It's hard to say if anyone really understands Sonic or who he is supposed to be. It's always been muddied, from the start. Sega of America changed him in the beginning from his original vision in Japan. People always argue about who Sonic is, or if he is supposed to be a symbol, etc. This is why I gravitate towards Classic Japanese lore, it's more simplistic but moldable. Modern Sonoc has too much baggage of he should do this, mandates that. What the fuck is a Sonic indeed.