Ugly Sonic refers to the original CGI design of Sonic the Hedgehog for his 2019 live-action film, which sparked immediate online backlash due to its unsettlingly human-like teeth and small eyes. Following the massive internet outcry, the character was completely redesigned for the final theatrical release, but 'Ugly Sonic' lived on as a cultural icon of corporate miscalculation and the power of fan feedback. The character saw a surprising resurgence after a meta-cameo in the 2022 'Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers' film, where he leaned into his role as a washed-up celebrity. Today, the meme is used to represent awkward situations, failed attempts at aesthetics, or the feeling of being a lovable but creepy outcast.