Heartwarming / Sonic the Hedgehog (IDW)

Say what you will about Eggman. He may be a monster, but even monsters have loved ones.

Per wiki policy, Spoilers Off applies to Moments pages. All spoilers will be unmarked!

General

• Tangle and Whisper are so popular, they were given video game appearances in Sonic Forces: Speed Battle. Ian Flynn had this to say:
  "I'm assuming they got in b/c of all of you. YOU made them popular enough to get a mini, and you showed it TONS of love. I can only assume this is following that love."
  • It gets even better: in Sonic Frontiers, there's a line referencing Tangle, pretty much confirming her canon!
• In contrast to most other media, Sonic and Amy's relationship is much more equal, with her being less overbearing and blatant in the nature of her crush on him, with Amy being cheeky and playful and Sonic being cheeky right back.
• Shadow while being a prick to almost everyone still shows some respect and concern for Rouge as a comrade, even when he is alone he has enough pride to tell his mistakes to her and thanks her for the company causing her to blush in appreciation and love for her friend, but denies a meeting with Sonic and pals.
• A villainous example: whereas he's a horrible master to his other minions, Eggman dotes on Metal Sonic like his own child. In fact, where all of Starline's other attempts to restore his memories failed, all it takes is one look at Metal to snap Eggman back to normal.
  • Speaking of Eggman’s memory, the state Sonic finds him in when the Chaotix call him down to the village where they’re located. What Sonic finds would throw anyone for a loop. Apparently, Eggman lost his memory and when he came to, he was a totally different person. Instead of the mad scientist hellbent on the conquest of Mobius, Sonic finds a kindhearted mechanic called Mr. Tinker. In a nutshell, Mr. Tinker is the exact opposite of Doctor Eggman. The village leader even admits that this new Eggman has been a blessing. From fixing up the cell door holding him to patching up a kid’s teddy bear, Sonic can’t help but agree he is better off this way. Unfortunately it isn’t meant to last...
• They might be villains, but Rough & Tumble's relationship also counts as heartwarming. In Bad Guys #2, Tumble gets worried about Rough being on his own in a battle, and in Issue 4 when Starline poisons Rough, Tumble finds him and when he sees Starline again, he attacks Starline yelling "I'm gonna turn you inside out for hurting my bro!" and when Starline defeats him, Tumble apologizes to Rough and he only says, "You tried".
  • And after being dissed by the other villains, the Skunk brothers decide to go solo again and that they work better alone.
    Rough: Alone together forever!
    Tumble: You said it!
  • Even if it wasn't requited (everyone else was secretly plotting betrayals), they did try to invoke a Villainous Friendship with the rest of the group.
    • In the 2022 Annual story "Rough Patch", the brothers have a falling-out and partner with Tangle (for Rough) and Rouge (for Tumble) instead, leading to a Heist Clash. But when they realize they had the same plan, they reconcile (while sporting puppy-dog eyes). After being defeated by the girls, Rough and Tumble fist-bump and vow never to partner with anyone else but each other.
• Another villainous example: the evolution of Surge and Kitsunami's relationship. It starts out horribly one-sided: Surge constantly abuses Kit and hardly appreciates his help, while Kit's Undying Loyalty to her is all an illusion created by Starline. But even before they learn why, Kit genuinely cares about Surge to the point where he goes ballistic at whoever harms her, even foregoing a normal, honest life with the heroes in favor of being with her. Surge in turn goes from pettily threatening to drown Kit with his own hydro-coil tails in Imposter Syndrome #1 to gently forgiving him in Issue #54 after they got separated prior. By the end of the Imposters Saga, they've developed a de facto Villainous Friendship, with Surge finally reciprocating Kit's concern for her welfare.

