Nicknames: Shadow, The Ultimate Lifeform (He's also known as the Black Blur in the fanbase, but few fans call him that, not to mention it is not an official nickname.)
Race: Artificially-processed hedgehog (Speculation: If you choose to get technical, Shadow is most likely an African Pygmy Hedgehog, since that is the most common, well-known species of hedgehog, not to mention is the species of hedgehog shown in the US Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Adventure 2: Battle commercials.)
Gender: Male
Age: ~ 50 (?) (Shadow's age may very well be 50 as expected since it was 50 years ago that his development was finished.)
Physical Age: 15 (This makes some sense, since he and Sonic are somewhat physically alike.)
Date of birth: Unknown
Birthplace: Space Colony ARK
Height: 100 centimeters (3 feet and 3 inches)
Weight: 35 kilograms (77 pounds)
Physical techniques: (1). Spin Attack Description: While in locomotion, Shadow can curl down and take on a fetal position, rolling along the ground at a very high speed and rate of torque, meant primarily for breaking through barriers, or destroying enemies. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(2). Spin Jump Description: Also referred to as the "spinball jump," Shadow is able to leap into the air and curl into a spinning, tightly compacted ball of destruction which can destroy enemies and break barriers. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(3). Spin Dash Description: Originally named the "Super Spin Dash," Shadow is able to curl down and begin revving up, taking on a diagonally pivoted, ovular shape. Once unleashed, Shadow blasts forward in an acceleration roll of high speeds with limited airborne capability, meant to break barriers or mow down enemies. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(4). Jump Dash/Homing Attack Description: While airborne in spinball form, Shadow can burst forward in a sudden jolt of speed in a linear path, and when an enemy or object is near, the jump can be used to home right into the nearby enemy or object with extreme impact power. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(5). Light Dash Description: When a trail or pattern of rings is in close proximity, Shadow is able to zoom across the trajectory of the ring path at lightspeed, collecting all of them in a flash. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(6). Chaos Spear Description: Shadow raises his hand and can throw down a large array of highly destructive yellow streams of chaos energy at his opponent. This attack either damages the opponent or stuns them, depnding how it is used. In his Super form, Shadow is able to charge up and shoot a single, yet more powerful Spear. This attack can be advenced into the Chaos Lance. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(7). Chaos Control Description: With the use of a single Chaos Emerald and, at times, a mind set on justice, Shadow is able to warp time and space and teleport to a desired destination, freeze time, speed it up, or slow it down. In-game debut: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(8). Black Tornado Description: When in mid-air, Shadow can assume spinball form and repeatedly follow the trajectory of a perfect circle, stirring up a substantially powerful vortex of black colored winds, sending anything caught in it flying up into the air and ultimately helpless. In-game debut: Sonic Heroes, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Xbox, 2003
(9). Triangle Jump Description: Shadow basically Jump Dashes between walls. In-game debut: Sonic Heroes, Nintendo GameCube, Sony PlayStation 2, and Microsoft Xbox, 2003
(10). Chaos Blast Description: When the darkness of his psyche is in control, Shadow is able to unleash a highly destructive ball of energy around him with the use of a single Chaos Emerald. This blast spreads and eliminates everything in a 10 yard radius. Appearance: Shadow the Hedgehog, Nintendo GameCube/Sony PlayStation 2/Microsoft Xbox, 2005
(11). Chaos Attack Description: As if the Homing Attack wasn't good enough on its own, Shadow uses Chaos energy to enhance the amount of damage dealt, even taking out multiple enemies at once. However, it can only be sued five times, regardless of the amount of targets. Appearance: Sonic the Hedgehog aka Sonic Next, Microsoft Xbox 360, Sonic PlayStation 3, 2006
Abilities and aptitude: (1). Thanks to his air shoes, Shadow is able to hoverskate at supersonic speeds, matching Sonic's right down to the last mile per hour (though he has yet to break the sound barrier). Conversively, Shadow doesn't need the shoes' jets to be as fast as his rival, but prefers them anyway. (2). Needless to say, his speed gives him awesome agility, acrobatic skills, and reaction time. (3). Has the ability to use the power of the Chaos Emeralds and transform into Super Shadow, where Shadow's fur turns to a glossy, light beige color, he is impervious to damage, and is many times as fast and powerful along with the ability to fly.
