Shadow the Hedgehog

For the game, see Shadow the Hedgehog (game).

1. Name: Shadow

2. AKA: The Ultimate Life Form, Shad

3. Time of Creation/D.O.B.: June 23, 1950

4. Birthplace: Space Colony ARK

5. Height: 3 ft 3 in

6. Weight: 77 lbs

7. Species: Hedgehog

8. Gender: Male

9. Age: Ageless

10. Physical Age: 17

11. Skills: All of Sonic's abilities and The Power of Chaos



Shadow the Hedgehog is a video game character from the Sonic the Hedgehog series. He is an anti hero and the arch rival of Sonic the Hedgehog. Created as "The Ultimate Life Form" by Professor Gerald Robotnik, Shadow is an "ultimate immortal", in the sense that he physically won't age and will live forever, and in the sense that it is entirely impossible to kill him.

Appearance
Shadow is a black hedgehog who is similar to Sonic in appearance. Because of their similarity, Shadow is often mistaken for Sonic, despite obvious differences (i.e. color, chest hair, etc). Shadow was first seen in the game Sonic Adventure 2.

Personality
Shadow is a "lone wolf" and distances himself from Sonic and his friends. He is soft-spoken at times and minds his own business, but he never bluffs; if he makes a threat, he has every intention of carrying it out. This is seen in Shadow the Hedgehog, where Shadow tells Sonic in one of the storylines: "Sonic, if you try to stop me... I'll destroy you too!" Shadow is known to be a person who treats others in a very callous manner, and in combat, he has a natural "killer instinct" than Sonic lacks. Gradually, however, Shadow is becomming less violent, and even acts like a gentleman at times.

Professor Gerald Robotnik
Shadow was created by the renowned scientist Prof. Gerald Robotnik, with the use of Black Doom's DNA. Gerald made many attempts to create the Ultimate Life Form before Black Doom and his children, the Black Arms came to Earth. Unfortunately, the closest he came was the Biolizard. But then Black Doom came and offered his help to Gerald, but only on one condition: If Black Doom helps Gerald, Gerald must promise to deliver the seven Chaos Emeralds. Gerald promised him this, and Black Doom gave some of his DNA to the DNA Gerald already had, and the result: Shadow the Hedgehog. Gerald seems to be one of few people who Shadow felt happy around.

Doctor Eggman/Doctor Ivo Robotnik
Shadow's approach to Dr. Eggman is different from most characters in the Sonic series. Shadow sees Eggman as the supergenius he has proven to be, instead of the megalomaniac that Sonic and the others see him as. This can be backed up by almost always Shadow calls Eggman by his title "the Doctor", as opposed to his alias Eggman. Eggman has shown similar respect by referring to Shadow's powers as "spectacular", and by how he sometimes applauds Shadow, as seen in Shadow the Hedgehog, when in a storyline he says "excellent job, Shadow." However, even though they have some manner of respect toward each other, they, in contrast, also have some manner of dislike toward each other. This can be backed up in Sonic the Hedgehog when Eggman referrs to Rouge as "My dear Rouge", and refers to Shadow by flatly saying his name. In the same game, when Shadow busts through the ceiling of his base, Eggman says: "So...What do you want now?", although he probably said that in that disgusted manner because Shadow smashed through Eggman's ceiling. In Shadow the Hedgehog, Eggman tells Shadow: "You will obey me, or there will be dire consequences". This evidence suggests that even though Shadow and Eggman have some respect for each other, they don't like each other much.

Maria Robotnik
Prof. Gerald's granddaughter Maria Robotnik by far is the one person that made Shadow the happiest. She was like a sister to him, and they shared the same dream: to visit Earth. Unfortunately, G.U.N. thought that Project Shadow deemed too big a threat to the world. As a result, they eliminated everything they could in relation to the project, including the people. Sadly, poor Maria was shot and killed by G.U.N. Her last parting words were "Bring hope to humanity." Shadow still stays strong to keep his promise to her and still mourns her death.

Amy Rose
Shadow has a short but strong connection with Amy Rose. In Sonic Adventure 2, Amy begs Shadow to help Sonic and the others, but Shadow protests, saying this is the end of them all. Amy doesn't give up and finally manages to remind Shadow of what his only friend Maria wanted him to do. He then goes to help Sonic and company.

Sonic the Hedgehog
Shadow's arch rival is none other than Sonic the Hedgehog. They become enemies when meeting in Sonic Adventure 2, but later become allies. Since their relationship has dropped to arch rivals, they have some hostility toward each other, but won't hesitate to become allies if it is required. The two also share similar ideas toward each other. Sonic thinks that Shadow is violent, humorless, and arrogant, and Shadow thinks that Sonic is stupid, irritating, and arrogant.

Rouge the Bat
Shadow has a close connection to Rouge the Bat. The two always look out for each other, as seen in Sonic Heroes, Sonic Battle, Shadow the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), and other game titles. In Sonic the Hedgehog, Rouge says that if the whole world were to turn against Shadow, Rouge would still fight by his side. This evidence shows that the two have some kind of relationship, but whether it is romantic or platonic is opinionated.

It's possible that Shadow sees the Chaotix, Tails, Knuckles, and others as allies, but probably nothing else.

Abilities
Shadow's basic abilities are similar to Sonic's. Shadow's spin jump is the same as Sonic's, and he can use Sonic's Homing Attack. Shadow's Air Shoes allow him to move at speeds often capable of matching Sonic, sometimes even surpassing him (after his shoes were modified by Dr. Eggman). Unlike Sonic, however, Shadow has full control over the power of Chaos. He is able to use Chaos Control teleportation without a Chaos Emerald, something which Biolizard and Black Doom can do, but Sonic cannot. He also uses a Chaos based attack called "Chaos Spear."

Voice
Many Sonic fans have criticized the change of Shadow's voice acting from David Humphrey to Jason Anthony Griffith. Fans comment that Griffith lacks the proper voice to portray Shadow's personality properly.

List of Appearances
Shadow has appeared in the following games:
 * Sonic Adventure 2
 * Sonic Heroes
 * Sonic Riders
 * Sonic Battle
 * Shadow the Hedgehog
 * Sonic Rivals
 * Sonic and the Secret Rings

As well as Sonic X and the Sonic the Hedgehog Archie comic book series.

Trivia
Shadow is one of two living video game characters who are ageless (has no age). The second one is Chaos, god of destruction. However, Shadow's body is 15, so that can count as an age.

Gallery
Image:shadow_on_a_bike-thumb.jpg|Shadow the Hedgehog Image:shadow_the_hedgehog.jpg|Sonic Rivals Image:180px-Shadow 12.jpg|Sonic Heroes