Main Series

• In Issue 25, Whisper wants to kill Eggman and has a perfect headshot lined up. Cream, although she understands perfectly since witnessing her mother get taken by the Zombot virus, talks the broken-hearted sniper down. She knows that they need Eggman to fix things, and gets her to agree to wait. She then promises to keep her company so neither of them will be lonely.
• In Issue 26, Knuckles promises Espio that if the worst happens, he'll look after the survivors. Considering how twitchy Knuckles is about letting anyone near the Master Emerald, it says a lot about how big the echidna's heart really is.
• Mixed with Tearjerker, Issue 27 has Gemerl choosing to stay with the infected Cream so that she's not alone as she changes.
• Similarly, after defeating Master Zik and throwing him to the Zombots, Jet is the only one with a working Extreme Gear. Wave's was destroyed and Storm has been forced to use his as a bludgeon to keep the Zombots at bay. Wave insists he escape. Instead, Jet ties the Chaos Emerald to the airboard and tosses it through the return portal, choosing to go down alongside his comrades.
• In Issue 28, after stealing Zazz's Chaos Emerald, Espio leaves behind a note saying "Justice Is Served". This includes symbols associated with all three Chaotix members, a bumblebee for Charmy, headphones for Vector, and a ninja star for Espio. He then muses on the fact that while he may be the only one present in body, he still has Charmy and Vector with him in spirit.
• In Issue 29: Super Sonic and Super Silver remove all traces of the Zombot Virus from the world and everyone is reunited with their friends: Whisper hugs Tangle when she sees her, the Chaotix sing their theme song, Amy hugs Big, Tails cheers while holding the Chao brothers, and Cream is reunited with her mother.
  • According to Gemerl, Cream decided to return to Angel Island after all because she knew Sonic would triumph and cure everyone, including her. Now that is believing in your friends.
• Issue 30's main cover is quite possibly the happiest and most beautiful one in the series to date. Just look at all those smiles...
  • The Babylon Rogues celebrating being safe after the Metal Virus is destroyed, with Wave thanking Jet for staying with them rather than running. Of course, then Jet ruins the moment by bragging about how heroic he was to do so, though Storm still cheers him on.
• In Issue 31, Jewel offers to take Amy's job as head of the Restoration so that Amy can take a much-needed (and that's putting it mildly) break. Amy happily accepts, though she takes care to bring Jewel up to speed first.
  • Unlike the others, Tails isn't at all worried that Sonic isn't coming back, for no reason other than faith in his friend. And then he and Tangle decide to celebrate the victory over the Metal Virus, as they know Sonic would want them too.
  • Silver's relief to find that his time period is now restored and prosperous, this also marks the first time in any series where we see a peaceful version of Silver's future.
  • Vanilla and Cream bringing food to the Chaotix as thanks for all their hard work, then taking over organizing all the agency's new cases (with help from Gemerl, Cheese, and Chocola) so that the trio have a chance to relax before getting back to work.
  • Seeing everyone celebrating together in Spiral Hill (before Eggman crashes the party). One moment worth noting is Tangle talking Whisper out of attacking the Rogues (whom she's still mad at for the events of the first Annual), on the grounds that they helped fight the Metal Virus.
    • As Tangle convinces Whisper to lighten up, the latter's tail starts wagging. Aww...
• The group hug in Issue 32 after Sonic has returned to his world with Blaze’s help.
• Issue 36 has Sonic genuinely apologizing to Belle for being so harsh with her previously. And then Tails invites her to help put Omega back together, which she's very excited to do.
  • The last we see of Shadow in this issue, he's seen tossing an apple to the black Chao, who has a heart symbol over its head in response.
• In Issue 37, Tangle immediately befriends Belle, and works to cheer her up after her Epic Fail in the machine shop.
• In Issue 38, Tangle making it clear to Belle she considers her a friend after the latter discovers and admits she is in fact a Badnik.
  Belle: If you want to leave, or smash me, I understand- (Tangle sets her back down) -huh?
  Tangle: Sonic and Tails vouched for you, so you're alright in my book. Besides... it doesn't matter what you are or where you come from, because you're trying to do good today. Don't worry, I'm sure we can find you some answers.
• As of Issue 41, we see a surprising example from Zavok and Zik. Despite the former unable to comprehend why the Restoration rebuilds towns and protects them, and the latter being the Evil Mentor, they show a distinct bond — Zik offers advice to his former apprentice to better realize their goals, and Zavok humbly accepts his old teacher's wisdom.
• In Issue 44, Vector takes the time to comfort a distraught Belle once he sees how heartbroken she's become over Starline's role in taking away her father figure, Mr. Tinker, and how the fallout from that turned her village against her.
• In Issue 46, Jewel is panicking over Amy trying to get her to take charge of the park fire evacuation, feeling that she's only good for paperwork and hasn't been of any use to the Restoration in recent events. Amy reassures her by telling her she's always done her best, and to keep doing that now. That's enough to calm Jewel down, and she starts organizing things with a level head.
• Issue 47 is full of this:
  • During the river ride, Belle's exasperation with Tangle's antics turns to amazement at the latter's self-esteem.
    Belle: Believing in yourself like that...it doesn't come easily. You're lucky.
    Tangle: Huh...never thought of it that way.
  • The Big Damn Reunion between the camp ranger and his son, Ashe.
  • With the fire now almost at the main campsite, Amy offers to pull a Heroic Sacrifice, but the other girls choose to stand with her.
  • Doubling as a semi-Tear Jerker, we have Jewel accepting Tangle's decision to quit the Restoration, after which Tangle gives her childhood BFF a hug.
    Jewel: The world needs people like you, too, Tangle. So even if you go your own way, it's okay. I'll be okay. No matter what, I'm so, So Proud of You.
