History Characters / SonicTheHedgehogShadowTheHedgehog

** This happens to Shadow a lot. The reason Shadow was originally developed was to be an immortal super soldier for the military. Post-breakdown Professor Gerald reprogrammed Shadow's mind to carry out his plot to destroy Earth, but his [[TheLostLenore memories of Maria]] caused him to decide to save it instead. Later, Mephiles tried to convince Shadow to fill [[TheAntiChrist the role of destroyer]] again, [[ShutUpHannibal but he'd finally learned his lesson and would have absolutely none of it.]]

* HumanWeapon: More of FunnyAnimal weapon, but Shadow was genetically created both as a weapon for GUN and cure for Maria's disease.

* ItsAllMyFault: How Shadow felt in the Slightly Hero ending, when the GUN commander falsely accused him for being behind the murder of the ARK.

** Shadow loathed GUN for killing Maria Robotnik; he now works for them.

** The main reason why Sonic considers him his rival. He was this to Sonic from his first appearance, seen getting the upper hand on Sonic the first time they fought. However, it is taken even further in ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', where Shadow beats Sonic without much effort (though the endings where he fights Sonic are non-canon). In more recent games, though, it's Sonic who tends to win. It generally comes down to who the player is controlling at the time.

* TheRival: He's not the first of Sonic's rivals, or even the last, but he's by far the most recognizable. He still retains this role even after his HeelFaceTurn. He also had some bouts with Silver in ''Sonic '06'' and the ''Rivals'' series.

'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KojiYusa (Japanese); David Humphrey (English, 2001-2004), Creator/RyanDrummond (select few lines in ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure2''), Creator/JasonGriffith (English, 2005-2010), Creator/KirkThornton (English, 2010-present); Benoît [=DuPac=] (French, 2011-present)

* WorfHadTheFlu: In the IDW comics Metal Virus arc, Shadow assumes he will be immune to the Metal Virus infection turning everyone into 'zombots' because he's he Ultimate Life Form. When he ''does'' get infected he ignores advice to run (running fighting back the infection, which Sonic does for a lot of the arc) and the infection fully overcomes him very quickly, effectively benching him from being able to help for the rest of the arc. It's less of a disaster for the heroes than it could have been as Zombot Shadow is less of a threat than his usual self - the infection seemingly affects his fighting skills and reaction times, and he doesn't know how to use the air shoes, preferring to run normally and more slowly, and never thinks to remove his inhibitor rings to become more powerful.

* MiniMe: Raising a Dark Run/Run Chao in ''Sonic Adventure 2'' will make it look like a miniature Chao version of Shadow. Said Chao has been featured in many official art as well [[SonicTheHedgehogIDW the tie-in comics]]

* ItsPersonalWithTheDragon: Serves as Sonic's primary rival for most of VideoGame/SonicAdventure2 over Eggman, who is still the BigBad.

* NiceJobBreakingItHero: While he couldn't've known at the time, Shadow [[spoiler:beating Infinite up and calling him worthless]] sparks [[spoiler:Infinite giving himself the powers of the Phantom Ruby]], and ''that'' leads to [[spoiler:Sonic being defeated and Eggman taking over the world]]. Cue ''VideoGame/SonicForces''. [[JustifiedTrope Even then, however,]] [[spoiler:[[KickTheSonOfABitch Infinite and his group of mercenaries were already working under Eggman anyway]]]].

