Welcome to the world of Japanese classic Sonic the Hedgehog plush! Full of unique sets and cute designs, Japan went crazy for Sonic plush in the 1990's. Almost all were prizes that could be won out of UFO catcher machines, and they are becoming ever the more rare and valuable as the years go by!
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Japanese Sonic The Hedgehog And Friends Plush 1991
Here we have the very first Sonic the Hedgehog plush set released in Japan in 1991, to tie in with the video game! They were only available to win in UFO catcher machines around the time of the games release. The set consisted of Sonic, Flicky, Pecky, Pocky and Dr. Eggman. Their design was simplistic, but cute! Made of a felt material with button eyes and gold string to hang them! They had added felt detailing stuck on with glue. Sonic has shoelace-like string for his arms and legs, and is often dubbed "Stringy Sonic". The main significant difference from the first set and the second, is the wording on the hang tag. The series 1 set if you look closely has "SONIC THE HEDGEHOG" written on the hang tag, whereas series 2 has "SEGASONIC THE HEDGEHOG" written on the tag.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog And Friends Plush 1992
The following year in 1992, a near identical Sonic the Hedgehog plush set was released with the same characters, and very minor changes to the design! Again, these plush could only be won in UFO catcher machines. Sonic is the only plush in the set to really have a design change, he has wooden 3D shoes instead of pieces of felt from the 1991 release. The 1992 Sonic plush is harder to find. The hang tag is the very first to introduce the "SEGASONIC THE HEDGEHOG" slogan which is commonly widely used on almost all Japanese Sonic memorabilia from 1992-1998.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Plush 1991
This particular Sonic plush is believed to have been released in 1991. It’s known to be Japanese in origin, however, when I first started Sonic collecting back in 2006, this particular Sonic plush popped up on eBay UK quite regularly, which made me believe that somehow a few made it to the UK too. He is made of a soft, velboa material with felt features. The eyes were made without the white pupils. He’s a larger size Sonic plush. It is unknown how this particular plush could be obtained. I’m guessing either UFO catcher machines or a SEGA gift shop.
Japanese Large SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Plush
This particular Sonic plush is on the larger side! Released exclusively in Japan in the early 90’s. The quality really shines through here. Sadly, I am unable to confirm how this plush could be obtained. I would imagine either a SEGA gift shop, or possibly a mail order item from a SEGA magazine, it would have been too big to be won from a UFO catcher machine. There were 2 versions released, one had closer set eyes and a narrower head. They were made of a soft velboa material with felt features and quality button eyes covered in a vinyl material.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog And Friends Plush 1992
Another Sonic the Hedgehog plush set arrived on the scene in 1992! They could only be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan. It consisted of a sitting Sonic, standing Sonic, Flicky, Pecky, Pocky and Dr. Eggman. I have decided only to feature the two Sonic plush in this section, as Flicky, Pecky, Pocky and Dr. Eggman are identical to the ones found in the earlier 2 releases. The 2 Sonic plush came with a wide stitched on smiley face- very cute! He was made in a felt material, with glued on felt triangles for the inner ears and shoe strap, glued on plastic eyes, fluffy detailing on the glove and shoe cuffs, and the sitting Sonic featured a fixed "hands on hips" expression whereas standing Sonic came in a "finger wagging" fixed pose, they came with gold string attached to their head to hang them. In the Christmas of 1992 a Christmas version of this Sonic plush was released, featuring a Santa hat, bow tie and a white sack being carried from behind with holly berry detailing, he doesn't belong in a particular set, but I've added him here regardless!
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Kart Plush 1992
In the same year, another Sonic the Hedgehog plush set was released in UFO catcher machines in Japan, again using recycled plush- Sonic, Flicky, Pecky, Pocky and Dr. Eggman, this time gluing them onto go-karts! These plush were made before the first Sonic racing games were released, and I'm certain the reason this plush set came about, was the fact there was a Super Mario Kart plush set released the same year, using exactly the same karts and colourings (notice red for Mario, green for Luigi, pink for Peach, etc.), and my assumption was they had a lot of these karts left over, and possibly Sonic plush too, and because Sonic was still hugely popular at the time, I'm sure they thought- why not make a new Sonic plush set out of these! Notice how none of the plush are even holding onto the wheel.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Dress Up Plush 1993
1993, brought the first themed Sonic the Hedgehog plush sets, and the introduction of the very first Amy Rose plush! These plush could only be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan and consisted of Sonic holding a bouquet of flowers, Tails holding a bouquet of flowers, Sonic wearing a green jumper, Tails wearing a blue jumper, and Amy Rose! They were made in a felt material, with glued on plastic eyes, additional glued on triangle felt pieces for the inner ears, Sonic's shoe straps, and glove/shoe cuffs, The jumpers are non removable, and the bouquets are very nice quality. They come with gold string attached to their head to hang them! a very cute set indeed, it's just a shame Dr. Eggman had to miss out on the fun!
