| Shadow the Hedgehog | |
|---|---|
| Sonic the Hedgehog character | |
 Artwork forSonic Adventure 2 (2001) byYuji Uekawa | |
| First appearance | Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) |
| Created by |
|
| Designed by | Kazuyuki Hoshino |
| Voiced by |
|
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Hedgehog/Black Arms |
Shadow the Hedgehog[a] is a character created by the Japanese game developersTakashi Iizuka, Shiro Maekawa, andKazuyuki Hoshino. He is a major character inSega'sSonic the Hedgehog franchise. Ananthropomorphic black hedgehog, Shadow shares design traits and attributes withSonic the Hedgehog, and serves as Sonic's principal rival throughout the franchise. Described as anantihero, Shadow is portrayed as having noble intentions and a compassionate heart, but is standoff-ish with the people he encounters and often willing to fight anyone who comes in the way of his objective. His solemn demeanor and antagonistic traits put him at ideological odds with Sonic, though the two have a begrudging respect for each other and frequently team up for the greater good.Kōji Yusa voices Shadow in Japan, while his English voice has been provided by David Humphrey,Jason Griffith, andKirk Thornton.Keanu Reeves voices him in the feature filmSonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024).
Shadow first appeared in theDreamcast gameSonic Adventure 2 (2001), although he was conceived during the development ofSonic Adventure (1998). Iizuka devised the concept, while Maekawa developed his character and Hoshino designed him. Influences included theDragon Ball characterVegeta, theImage Comics characterSpawn, theSonic characterMetal Sonic,kabuki makeup andspeed skaters.Sonic Team envisioned Shadow as a one-off character who would only appear inSonic Adventure 2, but his popularity among fans led to his inclusion in subsequent games, beginning withSonic Heroes (2003), in which he becomes part of "Team Dark" alongsideRouge the Bat andE-123 Omega. Shadow has since featured inmanySonic games, including serving as the main protagonist of the gamesShadow the Hedgehog (2005) andShadow Generations (2024).
Shadow is one of the fewSonic characters to have acharacter arc across multiple games. Shadow was created byProfessor Gerald Robotnik, the grandfather of series main antagonistDoctor Eggman, using alien DNA with the intention of creating the "Ultimate Lifeform". He was housed on a space colony, the ARK, where he developed a close friendship with Robotnik's granddaughter,Maria Robotnik. However, the government organization G.U.N., upon discovering Robotnik's schemes on conquering the world, invaded the ARK and killed its occupants, including Maria, before capturing Shadow and keeping him in stasis for fifty years. After escaping, he initially plots revenge and desires to annihilate humanity for Maria's death, but later remembers his promise to her that he would protect the world from danger and allies with Sonic against Robotnik's own revenge plans. Shadow is presumed dead in the battle, but is in actuality kept comatose and with amnesia by Eggman. After being freed by Rouge, he begins recovering his memories and goes on a quest to continue protecting the world, reaffirming his promise and gaining a stronger sense of identity upon doing so.
Shadow is one of the most popularSonic characters and was named one of the greatest video game characters byGuinness World Records in 2011. However, he has proven divisive amongvideo game journalists. Some praised his role inSonic Adventure 2 and his levels' preservation of theSonic theme, but others criticized his dark and brooding characterization, particularly in later games, and ranked him among the worstSonic characters. TheShadow the Hedgehog game received generally unfavorable reviews, though it sold well. In the third installment of theSonic the Hedgehog film franchise, Reeves's adaptation received critical praise for his moody portrayal of the character's stoicism, empathy and darkness.
