Unleashing the Power of Pink

Amy Rose looking sad or disappointed.
© Sonic Boom / Sega

Amy Rose, also known as Rosy the Rascal, is my favourite character in the Sonic the Hedgehog series of video games, comics, and animated series developed by Sega. As a pink hedgehog, she is not only my second favourite colour but also one of the most prominent and popular characters in the series. I promised in an earlier article that I would go into detail about what I like about Amy Rose and why she shouldn’t be pushed aside (The problem with Sonic Origins) and those reasons are a bit more than having a cute and bubbly pink appearance with big round eyes!

This “rant” will go into detail on why I believe Amy Rose is the best character in the Sonic series, highlighting her unique characteristics, her role in the series, and her impact on the franchise. Many people misunderstand her and do not give her the credit she deserves, but I believe she is an important and enduring character that deserves more recognition and it does kinda piss me off that everyone seems to hate her.

Table of Contents

Personality

Amy Rose is known for her strong and determined personality. She is a confident and independent character who is not afraid to speak her mind. She is also incredibly loyal, often putting herself in danger to protect her friends. This combination of strength and vulnerability makes her a relatable and likeable character.

In the classic games such as Sonic CD and Sonic Adventure, Amy’s personality is bubbly and energetic, she is always ready for adventure and helps Sonic in his quest to defeat Eggman. She is shown to be a determined and independent character, who is not afraid to take risks and stand up for what she believes in. In addition, her loyalty is shown in her determination to rescue Sonic, even when he is captured by Eggman.

In Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, her personality becomes more prominent, when she becomes a playable character and the leader of Team Rose. her personality is still bubbly and energetic, but also more assertive, her determination and independence are highlighted as she takes charge of her team, and her loyalty is shown as she always puts herself in danger to protect her friends.

In more recent games such as Sonic Unleashed, her personality becomes more mature and realistic, where she helps Sonic regain his strength after he loses his powers. She is still bubbly and energetic, but also more empathetic, her determination and independence are highlighted as she takes the lead in her adventure and her loyalty is shown as she always puts herself in danger to protect her friends.

In the comics, her personality is consistent with her role in the games, where she is a determined, independent and strong character who plays an important role in the comics, helping Sonic and the other characters in their quest to defeat Eggman.

As for my personal preference, I like Amy’s upbeat and happy personality, it’s refreshing and it makes her a positive role model. I also like that she is not afraid to be vulnerable, it makes her relatable and shows that she is a well-rounded character. And of course, I love that she’s got a hammer, it is just a cool weapon.

Design

Amy Rose’s design is distinctive and instantly recognizable. Her pink colour and dress make her stand out among the other characters in the series, and her unique appearance has become iconic. Her design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves to reflect her bubbly and energetic personality. In addition, her design has evolved throughout the series, going from the classic design in Sonic CD to the more modern and realistic design in Sonic Unleashed.

Throughout the series, Amy’s design has been consistent with her pink fur and red dress, but it has changed and evolved. In the classic games such as Sonic CD and Sonic Adventure, her design was more cartoonish, with big eyes and a rounder body shape. In games like Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, her design was more realistic, with a more athletic build and a more detailed dress. In Sonic Unleashed, her design was more mature and realistic, with a more detailed dress and a more defined body shape.

However, my favourite design of hers is in the Sonic Boom series, where her design is more modern, with a more athletic build and a more detailed dress. The design is unique and it’s one of my favourite designs in the series. Also, it is a more practical design as it doesn’t flash her underwear as her modern design does every single time you jump, move or just slightly move the camera.

Seriously, even in the anime for kids, it happens!

Her role in the series

Amy Rose has played an important role in the Sonic series from the beginning. She is one of the most prominent characters in the series and has been featured in many of the games, comics, and animated series. Her role in the series has been diverse, from a supporting character to a playable character, and her inclusion in the series highlights her importance in the series. Furthermore, she is often a leader and member of Team Rose, displaying her leadership skills and teamwork abilities. Throughout the series, her role has evolved and changed to reflect her growth as a character and her abilities, making her an enduring and important character in the series.