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Festival Plush 1993
Here we have a festival Sonic and Tails plush set, wearing karate outfits! They could only be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan. They were made of a felt material with glued on plastic eyes, with gold string attached to their head to hang them. There were 4 plush released in this set- standing Sonic, sitting Sonic, standing Tails and sitting Tails. Standing Sonic came with a red/white striped headband, whereas sitting Sonic has a solid red headband. Standing Tails has a blue/white striped headband, whereas sitting Tails has a solid blue headband.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Mini Plush 1993
In 1993, the very first miniature Sonic the Hedgehog plush set were released! The set consisted of Sonic, Tails, Amy Rose and Dr. Eggman. They came in small capsules and could be obtained out of a Sonic vending/ capsule machine and were supposedly released at random. These plush are extremely rare, possibly due to their small size. I have never even seen Dr. Eggman pop up for sale in all my years of collecting! For such small plush, their designs are of nice quality, and very cute! They are made of felt material, with lots of added glued on felt features, even the hands and shoes are glued together into 2 pieces. They even come with a string to hang them! These plushies came without hang tags.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Summer Plush 1994
1994 continued with the themed Sonic the Hedgehog plush sets! this time, the theme is Summer, and consisted of sailor Sonic, sailor Tails, surfing Sonic, surfing Tails, rubber ring Sonic and rubber ring Tails, sadly, Dr. Eggman misses out on the fun again this time! They could only be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan. 1994 introduced a new plush model, and very cute ones indeed. They are ever so slightly larger than the previous plush sets too. Made in a felt material, they feature button eyes, stitched mouths, additional glued on felt detailing, a button nose for Tails, and vinyl for the surfboard and rubber ring detailing, which sadly with time, peels off (as seen in photos below). They also come with gold string attached to the top of their heads to hang them.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Christmas Plush 1994
The Christmas of 1994 brought another themed Sonic the Hedgehog plush set! Included were Santa Sonic, Sonic wreath, Sonic slippers, Tails in a stocking, Tails slippers, and Santa Dr. Eggman. They could only be won in UFO Catcher machines in Japan. This is a very fun, and unique set, as it's the first (and only) plush set to feature something other than just plush toys. They are made of a felt material with button eyes and noses, stitched mouths and additional glued on additional felt features with gold string attached to their heads to hang them. Santa Sonic's sack reads "Mister Santa is Coming To Town With Present" Tails in a stocking features real bells attached to the front of the boot, and the Sonic and Tails slippers come in Childs size only.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Carnival Plush 1994
Here we have a totally unique Sonic the Hedgehog plush set! It is dubbed the "Carnival" set, and was released in 1994. I do not know the full origins of these plush, so I cannot confirm that they could only be won in UFO catcher machines, as they could possibly have origins to carnivals. The set consisted of 3 plush- Sonic, Tails and Rocky. Why Rocky was included and none of the other main characters or animal friends, is a mystery! and slightly random. These plush were made of a softer velboa fabric with button eyes, glued on felt features and gold string attached to the head to hang them. Tails has exceptionally short arms and legs. Sonic has almost neon red shoes, and Rocky a very fluffy moustache.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Sports Plush 1994
Another Sonic the Hedgehog plush set, with a mystery origin! They were released in 1994 in Japan, and consisted of a regular Sonic and Tails, and also a Sonic holding a ball, and Tails with some form of sports equipment. This set is more uncommon than the regular UFO catcher machine plush sets, and also have a slightly larger size, a different style and different tags, so I cannot confirm whether or not these could be won in UFO catcher machines. They were made of a softer velboa material for most of the body with felt arms, button eyes and stitched mouths. The Sonic plush has brown shoe soles, like the early 1991 "Twix" Sonic plush. As you can see below, the regular Sonic and Tails plush are slightly smaller than the sports versions, and have ever so slightly different designs. Tails features a very furry chest on both versions, and the accessories on the sports plush are made of felt material, with the ball sewn onto Sonic's body and hand, permanently attached to the plush. The hang tag features some lovely unique artwork, with a very 80's vibe to it!