Shadow is ananthropomorphic black hedgehog appearing inSega'sSonic the Hedgehog series ofplatform games and its variousspin-offs. He first appeared in the 2001 installmentSonic Adventure 2,[7] the finalSonic game released for a Segavideo game console.[8] His roles in the games vary. Some, such as the main series gamesSonic Adventure 2,[8]Sonic Heroes (2003),[9] andSonic the Hedgehog (2006) feature him as a majorplayable character,[10] and he is the protagonist of the spin-offShadow the Hedgehog (2005) and adownloadable content (DLC) package forSonic Forces (2017).[11][12] Shadow also appears as an unlockable playable character inSonic Dream Team, after an update in 2024 to commemorate the Year of Shadow campaign.[13] Others, such as the anniversary gameSonic Generations (2011), limit him to anon-playable role.[14] He also appears as one of the characters who can be summoned using the Assist Trophy item in theSuper Smash Bros. series.[15]
Shadow is a mysterious, sharp-witted, and broodingantihero.[16][17][18] While his ultimate goal is to protect the world from danger,[16] he dislikes humanity,[19] and once he has set a goal, he does whatever it takes to accomplish it.[16] This often causes him to take risks without thinking them through and puts him at odds with series protagonistSonic the Hedgehog.[20] Although a loner, Shadow collaborates with treasure hunterRouge the Bat and robotE-123 Omega in games such asSonic Heroes,Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), andSonic Forces.[9][21] Shadow allies with Sonic in some games,[17] but also does so withDoctor Eggman inSonic Adventure 2 andShadow the Hedgehog.[11][22]
Shadow shares many similarities with Sonic.[9] Visually,GameSpot's Ben Stahl described Shadow as "an evil version of Sonic himself—similar in appearance, but with darker skin, more angled eyes, and a fearsome snarl instead of Sonic's trademark grin."[7]GamesRadar+'s Justin Leeper said that if Sonic wasSuperman, then Shadow would be hisBatman.[23] The characters control similarly in games, as both shareskills and the ability to run at great speeds.[9][22][24] Shadow has unique attributes in some games, such as his uses of firearms and vehicles inShadow the Hedgehog andSonic the Hedgehog, respectively.[10][11] He can also use theChaos Emeralds to perform "Chaos Control"—allowing him to distort time—and create weapons like spears.[9][16][19] Like Sonic, Shadow can transform into a "Super" form, giving him special powers.[25][26] InShadow Generations, he is given a new form known as “Doom Wings Shadow,” where he sprouts wings and can fly across the stage with invincibility until losing rings in a similar manner toSuper Sonic.
Outside of the video game series, Shadow appears in the anime seriesSonic X (2003-2006), which adapts the story of theSonic Adventure games, as well asSonic Boom andSonic Prime. The original Japanese cast from the games reprised their roles for the former,[27] while Jason Griffith (who also voiced Sonic) voiced Shadow in its English dub by4Kids Entertainment.[28] In theSonic Boom (2014–2017) spin-off franchise, Shadow appears in the 2014 gamesSonic Boom: Rise of Lyric for theWii U andSonic Boom: Shattered Crystal for theNintendo 3DS, as well as the television episodes "It Takes a Village to Defeat a Hedgehog" and "Eggman: The Video Game", voiced by Kirk Thornton (who also voiced Orbot).[29][30][31]
Ian Hanlin voices Shadow in the animatedNetflix seriesSonic Prime (2022–2024).[5] After Sonic inadvertently opens the path to the Paradox Prism for Eggman, Shadow has a vague vision of the universe's shatter and tries to prevent it but fails, he manages to escape it using Chaos Control and is trapped in the void between Shatterspaces.
Shadow also appears in theSonic the Hedgehog comic books published byArchie Comics andIDW Publishing.[32][33] Shadow had 2 story arcs in the Archie Sonic spinoff line titledSonic Universe, The Shadow Saga andShadow Fall, the latter of which served as a spiritual successor to his solo game from 2005. Shadow’s likeness has been used inSonic merchandise.[34] Shadow made his live-action debut in a non-speakingcameo appearance in themid-credits scene of the 2022 filmSonic the Hedgehog 2, and was voiced byKeanu Reeves in the sequelSonic the Hedgehog 3, released on December 20, 2024.[35]
To promote the release ofSonic X Shadow Generations, the official Sonic the Hedgehog YouTube Channel released a 3-episode animated series in September of 2024.[36] It featured Shadow’s history on the ARK, as well as serving as a prequel to the game itself. The series was very well-received by fans.
In September of 2024, Shadow starred in his ownmanga series, entitledThe Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog, which was a direct tie-in toSonic X Shadow Generations.[37] It was written and illustrated by Yuki Imada and published inCoro Coro, ran for 6 issues and concluded in February of 2025. Atankōbon of the series was released in April of 2025. The series has yet to see a release outside of Japan, though thepublisher stated there is an international release planned. Imada also wrote a limited edition tie-in comic for theSonic the Hedgehog 3 film, titledSonic X Shadow: Tokyo Mission Episode 0, a prequel to the film that was handed out opening weekend in Japanese theaters to people attending the film (known asSonic X Shadow: Tokyo Mission in Japan).
