Although there is controversy surrounding how much focus human characters received in Knuckles, they’ve managed to make the Sonic the Hedgehog movie franchise even better through their stories. Despite being based on the video game series, the cast of Knuckles doesn’t contain many characters from the Sonic franchise. While Sonic and Tails make cameo appearances in episode 1, the other characters surrounding the Echidna on his quest are all humans original to the movie universe. This includes Wade Whipple, who acts as his companion while being trained in the ways of a warrior.

Other human characters include Wade’s family, two G.U.N. agents, and the Buyer, an original villain with tenuous connections to Dr. Robotnik. Wade and his family especially get a lot of screen time, with the aspiring bowling champion getting the majority of the focus during the show’s second half. This puts a slight damper on Knuckles’ storyline, as his appearances become more spaced out in the process. Despite this, though, the show’s focus on human characters aids in its storytelling – something that could carry over in the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Wade & Knuckles’ Friendship Proves Humans Can Have Major Roles In Sonic Movies

Wade Becomes A Key Focal Point Of The Miniseries

In episode 1, Knuckles decides to begin training Wade in the ways of the Echidna warrior, boosting his confidence so he can confront his father, “Pistol” Pete Whipple, at a bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada. The series slowly emphasizes the budding friendship between the pair, with Wade growing more confident as the series progresses. This culminates in episode 4, with Knuckles’ weirdest scene, as he becomes the star of a musical about his Echidna friend’s backstory. It offers him the confidence he needs to become a true warrior in Knuckles’ eyes.

The story’s climax happens in Reno, with Wade finally confronting his father and winning the bowling tournament. However, the end of Knuckles also focuses on the Echidna’s battle with the Buyer, who arrives in a small mech to steal his powers. Thanks to the training and advice instilled in him by his friend, Wade fights the Buyer long enough for Knuckles to regain his strength. This ending battle weaves the pair’s stories together in a unique, interesting way, giving the show’s original hero a full character arc. However, his story also bolsters Knuckles, giving him deeper development of his own.

How Wade’s Journey Helped Develop Knuckles’ Character

Wade & Knuckles Helped Each Other Grow As Characters

By the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Knuckles is living with the rest of his friends at Tom and Maddie’s house, still not yet accustomed to the ways of life on Earth. When he’s contacted by the spirit of Chief Pachacamac to assist Wade, his journey alongside the police officer give him a renewed perspective of his new home. While he doesn’t fully understand human etiquette just yet, his bonding with both Wade and his family gave him a broader view of what life on his new home planet can be like.

This is further emphasized during episode 4’s musical number, where Knuckles is given a deeper backstory through Wade’s dream. Learning more about the war with the Echidnas and Owls, alongside the introduction of the Fire Demon, offers the audience a better understanding of Knuckles’ character while also giving Wade the confidence he needs to embrace his warrior spirit. While Wade ends up taking the spotlight in the final two episodes, Knuckles‘ first four episodes indicate what the Sonic the Hedgehog films can do to better weave the stories of the game characters with humans.

How Sonic 3’s Human Story Could Be Influenced By Knuckles

Original Humans Can Help Develop The Video Game Characters

Human stories in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 can pull from Knuckles by using them to better support the development of the video game characters. Since Tom and Maddie are set to return in the upcoming installment, their story could revolve around properly raising the main trio despite their world-saving missions. While Sonic and his friends will be dealing with the arrival of Shadow the Hedgehog, the Wachowski couple can act as their anchor to what kind of life on Earth they’re fighting to defend.

In addition to original human characters, the humans from Sonic the Hedgehog games can also help develop the anthropomorphic stars. Dr. Robotnik’s return will no doubt keep Sonic and friends on their toes, while Shadow’s backstory with Maria gives him a human connection that remains faithful to the games. Even if a greater focus is put on humans established in the franchise’s source material, it still helps weave the central characters’ tales with residents of Earth.

Although the decision to focus so much on Wade in Knuckles may have been controversial, the structure of their friendship could be translated over to Sonic the Hedgehog 3 to make the movie even better. While doing so could risk a higher focus on humans than the game characters, workarounds like Robotnik and Maria make it possible for the film to maintain focus on the source material. If these storytelling attributes are fused together in the movie, then it could become the most memorable entry in the franchise so far.