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Sports Plush 1995
A new year, a new Sonic the Hedgehog themed set! 1995 brought the final themed Sonic plush set, and it doesn't disappoint! Included is soccer/football Sonic, tennis Tails, ice hockey Sonic, baseball Tails and volleyball Dr. Eggman. They could all be won out of UFO catcher machines in Japan. They are all made of a felt material with button eyes, glued on felt features, embroidered mouths, gold string attached to their heads to hang them, and a variation of plastic and felt accessories that are glued (in some cases like soccer Sonic) and stitched to the body, making them non removable.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Suction Cup Plush 1995
Below is widely dubbed the "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" plush set, even though really, they are just another regular Sonic plush set, that could be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan during 1995. These plush are very high quality, and included in the set are Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman. They were made of a softer velboa material, with button eyes, button noses for Tails and Dr. Eggman, shorter fur for the arms and legs, additional glued on felt details, gold string attached to their heads to hang them, and 2 suction cups attached to their bodies. The Tails and Knuckles in this set are my personal favourite Tails/Knuckles plushies of all time!
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog Basket Plush 1996
Here we have a Sonic the Hedgehog basket plush set, released in 1996 and could be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan. Included in the set were Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Pecky, Rocky and Dr. Eggman. Each plush feature shorter velboa fur, button eyes, button noses for Tails/Eggman, additional glued on felt detailing, embroidered mouths, gold string attached to their heads to hang them, a suction cup added to the end of the gold string. Each plush are in a permanent fitting position with their hands and feet glued on to hold wicker baskets! These plush are great to hold stationery.
Japanese Sonic The Fighters Plush 1997
Pictured below is the highly sought after Sonic the Fighters plush set! They could be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan during 1998. Included in the set were Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, Fang, Bean, Bark, Espio, Super Sonic, Metal Sonic and Espio. They are made of short velboa material with button eyes/noses, glued on felt detailing, gold string attached to their heads to hang then, and some plush come with additional accessories! Amy holds her pico pico hammer from behind with both hands, that is made in a felt fabric, Fang holds a felt weapon which is glued onto his belt, Bean holds a bomb made in a vinyl material, Bark has a felt scarf, and Metal Sonic is made of sticky vinyl material which has a high tendency to peel off with age. Super Sonic and Metal Sonic have always reached high prices. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for them!
Japanese Sonic The Fighters Keychain Plush
Everyone knows about the Sonic the Fighters plush set, but less is known about the Sonic the Fighters keychain plush! Sadly I do not know the origins of these with regards to whether these were sold in stores or prizes in UFO catcher/ capsule machines. Included in the set were Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, Fang, Espio. I cannot confirm whether the rest of the characters were made, as I have never seen them pop up for sale. These keychain plush are made of a felt material, with glued on features, with a chain attached to the top of their heads. Due to the nature of old glue, these plush have a tendency to come apart with age, due to the glue losing its original stick.
Japanese SEGA SONIC The Hedgehog And Tails Plush 1998
This set, is sadly, one of the last in the classic line of Japanese Sonic the Hedgehog plush, along with the pale series. Included in this set were Sonic and Tails, and could be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan, making them the largest classic plush that could be won in these machines! They were made of a softer velboa material with button eyes, additional felt detailing, embroidered mouths and gold string attached to their heads to hang them. Sonic is on the chubby side typical for classic Sonic, and is slightly cross eyed! Tails on the other hand, is super adorable! and one of the best Tails plushies ever made, along with the Tails from the "Sonic 3" set. I highly recommend this plush.
Japanese Sonic The Hedgehog Pale Plush 1998
This set, is sadly, one of the last in the classic line of Japanese Sonic the Hedgehog plush. Released in 1998, these could be won in UFO catcher machines in Japan. Included in the set were pale Sonic, pale Tails, albino Sonic and albino Tails. They were made in velboa material with felt eyes, shoes, gloves, felt arms and legs, along with additional glued on felt detailing, button eyes/nose and gold string attached to head to hang them. These plush are very unique, especially the albino plush,with regards to their colouring! A very nice, unique piece to add to any Sonic collection!
Japanese Miscellaneous Sonic The Hedgehog Plush
Pictured below are some Sonic the Hedgehog plush, that aren't part of a particular set and so I have added them to miscellaneous.