Happy December! A while back, I celebrated the holidays by cracking open a couple of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG Advent Calendars and sharing what I got day by day alongside a few extra bits of strategy and trivia related to each card. However, 2019 was the last time Konami put out one of those, so I've been unable to continue that seasonal fun ever since. If only ANOTHER franchise that I love quite a bit that's been on a roll across games, film, and animation lately put out their OWN Advent Calendar that was also the perfect mix of really cool and adorably festive! It'd be a great way to RING in the season!
Yep, as you might've guessed from my not-so-subtle hints, Sonic's his name, and this year, Christmas is his game. This is Jakks Pacific's new Sonic the Hedgehog Advent Calendar, featuring 24 full days of toys from their sprawling line. There are also some Christmassy bits EXCLUSIVE to this box, so I certainly couldn't pass this chance up! (Especially since I've yet to pick up any of Jakks' smaller-scale Sonic stuff.)
Welcome to Advent Hill Zone, a series where I'll be taking you through this box one day at a time until the big man shows up on Christmas Day. If you've read any of my previous Yu-Gi-Oh! Advent posts, the format of this whole thing'll be a bit familiar: I'll crack open a box, share what's inside, give a bit of trivia on each character/object, and finish things off with my own personal take. Now, without further ado...
Who's hiding behind our first door?
Why it's none other than Rad Red himself, Knuckles the Echidna! (Sporting a festive Emerald-green hat!)
Star Post #1: General Info
Knuckles, of course, made his debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, having been tricked by Dr. Eggman into fighting against Sonic. (That happened a lot with him early in his career.) The last of his kind and descendant of the mighty Knuckles Clan, he serves as the sole Guardian of Angel Island and the massive, powerful gem hidden upon it, the Master Emerald. Though he can be a bit gullible and short-tempered at times, Knuckles takes his duty very seriously and will do whatever it takes to keep both his Island and the Master Emerald safe from those who would abuse either. For that reason, he spends most of his time alone, keeping watch over his domain. Despite that, over time, he's developed a strong friendship with Sonic and crew and is always willing to lend a helping fist towards thwarting Eggman's ambitions. (So long as he can get back to the Master Emerald afterwards, of course.) Super strong and capable of gliding through the air, digging through the earth, climbing walls, and locating hidden treasures, Knuckles is an Echidna of many talents. A core cast member of the Sonic series and definite fan favorite, Knuckles has appeared in everything from games to cartoons to movies to comics. (He even had his own Archie-published spin-off book for a time in the 90's.)
Star Post #2: Trivia
Did you know that Knuckles made a brief cameo on Space Ghost: Coast to Coast? It's true! Space Ghost is seen messing around with a Sonic 3 & Knuckles game before resuming an interview in the Season 1 episode, "Gum, Disease." The gameplay featured is of the Knuckles boss fight in the Hidden Palace Zone (while playing as Sonic & Tails) and the game's title theme can even be heard. You can check out this pure 90's mash-up for yourself on HBO MAX!
Goal Plate: Closing Thoughts
Oddly enough, I think this is the VERY FIRST articulated figure of Classic Knuckles that I've ever owned, so I'm super happy that we got him on our first day at this! (Especially with his cute little extra holiday flourish.) Calendar's off to a great start!
We've reached the goal for Day 1, but we've still got another 23 left to conquer, so be back here tomorrow for another Act of the Advent Hill Zone!
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