#Princess Elise III

[cartoonartistpng]

Happy B-Day to my fav Sonic game! ✨🎂🎉🎉🎉💙🖤🩵💜🧡

To the game that brought Silver, Mephiles, SSS, more gods, Sonic dying, and infamous failures 🥂

#mephiles the dark #silver the hedgehog #sonic #shadow the hedgehog #princess elise #Princess Elise III #elise sonic #iblis sonic #Iblis the inferno #blaze the cat #sonic 06 #solaris #team sss #happy birthday 06 #Sonic art #Sonic fanart #sonic the hedgehog #sth #sth art #sth fanart #fanart #sonic animatic #video #baguette art

[sminny-wew]

Why people are excited over Princess Elise’s (brief) return

Short answer: the new design/art style that Sonic Channel gave her looks nice and she’s being treated with as much dignity as the rest of the Sonic cast for the first time since Sonic 06′s release nearly 17 years ago

Long answer:

Every year, Sonic Channel (the official Japanese website for Sonic the Hedgehog) puts out character illustrations for each month. Sometimes it’s just art of the character posing, sometimes they’re actually doing something (Sonic celebrating his birthday, Amy walking in the rain, Cream going trick-or-treating, etc.). For 2023, Sonic Channel is posting a specific themed series of artwork called “Isekai Ogiri” that depicts two characters in silly, non-canon scenarios; part of the appeal of these illustrations is that one of the two characters in each artwork is voted for by fans. So far we’ve seen Gadget (AKA Buddy AKA the custom character from Sonic Forces) confessing his love to an Egg Pawn in a scene straight out of a slice-of-life anime, Shadow and Infinite as rival idol musicians, a cutely-dressed Blaze visiting fortune teller Amy, Tikal and Chaos running their own pizza place, and most recently as of this post, Silver the figure-skating coach and his student Elise. (I’m linking back to the original SC pages b/c they put out a message on their official Twitter urging people to link back to the original SC pages/tweets, otherwise they might be inclined to stop making this art; if you want to understand the little stories that come with each illustration, I’m afraid you’ll have to put up with janky Google Translate translations.)

So, yeah, Princess Elise of notorious Sonic 06 infamy, the one video game journalists always seem eager to remind you kissed a dead anthropomorphic hedgehog, recently appeared in one of these illustrations. And people lost their minds, but this time, with excitement.

But if Princess Elise was/is so despised, why do people seem genuinely excited to see her now?

Well there’s 2 reasons for that: 1) the way in which she was drawn, and 2) the fact that she was even a contender to appear in this art series in the first place

1) Human characters appearing in the Sonic series has always been a source of discourse among fans. Some, like myself, enjoy seeing humans coexist alongside a cast of furries, robots, and other assorted beings; others believe there shouldn’t be any humans (except Eggman) in Sonic at all. They’ve been variously depicted as realistic people (Sonic 06) and with more cartoonish Pixar-esque proportions (Sonic Unleashed). From my perspective, what seemed to make people dislike Elise’s original design was that in addition to looking out-of-place next to the cartoony Sonic (people often say that she looks like she belongs in Final Fantasy), her facial expressions were quite bland and difficult to read. While I would argue that Sonic and his friends also had very little facial expression in 06, it’s much easier to notice with Elise (and to a lesser degree, 06 Eggman) due to her more realistic face. It evokes a feeling in some people known as the Uncanny Valley. In the Isekai Ogiri’s April illustration, Elise is depicted in a new style that leans more towards cartoony; some have compared it to Puyo Puyo, others have said she resembles the humans from Balan Wonderworld. Either way, most fans, at least those on Twitter and Tumblr, have praised Elise’s new “look” because her new proportions (large head and hands, big eyes that are easier to read) make her more closely fit in with other Sonic characters. She feels less like a Final Fantasy character and more like a Sonic character.

(With that said, not everyone was automatically bothered by Elise’s realistic 06 design because human beings do not perceive everything in the exact same way b/c art is subjective)

2) Part of how Elise even wound up in this illustration is not just because people wanted to see her again, but because Sonic Team themselves decided to treat her with dignity by making her an option to vote for. And she was up against Merlina from Sonic and the Black Knight, a well-regarded character among fans and one of the few female villains in the entire series!! The poll they were in for the April pic was very close!!

During the late 2000s following Sonic 06′s release, Silver had his fanbase, but a lot of people still viewed him as annoying, and it took several years of game reappearances for him to become a less divisive character (my source: I’ve been a Sonic fan with internet access since ~2003, the way he’s depicted in the Sonic Paradox shorts is actually what a lot of people thought of him at the time). Also, he was still an anthropomorphic Sonic animal, so naturally people would be quicker to accept him as part of the cast.