Shadow is also featured prominently in the 2025 intercompany crossoverDC X Sonic the Hedgehog published byDC Comics.[38] In the miniseries, Shadow (who is among Sonic's friends who team up with theJustice League to stopDarkseid) partners with Batman, as both sympathize with each other over the loss of loved ones.
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Shadow was created byTakashi Iizuka and Shiro Maekawa, who respectively served as director and writer ofSonic Adventure 2.[39][40] During the development of the originalSonic Adventure (1998),Sonic Team conceived a black hedgehog who equaled or exceeded Sonic'scoolness. The idea was revived during brainstorming sessions forSonic Adventure 2, as the game features two "good vs. evil" storylines.[41] Iizuka wanted to appeal to American audiences with anantihero, a popular character archetype in the US at the time.[42] Concept art indicates that Shadow was primarily inspired by theDragon Ball characterVegeta, but Iizuka denied this, instead citing theImage Comics characterSpawn as an influence.[43]
Shadow was initially named "Terios" ("reflection of"), referencing his role as Sonic's doppelganger.[44] He was renamed Shadow after another new character, a bat, who became Rouge.[45] Sonic Team tasked Maekawa with developing Shadow, a task he found challenging. One night, while he brainstormed lines for a scene in which Sonic confronts Shadow for impersonating him, Maekawa came up with Shadow's first line: "Hmph, aren't you the fake one here?" From here, Maekawa envisioned the hedgehog as a delicate, pure character who would refer to himself using the more humbleJapanese pronounboku (僕).[40] Iizuka made sure that Shadow's introduction also brought new events to the game, as he wanted players to care about the character.[46]
Kazuyuki Hoshino designed Shadow. Like he had when he designedMetal Sonic forSonic CD (1993), Hoshino imagined Shadow in a confrontation with Sonic to produce the design.[47] Early Shadow designs bore a strong resemblance to Sonic, with darker colors, droopier spines, and a scar on the left of his face.[48] Hoshino said these designs reflected Shadow being originally "more obviously evil"; he called the initial incarnation "Terios the Prisoner". For the final design, Hoshino remembered that he had designed Metal Sonic with a jet engine to distinguish him from Sonic. Likewise, he drew inspiration fromspeed skaters for Shadow's design since he wanted Shadow to rival Sonic's speed in a unique manner. The red stripes featured in Shadow’s design was inspired by traditionalkabuki makeup.[49] Shadow's design since he wanted Shadow to rival Sonic's speed in a unique manner.[50]
Sonic Adventure 2 was intended to be Shadow's only appearance, but his popularity among fans led to him returning inSonic Heroes.[41][44] Additionally, Sonic Team wanted to feature Shadow in a spin-off game.[51] By 2005, Sonic Team was interested in developing a high-speedshooter game. They chose to focus on Shadow—whom they felt would provide "the perfect venue... to try our hand at this genre"—leading to the development ofShadow the Hedgehog. Series co-creatorYuji Naka hopedShadow would lead to a spin-off series about the character.[52] When developing Shadow's design and world, Sonic Team was influenced by films such asUnderworld (2003),Constantine (2005), and theTerminator series.[53]
The team abandoned Shadow's shooting gameplay when working onSonic the Hedgehog in 2006. Instead, directorShun Nakamura emphasized combat to differentiate his gameplay from that of Sonic's; while Sonic was designed for speedy platforming, Shadow was designed for fighting enemies.[54] AfterSonic and the Black Knight (2009), Shadow did not appear as a playable character in aSonic platformer for some time,[12] until the release ofSonic Forces in 2017.[55] Nakamura explained that Sonic Team brought Shadow back forSonic Forces so it would appeal to fans of theAdventure games, as the character is "extremely popular" among that group.[56] Iizuka has commented that another Shadow-oriented spin-off is a possibility.[57]
