The Air Shoes[1][2][3] (エアシューズ[4] Ea Shūzu?), also referred to as the Hover Shoes,[5] Jet Shoes,[3] or Hover Skates,[3] are objects that appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are the shoes worn by Shadow the Hedgehog. Their origins are unknown, although Shadow has worn them since his awakening on the Space Colony ARK.[6]
Description[]
Appearance[]
Shadow's Air Shoes from below, from Sonic Adventure 2: Battle.
The Air Shoes are mainly white and smooth with black heel regions. Above the topline, each shoe has a red tongue and black collar encircled by a single Limiter Ring. Around the rim of the soles, the Air Shoes have red strips of metal on the rear and front of the bottom, broken below the in-steps. The space between the break has a small groove that allows Shadow to slide on rails, similar to Sonic's Grind Shoes. Over time, these strips have been depicted with spots where the red paint has been scratched off, pertaining perhaps to either Shadow's longevity or battle scars. On the bottom of each sole is an orange-yellow line of five small "jets" (three up front and two on the heel).
Features and traits[]
The Air Shoes (as their name suggests) can expel air from their jets to create a cushion of air, which lets Shadow hover just above the surface of the ground. This allows him to glide just above the surface[5] on seemingly any terrain, much like a hovercraft. For Shadow, the Air Shoes are the primary source of his speed.[5] With them, he can achieve speeds matching,[3] and supposedly even surpassing Sonic the Hedgehog's running speed.[2]
Shadow hovering with his Air Shoes, from Sonic Adventure 2.
The Air Shoes' jets are controlled by Shadow at will. By increasing their intensity, Shadow can produce fire from his Air Shoes' jets to attack opponents[7] or provide extra power to jump.[8] The Air Shoes can also produce strong enough propulsion to let Shadow hover in midair (though they have no flight capabilities) and boost forward at speeds matching the Boost at a hovering height just above the ground.[9]
In other media[]
Animation[]
Sonic X[]
In the Sonic X anime series, the Air Shoes appear during the Shadow and Metarex Sagas, where they are worn by Shadow the Hedgehog.
Sonic Boom[]
In the Sonic Boom series, a version of the Air Shoes appear, where they belong to Shadow the Hedgehog. In this media, the shoes keep much of the same appearance, with the only change being that they have larger cuffs, and the red section goes onto the shoes as well. These shoes also allow Shadow to fly, letting him reach mid-air speeds rivaling that of the Eggmobile.
Sonic Prime[]
Shadow's Air Shoes, from "The Yoke's on You".
In the Sonic Prime television series, the Air Shoes appear as Shadow the Hedgehog's footwear. In "The Yoke's on You", when a narrating Sonic quotes that Shadow roller skates, Shadow, seemingly hearing him, corrected him that they're Air Shoes.
In this media, the Air Shoes allow Shadow to move around via skating, along with letting him hover.
Books and comics[]
Archie Comics[]
The rocket-skates, from Sonic Universe #70.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Air Shoes are called rocket-skates. They were worn by Shadow the Hedgehog and allow him to travel at near-Sonic speeds.
Following the Super Genesis Wave, the rocket-skates became nearly indistinguishable from their game counterparts.
IDW Publishing[]
Shadow using the Rocket Skates, from Sonic the Hedgehog #11.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by IDW Publishing, the Air Shoes are called Rocket Skates.[10] They are worn by Shadow the Hedgehog and allow him to travel at near-Sonic speeds.
Films[]
Paramount[]
In the Sonic the Hedgehog film series produced by Paramount Pictures, the Air Shoes appear as Shadow the Hedgehog's footwear. In the film Sonic the Hedgehog 3, they share a similar appearance to their game counterparts, with the primary difference being the addition of segmented detailing on the shoes.
Trivia[]
Mephiles the Dark wearing his imitation Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
- In his second form, Mephiles the Dark wore Air Shoes that were nearly identical to Shadow's, although he never utilized them.
