Bean the Dynamite : Le canard explosif de l’univers Sonic

Bean the Dynamite: The explosive duck from the Sonic universe

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Bean the Dynamite is an atypical supporting character in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. With his cartoonish green duck look, unpredictable behavior, and unabashed passion for explosives , he stands out in the blue hedgehog's universe. Despite a limited presence in the main games, Bean has become a cult character , beloved for his absurd humor and unique retro style .

Origin and first appearance

Bean made his first appearance in 1996 in the arcade game Sonic the Fighters , developed by Sega AM2 (the studio behind Virtua Fighter ), under the supervision of Yu Suzuki . This 3D fighting game featured eight characters from the Sonic universe, including three completely new characters: Bean, Bark the Polar Bear and Fang the Sniper. Bean immediately stood out for his fighting style based on… bombs , which he threw without restraint.

Note: In Japanese documents, it is sometimes called “Bean the Dynamite Duck” , a direct reference to the game Dynamite Düx (1988), a beat'em up developed by Sega where you control Bin and Pin, two fighting ducks. Bean is thus a meta nod to this game, little known to the general public but cult among retro Sega fans.

Design and inspiration

  • Species: Anthropomorphic Green Duck
  • Appearance: Green body , yellow beak, red scarf and expressive eyes
  • Style: Old-school cartoon , very inspired by slapstick animations like Tex Avery or Looney Tunes

Bean embodies the Sega spirit of the 90s : quirky , fun , slightly anarchic. His design and animations deliberately contrast with the more serious or heroic characters of the Sonic series, like Knuckles or Shadow.

Personality

Bean is chaos incarnate . His personality is as explosive as his attacks:

  • Unpredictable – He often acts without apparent logic
  • Comedy – Visual gags, absurd reactions, goofy attitude
  • Evasive but Cunning – He avoids direct conflict, preferring traps and surprise explosions
  • A bit sadistic – He clearly enjoys sowing panic

He often brings to mind "chaotic neutral" secondary characters: not inherently evil, but very difficult to control .

Abilities and Fighting Style

  • Continuously drops bombs – Seems to have an infinite supply
  • Ranged Attacks – Great for maintaining pressure
  • Nimble Dodge – Despite his appearance, he is nimble and difficult to hit
  • Unpredictable Moves – His movements resemble cartoon improvisations

In Sonic the Fighters , Bean is one of the most frustrating characters... or the most fun , depending on whether you're playing as him or playing as him. He excels at surprise attacks and area control.

Notable appearances

Sonic the Fighters (1996)

His first (and only) true playable appearance in a fighting game. He participates in the tournament to retrieve a Chaos Emerald and save the planet from an invasion by Metal Sonic .

Sonic Gems Collection (2005)

Porting the game to GameCube and PS2 , where Bean is rediscovered by a new generation of gamers.

Sonic Mania (2017)

Bean, Fang, and Bark appear as bosses in the Mirage Saloon Zone , an area with a distinctly western feel. This pixel art appearance is a nice tribute to the characters' retro roots.

Archie Comics and IDW

In the Archie comics, and more recently at IDW Publishing , Bean is a recurring supporting character, often alongside Fang and Bark in the Hooligans trio. This group of eccentric mercenaries intervenes in more or less illegal missions, bringing a lot of humor and chaos to the expanded universe.

At IDW, the tone is more modern, but Bean retains his wacky essence . He is used sparingly , which reinforces each appearance.

Relationship with Fang and Bark

Bean teams up with:

  • Fang the Sniper : The greedy leader, armed with a cap gun and always looking for a reward
  • Bark the Polar Bear : the silent brute, with a big heart despite appearances

Together, they form a comical and riotous trio , often compared to groups like Team Rocket (Pokémon) or the Beagle Boys (Scrooge McDuck). Their chemistry is based on their opposing, yet perfectly complementary, personalities. Bean plays the role of the group's madman , capable of blowing things up... literally.

Why did Bean become a cult classic?

  • His unique look and style : impossible to confuse him with any other character
  • Original gameplay in a game that is already unique in the saga
  • A retro Sega legacy that appeals to old-school fans
  • A valued rarity : its appearances are rare, but always striking
  • Huge comic potential , used brilliantly in comics and spin-offs

Derivatives and popularity

Bean never had the commercial visibility of the big names in Sonic, but he managed to establish himself in fan culture :

  • Figurines (especially from collector or fanmade collections)
  • Featured in several fan games and mods
  • Often used in memes and fan art due to its wacky style

Their presence in Sonic Mania rekindled interest in the Hooligans trio , reigniting fan demands to see them playable in a main game.

Conclusion

Bean the Dynamite is the perfect example of a supporting character who has become a cult classic . Thanks to his explosive personality , retro design , and rare but memorable appearances, he remains a favorite among the franchise's most loyal fans. And while he may never be part of the main cast of modern Sonic games, every time Bean returns, he's a small event . While he may not be a star, he remains a bombshell in the hearts of fans.

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