#David Humphrey

[sutzrainbow]

I think another part of what makes this work in a way it doesn’t quite in the English version, is that these actors have a history with their characters. Koji Yusa and Yuri Shiratori have been playing Shadow and Maria literally since their debuts, including in Sonic X. Which amounts to… how many times have they done Maria’s sacrifice scene? Four? Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic X, Shadow the Hedgehog, and Shadow Generations? Yeah, they’ve done that scene four times across 24 years. They know these characters really well.

This gives them a ton of context and therefore their performances genuinely have a sense of weight and history to them.

I mean no disrespect to Kirk Thornton or Stephanie Sheh - they do a good job with what they’ve been given. This scene is still sad in English because they’re good actors. But it lacks the true gut punch that comes from actors knowing the history and context, and having performed that history. Jason Griffith knew Shadow’s backstory; David Humphrey knew Shadow’s backstory - and they both knew because Shadow’s backstory was a big part of their first performances as him, and they could carry that knowledge forward into their future performances. Heck, even Keanu Reeves knew the context, and his performance is better for it. But I’m not sure if Kirk was ever told about Shadow’s history - that’s not his fault, he’s a busy man, he probably didn’t have time to look it up - but therefore, his performance felt shallow as a result. I know what he’s capable of. I’ve seen Silent Hill: Shattered Memories. If his Shadow was more like Harry Mason, I would have no complaints.

It makes me wonder. If this had been Jason Griffith and Rebecca Honig for the English version, would it have carried a similar weight? Sure, not as much as the Japanese, but similar? Or heck, what if the English cast had never changed? What if this had been the Dreamcast voice actors all the way through, for 20 years? If this scene had been performed by David Humphrey and Moriah Angeline, the original original voice actors for Shadow and Maria… would it have had the same weight? Would it have been just as heartbreaking?

I think it probably would have been.

this is why I will always ALWAYS love JP Shadow. Koji Yusa puts so much emotion in Shadow’s voice in the moment of vulnerability and whenever his emotions falters. It’s not that deep but just the correct fit of what Shadow should sound like. I’m not sending any hate to Kirk or any of Shadow’s previous voice actors but there is something about Yusa’s portrayal of Shadow that will always be the most accurate and true one for his character and his nature as a whole.

I love how Maria’s JP va sounds so innocent, like that of of a young child. It fits her character so much. Such a beautiful performance by Yuri Shiratori.

My heart breaks for this sequence because Shadow sounds like he’s on the verge of breaking down as he utters Maria’s name in despair, knowing of her tragic fate.

For me, Koji Yusa will always be Shadow, an

d the default voice actor for Shadow.

It is stated by one of Shadow’s creators that he is actually polite and soft-spoken. (Oh my heart am I loving him more)

[sonicjustbecause]

The four Shadow panel - impression

I finally saw the video. Wholesome. Got some surprises. And some wishes granted.

Jason has a natural beautiful voice. Very pleasant to listen too.

I excepted Kirk having a natural awful voice, instead his normal voice is very nice. Is unfortunate he dubs Shadow that way.

David and Ian sound quite similar when they talk normally.

I had the pleasure to hear David giving Sonic impression! I wanted to hear what he sounded like. However aside Jason, the best Sonic impression was done by Kirk Thornton. Very funny (I would prefer him over RCS for Sonic).

Is interesting also hearing their history with Shadow and the sides of him they learned. Jason seems the one that feel more connected to the character. To me, he seemed the most outgoing of the four.

[jgthirlwell]

David Humphrey at Fredericks and Freiser

[iwozlegit]

|| 🍍• Hear me out…imma call it…

You know how Jason Griffith was back in the studio in January, and David Humphrey looked to also be in the studio recently with a Shadow the Hedgehog picture??

Imma call it…

We’re getting this scene in Sonic 3

Think about it

[nesonkin]

Why SEGA should let Shadow sing:

A.k.a. Shadow voice actors having a great singing voice masterpost.

Kōji Yusa (JP, 2001-present)

Mizukaze (fave)

Break Your Destiny

Mugen no Ori Kara

ADVENT

Shampoo Dream

Addictive World

Hyouri

DARKNESS NIGHT

Fuyu no Hanabi

BRAND NEW EDEN

Code name is

Sekai wa Sude ni Azamuki ni Ue ni

Bonus: Meow

There's more out there, most likely. This is just some I was able to find on YouTube.

David Humphrey (EN, 2001-2004)

Where is the girl?