Hobbies and talents: (1). Seems to be the most talented when tapping into the powers of the Chaos Emeralds, since he is most adept with Chaos Control and possesses an extensive array of Chaos Energy-related supernatural powers and abilities. (2). Experienced athlete, particularly in fields such as boarding and grinding. (3). Whether you like it or not, Shadow knows how to use a VERY wide variety of weapons and vehicles. (4). Also talented with many types of Extreme Gear.
Weaknesses: Despite being somewhat easily led when set on a goal, no known weaknesses. (He might not be able to swim like Sonic, but that's uncertain.)
Physical Appearance: - Black fur - Red highlights on several parts of his body including his quills, arms, legs, and on the upper corners of his eyes - Tan skin muzzle and inner ears - Ruby red eyes - 6 elongated quills coming out from the back of his head (the outer four are bent upwards), and two arching quills on his back - Triangular, perked ears - Long, shiny black nose - Small, slightly arched tail - Triangular patch of tufted white fur on his chest
Attire: - A pair of white gloves backed by black, red-tongued cuffs and gold energy rings which seem to limit his power somewhat - A pair of speed-enhancing white, black, red and yellow air shoes that enable Shadow to hoverskate - Collars similar to his glove cuffs are situated above his shoes
Items & weapons: (1). Air Shoes Description: They look like Shadow's regular kicks, but adorned with a special attachment. At first, these shoes were required to perform the Light Dash. Nowadays, Shadow has learned to perform the maneuver regardless. Appearance: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(2). Ancient Light Description: A very mysterious ball of light. This lets Shadow perform the Light Attack. Appearance: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(3.) Flame Ring Description: A gold bracelet with a ruby red gem embedded into it. This let Shadow perform the Fire Somersault, allowing him to bust open steell containers. Appearance: Sonic Adventure 2, Sega Dreamcast, 2001
(4). Shadow Rifle Description: This rifle bears Shadow's likeness somewhat, hence the name. The most powerful of his special weapons, this baby can take out almost any type of enemy in one shot. Appearance: Shadow the Hedgehog, Nintendo GameCube/Sony PlayStation 2/Microsoft Xbox, 2005
Vehicle(s): N/A
Personality details: Shadow is a hedgehog with ambition, to put it simply. With a wit and conduct as crude, sharp, and fast as his physical ability, he is definitely not an individual whose buttons are to be pressed. He is as serious as a heart attack and is usually very quiet and reserved, but when necessary, he is quick to throw in his 2 cents, no matter how coldly honest it is. He is not often the type to make a quick yarn or is very jocular. In many ways, he is the polar opposite of Sonic (except for the ego; they can both be rather full of themselves). If anything, only physically is he similar to the blue blur. Shadow is as smart as a whip and quick to trot; remaining ever somber and vigilant in the face of danger. Such a personality may give him off as a villain or one with bad intentions, when that is not really the case (though he will be one, if that's what it takes). He is just a hedgehog who concentrates on his motives and when Shadow is determined, he is quite literally unstoppable. He is also a loyal ally, determined to protect those he cares about from danger. He has been discovered alive since his supposed death, and was stricken with amnesia for a while. Shadow maintained his serious, motivated demeanor, though he couldn't remember his past or what was of it. When he did find out, it didn't matter. He's still the same, and no cursed past will change that. Whoever decides to become his enemy, be it an outside force or the very people he's promised to protect, Shadow the Hedgehog will fight like he always has.
Historical biography:
50 years ago, the president (13 presidents ago from the current one) began to form a large interest in what was known as mankind's eternal dream: researching immortality. This drove the president into confidentially requesting Professor Gerald Robotnik (Dr. Eggman's grandfather) to scrutinize such a farfetched illusion of grandeur.
