IMO, Sonic being Maria's reincarnation could be a cute idea in isolation, but it risks taking away Sonic's agency and identity by revealing him to be the spirit of someone else, making it easy for fans to just see him as Maria in a hedgehog's body rather than his own being. Not to mention it gives SA2's lore even more extra priority over the rest of Sonic's expansive history.
Have you ever played Silent Hill 3? They treat reincarnation in much the same manner. Heather Mason is Alessa Gillespie's reincarnation in the sense that they share the same soul and even some of the same memories, but Heather doesn't define herself as Alessa. They remain two separate entities in spite of the link.
making it easy for fans to just see him as Maria in a hedgehog's body rather than his own being.
How am I making it easy for them when they do that anyway? At least this idea makes more sense than most iterations and doesn't require wishing the disability away.
Obviously I'd never call it iron-clad canon, but the idea has such a powerful thematic allure that it's difficult to ignore. It really resonates with who and how Sonic is as a person. I'm not nearly objective enough to snub my nose at the fanfic fuel.
Don't get hung up on the "reincarnation" part. He's still Sonic. He doesn't define himself as Maria because Maria no longer exists. That's the whole point. Sonic is all about looking toward the next adventure and taking action when you can, not dwelling on the past. He is the embodiment of the hope that she wanted to bring to humanity, as cool and blue as the planet she admired.
I'm not saying Sonic literally is Maria. Think more thematically. Think about the kind of wisdom he offers when he tells Merlina to appreciate life in the limited time we have. Maybe he's been there. Think about the empathy he displays when he says sealing Chaos away won't solve its anguish and turmoil. Maybe he's seen this before. It doesn't necessarily have to detract from his person because he is ultimately the one doing and saying these things.
Plus, I just think the idea has the potential to be as funny as it is poignant.
Maria dies by gunshot, so her spirit's like "fuck this, next incarnation I'm going to be SHREDDED" and pours all of its stats into strength and speed. This time I'm going to dance circles around bullet fire.
Oh, my immune system was weak? Next time it's going to be so strong that sniffing flowers makes my hay fever act up.
Oh, bitchass Ivo is threatening the planet? He's going to hear boss music by the time I roll up, lmao
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