Roger Craig Smith to return to voice Sonic the Hedgehog

As reported four months ago, Roger Craig Smith tweeted out that he was stepping down as the voice of Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog. However, just yesterday on the 26th, Roger posted a tweet that reveals he is returning to voice the blue blur.

I can't fully express my gratitude for the @sonic_hedgehog crew and community.🙏

I hope to honor your support and passion as I'm officially back voicing #SonicTheHedgehog in games.

Can't wait for ya to see what we have planned!

THANK YOU...from the bottom of my blue heart.💙 pic.twitter.com/KOLi2MJnUi

— Roger Craig Smith (@RogerCraigSmith) May 26, 2021

While the exact details of why Roger initially left is unknown, fans who've come to know him as the voice of Sonic are no doubt happy.

For those not in the know, Roger Craig Smith is Sonic's third American voice actor for the games, following Jason Griffith and Ryan Drummond respectively. Roger first took on voicing Sonic in the poorly received "Sonic Free Riders," which was released for the XBox 360 back on November 4th, 2010.

Whether or not Colleen O'Shaughnessey and Cindy Robinson, who voiced Tails and Amy Rose respectively, are set to return to voice their respective characters is currently unknown. At the very least, Sonic's archnemesis Dr. Eggman will still be voice by Mike Pollock, who first voiced the bad doctor in the 2003 animated anime "Sonic X" before taking over as the voice for the games as well, starting in 2005's "Shadow the Hedgehog". 

UPDATE: It appears that Colleen has returned to voice Tails, judging by the Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps short revealed in today's Sonic Central Live Stream.

Notably, this announcement comes right off the heels of SEGA announcing that they are going to hold a special livestream on the 27th of this month at 9 a.m. PT to celebrate Sonic's 30th Anniversary, where they plan to unveil various things.

Sonic the Hedgehog's voice actor, Roger Craig Smith, retires from the role

 

On the 28th of January, Roger Craig Smith, voice of Sonic the Hedgehog, revealed he is retiring from voicing the iconic blue hedgehog through a post on Twitter.

Welp, 10 years was an amazing run.
Onward to new zones!

Much love to the fans who've been so kind.💙

It's been an honor.
🦔 pic.twitter.com/7Rn9PVA92m

— Roger Craig Smith (@RogerCraigSmith) January 28, 2021

The Official Sonic Twitter also confirmed this a few hours later, all while wishing Roger the best.

For over 10 years, Roger Craig Smith has been an integral part of the SEGA family. He brought the voice of Sonic to life, and we are forever grateful for his never-ending enthusiasm in helping the community and spreading joy.

Thank you, Roger, for all you've done for Sonic.

— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) January 28, 2021

For those not in the know, Roger Craig Smith is Sonic's 3rd American voice actor for the games, following Jason Griffith and Ryan Drummond respectively. Roger first took on voicing Sonic in the poorly received "Sonic Free Riders," which was released for the XBox 360 back on November 4th, 2010. Roger would continue to voice the character afterwards, even in the Sonic Boom cartoon, with his final role being "Team Sonic Racing" released on May 21st, 2019. (though to be technical, "Sonic at the Olympic Games (2020)" for Android and iOS is Roger's last role, though it simply reuses previously recorded voice clips)

SEGA has not yet revealed who will be the new voice actor for their mascot. Some speculate that Ben Schwartz, who voiced Sonic in the Paramount's "Sonic the Hedgehog" movie, may take over the role, or that SEGA may contact Sonic's previously aforementioned voice actors, Jason or Ryan, though nothing is confirmed at the moment. Regardless, the writers here wish Roger the best, as well as whoever is taking on voicing the blue blur.

Speaking of which, Sonic's 30th Anniversary is this year. Last year, SEGA initially planned to reveal small tidbits about the upcoming anniversary on the 20th of each month, but due to the Covid Virus, these plans were scrapped. That being said, SEGA did eventually reveal the the 30th Anniversary Logo on the 29th of September 2020, as well as some upcoming merch, such as a Classic Sonic Comic series that will be published by IDW Comics, some toys from Jakks Pacific, and even a jewelry collection from King Ice. (Let's hope Rouge the Bat doesn't nab the entire jewelry collection stock first before they hit the shelves!)