    • In the end, Tangle decides she'll still help the Restoration, just not from within, and then sets out find Whisper.
• While it wasn't to last, Belle cuddling Motobud after the initial success of her Badnik-reprogramming scheme is just adorable. For the first time since her debut, she's truly happy and at ease.
• Near the end of Issue 49, a letter from Belle's father confirming once and for all that he's gone leaves her teetering on the Despair Event Horizon. Sonic, however, consoles her with a You Are Better Than You Think You Are speech, restoring her resolve.
• Following Kit's defeat in Issue 50, Tails and Belle take turns carrying him until he wakes up.
• In Issue 53, Belle volunteers to watch over a despondent Kit while Sonic and Tails confront Surge. Kit himself—in arguably one of the comic's cutest moments yet—is shown resting in a chair, wrapped in a blanket with only his ears and tail sticking out.
• In 54, Surge has another hallucination of Dr. Starline and begins to have a panic attack, Kit snaps her out of it with a Cooldown Hug. Surge seems legitimately touched by this gesture.
• A small twisted one in 55, when the heroes and Eggman discover Starline's blueprints for Surge and Kit, Eggman's reaction is amusement. While it's too late for him to savour it, Starline finally impressed the doctor just like he always wanted. His conversation with Tails in fact implies he always had some reverence for Starline's intellect, it's just not his style to tell him that in life.
• In Issue #56, while Sonic and Tails try to escape a cave-in, Tails hits his head on a piece of debris. He becomes dizzy and has no strength to fly, so Sonic tries to save himself and his best friend, something that is being difficult due to the blows from the fight with Surge and the cave-in. At the last moment, Sonic holds on and Tails manages to wake up as he holds on as well, telling Sonic: We've got this. No matter how difficult the adventure is, they can always count on each other in the most difficult moments.
• Issue #58 sees the Neo Diamond Cutters stranded in an alternate pocket dimension that neither Tangle, Whisper, or Lanolin see a way out of, leaving the latter two distraught for different reasons. The optimistic Tangle takes upon herself to have a heart-to-heart with both of them, which helps unify their team. She even punctuates their newfound camaraderie with a big Group Hug (though Lanolin asks to set a hard limit on them).
  • Lanolin wanted to join the Restoration in order to make others not feel helpless like she did during the Badnik attack on her village, but believes she isn't cut out to be the leader after their first mission went awry. Tangle tells her that it's OK to make mistakes, and encourages her that she'll walk out of this more experienced.
  • Following this pep-talk, Tangle turns to Whisper, with the latter asking why Tangle chose to name their new team The Diamond Cutters, the Wolf's former team who was betrayed and murdered in cold blood by Mimic. This leaves Tangle distressed, crying how she didn't mean to hurt Whisper, calling the former Diamond Cutters a bunch of close friends, and wanted to same for her and Whisper so that they wouldn't drift apart again. While Lanolin offered to change the team's name, Whisper in a moment of renewed resolve agrees to keep the team name, stating that the former Diamond Cutters would be honored at their legacy being carried forward.
    • Whisper's moment of clarity is rather heartwarming as well. She recalls all the times that she'd been helped in the last two arcs, including an original scene after the conclusion of the Overpowered arc that has her hugging her Wisps tightly. She notes that despite her own attempts to distance herself from others, she had the support of all her new friends. The only person that motivated her to do so was the fear of Mimic hurting her friends, but comes to realize that fear was holding her back. She apologizes to Tangle for being a bad friend, asking for their patience as she moves on from her loss.
• Issue #59 features a moment where Whisper's Trauma Button is pressed again, albeit this time from the sight of the Shadow Androids, who were the ones that murdered the previous Diamond Cutters. She ends up coming very close to a massive panic attack, visualized in her world going pitch-black around her, but Tangle is able to keep her calm and talk her down while giving her a tight hug. Lanolin even helps support Whisper after Tangle's hug.
  Tangle: Listen to me. It's not happening again, because I won't let it, okay? We're going to figure this out.
  Tangle: (while hugging Whisper) I promise.
• Sonic showing Blaze around his world in Issues #63 and #64 makes for a rather refreshing change of pace for the two, where they can relax and spend time as friends without something going awry. There's even a small Ship Tease moment where Blaze blushes after Sonic helps her down the clock hand from Spagonia's clock tower.
• Issue #64 has Silver, recently booted from the Diamond Cutters, moping outside the Restoration's Victory Garden. Blaze is able to snap him out of his funk, while also providing some adorable Ship Tease between the two.
  • First, after Silver laments how Espio gave him advice in the 2022 Annual, but can't put it into practice when he's not being proactive. Blaze however then brings up his work on Victory Garden, asks how its harvest would benefit best. Silver then recalls her advice that she gave him all the way back in the 2019 Annual, directly quoting what she said back then too.
  • Sonic, after briefly teasing the two on how "they're so good together," sincerely compliments on how the two work well as a pair. This leads to a brief heart-to-heart between Silver and Blaze, where they note how they're not that much different than Sonic in terms of being a heroic inspiration. It leaves them both a bit embarrassed, complete with averted gazes and awkward coughing, but appreciative of the compliments.
  • The issue ends with Blaze inviting Silver out on a trip to Soleanna, which according to Blaze is "quite nice" this time of year. No matter the timeline/dimension or slightly erased canon of Silver's debut game, Silver and Blaze's bond from there endures, even visiting a location from that game.

Tangle & Whisper miniseries

Issue 1

• While it was really an imposter, Tangle trusts Sonic enough that on his word alone, she believes that Whisper is being mind-controlled into attacking him by Eggman. Tangle immediately jumps to help her other friend and the Whisper is later shown more annoyed that the lemur fell for the ruse than angry her actions allowed Mimic to escape.
• When Tangle reveals she grown restless being stuck in her hometown after the adventures she's had, Jewel suggest she becomes a "wandering hero" type like Sonic. Tangle's considered that but is afraid of the the next threat showing up and she wouldn't be there to protect the citizens. Later, when they learn about Mimic and Whisper's mission Jewel tells that sounds like a Call to Adventure if there ever was one and Tangle jumps on the chance to help her friend.

Issue 2

• Tangle is revealed to be claustrophobic when locked inside a safe yet when the base they're in is about to blow, she locks herself and Whisper inside to survive with only a split second hesitation. As the classic Aesop goes, the bravest thing one can do is face your fears and Tangle just that to save her friend.

Issue 3

• Yeah its basically her go-to reaction to well...everything but one particular example of Tangle getting starry eyed is when she realizes Whisper's mask allows whoever wears it to understand Wisps. This also means that Whisper was never truly alone in the time between losing her team and meeting Tangle.
• Blue immediately abandoned Mimic upon realizing he betrayed the Diamond Cutters and sought out Whisper. Also Whisper could've blamed the Wisp for its partner's actions but didn't and cares for Blue the same as all the others.
• Whisper hugging Tangle in Issue 3 after the latter learns about her tragic backstory and her history with Mimic, insisting on helping Whisper put this to rest once and for all.

Issue 4

• Tangle refusng to allow Whisper to become a murderer when they have the Jerkass traitor Mimic captured. Whisper had every right to put a bullet through that slimy, self-serving octopus' head. Instead she chooses to not betray the lemur's trust in her or dishonor the memory of the Diamond Cutters, agreeing to have the shapeshifter locked away to live with the shame of losing to them.

