Jakks Pacific

Jakks Pacific, Inc. is an American toy company founded in 1995. Jakks designs and markets a range of products including figures, electronics, role-play, and plush, and has been a licensee of many well known trademarks such as Disney and Nintendo. In 2019, it was announced that Sega of America had started a deal with Jakks to produce toys for the Sonic the Hedgehog series.^[1] In 2021, Jakks Pacific renewed the license and started making toys for the 30th anniversary of the series.^[2] In 2022 Jakks made figures based off the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film. In 2023, Jakks started making action figures based on the animated Netflix series, Sonic Prime. As of 2025, Jakks still has the Sonic license and has released figures based on the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film.

History

On 13 February 2019, it was revealed that Jakks would be making Sonic toys and the product line would be revealed at New York Toy Fair 2019 from 16-19 February. An image accompanied the announcement of four bendable Sonic figures: Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Shadow. The toys shown at Toy Fair included Classic-style plushies of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman, the bendable figures and smaller disk figures of sprites from Sonic Battle, and a pinball set. The set was based on a Green Hill Zone loop and it was functional with Super Monkey Ball-like sphere figures of Classic Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Metal Sonic, Mighty and Ray,^[3] the last two of which this would be the first time figurines would be made them.

At San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Jakks Pacific held a panel and showcased their upcoming products.^[4] New Sonic the Hedgehog products included figures and plushes. The new figures shown were part of the second wave of bendy figures and included Super Sonic, Metal Sonic, Dr. Eggman and a variant of Sonic, all with a release date of spring 2020. Like the first wave, each figure was shown to come with a disk figure which used a sprite from Sonic Battle. These included Shadow, E-102 Gamma, a running version of Sonic, and a flying version of Tails. There was also a GameStop exclusive Sonic in a Green Hill Zone loop spinning package with a release date of fall 2019. A lineup of booster spheres for the pinball set were shown, now with a release date of fall 2019. A second wave of Classic plushes was shown, consisting of Super Sonic, Amy, Mighty and another Sonic, all with a release date of spring 2020.

At the New York Toy Fair 2020, there was a booth for Jakks Pacific, and new Sonic toys were on display. There was the second wave of 7" plush toys, new 20" plush toys, the third wave of bendable figures, new 4" and 2.5" lines of action figures, a playset for the 2.5" action figures and toys for the Sonic movie.^[5]

At San Diego Comic-Con Special Edition 2021, Jakks Pacific once again held a panel and showcased their upcoming products for spring 2022.^[6] New Sonic the Hedgehog products included figures and die-cast vehicles. Notable new figures included the first E-123 Omega figure, the first Rouge figure since Toy Island's Sonic X line, a collector edition figure of modern Sonic, and a solar powered foot-tapping Classic Sonic.

Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog Classic

Sonic the Hedgehog logo.

Sonic the Hedgehog Classic logo.

4" bendable action figures with accessory

Jakks Pacific's first released figures were bendable action figures with an accessory. Each figure retailed for $9.99 USD, and the first wave released in early August 2019.^[7][8] Each figure has bendable limbs allowing for a range of posing, and a spinnable disk figure of a sprite from Sonic Battle. The disk figure is able to unfold and stand with its base, and be folded into a circle to be spun/rolled. These would be the first bendable Sonic figures since Joyride Studios' Sonic Adventure 2: Battle figures and Toy Island's Sonic X figures.

Other packs

Exclusive to GameStop was a 4" bendable Sonic figure in a spinning loop package for $22.99 USD. The package design is based on Green Hill Zone and features a trail of Rings in the loop. A "face off 2-pack" of Sonic and Knuckles was also released. In 2021, another GameStop-exclusive bendable Sonic figure was released. This package was priced at $14.99 and came with a gold medal, a removable jersey displaying an image of the Chaos Emeralds with the text "GHZ 2020", and a cardboard podium.^[11]

2.5" articulated action figures

Single figures

A 2.5" line of action figures were released, with each figure retailing for $4.99 USD.^[12] Each wave has five unique characters, each with five points of articulation. The figures are compatible with the playsets and diorama packs.

Single figures with accessory ("Deluxe Series")

Single figures (checklane version)

The 2.5" figures started being re-released as checklane versions, each at $4.97 USD.

Boxed sets

A Green Hill Zone playset was released in August 2020, which is compatible with the 2.5" articulated figures. Its main play feature is the loop that figures can run around inside of. The set has other features including Rings, a Spring, and pegs for other figures and items to connect to. On 3 September 2020, the Jakks Pacific YouTube channel uploaded seemingly the first TV commercial for their Sonic toys. The commercial advertises the 2.5" articulated figure playset.^[25] A similar playset of Studiopolis Zone was later released, as was a diorama set which was a pack of two figures and some accessories.

A playset released of the the first ever toy of the Giant Eggman Robot from Sonic the Hedgehog 2. It comes with a small rubber Classic Sonic figurine in a Spin Attack, and a catapult for launching Sonic. The play feature of the set is that if Sonic can hit the button on the robot's chest three times then the robot's limbs pop out like after it is defeated in the game.

A playset released of Dr. Eggman's Egg Mobile. It has five configurations, including the standard mobile, and swappable parts to make the Egg Wrecker, the helicopter form from Egg Drillster, Egg Hammer, and Egg Digger. All configurations of the mobile can be held up with the included flight stand. The set also comes with two 2.5" figures, being an updated Classic Dr. Eggman and a serious expression variant of Classic Sonic. Two variants of the playset were released; one having a pearl-light gray colored mobile and the other a having a more accurate darker silver color. However, the packaging remains the same on both versions.

