The first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 recently dropped, and someone has already found a surprising reference to an anime classic: Mamoru Oshii's Ghost in the Shell.
A fan posted the comparison of the Sonic 2 trailer and Ghost in the Shell's opening sequences, highlighting similar instances of Sonic and the Major adjusting their footwear, overlooking a busy street and jumping off a skyscraper. "They had no right to be this damn nerdy for a Sonic movie. I'm absolutely dead," the accompanying tweet text reads.
They had no right to be this damn nerdy for a Sonic movie. I’m absolutely dead. pic.twitter.com/qDJSgkCHQ7
— Rendy Jones (@Rendy_Jones) December 10, 2021
Based on the manga series of the same name by Masamune Shirow, Oshii's Ghost in the Shell premiered in 1995. Set in 2029 Japan, the story follows the members of Public Security Section 9 as they hunt down a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master. Produced by Production I.G., it stars Atsuko Tanaka as Major Makoto Kusanagi, Akio Ōtsuka as Batou and Iemasa Kayumi as the Puppet Master.
Ghost in the Shell incorporates philosophical themes of identity, memory, procreation and what it means to be human, and its ideas resonated deeply with both fans and critics. Many consider it to be one of the most influential films ever made. Unsurprisingly, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 isn't the first film to reference the anime classic; parallels have been drawn to James Cameron's Avatar, The Wachowskis' The Matrix and Steven Spielberg's A. I. Artificial Intelligence.
Returning for Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is director Jeff Fowler and screenwriters Pat Casey and Josh Miller, as well as Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik, James Marsden as Tom and Ben Schwartz as the voice of the titular hedgehog. They will be joined by new cast members Idris Elba as Knuckles and Collen O'Shaughnessey reprising her video game voiceover role as Tails.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 meeting Ghost in the Shell isn't the only recent piece of art either franchise has inspired as of late. One fan recently retooled the movie poster for Sonic 2 by replacing Tails with Internet meme sensation Stoned Fox, and artist Buster Moody fused Ghost in the Shell and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 races into theaters on April 8, 2022.
Source: Twitter