Imposter Syndrome miniseries

Issue 1

• At times it proves to be a one-sided toxic relationship, but Surge does have moments she shows genuine care and respect for Kit. Likewise, Kit is obscenely loyal to Surge that he forgives her constantly hostile attitude and apologises all the time, but still cares a great deal for her and wants her to be happy and safe. Though time will tell how much of it is just a fabrication of Starline's programming and how much of it will actually stick.

Issue 2

• During an attack on another Egg Base, Surge takes a fatal blow from a Badnik right in front of Kit, triggering a sudden rage in him as he springs in between it and his partner and throws the attack right back at the Badnik. He then immediately goes to check on Surge despite the current danger.
• Though it was mostly to keep Starline from learning what happened, Surge admits she got careless during the operation and praises Kit for his support.
  • Later, during their talk in the elevator, Surge makes Kit promise not to tell Starline about her surviving what should have been a fatal blow as she is more concerned over how little either she or Kit know about the origins of their abilities or what it is they're really doing. She asks Kit for his support and he is more than happy to oblige. Again, it's hard to tell how much of this is genuine due to their mysterious origins, but it's still nice to see.

Issue 3

• Throughout the issue Surge is complimenting Kit on his skills and taking him into account for all that they're doing. Most notably is in how she presses on to discover who THEY were before Starline's experiment, rather than just herself, knowing that it's just as important and needed for him as it is for herself.
  • Additionally, she also shows much faith in his skills as a fighter and support unit (which was arguably shown in Issue 1 with how she confidently said that he could handle Sonic's allies). As well as deferring to him for ideas after admitting her own lack of one for revenge, smugly bonding with him behind Starline's back - literally.

Issue 4

• Surge again shows her faith in Kit as a support unit when she has trouble with Metal Sonic, while also asking if he's okay after they defeat him. It's a far cry from threatening to drown him with his own tails in Issue #1.
  • Before this, after Kit asks if going behind Starline's back like they are is fine, Surge reassures him that not only that is justified, but so is everything they do beyond that, and that she is the only person he should trust. Their expressions at this just sells it.
• The ending cements the two as a duo. While what they're bonding over is horrifying (the idea of going on to destroy everyone and every place that even celebrated Sonic and Tails) their sheer earnestness and dedication to it mirrors a promise between two close friends almost perfectly. Really, this example could also double as Nightmare Fuel.

Scrapnik Island miniseries

Issue 1

• After Sonic and Tails end up crashing when the Tornado is damaged in a freak storm, Sonic awakens to find himself aboard the derelict Death Egg in a makeshift ankle cast and the only sign of Tails being the Miles Electric nearby. His first instinct is to grab the Miles Electric to use as a flashlight and track down Tails, injured leg be damned.
• After a major misunderstanding involving a resurrected Mecha Sonic and the Scrapniks chasing down Sonic, the hedgehog and fox duo are reunited by E-117 Sigma, the leader of the Scrapniks. Sigma then reveals that this wasn't a trap; just a freak accident involving a malfunctioning weather control unit aboard the Death Egg. In reality, he and the Scrapniks have tried to carve out a living for themselves away from Eggman's influence, and heartily welcome Sonic and Tails to their home while they work on repairing the Tornado.

Issue 2

• Mecha Sonic is revealed to be an almost complete opposite of his contemporary, Metal Sonic. Whereas Metal had a chance at his own life and chose to actively reject it to spite Sonic, Mecha stood firmly in the camp of abandoning his old ways, instead becoming Sigma's assistant and the guardian for the only piece of organic life on the island; A sunflower from Little Planet. His main goal for wanting to escape the island isn't to regroup with the empire at all, but to find some proper soil for the flower to prosper in.
• After pairing up to search the Scrambled Egg Carrier for a vital power source needed to repair the Tornado, Sonic stops for a moment to air out the elephant in the room... and lets Mecha know he's proud of how the robot has found his own fulfilling path in life, even complimenting his cape and offering to bury the hatchet with a smile and a handshake. Mecha Sonic, seemingly just a stoic guardian for most of the comic, is visibly humbled that someone he was made to destroy is not only willing to forgive him, but apologizing in kind for "starting off on the wrong foot" and reaches out tentatively.

