He’s not just a sidekick. When you look at Miles Tails Prower, the two-tailed fox from the Sonic the Hedgehog universe, you aren't just looking at a cute mascot. You're looking at a character that fundamentally altered how we think about cooperative gameplay. It’s wild to think that back in 1992, the idea of a second player jumping in and out of a high-speed platformer was revolutionary.
Tails is everywhere. But most people don't actually know where he came from or why he’s called "Tails" in the first place—other than the obvious physical deformity.
👉 See also: Why Smash Bros Ult Characters Still Drive Everyone Crazy Seven Years Later
The Weird History of the Two-Tailed Fox
Yasushi Yamaguchi. That’s the name you need to know. He won an internal contest at SEGA to design Sonic’s new best friend for Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Initially, the team wasn't even sure if they wanted a fox. They considered all sorts of animals. But Yamaguchi’s "Miles Prower" won out.
Wait. Miles Prower?
Yeah. It’s a pun on "miles per hour." SEGA of Japan actually hated the name "Tails" at first. They wanted to stick with the pun. The American team pushed hard for "Tails." In the end, they compromised. His real name became Miles Prower, but everyone—and I mean everyone—calls him Tails. It's one of those weird bits of gaming trivia that feels so natural now but was a point of massive internal friction at SEGA.
The two tails aren't just a design quirk. They’re based on the Kitsune from Japanese mythology. In folklore, foxes that live a long time grow extra tails and gain supernatural powers. While Tails isn't a mystical spirit, that DNA is clearly there. He uses his twin appendages like a helicopter rotor. It’s physically impossible, sure, but in the context of a 16-bit Genesis game, it was pure magic.
Why Tails Broke the "Player 2" Curse
Before 1992, being "Player 2" usually sucked. You either had to wait for Player 1 to die (think Super Mario Bros.) or you were stuck on a single screen. Tails changed that. In Sonic 2, a second player could pick up a controller and control the fox on the same screen as Sonic.
💡 You might also like: Why a NiGHTS Into Dreams ROM is Still the Best Way to Play This Sonic Team Classic
If Tails fell behind? He just flew back into the frame.
If Tails got hit? He didn't lose any rings.
He was basically immortal.
This was a stroke of genius for younger siblings everywhere. You could contribute by hitting bosses or collecting rings without the stress of "Game Over." It made gaming inclusive before "accessibility" was a buzzword in the industry. Honestly, it’s probably why so many of us have such a deep emotional connection to the character. He was our entry point into gaming.
More Than Just a Pilot: The Genius of Miles Prower
Tails isn't just fast. He’s a mechanical prodigy. While Sonic is the "cool" one with the attitude, Tails is the brains of the operation. He built the Tornado (Sonic’s plane). He built the Sea Fox. He built handheld computers before smartphones were a thing.
In Sonic Adventure, we saw a different side of him. He wasn't just following Sonic around. He had to stop Eggman’s missile from destroying Station Square all by himself. That character arc—from a shy, bullied fox who followed Sonic like a shadow to a hero who realizes he doesn't need a mentor—is surprisingly deep for a series about a blue hedgehog.
The Science (or Lack Thereof) of Twin Tails
Could a fox actually fly with two tails?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Definitely no.
Aerodynamically, the "propeller" motion Tails uses would require a level of muscular rotation and bone flexibility that doesn't exist in vertebrates. To create enough lift to carry a fox—even a small one—those tails would need to spin at thousands of RPMs. The friction alone would be... well, messy. But we don't play Sonic for the physics. We play it for the vibe. And the vibe of a fox spinning his butt-appendages to reach a secret 1-up is unmatched.
The Evolution of the Fox
Tails has been through some stuff. He’s been a pilot, a racer, a soldier in a resistance war, and even a lead protagonist in his own (admittedly weird) Game Gear titles like Tails' Skypatrol.
- The Classic Era: Round, orange, and adorable.
- The Dreamcast Era: Longer limbs, blue eyes, and a more "tech-bro" personality.
- The Modern Era: A mix of both, often serving as the "mission control" for the rest of the cast.
There was a period in the late 2000s and early 2010s where fans felt Tails got a bit "nerfed." He became a bit too reliant on his gadgets and seemed to lose his bravery. But recent outings, specifically the Sonic the Hedgehog movies, have brought back that classic mix of genius and heart. Colleen O'Shaughnessey, who has voiced the character since 2014, even got to play him in the live-action films—a rare move in Hollywood where they usually swap out voice actors for big-name celebrities. It paid off. Her performance grounded the character in a way that felt authentic to fans.
📖 Related: Rocket Boy and Toro: What’s Actually Happening With This Meme Coin Duo
Why We Still Care About Tails
In a world of gritty reboots and hyper-realistic graphics, there’s something timeless about Tails. He represents the "everyman" (or every-fox). He isn't the fastest. He isn't the strongest. But he's the one who fixes the plane when it breaks. He's the one who calculates the trajectory.
He’s the ultimate support system.
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of Miles Tails Prower, start with Sonic Mania. It’s a love letter to the character’s origins. If you want something more narrative-driven, Sonic Adventure (if you can handle the janky camera) shows his best character growth.
Actionable Steps for Sonic Fans:
- Play as Tails Solo: In many of the classic games, you can deselect Sonic. Playing as Tails completely changes the level design because his flight ability allows you to find shortcuts and hidden areas you’d never see with Sonic.
- Watch the OVA: The 1996 Sonic the Hedgehog original video animation features some of the best Tails animation ever produced. His "fear of lightning" quirk started here.
- Check the Comics: The IDW Sonic series gives Tails some of his best "genius" moments, showing him as a genuine tactician rather than just a sidekick.
Tails isn't going anywhere. Whether he’s in a 2D pixel-art world or a 3D open zone, he remains the heart of the franchise. He’s the reminder that you don't have to be the "main hero" to be the most important person in the room.