounced gringo, and fertilizer is fraternizer.
* MalevolentMugshot: Robotnik really likes to look at himself - his face is emblazoned on various building throughout Robotropolis and beyond.
* MaliciousMisnaming: Sonic almost always refers to Robotnik as "Robuttnik." This originated in ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog,'' and carried over to ''WesternAnimation/SonicUnderground'' and the Sonic comics based off the [=SatAM=] show.
* ManlyTears: [[spoiler: At the end of ''Ultra Sonic'', when Uncle Chuck's personality is [[BrainwashResidue taken over again by Robotnik's programming]], [[TearJerker Sonic cries]].]]
* MeaningfulEcho: Near the end of the Season 1 episode "Sonic and Sally", after stopping Robotnik's current plot, Sonic smugly tells him that he came close, "but close only counts in Horseshoes." One season later, toward the end of "Blast to the Past, Part 2", Sonic and Sally argue about whether or not going back in time was a total waste:
-->'''Sonic''': We still didn't stop Robuttnik!
-->'''Sally''': But we came close!
-->'''Sonic''': Sal, this ain't Horseshoes!
* MeaningfulName:
** Dulcy's name is Spanish for "sweet", and she is a very nice dragon.
** Lupe, who's name means "wolf".
** Sonic himself.
** It's probably more a coincidence than anything else, but Sally's name comes from a Hebrew word meaning "princess".
** Ari from "Game Guy". He's a ram, which is often associated with the zodiac symbol Aries.
* MechanicalMonster: Reflecting their [[NoNonsenseNemesis maker]], most of Robotnik's machines are designed in the spirit of [[http://archive.is/KSCHa/f62b91188db678be65b90973f8403420b32573a2.jpg cold, ruthless efficiency.]] However, he occasionally indulges himself in making [[http://archive.is/YJWUx/55a53adc59a585d6bcd04e65dc02a3504bdb4d36.jpg?retry=1 more eccentric designs]] based on various animals.[[note]]Much like his counter part does [[http://archive.is/ILxcG/911585ac3f11c3b42501c6f34c35a447af53bd0d.jpg in the game series]][[/note]] The animal designs are rare, and tend to be both larger and substantially more powerful than his standard machines.
* MeatSackRobot: Sally's [[{{Doppelganger}} villainous replacement robot]] in ''Sonic and Sally'' is one of these. [[https://youtu.be/aCWOkUGlbzM?t=365 A metal endoskeleton surrounded with artificial flesh]] copied from the real thing.
* MindControlDevice: In "Super Sonic", Robotnik uses a stolen crystal computer's "submission spell" to control Princess Acorn and Bunny.
* MissingMom: Sally, Tails, and Dulcy.
* ModestRoyalty: Sally, though heir to the throne of the House of Acorn, is far too busy leading a resistance movement of desperate refugees from Doctor Robotnik's regime, to bother with the niceties of being a Princess.
* MortalityPhobia:
** [[ArtificialIntelligence Nicole]] [[HiddenDepths actually has this]]. After Sally and Bunnie go missing in ''The Void'', Sonic, frantic with worry, asks Nicole where they went. Nicole tries to explain what happened using her typical ExactWords and [[SesquipedalianLoquaciousness computer speak]] ... which only frustrates the already frenzied Sonic into [[ComedicSociopathy shaking her violently]]. Nicole ''quickly'' started experimenting with using Sonic's lingo to communicate.
** [[spoiler: This was Chuck's motivation to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero build the Roboticizer]]. It was originally built to [[ImmortalitySeeker help the elderly live longer]], but had the side effect of [[{{Brainwashed}} suppressing a person's free will.]]]]
* TheMostWanted: How Sonic is regarded by Robotnik's forces is is wrapped up in one line: ''Alert! Priority One: Hedgehog''. Any nearby bots drop whatever they're doing to pursue.
* MurderByInaction: In a couple of instances, Sonic's hatred of Antoine actually reached such a level that he seriously considered leaving him at the mercy of Robotnik. Sally goaded him into rescuing him however.
* MythArc: The Second Season has one, focusing on the magical Deep Power Stones.
* MythologyGag: Robotnik's Japanese moniker of Dr. Eggman was given a subtle nod-- Robotnik's citadel seems to be egg-shaped.
* NatureIsNotNice: Aside from Robotnik's pollution, the rest of Mobius is an [[SceneryPorn utterly beautiful planet]]... that doesn't mean it isn't dangerous. Mobius has flesh-eating plants, plants secrete oil that can disintegrate anything it touches, naturally occurring explosive crystals, and predatory life forms. Even so, the planet never comes anywhere close to the lethality of Robotropolis.
* NeverSayDie: [[AvertedTrope Nope. Death is very directly mentioned in multiple episodes]].
** ''Sonic and the Secret Scrolls'' sees Robotnik and Snively blasted over a high mountain ledge, and Bunnie says, in shock, "Robotnik ''dead!'' I don't believe it..." [[spoiler: [[NotQuiteDead the episode closes with them both climbing to safety]].]]
** ''The Void'', when Naugus and the King begin [[TakenForGranite turning into crystal]]:
--> '''Naugus:''' I misunderstood the Void's properties - it's drawing our life force. The only place I can control it is there. We must return, or we'll die.
* NeverTheSelvesShallMeet: In "Blast to the Past", Sonic and Sally travel back in time and meet their past selves. Nothing bad happens from this and the past selves don't know who they really are.
** Weirdly, Sally seems concerned that the possibility of their younger selves knowing their identities could be problematic so she and Sonic go by aliases. However, on at least two occasions, she uses Sonic's real name to refer to the older hedgehog with his younger self within earshot (and one of those time she does so right in front of the younger Sonic) yet the younger Sonic doesn't catch on.
* NiceHat: Rotor's cap. It's red in the second season of the cartoon, and yellow in the pilot, first season and comics design.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Sonic and Antoine and Sally have all ruined more than one plan due to their bumbling or arrogance.
** Uncle Chuck was unintentionally a pivotal part of Robotnik's takeover of Mobius by creating the robotocizer and leaving its blueprints out in the open, allowing Robotnik to steal the design and pervert it.
* NiceMeanAndInbetween: This comes into play in the second season thanks to Flanderization. Princess Sally is gentle and rational, Sonic is altruistic but arrogant and hot headed, Antoine is [[DirtyCoward cowardly]], but not malicious.
* TheNicknamer: Sonic, Bunnie, and Dulcy all were this at certain times.
* NonLethalWarfare: The series is set in a world where the heroes are a small band of [[LaResistance Freedom Fighters]] struggling against difficult odds, so they had to have some losses eventually. However, the writers [[NobodyCanDie weren't allowed to show any death]]. The solution? Robotnik's main way of disposing of his enemies was to "roboticize" them--that is, use a machine to [[UnwillingRoboticization turn them into mindless robots that would follow his orders]]. This was very effective, as the person's personality essentially "died", and they were also forced against their will to act as Robotnik's soldiers. Robotnik's forces also used [[RayGun laser weapons]], missiles, and so on, but they predictably [[ImperialStormtrooperMarksmanshipAcademy never actually hit anyone]].
** Early in the second season, a temporarily de-roboticized Uncle Chuck explains that the mind actually ''doesn't'' go away: the roboticized person is alive and fully aware of what is going on around them, but they [[AndIMustScream cannot control themselves]].
** In the first episode, the Freedom Fighters fend off Robotnik's robots by [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness flinging water balloons at them]]. [[DarkerAndEdgier The rest of the season saw them use bombs for that same purpose]].
* NonSequiturThud: Basically Dulcy's defining characteristic. She acts like she's being scolded by her "Ma" every time she crashes.
* NoRespectGuy: [[invoked]] Antoine, sometimes to the point of making him TheWoobie of the episode.
* NotSoAboveItAll:
** Sally, though usually OnlySaneMan to the other Freedom Fighters, could be arrogant and fallible at times. This more commonly happened in the first season.
** Though the show boasted a far more sinister and fearsome rendition of Dr. Robotnik, he couldn't go ''completely'' without comical moments. His fear-driven demeanor throughout "The Void" in particular is quite clownish.
* NotSoDifferent: Sonic and Sally may seem like complete opposites at first glance, but they are quite similar on a closer look. They are both arrogant for [[JerkassHasAPoint rather legitimate reasons]], they are both [[DeadpanSnarker quite snarky]], and in the end, they are both willing to put aside their personal feelings to do what is best for their team.
* NotSoHarmlessVillain: Snively is treated as a worthless toady by Robotnik, and something of a laughing stock to most of Freedom Fighters. However, he ''has'' come closer to invading Knothole than his uncle ever did (through sheer luck), and in the planned Third Season he would have briefly taken over as BigBad during Robotnik's absence.
* NotTheIntendedUse: Uncle Chuck invented the Roboticizer to help older people live longer by replacing their decaying bodies with cybernetics. He abandoned the project after discovering that it also [[AndIMustScream removed people's free will]], however, he made the mistake of not destroying his research. Robotnik found the blueprints and made his own Roboticizer, gleefully embracing the horrific side effects as he used it to turn all the people of Mobotropolis into his willing robotic slaves.
