#shadow manga spoilers
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HE CAUGHT A FUCKING BULLET HES SO COOL
#MANGA SHADOW IS RAW#sonic the hedgehog#shadow the hedgehog#sonic x shadow generations#shadow the hedgehog manga#shadow manga spoilers
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HOLY FUCK MAN
Genuinely genuinely this manga is gonna make me cry my eyes out
#sonic the hegehog#shadow the hedgehog#shadow manga#shadow manga chapter 2#shadow manga spoilers#shadow manga chapter 2 spoilers#the jet black hedgehog shadow the hedgehog#The translation is by Azure Wind Productions for the record#Also DAMN it's like Dark Beginnings and the Shadow Manga are trying to get me into Shadaria tbh#i just be ramblin#maria robotnik
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Heeeeyyy have you seen chapter two of the Shadow Manga? https://t.co/kd3OuQidDN
I was COMPLETELY unprepared for the direction they’re going with it but I’m totally for it
Also why the fuck would they make that Maria’s last words, do they want me DEAD
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Spoilers for chapters one and two of the Shadow manga!
Okay, to start off, I don't know if the manga is meant to be mainline-canon. However, based on what we've seen of it so far, I'm reading between the lines a bit, and have come up with a theory of sorts.
So, part one is set entirely on the Ark, ending with Maria being shot. Part two is where things start connecting to Generations more, and get a bit interesting:
The way this is framed makes it seem as if Shadow went directly from the Ark to the White Space. Which could just mean that the events on the Ark were some sort of flashback due to the time-traveling stuff. My theory takes a different approach though.
See, based on the way Shadow's been acting, it doesn't seem like he was just having a flashback. He hasn't given any indication of that, and the way he reacts after he arrives in White Space stands out to me. His first thought is that he needs to return to the Ark, and his second is remembering Maria's death.
But the Ark hasn't been his home in a long time, and he's known that Maria's dead for years. Comparing that to his reaction at the end of chapter one of Dark Beginnings:
He immediately clocks that it wasn't real, and he doesn't make any comment about Maria's death.
Theory time. Now, I know this almost certainly isn't what happens, but I want to put it out there before the game drops. What if Shadow from the manga is "Classic" Shadow? Shadow who has never been to the planet, who hasn't even had an hour since Maria died, and who hasn't yet found any reason for his existence beyond saving Maria?
This line from the orb-guy stands out to me as well.
What do they mean by "the second one?" What if the first "red and black" one was also Shadow, but modern Shadow?
It might be a bit of a stretch, but I think it's an interesting idea at least. The concept of past Shadow meeting his present-day counterpart. "Modern" Shadow has already come to terms with Maria's death, and is prioritizing stopping the Black Arms/Time Eater/Mephiles/whoever is trying to destroy the world. "Classic" Shadow only cares about saving Maria; nothing else matters.
#sonic the hedgehog#shadow the hedgehog#sonic#sonic x shadow generations#dark beginnings#shadow manga#shadow manga spoilers#corocoro shadow#corocoro shadow spoilers#sonic x shadow dark beginnings#sonic x shadow generations theory#maria robotnik#eldritch speaks
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Unpopular take but the Shadow manga was pretty dissapointing from art wise to how different the characters behave from what we have seen in he older games. I just feel like the manga is getting overly praised because " its not idw or american or flynn therefore its good!' While not looking at the short story critical enough.
...What is there to criticize yet? People have been jumping the gun with assumptions that Black Doom retconned Maria's death when we quite literally don't know that for sure. This is the first issue. Maybe give it some room to breathe first.
I plan on reading the issue in full once I buy it, although not knowing Japanese will hinder my comprehension. I likely won't understand the dialogue, but it's not bad, at least from what few snippets I've seen. Certainly, it's no Tolstoy, but like. Does a manga need to be?
You also have to keep the Shiny New Thing(tm) phenomenon in mind. Lots of us have been asking for a Sonic manga for years and now we finally have one. Everything new will initially receive hype before people reexamine it with a critical eye.
Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and IDW was just starting out, most of us were, in fact, praising the book and getting hyped for new issues. We weren't yet privy to the steep nosedive it'd take in quality following the metal virus.
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I just feel like the manga is getting overly praised because " its not idw or american or flynn therefore its good!'
Hey now, that's not entirely true: I also enjoyed the Schadenfreude of dunking on "Shadow was tortured on the ARK" headcanons. To say nothing of the quality Shadria and that tasty Parasite Eve reference :P
Look, I know I have Shadria goggles strapped on so tight they're practically cutting off circulation to my head, but I feel like that's a little unfair to say considering we've only seen bits and pieces of issue one and have to rely on fan translations to know what's happening on any given page. It's not like we're 15 volumes in and Shadow's done nothing but brood. And just because I wasn't tempering my gushing with "Shadow looks weird in some panels" doesn't mean I wasn't silently thinking the latter. Trying to give the manga the benefit of the doubt here.
When you wander the Fauxteur Desert for years, even cloudy water will look like an oasis. In a series where the majority of fans and creators view the source material with disdain, as something to be mutilated in order to be considered "good," beggars can't be choosers. You have to take whatever Ws you can. It can be simultaneously true that I think the manga is good on its own merits and good because it's better than its contemporaries. One doesn't necessarily negate the other.
Besides, at the risk of sounding massively hypocritical... Is it so bad to feel relieved when you finally get served some decent food in this Chili's and you discover you're not as emotionally broken as everybody says you are? IDW fans gaslight you day in and day out with "you can't read," "you don't understand the characters," "you hate the series," and "you need therapy," and when you find something that brings you joy, for once, amidst the sea of phoned-in spinoffs tha pussyfoot around being faithful to the games at best and regard them with disdain at worst, something that doesn't feel like pulling teeth to read? You realize how full of shit they were.
The Shadow manga is better, objectively speaking. And I don't think it's quite fair to imply that comparisons to IDW should be off the table when we keep getting IDW forced down our throats as the cultural touchstone that defines Sonic, sometimes taking top billing before the games. I had to listen to everyone parrot "Eggman can't plan" as if it were Ohshima-given fact for three and a half years. Certainly, people can handle me going "omg Shadria <3" for a few posts.
The art is better. The blocking is better. The emotional beats land by virtue of being competently executed, instead of thinking we'll be won over by five-paragraph monologues. Sometimes the art carries the story! Wow! Compared to other media where the characters never shut up long enough to let us draw our own conclusions - a problem shared by Archie, IDW, Prime, the films, and Boom - that actually is a lot, all things considered.
