Sega Announces New Sonic Audio Drama Podcast Focused on the Chaotix

On January 20, 2026, the official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube channel unveiled a trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog Presents: The Chaotix Casefiles, a new audio drama podcast centered on the Chaotix Detective Agency. The series is set to premiere on January 27, 2026, as part of Sega’s celebrations for the franchise’s 35th anniversary. Sega has already hinted that 2026 will be a major year for Sonic the Hedgehog, and this announcement further reinforces that message.

Sonic remains one of the most recognizable characters in gaming, with a presence spanning video games, television, comics, and feature films. While Sonic continues to lead the franchise—most recently with the release of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds on consoles and PC—the wider cast has long maintained a strong fan following of its own.

The Chaotix Take Center Stage

The Chaotix Casefiles shifts the spotlight to the often-overlooked Chaotix Detective Agency, made up of Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon, and Charmy Bee. The trio first appeared in Knuckles’ Chaotix for the Sega 32X in 1995 and have remained fan favorites ever since.

Distributed by Realm, the podcast will be available on major podcast platforms. While story details remain limited, the trailer suggests a lighthearted mystery involving a museum theft that escalates into a much larger case. Sonic himself is expected to join the investigation, adding an extra layer of excitement for longtime fans.

Creative Team and Voice Cast Revealed

The series is directed by Ian Jones-Quartey, best known as the creator of O.K. K.O.! Let’s Be Heroes, which previously featured a Sonic crossover. Dan Jolley serves as lead writer, bringing experience from DC Comics, Transformers games, and narrative consulting work on Dying Light. Two prominent figures from modern Sonic media, Ian Flynn and Evan Stanley, are also involved in the project.

Voice acting will feature returning talent from the game series. Roger Craig Smith reprises his role as Sonic the Hedgehog, alongside Keith Silverstein as Vector, Matthew Mercer as Espio, and Colleen O’Shaughnessy as Charmy. Sega has also teased appearances from additional fan-favorite characters, with expectations that original game voice actors will return for those roles as well.

A Welcome Spotlight for Sonic’s Supporting Cast

Sonic’s supporting characters have rarely received major attention outside of the IDW comic series, making a Chaotix-focused project a welcome surprise. The mystery-driven approach recalls The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog from 2023, which was praised for its character-focused storytelling. As an audio drama rather than a game, The Chaotix Casefiles has greater flexibility in narrative structure and perspective.

While the series is unlikely to push dramatic boundaries, the Chaotix have never required deep lore or tragic backstories to be engaging. Their charm lies in their teamwork, humor, and everyday struggles. With an experienced creative team behind the project, the Chaotix Detective Agency appears well-positioned to receive the spotlight it has long deserved.