In classic games such as Sonic CD, Amy’s role was mostly limited to being a supporting character, where her main role was to help Sonic and the other characters in their quest to defeat Eggman. However, in games such as Sonic Adventure and Sonic Heroes, her role became more prominent, where she became a playable character and the leader of Team Rose, displaying her leadership skills and teamwork abilities.

In more recent games such as Sonic Unleashed, her role in the story became more prominent and relevant, where she helps Sonic regain his strength after he loses his powers. In the Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood and Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal, she is a playable character and leader of Team Rose, displaying her leadership skills and teamwork abilities.

In the comics, her role has been consistent with her role in the games, where she is a prominent character and a member of Team Sonic. She is a determined, independent and strong character who plays an important role in the comics, helping Sonic and the other characters in their quest to defeat Eggman. In addition, her character development is shown in the comics, where she matures and evolves as a character.

Her role in the series has been diverse and important, and she has become an enduring and important character in the series.

Relationship with Sonic

Many people in the Sonic community view Amy Rose’s relationship with Sonic as one-sided and annoying. They see her as a “stalker” character and this has led to negative reactions towards her. However, this perception is misguided and fails to take into account the development and evolution of her character over time.

In later games, Amy’s relationship with Sonic becomes more balanced and less one-sided. She is not just a love interest anymore, but a strong and independent character with her agency in the story. In games like Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, Amy’s role expanded, and she was given her team to lead, showcasing her leadership skills and fighting abilities. Additionally, her abilities were expanded, and she was given access to new moves such as the homing attack and the ability to grind on rails. This development makes her less dependent on Sonic and more of a well-rounded character.

Furthermore, in Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Boom, her character is further developed and her relationship with Sonic becomes more like a friendship rather than a one-sided infatuation. Both characters work together as a team and support each other, which makes their relationship more dynamic and interesting.

It’s time to change the way we view Amy Rose’s relationship with Sonic. Her character development shows that she is more than just a love interest and her relationship with Sonic is more than just one-sided. It’s time to give Amy the recognition and appreciation she deserves as a strong, independent and well-rounded character.

Relationships with other characters

Amy Rose has a variety of relationships with other characters in the series, some positive and some negative.

One of her key relationships is with Eggman, the main villain of the series. While Amy is determined to stop Eggman and his evil plans, she also shows a level of compassion towards him. In Sonic Adventure, Eggman captures Sonic and Amy sets out to rescue him, despite Eggman’s warning that he will destroy her. In Sonic Heroes, Amy shows a level of understanding towards Eggman when she realizes that he is also a pawn in a larger game.

Another important relationship is with Tails, who is one of Sonic’s closest friends. Amy and Tails have a friendly relationship, with Tails often providing technical support and assistance to Amy and her team. Amy also has a good relationship with Knuckles, who is initially a rival of Sonic. They have a friendly rivalry, but they also work together to defeat Eggman.

In addition to these, Amy also has a close relationship with Cream and Sticks. Both characters are introduced in Sonic Boom, where they are shown to be close friends and allies of Amy. Cream is a young and innocent character who looks up to Amy as a role model, and Sticks is a wild and eccentric character who is often at odds with Amy but still values her friendship.

Amy Rose’s relationships with other characters in the series help to showcase her strong and determined personality, her compassion, and her loyalty. These attributes make her a well-rounded and likeable character and help to establish her as a strong and independent female character in the predominantly male-dominated franchise.

Abilities and gameplay mechanics

Amy Rose has a unique set of abilities and gameplay mechanics in the games where she is playable. Throughout the series, her abilities have been refined and expanded, making her a well-designed and distinct character.