- The only time Shadow has not worn his Air Shoes is in the Sonic Riders series, as he wears shoes similar in design. Though in the first Sonic Riders, his signature gear was Darkness which are extremely similar to his Air Shoes.
- It should be noted that the light of Shadow's Hover Shoes has differed in games, as in Sonic Adventure 2 and Sonic Heroes it was white. In Shadow the Hedgehog onwards, their light is yellow, occasionally with an orange hue, and it was red in Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
- In Sonic and the Black Knight, Sir Lancelot has Air Shoes styled as sabatons.
Gallery[]
Concept artwork[]
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Screenshots[]
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 Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Sonic Adventure 2.  Super Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Sonic Adventure 2.  Shadow skating with his Air Shoes, from Sonic Heroes.  Shadow skating with his Air Shoes, from Sonic Heroes.  Shadow using his Air Shoes to stay afloat while shooting, from Shadow the Hedgehog.  Shadow using his Air Shoes to stay afloat while shooting, from Shadow the Hedgehog.  Hero Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Shadow the Hedgehog.  Dark Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Shadow the Hedgehog  Shadow skating in his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).  Shadow using his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).  Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).  Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).  Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).   Shadow using his Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).  Mephiles wearing his imitation Air Shoes, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).   Shadow wearing his Air Shoes, from Super Smash Bros. Brawl.  The small jets on Shadow's Air Shoes, from Sonic Generations.  Shadow slating in his Air Shoes, from Sonic Generations.      Shadow running in his Air Shoes, from Sonic Forces.   Shadow sliding using his Air Shoes, from Sonic Forces.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.     Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow utilizing the small jets on his Air Shoes, from Sonic Prime.  Shadow kicking while using his Air Shoes, from Sonic X Shadow Generations.  Shadow skating with his Air Shoes, from Sonic X Shadow Generations.   Shadow kicking while using his Air Shoes, from Sonic X Shadow Generations.   |
.jpg "SonicXShadowGenerations SGF PressScreenshot (15).jpg (5.16 MB)")
References[]
- ↑ Sega (13 November 2011). Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Wii. Sega. Area/level: London Party. "Shy Guy: The shoes that Shadow wears are called Jet Shoes, right? / ... / Shy Guy: They're Air Shoes! They let him glide across the ground as he runs."
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sonic Team (27 February 2004). Sonic Battle. Game Boy Advance. Sega. "Shadow Run: Shadow's running skill. With help from his Air Shoes, he can run faster than Sonic."
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Shadow The Hedgehog. Sonic City. Sega. Archived from the original on 29 February 2008. "Shadow's greatest assets are his Air Shoes (also sometimes referred to as Jet Shoes and Hover Skates). Their powerful jets enable Shadow to skate as fast as Sonic runs."
- ↑ Sega (13 November 2011). Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Wii. Sega. Area/level: London Party. "ヘイホー: シャドウがはいているクツは ジェットシューズ･･･じゃなくて シャドウシューズだよね~? / ... / ヘイホー: エアシューズだよ〜! 地面を すべるように走れるんだ~"
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Sonic Rivals 2 (PlayStation Portable) United States instruction booklet, pg. 8.
- ↑ Sega Studio USA (18 November 2005). Shadow the Hedgehog. PlayStation 2. Sega. Cutscene: Before Cosmic Fall.
- ↑ Sonic Team (27 February 2004). Sonic Battle. Game Boy Advance. Sega. "Shadow Slider: Shadow's dash attack. He uses the fire from his Air Shoes to attack opponents."
- ↑ Sonic Team (27 February 2004). Sonic Battle. Game Boy Advance. Sega. "Shadow Jump: Shadow's jumping skill. He uses the power of his Air Shoes to jump."
- ↑ Sonic Team (4 November 2011). Sonic Generations. PlayStation 3. Sega. Area/level: Shadow the Hedgehog.
- ↑ Sonic the Hedgehog #20, "Crisis City, Part 2"