According to Takashi Iizuka, director of Sonic Team, the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has only reached half of its potential, with the team aiming for broader popularity and even surpassing the level of Disney. This statement was made during an interview with Continue (translated by Videogameschronicle.com). Iizuka noted that when the first Sonic the Hedgehog game was created, the development team aimed for the popularity level of Disney, and he was encouraged to dream big, including ideas like surpassing Disney or creating an amusement park. Thirty-five years later, these goals have not yet been fully achieved. With the release of Sonic films, the team now aims to introduce the Sonic universe to a wider audience, including those who have never played the games. Kazuyuki Hoshino, creative director, mentioned that Sonic’s popularity is significant in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan. In Thailand and South Korea, many young fans discovered Sonic through the films, while in Taiwan, there are many fans who have been following Sonic since the Mega Drive era, which refers to the early 1990s when the games first gained traction. Alex Gomez, vice president of brands at Sega, stated that the Sonic franchise is still perceived as primarily targeting a male audience, although films and other adaptations have changed this perception. However, there is still a larger female audience to reach. Despite these developments, the exact timing of a new game remains unclear, leaving fans waiting for more details about future projects. The team is working to expand Sonic’s appeal beyond its traditional fanbase, aiming to make the character more accessible and recognizable to a global audience. This effort includes various media, such as movies and other forms of entertainment, which are designed to introduce Sonic to people who may not be familiar with the video games. While the franchise has made progress, Iizuka and his team believe there is still much more to achieve in terms of popularity and cultural impact.