  • In classic games such as Sonic Adventure, Amy has a unique ability called the Piko Piko Hammer, which she uses to attack enemies and break through obstacles. She also can jump higher than Sonic and the other characters.
  • In Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, her abilities are expanded upon, where she has access to a homing attack, the ability to grind on rails, and a special move called the Rhythm Tap. She also can jump higher than Sonic and the other characters.
  • In Sonic Advance and Sonic Advance 3, Amy is well-designed, and she has access to a unique set of abilities and gameplay mechanics, such as her Piko Piko Hammer and her ability to jump higher than Sonic and the other characters.

I do find it hard that people don’t think Amy Rose’s abilities and gameplay mechanics are well-designed and that she isn’t a Sonic clone but rather that she is her own distinct and unique character in the series.

Representation of a strong and independent female character

Amy Rose is a strong and independent female character in a predominantly male-dominated franchise. She is often a leader and member of Team Rose, displaying her leadership skills and teamwork abilities. Furthermore, her determination and independence, as well as her abilities in battle, make her a powerful and capable character. These traits make her a positive role model for young girls and women, and her inclusion in the series helps to promote representation and diversity in video games.

For example, in Sonic Adventure, Amy is not afraid to stand up to Eggman and his robots, even though she is physically weaker than Sonic and the other characters. She also shows her loyalty in Sonic Unleashed, when she helps Sonic to regain his strength after he loses his powers. In Sonic Unleashed, she also takes the lead in her adventure and the player can control her in her own story. Additionally, in the Sonic Boom series, she is a powerful and capable leader of Team Rose and even runs her own business.

These examples show that Amy is a confident and independent woman who is not afraid to take charge and make her own decisions, making her a positive representation of a strong and independent female character in the series.

Development

Amy Rose’s character has undergone a significant amount of development throughout the series. In her early appearances, she was portrayed as a damsel in distress, who was mostly dependent on Sonic and Tails to help her. However, over time, her character has evolved and become more independent and assertive.

In the early games like Sonic CD and Sonic Adventure, Amy’s role was mainly limited to being a love interest for Sonic and a damsel in distress that needed to be rescued. She had little agency in the story and her abilities were limited. However, as the series progressed, Amy’s character began to change.

In games like Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes, Amy’s role expanded, and she was given her team to lead. This allowed her to showcase her leadership skills and fighting abilities. Additionally, her abilities were expanded, and she was given access to new moves such as the homing attack and the ability to grind on rails.

In Sonic Unleashed and Sonic Boom, her character is further developed, where she is shown to be a more balanced character. She is strong, independent and assertive, but she also has a more vulnerable side, and she is not afraid to show it. Her design was updated to reflect her more athletic build, and her dress was made more detailed.

Amy Rose’s character development over time has made her a more well-rounded and interesting character. She has gone from being a damsel in distress to a strong and independent female character, with her place in the story and her own set of abilities.

Impact on the franchise

Amy Rose’s popularity has had a significant impact on the Sonic series. Her character has become one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the franchise. Her merchandise, including plush toys and action figures, is highly sought after, and her inclusion in the series has helped to attract a wider audience. For example, her inclusion in the Sonic Boom series has helped to attract a new generation of fans and showcase her as a strong and independent character.

Additionally, her character has also been featured in many of the Sonic games, comics and animated series and her role in them has been significant. For example, in Sonic Adventure, she is a supporting character who helps Sonic to find the Chaos emeralds and also has her own story where she tries to rescue her kidnapped friend.

In Sonic Unleashed, she is more assertive, showing her leadership skills and fighting abilities. In the Sonic Boom series, her role as a leader and a member of Team Rose also shows her ability to work well in a team, and her leadership skills.

Her impact on the franchise has been undeniable, and it is clear that she is an important character in the Sonic series.

Voice acting

The voice acting for Amy Rose is also a major plus for her character. In the English version of the Sonic series, her voice actress, Cindy Robinson, has done a fantastic job of bringing Amy Rose to life with her expressive voice and dialogue. She brings the character to life with her energy and personality, making her even more likeable. And let’s not forget, a good voice actor can make even the most mundane lines sound like gold.

