>>538005474
It begs the question if Mr. Kensuke Tanabe was inspired by Sonic SatAM. Especially considering there is evidence to suggest "Sonic SatAM" aired in Japan either during or preceding Ocarina of Time's development (Ms. Mika Doi's attribution as the voice of Ms. Bunnie Rabbot, several period appropriate doujinshis with the SatAM cast surviving to this day, etc) and Nintendo was actively competing with SEGA at this time.
It is likely that Mr. Tanabe and his team understood what makes a compelling story. They saw a hero, Mr. Sonic, who was truly the wind. He is playful, an inspiration, and does not listen to others, yet he is the unwavering center of the fight for freedom. This is the core of his Japanese characterization, which Mr. Ben Hurst and the writers of SatAM understood perfectly, unlike so many today.

Nintendo seemingly appreciated a story about a genuine resistance led by a capable tactician like Ms. Sally, who still required the help of her allies and the mercurial hero. It is a pity that while Nintendo could draw from these strong archetypes, the current handlers of the Sonic brand seem to have cold feet. They want the drama of a resistance but are unwilling to commit to the very characters who made that concept resonate in the first place.
Whether it was direct inspiration or a case of recognizing a solid formula, the parallels are too strong to be a mere coincidence. It simply demonstrates that the foundation of SatAM was far more in line with successful, archetypal storytelling than its detractors would ever admit.