Why the iconic two-tailed fox was almost named after a speed measurement

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Created as a sidekick for Sonic the Hedgehog, the character known as Tails was originally named Miles Prower—a pun on miles per hour. While Sega of America initially resisted the name, they eventually compromised, keeping the original moniker as his real name while adopting Tails as his famous nickname.

Tails, or Miles Prower, was conceived by Sega Technical Institute designer Yasushi Yamaguchi for the 1992 game Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Yamaguchi sought to create an endearing, beginner-friendly character to serve as a second playable option, allowing siblings to play together. Inspired by the kitsune from Urusei Yatsura and the Phantasy Star character Myau, Yamaguchi gave the fox two tails to make his design more impactful. The dynamic between Sonic and his new partner was modeled after the relationship between the Dragon Ball characters Piccolo and Gohan.

The character's identity evolved significantly over time. While he debuted in 1992, his unique ability to fly by spinning his tails like helicopter rotors was not fully controllable by players until Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in 1994. Beyond his mechanical genius and piloting skills, Tails has been portrayed as a loyal sidekick who often struggles with self-doubt, occasionally feeling like a burden to Sonic. In recent titles like Sonic Frontiers, this insecurity is addressed, with Sonic encouraging him to recognize his own achievements and potential to be a hero in his own right.

Reception of the character has been polarized. Supporters praise him as an iconic sidekick, citing his utility in gameplay and his role as the Yin to Sonic's Yang. Conversely, critics have occasionally compared him to divisive characters like Scrappy-Doo, arguing that his evolution into a talkative tech nerd in later games detracted from the series' core focus. Despite these debates, Tails remains a staple of the franchise, appearing in numerous adaptations, including comic books, animated series, and a successful live-action film franchise where he is voiced by Colleen O'Shaughnessey.

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