Sonic the Hedgehog has video games, movies, shows, visual novels, comic books, and more, and now, the Sega mascot is running in a new direction with an audio drama series.
The publisher behind the classic video game series announced the fictional narrative podcast in collaboration with podcast media company Realm, promising to tell stories featuring Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy the Bee. Dubbed Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles, the show is set to premiere everywhere podcasts are available, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music, next week, January 27.
The Chaotix Detective Agency is on the case! 🕵️♂️ Get ready for a brand-new audio adventure, Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles, arriving on 1/27 wherever you listen to podcasts. #ChaotixCaseFiles #SonicTheHedgehog pic.twitter.com/0FRXmRyVs1
— Sonic the Hedgehog (@sonic_hedgehog) January 20, 2026
“For the first time, the Sonic universe comes to life in audio, as Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy Bee of the Chaotix Detective Agency are tasked with solving their biggest mystery yet,” a summary for the Sonic audio drama series says. “Styled after classic detective radio dramas, the series blends noir-inspired intrigue with Sonic’s signature energy, creating a fresh way for fans to experience the world of Sonic.”
The Sonic the Hedgehog video game voicecast is returning for the action- and saxophone-packed audio drama, with Roger Craig Smith back as Sonic, Keith Silverstein as Vector, Matthew Mercer as Espio, and Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Charmy. Sega says that, in addition to its vibrant detectives, “other fan-favorites” will make special appearances throughout The Chaotix Casefiles’ debut season. The first trailer teases a cameo from Doctor Robotnik (a.k.a. Eggman), and it sounds like voice actor Mike Pollock providing his chops, too.
A Sonic audio drama isn’t exactly Sonic Adventure 3, but Sega still brought in some notable talent to bring it to life. Ian Jones-Quartey (OK K.O! Let’s Be Heroes, Steven Universe) is the show’s director, with Dan Jolley (Dying Light, DC Heroes United) credited as lead writer, and Sonic veterans Ian Flynn and Evan Stanley also attached as writers. Grammy and Tony award-winning composer Charlie Rosen created The Chaotix Casefiles’ music. Realm’s Fred Greenhalgh and Dan Brunelle handled sound design and post-production.
Sonic the Hedgehog fans have had plenty to run through the last few years. Highlights in the video game world include heavy hitters like Sonic Frontiers in 2022, Sonic x Shadow Generations in 2024, and Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds in 2025, with offshoots like The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog helping fill the gaps. In the movie world, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sped into theaters in late 2024, with a fourth mainline film expected to premiere in March 2027.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