* OccupiersOutOfOurCountry: The Freedom Fighters want [[EmperorScientist Robotnik]] and his [[RobotSoldier robot army]] ''gone'' from planet Mobius.
* OddCouple: This trope was shoehorned into one of the eleven-minute Antoine episodes when Antoine is forced to live with Sonic, who conspicuously becomes more of a comedic sociopath. The episode is actually called "The Odd Couple".
* OddlySmallOrganization: The Knothole Freedom Fighters have fewer than 100 members, total, and out of those, less than two-dozen regular fighters.
* OffModel: Being a [=DiC=] cartoon, ''[=SatAM=]'' wasn't immune to the occasional animation error such as Sonic running up invisible walls or Tails' gloves being colored blue instead of white.
* OfficialCouple: [[OppositesAttract Sonic and Sally]]. They [[RedOniBlueOni greatly differ]] in their way of handling things, but are very much in love, and [[BattleCouple often fight side-by-side]]. They're so official that they fight together in the opening.
* OfficialKiss: Sonic and Sally get one of these at the end of the second season. Though they had already kissed before, this one was entirely spontaneous and had no ulterior motive. See the entry for PostKissCatatonia for details on their previous [[TheBigDamnKiss big kiss]].
* OminousFloatingSpaceship: Inverted. Dr. Robotnik is a human, and his CoolSpaceship ''wipes out'' nearly everyone in Mobotropolis.
* OmnidisciplinaryScientist: Sally supplies mainly in computer knowledge and hacking, but is also shown to have archeological knowledge and is implied to be as profound a mechanic as Rotor, not to mention the most dominant OnlySaneMan of the team. Given a lot of this was expanded as [[BreakoutCharacter her role became larger]], it may also count as TheMainCharactersDoEverything.
* OnlySaneMan: Most characters take turns at this, but Sally is usually the best candidate.
* OrphanedEtymology:
** Sonic name checks Axl Rose in the show's pilot episode. [[EarlyInstallmentWeirdness This never happens again]].
** In one episode, Sonic asked Nicole to repeat some TechnoBabble "in English."
** Lampshaded in "Sonic Conversion".
-->'''Robotnik''': Oh, please. Something is rotten in Topeka... wherever that is.
* OrphanedSeries: The series was cancelled after two seasons, despite the cliffhanger ending and a third season being planned.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: Dulcy the dragon is a complete klutz with a child-like mentality, and while she retains flight and other mythical powers, only once do we actually witness her breathe fire (to destroy an antenna). Instead, she [[AnIcePerson breathes ice]]. Dragons also have kangaroo-like pouches where they hold their young, and according to Dulcy, newborns are fed off milk produced by their mother.
* OurFounder: There was once a marble statue of the King outside his palace in Mobitropolis. After his takeover, Robotnik swapped it out with a metallic statue of himself.
* OutOfCharacterAlert: A variation of this occurs in "Sonic and Sally". Sally has been replaced with a robot duplicate, and the robot says a multitude of things she would never say.
* OutOfFocus: [[invoked]] Despite playing a big part in the games, Tails is more of a background character who is given the occasional DayInTheLimelight. WordOfGod says he would've played a much bigger role in the third season.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tropes P to T]]
* PainfulTransformation: The roboticization process takes an organic being and [[BodyHorror turns its skin, flesh, and bones into metals, its blood into oil, and its nerves into wires and circuitry]]... ''without'' anesthesia. The fact that this process is immensely painful is maintained in both [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190724040045/https://78.media.tumblr.com/b9dc43739e9ec4c89a356e0d827ca6d1/tumblr_p3i0glgL7F1u78h1go1_400.gif the cartoon itself]] and the [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190724042131/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/d/d0/Bernie_roboticized.png/revision/latest?cb=20091218165418 comic adaptation]].
* PantslessMalesFullyDressedFemales: While played straight by everyone else in the series, this is notably averted by Sally, Antoine, and several Mobian background characters, as this trope [[EarlyAdaptationWeirdness wasn't yet clearly established in the franchise at the time]].
* ParentalAbandonment: Thanks to Robotnik, most of the Freedom Fighters [[TeenageWasteland are effectively orphans]].
* ParentService: While it's much less [[UpToEleven extreme]] than most examples of this trope from the [[TheNineties 1990's]], this trope definitely still applies. [[http://archive.is/N42pu Sally]], [[http://archive.is/0LdOx Bunnie]], and [[http://archive.is/sCl2U Lupe]] in particular all have mildly sexy character designs.
* ParentingTheHusband: An unmarried example occurs with Sonic and Sally: she constantly tries to keep Sonic in line and endlessly chastises him for taking risks or going outside of her plans, [[InsufferableGenius regardless of whether or not they work]]. In the second season, it's actually [[JustifiedTrope justified]] thanks to Sonic being [[{{Flanderization}} flanderized]] to the point where he needs to guidance to avoid endangering himself and at times the ''entire team'' with his recklessness.
* PassiveAggressiveKombat: Sonic and Sally, quite often.
* PasswordSlotMachine: Sally and NICOLE hack into something of Robotnik's this way. A train and some acrobatics were involved in this scene as well.
* PetTheDog: Robotnik is a sadistic monster of the highest order, but he will affectionately pet and dote over his beloved Cluck endlessly. Curiously, however, [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse Cluck completely disappears in the second season]], thus eliminating Robotnik's one humanizing aspect.
* PhantomZone: The Void is a zone full of nothing at all except limitless magic that exists outside Mobius. Those within cannot affect anything on the outside. A powerful magician can effectively do [[RealityWarper anything in the void]], including see out of it, but [[AndIMustScream cannot escape.]] Robotnik likes using it to trap those people that he [[FateWorseThanDeath especially hates]].
* PhraseCatcher: "Shut up, Antoine!"
* PinballZone: "Game Guy" saw Robotnik put Sonic in a pinball machine. This was a direct reference to ''VideoGame/SonicSpinball'', which not only had [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190728052340/https://gamefabrique.com/storage/screenshots/genesis/sonic-spinball-11.png dark visuals to match SatAM's atmosphere, tone and color scheme]], but ''also'' included cameos of [[https://web.archive.org/web/20190728051855/https://i.redd.it/jfzuadyi2fm11.png Bunnie, Muttski, Sally, and Rotor]].
* PlayingWithFire: Dulcy, who is a fire breathing dragon.
* PoirotSpeak: Antoine painfully mixes English and French in his sentences and his accent makes certain words impossible to interpret, much to the confusion of the other characters.
* PokeThePoodle: The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2tmCvYoMQA infamous Margarine! scene.]]
* PollutedWasteland: Robotropolis is depicted as being a dark, polluted, and industrialized city, and its immediate surroundings are fittingly littered with garbage and toxic waste.
* PostKissCatatonia: [[SubvertedTrope Subverted]]. In the episode, "Hooked on Sonics" it looks like Sonic has fallen to this after Sally gives him a [[SmoochOfVictory peck on the cheek]]... but he gets back up, [[TheGadfly says he was just kidding, and that the kiss wasn't that great]]. He then ''[[TakeThatKiss shows]]'' her [[TheBigDamnKiss what a real kiss is]], much to Tails' disgust.
* PottyEmergency: In the pilot, Tails tells Sonic that he has to go to the bathroom, and starts shaking up and down.
* PowerLossMakesYouStrong: "Super Sonic" involved Sonic losing his speed and saving the day without it.
* PrincessProtagonist: Despite being seemingly the only remaining Mobian of Royal Blood, Sally [[PrincessesRule hasn't changed her title from "Princess" to "Queen"]]. This is because doing so would be [[DaddysGirl admitting that her father is dead]]. Also, despite being the Princess of Mobitropolis, she [[DownplayedTrope is no ruler]]: she ''would'' be if Robotnik hadn't taken over. Instead, she's a high-ranking member of the Freedom Fighters, [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority which are led by Sonic]]. She also [[DontCallMeSir doesn't like to be called Princess]] as long as her throne isn't in her control.
* PunnyName: [[PlayboyBunny Bunnie]] [[HollywoodCyborg Rabbot]].
* ThePurge: Robotnik's ongoing program of [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticization]] is this: anything that has even the slightest inkling of free will is systematically hunted down and [[ReforgedIntoAMinion forcibly converted into a slave]], [[AndIMustScream trapped inside a robotic body that isn't theirs to control]].
* QuarterHourShort: The two BreatherEpisode pairs mentioned above were made in this format.
* RagtagBunchOfMisfits: The Freedom Fighters consist of a super fast hedgehog, an innocent two tailed fox, a tomboyish chipmunk princess, a sweet half-roboticized rabbit, a cowardly coyote, and a walrus who's good with tools. They are later joined by a clumsy but good natured dragon and the fast hedgehog's robotized uncle. They band together to fight the evil Dr. Robotnik and free Mobitropolis from his control.
* RayGun: [[FrickinLaserBeams The primary weapon of everything.]] Unlike most [[StunGun Western]] [[FamilyFriendlyFirearms examples]], they were portrayed as ''very'' fast-moving, potentially deadly weapons throughout Season 1, and they usually either [[RuleOfCool exploded on contact]], or [[DisintegratorRay reduced things to ash]].
