Sonic the Hedgehog 3provided the closest thing yet to a proper Hollywood film adaptation ofDragon BallorDragon Ball Z. By the time ofSonic the Hedgehog 3’s ending, the trilogy solidified itself as one of the best ever made based on a video game.Sonic vs Shadow inSonic 3proved to make an epic finale, as did the many other twists and turns that saw the third act become the most action-packed in the entire trilogy.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s set-up ofSonic 4will have fans hoping that the franchise can continue this hot streak by translating the same ambitious action as the series develops.Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s post-credits scenesteased that any continuations of the franchise would do exactly this, yet the final moments of the film also raised comparisons to another franchise:Dragon Ball. Fans of the anime have long desired a proper adaptation ofDragon Ballfor decades, andSonic the Hedgehog 3just became the closest thing to exactly that.

Super Sonic next to Shadow in a tank in Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Goes Full Super Saiyan

Sonic & Shadow Emulate Goku

With this in mind, it is worth exploring how exactlySonic the Hedgehog 3emulatesDragon Ball Z. In the final act of the film, Sonic and Shadow grapple for the Chaos Emeralds. After a brief struggle, both hedgehogs blend their powers with an equal amount of the Emeralds, becoming Super Sonic and Super Shadow.

Sonic The Hedgehog’s Chaos Emeralds: Powers, Location & More Explained

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 introduced the Chaos Emeralds to the live-action movie series, and here’s everything we know ahead of the third movie.

Super Sonic appeared inSonic the Hedgehog 2,yet seeing him and Shadow take these forms was an epic moment for game fans. Moreover, it brings to the fore the franchise’s similarities withDragon Ball. The latter franchise is synonymous with the Super Saiyan form, in which members of the Saiyan species can be overcome with godlike powers in moments of great need. Many have theorized that Super Sonic was based on this from theDragon Ballmanga orDragon Ball Zanime. Via the Chaos Emeralds,Sonic the Hedgehog 3shows Sonic and Shadow becoming essentially Super Saiyan.

Sonic-The-Hedgehog’s-Chaos-Emeralds–Powers,-Location-&-More-Explained

Sonic The Hedgehog 3’s Action Is Everything Dragon Ball Z Fans Want

Beyond becoming Super Sonic and Super Shadow,Sonic the Hedgehog 3’s third act as a whole is reminiscent ofDragon Ball Z.The Super Saiyan comparison leads to immense action scenes on a massive scale, with Sonic and Shadow fighting each other by flying across the planet. The clashes in different biomes lead to mountains being destroyed, the Earth being cracked, and lava spewing into the sky, calling to mind the Super Saiyan clashes ofDragon Ball Z.

Sonic the Hedgehog3’s final act is an amalgamation of everythingDragon Ball Zfans have wanted from a proper live-action adaptation…

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 main characters dashing forward with a circle around them in a custom image from ScreenRant

These scenes are all incredibly fast-paced and lead to a great deal of destruction. In many ways,Sonic the Hedgehog3’s final act is an amalgamation of everythingDragon Ball Zfans have wanted from a proper live-action adaptation. It is no secret that thedisastrousDragonball Evolutionwas a huge misfire regarding adapting the anime and manga to the big screen. As such, fans of the franchise have never received action or epic fights on the scale they desire, yetSonic the Hedgehog 3may have scratched that itch until a realDragon Ball Zmovie is crafted.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Cast

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.

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