But Elise? The human? While I doubt she was originally intended to be a recurring character, even if 06 WAS supposed to be a reboot, her portrayal in that game was so widely despised by critics and fans alike that she was thereafter relegated to rare cameos (like being on a collectible card in Sonic Rivals 2) and jokes at her expense (in LEGO Dimensions, when Sonic interacts with Lumpy Space Princess, he says, “Last time I met a princess, I...we...you know, I don't quite remember, never mind!” in a hurried and embarrassed voice). Elise is hardly the only notoriously-disliked Sonic character, but because she only appeared in one game in a non-playable role (I’m not counting the stages where Sonic carries her), her biggest positive accomplishments--unlocking her cell herself instead of waiting for Sonic to save her, jumping from Eggman’s ship with zero hesitation, and reviving Sonic--are often overshadowed by the moments where she just stands there praying, gets kidnapped, and kisses a dead hedgehog just in case you forgot for the 17th year in a row, leading people to view her as an inherently bad character. Because she is also a girl, and video games were and still are a largely male-dominated culture loaded with toxic masculinity, it’d be ignorant to say the vitriol towards Elise wasn’t charged with sexism and misogyny on some level.

But as an aspiring writer and someone who hates wasted character potential, my personal opinion is that characters, SPECIFICALLY in ongoing franchises like Sonic, are not inherently bad, it’s the ways in which they’re USED that can make them LOOK good or bad, and they don’t deserve to be locked away forever all because of one bad interpretation. But unlike Silver who has been in multiple games since 06 (or even Mephiles, who was added to the Sonic Forces mobile game last year as an unlockable character), Elise has only ever had 06. Thus, people only have that one interpretation of her to go off of, because not everyone obsessively rewrites her in their headcanons or hunts down fan fiction where Elise is characterized with actual effort.

And like I said, I don’t think Elise was created with longevity in mind, but it’s specifically because critics and fans alike continue to beat this dead horse that you have people like me saying “What if she came back tho”

Compare the hate Elise gets to the Deadly Six, characters whose debut game was not seen as quite a colossal failure as 06 but still had a story that was almost universally panned, particularly in regards to its character writing. While the Deadly Six (or just Zavok) have yet to appear in a game written by Ian Flynn, they’ve been recurring characters in the IDW Sonic comics and, while still pretty universally disliked, have been regarded by some fans as being tolerable in the comics due to how Flynn utilizes them there. (I wrote a whole other post speculating about the Deadly Six’s characterization in IDW if you feel like reading that lol.) In this sense, the current Sonic writers are genuinely trying to make even the most undesired characters palatable for the audience. I think it’ll be a long while before most people fully warm up to the D6, but the intent is there.

Meaning that the same could hypothetically be done for Elise, if this illustration is any indication that SEGA is beginning to wholeheartedly embrace their past, even the ugly parts

I’m not expecting anything huge from this, and I don’t expect her to suddenly become a major recurring character, because this illustration is nothing more than Sonic Team testing the waters to see how people react to them unironically including Elise in non-canon material. But look at all the fan art people are drawing of Elise in her skating outfit. Look at how fans are reacting. If, sometime after this, Elise were to appear in even a minor role in the IDW comics, in this new art style, with Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, or even a guest writer like Daniel Barnes at the helm, I would welcome it with open arms, because I trust them to handle Princess Elise’s character with genuine investment and care.

(But until then I have my own ideas that I’m a bit hesitant to share for.....reasons~)

#sonic the hedgehog #princess elise #princess elise the third #princess elise iii #sonelise #tagging for as much visibility as possible #essay #wrote this up the other day when I was bursting with energy

[biolizardboils]

so happy about the new Elise art..... she deserves this win. people who genuinely like her deserve this win.

i agree that she couldve been written better. i used to see constant complaints about her, and not all of it was unfounded.

but way too much of it boiled down to plain ol' misogyny. it scared me. it still does, honestly.

her winning the poll is a good sign, i think. im happy that mentioning her name doesnt summon nasty comments anymore, at least not instantly. im happy that she looks so cute. im happy that she's happy.

#sonic the hedgehog #elise #princess elise #sonic channel #sonic 06 #princess elise iii #sonic 2006 #sonic next gen #sth #06 #misogyny tw #misogyny mention tw #mysogyny ment tw #me talking #onewaydreamcore

[thegirlfromstationsquare]

In preparation for Sonelise Week

Made with Craiyon bc i couldn't fond Dall.E for some reason :/

#sonic the hedgehog #sonelise #sonelise week 2022 #sonelise week #princess elise iii #princess elise #movie elise #sonic movie 2020 #sonic movie 2 #craiyon #ai generated

[verminguy]

I love Elise<3

#art #digital art #fanart #sonic #sonic fanart #sonic the hedgehog #disabled artist #disabilties #disabled sonic #princess elise #princess elise iii of soleanna #sonic princess elise

[shadowcatgirl09]

"It isn't sometimes, but I love this country. Everyone in the castle, the children, all my citizens really... The same love my late father and mother had..."

