 | |
| Series | Sonic Underground (DiC, 1999) |
| Season | Season 1 (the only season) |
| Episode | Episode 14 of 40 (production order) · production no. 414 · WildBrain no. 114 |
| French title | Robestioles |
| First aired (France) | 21 February 1999 · TF1 |
| First aired (US) | 16 September 1999 · BKN Kids II (syndication) · 14th in US broadcast order |
| Written by | Len Janson |
| Directed by | Marc Boreal, François Hemmen and Daniel Sarriet; Tom Smith (US) |
| Song | “Never Give Up” |
| Previous episode | Artifact (S01E13) |
| Next episode | Sonic Tonic (S01E15) |
ManicMind-control bugsRudy
Bug! is episode 14 of Sonic Underground, DiC’s 1999 cartoon about Sonic, Sonia and Manic, the hedgehog triplets of Queen Aleena. It is number 14 in production order – the order TF1 first showed the series in France, where it premiered on 21 February 1999 – and it was the 14th episode to air in the United States, on 16 September 1999. It was written by Len Janson, and its song is “Never Give Up”.
Synopsis
Manic is out thermal-surfing alone when a giant Stealthbot ambushes him. Sonic arrives just in time and scolds his brother for breaking the rule about never going out solo. A radio message from the wrecked robot says Queen Aleena has been seen in Quadrant 10, a bleak wasteland.
There the siblings meet Rudy, a leather-clad lizard and local Freedom Fighter whose village has been burned and whose comrades turned on him after a swarm of glowing orange bugs passed by. The bugs are tiny Robotnik machines that inject a mind-control serum. Ignoring Sonic’s orders, Manic goes bug-hunting on his own, is stung on the nose and flies off to report to Robotnik.
Sonic and Sonia must get their brother back and stop the swarm before it enslaves the whole Resistance. Sonic lures the bugs into a lightning storm, getting struck himself more than once, while the van’s cannons deal with the rest. Back at the burned village, some of Rudy’s friends, including Sheila, emerge alive.
The Song: “Never Give Up”
“Never Give Up” suits an episode in which the siblings refuse to abandon Manic, even when he is working for the enemy.
Key Moments
- Manic breaks the buddy rule and pays for it.
- Robotnik’s robot bugs carry a mind-control serum.
- Sonic uses a lightning storm to destroy the swarm.
Trivia
- Luke’s guide listed the title without the exclamation mark; Wikipedia and Sonic Wiki Zone both use “Bug!”.
- It shares its title with Bug!, Sega’s 1995 Saturn platform game.
- The French title, Robestioles, blends “robot” with bestioles (critters).
Watch the Episode
The full episode, uploaded by WildBrain’s official Sonic The Hedgehog – WildBrain YouTube channel (checked 6 November 2026).
Part of our Sonic Underground episode guide. The series page covers the characters, the songs, the prophecy and the show’s history.
Sources: titles, writers, songs and air dates from Luke’s original Sonic Scene guide, cross-checked with Wikipedia, Sonic Wiki Zone and Sonic Retro (Wayback copy); synopsis written for Sonic Scene from the episode, its official description and several fan references; title card and screenshots via Sonic Wiki Zone, copied to our media library.