And, yes, suffice to say, if fan translations are accurate, the writing is better, if only because it seems to come from a rare place of respecting the source material.
That probably sounds like I have no standards, but you have to realize the bar has been placed in hell and writers continue to cha-cha slide right on under it. IDW has Starline knock Shadow out with a freaking log, whereas in the manga Shadow stops a bullet in midair. I'm sorry I can't shut off my initial gut reaction of "holy shit that was bad ass."
It's not even like he stopped the bullet psychokinetically a la Neo, he caught that shit mid trajectory. Unlike the scene where Shadow gets knocked out with a log, nerfing him in order to hype up an OC, thinking about the logistics of the speed and precision needed to intercept a bullet in such a manner just makes it even cooler.
Good writing is enhanced by the application of thought. It doesn't punish the reader for considering the implications. The writer doesn't tell you to "go read something else" if the narrative disappoints.
This isn't even a contest.
...I know, dude. I'm aware it's not the best thing since sliced bread. It's a serial manga. Not expecting Shakespeare here. I just need it to be relatively faithful to the games and not emit an air of arrogant superciliousness towards the source material.
My standards are incredibly low considering how much higher they could be, and that's because 90% of spinoffs fail at clearing the first bar. If I maintained as stringent a standard as my adoring fans say I do, I'd have absolutely nothing to read lol.
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warning for shadow manga spoilers i guess . for something that was already shown in the first chapter so not too major but putting it there just in case. but idk why some people are so upset over black doom influencing the gun soldiers in the manga and treating this as a serious lore reveal that black doom killed maria. because it feels way more likely that its black doom messing with shadows head forcing him to relive marias death again (which is a thing hes already established to be able to do) and not a direct flashback portraying the events exactly how they happened. hello can anyone hear me
#and then theres also the fact that this is an adaptation of sonic x shadow generations. not just a general shadow backstory manga#so. idk why this is being treated as a direct flashback by a lot of people . confuses me#also i highly doubt this manga is supposed to be canon in general. tbh .#shadow manga spoilers#sxsg spoilers#idk how to tag this one sorry
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I am so pissy that the manga had the GUN soldiers influenced by the Black Arms. God I hope that detail isn't included in the actual game and is just a bit of artistic license.
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Just read the new issue of the Shadow manga, and it went in a direction that I didn't expect at all. I figured the whole thing would be a mildly altered retelling of Shadow's backstory, since this manga apparently exists to get a new generation of fans invested in him, but it looks like that part's already over. The rest of the second chapter is the beginning of an original story loosely based around Shadow Generations, which is quite interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where it goes from here
#Shadow Manga#Shadow Generations Manga#Shadow Manga Spoilers#Shadow Generations Manga Spoilers#Krafter Talks
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I'll give them shelter like you've done for me
#my art#jujutsu kaisen#jjk#jjk fanart#jujutsu kaisen fanart#megumi fushiguro#yuji itadori#itafushi#jjk spoilers#jjk manga spoilers#jjk leaks#jjk art#fushiguro tsumiki#took all afternoon but we wrangled the colours in2 submission#it was looking very green and kind of muddy#so i toned down the saturation in a bunch of places pulled in a lot more grey#kept a lot of the shadows Hard#i think it works#not sure it's the absolute best it cld be but i am Satisfied with it#overall i ws just kind of worried that it was looking rly similar to past pieces colour-wise#i think it kind of still Is but not as much as it would have been had i not made those edits#anyway. emo hours#ive been listening to jubyphonic's piano arr of shelter and thinking abt megumi#thinking abt him growing up n looking back on himself n seeing himself in tht lonely little boy#'it's a long way forward so trust in me' smth smth finding the strength to guide that kid forward even though both of u are scared#bc at the end of the day u Are still that kid#inner child stuff usually doesnt resonate much with me bc i don't like who i was/am/whatever this aint abt me#but in regards to megumi????? OW#in lighter news i remembered at the absolute last minute to lob off the top of yuuji's ear#bc that injury at least i think he keeps ghfssdfhfgsj
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she means EVERYTHING to me you dont understand
shadow manga,,,,,,, grips fists, Shadow Manga
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I shall treasure this image for the rest of my days. 😭🖤
#not to be dramatic but...#i will fight everyone who doesn't think this is precious#LOOK AT THEM!!!#LOVE THEM!!#bnha#mha#boku no hero academia#my hero academia#bnha 381#just kiya's thoughts#bnha spoilers#bnha manga leaks#bnha manga spoilers#tokoyami fumikage#fumikage tokoyami#dark shadow
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PART 1: Shadow Manga
#shadow the hedgehog#shadow the ultimate lifeform#ultamitelifeform#maria robotnik#shadow manga#sonic x shadow generations spoilers#comics
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I have some Shadow and Maria thoughts to ramble about in regards to the recent Shadow content. It's a bit long and spoilery, so I've included it under the cut.
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⚠️Spoilers below for Sonic x Shadow Generations (particularly Shadow Generations), Sonic x Shadow Generations Dark Beginnings, Gerald's Journal, and the Shadow the Hedgehog Manga!!⚠️
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Honestly, I have to say. You've gotta respect the dedication of Ian Flynn, Evan Stanley, Shadow and Maria's vas, other creators for Dark Beginnings/Shadow generations, and the people working on the Shadow manga
To never labeling Shadow and Maria's relationship as sibling‐like
Like, okay. Sure. English Sonic official posted an art piece of them with the "long lost sibling" in the alt text/caption.
They're never said to be siblings in any of the youtube descriptions for the official postings for the Dark Beginnings episodes, including the full compilation. (You can check the descriptions here, here, here, and here)
They're never said to be siblings at all during Dark Beginnings (you can check the full compilation of the episodes here).