* RealityWarper: Naugus.
* RealMenWearPink: Robotnik's robe is purple and pink, with a giant collar for some reason. He also has pink sheets on his bed.
* RealNameAsAnAlias: When Sally travels back in time and meets her past self, she introduces herself as "Alicia". Past Sally comments that's her middle name.
* RecycledPremise: Executive producer Robby London had previously worked on ''WesternAnimation/SheRaPrincessOfPower'' which explains why both shows have a lot of similarities in setting and story.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: [[invoked]] Uncle Chuck and Robotnik; this is how the latter was introduced actually. There's also the glowing red eyes in the final scene of the series, which WordOfGod revealed as belonging to [[spoiler:Naugus]]. Subverted with Uncle Chuck after he breaks free of Robotnik's control, after which he only uses this to blend in with the other roboticized Mobians.
* RedOniBlueOni: Sonic and Sally. [[{{Irony}} Ironically]], "Red Oni" Sonic has blue fur, while "Blue Oni" Sally has [[HeroesWantRedheads red hair.]]
* RedRightHand: Dr Robotnik's left arm is [[ArtificialLimbs cybernetic]]. [[spoiler: It's all thanks to Sonic.]]
* RedShirt:
** At the beginning of "Blast to the Past Part 1", along with Sonic and Sally, we are introduced to two freedom fighters we've never seen before - guess who get promptly robotised!
** Similarly Cat debuts at the start of "Sonic Boom" and while he gains some smidgeon of personality, he is quickly captured. Glaring case, since he isn't dealt with straight away, but Sally's (already long-cold) mission to find her father is treated as higher priority, with only Sonic really caring much about rescuing him...too late.
* ReforgedIntoAMinion: Robotnik's purpose for the roboticizer is to systematically hunt down his enemies and have them turned into programmable servants.
* RefuseToRescueTheDisliked:
** In "Hooked on Sonics", Antoine ends up captured by Robotnik in a reckless stunt with a power ring. While the other Freedom Fighters are horrified, Sonic just snarks it's his own stupid fault and refuses to go on a rescue mission. When Sally's chiding doesn't budge him (even she can't earnestly suggest Antoine wouldn't do the same to him), he begrudgingly goes through with it after she points out the more pragmatic issue of Robotnik using his power ring against them.
** [[spoiler:As his lair is being torn apart by a super-charged Sonic and Sally in "The Doomsday Project", a very bitter Robotnik refuses to give Snively access to the only nearby escape pod. Snively, having predicted as much, had implemented his own backup form of escape. Snively got out fine, while Robotnik's transport [[KarmicDeath got caught in the blast as the city was destroyed]]]].
* RememberedTooLate: In ''Sonic Boom,'' [[NiceJobBreakingItHero Antoine screws up a mission]], forcing everyone to flee. Cat was captured during the escape, and no one noticed he was missing until it was [[YouAreTooLate too late to save him]].
* RememberTheNewGuy: Dulcy the Dragon. She just suddenly appears in the second season premiere as if she was one of the Freedom Fighters the whole time.
* TheResolutionWillNotBeTelevised: Despite having a spin-off comic that uses the same characters and similar themes, this trope [[AvertedTrope is fully averted]]. The comic [[ContinuityDrift had departed from the cartoon's plot so completely]] that it was impossible to adapt the Doomsday arc to the comic in any form. Only one episode of that arc, ''Cry of the Wolf'', was adapted to the comic. It was also the ''only episode'' of the series that was ever directly adapted from the cartoon to the comic.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeCivilized: Naugus wants the same thing the Freedom Fighters do. Unlike them, [[TheUnfettered Naugus doesn't care HOW he gets his revenge]], only that he does.
* TheRevolutionWillNotBeVillified: The Freedom Fighters take great care to avoid causing CollateralDamage, preferring things like sabotaging generators or uploading viruses into Robotnik's computer network over blowing up factories. [[JustifiedTrope Of course]], this might have something to do with the fact that [[PragmaticVillainy Robotnik's factories are typically staffed by roboticized Mobians]]. Also, the Freedom Fighters are in fact staging a ''counter''-revolution, as Princess Sally [[RightfulKingReturns is the daughter of the former ruler]] whom Robotnik deposed in ''his'' [[MilitaryCoup takeover]].
* RewardedAsATraitorDeserves:
** For defecting along with his Uncle Julian and assisting in the coup and robotocization of millions of innocent people, Robotnik "promotes" his nephew Snively to his personal toady and punching bag.
** Also Ari, after capturing Sonic for Robotnik in return for releasing his Freedom Fighters. He sticks to his word and hands them back...robotocized, Ari himself barely avoiding the same fate. [[spoiler: Shortly afterwards, though, he gets sucked into The Void.]]
* RhymesOnADime: Sonic is very quick to make rhymes and puns.
* RiddleForTheAges: [[invoked]] The identity of [[spoiler: Snively's mysterious ally at the end of the final episode]] was unknown for years after the show was CutShort. Their identity was debated about for years (the most popular assumption was that it was supposed to be Metal Sonic). Years after the show ended WordOfGod finally answered this particular riddle: [[spoiler: it's Naugus.]]
* RightHandCat: Robotnik's pet Cluck is a [[http://archive.is/qABmz creepy looking]] mechanical chicken [[note]](based on [[http://archive.is/LS2sq Clucker]] badnik from ''Videogame/SonicTheHedgehog2'')[[/note]] with a [[NaturalWeapon sharp serrated beak]] and the ability to fly. Aside from the beak, he is mostly harmless. Robotnik dotes on him endlessly. [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse He doesn't appear in Season 2 at all.]]
* RightWayWrongWayPair: Sonic and Sally. Originally, they were an even handed contrast of [[RedOniBlueOni meticulous and spontaneous approaches]], but they evolved into this as a result of Flanderization in the second season, with Sonic becoming more reckless and Sally being portrayed as more tactful.
* TheRival: Antoine ''tries'' to rivals Sonic in terms of winning Sally's affection... [[HopelessSuitor he's no contest.]] In one episode, a Mobian named Griff had his eye on her as well. He seemed like much more of a challenge, ''[[RomanticFalseLead until]]'' it's revealed that he was [[FalseFriend only using Sally]] to get close enough to steal Knothole's Power Stone.
* RoboCam: Robotnik's Stealth Pods are hovering, automated surveillance cameras.
* RobotGirl:
** A ''mean'' one appears in "Sonic and Sally".
** [[AbhorrentAdmirer Ro-Becca]], from the self-titled episode.
* RobotWar: [[EmperorScientist Dr. Robotnik]] only uses [[KillerRobot robots in his military]].
* RollingAttack: As always, Sonic's signature move is his Super Sonic Spin ([[AdaptationNameChange Spin Dash]]).
* RomanticismVersusEnlightenment: Romantic - Robotnik's industrialized city and roboticised minions are evil, while the heroes live in the forest and are led by royalty.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Princess Sally. Granted; when your kingdom is now controlled by a megaolomanical tyrant intent on turning all living creatures into soulless machines, the options are few but to get some dirt under one’s fingernails, royal stature notwithstanding.
* SacrificialLamb: [[spoiler:Cat]] in "Sonic Boom."
* SapientEatSapient: The plot of "Fed Up with Antoine" features Antoine becoming king of the "Nasty Hyenas", a splinter group from a cannibal tribe that eats its own king.
* SayMyName: Robotnik nearly always refers to Sonic as "the hedgehog" or derogatory names such "rodent". Oddly, he gladly refers to his other foes such as Sally and Chuck by their first names alone.
* ScavengerWorld: Robotnik doesn't recycle. Instead, he [[TechnoWreckage throws his trash out of the city and leaves broken machines lying around to rust]]. As a result, the Freedom Fighters are keen to scavenge the outskirts of Robotropolis for any waste they can use.
* SceneryGorn: The damage and destruction caused by Robotnik is on full display in well-detailed background artwork.
* SceneryPorn: The various backgrounds this cartoon were [[http://archive.is/GTy6t given]] [[http://archive.is/00Rn0 a]] ''[[http://archive.is/HDu2O lot]]'' [[http://archive.is/ct8vD of]] [[http://archive.is/1KNkl love]], especially in the first season.
* ScienceFantasy: The series uses this trope very liberally. There are robots, lasers, power generators, and computers existing alongside wizards, curses, and explicitly magical artifacts. The show treats magic as a [[FunctionalMagic distinct and reproducible science in its own right]]: magic [[FantasticScience can be studied like anything else]] and is typically [[{{Magitek}} harnessed through technology]].
* ScienceIsBad: This trope may seem like it's at play, but ''[[SubvertedTrope it's not]]''. It's directly pointed out that Robotnik's machines are only evil because he ''uses'' technology to do evil things — not because technology is inherently bad in and of itself. Case in point, the [[UnwillingRoboticization Roboticizer]] was created by Uncle Chuck to allow elderly and terminally ill people to live longer: when he realized it also had the side effect of [[{{Brainwashed}} making them into mindless automatons]], he immediately shelved it with the intention of not using it at all until and unless he could figure out a way to remove that side effect. Things only went bad when Robotnik stole it and started [[ReforgedIntoAMinion converting every Mobian he could get his hands on into a robotic slave]].
