Who is the purple Sonic character?
The purple anthropomorphic animal character in the Sonic the Hedgehog video game series is Big the Cat.
Introduction
As an avid Sonic fan and content creator in the gaming industry, I am often asked questions about some of the colorful cast of animal characters that appear in the iconic franchise. One common question I receive is: "who is the purple Sonic character"? In this post, I will provide some background on Big the Cat, the large purple cat who fills that role in the Sonic series.
Overview of Big the Cat
Big the Cat first appeared in the 1999 platform game Sonic Adventure for the Sega Dreamcast system. As described in his initial profile:
"Big dwells deep in the jungles of the Mystic Ruins. His hobbies are fishing and hanging out with his best friend Froggy. People may think he‘s sluggish and slow because he‘s so easygoing, but if Froggy‘s in trouble nothing can stop Big from helping out." (Source)
Big is characterized as a gentle giant type with a carefree attitude focused simple pleasures like fishing. But he also has a strong drive to protect or aid his little buddy Froggy.
In terms of appearance, Big stands out from other Sonic characters thanks to his large size and bright purple fur. He also wears sandals, white gloves, and a brown belt.
Big sporting his signature purple fur (source)
Big‘s Role in the Sonic Games
As one of the series main recurring characters, Big has appeared in a number of Sonic games since his introduction in Sonic Adventure. He often plays a supporting role focused on searching for his missing sidekick Froggy.
For example, in Sonic Adventure, Froggy swallows a Chaos Emerald which transforms him into an aggressive monster. This kicks off Big‘s quest to rescue Froggy and return him normal. During this mission he crosses paths with and aids other Sonic characters like Amy Rose.
In later games like Sonic Heroes and Sonic Colors, Big continues his never-ending hunt to find where Froggy has hopped off too next. This acts as the primary running gag for his minor appearances in the franchise.
So in summary, while he may not be central hero or villain like Sonic, Eggman or Shadow, Big fills an oddball role as the lumbering cat on a quest to save his slippery green friend.
Relation to Other Sonic Characters
Big stands out visually from the crowd thanks to his large size and bright purple fur. Most other main Sonic characters are shorter anthropomorphic animals that come colored red (Knuckles), pink, (Amy), black (Shadow), orange (Tails), etc.
So when fans ask "who is the purple Sonic character" it is very clear they are referring to Big. He occupies a unique design space compared to other major players in the series.
In terms of backstory or characterization though, Big does share some similarities with other Sonic characters. For example, like Knuckles who guards the Master Emerald, Big prefers to lead a solitary life focused on simple tasks (fishing vs guarding). Both also tend to come off as gullible or easily tricked by the schemes of series villain Dr. Eggman.
Still, when it comes to distinct purple color and personality, no one fills the role quite like the lovable Big the Cat!
The Appeal of Big the Cat
As Sonic‘s first feline character, I believe Big has marked out a unique niche within the franchise. While not the most useful ally in battle, he adds some comedic appeal and lightens the mood of games that can sometimes get overrun by too many serious sword and chaos emerald-wielding mammals!
Big‘s motivations are also pretty simple and clean cut – keep his dear buddy Froggy safe, while enjoying some relaxing fishing time in beautiful jungle locations. I think we can all relate to Big‘s devotion to his small green friend!
So in the end, Sonic Team struck platforming gold by diversifying their anthropomorphic line-up to include a large lazy cat with his sights set solely on rescuing his frog. It injected some freshness into a franchise that already boasted a pretty stellar cast of characters.
Well those are my insider thoughts on Big the Cat – the peculiar and noticeable purple member of the Sonic gang. Let me know in the comments if you have any other Sonic character questions!
