The first trailer for the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog spin-off show Knuckles has sent fans into a spin after they spotted a surprise character pop-up in a most unlikely place.
The Knuckles sneak peek offered viewers an exciting preview of the six-episode event series premiering on Paramount+ in April. It follows Idris Elba's titular echidna on a hilarious and action-packed journey of self-discovery with a little help from his friends and a few other familiar faces, including one very unexpected character.
Fans noticed the arrival of Pachacamac in a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment around 1:53 in the trailer and immediately raced to X/Twitter to share the revelation. Some viewers questioned if their eyes were deceiving them, while others confirmed the character's identity by pointing out the name badge on his shirt.
wait IS THAT PACHACAMAC FROM SONIC ADVENTURE https://t.co/aVxG0Jnd6G pic.twitter.com/WA0JHZFKCL
— jake! (@staturesrey) February 8, 2024
Pachacamac IS A LIVE, IS A LIVEEEEEEEE#Knuckles #KnucklesTheEchidna pic.twitter.com/jQu3rCL0RD
— Lsuper490 (@lsuper4901) February 8, 2024
Was not expecting to see Pachacamac this way in the Knuckles series. pic.twitter.com/ufKgpwTrjt
— Linkabel (@AbelMunizJr) February 8, 2024
WHAT LOL pic.twitter.com/Od5ipd45h9
— Victor McKnight (@VAMcKnight) February 8, 2024
PACHACAMAC IN 2024 WHAT pic.twitter.com/Cnb3Cv8olw
— Nansho (@Nansho_) February 8, 2024
Pachacamac, the father of Tikal, debuted in the Sonic Adventure game, per Fandom. He is best known for being the chief and warlord of the Knuckles Clan, successfully leading them through countless wars in Sonic history until he invoked the wrath of the immortal, god-like creature Chaos, who ultimately killed him.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog film, a slightly more fierce Pachacamac (compared to the laid-back look in the Knuckles trailer) appeared among the echidna tribe that tracked down Sonic in his youth. Now, the character has seemingly shown up again, working in a bowling alley, and fans are curious about the career change.
Why is the ancient Echidna tribe leader Pachacamac not only alive but a part-time employee at a bowling rink?
— Russ (Back in my Comics Era). (@KingofRuss) February 8, 2024
That isn't meant to sound condescending, I'm genuinely invested in where this is going. https://t.co/99W6obLAVu pic.twitter.com/ZPi6zuZ1TX
HOLY SHIT, PACHACAMAC, TIKAL'S DAD, IS IN THIS
— Azul | Otávio | 御旅尾 ?? ?? (@o_Azul35) February 8, 2024
Wait, so the Echidnas did not went extinct in the movie Universe??? Is this like Archie Sonic then, where there are some Echidnas around? pic.twitter.com/SiRYzvH57S
Pachacamac in the games - a blood thirsty, war mongering monster dedicated to obtaining as much power as possible
— System509 (@System9509) February 8, 2024
Pachacamac in the movies - minimum wage bowling alley worker struggling to pay rent, has to pirate Netflix pic.twitter.com/RPx1331FO1
WHY IS PACHACAMAC WORKING AT A BOWLING ALLEY!?!?!? pic.twitter.com/wv5ZUiTNuW
— Ding Bat (@DingBadd) February 8, 2024
Ok I’m going to assume this is like Knuckles having a vision and talking to Pachacamac and he isn’t actually working at a Bowling Alley…unless he is and they’re going in a crazy direction. https://t.co/n0s9X4qV4k
— Dustin Phillips (@SonicBlueRanger) February 8, 2024
Some people predict that the appearance from Pachacamac is nothing more than a vision or hallucination that Knuckles sees on his quest for vegenance. Others think it's more likely Knuckles using the Pachacamac name as a disguise to hide his true identity as, by the looks of it, there are more than a few villains hot on his tail.
Fortunately, we don't have long to wait to find out more about Pachacamac's puzzling presence, as Knuckles: The Series will be available to stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada on April 26 and in other territories on April 27, with the exception of Japan, where the series will roll out later this year.
Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter @AdeleAnkers.