In Japan,Kōji Yusa voices Shadow, except in the Japanese dub of the film,Sonic the Hedgehog 3, whereToshizuki Morikawa voices the character.[58][59] Shadow's English voice actor has changed several times. David Humphrey was the first to assume the role,[1] withRyan Drummond filling in for a few lines in the Finalhazard boss level inSonic Adventure 2.[2] Humphrey was replaced byJason Griffith, who voiced Shadow and Sonic in the English dub of theanime seriesSonic X (2003–2006), and in video games beginning withShadow the Hedgehog in 2005.[28]Kirk Thornton has voiced Shadow since 2010, starting withSonic Free Riders.[60] InSonic Prime, Shadow is voiced byIan Hanlin.[5] Canadian actorKeanu Reeves voices Shadow in the 2024 filmSonic the Hedgehog 3,[61] and reprised his role in downloadable content forSonic X Shadow Generations.[62]
Within theSonic series'fictional universe, Shadow the Hedgehog was created byProfessor Gerald Robotnik throughgenetic engineering. InShadow the Hedgehog, it is later revealed that Gerald made a deal with Black Doom to use his blood in order to create the Ultimate Lifeform, but in exchange, Shadow would need to gather all 7 Chaos Emeralds and give them to the Black Arms. His creation was part of an experiment, "Project Shadow", meant to cure his granddaughterMaria from a deadly illness.[9][16][58] While Shadow and Maria formed a strong bond, the United Federation government and a military organization, the Guardian Units of Nations (GUN), deemed him a threat. GUN raided the Space Colony ARK on which Maria and Shadow lived, killing the former as she sent Shadow to Earth in an escape pod. Shadow was later recovered by GUN and placed insuspended animation.[58][63] Maria's death traumatized Shadow, who vowed to keep his promise to her that he would protect the world from danger.[16] InSonic Adventure 2, Gerald's grandson, Doctor Eggman, learns of Shadow and revives him as part of a plan to conquer the world and defeat Sonic the Hedgehog.[64] Believing that the promise he made was one of revenge on humanity, Shadow agrees to help Eggman, framing Sonic for their evil deeds.[63][64] However, Shadow eventually allies himself with Sonic to prevent the world's destruction after he remembers the promise he made to Maria.[58] However, he is unable to handle the power of all seven Chaos Emeralds in a Super State as well as Sonic, plummeting to Earth from space after the finalboss fight.[9]
Shadow is presumed dead untilSonic Heroes; Rouge the Bat discovers him alive in an Eggman base during a search. Heremembers nothing except his name and Maria's death,[9][65] forming "Team Dark" with Rouge and E-123 Omega to find Eggman and learn of his past.[9] InShadow the Hedgehog, Shadow, still experiencing amnesia, becomes caught in a three-way war between Eggman, GUN, and the Black Arms, an alien army led by Black Doom.[51] Shadow can choose to help GUN, Sonic and his friends, Eggman, or the Black Arms.[11] At the end of the game, Shadow recovers from his amnesia and learns the truth about his past, including that Gerald created him using Black Doom's DNA. Black Doom uses that in an attempt control him, but Shadow stands up to him and ultimately defeats him. After the battle, Shadow chooses to put the past behind him and move on,[66] and inSonic the Hedgehog is depicted as working with GUN.[59] InShadow Generations, Shadow, believing the Black Arms have resurfaced, returns to the ARK, where he is thrust into the dimension of White Space by the Time Eater (concurrently during the events ofSonic Generations).[67] Along his journey, he manifests mysterious Doom Powers, which he uses to fight against Black Doom; Shadow also encounters Gerald and Maria, taken from another point in time, who assist in helping Shadow control his new powers as he confronts and destroys Black Doom once and for all. Upon his triumph, Maria and Gerald return to their time period as Shadow joins Rouge to help Sonic against the Time Eater.