* {{Expy}}:
** Given the series creator's love of ''Franchise/DragonBall'', Shadow was most likely based off of Vegeta. A constantly scowling, prideful {{Foil}} to the more lighthearted, optimistic protagonist.
** Cloud Strife from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. They're both the results of experiments that resulted in them becoming the resident SuperSoldier compared to everyone else, but the circumstances behind said experiments (that involved both of them being put in a capsule for an extended period of time, and coming out of the experience with a scrambled memory that the GreaterScopeVillain would take advantage of), as well as seeing someone they cared deeply about get gunned down in front of them by a soldier kill squad traumatized them deeply and resulted in the brooding AntiHero everyone knows them as. Also, while it's confirmed with Cloud, it's implied that the tragedy that occured in his life prior to being sent to Earth on top of being created with his current physical age of 15 years resulted in Shadow's current personality, as he might not know how else to act around others besides being a [[invoked]] JerkassWoobie with a [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Heart of Gold]].
** A startlingly close resemblance to Mewtwo from the ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' films. Each is a dark, mysterious UltimateLifeForm who was created to cure the ill daughter/granddaughter (Maria/Amber) of a brilliant scientist (Gerald/Dr.Fuji) reluctantly working with a villain (Black Doom/Giovanni), ends up [[OnlyFriend befriending]] the girl only for her to [[TheLostLenore tragically die]], resulting in said ultimate life form seeking revenge against humanity and the world to cope with their deep sense of loss.

* ShockAndAwe: His Chaos Blast, in which he either makes an [[SphereOfDestruction explosion of Chaos Energy]] from his body [[labelnote:* ]]As seen in ''VideoGame/SonicBattle'', ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'', and ''[[VideoGame/SonicStorybookSeries Sonic and the Black Knight]]''[[/labelnote]], or shoots out a concentrated version through his hands [[labelnote:* ]]as seen in ''Sonic Battle''[[/labelnote]].

* SpotlightStealingSquad: A rather infamous example of this within the Sonic franchise. Due to his popularity, Shadow tends to get a lot of preferential treatment by the developers at the expense of other, more neglected members of the cast. Even within his own group, Team Dark, he tends to be the centerpiece of it, [[JustForPun overshadowing]] fellow members Rouge and Omega. A lot of fans tend to forget that Rouge, ''not'' Shadow, is the founder and leader of Team Dark.

[[/folder]]

* BreakoutCharacter: Due to his very fleshed out character arc, and complicated relationship with [[TheHero Sonic]], Shadow has become the most popular character in the entire franchise, surpassed only by Sonic himself and above the likes of Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman, all of whom have been a fixture in the franchise long before he showed up. Even after being DemotedToExtra since ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'', he still has rather notable appearances as a boss fight in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', the first additional character to be included in ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' after the main quartet, and got his own storyline in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', thereby making him the first character to be playable in a 3D game since ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. His enduring popularity [[spoiler: earned him his debut as TheStinger in Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022, and he seems to be set to reprise his initial antagonistic role in the sequel, beating out other classic characters like Amy and Metal Sonic.]] [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking He is also the only other character to have his own Wikipedia article]].

* BreakoutCharacter: Due to his very fleshed out character arc, and complicated relationship with [[TheHero Sonic]], Shadow has become the most popular character in the entire franchise, surpassed only by Sonic himself and above the likes of Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman, all of whom have been a fixture in the franchise long before he showed up. Even after being DemotedToExtra since ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'', he still has rather notable appearances as a boss fight in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', the first additional character to be included in ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' after the main quartet, and got his own storyline in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', thereby making him the first character to be playable in a 3D game since ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. His enduring popularity [[spoiler: earned him his debut as TheStinger in Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022, and he seems to be set to reprise his initial antagonistic role in the sequel, beating out other classic characters like Amy and Metal Sonic.]] He is also the only other character to have his own Wikipedia article.

* BreakoutCharacter: Due to his very fleshed out character arc, and complicated relationship with [[TheHero Sonic]], Shadow has become the most popular character in the entire franchise, surpassed only by Sonic himself and above the likes of Tails, Knuckles and Dr. Eggman, all of whom have been a fixture in the franchise long before he showed up. Even after being DemotedToExtra since ''VideoGame/SonicUnleashed'', he still has rather notable appearances as a boss fight in ''VideoGame/SonicGenerations'', the first additional character to be included in ''VideoGame/SonicBoom'' after the main quartet, and got his own storyline in ''VideoGame/SonicForces'', thereby making him the first character to be playable in a 3D game since ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. His enduring popularity [[spoiler: earned him his debut as TheStinger in Film/SonicTheHedgehog22022, and he seems to be set to reprise his initial antagonistic role in the sequel, beating out other classic characters like Amy and Metal Sonic.]]