Popularity

Amy Rose’s popularity is undeniable. She has a large fanbase and is often considered one of the most popular characters in the series. Her character has been well-received by both fans and critics, and her popularity continues to grow. However, some dislike her and find her to be a less interesting character, often citing her crush on Sonic and her stereotypical “girly” appearance as reasons for this. But these reasons are invalid, as her crush on Sonic is a small part of her character, and it adds an interesting dynamic between the two characters.

Furthermore, her design, while being pink and “girly,” is also iconic and it reflects her bubbly and energetic personality. Additionally, her character development throughout the series, especially in the Sonic Boom series, has shown her to be a strong, independent and assertive character, and not just a damsel in distress. Her inclusion in the series as a strong, capable character, and her popularity among fans and critics, is a testament to her importance and relevance in the Sonic series.

Mods and fan support

Amy Rose’s popularity has led to strong fan support, and many mods have been created to include her as a playable character in games where she was not originally included. These mods have been widely popular and have been well-received by fans, showing the high demand for her to be included as a playable character in more games.

A personal favourite mod of mine is “Sonic 3 and Amy Rose” which brings Amy Rose to Sonic 3 which is something I feel that Sega should have done ages ago.

Lack of inclusion in modern games

Despite her popularity, Amy Rose is not a playable character in most modern Sonic games. This lack of inclusion is unfortunate as it limits the opportunities for players to experience her unique abilities and playstyle. For example, in Sonic Unleashed, Amy is not a playable character, despite her role in the story and the fact that she helps Sonic regain his strength.

Similarly, in Sonic Forces, she is only a non-playable character, despite her importance in the story and her role as a leader of Team Rose. In more recent games like Sonic Mania, Sonic Mania Plus and Sonic Racing, she is not present in the playable roster. This lack of inclusion is disappointing for fans who would like to see more of Amy and her abilities in these games. It also limits the representation of strong and capable female characters in the series, which is an important consideration in modern times.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Amy Rose is the best character in the Sonic series for a variety of reasons. Her strong and determined personality, her iconic design, her role in the series, her relationship with Sonic, her development as a character, her impact on the franchise, her voice acting, and her popularity all contribute to making her a beloved and enduring character. And let’s not forget, she’s got a hammer, and that’s just cool.

However, to keep up with the changing times, Amy Rose could benefit from a modern re-imagining, similar to what was done in the Sonic Boom series. The Sonic Boom series portrayed her as a fierce, independent, and determined character, which is an important aspect that should be carried forward in future iterations of the series. By highlighting these qualities and making her more than just a love interest, but also a strong and capable hero, Amy Rose can continue to be an important character in the Sonic series for years to come.

I would love to hear what you think about Amy Rose. I do get that people may find her annoying but I hope with this rant you might think about her in a different light it is ultimately up to Sega to include her in games and Sonic Mania was a perfect chance to do so.

Need to reference?

Ellis, M. (2023). Unleashing the Power of Pink. [online] Snat's Narratives & Tales. Available at: https://snat.co.uk/rants/unleashing-the-power-of-pink.html [Accessed 11 Dec 2024].

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Join the Discussion

Amy Rose, or Rosy the Rascal, stands out as my favourite character in the Sonic series due to her strong personality, iconic design, and significant role throughout the franchise. Despite some misconceptions, her evolution from a damsel in distress to a strong, independent character with her own unique abilities and impact on the series makes her deserving of more recognition and appreciation. What are your thoughts on Amy Rose's character development and her importance in the Sonic series?

1 thought on “Unleashing the Power of Pink”

  1. this is a terrible article. It’s obvious that you have no idea what you’re talking about. amy is not the best character, she is one of the most annoying. her role in the story is just another damsel in distress trope and just gets boring.

    Reply

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