In the first episode of Dark Beginnings, there are a few things we can see while Shadow is having a combo memory/vision. First, as Maria excitedly presents Shadow the aurora borealis, she begins to faint. Luckily, Shadow rushes to catch her, concerned, and tells her she should know better than to exert herself. Then, once he sets her back down on the floor, finding her to be okay, she starts talking about how excited she is to go back one day to Earth. In response, Shadow starts despairing over having failed to be her cure and how he doesn’t know if there's a place for him on Earth. Then, Maria hugs his head tightly, only to stroke his face before cupping his cheeks (yes she pointedly strokes his face. Fun fact, if you check the stream of the Dark Beginnings teaser presentation from Anime Expo (here at 29:36) you can hear the audience get quieter for a while after she strokes his face). She reassures Shadow, telling him that she's just as happy to spend time with him here on the ARK. (This scene with Maria during Dark Beginnings episode 1 can be found here at the timestamp range 0:33–2:03)
During the second episode of Dark Beginnings, Shadow stands in front of a glass containment tube, watching the black arms larva inside. Though he says nothing, Maria can tell that Shadow is upset. She places a hand on Shadow's shoulder and leans into his face (both putting herself on the same eye level as him, and quite literally eclipsing his view of the thing which represents his grief over who he is). She asks him if he's okay, and Shadow opens up, telling her how he feels no different than the evil heartless creature in the tube (the black arms larva). Maria throws her arms around him, hugging him tightly, before explaining that he has a big heart. She places a hand upon his chest (very lightly strokes it too), tells him that she knows he cares about everyone despite how hard it is for him to express it, and explains that it's one's actions that defines them (as opposed to blood or dna). (This scene with Maria during Dark Beginnings episode 2 can be found here at the timestamp range 5:30–6:44)
The previous episode sets the two up as having a bit of a close relationship, but this flashback from episode 2 emphasizes the closeness of their relationship further. It presents multiple additional examples of Maria seeking to comfort Shadow through physical touch. And not only that, but also her being able to sense when he needs comfort even if his face doesn't show it. These two episodes combined present us the kind of relationship where Shadow is often at Maria's side (he worries about her health, he rushes in to catch her when she begins to faint, she teaches him about Earth), and Maria likes to spend time with Shadow too (she loves to teach him about Earth, to fantasize about going there with him, to spend time with him on the ARK, to comfort Shadow and reassure him if he feels angry at himself or sad). If Shadow watches out for Maria physically/health wise, then Maria watches out for Shadow emotionally. There's no relationship label placed on top of these scenes to tell the audience what they should think about it. Rather, the scenes speak for themselves, laying bare how close the two are, how they care for each other (and I'd even argue that some of those moments of physical touch on Maria's part even convey a sense of longing. There's something very intimate feeling about these scenes).
Then, we get more tidbits with episode 3. During the episode, Commander Abraham Tower implies (from his perspective at least) that Maria had always been the only person who could talk Shadow down, an ability of hers that is explicitly shown in Shadow Generations (when Maria convinces Shadow not to fight Black Doom or the black arms out of anger or hate).
Commander: You could have talked him down, Rouge!
Rouge: There's only one person who could ever do that.
Commander: True...and she was lost to us a long time ago...
(This scene with the commander during Dark Beginnings Episode 3 can be found here at the timestamp range 11:19–12:05)
Shadow: He's right. No more mistakes. This time, I will crush every last one of them!
Maria: Shadow, no!
Shadow: Maria?
Maria: It breaks my heart to see you so full of anger. This isn't who you are. Do you know why I named you Shadow? Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand? I don't want you to be driven by darkness. I want you to be happy. Stand in the light with peace in your heart.
...
Maria: Shadow...!
Shadow: It's alright, Maria. I'm letting go of that destructive anger. But I will continue to fight.
Shadow: Fight...with your wish in my heart. Your wish for everyone to have a chance to be happy.
(These scenes from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp ranges 46:37–47:33 and 49:57–51:00)
Ironically, though Abe and Shadow are on better terms now, he is also never used as a vessel to outright state the nature of Maria's relationship with Shadow (though the commander does see Maria as a sister to himself per Shadow the Hedgehog 2005). And though Rouge (as well as Omega) is presented as the closest friend to Shadow at this point, she doesn't outright state the nature of the relationship either.
Finally, later in episode 3, Shadow experiences an amv fantasy in his head of he and Maria spending time together in Earth's flowers under the stars, and tries to banish the thoughts away. It hurts him so much because such a fantasy will never be fulfilled, because when Maria was alive she dreamed of them going to the planet together. (You can check timestamps 12:05–12:28 of this video for Shadow's vision/fantasy)
During the Dark Beginnings teaser showcase, when asked the nature of Shadow and Maria's relationship, this is how Shadow and Maria's voice actors described it:
Question: How would each of you describe the relationship between the two?
Kirk Thornton (Shadow): W-Well– To speak in– To speak in actor's terms, um, Maria is my—super objective—she is my reason for everything I do. Um, so...she's just everything. And so, I was created to protect her and when I...failed that mission it...devastates me– er, Shadow. I-I'm... Devastates Shadow.
Kirk: And, so that's why, you know he-he dedicates his life to uhhhh to protecting...Earth because of that, so she is– she just– Yeah. Everything to Shadow.
Kirk: Yeah. Complete driving force behind his life.
Stephanie Sheh (Maria): Okay, so, in my mind when I was thinking about it I was like "She grew up very isolated. She had, like, nobody." You know? And, um, other than Shadow, and the thing that I could relate to is that, like...during the pandemic when we were alone in our houses, I had my dog. And I'm not like– And check it– This is gonna sound weird I'm gonna say comparing Shadow to my dog. But, um, my dog is also black and reddish-tan, so, um...but, um, and– and my dog is super sweet, but he also gets a little too aggressive when he's trying to protect me. S-See? And so, like, anyways. Anyways. It-It's just the parallels. Anyways. But I do think that like, you know, and I- and like I'm the driving force. I ground him. You know, [s]he brings him back to, like, the less rabid stage.
Stephanie: You know, when he gets worked up. Um...but, yeah, that's how I kind of, like, uh– at– relate to that.
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Stephanie: Yes, yes, totally. Like moral compass.
From that point forward, the host (Zeno Robinson) sort of went back and forth a bit with Stephanie, sort of playing off of her words to which she answers in turn. He describes Maria as Shadow's moral center, he goes on to explain how Shadow is this incredibly powerful being, him having the wrong moral center or with him being in the wrong hands can cause him to go out of control (and Stephanie going on to clarify that Maria helps rein Shadow in). Towards the end of this question, the host also goes onto say how he loves how in depth everyone's answers are and sort of half summarizes what Kirk and Stephanie said/half gives his own input:
"Maria gives Shadow purpose and direction and I'm sure they both were each other's only friend. Uh, their bond is integral to their characters as well as the story."
(At the end of the day, I know Zeno Robinson's opinion is no more important than any fan opinion, since he's neither a sega staff member, someone who worked on Dark Beginnings, or Takashi Iizuka/Shiro Maekawa. I just couldn't help but add his words here after Kirk and Stephanie's.)
