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]''.]] ]''.]]


'''Shadow the Hedgehog''' is a fictional character from the '']'' series. He is designed by'']''. He is an ] and Sonic the Hedgehog's dark ]. Technically{{ref|Character_Homes}}, he is ageless and immortal, but his physical appearance is around the age of 15, Sonic's age. He first appeared in the ] game '']''. '''Shadow the Hedgehog''' is a fictional character from the '']'' series. He is designed by'']''. He is an ] and Sonic the Hedgehog's dark ]. Technically{{ref|Character_Homes}}, he is ageless and immortal, but his physical appearance is around the age of Sonic. He first appeared in the ] game '']''.


Since his debut, Shadow has appeared in a multitude of games as well as in shows and comic books. Shadow was almost a complete mystery, until the game '']'' revealed his past. Since his debut, Shadow has appeared in a multitude of games as well as in shows and comic books. Shadow was almost a complete mystery, until the game '']'' revealed his past.
Line 194: Line 194:
*'']'': "Throw It All Away" a cross between metal and techno, this song is often considered to be one of the best theme songs in the game. Akira Sasaki's heavy electric guitar riffs, along with Fumie Kumatani's progression and Everett Bradley's vocals. *'']'': "Throw It All Away" a cross between metal and techno, this song is often considered to be one of the best theme songs in the game. Akira Sasaki's heavy electric guitar riffs, along with Fumie Kumatani's progression and Everett Bradley's vocals.
*'']'': Team Dark's "This Machine". *'']'': Team Dark's "This Machine".
*'']'': "I Am (All of Me)", "Almost Dead", "Waking Up", "Chosen One", "All Hail Shadow", and "Never Turn Back". *'']'': "I Am (All of Me)", "Almost Dead", "Waking Up", "Chosen One", "All Hail Shadow", and "Never Turn

==References and notes==
# {{note|Character Homes}} {{cite web | author= Character Homes.com| title=Shadow's profile from the Sonic Heroes manual| work= | url= http://www.panhistoria.com/Stacks/Novels/Character_Homes/home.php?CharID=2481 | accessdate= March 12| accessyear= 2006}}
# {{note|Sonic_HQ}} {{cite web | author= Sonic HQ.com| title=Rouge's report on Shadow| work= | url= http://www.sonichq.org/news/index.php/id.54| accessdate= April 5| accessyear= 2006}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*
*
{{sonic}}

]
]
]
]
]
]
]
]

Revision as of 19:52, 3 May 2006

File:ME0000572321 2.jpg
Shadow as he stars in the game, Shadow the Hedgehog.

Shadow the Hedgehog is a fictional character from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. He is designed byYuji Uekawa. He is an anti-hero and Sonic the Hedgehog's dark doppelgänger. Technically, he is ageless and immortal, but his physical appearance is around the age of Sonic. He first appeared in the Sega Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure 2.

Since his debut, Shadow has appeared in a multitude of games as well as in shows and comic books. Shadow was almost a complete mystery, until the game Shadow the Hedgehog revealed his past.

Personality

Shadow is a lone wolf who distances himself from most of Sonic's friends. He doesn't talk much, but he never bluffs-if he makes a threat, he has every intention of carrying it out. He always seems to be on the edge, and, as shown in Shadow the Hedgehog, is willing to kill when necessary. Like Knuckles, Shadow can be hot-tempered at times, and is also known to be rude, violent, destructive and arrogant. He constantly refers to himself as the 'Ultimate Lifeform', since this is what he was created as, and he believes that he can't be defeated. At times, Shadow appears to be somewhat insecure and is constantly haunted by flashbacks and memories of his sister-like friend Maria Robotnik.

In Sonic Adventure 2, he was fueled by a desire to avenge Maria's death, blaming humans in general for it. When he looked back at the past, he became full of anger and hatred.

In Shadow the Hedgehog, his overriding goal was to uncover the truth about his past. After achieving this goal, he finally decided to leave his past behind. Although he will always cherish and remember the memory of Maria, he continues to move on instead of lingering in the past.

In the cartoon Sonic X, and the Sonic the Hedgehog comic book, Shadow is less aggressive, but is still violent. For example, Shadow tried to kill Cosmo in Sonic X for being a Metarex spy, even though she was an unwilling one. The dub version of Sonic X tones down Shadow's attitude to make the show acceptable for younger viewers.