#Princess Elise (Sonic) #Princess Elise Soleanna III #sonicedit #Sonic 06 #Sonic Next Gen #Sonic The Hedgehog 2006 #Sonic The Hedgehog 06 #sthedit #gamingladies #gamingladiesedit #gamingedit #gamingnetwork #vgedit #Shadow's Stuff:)

[a-dream-seeking-light]

grimes & sevdaliza - nothing lasts forever (demo) [2023]

#grimes #sevdaliza #nothing lasts forever #demo #2023 #music #youtube #collab #grimezsz #c boucher #claire elise boucher #claire boucher #world ♡ princess part iii #video

[skeblinn]

Princess Elise III is the young, soon-to-be Duchess of Soleanna. Having lost her father as a child to the Solaris Project, all that was left of him was the heavy burden he sealed away in her soul. When G.U.N. caught wind of the accident, they gave the royal government an ultimatum-- allow her to remain in Soleanna under the condition she contain the Flames of Disaster inside her, or have her confiscated by G.U.N.---least Iblis' rage be released upon the world.

--

turnaround for my redesign for elise! the goal was to fina a happy medium between her 06 design and the more modernized-looking humans from the late archie comics to make her look like a sonic character!

#sonic 06 #sonic #sonic the hedgehog #princess elise #skebbart #s-06 redo

[sonicgirlsmackdown]

GAME MATCHUP ROUND 2

Note: apparently lady goat was in the boom games ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

Propaganda under the cut c:

Princess Elise II:

You know her, I know her, vastly hated by the fandom until she had a surprise comeback on Sonic Channel ealier this year

I think we all need to say sorry to Elise

She's an orphan princess from Soleanna who had a fire monster sealed inside her. She couldn't cry for like ten years. She traveled back in time to prevent the destruction of the world even though it also meant that she wouldn't meet the guy she liked

Lady Goat:

Turns out she was in one of the Sonic Boom games as well as the cartoon. Who knew?

#sonic #sonic poll #princess elise the third #princess elise #lady goat #game matchup #round 2

[asongofsilks]

ASOIAF FANCASTING --> EVERY NAMED FEMALE CHARACTER ABOVE THE AGE OF FIVE, PART VI

Goodwife Amabel (main series era): A servant from Lady Shella Whent's household in Harrenhal. She is friends with Goodwife Harra, and they oversee the prisoners brought to Harrenhal by Gregor Clegane's men. When Harra is executed by Lord Bolton after Arya sets the northmen free, Amabel is distraught. By the time Jaime arrives at Harrenhal on his way to lift the siege of Riverrun, Amabel is gone. Fancast: Glenis Levistam.

Amanda Arryn (b. approx. 74 AC): Daughter of Lord Rodrik Arryn of the Eyrie and his first wife. Princess Daella Targaryen became her stepmother. Amanda welcomed her and wrote letters on her behalf. Fancast: Alexandrea Owens-Sarno.

Amarei Crakehall (c. 230-264 AC): Third wife of Lord Walder Frey and mother to seven of his children. Fancast: Alexandra Tydings.

Septa Amarys (lived around 131 AC): She was tasked with the religious instruction of Baela Targaryen, daughter of Prince Daemon Targaryen, but did not succeed in taming her wild nature. Fancast: Julie Andrews.

Amerei Frey (b. 282 AC): Daughter of Merrett Frey, Lord Walder's ninth son, and his wife Mariya Darry. She is the granddaughter of Amarei Crakehall. After being caught with three grooms in the stables, Amerei is married off to a hedge knight, who is later slain by Gregor Clegane. She is then married to Lancel Lannister in order to strengthen his hold on Darry lands, but Lancel dissolves the marriage. Fancast: Hudson Leick.

The Amethyst Empress (Age of Heroes): Legendary eighth ruler of the Great Empire of the Dawn and descendant of the gods. She was usurped and slain by her brother, the treacherous Bloodstone Emperor. According to the annals of the Further East, this act ushered in the Long Night and ended the Empire of the Dawn. Fancast: Li Bingbing.

Annara Farring (c. 270-298 AC): Lord Walder Frey's seventh wife and mother to six of his children. Fancast: Erin Cummings.

Anya Waynwood (main series era): Lady of Ironoaks and Head of House Waynwood. She has three sons and many daughters and grandchildren. Harrold Hardyng, the heir to the Vale, is her cousin and ward. She is one of the Lords Declarant who swear to drive Petyr Baelish out of the Vale after Lysa Arryn's death. However, Petyr manages to manipulate the situation to his advantage and even persuades Anya to allow Harrold to marry his bastard daughter, Alayne Stone, who is really Sansa Stark in disguise. Fancast: Maggie Smith.