* BadassBaritone: Shadow typically speaks with a smooth and deep voice, especially in ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'' and ''WesternAnimation/SonicBoom''. It verges on {{Guttural Growler}}, depending on who is voicing him.
* BadassBiker: In ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog'', ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'', and ''[[VideoGame/SegaSuperstars Sonic and Sega All-Stars Racing]]'', he can use the Dark Rider motorcycle.

** This happens to Shadow a lot. The reason Shadow was originally developed was to be an immortal soldier for the military, (though this is more so implied, it's never outright stated if that's what the military specifically wanted, though it is kind of stated in ''Anime/SonicX''). Post-breakdown Professor Gerald reprogrammed Shadow's mind to carry out his plot to destroy Earth, but his [[TheLostLenore memories of Maria]] caused him to decide to save it instead. Later, Mephiles tried to convince Shadow to fill [[TheAntiChrist the role of destroyer]] again, [[ShutUpHannibal but he'd finally learned his lesson and would have absolutely none of it.]]

* HasTwoDaddies: Downplayed. He was biologically engineered by Prof. Gerald using the blood of Black Doom as a blueprint, canonically making Shadow the only character to have two fathers.

** This happens to Shadow a lot. The reason Shadow was originally developed was to be an immortal soldier for the military, (though this is more so implied, it's never outright stated if that's what the military specifically wanted, though it is kind of stated in ''Anime/Sonic X''). Post-breakdown Professor Gerald reprogrammed Shadow's mind to carry out his plot to destroy Earth, but his [[TheLostLenore memories of Maria]] caused him to decide to save it instead. Later, Mephiles tried to convince Shadow to fill [[TheAntiChrist the role of destroyer]] again, [[ShutUpHannibal but he'd finally learned his lesson and would have absolutely none of it.]]

** This happens to Shadow a lot. The reason Shadow was originally developed was to be an immortal soldier for the military, (though this is more so implied, it's never outright stated if that's what the military totally wnated, though it is kind of stated in [[Sonic X]]. Post-breakdown Professor Gerald reprogrammed Shadow's mind to carry out his plot to destroy Earth, but his [[TheLostLenore memories of Maria]] caused him to decide to save it instead. Later, Mephiles tried to convince Shadow to fill [[TheAntiChrist the role of destroyer]] again, [[ShutUpHannibal but he'd finally learned his lesson and would have absolutely none of it.]]

* TheAgeless: Most likely due to the genetic material contributed to Project Shadow by his biological "father," Black Doom. The reason behind this was that Shadow's creator, Professor Gerald Robotnik, wanted to study immortality and use the fruits of his research to find a cure for his granddaughter (and Shadow's surrogate sister) Maria, as she was terminally ill and suffering from a fatal disease known as Neuro-Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The only thing that shows ages are his shoes, with the soles' paint flaking off in most 3D artworks of Shadow.

* AlternateSelf: In ''Videogame/SonicTheHedgehog2006'', it is revealed that Silver's timeline version was trapped by humanity, using him as a scapegoat due to the Iblis awakening. Mephiles shows him to Shadow briefly before trying to join his side. [[WhateverHappenedToTheMouse Whatever happened to Future Shadow is unknown]], as Silver doesn't mention him after the CosmicRetcon.

** This happens to Shadow a lot. The reason Shadow was originally developed was to be an immortal soldier for the military. Post-breakdown Professor Gerald reprogrammed Shadow's mind to carry out his plot to destroy Earth, but his [[TheLostLenore memories of Maria]] caused him to decide to save it instead. Later, Mephiles tried to convince Shadow to fill [[TheAntiChrist the role of destroyer]] again, [[ShutUpHannibal but he'd finally learned his lesson and would have absolutely none of it.]]