Relationships

Shadow was created by Professor Gerald Robotnik (Doctor Eggman's grandfather) with the use of Black Doom's DNA. Technically, this means that Black Doom is Shadow's biological father. Soon after being created, Shadow becomes good friends with the Professor's granddaughter, Maria, and treats her like his sister. However, Maria sacrifices herself to save Shadow from the Space Colony ARK during a military siege of the place. After Maria's death, her sacrifice haunts Shadow, until he finally decides to let go of his past at the end of Shadow the Hedgehog.

Shadow's approach to Doctor Eggman is quite different to that of the other characters. Rather than an enemy, he sees the doctor as somebody who occasionally gets in his way. He doesn't even seem to care whether Eggman's schemes to rule the world succeed or not.

One of Shadow's main rivals and adversaries is Sonic the Hedgehog. When they first meet in Sonic Adventure 2 they immediately become enemies, but over time their relationship develops into a strong rivalry. They frequently fight for many different reasons, but appear to have a certain amount of respect for each other's abilities. On certain occasions, the two hedgehogs will work together to save the world (One example of this is when Shadow and Sonic fight the Finalhazard at the end of Sonic Adventure 2).

In addition, Shadow has a close connection to Rouge the Bat. He saves her life in Sonic Adventure 2 in Security Hall. Rouge later releases Shadow from his stasis pod at the beginning of Sonic Heroes and also rescues him from Gimmie Shelter in Sonic Battle, which might mean she sees him as someone she can trust. In Sonic Battle, Shadow calls her an 'ally' which is probably his way of naming somebody as a friend.

Shadow also has an association with Amy Rose. Close to the end of Sonic Adventure 2, Amy meets him in one of the ARK's rooms and begs him to help the others save Earth. At first Shadow refuses, insisting that nothing can be done. She continues to plead, and her heartfelt requests eventually triggers a suppressed memory of the last moments of Maria's life. In this flashback, Maria begs Shadow to make the people of Earth happy. It is possible that since Amy triggered this repressed memory, Shadow might see Amy as a kind of Maria.

Appearances

Template:Spoiler

Sonic Adventure 2

File:Shadow xzyu.gif
Artwork of Shadow by Yuji Uekawa, from Sonic Adventure 2

Shadow debuted in the game Sonic Adventure 2. Dr. Eggman had set Shadow free from the G.U.N. base. In exchange, Shadow agreed to help Dr. Eggman in his plans. After witnessing the dark hedgehog's astonishing abilities when he defeated the G.U.N. defence robot HotShot, Eggman's plans swiftly turned to world domination. Shadow informed Eggman that the only way to achieve his goal would be with the ultimate weapon: The Eclipse Cannon, a giant laser cannon aboard the Space Colony ARK that could destroy entire planets with a single blast. However, it would require all seven Chaos Emeralds to function fully.

Later, Rouge teamed up with Shadow and Eggman to help them acquire the Chaos Emeralds. Then she goes off to steal the Chaos Emeralds, but ends up being trapped in a room. After Shadow heard that Rouge was trapped, he began to think of Maria and immediately ran off to rescue her. After saving her life, they used six of the Emeralds, providing enough power to destroy half the moon. Although Shadow was showing Dr. Eggman the Eclipse's power, he had no intention of actually granting Eggman's wish — he was bent on his own goal of avenging Maria Robotnik's death by destroying the Earth.

After some time, Dr. Eggman informed Shadow that someone had triggered the alarm, so Shadow went off to stop him. It turned out to be Sonic the Hedgehog. Later, Eggman was able to steal the last Chaos Emerald and place it in the cannon, fully powering it up. However, instead of firing at its full strength, Eggman inadvertently activated a program his grandfather had left in the ARK's computer. The ARK moved the Chaos Emeralds into its core and set itself on a collision course with Earth. With all seven emeralds powering it, the ARK contained enough energy to shatter Earth to pieces on impact.

While everyone rushed to stop this from happening, Amy Rose stumbled across Shadow, who was staring out at space. She begged Shadow to come to their aid, but he refused, insisting that nothing could be done to stop the impending cataclysm. However, her continued pleas set off a suppressed memory of Maria's final request before her sacrifice: "Give them a chance to be happy." This memory moved Shadow, and he quickly went to assist Sonic and Knuckles.