Gerald Robotnik stubbornly refused this request, since it had crossed Man's limits. He was a man of ethical standards (unlike his grandson). However, ironically, Gerald's beloved granddaughter Maria had been diagnosed with a lethal sickness known as NIDS (Neuro Immunodeficiency Syndrome). Medical treatment for this illness at the time was unavailable. This eventually resulted in Gerald Robotnik's approval of the president's request, thus research for immortality begun aboard the ARK, a spherical space research facility. Research on Maria's illness was being conducted thoroughly, but Gerald's newly unveiled research on immortality brought in a new ray of hope. Could something so absurd have been fabricated within the mind of Gerald Robotnik? Soon, the project underwent research and was codenamed Project: Shadow, named because of the sarcasm involved in not actually being able to create a shadow (which didn't exist in the world).
At the beginning stages, Chaos Emeralds were researched and soon resulted in the creation of Chaos Drives. These Chaos Drives were the objects in which the infinite power of the Chaos Emeralds were utilized upon a living being. They were meant primarily for the prototype, which had to be nearly perfect before toil on the main project would commence. The prototype of the Ultimate Life-form bore fruit. It was modeled after a lizard's shape and seemed to meet many of their standards: it could self-regenerate, self-restore, and self-reproduce. This thrilled the researchers. However, in their moment of glory, things began to look bad. The prototype was unruly and hard to control. This caused many problems for the researchers and those aboard the Space Colony ARK as a whole. More than likely, because of the threat this posed, the confidential research had been leaked into the GUN military organization back on Earth. The Professor had given them his side project, the "Gizoid" in order to buy some time, but when the prototype's scary habits became known, everything changed.
The GUN's top ranking officials had developed a strong disliking for the researchers aboard the ARK (and Gerald in particular) and thus planned to take advantage of the ARK's situation and form a plan to shut the ARK down. This secret plan was named "ARK's Indestructible Seal." The plan included the evacuation of all citizens of the ARK back to Earth, while all research facilities involved with Project: Shadow were frozen and shut down, and all of those involved with the project were to be killed. This entire plan was released to the public under the premise that a bio-hazardous accident had occurred that GUN knew nothing about, and those who were killed (namely the researchers) were victims of the accident. This was to cover GUN's true motives of shutting the ARK down, erasing Project: Shadow, and put the blame on Professor Gerald Robotnik as the person responsible for the accident. The plan was completed in 7 days and the prototype of the Ultimate Life-form was found and sealed within the deepest part of the colony.
However, there was a miscalculation in their plan. Unbeknownst to GUN (except to their future commander who spied on the awakening process as a child), Gerald was putting the finishing touches on the final Ultimate Life-form project, codenamed "Shadow," using a much more desirable interface and physique for the creature. For this one, Gerald had made the desperate (and unfortunate) mistake of looking to the alien race known as the Black Arms for help. The experimentation period just happened to be the time when the creatures' HQ of sorts, the Black Comet, was supposed to pass the Earth. During that time, their leader, Black Doom, and Gerald collaborated on "Shadow." They used some of Black Doom's blood for the project. In exchange, Gerald was supposed to give Black Doom the Chaos Emeralds they were using. At the time, it seemed like a perfectly fine plan. Sadly, this wasn't the case.
The Professor discovered the Black Arms' real plan to destroy the planet and enslave the humans on it. Of course, Maria and the others were safe on the ARK, but in the end, Gerald just couldn't sacrifice the Earth. To stop the Black Arms, Gerald recorded a video telling Shadow to use the Eclipse Cannon on the Black Comet 50 years later, ending the threat the Black Arms posed for good. However, GUN wanted to end the "threat" Shadow and the research related to him posed. As they stormed into the space colony, evacuating the civilians they could and killing the researchers, Gerald escaped and entrusted Shadow to his granddaughter Maria (whom Shadow had gotten to know and love as a sister), expecting her to release the project and herself in an escape pod towards the planet. Together, they raced to the research lab, avoiding most of the soldiers and saving as many researchers as they could. Although they managed to make it to the escape pods, Maria was shot down by GUN officers before she could escape. Before dying, she was able to release the pod Shadow was in.
