Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Sonic the Hedgehog 3!

Maria Robotnik is one of the biggest new additions to the story of Ivo Robotnik appearing alongside newcomers Gerald and Maria Robotnik. Ivo and Maria have no scenes together, but they are related, something that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 doesn't explicitly explain.

Before Project Shadow was shut down 50 years ago, Gerald Robotnik's granddaughter Maria Robotnik lived at the G.U.N. laboratory. While there, she befriended Shadow the Hedgehog, with the ultimate lifeform coming to deeply care about the young child. When shutting down Project Shadow, however, G.U.N. accidentally caused an explosion that killed Maria, kicking off Gerald and Shadow's quest for vengeance that culminates in the story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3.

Maria Is Ivo Robotnik's Cousin In Sonic The Hedgehog 3

Ivo & Maria Aren't Siblings

Gerald Robotnik is the grandfather of both Maria Robotnik and Ivo Robotnik, meaning that many fans could make the mistake of believing that the two characters are siblings. However, this isn't the case. Instead, Maria and Ivo are cousins, with the two having not known each other due to Gerald and Maria living in a secure G.U.N. facility as well as Ivo's age.

This means that Gerald Robotnik must have had at least two children, with one being one of Ivo's parents and the other being one of Maria's parents. However, these Robotnik family have never been seen in the live-action Sonic the Hedgehog movies or in the video games, with their identities remaining a complete mystery.

Why Gerald Robotnik Favors Maria Over Ivo

It Has Been 50 Years Without Maria

Gerald Robotnik makes it clear that he favors Maria over Ivo, with him directly telling Ivo this at the end of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This is because Gerald was always closer to Maria, with the two living in the G.U.N. facility together for a major chunk of Maria's life. Gerald and Ivo don't meet until the story of Sonic the Hedgehog 3, with them only knowing each other for a short time before Gerald's death.

Gerald Robotnik has also spent 50 years plotting his revenge due to Maria's death, with the loss of her being his main motivator throughout Sonic the Hedgehog 3. It would be strange for him to care for a grandson that he just met as much as he cares about Maria after all these years, so it only makes sense that he favors her. So, while this reveal is a tragic moment for Ivo Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, it makes perfect sense for Gerald's character.