He reached the ARK's core to find Sonic and Knuckles approach the prototype for the "Ultimate Lifeform", the Biolizard. Shadow urged the two to focus on the Chaos Emeralds while he fought with the Biolizard. After Shadow defeated the Biolizard, Sonic and Knuckles managed to stop the Emeralds. The massive lizard then noticed the presence of the Emeralds and merged itself with them, becoming The Final Hazard.

Next, Sonic and Shadow used the power of the Emeralds to transform into Super Sonic and Super Shadow and together, they destroyed Final Hazard. Then they used Chaos Control to stop the free-falling ARK from destroying the planet. In doing so, Shadow used up the last of his energy and fell to Earth.

Sonic Heroes

File:Shadow 12.jpg
Shadow from Sonic Heroes.

In the game Sonic Heroes, Rouge discovered Shadow in a stasis tube located in the deepest part of one of Dr. Eggman's bases. After activiting the place to free him, it awoke a robot, E-123 Omega, who attempted to shoot Shadow, mistaking him for a robot. Shadow placed Rouge on the side for safety, but Rouge eventually stopped the two from fighting. It was then revealed that Shadow had amnesia and could not remember anything before his release from the stasis tube, except for brief images of Maria's death. He then joined forces with Rouge and Omega to form Team Dark (as their speed member) and find Dr. Eggman.

Soon after hearing Dr. Eggman proclaiming that he "has no past to remember," Shadow discovered a half-destroyed Shadow robot and realized that he too might just be a robot. As the team ran to continue the mission, Metal Sonic, who was disguised as the Eggman robot, claimed that he had successfully copied the Ultimate Lifeform data (Shadow's DNA). As Shadow continued his mission, he proclaimed that "even if I'm not real, I'm still the Ultimate Lifeform, Shadow the Hedgehog!" Later, they defeated Dr. Eggman's Empire and discovered that the person they had been chasing was a fake.

Afterwards, Rouge stumbled upon a room filled with hundreds of cloned Shadows. As Omega arrived to destroy the room and everything in it, Rouge affirmed her belief that their Shadow was a robot. However, Omega reassured her that the original Shadow had to exist somewhere in order for Eggman to make copies. Rouge, a little happier of this statement, went back to Shadow while Omega destroyed the Shadow androids inside the fortress. Rouge held a conversation with Shadow about going after the Master Emerald, to which he smirked and replied that some things never change. Later, when Metal Sonic transformed into Metal Madness, Shadow worked with Rouge, Omega, and the other teams to distract him long enough for Sonic to power up into his Super Form. At the end of the game, Shadow was last seen with Omega and the defeated Metal Sonic.

Shadow the Hedgehog

File:Shadow005.jpg
Shadow in Shadow the Hedgehog.

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow is first seen standing outside of the city (Westopolis), reminiscing the only memory he has, which is Maria's death. He sees a cloud appear and Black Arms fall from it into the city. Shadow dismisses it as not being his problem but then a mysterious figure appeared before him. He orders him to bring him the seven Chaos Emeralds "as promised", and soon vanishes. Shadow sets out to find them, but gets caught up in a conflict between various foes and allies: the G.U.N. army , the alien race known as the Black Arms, Dr. Eggman, and the rest of the Sonic cast.

Due to the style of the game, there are over 10 different endings, some showing that Shadow killed Dr. Eggman or finding out that he is an android. However, the "Final" ending ties together all the endings to reveal the truth about Shadow's mysterious past.

It is revealed that Shadow's creator Professor Gerald Robotnik was charged with the project of researching immortality. However, he had trouble with his experiments. In order to achieve his goals, he contacted the Black Comet, home to Black Doom and the Black Arms. He made a deal with Black Doom. If Black Doom helped him with his research, he would deliver the seven Chaos Emeralds. Using Black Doom's DNA, they created Shadow the Hedgehog, who would aid Professor Gerald's research and help Black Doom get the Emeralds. However, Shortly after Shadow's completion, Gerald discovered that Black Doom wanted the Emeralds in order to take over Earth, using all living creatures as incubators for the Black Arms larvae. This is why Professor Gerald created the Eclipse Cannon-to destroy the Black Comet, and he depended on Shadow to execute this plan.