Gerald Robotnik was jailed at Prison Island back on Earth and when he saw Maria's name upon the list of casualties from the "accident," he went insane with grief. It also happened that GUN managed to retrieve the Project: Shadow that was released via Escape Pod. Gerald somehow managed to altar the Ultimate Life-form once again with a new motive. Gerald was now insane, and his mind was set totally on revenge, and he programmed Shadow with those same intentions. Gerald was eventually executed soon after.
50 years later, after performing extensive research on his grandfather's legacy, Dr. Robotnik then decides to use this Ultimate Life-form for his own biddings, hoping it would do better than Chaos did. It was only a matter of time before the lunatic Eggman managed to penetrate into the GUN Prison Island and release what he had sought out for: Shadow the Hedgehog. However, Eggman seemed to have freed a whooole lot more than what he had bargained for.
Shadow was re-programmed to bring chaos to mankind and avenge Gerald's, his colleagues', and most of all, Maria's death. He stuck by this vow for vengeance quite vigilantly by joining Dr. Robotnik and a rather suspicious treasure hunter by the name of Rouge the Bat to take over the world, threatening to destroy Earth with the Eclipse Cannon on the ARK if they wouldn't surrender. What a better way to have revenge than that? But here is the mystery: the creation process of the supposed Shadow the Hedgehog only took a week, according to the excerpt written by Rouge the Bat (who was actually a spy for the military and joined Shadow and Eggman as a double agent so she can gather information on Project: Shadow). If Shadow's creation process only took a week, how could those memories he has of the time he spent with Maria even exist? He knew and became best friends with this girl inside of a week? To Rouge, these "memories" could quite possibly be what Gerald programmed into Shadow to justify his motives for wanting to avenge her death when he went insane. Whether or not that is true is unknown for sure.
The Eclipse Cannon was soon after powered by the required 7 Chaos Emeralds, but its activation triggered an unknown function programmed secretly by Gerald Robotnik. The Space Colony ARK automatically went on a crash course towards Earth. All of our heroes, including Sonic & Eggman banned together to save the Earth; all but Shadow. Shadow believed all was going according to planned. But then, thanks to a desperate plea by one Amy Rose, another memory came up in his head, a memory that seemed more sensible since it is related to fact. He remembered Maria dying before his eyes, he was trapped in a capsule, and before she released him, she told him to do whatever he can to make mankind happy and flourish. That was his original purpose: to bring hope to humanity. This memory caused him to eventually help Sonic & company as well.
After a confrontation with the prototype of the Ultimate Lifeform deep within the heart of the ARK, our heroes were so close to their goal to stop the 7 Chaos Emeralds by using the Master Emerald, and thus aborting the collision. But by surprise, the prototype made a return and merged itself with the space colony, determined to keep it on the collision course. Sonic & Shadow used the power of the Chaos Emeralds to enter Super form and stop the prototype and use Chaos Control to transport the ARK back into its original orbit around Earth. However, Shadow used up all his strength in the process, saving mankind. "MariaЎ- this is what you wanted, right? This is my promise I made to you," were his last words before he fell towards Earth.
Luckily for the Black Blur, Eggman managed to use one of his robots to save Shadow. Since then, he was kept in suspended animation inside of a capsule in one of Dr. Robotnik's old bases. He was discovered by Rouge the Bat, who was looking for a rumored treasure trove. Realizing that it was Shadow, she quickly released him. But soon after he was awoken (with amnesia, no less) and teamed up with Rouge and a rebellious robot of Eggman's named E-123 "Omega," they (Rouge and Omega) found a room full of Shadow clones, and Rouge mentioned to Omega that Shadow is probably a robot. Is he?
