Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 2!
TheSonic the Hedgehogfilms have set up a sprawling cinematic universe using decades of the Blue Blur’s video game canon. One significant piece of worldbuilding in Sonic’s film franchise comes in the form of his Safe Worlds Map, which he uses to navigate the cosmos with his bag of magic rings. However, this mysterious and mystical map doesn’t just show the alien planets floating out in Sonic’s universe.
The Safe Worlds Map has been a crucial part of Sonic’s theatrical adventures, as it helped him elude enemies like Doctor Eggman as they tried to annihilate him or steal his Chaos Energy. It even helped him find the all-powerful Master Emerald andthe Chaos Emeraldsand save the world from destruction inSonic the Hedgehog 2. Though many of the worlds shown on Sonic’s map have yet to be explored on-screen, they still help construct Sonic’s thrilling live-action universe, which continues to unfold withSonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic Got The Safe Worlds Map From Longclaw
Longclaw Gives Sonic The Map To Escape From His Enemies
Sonic received the Safe Worlds Map from his adoptive owl mother,Longclaw, as she helped him escape the Echidnas in his first film. Longclaw gave Sonic this cosmic map to show him which planets he should escape to if he ever gets into trouble. Since his incredible powers have made him a target of dangerous people, particularlyJim Carrey’s sworn Sonic enemy Dr. Robotnik, the Safe Worlds Map has been an incredibly helpful tool inSonic’s first two moviesas he tries to escape harm’s way.
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Using Longclaw’s bag of rings,Sonic has been able to teleport to and from the planets found on the Safe Worlds Map. Based on the notes written by him on the map, he has visited many of these other planets by the timeSonic the Hedgehog 2begins. Though it seems Sonic has explored all the worlds on his map, in the end, Sonic continues to stay on Earth, having chosen it as his new home and sanctuary.
All 9 Planets On The Safe Worlds Map Explained
Only 3 Of The Map’s Planets Have Been Revealed In The Sonic Franchise
Though the Safe Worlds Map features multiple worlds for Sonic to explore,only three of them have already been revealed in Sonic’s cinematic universe. One of these worlds is Earth, while the second is Sonic’s home planet, Mobius. Mobius has served as Sonic’s homeworld in several forms of media outside of theSonicvideo games. Likewise, the island representing it on the map resembles South Island, the setting for the firstSonicgame.
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The third known planet on the Safe Worlds Map is known as the Mushroom Planet,where Doctor Eggman gets stranded after Sonic at the end of the hero’s first film.This fungi-filled world is clearly based on the Mushroom Hill Zone, the first level from the video gameSonic & Knuckles. Fittingly, the Mushroom Planet is where Eggman meets Knuckles inSonic the Hedgehog 2.
Though the remaining six planets on the map are unknown, based on their designs,these other worlds do have some roots in Sonic’s history. One planet’s symbol on the map resembles the logo for the Sega Saturn video game console, which was discontinued in 2000. The sun with a face looks like the one seen inconcept art for a loop sketched by Sonic designer Naoto Ohshima. Lastly, the planet with a checkerboard pattern is based on the design forthe Blue Sphere special stages featured inSonic 3 & Knuckles,where players can go to try and obtain the Chaos Emeralds.
Sonic’s Safe Worlds Map Contains A Hidden Message From Longclaw
Longclaw Continued To Guide Sonic From Beyond The Grave With The Map
The Safe Worlds Map’s powers are expanded as it serves a greater function inSonic the Hedgehog 2. As Sonic and Eggman race to find the Master Emerald in the film, the former discovers a holographic message from Longclaw that was hidden in the Safe Worlds Map before her death. From this message, Sonic learns thatEarth was chosen by the Owls as the hiding place of the Master Emerald and that it was her duty to guard it. Though the Safe Worlds Map had already displayed a sketch of the Master Emerald, Sonic didn’t know what it meant until hearing Longclaw’s message.
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Eventually, thanks to the map, Sonic learns aboutthe ancient war between the Owls and the Echidnas, who used the Master Emerald for their intergalactic conquest. The Safe Worlds Map didn’t just help introduce the many planets in Sonic’s universe. It also served as the gateway to unlocking the secrets of the past involving the Owls, the Echidnas, and Master Emerald, invoking years' worth ofSoniclore in the process.
The Safe Worlds Map Helps Sonic Locate The Master Emerald
Thanks To Longclaw, Sonic Could Find The Master Emerald And Protect The Earth
After receiving Longclaw’s message, the Safe Worlds Map magically changed its illustrations to guide Sonic on his journey. As a result, he and Tails were able to locate and obtain the Master Emerald Compass, which was hidden in a temple in the snowy mountains of Siberia. Using the compass, Sonic later finds the underwater labyrinth near Hawaii where the Master Emerald was waiting.
Are you excited the Chaos will be appearing in Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
A new image from Sonic the Hedgehog 3 has confirmed that, after theories from the trailer, the adorable Chaos will be appearing in the upcoming threequel, albeit in a slightly different fashion with a restaurant being themed after the fairy-like creatures. Admittedly, I’m a little disappointed that they’re only going to be the mascots of a restaurant, as I always found them and their evolution system an interesting addition to the games, and would’ve loved to see how that translated to the screen. Hopefully, it’s explained in the movie that they’re based on the real Chaos and will be explored in the next movie.
ThoughEggman briefly stole the Emerald’s energy and went on a rampage, Sonic was able to harness the power of the Chaos Emeralds inside it and defeat him as Super Sonic. By the end ofSonic the Hedgehog 2, due to the incredible power that Sonic obtained, Longclaw’s map allowed him to inherit his adoptive mother’s legacy and become the new guardian of the Master Emerald and, therefore, the universe as a whole.
The Safe Worlds Map remains one of the most important objects in theSonicfilm franchise. Through the map, Longclaw protected Sonic and guided him to other planets and the Chaos Emeralds, allowing him to become one of the universe’s greatest heroes. It’s unknown if the map will take Sonic to any other alien worlds or reveal any more secrets, especially with his new role as universal guardian. However, the franchise continues to grow, and the map may lead the blue hero to more great adventures in otherSonic the Hedgehogmovies or TV showsafter his third film.