Three notable playsets released in Fall 2023: A level clear diorama that includes a Capsule and the first ever figurines of Flicky and Pocky, a playset of Stardust Speedway Zone Act 1, and the first ever playset of the Death Egg. The Death Egg uses its Sonic Generations design for its exterior, while the interior features the Egg Heart from Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II.

4" articulated action figures with accessory

4″ articulated figures wave assortments

A line of 4" articulated figures released and each wave contains four unique characters, with each figure retailing for $9.99 USD. Each figure has about eleven points of articulation, and an accessory of an item from the games that can be used for the 2.5" playsets.

Single figure packs

Multi-figure packs

Jakks Gold

The Jakks Gold series is a line of 4" articulated figure variants enhanced with unique finishes. The figures are currently only Walmart exclusives and each retail for $14.99 USD.

2" sphere action figures

Jakks Pacific released six booster sphere figures for the Pinball Track Set. The figures are two inches in height, and each in a unique colored sphere similar to the characters in Super Monkey Ball. The first wave of figures consisted of characters from Sonic Mania Plus, including the first figures of Mighty and Ray.

Jakks Pacific released their first Sonic playset for the sphere figures, the Pinball Track Set, which is a playset based on a loop in Green Hill Zone. The main play feature is that the included Sonic sphere figure can be launched by a spring and make it through the loop. The track is made of different segments and includes decorative pieces like Badniks and scenery, allowing for customizable layouts. Six compatible booster figurines were released alongside the set. In 2024, blind bags containing booster spheres were released, seemingly as a target exclusive. Later in 2024, series 2 of the blind bags were shown to contain figures exclusive to the series.

7" & 9" plush line

The 7" and 9" plush toys first released in fall 2019, each at $9.99 USD. The range includes a variety of different characters, including the first ever plushes of Mighty, Ray and the Jade Wisp. Also included is the first plush toy of Cheese since the Sonic X line by Sega Prize!. Wave 1, 2, 3, and 4 contained 7" inch plush toys. 9" plush toys were included wave 5 onward.

20" jumbo plush line

Two large 20" plush toys of Classic Sonic and Tails were released on 26 August 2020.^[49] On their gloves are Velcro, so Tails can carry Sonic while flying. Unlike the 7" line, these plush toys have non-stylized designs, and their eyes, gloves and shoes are made of vinyl.

For the Sonic 30th anniversary, and in promotion of the IDW comic, a variant of Sonic with a dotted halftone pattern (similar to prototypes with same design) was released as a GameStop exclusive.

Die-cast vehicles

In August 2021, Jakks Pacific released the first wave of die-cast toys of characters in their vehicles from Team Sonic Racing, each at $4.99 USD. The toys are similar to the racing toys by NKOK and Jazwares, however, the characters are much bigger than they should be compared to their vehicle.

There have also been multiple three pack sets.

Collector Edition action figures

In February 2021, Jakks Pacific released the first figure in their Sonic Collector Edition Action Figure line. Each figure in the line is a 6" articulated figure with 10+ points of articulation. Like Tomy's Collector Edition Classic Sonic figure, the figures in this line resemble Good Smile Company's Nendoroid figures by including interchangeable parts such as different expressions for eyes and mouths, and different hand poses.

List of figures

Gallery

Main article: Jakks Pacific/Gallery#Collector edition figures

Go-Go Racers

In 2024, Jakks Pacific released a line of toys in the Classic Sonic the Hedgehog series of stylised mini racers. They are available in mini launcher packs and playsets.

Mini Launchers

Playsets

Other

A solar powered 6" figure of Classic Sonic on a Green Hill Zone base was released in May 2022. The figure is able to tap its foot and lower its eyelids like the original idle animation.

A pack of two role play Rings with motion-activated sound were released in March 2023.

A modified version of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film R/C was released in August 2023. It uses Sonic's game design, standing on a board with the GUN logo.

Sonic the Hedgehog (film series)

Sonic the Hedgehog (film)

Sega of America announced that the Sonic the Hedgehog film would be supported with a range of products, and Jakks Pacific would produce playsets and plush toys. Due to Sonic's redesign, the playset and Baby Sonic plush toy used the old designs, but the packaging was updated.^[54]

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (film)

On 17 February 2021, Sega of America and Paramount Pictures announced they would continue their partnership with Jakks Pacific on making action figures, playsets, plush toys, and other collectibles to coincide with the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog 2 film. The toys were later officially revealed on 23 February 2022.^[59]

4" articulated figures with accessory

4" Multi-Packs

2.5" single articulated figures

2.5" packs

9" plush

Other

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (film)

On 31 October 2023, Sega of America and Paramount Pictures announced they would continue their partnership with Jakks Pacific on making action figures, playsets, plush toys, and other collectibles to coincide with the release of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film.^[60]

5" articulated figures

2.5" articulated figures

5" packs and vehicles

2.5" packs

9" plush

Other

Sonic Prime

On 4 January 2022, Jakks Pacific announced a partnership with Sega of America for the Netflix animated TV series, Sonic Prime. Under this partnership, Jakks produced action figures, playsets, vehicles, plushies, costumes, and other collectibles associated with the show on Netflix.

5" articulated figures

Cancelled 5" articulated figures

2.5" multi-packs and playsets

Plush

Other Sega franchises

On 20 March 2024, Sega of America announced they were working with Jakks Pacific to begin making action figures based on other existing Sega franchises. These would all be Walmart exclusives.

See also

• Jazwares
• ReSaurus
• Tomy
• Toy Island

References

External links

• Official website
• Official store
• Jakks Pacific on Twitter
• Sonic the Hedgehog at Jakks Pacific
• Jakks Pacific at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia