Spoilers Alert: This article contains potential spoilers for Sonic the Hedgehog 3.Sonic the Hedgehog 3displayed the similarities between Sonic and Shadow, but the question is, are they actually related?Shadow the Hedgehog serves as the main rival in the thirdSonicmovie, working alongside Gerald and Ivo Robotnik and battling against Sonic, Tails and Knuckles after emerging from animated paralysis after 50 years. Cited by many critics asthe best entry in theSoniclive-actionfranchise,Sonic the Hedgehog 3has received a Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has grossed more than $65 million at the box office.
Throughout theSonicfranchise,Shadow and Sonic are shown to be very similar in many ways. Both are exceptionally powerful hedgehogs and are skilled at speed, strength and agility. It’s been debated among viewerswhether Sonic or Shadow is the more powerfulof the two. The hedgehogs face off against each other several times inSonic 3, but eventually come to an understanding and team up together to fight against the Robotniks. The similarities between Shadow and Sonic seen throughout the franchise have also raised questions about whether the two hedgehogs are actually related.
Shadow & Sonic Are Not Related In The Sonic The Hedgehog Games
Shadow Was Created 50 Years Before Sonic Was Born
InSonic 3, Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are called by G.U.N. to battle against Shadow the Hedgehog, who has escaped from his animated paralysis prison in Japan. Upon first meeting Shadow, the trio are shocked by Shadow’s appearance, leading to Sonic questioning why they look alike.Both Shadow and Sonic are similar in their physical appearances, but while Sonic is recognizable by his blue fur, Shadow’s fur is black with red stripes. The hedgehogs' close resemblances to each other led to Sonic being mistaken for Shadow by G.U.N.in the video game,Sonic Adventure 2.
Shadow the Hedgehog was originally named Terios, meaning “of the reflection,” a subtle reference to his similar appearance to Sonic.
Despite the similarities in their physical appearances,Sonic and Shadow are not related to each other in the franchise.Shadow was created by Takashi Iisuka as a counterpart for Sonic to create a convincing “good vs evil” story forSonic Adventures 2.In the spinoff game,Shadow the Hedgehog,it’s revealed that Shadow was created as the “perfect experiment” bythe renowned scientist Gerald Robotnik, 50 years prior to the events of the franchise, withhis resemblance to Sonic purely coincidental and having nothing to do with the two hedgehogs being related.
Shadow & Sonic’s Different Origin Stories Explain Why They Aren’t Related
Although Sonic and Shadow are very similar in that they are both skilled and powerful hedgehogs,they each had different upbringings before the events of the thirdSonicmovie.During their meeting at the Chao Cafe inSonic 3, Commander Walters reveals to Sonic that Shadow’s story"started off a lot like his",except that, while Sonic found a new family with Tails and Knuckles on Earth, Shadow “only found pain and heartbreak.” Throughout the franchise, it’s shown that Sonic andShadow’s originshad different results to their upbringings, which further explains how they are not related to each other.
Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Completely Changes Shadow’s Introduction 2 Years Later
Shadow was introduced in the post-credits scene of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, but the way he arrives in Sonic 3 is different from his first appearance.
As depicted in theSonic 3andShadow the Hedgehoggames, Shadow was created in a laboratory by Robotnik as part of Project Shadow; he was created to finda cure for Robotnik’s granddaughter. Meanwhile,Sonic had a more regular upbringing, living on Christmas Island before leaving to find adventures;this was changed in the first film, where he lived with his guardian, Longclaw, before she sent him to Earth. As seen throughoutSonic the Hedgehog 3,both Sonic and Shadow are similar in terms of appearance, skills and strengths, but the two hedgehogs are not connected to each other.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Cast
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 reunites Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails as they face a formidable new adversary, Shadow. With Shadow’s unprecedented powers posing a significant threat, Team Sonic seeks an unexpected alliance to thwart his plans and safeguard the planet.
