Sega's $20,800 Sonic DNA Statue Is Absolutely Wild

Sega has found a way to make Sonic collectibles even weirder. To celebrate the hedgehog's 35th anniversary, the company is selling a statue that supposedly contains actual "Sonic DNA" — and it costs more than most people's cars.

If that sounds familiar, you might remember the life-size Sonic statue Sega showed off back in June, which also had the blue blur's "DNA" sealed inside. That one was built with LOM BABY, a biotech and art team known for some truly unhinged projects, including a real-life Resident Evil T-Virus sample and synthetic dragon meat. So yeah, these are the right people for this job.

The original statue has been sitting in Sega's Shibuya store in Tokyo, but now fans worldwide can grab one of their own. There's just one small problem: the price. According to a translation of the shop page, the Sonic DNA statue costs 3.3 million yen — roughly $20,800, or about 140,000 RMB — and that's before shipping.

So why does it cost so much? It comes down to the tech behind making Sonic's "DNA." Just like the life-size version, the LOM BABY team analyzed Sonic's appearance, personality, signature abilities, and even the fact that he can't swim, then synthesized a genetic code for the classic character. That synthetic DNA is sealed inside a green-glowing Chaos Emerald, which sits in the statue's chest. The result is a collectible that claims to literally contain the character's DNA.

Each statue comes with its own serial number and stands about 9.8 inches (24.9 cm) tall. The base measures roughly 11.8 inches (30 cm) wide, 8.4 inches (21.3 cm) deep, and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) thick.

It's a lot of money for a conversation piece, but Sega clearly knows its most dedicated fans. Whether you see it as high art or an elaborate joke, you have to admit it's one of the most unique pieces of Sonic merch ever made.

Would you drop $20,800 on a Sonic statue with fake DNA, or is that Chaos Emerald better left on the shelf? Let us know what you think.