* SealedEvilInACan: Robotnik steals a computer of magic spells from the [[HeelFaceTurn formerly evil]] wizard Lazaar, and Sonic attempts to get it back. When asked why he can't just destroy the computer, Lazaar says that would release all the evil it contains.
** Naugus is an evil wizard who is trapped in the Void, incapable of exit lest he [[TakenForGranite crystallize]] and die.
* SealedWithAKiss: The final episode ends with Sally and Sonic sharing their ''second'' BigDamnKiss.
* SecretHandshake: In "Sonic and Sally", Robotnik replaces Sally with a robot duplicate. It's good enough to pass muster for most of the episode, but when it fails to perform the secret handshake, Sonic realizes something's up.
* ServileSnarker: Snively often makes snide remarks about Robotnik behind his back, especially in Season 2.
* SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong: The premise behind the "Blast to the Past" two-part episode. [[spoiler: Sonic and Sally fail in their attempt to stop Robotnik's takeover in the past, but do succeed in preventing the capture of Sally's nanny.]]
* SharpDressedMan: Antoine wears a military dress uniform.
* SheepInWolfsClothing: Uncle Chuck used his UnwillingRoboticisation to act as an inside agent for the Freedom Fighters. At least, he did after he regained control of his mental faculties.
* ShipTease: While Bunnie is [[GoodBadGirl flirty in general]], she has a [[https://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/sonicsatam/images/d/d6/001_%28199%29.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100612173845 particularly]] [[https://66.media.tumblr.com/9fa29dc25dce59161e7e6ffe815df86c/tumblr_inline_o11jekibd11ry4n28_540.png obvious]] crush on Antoine, despite being fully aware of and acknowledging his cowardly nature. In fact, her interest in him is especially noticeable [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn when he gets nervous.]] In the comics, she actually went on to [[TheyDo marry him]].
* ShouldersOfDoom: Dr. Robotnik has massive shoulder pads and a cape for obvious EvilOverlord effect.
* ShoutOut: [[https://archive.is/KaXip Nicole]] looks like the [[https://archive.is/q6j1z tricorders]] used in ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''.
* SilenceYouFool: Robotnik doesn't value Snively's input beyond simply providing relevant information: anything beyond that and he gets ''[[ColdHam quietly]]'' told to zip it. The second season [[{{Flanderization}} made this Robotnik's default response to him]], [[LargeHam only in hammier form]].
-->'''Robotnik:''' ''Shut up,'' Snively.
* SingleEpisodeHandicap: Done twice. The first is when Robotnik builds a machine to track Sonic when he runs at super-sonic speed, and the second is when a wizard puts a spell on Sonic that prevents him from running fast, holding his speed ransom until Sonic reclaims a computer of magic spells that Robotnik stole.
* TheSingularity: Robotnik's arrival on Mobius, and subsequent participation in the Great War triggered extremely rapid technological advancement that basically reinvented the entire planet.
* SinisterSurveillance: Robotnik often made use of stealthy, floating camera robots to spy on Sonic and his friends.
* SketchySuccessor: Robotnik gets the job of dictator of Mobius by kicking the previous ruler into [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere another dimension.]] He then proceeds to turn Mobius into a polluted, mechanical wasteland where he alone gets to live in luxury (barring his nephew Snively, who while being regularly put down is at least not actively hunted).
* SkunkStripe: Lupe has one in her hair.
* SmallNameBigEgo:
** Antoine.
** Played with at the end of "Drood Henge", when Sonic was playing up how great the BatmanGambit that stopped Robotnik's plan of the episode was. When Sally calls him out on being egotistical, Sonic simply points out that plan wasn't even his, it was thought up by Tails.
* SmoochOfVictory: Sally gives these all the time.
* SmugSnake: Dr. Robotnik in the second season, as his overconfidence and increasing obsession with Sonic begins to hinder his plots (as well as becoming slightly more comical and bumbling in tone). His nephew, Snively, also counts.
* SmugSuper: Since he is genuinely competent and heroic, Sonic has [[JerkassHasAPoint no problem constantly bragging about it]]. In fact, he is arrogant to the point that more than a few of Robotnik's schemes were designed to manipulate his ego.
* SneezeOfDoom: Tails suffers one of these in the pilot episode, blowing his and Sonic's cover right in front of Robotnik and a series of Swat-bots. Also, Antoine gives himself away with one while hiding from Ro-becca.
* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: [[invoked]] The [[EnforcedTrope network mandated]] TwoShorts styled episodes in the second season[[note]]The first being ''Fed Up With Antoine/Ghost Busted'', The second being ''Odd Couple/Ro Becca''[[/note]] are ''definitely'' this. Unlike the usual dark tone of the series, these episodes have an extreme focus on [[EthnicScrappy Antoine]] and {{slapstick}} that [[OutOfGenreExperience strongly contrasts with the style of the rest of the show]]. Despite the Sonic fandom [[BrokenBase generally finding it hard to agree on any one thing]], these episodes are generally despised by pretty much everyone and [[NeverLiveItDown don't help Antone at all]].
* SorcerousOverlord: The [[CardCarryingVillain evil wizard Lazaar]] was this in the distant past, using his [[{{Magitek}} computer of magic spells]] to rule over Mobius with an iron fist. Sometime after that, he grew [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone remorseful of his evil]], and decided barricade himself and his computer inside an [[MalevolentArchitecture incredibly deadly magical fortress]] in the ForbiddenZone and [[SealedEvilInACan put himself into suspended animation]].
* SouthernBelle: Bunnie fits the trope, however, [[GirlyGirlWithATomboyStreak she is much more of a tomboy than most examples]].
* SparedByTheAdaptation: Variation: In the episode "Game Guy" [[spoiler:Ari gets sucked into The Void.]] A book called ''Sonic: Friend or Foe'' was made based on this episode, and in it [[spoiler:Ari escapes with Sonic unharmed]].
* SpaceJews: [[SarcasmMode In a subtle twist]] Antoine, a cowardly coyote like character, has a French accent.
* SpellBook: Subverted by Lazaar, who used a ''[[MagicFromTechnology computer]]'' of magic spells, which is functionally identical beyond the user interface.
* SpiritualAntithesis: To ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog.'' In that cartoon, Sonic is just in for a thrill, and Dr. Robotnik is [[IneffectualSympatheticVillain goofy and incompetent]]. In this show, Robotnik is extremely menacing, has already conquered most of the world, and Sonic is one of the few people who stand between him and total world domination.
* SpockSpeak: Sally does this on occasion. Her computer, Nicole, [[ExpospeakGag does this constantly]]. When Sonic insists that Nicole explain herself "[[LaymansTerms in English]]", she starts using more slang than even Sonic does, much to Sally's dismay. Sonic, on the other hand, approves of the change.
* SpotlightStealingSquad: Sally and Antoine are Sonic's main team in the large majority of missions in the second season.
* SpotTheImposter: The episode "Sonic and Sally".
* SquashedFlat: In "Ro-Becca", Sonic and Rotor knock down a door that Antoine was standing behind. As they leave, the door goes back up, and we find that Antoine got flattened.
* StalkerWithACrush: Ro-becca.
* StandardSciFiArmy: Robotnik commands a battle force composed of [[RobotSoldier robotic infantry]], tanks that can [[TransformingMecha transform into walkers]], [[AttackDrone Attack Drones]], [[CoolPlane Bombers]], and the occasional MechanicalMonster. The Freedom Fighters have to make due with simple Infantry.
* StatingTheSimpleSolution: Thanks to his {{Flanderization}} in season 2, Robotnik would occasionally have Sonic at his mercy, and then proceed to [[ComplexityAddiction take his sweet time dealing with him]]. Snively usually asks why Robotnik doesn't just roboticize him.
* TheStarscream: Snively constantly grumbles over having to serve the Doctor, but doesn't actually attempt to harm him. By the Second Season he has blatantly come to resent his uncle's abuse and makes a few shrewd plans behind his back (he once attempted an attack on Knothole while Robotnik was gone, as well as making alterations to his base that would ultimately save his life when it was destroyed). [[spoiler: He simply plays along until Robotnik is electrocuted in the final episode, then is seen donning his uncle's trademark yellow cape.]] His voice does, however, resemble that of Starscream, especially considering both are/have been performed by Creator/CharlieAdler.
* StrangeSyntaxSpeaker: In "Super Sonic", the wizard Lazar speaks similarly to Yoda, reversing nouns and verbs.
* StrawLoser: Antoine is this in Season two. All the Freedom Fighters have noticeable flaws: Sonic in particular is incredibly arrogant and prone to endanger the team in his recklessness or lack of tact. Antoine however, is a bastion of negative human qualities and has few redeeming ones to compensate. In general, if one character has a flaw, [[ShadowArchetype Antoine has it tens times more]].
