Analysis: Two worlds? “Don’t worry about it,” says IDW writer Ian Flynn

IDW Sonic writer Ian Flynn said that the “two worlds” lore detail does not apply anymore to Sonic games and comics. But how did we get here?

During a podcast co-hosted by IDW Sonic the Hedgehog writer Ian Flynn, he expressed that fans shouldn’t worry anymore about the lore detail that the Sonic games are set in two worlds.


When asked about how the two worlds have locations with the same name, like Central City, and how it worked, Flynn had the following to say:

I’m gonna say it again. Forget about Two Worlds. I can’t specify why, just don’t worry about it anymore.

Ian Flynn, IDW Sonic writer

When questioned if he knew something more than fans didn’t know, Ian Flynn confirmed that it was his famous “knowing smile”.

You know my position on two worlds, and I say this with a calm, satisfied smile. Don’t worry about it anymore.

Ian Flynn, IDW Sonic writer

A lore detail introduced over ten years ago

The notion of the Sonic games being set in two worlds was set as early as 2010 during an interview with Sonic Studio creative officer Takashi Iizuka. (SEGA)

Two Worlds was a lore element in the Sonic series that was introduced around 2010. During an interview with Takashi Iizuka about Sonic Colours, it was questioned how the anthropomorphic and human societies worked, with Iizuka clarifying that the Sonic games were set in two different worlds.

We have two different worlds for Sonic games – one is human, and one is set on the non-human side. Sonic Colours is set on the non-human side.

Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio creative officer

Ever since this detail was introduced, it became a great source of debate among Sonic lore enthusiasts, with some trying to understand it, while others pointed out possible plot holes that came with it.

In a 2017 interview, Iizuka once more mentioned the two worlds, stating that sometimes they would occasionally “cross over”.

The world that Sonic lives in and the world the humans live in are separate worlds. But, some of the canon games do have Sonic and humans together, and part of that is based on what world is being portrayed when the game is developed. There are kind of different worlds that do exist and sometimes there’s some crossover.

Takashi Iizuka, Sonic Studio Creative Officer

Speculation on why it isn’t a thing anymore

While Flynn made it very clear that he couldn’t go into the reasons as to why the Two Worlds retcon isn’t a thing anymore in Sonic games, it didn’t stop Sonic fans from speculating on what happened.

Some fans pointed out Flynn’s involvement in Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia, a retrospective book dedicated to the Sonic games’ universe. With this in mind, some speculated that it could be a result of Flynn “tidying up” the game continuity for the book. But nothing has been confirmed at the time of publication.

The Sonic the Hedgehog Encyclo-speed-ia will be released on 23 November.

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