Later, Shadow collected all seven Chaos Emeralds when Black Doom appears and demands them. Then, Sonic, his friends, and Dr. Eggman appear and tell Shadow not to give it to Black Doom. However, Black Doom uses a paralyzing gas on Shadow and the others to freeze them in place. Sending larvae to devour them, he uses the Chaos Emerald to perform a Chaos Control, teleporting the Black Comet to Earth. Just then, Shadow breaks free and pursues Black Doom.

Upon catching up to Black Doom, Shadow confronts him for the emeralds, but he forces Shadow down with his mind-control, revealing that Shadow was created from Black Doom's blood. Afterwards, the Chaotix had managed to hack into the ARK's database, and Professor Gerald appears on a screen behind Black Doom. The professor then tells Shadow of his past through a recording.

Shadow finds the strength to struggle to his feet, and as Shadow attempted to attack him, Black Doom disappeared and changed into Devil Doom. Using the Chaos Emeralds, Shadow transformed into Super Shadow and battles with Devil Doom. Eventually, Shadow defeats him and Devil Doom falls to Earth. To finally rid the world of the Black Arms and do away with his past, Shadow uses Chaos Control to teleport the Black Comet in front of the Eclipse Cannon, which fired at full power and destroyed the Black Comet.

Shadow was last seen aboard the ARK, looking out the window and holding an old greyscale photo of Professor Gerald and Maria, whispering "Goodbye forever, Shadow the Hedgehog..." He then drops the old photo as he makes his way out of the room. Now that he has fulfilled his true purpose, Shadow was finally free to live his life the way he wanted. Although he will always cherish his memories of Maria, he will no longer let his past control his life.

Sonic Battle

File:Shadowbattle2.gif
Shadow in Sonic Battle artwork.

Sonic Battle was released before Sonic Heroes, but was set after it. Rouge the Bat saves Shadow's life while they are investigating Eggman's secret base and takes him back to her home. This has given rise to the fanon belief that Shadow and Rouge are a potential romantic 'item'. This is unlikely to become canon for Rouge already has a crush on Knuckles the Echidna.

In Sonic Battle, Shadow appears to have mysteriously regained his memories. Although he doesn't go into detail, he talks about how the people of Earth must destroy him (and Emerl) if they ever want peace, still believing that he is a weapon. However it is revealed that he has the heart and soul of Gerald's granddaughter Maria, meaning he cannot be evil, as Maria was a good person.

In one of Professor Gerald's journal entries, it mentions that Project: Shadow was put on hold because of Project: Gizoid, and that Shadow was completed approximately a week before the ARK was attacked. Sonic Battle is set after the Shadow the Hedgehog game, which would explain his new Chaos abilities and his recovered memories.

Sonic Riders

File:SR Shadow.jpg
Shadow in Sonic Riders artwork.

Shadow is an unlockable character in the game, Sonic Riders. He is unlocked by beating the Hero Story and acts as a speed character, similar to Sonic the Hedgehog. He uses Chaos Control to attack his opponents and appears to have gained the ability to defy gravity for a brief period of time, as well as the power of telekinesis.

Shadow's default racing gear is his skates, the air shoes, which are called "Darkness Gear". He can also use boards and bikes, and other characters can use his skates. He serves no purpose in the game's storyline and appears only as an unlockable character. shadow can attak opponents with chaos control!!!!!!

Japanese backstory: The truth about 50 years ago

After Sonic Adventure 2 was released, a strategy guide was fashioned with the guidance of Sonic Team. This official strategy guide revealed more about Shadow's past, in the form of a report written by Rouge the Bat. The report, a partial transcript, explained her findings on "Project: Shadow" which explains somewhat about some questions people have and brings up a slew of new ones. This back-story is also what the Journal Entries in Sonic Battle work with. However, this information clashes with the one revealed in Shadow the Hedgehog, and it is uncertain whether this report will ever be updated with that information.

These are the entries:

-Entry #1 "I have uncovered a most interesting specimen from the warehouse. I believe it is some sort of puppet or robot made by ancient people. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but when I was experimenting on a 'Chaos Emerald' it began to move. This suggests the possibility that even the ancient civilizations could harness the power of the 'Chaos Emeralds'.

When I was researching various papers related to the power of the 'Chaos Emeralds' and this robot, I discovered that there was a possibility that this robot was something incredible. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but this robot may be the cause of the Fourth Great Civilization. I'm not sure I believe it just yet, though."