* StrongerThanTheyLook: Though in the games Sonic is a FragileSpeedster, here he can both punch and kick with enough power to destroy armored robots [[note]]His ability to kick that hard [[RequiredSecondaryPowers makes sense given his speed]], but one would not expect him to be able to ''punch'' with the same force[[/note]], and when already running, he can throw things multiple times his size and far above his weight with his momentum. He is also the only Freedom Fighter aside from [[GeniusBruiser Rotor]] to have broken security cameras by simply ''throwing junk at them with ONE hand.''
* SuperOCD: Antoine has this in "The Odd Couple."
* SuperSoldier: The [[RobotSoldier [=SWATbots=]]] fit this trope in season 1: compared to the [[MechaMooks countless other generic robots Robotnik uses]], the [=SWATbots=] represented a [[EliteMooks far superior danger]]: they were [[ArtificialIntelligence intelligent]], [[SuperToughness incredibly tough]] and well organized. Only [[SuperSpeed Sonic]] or [[{{Cyborg}} Bunnie]] [[CuteBruiser Rabbot]] could take them head on, and even then, [[RunOrDie they were both more likely to run]]: on occasion the [=SWATbots=] would even use specialized weapons to take Sonic down (such as [[DepletedPhlebotinumShells portable Hedgehog-seeking missiles]]). In Season 2, the [=SWATbots=] were downgraded to standard, dumb MechaMooks that any sufficiently skillful Mobian could defeat.
* SuperSpeed: Sonic. [[spoiler:Sally in the last episode, as she [[EmpoweredBadassNormal used the Deep Power Stones along with Sonic.]]]]
* SuperStrength: Bunnie, by way of [[{{Cyborg}} cybernetics]]. Sonic and Rotor also have [[StrongerThanTheyLook surprising strength]], but nowhere near as extreme as Bunnie.
* SupervillainLair: Robotropolis is pretty much a Supervillain Lair the size of an entire city.
* SycophanticServant: In the first season, Snively is far less hateful towards Robotnik and even seems to enjoy getting his rare praise. It's [[ImpliedTrope easily inferred]] that Robotnik's BadBoss traits eventually resulted in a case of BrokenPedestal, causing him to hate his uncle and want to get rid of him.
* TagalongKid: Tails to a degree, but not to the extent he was in the games. Begins to be averted in "Drood Henge", in which he revealed that Sally taught him some hacking skills, and he proved himself to be resourceful, clever, and great at coming up with plans.
* TalentedPrincessRegularGuy: [[PlayingWithATrope Played with]]. While Sonic's SuperSpeed, SuperReflexes and [[FunctionalMagic Power Rings]] make him blatantly superhuman, he is [[BookDumb somewhat average in terms of intellect]]. Even without his powers, he is good at ImprovFu and can be very perceptive. On the other hand, Princess Sally is a BadassNormal with [[TVGenius incredible hacking and computing skills]], almost as good a mechanic as Rotor and a [[TheStrategist trusted tactician]].
* TechnoDystopia: Robotropolis: a city where IndividualityIsIllegal, and conformity by [[UnwillingRoboticisation transformation into a mindless robot]] is state-enforced through an army of [[RobotSoldier robot soldiers]]. Also, the city is [[HordeOfAlienLocusts continually expanding.]]
* TechnologicallyAdvancedFoe: There's not much the Freedom Fighters can do to match [[EmperorScientist Doctor]] [[RobotMaster Robotnik]] on any technological level. They're forced to [[https://youtu.be/jtXJq_N8dmw?t=1081 steal]] [[https://youtu.be/jtXJq_N8dmw?t=1151 and]] [[https://youtu.be/l1oafHCZyCk?t=894 use]] his weapons whenever they can.
* TeenageWasteland: Thanks to Robotnik's sudden conquest and subsequent [[ThePurge campaign against life itself]], most of the adult population on Mobius was captured and [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticized]], leaving survivalist teenagers in charge of almost everything. The [[LaResistance Knothole Freedom Fighters]], [[UndergroundCity Lower Mobius]], and the [[TheApunkalypse Nasty Hyenas]] are all led by teenagers.
* TeenGenius: Sally and Rotor are both incredibly intelligent for their age.
* TeensAreShort: Most of the main teenage group of Freedom Fighters are dwarfed by other older groups. Granted, species may have something to do with this, but even then King Acorn is almost twice the size of his sixteen year old daughter. Sonic averts this: he's the same size as his uncle.
* ThatManIsDead: From "Blast To The Past" part 2:
-->'''King Acorn''': You can't win this, Julian.
-->'''Robotnik''': The name is no longer Julian; from this day forward, I am Robotnik.
* ThemeMusicPowerUp: The theme that plays when Sonic uses a Power Ring.
* ThisCannotBe:
** Robotnik says something to this effect when Sonic breaks out of the specially-built roboticiser with the combined power of [[DeusExMachina three power rings]].
** A heroic example occurs when Sonic says "What, I don't believe it!" when after trashing the Doomsday test pod multiple times, it ''still'' reactivates and continues attacking them.
* ThroughAFaceFullOfFur: Sally occasionally blushes.
* ThrowDownTheBomblet: Though they will definitely [[CombatPragmatist use any weapon they can find]], the ''preferred'' weapons of the Knothole Freedom Fighters tend to be [[RidiculouslyPotentExplosive absurdly powerful]] concussion grenades, which they use to destroy Robotnik's factories and other infrastructure. Additionally, the Wolfpack Freedom Fighters used thrown satchel charges to damage the Doomsday Test Pod.
* TimeShiftedActor: Tahj Mowry as young Sonic in a few episodes.
* TimeTravel: In the two-parter "Blast to the Past", Sonic and Sally have to both think of the place they want to be while joining the [[PortalToThePast Time Stones]]. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero Sonic's mind wanders]], placing them just in time to re-live ''the very holocaust they were trying to prevent''.
* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: Inverted. Girly-girl Bunnie is the more [[CuteBruiser badass of the two]], while tomboy Sally is the [[TheStrategist strategist]] and often a DistressedDamsel. Played with more in the later episodes, where Sally became more [[TooCleverByHalf egotistical]], while Bunnie's ActionGirl traits [[FauxActionGirl disappeared]].
* TookALevelInBadass:
** Tails went from a kid that didn't go on missions to fully-fledged freedom fighter. The planned third season would have taken this further, culminating with him single-handedly saving Knothole from disaster.
** Said third season would have also seen Dulcy come into her full powers.
* TookALevelInDumbass: While not completely dumb, this version of Sonic was noticeably more idiot prone than other incarnations, and more reliant on other teammates strategising for him or clearing up his errors, especially after the aforementioned Flanderization.
* TortureAlwaysWorks: Averted; Cat was definitely tortured in ''Sonic Boom'' ([[OffscreenVillainy albiet offcreen]]), but he didn't sell out the Freedom Fighters.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: Sonic loves chili dogs. [[CanonImmigrant Now canon to the Sonic games]].
* ATragedyOfImpulsiveness: The form of almost all of [[LeeroyJenkins Sonic's]] {{Idiot Ball}}s in the series (as well some rarer ones committed by other Freedom Fighters such as Sally).
* {{Transhuman}}: Robotnik and Bunnie are both [[HollywoodCyborg cyborgs]] by partial [[UnwillingRoboticization roboticization]]. Bunnie gained SuperStrength, while Robotnik gained [[FingerFirearms hidden weapons]] and [[ElectronicEyes robotic eyes]].
* TroubledAbuser: While still implied to have been a monster beforehand, Robotnik was constantly intimidated by his former master Naugus. In turn, Robotnik is extremely abusive and domineering to his subordinates (especially Snively, who frequently [[WhosLaughingNow laughed at Naugus' treatment of him]]).
* TroublingUnchildlikeBehavior: Most of the Knothole Freedom Fighters are between 14 and 16 years old. Looking at their day-to-day behavior, you'd be forgiven for thinking they're a bunch of BombThrowingAnarchists: they routinely [[DemolitionsExpert make bombs]], [[HighSpeedHijack hijack transport convoys]] and [[VehicularTurnabout military vehicles]], [[InsideJob plant spies in critical places to subvert authority]], [[GreatEscape free prisoners of war]], blow up factories, [[ExplosiveOverclocking sabotage power plants]], destroy airfields, steal resources to live, and openly discuss their intentions to ''kill'' Dr. Robotnik, all in the name of [[OccupiersOutOfOurCountry saving their home planet]].
* TryNotToDie: Heavily inferred every time the Freedom Fighters mobilize.
* TVGenius: Both Rotor and Sally. Tails [[CharacterDevelopment becomes one]] in the second season.
* TwoGirlsAndAGuy: [[SmugSuper Sonic]] is the guy, [[BadassBookworm Sally]] and [[GirlyGirlWithATomboyStreak Bunnie]] are the girls. They've all known each other since childhood and work together quite well despite their differences.
* TwoGirlsToATeam: Bunnie and Sally were this before [[RememberTheNewGuy Dulcy]] showed up.
* TyrantTakesTheHelm: The series is set a decade after Robotnik succeeds in conquering Mobius and enslaving its people.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Tropes U to Z]]
* UndergroundCity: In the episode ''Warp Sonic'', the Freedom Fighters discover an underground city of the "Apocalypse Bunker" sort directly below Robotropolis. Called Lower Mobius, it is populated by surviving Mobians who are hiding from Robotnik and his army.
* UndersideRide: "Spy Hog" has the Freedom Fighters sneak into Robotropolis by way of riding on the bottom of a hover vehicle using magnets strapped to their hips.
* UnexplainedAccent: [[invoked]] Antoine has a French accent for no reason, besides the fact that he's [[AcceptableTargets a coward]]. Bunnie's southern dialect and Robotnik and Snively's British accents have no explanation at all.
