In retrospect, it is unlikely that this blog will fix anything or even halt the problem altogether but I nonetheless wanted to address the most overlooked yet most blatant issue amongst the fanbase. No doubt you have encountered comments like “The Sonic fandom is disgustingly toxic and fractured!” in your time, right? Allow me to impart my advice: Just because the fanbase is fractured, this does not mean the diversity should be sacrificed so that everyone is moderately happy. Silencing other groups will please no one; even if pleasing everyone is next to impossible, it is better to have all voices heard than ignored. Doing so will illicit further hostility and make matters worse.

The concern is not the multiverse in which lore contradicts each other and appeals to a different parts of the fanbase spectrum; no, the concern lies with the fandom’s proclivity to have a rigid lack of acceptance towards change of any kind in regards to the Blue Hedgehog. For whatever particular reason, Sonic’s massive charm bewitches fans to the point where they latch onto an obscenely opinionated viewpoint about what Sonic means to them, what the franchise should be, and - in essence - how everyone else is wrong if they do not agree. Honestly, at this point, this widespread epidemic of toxicity within this dysfunctional fanbase is so puzzling and should be heavily studied to fully understand why it happens at all.

With that in mind, we all are susceptible to becoming caught up in our passions from time to time but learning to maintain civility by Sonic’s example is a surefire way to prove you’ve more or less evaded the disease that has plagued this unfortunate fandom. I, myself, have strong preferences and aversions for a number of things related to the franchise. For example, even though I feel nostalgia pandering and the resurgence of Classic Sonic - including Mania - is more detrimental to the fandom due to the abandonment of Modern Sonic, I understand that Classic fans and their need for Classic era games are just as valid as the needs of the other portions of the fanbase. People seem to think that we need to eradicate all unnecessary and non-canon mediums so that the fandom is united under a banner of this fantastical but fixated ideal of the “perfect” Sonic.

This will never work for several reasons. For my first explanation, I'm going to use Naruto as an example. There are many ninja villages in the Naruto universe. Both the Sonic fanbase and those outside of it view us as these villages; representing segregated ideas and upholding very differing opinions; thusly, all each having their own banner - or more appropriately, the villagers sport headbands with the corresponding village insignia - that easily identifies what a particular group fancies.

It’s as if each village is at war with one another over trivial things like what is considered canon, character designs, stance on fan characters, etc (let’s not even discuss shipping wars, that’s an entirely separate war all together). While the village aspect is true to some extent, saying that only one or two universes - namely the canonical game universe - should exist rather than some perceived inflation of media is like launching a nuke on every single ninja village but one. You would be singlehandedly taking countless lives in the process; in like manner, you would be invalidating countless fans just for the sake of unity.

What many fans do not realize is that the fandom should operate like a singular village with many clans in it. Clans can coexist together within a village even while having their own unique abilities (ie. talents) customs (i.e. opinions), and crests (i.e. symbols of that particular medium whilst still wearing the village headband that is universally the same symbol: Sonic).

A fandom can have a spectrum of fans that cling to any medium and yet they all still flow like water. There can be clans of Classic, Modern, Adventure, Boom, Comics, TV Shows, etc all living in harmony under a single Blue banner without sacrificing their passions or becoming hostile toward each other. It's when a village decides civil war is the answer to headbutting and opinionated unrest that becomes a problem and leads to toxicity. The root of the weed we know as toxicity is the fanbrats; not the passionate and brilliant fans. The obsessive, ungrateful, and ridiculous nutjobs scattered within the fanbase are often the loudest, which greatly nullifies any sane fan’s voice.

Going back to the changes that happen to the franchise which seem to aggravate, disappoint, and even intimidate fans, I firmly believe that no matter how shocking or bad a form of Sonic media might seem, the diversity present is a breath of fresh air compared to other franchises whose formula is stagnant and boring. There’s always something new to consume, lore to learn about, adventures to experience, theories and headcanon to conjure, and many creative outlets to explore. I am baffled and discouraged at just how immoveable, picky, and downright unappreciative people are about opening up to new possibilities - talk about being hardhearted! It makes me think that the hyperfocus on bickering about nonsense has made us all forget what Sonic was truly about - embracing a carefree lifestyle and moving forward through life, no matter what is thrown at you. Because, after all, trouble keeps you running faster!

I think to reinstill that Flaming Blue Spirit that I know is burning within the soul of each fan, I must consult an outside source for a piece of wisdom that makes up every bit of who Sonic is.

POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE

Jacksepticeye’s slogan has rang true for me as a Sonic fan even though I struggle to uphold it outside of the fandom. Sonic fans could use a dose of #PositiveMentalAttitude. Then the toxicity would flow out of our veins and Sonic's true blue spirit will sink in. We, as a fanbase, cannot thrive without this mindset buried in our core; our negative mental attitude is bringing us down and is the true source of our fractured fanbase and the fanbrat uprising. Our former glory and Sonic’s former popularity will never be restored unless we choose to let the little things roll off our backs like wind rolls off Sonic’s quills. #MakeSonicGreatAgain

As of right now, I think that’s all I have to say. I’m sure I could add alot more but until then, this is where I will leave it. It’s such a delicate topic and diving too deeply is not always wise. So instead, soak in the words of this last image:

Until my next blog, remember to keep the fire :fire: and keep the faith! :blue_heart: #PMA! PMA! PMA!

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:cyclone: :cyclone: :cyclone: Have a nice day! :blush: :cyclone: :cyclone: :cyclone:

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