-Entry #2 "I am no longer able to ingore the possibility that this robot did in fact destroy the Fourth Great Civilization. I have discovered a stone tablet that explains as much. According to the tablet, 'When the figure falls from the heavens, and the Stone of the Gods is joined, all that exists will become one again.' Though it is difficult to believe, this robot has been watching my movements, and mimicking all that I do.

I was amazed by my scans of this being. Surprisingly, reams and reams of data scrolled and causes my most powerful computer to crash. More intriguing was that the data was all about melee combat and weapons of that age. Eventually, if this being is ever restored to it's former state, it will put all that data to use, and recreate all the weaponry and combat abilities that it once had... And that's not all. If my guesses are correct, it will also have the ability to absorb modern weaponry as well. What have I done? I have uncovered a horrible weapon."

-Entry #3 "I now understand why this being was named 'Gizoid'. In the ancient tongue, it meant 'everything'. According to the stone tablet, if the Gizoid establishes a 'link' with someone, the Gizoid will swear loyalty to that person. Perhaps it still lacks 'Chaos Emerald' energy, but it has still been saying the word 'Link' to me in broken tones. It went on to explain, 'Show me your true strength and I shall obey. I am all things, and all shall belong to me.' So as it suggested, I brought before it my collection of model guns, and freed them all. Then, suddenly, it said, 'I shall follow your every command, and never leave your side.' And since then, it refuses to listen to anyone but me. While it still remains under my control, at least it won't be used for evil. However, if someone with evil intentions ever forms a 'Link' with the Gizoid... I don't even want to think about what will happen. I must research how one can can re-establish a 'Link' with the Gizoid."

-Entry #4 "The upper echeion is going crazy. Perhaps they aim to freeze Project 'Shadow'. Soon the ultimate life form, 'Shadow' will be completed... The application to my granddaughter is also innocent. I cannot just let them stop my study at this point. Because I am the only one who can save my granddaughter's life."

-Entry #5 "The higher ups are threatening to shut down this research facility. I had no choice but to hand them the Gizoid to buy more time for my research. I tried to be careful and commanded it to never absorb any dangerous technologies. However, I have heard that other researchers have been makng the Gizoid absorb weapons. Apparently, the way to cause the Gizoid to form a new 'Link' is to show it power that surpasses any of it's former master. While this poses immense danger, I cannot risk losing Maria."

-Entry #6 "My worst fears have come true. The Gizoid has absorbed enough weaponry and technology that it has started to go out of control. The resulting rampage resulted in the destruction of most of the 'Ark.'

...I have deciphered the rest of the stone tablet. It says, 'When the Gizoid had all that could, it became a god of wrath, and all was destroyed.' The researchers somehow managed to subdue the Gizoid and sealed it away. Luckily, it only had one 'Chaos Emerald' installed. If it were to have all 7 Emeralds installed, it might destroy the whole planet. The Gizoid is too much of a liability. I tried destroying it's core, but nothing I did worked. I understand too little of the technology that built him. My best hope is to try and reprogram it's AI into a free-willed, emotions-based AI..."

-Entry #7 "I have heard there was an accident at the research facility... ... ... Everything... Everything is gone. My own Maria's name was among the list of casualties. My beloved granddaughter... They tell me her parting words were 'Bring hope to humanity.'

I have decided that the keyword to activate the Gizoid's free-willed emotions-based AI program will be those very words. 'Bring hope to all humanity.' My poor, poor Maria..."

-Entry #8 "A heritage of the past I dug out, 'Gizoid'...And the ultimate life form I created with my own hands, Shadow... I have equipped both with a 'heart.'

If all powers are not what is to be obtained for oneself, but what is to be born from hearts that yearn for someone, I believe all conflicts should cease to exist.

Please... If there is anyone listening to my prayers... bring hope to humanity."

Template:Endspoiler

Abilities

Shadow possesses the same blistering speed and agility as Sonic and is similar to him in almost all other abilities. Shadow also has super strength. This is demonstrated in Shadow the Hedgehog when he overturns a bus with one hand.