* UnwillingRoboticisation: The TropeNamer, and TropeCodifier. For details about how the trope was used, see the entries for AndIMustScream, AscendedFridgeHorror, NonLethalWarfare, and PainfulTransformation.
* UrbanWarfare: A lot of battles in this the series take place within the city streets of Robotropolis: the Freedom Fighters use the confusing layout of the place to their advantage, using the back alleys and sewers to avoid aerial surveillance and strike form unexpected locations and disappear as quickly as they arrived.
* VillainousBreakdown:
** Dr. Robotnik has one in the last episode:
--->'''Robotnik:''' I really...hate...that hedgehog. I hate him. I HATE him. HATE HIM! Hate. Hate. HATE. HAAAAAAATTTTTEEEE!!!!
** [[invoked]] That breakdown is also a MythologyGag to ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'' where [[MadScientist Dr. Robotnik's]] CatchPhrase was "[[MemeticMutation I hate that hedgehog!"]]
** Robotnik suffers a more minor one in "Blast to the Past, Part 2." During this time travel adventure, it turns out that Sonic accidentally caused Robotnik's left arm to be [[UnwillingRoboticisation unwillingly roboticised]]. (He spun him around and tripped him up near the Roboticiser, you see.) Robotnik was not happy.
--->"Get that hedgehog! Get him! GET HIM!"
* VileVillainLaughableLackey: Snively is generally comical compared to his evil uncle, Dr. Robotnik.
* VillainDecay: In the second season, Robotnik became a victim of {{Flanderization}}: his arrogance and pride were played way, way up while his tendency to [[ManipulativeBastard manipulate the heroes]] and make [[XanatosSpeedChess quick and effective improvisation]] were almost totally erased, leaving him [[DenserAndWackier much more silly]] and [[BondVillainStupidity much less competent]] than he had been before. By the end, even ''[[SycophanticServant Snively]]'' is calling him out on his stupidity. Even his voice lightened up to reflect this change: it lost its creepy metallic filter, and Creator/JimCummings' started using a more comedic vocal range instead of the [[ColdHam low, slow and intense]] tones he'd been using before.
* VillainWorld: Robotnik controls most of the planet, and the heroes are struggling to take it back.
* VSign: In ''Sonic Past Cool'' [[http://archive.is/hQ6Gs Sally makes one of these]] at a moment where most of the Freedom Fighters are trapped under a forcefield.
* WarmHeartedWalrus: Rotor the Walrus is a friendly GadgeteerGenius and a huge help to the heroic Freedom Fighters.
* WarIsHell: A kid-friendly version of this trope appears in most episodes. The fight for Mobius is a CivilWar - Robotnik used to be the King's War Minister, and his opposition includes [[RightfulKingReturns the King's daughter]]. Ben Hurst, [[WordofGod the main writer of the show]], ''[[EnforcedTrope insisted]]'' that [[https://youtu.be/t6Ck-tpj8wE?t=180 the heroes should suffer some losses]]: Sonic and Sally both lost their father figures [[note]]Though Uncle Chuck [[HeroicWillpower was eventually able to resist Robotnik's control]], the King can't exit the Void at all without [[TakenforGranite dying]][[/note]], Tails lost both his parents, and Bunnie [[{{Cyborg}} lost half of her body]] to the roboticizer. Several sympathetic characters are [[SacrificialLamb unceremoniously]] [[UnwillingRoboticisation roboticized]] or [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleofNowhere thrown into the Void]], never to be heard from again. Finally, the destructive aftermath of Robotnik's conquest [[SceneryGorn can be seen everywhere on the planet]].
--> '''Lupe:''' After Robotnik captured my father and Roboticized most of the pack, a few escaped; although not without reminders. *[[EveryScarHasAStory touches the scar under her left eye]]* Only ten of us are left now. We returned to find our land being destroyed by the test pod.
* TheWarRoom: Robotnik has one of these, and is almost always seen inside of it, watching his city through remote cameras.
* WeaksauceWeakness: Despite all their durability and fire power, the SWAT-bots are not fully waterproof: rain doesn't affect them, but [[SuperDrowningSkills toss them into a sufficiently large body of water and they will short circuit]].
* WeComeInPeaceShootToKill: Type 2, with [[HumansAreBastards humans]] as the aliens.
* WeHaveWaysOfMakingYouTalk: This happens twice in the show, once in the first season, and again in the second. Thanks to the second season being [[DenserAndWackier much more silly]] and [[LighterAndSofter much less serious]] than the first, the way it's handled in both cases greatly differs.
** In The Season One episode ''Sonic Boom'', Cat [[HeroicSacrifice uses himself as a distraction]] a few minutes in, and gets himself captured by Robotnik, who proceeds to promise him that if he reveals the Freedom Fighter's base, he will not be Roboticized.[[note]]Knowing [[ManipulativeBastard Robotnik]], this is either a case of BlatantLies or ExactWords.[[/note]] When Cat resists, Robotnik proceeds to torture him [[OffscreenVillainy off-screen]] for information. [[https://youtu.be/Enno4gz65BI?t=492 The tone of the scene is fully serious.]]
** In Season Two episode ''Spy Hog'', Antoine is captured by Snively and tortured for the same reason, but using a different method: he offends his refined tastes in food by [[InterrogationByVandalism butchering French cooking]]. Unlike Cat's torture from before, Antoine's "torture" [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPiv3EabGys is unreservedly comedic in tone.]]
* WellExcuseMePrincess: Sally, to Sonic.
* WeNeedADistraction: Sonic's role in missions often boils down to this - he gets the SWAT-bots' attention while everyone else sabotages Robotnik's stuff. Robotnik hating Sonic so much that all of his robots have Sonic listed as "Priority One" tends to help, though that directive can be overridden.
* WillTheyOrWontThey: Antoine and Bunnie. It was hinted that [[WeaknessTurnsHerOn Bunnie had a crush on Antoine]], yet she put little effort into winning his heart. Probably because she was too insecure about her partially roboticized state and Antoine was too busy flirting with Sally anyway. (They did however [[TheyDo get married]] in the Archie comics.)
* WhamLine: There is one that stands out as a whole:
--> '''Uncle Chuck:''' "The roboticiser, I know. [[spoiler:[[NiceJobBreakingItHero I invented it]].]]"
* WhatDoesSheSeeInHim?: Antoine asks this of Sally and Sonic.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse:
** The first season had at least one episode where Sally is searching for her father. In the second season, she finds him, but no attempt was made to connect it with the clues found in her previous searches.
** In "Blast to the Past", Sonic and Sally alter the past to ensure that their nanny survives to the present day, and it's revealed at the end of the episode that she does -- and is never seen again. (To be fair, she probably would have become a recurring character in the following season, which never got made.)
* WhatTheFuAreYouDoing: Antoine tries to learn martial arts ("King Fu") from Bunnie in "Fed Up With Antoine", and clumsily epic fails at it for the most part, spouting FunnyBruceLeeNoises and making a mess of things. Subverted temporarily late in the episode when he flying kicks an enemy that was sneaking up on Sonic and subsequently demonstrates how he did it. But then he mistakes Bunnie's praise of the latter for the opposite, fumbles Demonstration #2, and lands on Dulcy's foot. Distracted by the pain, she wrecks the hut they're in.
* WithFriendsLikeThese: Sonic and Antoine. Antoine acts like a stuck-up jerk towards Sonic an awful lot, and Sonic constantly insults Antoine. While Sonic does show that he cares about Sally, Tails, Rotor, and Bunnie, it's really hard to tell if he cares ''at all'' about Antoine.
** In "Hooked on Sonics", when Antoine gets captured, Sonic just labels him an idiot and outright refuses to go after him. Sally is unable to really retort that Antoine would actually save him if the roles were reversed, only coaxing him into the job by reminding him of the potential danger if Robotnik gets a hold of the power ring he had at the point of his capture.
* WomenPreferStrongMen: In "Hooked on Sonics", Rotor suggested to Antoine that this is why Sally prefers Sonic over him.
* TheWorfEffect: Naugus introduces his power by effortlessly immobilizing Sonic with his magic.
* AWorldHalfFull: Dr. Robotnik takes over the world, turns most of it into polluted ruins, and turns everyone he captures into robotic slaves, so the people struggle day in and out just to live. The show's premise is as dark as an early nineties FunnyAnimal show can get. Then comes the heroes, who are bright and competent enough to screw the bad guy's plans continuously and spectacularly.
* YouHaveFailedMe:
** Said by Robotnik to an ill fated [=SWATBot=] in "Hooked On Sonics".
** He arguably does this to Snively at the climax of "The Doomsday Project": Enraged at his defeat, he kicks his nephew out of the only escape pod and leaves him to die in the detonating base. [[spoiler:Snively had predicted this would happen and had created his own means of escape, while Robotnik's pod ironically got caught up in the destruction of the base.]]
* YourSizeMayVary: While not strictly a character, NICOLE would vary from the size of a pocket calculator to the size of a [[DoorStopper textbook]] between appearances. She was supposed to be portable enough to be carried on Sally's hip.
[[/folder]]
----
-> ''"Let's do it to it."''
----