Shadow himself had no clue. All he had to go on was his nameЎ- and the gruesome memory of the murder of someone named "Maria." One day, as he was pondering this, the Black Arms made their presence known and attacked the Earth. They did this because Eggman made the stupid mistake of invading their home, so it was only fitting that they invade his. However, Black Doom remembered Shadow and the "contract" he and Gerald made. So, he promptly assigned Shadow with a number of missions. Between Doom, GUN, Eggman and even Sonic and the gang, Shadow didn't know who to trust. He was only sure of one thing: the only way to find the truth, whatever it may be, was to get the Chaos Emeralds. As he embarked on this journey it seemed as if he was being pulled in three different directions and had gone through hundreds of possibilitiesЎ-
In the end, though, Shadow managed to regain his memories and procure all seven Emeralds. It was at that moment that Black Doom revealed the truth of Shadow's creation and the Black Arms true intentions for the Emeralds: to warp down to Earth with Chaos Control and take over. The paralyzing gas that swept over the planet was also inside the comet, which sucessfuly kept Sonic and the others occupied. Shadow, however, wasn't having it and chased down Black Doom. With guidance from his true allies, he found him at the heart of the comet. Black Doom tried to use his blood link to Shadow to control his mind, but with the unknowing help of Team Chaotix (you GOTTA love their timing), Professor Gerald's secret video was played and Shadow was able to break free. Angered by all this, Black Doom attained his ultimate form, Devil Doom and proceeded to speed up the comet's process.
Unfortunately for the big jerk, he didn't take Super Shadow into account and was promptly spanked. It was during the battle that Eggman revealed that he saved our (anti)hero with a robot and that Shadow had merely lost his memory. Shadow took this into account and finished Devil Doom. He then sent the comet back into space and destroyed it with the Eclipse Cannon, saving the world once againЎ- and putting his past behind him. At last he was free to live his life the way he wanted.
Personal information:
Greatest friend(s): Maria Robotnik and Prof. Gerald Robotnik
Other friend(s): Rouge the Bat, E-123 "Omega", Knuckles the Echidna, Vector the Crocodile, Espio the Chameleon and Sonic the Hedgehog (but just barely).
Rival(s): Sonic the Hedgehog
Enemy(s): Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik (when necessary), ANYONE who gets in the way of his objectives.
Likes: Shadow enjoys silence, one-upping Sonic and just inspecting things without uttering a vowel.
Dislikes: People with a show-offy attitude (Sonic) or who get in his way tend to piss him off. Being constantly compared to or mistaken for Sonic is most likely an annoyance as well.
Favorite food(s): Unknown.
Favorite color(s): Unknown. Probably black or red.
Occupation: Occasional agent of the Guardian Units of the Nation (GUN).
Place of residence: Wherever he deems necessary to reside. He is a wanderer much like his blue rival.
GAME INFORMATION
Franchise name: Shadow the Hedgehog
Original purpose: Antagonist role in Sonic Adventure 2; rival of Sonic the Hedgehog
Current purpose: Rival of Sonic the Hedgehog
Date of first promotion/presence in the industry: Shadow was first shown in Sonic Adventure 2, first released in the US on June 19th, 2001.
Years in service: 5, and still goingЎ-
Original Designer: Unconfirmed. Yuji Uekawa and/or Takashi Iizuka?
Design process: Unconfirmed. Shadow's design process was probably similar to how all of the others were made. Many design sketches were made and Shadow was chosen. Simple as that.
Possible design inspirations: Umm, his design style was inspired by almost all angsty, shady characters seen in games or anime? Plus, he looks like Sonic, so there you go.
