Sonic the Hedgehog is in its 35th anniversary year, with a global concert tour scheduled and the recent death of a veteran English voice actor.
The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is marking its 35th anniversary in 2026. Sega announced a Sonic Live in Concert global tour with more than 30 stops across the U.S. and U.K. The tour runs from September 20, 2026, to February 20, 2027, and will feature music from various Sonic games. Additional European dates are planned but have not yet been announced.
In May 2026, voice actor Bill Wise died at age 61. Wise voiced Knuckles in the 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie OVA, an English dub produced for the North American market. His death was reported by the Austin Chronicle on May 5, with his agency and a friend confirming the news earlier that week. Wise also performed in other English dubs of the 1990s and 2000s, including roles in the Initial D: Legend trilogy and Getter Robo: Armageddon.
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Sega announced a Sonic Live in Concert global tour commemorating the franchise's 35th anniversary, with over 30 stops across the U.S. and U.K. from September 20, 2026, to February 20, 2027. The tour will feature music from various Sonic games, with additional European dates to be announced later.
Bill Wise, known for English dub roles including Bunta Fujiwara in the Initial D: Legend trilogy, Hayato Jin in Getter Robo: Armageddon, and Knuckles in the 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog: The Movie OVA, has died at age 61. His death was reported by the Austin Chronicle on May 5, with his agency and a friend confirming the news earlier that week.