So. I caught wind of what Sonic and Metal’s rival interaction in Crossworlds is like and.
I am equal parts pissed off and relieved. I don’t know. It’s confusing rn
I’m going to go over the JP dialogue between them.
only the JP exchange cuz for what ever reason the ENG dialogue chose to write Sonic incredibly OOC. Like it’s so bad that it logically makes no sense. AT ALL. I’m not going to talk about the ENG version in depth until the game releases. I’m just not convinced they’re sincerely going to include those lines in the game. there’s just no way. like it’s so genuinely STUPID that I can’t imagine them publishing it. but we’ll see.
So for now, I’ll talk about the JP dialogue.
Sonic Rival Interaction: Sonic: "HEY! メタル 久しぶりだな! たまには オレの前を走ったらどうだ?" Metal Sonic: "……!!"
Translation: Hey Metal! Long time no see! How about you run in front of me for once?
First off, SONIC GREETS METAL SONIC!!! 😭🥹💞
When I first read this, I couldn’t believe it. It’s so friendly that you really wouldn’t have guessed this was directed at Sonic’s evil robot counterpart created by his arch-nemesis to surpass and defeat him. like what do you MEAN Sonic tells Metal “long time no see”?!!?! It’s so sweet! It’s just too sweet!!! 🥹
It really gives this impression that Sonic’s happy to see Metal Sonic. It’s so energetic as if he was looking forward to seeing him. which, honestly makes sense.
What he said at the end of Sonic Heroes wasn’t just for show.
Sonic greets Metal Sonic like a friend he noticed he hasn’t seen in a while, so you can feel that appreciation for their races and Metal Sonic himself as a rival. Sonic enjoys the challenge Metal Sonic poses and genuinely gets excited when they get the chance to compete against each other.
and then, of course, Sonic teases Metal about always being behind in their races 🤭
I love the way he was written here. It’s not condescending or dismissive at all. It’s really cheeky.
This is the kinda taunt that riles you up without putting you down.
Sonic isn’t saying “you’ll never catch up to me.” Sonic is challenging Metal Sonic to overtake him.
He asks Metal to run in front of him as if he believes Metal Sonic can actually do it.
It stings so bad not because Sonic’s saying Metal can’t outpace him but because Metal Sonic hasn’t been able to yet. Sonic’s teasing only targets the history of their races. It’s an effortless burn that doesn’t rely on disrespecting Metal Sonic by attacking his abilities or potential as a rival. It acknowledges the legacy of their rivalry while encouraging Metal to keep giving it his all. The second line of dialogue follows the same respectful, cocky tone.
Metal Sonic Rival Interaction: Metal Sonic: "……!!" Sonic: "オレとオマエ 何勝何敗だっけ!? …Sorry! オレの全勝だ!"
Translation: What’s our win-loss record again!? ...Sorry! I’m undefeated!
Once again, Sonic isn’t saying “you’ll never beat me,” just that so far he’s won every time.
Just like before, Sonic’s taunt references their history without dismissing the potential of Metal Sonic changing his track record.
These lines of dialogue between the two reveal so much about their relationship:
The fact that Sonic greets Metal Sonic with familiarity shows his appreciation of the history together.
The lack of animosity and resentment in his tone shows that Sonic enjoys Metal Sonic’s presence.
The taunts being devoid of belittlement makes it clear that Sonic respects Metal Sonic as a rival.
The teasing about the current state of their rivalry shows Sonic loves to challenge Metal Sonic.
I’m sooooooooo HAPPY!!!!! This is literally the best thing EVER!!!! 🥰💞
This is what I wanted. This is exactly what I wanted to see! I basically won!!!!!!! sorta… (the ENG dialogue haunts me)
I can’t believe I got Metonic in Sonic Racing Crossworlds tho. like WOAH. I really enjoy their rivalry, too. Like shipping aside, it’s so cool to see Sonic treat Metal Sonic as a worthy rival. Metal is SUPER BADASS AND COOL, so I’m glad they let Sonic respect him so much. Though, I shouldn’t be too surprised. Sonic and Metal Sonic’s relationship rarely gets a focus in game stories or in general, but the few times it has been highlighted has always honored the depth that can be had between them.
I will say that I genuinely got scared. I saw the ENG lines before I even found the JP dialogue, so I thought something had changed for their relationship's direction.
It was extra weird to me that Sonic was calling Metal Sonic a cheater for using his turbine since he has Jet the Hawk as a rival... like. wtf? make it make sense. 🙄 But I should've known it was just Flynn going rogue. Back in July, Sonic Channel had this little fanart event where the the theme was "two people." Someone submitted an artwork with Sonic and Metal Sonic and the team left a comment on it that makes me smile so muuch!!!
Sonic and Metal Sonic are officially ETERNAL RIVALS!!!!!
Sonic Team still recognizes the depth of their rivalry! and honestly IDGAF about the ENG script. so long as Sonic Team supports Metal Sonic as a worthy rival, I'm good.
of course...
to simply call them rivals doesn't do them justice 🤭💞
anyways. I'm good now. I just needed to get this out of my system. I need this out there and known. I can't stand the slander on their relationship TBH 😒

