Anya Weatherwax (b. 126 AC): She was presented to King Aegon III Targaryen at the Maiden's Day Ball after the death of his first wife. She told the king of her horse Twinklehoof, whom she loved very much. Fancast: Aubrey Elise.

Aregelle Stark (b. approx. 180 AC): Second daughter of Serena Stark and her husband Edric Stark, who was also her uncle. Serena was the younger daughter of Rickon Stark, who was the heir to Winterfell before his death, but none of Rickon's descendants inherited Winterfell. Aregelle's older twin brothers, Cregard and Torrhen, probably died young. Aregelle was married to Lord Robard Cerwyn and bore him children. Fancast: Lily Sullivan.

Previous

#asoiaf fancast #valyrianscrolls #amerei frey #amarei crakehall #septa amarys #aregelle stark #anya weatherwax #anya waynwood #annara farring #the amethyst empress #amanda arryn #goodwife amabel #asoiaf fashion #allfancasts

[cartoonartistpng]

#dadphiles au #there are no strings on me~ #silver the hedgehog #mephiles the dark #princess elise #Princess Elise III #iblis sonic #Sonic 06 #sonic 06 au #sonic the hedgehog #sth #sonic fanart #Sonic art #sth fanart #fanart #digital art #art #mini comic #baguette art

[sminny-wew]

More assorted Sonic art from up to a year ago, mostly redesigns of preexisting characters (info under the cut)

1: Princess Elise with pretty much a near-final design of what I want for her (she abolishes/renounces the monarchy of Soleanna for traumatizing her, urges the people to think for themselves, and becomes a wandering vagabond, not unlike Sonic, in order to figure out what she wants to do with her life and make new friends, also she has a sword)

2-3: Hypothetical IDW Sonic designs for Sally and Nicole. SEGA of Japan doesn’t like to use or reference the Freedom Fighters anymore b/c they didn’t have a hand in the characters’ creation (SEGA of America made up their own lore and called Ricky “Sally Acorn”), so I tried to make Sally as visually distinct from Ricky as possible. I made Nicole into a “computer mouse” because she legally cannot be depicted as a lynx in future official Sonic media due to that design belonging to Archie Comics (also the artist who made her lynx form is into NFTs, gross)

4-6: Look I know both Surge and Kit need a legit therapist before anything else but hear me out.......Tails is Sonic’s brother and Sonic has a tendency to smooch befriend a lot of his rivals so it’d make sense for Tails to pick up that habit lol

7-8: Hypothetical SCU designs for Amy and Rouge

9: Madonna was created during development of Sonic 1 to be Sonic’s lovesick damsel-in-distress girlfriend; she was scrapped due to the Genesis’s hardware limits and SEGA of America thinking the relationship was inappropriate. I tried to make her look closer to Sonic’s age and more adventurous, the Bulma to Sonic’s Goku since the series loves to make DBZ parallels lol. Amy looks up to Madonna like a big sister and they room together in Station Square.

10: The mysterious new human girl from the first episode of Tailstube feat. Madonna and Elise. I hope we learn more about her soon, I think she’s neat

#sonic the hedgehog #princess elise #sally acorn #tailsunami #kittails #kitails #amy rose #rouge the bat #madonna garnet #tailstube #princess elise the third #princess elise iii #nicole sonic #Idk how to tag her..... #artsy fartsy

[mortar-canyon]

I love scrolling through my dash, seeing some cool art, thinking "ah yes, my favorite human Sonic character, Princess Elise d'Soleana III, so glad she's being appreciated now", and scrolling back up to realize that it's actually Agnes Montague

#deeply catholic eldritch cultist fire mages w family trauma and emotional repression issues attached to apocalyptic prophecies Is The Same #agnes montague #princess elise the third #elise sonic #sonic 06 #the magnus archives #the desolation #the lightless flame #why do I tag shitposts more thoroughly than stuff i actually put effort into #echoes in the canyon txt #onions blorbo

[mrmcwigglyman]

Fun fact: Beethoven wrote Für Elise as part of the soundtrack for his self-insert visual novel where you can romance Princess Elise III of Soleanna from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)

[verminguy]

Just a princess and the two demons haunting her

#art #digital art #fanart #sonic #sonic fanart #sonic the hedgehog #disabilties #disabled artist #disabled sonic #sonic 06 #sonic princess elise #princes elise #elise #iblis sonic #princess elise iii of soleanna #elise iii of solianna #mephiles fanart #mephiles the dark #sonic the hedgehog 2006

[shadowcatgirl09]

#Sonic The Hedgehog #Princess Elise Soleanna III #Princess Elise (Sonic) #sonicedit #sthedit #dailygaming #dailyvideogames #gamingladiesedit #gamingedit #Sonic 2006 #Sonic 06 #Sonic The Hedgehog 2006 #Shadow's Stuff:)