(This q&a from the 2024 Anime Expo "A New Era of Shadow" panel can be found here at the timestamp range 26:16–29:18)
Both Kirk and Stephanie describe their relationship in vague terms (never once using the term "sibling"), but their views are clear. To Kirk (who also revealed in this very same q&a that he's only recently been given a more in depth understanding of Shadow as a character and his backstory at the timestamp range 16:39–21:30), Maria is everything to Shadow. She's a precious person, he was made to protect her, he lives for and builds his purpose around her. She is the reason for everything he does. To Stephanie, Shadow is like Maria's only companion, a loyal dog type character (who can get too aggressive sometimes when it comes to protecting Maria), while Maria is Shadow's moral compass and keeps him grounded.
Although we know Maria wasn't completely alone on the ark (there was still the other scientists and Abe after all), just from Dark Beginnings alone (much less Gerald's journal or Shadow Generations) it's clear how important her relationship with Shadow is. In Dark Beginnings, Maria is someone who grounds Shadow, and someone who influences his purpose. Shadow is someone who protects her and cares for her in turn. Shadow may not be her only choice for friendship, but he's clearly a dear one. But for Shadow (so far as we can gather as the audience) she really was his closest and only friend.
And in Gerald's journal, we even get to see Professor Gerald's perspective on their relationship.
(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 14 of the physical book, and depicts entry #620)
"But then ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ looked upon the unfinished specimen and put things into a new perspective. 'A shadow tells you which way to go to find the light.' In an instant she cut through all my pessimism and doubt and filled me with hope."
– Gerald's journal, Entry #620
Here, although Shadow had not yet been completed, Maria took to calling him a name (which we can only assume is "Shadow"). Before he was even finished, she’d treated him like a future living, thinking being, and her reason for naming Shadow this way was profound enough to inspire Gerald with hope in the project's completion.
Gerald's thoughts on Project Shadow evolve throughout what we can read of his journal. Originally, he starts the project because he can no longer ignore the president of the United Federations' request for the secret to immortality, naming it project Shadow out of spite. He finds the idea of immortality perverse and discovering it to be impossible. But this project eventually becomes his only hope for potentially curing Maria, almost like a lifeline. In desperate pursuit of Maria's cure through Project Shadow, Gerald's choices become harder and harder, challenging even his own morals. So although he may have attempted to bring the project to fruition no matter the cost, hope is still a powerful thing.
"⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ as she's come to call him, will not be some dark creature but a champion of life and hope. I would not have seen that if not for ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ She is truly a remarkable person who can do great and wondrous things for the world."
– Gerald's journal, Entry #620
Without Maria's words, Gerald never would have been able to see real hope or worth in this project beyond potentially curing his granddaughter. Without this change in perspective (thanks to Maria), perhaps Shadow would never have become the kind of hybrid hedgehog he is today—more than just a weapon destined for destruction.
(Although I didn't include a picture here, on pages 17–18 of the physical copy of Gerald's journal (entry #651 to be exact), Gerald notes how Maria assisted him in crafting Shadow's limiter rings (allowing him to handle and focus his power) and rocket shoes (to improve his mobility). There's also a colored image of the rocket shoes and limiter rings, which Maria signed her name and a blue heart upon. It's not terribly important to this post, I just wanted to mention it since I found it to be a cute addition, and indicative of how invested she was in making sure Shadow would be able to, well...exist in a decent manner.)
(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 20 of the physical book, and depicts a portion of entry #670)
"But all successes of the physical and mental prowess comes second to his relationship to ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️ I had hoped they'd get along, but it's far better than that. She is his guide to the world, and he is her stalwart companion. Never have I seen such instant, mutual friendship and trust between two beings. I am truly moved. They remind me why I've been working so hard. They bring me hope."
– Gerald's journal, Entry #670
And the way Gerald describes Shadow and Maria's relationship in his journal is highly interesting to me. He describes this pair as two people that clicked as friends instantly, came to trust each other instantly. He describes Maria as Shadow's guide/teacher and Shadow as her stalwart companion. The way he describes them implies a very strong bond and attachment to each other.
Where Gerald had only hoped they'd get along, his hopes were blown out of the water.
Compare this to the entry where Gerald talks about Maria's relationship with other people and the only other kid on the ARK.
(This is an image from the physical version of Gerald Robotnik's Journal included in launch day copies of Sonic x Shadow Generations. It can be found on page 8 of the physical book, and depicts a portion of entry #428)
"Despite everything, she remains the most positive person in the room. Most of the staff here left their families back on Earth, so I worried she'd feel lonely. Instead, she's become the adoptive daughter of every researcher on the ARK! Moreover, she's become like a big sister to little ⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️⬛️, the ARK's "happy little accident" over the past few years.
– Gerald's Journal, Entry #428
He's very quick to say that Maria is like the adoptive daughter of every researcher on the ARK, and like a big sister to the (younger) Abraham Tower.
Yet, later once Shadow is complete, he insists on calling them friends. And beyond calling them friends, he describes the level of trust the two have, describes Maria as Shadow's guide to the world and Shadow as her loyal companion. He never labels their relationship from his point of view as siblings.
And Gerald Robotnik's own journal isn't the only recent piece of media to portray Shadow and Maria's friendship.
In the last couple months, two chapters of the recent Shadow Manga ("The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", by Imada Yuki, and published by Corocoro Comic) have been released. So far, it seems to be a (non-canon) adaptation of Shadow's backstory and Shadow Generations. It depicts Shadow the Hedgehog struggling over having failed to be a cure for Maria as well as the meaning of his existence.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
When Shadow is despairing over the point to his existence, this version of Maria is presented as a bit more playful. In contrast to Maria in Dark Beginnings, who is often shown hugging Shadow during flashbacks/visions when he begins to feel negatively about himself, Maria from this manga attempts to draw him out of his thoughts/break the tension by playing a prank on him.
Shadow's words in the above screenshot are pretty telling too.
"You're the only one who'd play a prank on me."
– Shadow, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 1 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)
Just from the start of the manga, one learns that this Shadow sees curing Maria as his initial reason for existence (a mission he'd failed). Perhaps, at first, he only contextualizes the time he spends with Maria something akin to a job, something necessary for him to do. From the beginning, after all, she is intrinsically tied to his reason for living. For Maria, though, with the casual way she acts around him (coupled with the statement that she's the only one who would treat Shadow this way), it's clear that she does treat Shadow as a close friend.