Shadow quickly proved popular among players ofSonic Adventure 2, contributing to his return in later games.[44] Additionally, responses to his introduction were favorable; critics considered his levels inSonic Adventure 2 among the game's highlights.[8][64][68][69]GameSpot's Shane Satterfield wrote Shadow's levels were exciting and helped preserve the general theme ofSonic games, and wished they had been more plentiful.[70]Nintendo Life's Mark Reece similarly felt Shadow's levels successfully adapted theSonic formula to 3D.[71] However, despite strong sales,[72][73] the 2005Shadow game received generally unfavorable reviews[74][75][76] and, according toOfficial Nintendo Magazine's Thomas East, tarnished the character's reputation.[77]
Reviews forShadow the Hedgehog criticized numerous aspects of the character, such as his controls, use of firearms, and characterization.[78][79][80][81]Game Informer's Matt Helgeson decried Shadow as a character who lacked personality and mocked his "ridiculous" and "laughable"Clint Eastwood rasp,[79] whileGameSpy's Patrick Klepek felt the game was proof theSonic series hadjumped the shark.[81] Similarly,1UP.com's Shane Bettenhausen compared Shadow to Poochie,[80] a character fromThe Simpsons episode "The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show" (1997) symbolic of creating a new character simply to boost a flagging series.[82] Klepek thought guns made sense for Shadow's character but did not have a compelling use in the game, and expressed hope Sonic Team would "[bury] him alongside the same graves as the third-tier of characters fromKnuckles' Chaotix."[81] Critics reviewing the 2006Sonic the Hedgehog considered Shadow's gameplay slightly better than that of Sonic's but felt it did not add enough to the experience,[10][23] whileDen of Geek's Chris Freiberg wrote that the Shadow DLC forSonic Forces added somereplay value to a game he criticized for its short length.[83]
Reviewers have called Shadow—both the game and the character—an ill-advised attempt to bring a sense of maturity to theSonic series.[77][79] Indeed,IGN's Levi Buchanan and1UP's Jeremy Parish considered him one of the series' biggest problems;[84][85] Parish wrote that of the unnecessarySonic characters Sega should retire, Shadow was the most in need of it.[85] Numerousvideo game journalists have mockingly described the character as "edgy",[55][78][86]internet slang referring to someone who exhibits disconcerting behavior in an effort to impress others. The character has also been the subject of severalinternet memes, such as one claiming the character lovesLatinas, which was acknowledged inSonic the Hedgehog 3.[87][88]
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Shadow is a divisiveSonic character.[14][56] Some, such as East, who ranked him one of the series' best characters, praise him for his role inSonic Adventure 2;[77][14]Game Informer's Brian Shea called Shadow a "fun equal" to Sonic who delivered the series' traditional sense of speed,[89] andPolygon's Allegra Frank said he is a fan-favorite.[55] "For others," wroteKotaku's Mike Fahey, Shadow "signifies the looming death of a beloved series." Fahey felt Shadow's self-titled game was when theSonic franchise lost its identity, and dismissed those who argued in favor of his role inSonic Adventure 2.[14]James Stephanie Sterling, writing forGamesRadar+, ranked Shadow among the series' worst characters, arguing he lost his relevance over time and calling him "the ultimate example of a good idea gone rotten."[78] Brian Shea fromGame Informer included Shadow in a similar list, observing that his "brooding 'tortured soul' personality wore on him quickly".[90] In a more positive write-up,Fanbyte's Kenneth Shepard argued Shadow's characterization was more complex than most characters in the series, but later games leaned harder on a one-dimensional "edgelord" archetype.[91] Despite this, in 2005 Naka said Sonic Team had determined Shadow was the series' most popular character excluding Sonic himself,[52] a finding reaffirmed in a 2009 Sega poll.[92] In 2011,Guinness World Records named Shadow among the 50 greatest video game characters of all time.[93]
In the film adaptationSonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), Shadow and his voice actorKeanu Reeves's portrayal received critical praise.Variety'sOwen Gleiberman said that Reeves's "tones of deepest resonance" made Shadow empathetic to the audience,[94]The New York Times's Glenn Kenny felt Reeves brought "suitableemo brooding" to Shadow,[95] andThe A.V. Club's Matt Donato wrote Reeves added "stoic somberness" to the established cast.[96]The Hollywood Reporter said that Reeves brought the same gravitas to Shadow that he did toJohn Wick, feeling his delivery of "quiet condescension" made him "all the scarier for the lack of overt menace".[97]Polygon contrasted Eggman actor Jim Carrey's "gloriously deranged" performance with the "utter sincerity" of Reeves, who they praised for making Shadow a "weirdly likable little ball of pain".[98]IGN's Matt Donato said that Reeves's own identity, which was already reflected in the character by his voice, "profound[ly]" paralleled the tragedy in Shadow's story considering Reeves had experienced"unthinkable" hardships in his life; Donato concluded that Reeves "is Shadow the Hedgehog".[99]
In April 2024, Sega launched the marketing campaignFearless: Year of Shadow, with several projects starring Shadow the Hedgehog, such asSonic X Shadow Generations and the filmSonic the Hedgehog 3.[100] Since this campaign, the character has seen a resurgence in popularity among the Sonic fan base, as well as general audiences.[101]
I also would have to pick Shadow for the fact he is a character I created.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link){{cite web}}:|last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Takashi Iizuka: At Summer of Sonic a lot of people were asking if we might feature characters like Shadow, or if there was any possibility of spin-offs. The focus isn't on taking characters and building around them, but on the game itself. Obviously, if there was a game in which we could use the characters in the best way, we might consider it.