More airlines are incorporating cartoon characters and gaming personalities into their liveries. Months ago, Etihad revealed a special Warner Bros livery with my favorite Looney Toons characters on it! Now, AirAsia, together with SEGA and ATLUS, has launched a unique collaboration to bring the gaming worlds of Sonic the Hedgehog and Persona 5 to life. This partnership introduces vibrant aircraft liveries and in-flight experiences, combining travel and gaming as part of AirAsia’s “The Colour of Connection” campaign. The campaign, led by AirAsia brand co., the brand management arm of Capital A, marks an exciting step for the airline.
The collaboration between AirAsia, SEGA, and ATLUS features two aircraft with stunning designs. One aircraft will showcase Sonic the Hedgehog characters, including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Shadow, and Amy Rose. This design will appear on an AirAsia X Airbus A330 with tail number 9M-XXU for Sonic. Another aircraft, an AirAsia Malaysia Airbus A320 with tail number 9M-AFF, will display Persona 5 characters Joker and Morgana. These two specially themed planes will fly across AirAsia’s network of over 100 destinations, including major cities in Southeast Asia and the Asia Pacific, such as Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Shanghai, and Sydney. This will give fans and passengers a chance to experience their favorite gaming characters on their flights.
AirAsia’s collaboration with SEGA aims to connect gaming fans with a love for travel and entertainment. The aircraft liveries reflect the airline’s goal of creating fun and memorable experiences for passengers.
Rudy Khaw, CEO of AirAsia brand co., emphasized how this partnership fits naturally with the airline’s commitment to offering unique experiences. He said, “This partnership marks another milestone for the AirAsia brand as we delve deeper into the exciting world of gaming and pop culture. This partnership is a natural fit for AirAsia, as it aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing experiences for our guests and communities.”
Shuji Utsumi, President and COO of SEGA CORPORATION, expressed his excitement for the collaboration. He shared, “We are honored to be able to undertake such a wonderful initiative with AirAsia. The Sonic and Persona series are expanding not only in Japan but throughout Asia. We believe that the synergy created by the collaboration of travel and gaming, two forms of entertainment, will bring us new discoveries.”
The Popularity of Sonic and Persona 5
Sonic the Hedgehog has been a beloved character in gaming for over 30 years, with his fast-paced adventures gaining a global following. The character has appeared in games, TV shows, comics, and movies. Fans are already excited for the upcoming movie Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Meanwhile, Persona 5, developed by ATLUS, is a critically acclaimed role-playing game with a strong fanbase. The game won prestigious awards such as the “Best Role Playing Game” at The Game Awards 2017 and “Best RPG” from IGN’s 2017 awards. Its unique blend of high school life and supernatural elements has made it a cultural phenomenon. ATLUS further expanded the series with Persona 5 Royal, adding new characters, storylines, and enhanced gameplay.
Passengers on these special AirAsia flights can look forward to flying with their favorite characters from Sonic the Hedgehog and Persona 5, making their travel experience even more enjoyable. So if you are a 90s kid or a Sonic fan, you might want to be on this plane a feel nostalgic once in a while.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