Shadow's trademark move is Chaos Control, which allows him to warp time and space. He has used Chaos Control to stop time in Sonic Adventure 2 and in Shadow the Hedgehog. However, when time is stopped, he can still move around freely. As a result, it appears to a normal person that Shadow can teleport using Chaos Control, even though this is not be the case; warping is to move from one place to another, wherever the place is, but time freezing is simply freezing time. Shadow has also used Chaos Control to freeze time for specific opponents in Sonic Riders. Shadow (as part of Team Dark) can freeze time using Team Dark's Team Blast in Sonic Heroes, though the emerald he uses to do so is of unknown origin.

Usually, Shadow has a Chaos Emerald when he performs Chaos Control. However, it has recently been revealed that he does not necessarily need an Emerald inorder to perform this technique. This is shown in the game Shadow the Hedgehog when Shadow performs Chaos Control in the last level of the game, even though he does not have any Chaos Emeralds in his possession.

In Sonic X, Shadow can carry Chaos Emeralds in his spines, the same way Tails puts the Chaos Emeralds in his tails. As shown in one of the episodes, Shadow will become weak without his power rings. However, this is possibly just a false fact created for some purpose.

In Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow has shown that he can also use a wide range of close-combat weapons, firearms, semi-automatics and heavy assault weapons, improvise with debris, and drive a wide range of vehicles.

One of Shadow's assets are his Air Shoes (also called Jet Shoes and Hover Skates) which ultilize powerful hover jets to reduce friction and enable Shadow to 'skate' as fast as Sonic runs, hover on mid-air, or even fly. The jets on both end of his shoes glow gold when he runs. In Sonic Riders, the Air Shoes have been redesigned by Eggman as Extreme Gear, but their overall qualities are the same. It is unknown how fast Shadow can run without his Air Shoes on.

File:Shadow New.gif
Shadow, as seen in the Sonic Channel

Game Specific Abilities

  • Sonic Adventure 2
    • Mystic Melody: teleport and open the temple for Lost Chao missions.
    • Light Dash: allows him to speed along a trail of rings.
    • Light Attack: By curling up and fully charged, Shadow can charge along a line of enemies.
    • Flame Ring: Can summersault while surrounded by flames and break iron boxes.
    • Chaos Spear: an auto-hitting attack, powered by rings.
    • Chaos Control: Can freeze time.
  • Sonic Heroes
    • Team Blast - Chaos Inferno: Shadow aids Team Dark with this move by freezing time.
    • Triangle Jump: handy for narrow places.
    • Black Tornado: flips enemies over and latches onto poles.
  • Sonic Battle*
    • Variable Chaos Powers: Shadow uses many different attacks powered by Chaos Energy, most are nameless yet some resemble previously used attacks.
  • Shadow the Hedgehog (video game)
    • Chaos Control: allows Shadow to control time and space, so he can freeze time and defy the laws of physics. When facing a boss, time is not frozen, but slowed down. It is shown even in the time metre; it runs very, very slowly.
    • Chaos Blast: a red blast that destroys almost everything in its path at a range of 20 meters (close ranged).
    • Chaos Spear: unlike in Sonic Adventure 2, this Chaos Spear is charged and fired by yourself. This move is only used by Super Shadow in the final fight against Black Doom.
    • Chaos Arrow: A weaker, uncharged form of Chaos Spear.
  • Sonic Riders
    • Shadow's Level 1 attack is a small energy ball that unbalances an opponent. His Level 2 attack is Turn and Kick. His Level 3 attack is Chaos Control Spheres, which are thrown at the opponent to freeze time for them.

Super Shadow

File:Ojjf3k.jpg
Super Shadow in Shadow the Hedgehog
File:Supershadow sonic.jpg
Super Shadow along with Super Sonic from Sonic X

Super Shadow is the transformed state of Shadow, when he harnesses the power of the seven Chaos Emeralds. In this form, all his powers and abilities are enhanced up to their full limit. Super Shadow made his first appearance in Sonic Adventure 2, where he had to battle against the Biolizard with Super Sonic, and similar to Super Sonic, he requires rings in order to stay in this form, otherwise he will power down back to normal.

Super Shadow can run much faster, fly, and is nearly invincible. Moreover, in Shadow the Hedgehog, more of Super Shadow's powers are revealed and can be used. For instance, Super Shadow can now use Air Dash, Chaos Spear and Chaos Blast while in this form.