* EmpathyPet: Cluck is Robotnik's empathy pet. His emotions towards anything are closely syncronized with his master's, whether it's felt towards his subordinates or enemies. Robotnik also dotes on Cluck constantly, so much so that he talks to it [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAvvhS35ftA in his first appearance]].

* AdaptationNameChange: The Archie comics adaptation changed several of the characters' names. Thanks to the heavy overlap of themes and characters between ''[=SatAM=]'' and the comics, and the comics' much longer run,[[IAmNotShazam many fans are unaware that the show HAS different names for some characters]]:

** Tails started out in the series as a TagalongKid with moments of minor usefulness. In the second season, his role was substantially expanded in the last few episodes to TVGenius - the [[OlderThanTheyThink first time that Tails ever showed any great intelligence]]. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen He was also apparently supposed to become even more prominent if the show hadn't been canceled.]]

* BreakingTheFourthWall: The end of the season 2 premiere episode ends with [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment Sonic grabbing the iris-out]].
* BreatherEpisode: Thanks to [[ExecutiveMeddling executive insistence that the show was too dark]], the second season has two comedic episodes [[EnforcedTrope by mandate]], both of which consisted of [[TwoShorts two 15 minute shorts]] rather than a full 30 minute episode. While the regular episodes had very dark themes, and were typically about the characters fighting Robotnik or uncovering clues from the past, the first of these irregular two-in-one episodes involves Antoine being kicked out of the Freedom Fighters and joining a gang of biker hyenas, and Sonic telling ghost stories to Tails and Antoine. The second two-in-one episode involves Sonic's house being destroyed during a snowstorm and moving in with Antoine, which drives him nuts, and the second segment was a more ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog''-style episode where one of Rotor's robots falls in love with Antoine and keeps stalking him. As you can tell, Antoine is the most prominently featured character in these episodes.

