Sega has filed a new trademark in Japan for Shadow the Hedgehog, according to a public filing published on October 8, 2025.
The trademark for Shadow the Hedgehog was officially filed on September 30, 2025, and covers a broad range of product categories that may hint at upcoming projects or merchandising plans based around the well-known anti-hero.
The trademark falls under multiple categories, including:
- Class 9: Video game software for home consoles, portable game systems, and downloadable programs, as well as accessories like headphones, speakers, phone straps, and cases.
- Class 16: Paper products (potentially including packaging, printed materials, and merchandise).
- Class 18: Leather goods.
- Class 25: Apparel and clothing items.
- Class 28: Toys.
- Class 41: Education and entertainment services.
The filing text explicitly references “content for home video game consoles,” “computer and mobile game software,” and “downloadable content via the internet.” This suggests that Sega may be preparing for a new Shadow-focused game or a possible marketing push for the character after his appearance in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 movie last year. While the trademark filing alone doesn’t confirm a new game or project, such moves often precede announcements related to upcoming titles, merchandise lines, or cross-media campaigns.
Shadow the Hedgehog has remained one of Sega’s most recognizable characters since his debut in 2001. He previously headlined his own spin-off title in 2005, in which the character struggles to uncover the truth about his forgotten past in the midst of an alien invasion. While its core gameplay retains the familiar high-speed platforming and ring-collecting mechanics of the Sonic series, it introduces new elements such as third-person shooting and branching mission paths that influence both the storyline and the levels the player experiences. The game was released for the Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox in North America and Europe in November, 2005, followed by its Japanese release in December of the same year.