Issue 4

• Sonic, after hearing Mecha Sonic's depressed inner thoughts that he failed both directives he was given: to fight and beat Sonic and to protect his friends after Sigma tried to help him, thinks he's trash and worthless and nearly lets himself be Driven to Suicide by wishing to be left behind in the working incinerator, citing that it's what he deserves. Sonic heatedly supports him by saying that he's not any of those things and that he can find his own purpose by living in the now instead of the past whilst trying to save him and eventually succeeding with the help of Tails, Sigma and the rest of the Scrapniks. Sigma hugs him afterwards and apologizes with the rest of the Scrapniks for not realizing his inner turmoil before.
  • What's more, Mecha Knuckles is part of the rescue effort. It's clarified after the fact that Tails managed to remove his evil programming, likely due to being a superior technician to Sigma, allowing even him to have a Heel–Face Turn.
• After rescuing Mecha Sonic, Sonic starts crying. When Tails asks him why, Sonic reveals that the tears aren’t his, as we cut over to Mecha Sonic surrounded by his friends.
• Sonic's interaction with Mecha Sonic marks the very first time in the comic's run where Sonic's mercy for his enemies finally pays off, with Mecha Sonic fully committing to a Heel–Face Turn.

Other

• After the debut of Issue #4, the artist who designed a chunk of the Scrapniks seen in the issue shared not only their names, but also an adorable drawing of the Kirlia-looking Scrapnik Carina and Mecha where it's very clear she has a Precocious Crush on him.
• Another illustration from Natahalie Fourdraine, the colorist for the miniseries, shows Mecha Sonic and the other Scrapniks together in a big Group Hug.

One-Shots

2019 Main Series Annual

• In "Bonds of Friendship," Tangle's sheer joy at Whisper visiting her hometown that her knee-jerk reaction is to glomp her. Then the lemur immediately jumping off upon remembering her friend's aversion to things like being hugged, apologizing while respecting the wolf's feelings.
  • Tangle gives Whisper a tour of her hometown which includes what she describes the best bakery in town (that Whisper is seen to have bought a croissant from), the saloon Tangle buys all her combs for her tail, and ending with the "best spot" of all: the Mineral Museum. Why's it the best? It's run by Tangle's Childhood Friend and "bestest friend" Jewel.
  • According to Jewel, their childhood largely consisted on Tangle going on adventures and Jewel getting dragged along to keep the lemur from getting hurt. Note there is not a hint of resentment about this and its clear that like Whisper, Jewel loves Tangle for her Genki Girl tendencies and infectious personality.
  • The end of the story is also just adorable, made even more so by Jennifer Hernandez' art style. Hearing Whisper say "What are friends for, right?" while fist-bumping Tangle's tail is the cherry on top.
• The Babylonian Rogues may be thieves but they're not kidnappers and certainly not violent (at least in terms of people who clearly can't fight back like Jewel). Further, Wave insists on leaving rather than trying to get their loot back after Tangle manages to grab it while escaping. While she says the day's been a hassle already, the implication is that she doesn't see the point in hassling Jewel after the trouble they already put her through.
• In "Jet Set Tornado," Tails allows Sonic to fly his plane for the first time in a long while, where they're testing out a new turbo booster. The test flight turns into an impromptu mission to stop a Stealth Balkiry from stealing supplies, where Sonic accidentally damages the controls that prevents the booster from stopping. Tails decides to ditch at first to take out the Balkiry, but Sonic doesn't want his hard work to go to waste, destroying the Balkiry himself.
• Tails saves Sonic after attacking the Balkiry, which is heartwarming on its own, but when Tails asks him if he wants to fly again, Sonic states that he prefers having Tails fly instead of him.
  Tails: You want back at the controls? You seemed to have learned your piloting lesson.
  Sonic: I would, it's just...I have more fun when you fly.
• In "Victory Garden," Silver trying to grow a garden, something he cannot do in his own time. When Blaze finds him saddened that it did not grow, she helps him to grow it by using ashes from the failed attempts. Not long after is a beautiful garden. It’s also great to know that even if time reset them from their original meeting, the two would still meet and become close.
• "Curse of Pyramid" sees Rouge pretending to be cursed to prevent Rough and Tumble from looting an abandoned old Eggman base that a family had moved into. The family is so grateful they let Rouge take some of the treasure she came looking for to begin with in thanks.