** Cloud Strife from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII''. They're both the results of unethical experiments that resulted in them becoming the resident SuperSoldier compared to everyone else, but the circumstances behind said experiments (that involved both of them being put in a capsule for an extended period of time, and coming out of the experience with a scrambled memory that the GreaterScopeVillain would take advantage of), as well as seeing someone they cared deeply about get gunned down in front of them by a soldier kill squad traumatized them deeply and resulted in the brooding AntiHero everyone knows them as. Also, while it's confirmed with Cloud, it's implied that his tragic life prior to being sent to Earth on top of being created with his current physical age of 15 years resulted in Shadow's current personality, as he might not know how else to act around others besides being a [[invoked]] JerkassWoobie with a [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold Heart of Gold]].

* DarkAndTroubledPast: Shadow was created by Professor Gerald as a means to cure his terminally ill granddaughter Maria, whom Shadow formed a close bond with. When GUN raided the Ark to shut the project down, they captured many of the researchers and killed the rest, Maria being one of the casualties. To twist the knife further, Shadow had to watch her die in front of him and was completely helpless to save her. Needless to say, Shadow did not take it well and his debut is carrying Gerald's will and exacting revenge on the planet. Its only by remembering Maria's last words of giving humanity a chance to be happy that he starts to get over it and move on with his life, but Shadow never truly gets over it and maintains a very distant attitude even to this day.
* DarkerAndEdgier: Designed as such from the start, invoked in his own game.

* KnightInSourArmor: He eventually becomes this after the events of ''Shadow the Hedgehog''. Pretty much his only reason for fighting for the world is because Maria told him to before she died. This was best demonstrated in ''Sonic 2006'' when Mephiles tries to bring Shadow over to his side by telling him that the word will turn on him one day, Shadow simply responds by saying [[ShutUpHannibal he'll fight like he used to.]]

* ShipTease:
** This happens surprisingly often with Rouge [[VideoGame/SonicBattle in]] [[VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006 later]] [[VideoGame/SonicRivals games]].
** He gets this with Amy as well, in ''VideoGame/SonicBattle'' and ''VideoGame/ShadowTheHedgehog''.

* LightDarkJuxtaposition: The "dark" to Sonic's light naturally. While neither of them have any powers associated with the respective element, they're both thematically tied to them. Shadow's entire motif is rooted in darkness, right down to his given and team name and being part ''Black'' Arms. While in contrast, his and Sonic's respective {{Super Mode}}s are [[GoldenSuperMode golden]] in color.

* Light/DarkJuxtaposition: The "dark" to Sonic's light naturally. While neither of them have any powers associated with the respective element, they're both thematically tied to them. Shadow's entire motif is rooted in darkness, right down to his given and team name and being part ''Black'' Arms. While in contrast, his and Sonic's respective {{Super Mode}}s are [[GoldenSuperMode golden]] in color.
* MeaningfulAppearence: According to WordOfGod, Shadow's red highlights are meant to be evocative of classical ''Kabuki'' makeup, where red markings are used to denote heroism and a sense of justice, showing that despite being a dark {{Foil}} to Sonic, his true nature is heroic.

* LightningWindJuxtaposition: Though much more subtle in comparison to his rival, he is the Lightning to Sonic's Wind.

* MiniMe: Raising a Dark Run/Run Chao in ''Sonic Adventure 2'' will make it look like a miniature Chao version of Shadow.

** VisualNovel/TheMurderOfSonicTheHedgehog not only has him compete against Knuckles and Vector for the high score on a ''VideoGame/Super Monkey Ball'' arcade machine, but he taught them how to play in the first place. Is Shadow possibly a fan of ''Super Monkey Ball''?