* ChekhovsGunman: Season 3 would've made [[spoiler: Naugus]] into this [[WhatCouldHaveBeen if the series hadn't been cut short]].

** It also contains an example of EarthDrift. Sonic mentions [[Music/GunsNRoses Axl Rose]] while playing the guitar, and the show takes place on Mobius in the 33rd century. No more references to real life places or people are made after this, although if the show had continued for longer, [[WhatCouldHaveBeen it would have been revealed that Mobius is a post-apocalyptic Earth]].
*** During one episode of the second season, Robotnik makes reference to "Topeka" but then immediately muses he [[MindScrew doesn't know where or what it is]].

* EarthDrift: Sonic mentions Axl Rose in the pilot. This is a case of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness and these are averted for the rest of the show's run. But again, the original plan for Mobius was that it was EarthAllAlong, [[AvertedTrope averting the trope]] if the show had continued.

* EpicFail: Antoine's martial arts training. [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments And then he gets flung into Sonic's house after running into a twig.]]
* EpisodeTitleCard
* EverythingSoundsSexierInFrench: In the [[EnforcedTrope mandated]] BreatherEpisode ''Ro-Becca'', Antoine gets a very aggressive femmebot to fall in love with him with his French accent. After a few minutes of trying to elude her in vain, he finally repels her with a surprisingly convincing [[TheAhnold Ahnold]] impression. Then he accidentally attracts her again by relapsing back to his French accent. Sonic later unintentionally attracts Robecca's attention with a little French of his own...
* EvilIsHammy: While Robotnik's character was vastly different from other versions, he still made it a habit to chew the scenery all the same.

* TheFriendsWhoNeverHang: In Season 2, Sonic rarely interacted with Bunnie, while Sally replaced Rotor as his confidant and foil, making them more this. The two ended up DemotedToExtra in Season Two.

* FunctionalMagic: In this cartoon, magic is itself a studied science. The episode "Super Sonic" features Lazaar, a wizard who built a literal MagicalComputer with an index of specific spells. In addition, the Power Rings that Sonic uses are made from [[BackgroundMagicField ambient magical energy]] harnessed through a machine made by [[GadgeteerGenius Uncle Chuck]]. Because the Deep Power Stones generate the same type of energy as what's contained in the rings, Sonic can use them in the same way.
* FurryFemaleMane: This trope is in play, though some female characters choose to keep their hair short. Sally and Lupe both have a mane of hair, while Bunnie only has a tuft of fur on her forehead. Most male characters have just fur, though Antoine has a blond cut and some elderly characters such as Uncle Chuck and King Acorn have mustaches.

* {{Gasshole}}: Sonic whenever he's he had a chilli dog, much to Sally's disgust.

* NoRespectGuy: Antoine, sometimes to the point of making him TheWoobie of the episode.

* OutOfFocus: Despite playing a big part in the games, Tails is more of a background character who is given the occasional DayInTheLimelight. WordOfGod says he would've played a much bigger role in the third season.

* RedEyesTakeWarning: Uncle Chuck and Robotnik; this is how the latter was introduced actually. There's also the glowing red eyes in the final scene of the series, which WordOfGod revealed as belonging to [[spoiler:Naugus]]. Subverted with Uncle Chuck after he breaks free of Robotnik's control, after which he only uses this to blend in with the other roboticized Mobians.

* RiddleForTheAges: The identity of [[spoiler: Snively's mysterious ally at the end of the final episode]] was unknown for years after the show was CutShort. Their identity was debated about for years (the most popular assumption was that it was supposed to be Metal Sonic). Years after the show ended WordOfGod finally answered this particular riddle: [[spoiler: it's Naugus.]]

* SomethingCompletelyDifferent: The [[EnforcedTrope network mandated]] TwoShorts styled episodes in the second season[[note]]The first being ''Fed Up With Antoine/Ghost Busted'', The second being ''Odd Couple/Ro Becca''[[/note]] are ''definitely'' this. Unlike the usual dark tone of the series, these episodes have an extreme focus on [[EthnicScrappy Antoine]] and {{slapstick}} that [[OutOfGenreExperience strongly contrasts with the style of the rest of the show]]. Despite the Sonic fandom [[BrokenBase generally finding it hard to agree on any one thing]], these episodes are generally despised by pretty much everyone and [[NeverLiveItDown don't help Antone at all]].

* UnexplainedAccent: Antoine has a French accent for no reason, besides the fact that he's [[AcceptableTargets a coward]]. Bunnie's southern dialect and Robotnik and Snively's British accents have no explanation at all.

** That breakdown is also a MythologyGag to ''WesternAnimation/AdventuresOfSonicTheHedgehog'' where [[MadScientist Dr. Robotnik's]] CatchPhrase was "[[MemeticMutation I hate that hedgehog!"]]

* GreenAesop: Taking cues directly from ''[[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehog1 Sonic The Hedgehog]]'' and ''[[Videogame/SonicTheHedgehogCD Sonic CD]]'',[[note]][[WordOfGod Yuji Naka himself]] speaks on this trope [[http://archive.is/LHCVO in this interview]][[/note]] ''Sonic [=SatAM=]'' features a message about preserving nature. The show is [[https://youtu.be/8sV-Qk2pl7c?t=776 consistently noted]] to be a refreshingly ''subtle'' example of this trope, as a result of adhering to ShowDontTell via the distinct contrast between [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309230120/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonicsatam/images/8/8a/Bg_11.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100620230256 Knothole Village]] and [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309225852/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/evil/images/8/8b/The_Robotropolis.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20190112000014 Robotropolis]][[note]]Robotropolis is visually based directly on the appearance of [[http://web.archive.org/web/20200309222455/https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/sonic/images/f/f4/Scrap_Brain_Act_1.png/revision/latest/top-crop/width/360/height/360?cb=20140311201700 Scrap Brain Zone from Sonic 1,]] but with a cooler color palate, though it has the red sky in [[http://archive.is/RY2zj some concept art]].[[/note]] rather than resorting to preachy diatribes a-la ''[[WesternAnimation/CaptainPlanetAndThePlaneteers Captain Planet]]''.

** [[spoiler: This was Chuck's motivation to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero build the Roboticizer]].]]

* AdaptationalVillainy: Dr. Robotnik. [[{{Administrivia/TropesAreFlexible}} While he was always a villain]], in the game series and most spinoffs he [[AffablyEvil rarely has truly evil intentions]]. Here, he is [[TheSociopath thoroughly, unrepentantly evil]] and downright scary.