After playing her prank, Maria takes Shadow by the hand, pulling him into the room where the two can see the Earth below, and all the stars glittering above. This scene is presented very similar to Dark Beginnings, as Maria shows Shadow a natural phenomenon on Earth from their place on the ARK.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
As in Dark Beginnings, Maria begins to faint, to which Shadow moves to catch her, concerned that she pushed herself like this. However, upon learning what it is that's bothering Shadow, Dark Beginnings!Maria and Manga!Maria handle it a bit differently.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
It's Maria in the manga who reveals exactly what Shadow is going through, but she cups his cheeks and presses her forehead to his, making it clear that she wants him to be able to enjoy life and believe that even his existence has meaning.
"I want you to see...and someday feel...many things that are...beautiful, kind and strong. I want you to believe that there is a meaning to being born into this world."
– Maria, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 1 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)
It's so very clear just how deeply manga!Maria cares for Shadow. She wants him to feel better about his own existence, to be able to experience all kinds of beautiful things in this world, to live his life further than his (failed) mission.
As for Shadow, after the screenshot above, he thinks to himself about how everything he does (dealing with Maria's antics, suppressing dangerous lab animals, etc) he does for the purpose of killing time. He doesn't do them for the sake of doing them, or even because he enjoys them. But...he does come to realize through a montage of memories of Maria smiling at him and calling his name that although he's currently killing time in this world, he's come to realize that dealing with Maria (out of all that he does on the ARK) perhaps isn't so bad.
After this, Maria pulls him along to the same room again (this time to watch the stars), when G.U.N.'s raid of the ARK suddenly begins. Shadow and Maria are separated briefly as Maria commands Shadow (who'd intended to ensure her safety first) to worry about protecting everyone else on the ARK.
Here begins an important parallel in this first chapter. At the beginning of the chapter, the audience is privy to both Shadow's relationship with the ARK's scientists and Maria. With the ARK scientists, they praise Shadow after he subdues one of their out of control lab animals, making note of his title of "Ultimate Lifeform". With Maria, we see her worry about his emotional state and express that she wants him to believe there's a meaning to his existence in this world, as well as explicitly hang out with him.
However, a shift occurs in both sets of relationships as the ARK raid occurs.
ARK Researcher: Please save me!
Shadow: I'll let you escape now, so stay put.
ARK Researcher: Help me! I'm a human just like you, aren't I?!
Shadow: ?!
ARK Researcher: Why should I be killed because of a mere lab animal?!
Shadow: Huh?
ARK Researcher: For us, this thing is worth nothing! I swear I'll never do research again!
This is an impactful moment to manga!Shadow, who seems to have learned what he truly means to the ARK's scientists. Or, in other words, Shadow learns that the ARK's scientists are so fickle as to change their tune about him (go from calling him "ultimate life form" to "lab animal") the moment their own lives are at stake. And this moment impacts him so heavily that he desperately turns to thoughts about Maria. Because, if no one else cares about him, sees him as a person, Maria would, right?
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
And so a similar scene transpires between Maria and the G.U.N. agents.
Maria: I know a lab animal? That's disgusting.
G.U.N. Agent: Don't lie to us! We know from our intel that you are often with that Shadow!
Maria: I said, I know nothing like that.
Shadow feels crushed instantly. After Maria's words, he starts to think that he really never should have been born. But then...Maria begins to talk about the one she loves.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
Maria loves Shadow so much that she's able to look death in the eye, describe Shadow as the living, breathing, person she cares about, and proudly proclaim that she'd suffer any torture (even death) before she'd say a single terrible thing about him. As opposed to the ARK Researcher, who was willing to quickly consider Shadow as no more than an animal and hand him over for the sake of his life, Maria was ready to give hers, even just to make it clear that she'd never badmouth him (much less give him up).
No matter the nature of this bond manga!Maria shares with manga!Shadow, her actions and words speak for themselves. One cannot deny that she must care about him so so so deeply.
And in response to Maria's confession of love and devotion, as Shadow rushes in to protect her, he finally discovers the meaning of his birth.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 1 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
All this time.
All this time.
The meaning of his existence in this world was standing right in front of him.
Maria.
Chapter 1 alone solidifies their relationship as strong, intense. To Maria, Shadow is her friend, her companion, whom she loves dearly. To Shadow, Maria is his very reason for existing in this world (even though he failed to be her cure, he still wishes to live for her in particular), someone who he's only recently come to realize just how deeply he cares for.
And chapter 2 continues to present the intensity of Shadow's feelings, as chapter 1's ending and chapter 2's beginning each portray the moment where Maria is shot by a G.U.N. soldier.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
I think saying "this pissed Shadow off" is more than a bit of an understatement. As it so goes with the trope of "person loses a loved one/their precious person or this person gets hurt right in front of them, causing them to go apeshit", Shadow begins fighting the G.U.N. soldiers, demanding answers for Maria's shooting. He even screams that he will kill them all (them being the soldiers and black arms).
And honestly, it's highly likely Shadow may have really tried to "kill them all" if Maria hadn't spoken up at that crucial moment, indicating that she's still alive.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
When Shadow turns away from the soldiers and black arms to move towards Maria, he begins to come down from his adrenaline high. He visibly looks more tired and dazed, though he still tries to put whatever energy he has left into focusing on Maria's safety. Likewise, Maria (who is visibly running on her last vestiges of energy), tries to put everything she has into one thing: saving Shadow.
Computer: TEN SECONDS TO EMERGENCY LAUNCH OF ESCAPE POD!
Shadow: What are you...
Maria: Never...let yourself be consumed by anger or resentment. You could easily end up all alone.
Shadow: Open this up, Maria!
Maria: So just as you did for me, give everyone on that planet a chance to live happily. That way, even when I'm gone...
Shadow: OPEN IT, MARIA!
Shadow, who was only feeling the exhaustion that came with slight relief just moments ago, is high on adrenaline and emotions once more. He bangs on the glass of the escape pod, demanding Maria open it up.
And Maria, after delivering her speech where she tells Shadow just what he wants for him and his future on Earth, gives him her last words.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
"Hey, Shadow. Thank you so much for being born. I love you."
– Maria, "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog", Chapter 2 (translated by Azure Wind Productions)
In Maria's last moments, she makes it as clear as she possibly can (to Shadow's face this time) that she wants the best for him, and that she loves him so, so much. And this confession of love to his face is what finally causes Shadow to stop banging on the glass. There's a moment of calm as Maria smiles, Shadow's eyes go wide, and the two's hand's meet at the pane of glass which separates them.