Unnamed

Ian Hanlin (EN, Sonic Prime)

The Dark-Eyed Sailor

The End of the Rainbow

This list may grow with time. Hopefully.

In conclusion: let Shadow sing.

[rednether]

David Humphrey Shadow I miss you

[oldsardens]

David Humphrey - Struggle

[blackfilmmakers]

Who would you have picked to voice shadow?

David Humphrey probably

[steadypet101]

Oh, good lord, this is pure gold!😂

Maybe they should invite Roger and Deven to come and join them lol

Somebody should animate this with all the variations of Shadow

Shadow’s voice actors talking about each other and Sonic’s at Sonic Expo 2024.

David and Kirk are so real with Sonadow! 👏😂

[chongoblog]

Sonic Expo has been a blast

[sonicjustbecause]

Nnnnnatural

Listening all David's lines on YT, I noticed that quite often the lines are stretched. Like also 'Nooo problem!' 'I don't knooow who you are etc..." "IIIII don't think so" and so on.

I see many say Kirk Thornton came with this. To me it seems it was a David Humprhrey idea first. Probably Kirk Thornton just took it from David. Jason Griffith and Ian Hanlin never stretched their lines (although Hanlin took some lines from David in Sonic Prime).

[giuliadrawsstuff]

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart but make it Scully and Mulder.

[sonicjustbecause]

I hope is David Humphrey.

Tails got his official VA, so why not Shadow too?

I seriously need to know. Is Hayden Shadow’s VA or not?

Hey Darlin’!❤️✨

Hayden is NOT the chosen voice for Shadow in the film. There was a “rumor” that it was him in early February, but a leaker (who was wrongfully sourced) stepped forward and debunked the claim (Feb. 2nd). The hope for Cinemacon—and I stress “hope,” because I’m seeing some people twisting their words—is that we get a VA announcement for our favorite anti-hero.

We’re almost there, hon! We’re almost to the finish line 😁

[shadamyheadcanons]

Headcanon #302

There’s a universe in which Sonic the hedgehog is a skilled actor with a well-earned reputation for doing all his own stunts. He bit off more than he could chew in a high-risk action movie once and got injured. Sonic insisted the director should hire a good friend of his, Shadow, as his stunt double. They’d been told countless times that they looked alike and, as much as Sonic hated to admit it, Shadow equaled him in boldness and athleticism. Once Shadow showed the director what he was made of and learned to match Sonic’s running style, he was hired.

Shadow wasn’t the only friend of Sonic’s who was on set. Amy Rose, a talented up-and-coming actress, played the main love interest. She and Sonic were amicable exes, so although the love scenes were a little awkward, filming was fun and easy.

Much to the director’s frustration, Amy was just as reckless as Sonic; she’d looked up to him as a young actress and still emulated a lot of his tendencies. On top of that, she had a very distinctive fur color, and she was strong enough to do stunts that her doubles couldn’t. Before long, the director’s blood pressure was through the roof.

The most dangerous scene was in a subway, with cast members fighting inside and on top of moving trains and leaping onto station platforms. The villain’s double had gotten his foot stuck in an emergency exit door on the back of a train car. Amy jumped in to help, but in the process of wrenching it open, she lost her footing and fell onto the tracks. She was an inch away from getting hit by a train when Shadow dove in, pulling her into an indent in the wall with him.

Sonic was close enough to see their faces. By the time Shadow was asking Amy if she was alright, she was smitten.

The scene was reworked, but that wasn’t the only thing that had changed. Sonic knew what Amy looked like when she was in love, and he knew just as well that Shadow needed someone like her in his life.

For the remainder of filming, Sonic sat out for stunts whenever he felt he could get away with it, claiming he just wasn’t feeling up to it yet to make sure the two of them had as much time together as possible. By the time the movie hit theaters, half of the tabloids were circulating a rumor that a certain actress had a new boyfriend.

The other half fell for the body double gimmick and thought she’d gotten back together with her ex.

Sonic’s reputation as a wild man who did all his own stunts took a hit after that, but he felt it was worth it to see his friends happy together.

[ramblingguy54]

They embodied everything with Shadow's character in Sonic Movie 3's trailer that makes him such an iconic addition to the franchise.

Imposing? Check! Mysterious? Check!! Badass? OBVIOUSLY, FUCKING CHECK! HE LOOKS AMAZING!!! THEY DID HIM JUSTICE AND THEN SOME! Keanu Reeves couldn't be a more perfect fit!

When we're done there won't be anything left...

What did you do!?

What I had to...

God damn chills down my spine. December can't come soon enough!