Prestigious design variations: 1 + - current design ЎЄ - original design
- 1, Sonic Adventure 2, 2001 ЎЄ + (pictured to the left) - 2, Sonic Riders, 2006 (image - this design is exclusive only to Sonic Riders and is not his official design)
Known Game Voice Actors: Sonic Adventure 2 (US): David Humphrey Sonic Adventure 2 (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic Battle (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic Battle (US): David Humphrey Sonic Heroes (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic Heroes (US): David Humphrey Shadow the Hedgehog (JP): Kouji Yusa Shadow the Hedgehog (US): Jason Anthony Griffith Sonic Riders (US): Jason Anthony Griffith Sonic Riders (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic the Hedgehog aka Sonic Next (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic the Hedgehog aka Sonic Next (US): Jason Anthony Griffith Sonic Rivals (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic Rivals (US): Jason Anthony Griffith Sonic and the Secret Rings (JP): Kouji Yusa Sonic and the Secret Rings (US): Jason Anthony Griffith
Sonic Games he has been playable in: (1). Sonic Adventure 2 (Dreamcast) (2). Sonic Adventure 2: Battle (GameCube) (3). Sonic Battle (Game Boy Advance) (4). Sonic Heroes (GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox) - Sonic Heroes (PC) (5). Shadow the Hedgehog (GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox) (6). Sonic Riders (GameCube/PlayStation 2/Xbox) (7). Sonic the Hedgehog aka Sonic Next (Xbox 360/PlayStation 3) (8). Sonic Rivals (PlayStation Portable) (9). Sonic and the Secret Rings (Nintendo Wii)
Sonic Games he has made an appearance in: N/A
Non-video game portrayals:
(1). Sonic the Hedgehog, SOA-licensed by Archie comics (Comic series) (3). Sonic X, made in Japan, then later dubbed for US release (Anime TV Series)
Personal character analysis/commentary (by Ryan the Game Master):
Ah, Shadow the Hedgehog. The "Ultimate Lifeform". The Black Blur. Eternal comparison to Sonic. As well as the hedgehog responsible for bringing some gamers back to the Sonic franchise. A lot of people say that Sonic Adventure 2 was the game that reminded them that Sonic was still around. Shadow's spinoff game was set to be another reminder, especially to casual gamers who thought the series was getting too kiddie. The E10 rating didn't help matters, but that's not the point.
In Sonic Adventure 2, Shadow was thought to be either a cool character or a Sonic clone. NowadaysЎ- that opinion hasn't changed much, but he's cetrtainly differentiated himself from Sonic. Heck, if the guns and Chaos powers don't do it, NOTHING will. His return in Sonic Heroes was just too sudden, in my opinion. Sonic Team should've let his memory linger for a few years before bringing him back. Even then, they should've made a better attempt at explaining his revival. Simply put, Shadow's too dark a character to be in a game like Heroes.
Oh well. It's not as if his revival wasn't appreciated anyway. This moody little hedgie has garnered a rather large fanbase, made up mostly of women. I guess it's his bad boy persona that appeals to themЎ-or something. One fangirl in particular, Miss Crystal McNair, aka "KojiChao", has risen to fame among the Sonic community because of her fan art of Shadow, Sonic and the rest of the gang. Rather awesome fan art, if I do say so myself.
At any rate, I like Shadow and I'm glad he's around. His presence, like it or not, adds the depth this franchise has been missing for quite some time. Besides, SOMEONE has to be there to put Sonic in his place.
Yeah, that was my analysis. If you don't like it, that's your problem, not mine. However, Nuclear Envoy had something to say about Shadow as well. Here it is.
Luckily, even to me, Shadow is starting to shape back up, especially since he is becoming a whole lot more unique when compared to Sonic. This will lead to the inevitable destruction of the, "Shadow is a Sonic Clone" flame. Shadow is either extremely loved or extremely hated. And you know what? It isn't Shadow himself that's the problem. People who hate him usually just dislike the way he is treated in the fanbase.
Shadow has been maimed with lots of fanart (most of it bad), crapola fanfiction, and yaoi stories that are more disgusting than the fact that Lucas made modifications to the original Star Wars trilogy. But it's especially the, "OMG SHADOW IS SO HAWT I LOVE SHADOW HE IS THE COOLEST OMG ^^!!!!" crap that fangirls (and, sadly, fanboys) spew out that makes Shadow-hat0rs hate him so much. Because his personality and style is actually beginning to come together with his game-to-game evolution, albeit Sonic Heroes was quite a speedbump. In the end, although he is a bit on the clichЁ¦ side, Shadow is actually a good character that adds a very special, and at the same time, I go as far as to say whimsical touch to the Sonic Universe that many fans have come to like in the test of time.
Problem is, now that Shadow's game patched up all of the plotholes surrounding him, his 'I am a huge mystery' coupon for story appeal has been cashed in, so he is now handicapped with a generic status in the continuity and cast. There isn't much left to do with him, at this point. Expect Shadow to probably get his own series or cameo as the antihero and rival to Sonic in future titles.