And then, it's over.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
Just like earlier in the chapter when Maria was shot, we see how Shadow reacts upon losing Maria.
She was shot because she put her life on the line for him. He tried to save her, but she locked him in the escape pod, which he couldn't escape from. Then, in her final moments, she lays everything out on the table. She thanks him for being born, she says that she loves him, and, finally, she ejects him from the ARK.
He does not get to witness her final breath, he gets no further chances to save her.
And so Shadow begins to go apeshit once more after losing his very reason for existence right before his eyes, screaming and taking out his frustration, anger, and all manner of intense feeling in the confines of the pod he cannot escape from.
Somehow after this, the escape pod (with Shadow inside) and the whole ARK get pulled into white space. Once Shadow (now freed from the pod) processes what happened, he zeroes in on his goal, tearing through white space to get back to Maria on the ARK.
(This screenshot is from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
During the end of chapter 2, Shadow is fueled by anger, loss, stubbornness, and desperation. When the little black arms creature promises that he can bring Maria back to life, he attaches to it like a lifeline, vowing to save Maria this time.
(These screenshots are from Chapter 2 of "The Jet Black Hedgehog: Shadow the Hedgehog" by Imada Yuki, published by CoroCoro Comic, and translated by Azure Wind Productions)
In the end, the Shadow manga (so far) tells a story of a human girl and her closest friend. The girl wants so desperately to give her closest friend a good future, to make him believe that his life has meaning. Her friend, an alien hybrid and anthropomorphic hedgehog has failed at the very thing he was created to do, and does not see any meaning in his existence. However, after the human girl, whom he watches over and protects, shows him just how much she loves and cares for him, he finally realizes his own feelings, naming this very girl as the meaning of his entire existence. Tragically, he fails to save her in a critical moment. She confesses her love for him just before she saves him, and he loses her. Now, stuck in an unfamiliar place/zone, he's decided he will do anything to bring her back to life and to save her this time, to get to her.
This manga lays their entire relationship (a depiction of it at least) out on the table, showing you just how close they are to each other, how much they love each other, and all of their actions. Their hearts and feelings are both put on full display during this manga, allowing the reader to determine what it all means for them and the nature of their relationship without ever telling the reader what label to brand it with.
Not one time are they ever called "siblings" on top of any of those major character moments.
And while not quite as explicitly focused as the manga about it, Shadow Generations also presents Shadow and Maria's bond to the audience.
Beginning with "Shadow's story", the narrator describes the two thus:
"Shadow was raised alongside Gerald's ailing granddaughter, Maria. They were inseparable."
...
"Fifty years later, Shadow was awakened. Filled with anger and sadness, he was haunted by Maria's final words to him.
'Shadow, I beg of you... For all the people...on that planet...'
Shadow was bent on revenge and sought to destroy the world.
At the last moment, Shadow remembered Maria's final wish...to protect her beloved planet and all who lived there."
(This scene from Shadow Generations's "Shadow's Story" can be found here at the timestamp range 24:04–25:01)
Although "Shadow's story" itself functions better as a quick recap of events in past games rather than a true summary or explanation of those events, the narrator's words on Maria are important. As Sonic x Shadow Generations was also created with new fans in mind, hoping to prepare them for Sonic Movie 3 with basic knowledge of Shadow's character and backstory (as well as introduce them to the modern Sonic games themselves), this means that for many prospective Shadow fans (or those just becoming interested in Sonic as a series), Shadow Generations is likely to deliver them their first real impressions of characters such as Shadow, Maria Robotnik, Gerald Robotnik, etc.
This is all to say that Shadow having a strong bond and connection to Maria is integral to imparting even the most basic plot beats from his backstory. The usage of "inseparable" paired up with his memories of Maria's wishes heavily impacting his actions once again makes it clear that they have a very strong bond without the writer (Ian Flynn) jumping to label their relationship for the audience.
Though it's not necessarily integral to this post, I also would be remiss not to mention one of the opening cutscenes of Shadow Generations. Shadow Generations (which starts up about an hour after the ending of Dark Beginnings) also presents something of a flashback. During this scene (which cannot be a memory of Shadow's), we see Maria incredibly excited about the possibility of meeting the newly completed "ultimate life-form". She's so excited, in fact, that she dashes straight up to his pod at the start of the scene and excitedly asks Gerald if they can wake him up yet. (This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 25:40–26:27)
Maria's importance to Shadow is expanded upon just a bit further during a scene where Shadow begins to look out into white space. Upon spotting Maria in the distance, Shadow gasps loudly, saying her name as he begins to reach out for her. He reminds himself that she's not real, only to experience a flashback of Maria's last words to him.
"I need to stay focused. Deal with the problem at hand. Not chase...dreams."
– Shadow, Shadow Generations
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:16–26:27)
Coupled with the scene from Dark Beginnings Episode 3 I talked briefly about earlier (namely, Shadow experiencing visions of a fantasy of he and Maria spending time together on Earth), Shadow Generations presents a Shadow that is not only still attached to Maria, but actively considers the idea of being able to be happy with an alive Maria a "dream" (one that he must push down, lest he forget reality or become caught in nostalgia). While on one hand, Maria is intrinsically connected to his reason for protecting the Earth (or part of his purpose), on the other, the idea of her makes for an emotional distraction.
Which is also why, later in the game, Rouge attempts to remind Shadow that he's already moved on from his past. She encourages him to cherish his time with them, yes, but reminds him he's not the Shadow that Gerald and Maria knew fifty years ago. (This conversation from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:51–30:18)
And this also leads the audience into one of Shadow's internal conflicts during the game. Despite trying to remind himself initially that the past is the past, that there's no use in chasing dreams (namely those impossible to fulfill), he changes his tune upon meeting Gerald and Maria in white space. Though Gerald warns him against altering the timeline like Black Doom already is (or punching holes into it like the Time Eater), Shadow is determined to figure out some way he can defeat Black Doom, AND save Gerald and Maria.
Shadow: They must be from a point in time before the ARK disaster. Perhaps I can change their fate.
...
Gerald: You're still not convinced about changing your destiny, mm? Think of it this way - if you changed our past, it would rewrite your future.
...
Shadow: I'll stop Rouge! Use chaos control! Stop this moment in time and...!
