Knuckles the Echidna debuted in the Sonic the Hedgehog series in 1994, introduced as a guardian of the Master Emerald on Angel Island. Initially portrayed as a rival to Sonic, he later becomes a close ally, known for his strength and sense of duty. With his ability to glide and climb walls, Knuckles brought a unique gameplay style to the franchise, making him a beloved character among fans.

Knuckles

The series takes place between the events of the films Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). It follows Knuckles the Echidna, a hot-headed, serious anthropomorphic red echidna with super strength. Knuckles takes on Deputy Sheriff Wade Whipple as his apprentice, training him in the ways of the Echidna warrior. Their journey leads them to a bowling tournament in Reno, Nevada, where Wade’s estranged father will be competing. Along the way, Knuckles is pursued by a former agent of Dr. Robotnik, who seeks to take the echidna’s power for himself.

PARENTAL NOTES

Words, Words, Words

• Knuckles is yet another example of modern studios’ lack of care for their young audiences. It’s an incredibly childish program, yet the writers and showrunners insist on inserting several “damns” and “oh my Gods” into it, along with a reference to one of the male characters as a “sexy menswear model.”

Deadbeat Dads Are Hilarious

• There are a number of really harsh jokes about the main character’s father abandoning him as a child. I wouldn’t want my children to think in these terms, and I really wouldn’t want some emotionally wounded child whose parent abandoned them in real life watching this.

WOKE REPORT

Men Shmen

• Every man is either a weak doofus, evil, a deadbeat dad, or a traitor. Some are more than one.

Bringing Sexy Back

• A character is referred to as a sexy menswear model.
  • Why do these studios insist on introducing the concept of sexiness into children’s programs?

Papa Can You Hear Me?

• One of the main subplots is that of a deadbeat dad and his grown son longing for a relationship with him.
  • However, it is repeatedly (like it’s the main joke of the season) treated like a joke with a “comic” refrain of reminding the son that his dad had callously tossed him aside “like trash.”
  • This subplot was concluded when the dad easily took the leap from a deadbeat coward to a traitorous and petty villain whose son realized that he never really needed him because his mother was more than enough.