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Why Are Sonic Fans Warning Moviegoers Not To Cheer When Maria Dies In 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3?' The Viral Memes Explained
Sonic fans are getting hyped as the December 20th release date of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film inches closer, marking the introduction of fan-favorite character Shadow to the series.
Some fans, however, are getting worried that their movie-going experience will be ruined when Maria's death happens on-screen and meme-loving fans cheer it on.
But why would Sonic fans cheer on the death of a character? Here's what you need to know.
Who Is Maria In Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
One of the most well-known pieces of Sonic the Hedgehog lore in regards to Shadow is the death of a young girl named Maria Robotnik. In the series, Maria, the daughter of antagonist Dr. Robotnik, is sick and relegated to Space Colony ARK, where Shadow is being created with the intention of healing Maria.
Because she's relegated to the ship, Maria and Shadow bond, becoming close friends. That all comes crashing down, however, when Maria is shot by G.U.N. soldiers while trying to help Shadow escape the colony.
The tragic death has played out several times in Sonic media, including Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic X, and it's expected to happen again in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie.
Why Are Fans Going To Cheer When Maria Dies In Sonic the Hedgehog 3?
Shortly after the first trailer for Sonic the Hedgehog 3 dropped at the end of 2023, fans of the series began posting memes about cheering when Maria dies on-screen.
This is largely an ironic meme due to the iconic and tragic nature of Maria's death scene. In contrast to the Sonic franchise's usual tone, which is a little more lighthearted, the scene stands out as particularly dark, making it funny to cheer at.
It's also been suggested that the cheering could be a show of respect for the film's writers, considering they do the scene right. It would show that the writers respect the source material enough to keep Maria's death scene canon.
Now that the release date is nearing, though, some fans are worried that the meme will become a reality and ruin their theatrical experience.
There are already videos of people cheering when a version of the scene plays during the Sonic Symphony tour, so it's likely some people might actually cheer in the theater. Now, fans are doing all they can to stop that from happening.
For the full history of cheering when Maria dies, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.