Since Super Shadow's arrival in Sonic Adventure 2' Last Story, several fans of Sonic and Shadow started using the name Hyper Shadow instead of the accurate name, Super Shadow. Fans also sometimes get the body of Super Shadow mixed up, calling it silver-colored in Sonic Adventure 2 and gold-colored in Shadow the Hedgehog. The truth is, Super Shadow's body color is actually a yellow-cream; he appears silver because of the graphics engine used in Sonic Adventure 2 and appears gold in Shadow the Hedgehog because of a yellow aura.

Other appearances

Sonic X

File:Shadow-SonicX38.jpg
Shadow, as seen in Sonic X.

Shadow also appears on the cartoon Sonic X. Episodes 33 through 38 is based on Sonic Adventure 2, with quite a few differences from the game. For one, it was Chris Thorndyke who reminded Shadow of his true promise from Maria, and not Amy Rose. He also makes a short appearance after Episode 38, in flashbacks or otherwise, but he makes his true return in episode 60, “The Return of Shadow.” In Japan he is voiced by his game voice actor, but in the dub he is voiced by Jason Griffith, who also does the voice of Sonic.

In Sonic X's season 3, Shadow had no clear memory of his mysterious past, although in one episode (named "Molly's Dream" in the English translation of the Japanese anime) he seems to have an image of Maria in his mind. However, he cannot seem to work out who she really was. In that same episode, Dr. Eggman is visited by people of the planet the Metarex are warring with, including one orange-haired female teenager by the name of Molly. Shadow and Rouge meet her, and at the end of the episode, Molly was killed by the Metarex. Shadow erects a makeshift grave for her, and Rouge notes that she was similar to Maria.

Later, Shadow the Hedgehog receives a faint memory of Maria as he is holding the grey Chaos Emerald in his hands. In the last episode of the 3rd season, as Shadow is in his Super form, and in his mind there is an image of Molly, which used to be Maria in the episode "Molly's Dream". Shadow then performs Chaos Control to save everyone from an exploding planet, leaving a slightly confused Sonic and his friends behind. Shadow's fate is uncertain after this point. Sonic X also mentions that Shadow is being associated with a folklore hero named Black Wind.

Archie comic

File:Sonic146.jpg
Shadow in issue #146

Shadow has appeared in Archie's Sonic comics, but has only made a few appearances. He first appears in Sonic #98, which is an introduction to the game Sonic Adventure 2, with a few changes to accommodate the Archie version of Mobius/Earth. The comic skips over the events of the game, and Shadow reappears in Sonic #124 with an explanation of how he survived his apparent death: An alien race, the Bem, rescued him so he could combat their enemy, the alien Xorda, buying the Bem time to escape. However, Shadow couldn't defeat the Xorda and plummetted toward Mobius. He survived the fall and was found by Sonic.

Shadow often works alone to achieve his goal, to discover the truth about his mysterious history. He has allied with Sonic to fight greater evils, like the Xorda, and he has been known to work either for or against Dr. Eggman depending on the circumstances. Often, he will side with whomever he believes will bring him closer to the truth. This search has led him to interact with various characters, including not just Eggman and Sonic but also the robot, Isaac, Knuckles' father Locke, and various versions of Metal Sonic.

The Overlander girl, Hope Kintobor, the great-granddaughter of Shadow's creator, reminds Shadow of Maria. Because of this, he seeks to protect her from harm at any cost and since she reminds him of Maria, he might see her like a sister as well. Later, he used his Chaos powers to stop an army of Metal Sonic troopers without the aid of a Chaos Emerald. However, his game and the dialogue from Knuckles the Echidna in the same issue reveals that Shadow doesn't need the Chaos Emeralds to perform Chaos Control and the emeralds just make the effects of that power stronger.

Voice Actors

  • In Japan, he is voiced by Koji Yusa.
  • Before Shadow the Hedgehog, he was voiced by David Humphrey.
  • In Sonic X and possibly all future video games after Shadow the Hedgehog, Shadow will be voiced by Jason Griffith, who also does the voice of Sonic and Jet in the same media.

Theme Songs

  • Sonic Adventure 2: "Throw It All Away" a cross between metal and techno, this song is often considered to be one of the best theme songs in the game. Akira Sasaki's heavy electric guitar riffs, along with Fumie Kumatani's progression and Everett Bradley's vocals.
  • Sonic Heroes: Team Dark's "This Machine".
  • Shadow the Hedgehog: "I Am (All of Me)", "Almost Dead", "Waking Up", "Chosen One", "All Hail Shadow", and "Never Turn