2020 Main Series Annual

• Despite the danger that Nite the Owl finds himself in when the Metal Virus starts spreading during "Darkest Hour," he resolves to help as many people as he can find their way to the Restoration's HQ. His speech is enough to shake the will of Don the Rooster, who stays back to help border up the radio station and keep him safe instead of escaping. Doubly heartwarming when Evan Stanley revealed they were a couple too.

2022 Main Series Annual

• The 2022 Annual is full of this, but the stories "Guardians" and "Future Growth" take the cake. In the former, Blaze, encouraged by Marine, agrees to take a vacation after a heart-to-heart with Knuckles and reunites with Cream. In the latter, Espio finds Silver confused over returning to the past despite not needing to; after a pep-talk, Silver hugs him.
  • At the end of the Metal Virus Saga, Sonic wished that Blaze and Silver could visit without there being some crisis to resolve; here, his wish comes true. Although once the Urban Warfare arc rolls around, both Silver and Blaze need to come to his aid. Both characters don't mind however, happy to help stop Eggman's plot.
• There's also the story "Weapons," where we have Gemerl and Omega fist-bumping after they gain each other's respect, and Rough and Tumble's aforementioned Break-Up/Make-Up Scenario.

Endless Summer

• This one-shot gives Jewel the Beetle A Day in the Limelight. Since she's a character who is focused on the clerical work of the organization, she doesn't see action as much as Tangle or Sonic. She even laments that due to their different positions (Jewel constantly busy with the Restoration's paperwork, Tangle and Whisper training as part of the Diamond Cutters), they rarely spend time together now. Sonic however decides to fix that with an impromptu beach trip, bringing Jewel, Tangle, and Whisper along, the four clearly having fun playing together.
  • The beach trip manages to get Jewel and Tangle to talk to each other for the first time since they both started working at the Restoration. Jewel's initial fear of the two drifting apart is shown in panels of her working in her office contrasted against Tangle training with the Neo Diamond Cutters. Not only does Jewel prove instrumental in securing Team Sonic's victory against the Babylon Rogues, but she and Tangle promise to hang out more often.
    Tangle: Hey, uh... Today was really fun. I've missed hanging out with you man.
    Jewel: Me too. I've been working too hard lately.
    Tangle: So... let's take a break and hang out.
    Jewel: You've got it.
    Tangle: How's next weekend?
    Jewel: I'd love that.

Classic Era Subseries

Anniversary One-Shots

Sonic's 30th Anniversary

• "Seasons of Chaos" sees Amy stating that Bark is not really a bad guy, but just hangs out with the wrong crowd. He's noticeably a nice guy, taking pity on Amy and not wanting to hurt her when her attempts at fighting go pretty poorly, and even gives her his scarf when they get to Eggman's wintery hideaway.
• In "Amy's Hobby" everyone comes to see how the young girl depicted their adventures, even Bark and Bean. When Sonic arrives (with Amy noticeably nervous about his reaction), she's relieved when the blue blur loves how she drew him, which gets him to tell a story of how they recently stopped Eggman's robots during the doctor's birthday.

Tails' 30th Anniversary

• After Sonic is saved from Witchcart's clutches via Tails, the two-tailed fox notes they need to go after the old bat. Sonic states that they don't need to do anything, as "the real hero has already arrived," referring to Tails. This gives the little guy a big confidence boost, where he manages to outsmart and capture Witchcart with her own magic all on his own. When he comes back to see Sonic freeing all the Flickies, the hedgehog confidently states he knew that Tails had it covered and didn't need to be behind him.

Amy's 30th Anniversary

• Being a younger version of Amy Rose, she's still a newcomer to the adventures she's had with Sonic, noticeably being nervous about doing things on her own. She's also a determined girl just like her modern counterpart, and won't give up till all her friends are saved.
• When Amy saves Ray, her Flicky companion notes that the flying squirrel seems like a poor substitute for Tails, or at least Amy was wrong in her prediction from her Tarot reading. Amy immediately comes to Ray's defense, with the young squirrel appreciating the compliment.
• Bark is the third member of Amy's ragtag team that also gets saved by the hedgehog, to which Ray is afraid of, having seen his wanted posters. Amy again, much like back in the "Seasons of Chaos" story, believes Bark not to be a "bad guy" but a sweetheart who happens to hang out with bad people. This gets Bark blushing, and when he agrees to help rescue their friends, gets beet-faced after she gives him a hug.

---