(These scenes from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp ranges 36:51–37:16 and 55:36–56:22, as well as here at the timestamp range 25:21–25:50)
And on top of trying to save Maria and Gerald, in Shadow Generations, Shadow is yet depicted as focused on Maria's well-being as much as he can, in contrast to Maria, who is largely cognizant to how Shadow's feeling emotionally.
Maria: Shadow? You look grim. Are you all right?
Shadow: I'll be fine. We'll all be fine. Find somewhere safe to hide. I'll take care of everything.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 37:00–37:16)
Maria: Shadow? Are you in pain?
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 38:41–38:49)
Shadow: He's right. No more mistakes. This time, I will crush every last one of them!
Maria: Shadow, no!
Shadow: Maria?
Maria: It breaks my heart to see you so full of anger. This isn't who you are. Do you know why I named you Shadow? Because without light there's only darkness, but a shadow will show you where to find the light. Do you understand? I don't want you to be driven by darkness. I want you to be happy. Stand in the light with peace in your heart.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 46:43–47:33)
Maria: Shadow...!
Shadow: It's alright, Maria. I'm letting go of that destructive anger. But I will continue to fight.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 49:45–50:12)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 50:12)
Maria: It's hard not to be scared of everything going on, but I've never been afraid. Not deep down. Because I know you're here, doing your best to protect us.
...
Maria: Don't look so sad, Shadow. I don't know what will happen after you win. Maybe we won't see each other for a long while. But I love you and nothing can change that.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 28:50–29:49)
Omega: I will cover you from here when you engage Black Doom.
Omega: What? Protect prof. Gerald and Maria at all costs?
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 08:04–08:28)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 55:37)
As I had said much earlier in this post:
"If Shadow watches out for Maria physically/health wise, then Maria watches out for Shadow emotionally."
Beyond Dark Beginnings, we get to see this in play in Shadow Generations. We see Shadow take on the burden of protecting Maria and Gerald and getting rid of the black arms himself. We see Shadow worrying and rushing over to Maria when she falters. We see him stress the importance of keeping Maria and Gerald safe, even when he cannot be around to do it himself. And (not that Maria doesn't worry about Shadow physically as well, but...) we see Maria worrying when Shadow looks grim, or seems sad or angry. We see her express her wish for him to be happy, try to give him solace when he worries over her or her fate, and even express her own positive feelings in response to Shadow's care.
But this is not all Shadow Generations has to show the audience in regards to Shadow's bond with Maria. After all, you may be wondering, what do characters themselves have to say about it? What else does Shadow Generations show us through characters' words and actions?
I'd like to present to you more scenes from Shadow Generations that stand on their own, without the writer telling the audience what to think.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 36:27)
Maria: Yes, I know you're part alien. That's not important. What's important is who you are and what you do.
Maria: I was a little surprised you turned out looking like a hedgehog, though! I think the way your spines go "swoosh" is really cool!
Maria: Shadow...are you blushing!?
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 20:48–21:16)
Maria: It's been wonderful having you around on the ARK, Shadow. The staff is lovely, but I was very lonely before you joined us.
Maria: I miss my family. I miss my baby sister most of all. I do hope Grandfather finds a cure for me soon so we can all go home together!
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 21:47–22:13)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp 45:16)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 46:37–47:33)
Maria: Shadow... I don't want you to listen to Black Doom. You may share his DNA, but he is not your true family! Your real family loves you and wants you to be safe and happy.
Maria: That's us, Shadow. Me and Grandfather. Please remember that.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 23:19–23:39)
Maria: So it seems like we've been apart longer than I thought. Have you made many friends?
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 25:51–26:04)
Maria: My condition...can't be treated yet.
...
Maria: It can be very scary and frustrating. But you've always been so patient and kind with me. Thank you, Shadow.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 26:06–26:35)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 49:45–50:50)
Maria: Shadow... I'm so proud of you! You've been through so much, but you've stayed true to yourself.
Maria: I know you can do this. Go, Shadow, go!
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 28:35–28:50)
Maria: Don't look so sad, Shadow. I don't know what will happen after you win. Maybe we won't see each other for a long while.
Maria: But I love you and nothing can change that. No matter how far apart we are, my love will always be with you. Please always remember that.
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 29:15–29:50)
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 55:25–57:26)
I had wanted to include the scene of Shadow running away, his final tear flying back and hitting Rouge's cheek as his feelings go unsaid. However, I've been taking screen recordings of the cutscene compilation I've been sourcing for this post on a mobile device. With that, sadly, video annotations would have obscured the end of the scene had I kept them in the recording, and I wanted to keep to as few different videos sourced on this post as I could.
In the end, Shadow Generations depicts a hedgehog who still has yet to discover what exactly he is going to live for (not just survive in this world). He tries to remind himself that he's completely moved on from his past, that visions/fantasies of being happy with this one person in particular are not something that life has granted to him (are just distractions). But this hedgehog becomes trapped between the past, the present, and what's to come next when this person he'd cared so deeply for is alive for a minute. He wants to protect this person, his natural instinct is to handle everything so they do not have to risk themselves. He worries so palpably for this person's well-being, often seen reaching out to them or rushing over to them when they falter or are in pain. Despite being stubborn, often sticking to his own plans no matter what, he values this person's words and opinions so dearly. Rather than use it to fuel his actions, he chooses to deal with this overwhelming anger and frustration simply because this person wants him to be happy and can't stand to see him in such a state. He also visibly blushes upon receiving compliments from this person (ironically, it's this blushing comment in particular I saw someone use on this site to spread misinfo that it was about Shadow blushing over Sonic rather than Shadow blushing over Maria). Even now, he is patient and kind with this person (something that one cannot say in regards to his attitude towards most of the Sonic cast). And although he never says "I love you", to this person, his actions speak louder than words. The protectiveness he has, the care, the patience, the willingness to listen and improve. And, above all, this is someone he is able to be more intimate with (if any of his scenes while in physical contact with this person are any indication).
