Shadow Should Get a Spinoff After Stealing the Show in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
After debuting as the main antagonist in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Shadow should get a spinoff. However, it would need to be different from the series’ other spinoffs. While Knuckles received a TV show, a Shadow spinoff should be a movie.
The story of Sonic 3 begins with Shadow escaping from Prison Island in Tokyo Bay, Japan, and wreaking havoc on the city. Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles are recruited by the Guardian Unit of Nations to take on Shadow, but they realize he is too powerful. Shadow is a complex character who eventually has a change of heart and sides with Sonic to take down Gerald Robotnik. The second post-credits scene of Sonic 3 reveals that Shadow seemingly dies, but a TV series set up his survival nicely for a possible spinoff.
A Shadow spinoff would explore his origin and what he will do after the events of the film. Unlike Knuckles, who paired with Wade Whipple, Shadow has no human characters to work with, making a TV show unfeasible. A movie, on the other hand, would allow for a more substantial exploration of his character.
The success of Knuckles’ spinoff show proves that a Shadow series could struggle. Knuckles’ show follows the titular character as he adjusts to life on Earth and takes on Wade as his apprentice. While this strategy works for Knuckles, it wouldn’t be effective for Shadow, who has no connections to humans.
A Shadow spinoff would be a chance to delve deeper into his character and provide a fresh story that is not a TV show. With the success of Sonic 3 and the character’s popularity, a Shadow spinoff is all but guaranteed.