Shadow Generations also depicts a human girl who has to come to terms with the fact that the hedgehog she's faced with has changed from the one she knows and cares for. Yet, she makes it just how clear that (time? space?), none of this matters to her. She loves this hedgehog no matter their dna/biology, no matter how many mistakes they make, no matter how much time has passed. In the past and present, she appreciates how patient and kind this hedgehog has always been to her. She spends plenty of time reminiscing about the past with them, harkening back to fonder memories. She is not shy about throwing her arms around this them, pointing out their blush, or taking their hands as she comforts and/or reasons with them. She's often visibly so so happy to see them, even after only being separated for a short time. This hedgehog's happiness is very important to her, so she's sensitive when they're angry or frustrated or sad. It makes her emotional to see them driven by anger and hate, so much so that she just cannot sit aside. She begs this person not to listen to someone who claims that bonds of blood and DNA determine one's future and loyalty, and has always believed that they can choose their own future—one of light and true happiness. She praises this person for their improvements, for staying true to themselves, for just how worried they are. And although her actions, care, and worry for this person do a great deal in showing it, she is able to tell this hedgehog how she feels outright. More than once she tells them just how much she loves them—so much so that her love will always be with them and shall never change no matter the distance between them.
These two are better together than apart. Where Maria fails physically, Shadow is there to worry about her health, physical well-being, and protection. Although Shadow is very physically capable and driven to protect, he tends to neglect his emotional state or keep his feelings/thoughts inside. So where Shadow has a harder time dealing with his emotions or has an easy time getting caught up in his anger, Maria is there to physically and emotionally comfort him. She is there to keep him from succumbing to anger and hate. The two each want more than anything for the other to be alive and happy. Although Shadow had only been created to be her cure, and although Maria was not alone on the ARK, it is implied that their instant relationship of mutual friendship and trust is a profound one. Where Maria had not been alone or unhappy on the ARK, it was Shadow who eradicated the loneliness that had been growing inside her. The two were inseparable back then, and it took a lot out of Shadow to let her go once again (again, only finding the strength to let go of such impulse because she asked him). The two love each other dearly, and this is made explicit.
And yet, with all of their actions, with their discussion of wants and feelings, and everything pertaining to each other in Shadow Generations, (as I've said multiple times now) Ian Flynn never tells the audience what label to brand this relationship with. As in the Shadow Manga, Maria clearly says she loves him, they both have their feelings on full display through their actions and words, yet it is more important for the audience to come to their own conclusions (especially in the lead up to Sonic Movie 3) than it is to 100% and strictly label the nature of their relationship. They just simply love each other and are important to each other
A fact which is...also ironic, given how easily and casually Maria discusses her relationship to Abraham Tower.
Maria: Have you seen Abe? You know, little Abraham Tower? I'm worried about him. He's the only other kid on the ARK with us. Sometimes he feels like my little brother, hee-hee!
(This scene from Shadow Generations can be found here at the timestamp range 21:16–21:47)
She confesses to seeing Abe as a younger brother sometimes (something Gerald, too, had pointed out in his own journal), and yet never once calls Shadow her sibling throughout Shadow Generations, even while reminiscing.
And while Maria does, perhaps, call Shadow a part of her family (a family of her, Shadow, and Gerald), I don't know what to tell you if you believe such a thing can only refer to/be interpreted in the most strictly nuclear family way possible. Well, other than that to do so is limiting and reductive. I have never more clearly seen a case of found family than I have with these three, especially given their unorthodox relationship (a guy, his beloved granddaughter, and the guy's son/creation, who is a stalwart companion and forever friend to his granddaughter).
Shadow and Maria are inseparable, they are friends, they are family, they love each other, but despite their relationship being highly featured in this game, the fact that Sega and the writer himself do not use this chance to strictly clarify the nature of their relationship is telling.
And you might be saying: "Tumblr user hadesknockedupintheunderworld, what about that alt text from that image of Shadow and Maria that's on the English Sonic social media?"
To which I say: "What of it?"
In the face of so many recent depictions of their relationship as highly ambiguous, with there being clear romance parallels to draw from if one wanted to, what does one single piece of evidence mean against that?
One can't look at that dedication all creators around these two have to make their relationship ambiguous (while also presenting them as having a very very strong bond) and simply say that they're clearly only ever meant to be read as sibling-like. And to say that they are 100% only meant to be siblings "or you're wrong" is to go against (at least one of) the creator of these characters own stated intentions to allow people to draw conclusions and interpret as they wish. Period.
I think I've made it pretty clear that means you can interpret their relationship however you want. It doesn't even have to be either siblings or lovers! Personally, I take a qqp approach myself (where the exact nature of their relationship is confusing, and all that is clear and solidified is that the two have an intensely strong bond, want as much time together as they can, and wish to make the other happy).
But it's wrong to act like one of many possible interpretations is 100% obviously canon when the facts themselves contradict that kind of thing (just as it's wrong to harass people over something so trivial as that).
Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.
#sonic the hedgehog#shadow the hedgehog#maria robotnik#shadaria#shadow generations#sonic x shadow generations#dark beginnings#sonic x shadow dark beginnings#sonic x shadow generations dark beginnings#gerald's journal#the jet black hedgehog shadow the hedgehog#shadow manga#a new era of shadow anime expo panel#shadow generations spoilers#sonic x shadow generations spoilers#gerald's journal spoilers#Dark Beginnings spoilers#sonic x shadow dark beginnings spoilers#sonic x shadow generations dark beginnings spoilers#shadow manga spoilers#shadow manga chapter 1#shadow manga chapter 2#the jet black hedgehog shadow the hedgehog spoilers#gerald robotnik#essay time#fandom wank#I just be ramblin#haha I must admit the original purpose of this post was to prove that there is overwhelming evidence that their relationship is intended to#be ambiguous and able to be read multiple ways and that one caption means nothing in the face of all the evidence#But it accidentally became the Shadow and Maria moment showcase 😂😂😂
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I love the little eyeball jerk in the Shadow manga
It’s the way Shadow grabs it like a balloon
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The contrast between how the scientists and Maria view Shadow is heartbreaking to me. The scientists sell him out to save their own skins even after earlier in this chapter Shadow saved all of their lives, and even though she's about to be gunned down just for knowing about Shadow, Maria refuses to give the military anything
#sonic#maria robotnik#shadow the hedgehog#sonic x shadow generations#sonic x shadow generations spoilers#sonic x shadow generations manga#sonic x shadow generations manga spoilers#prin posts#sonic posting
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this is hurting me
#mha#bnha#my hero academia#mha manga panels#mha manga 429#mha manga spoilers#ochaco uraraka#izuku midoriya#toga himiko#togachako#class 1a#class 1a is there for ochaco#awwwww#I can’t believe this…#boko no hero academia#fumikage tokoyami#momo yaoyorozu#denki kaminari#sato rikido#hitoshi shinsou#tsuyu asui#kirishima eijirou#ojiro mashirao#dark shadow#this shit hurts#wtf#why
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