Shadow The Hedgehog was originally not planned to be brought back after Sonic Adventure 2, but popularity with fans ultimately led to his return.
During an interview on day two of Brazil Game Show 2025 (via Genki_JPN), Sonic Team head Takashi Iizuka discussed the origins of Shadow the Hedgehog, revealing that the character was originally never intended to appear again after Sonic Adventure 2. “He was created as Sonic’s rival,” Iizuka explained. “At the end [of Sonic Adventure 2], he dies. So originally, he was not supposed to appear again.”
However, what happened next was something even Sega didn’t fully anticipate. “The fans really loved him,” Iizuka said. “I also personally liked him a lot. Because of that, we decided to bring him back.” Shadow would go on to become one of the most popular characters in the Sonic universe, even rivaling Sonic himself. His unexpected return eventually led to starring roles in later games, including Sonic X Shadow Generations in 2024, as well as his recent appearance in the Sonic movie.
Iizuka also hinted at Sonic Team’s strategy to highlight other characters in a similar way. “Every year, we choose a [theme] character,” he said. “This year it was Shadow. Next time, I want to give other characters a chance to shine, just like Shadow.” Outside of character discussions, Iizuka talked about Sonic Racing Cross Worlds and how the game will keep growing post-launch. “We will continue updating it for at least one year,” he explained. “We’ll add new characters and make adjustments online.”
When asked about remasters, Iizuka said that the focus is on new content rather than revisiting the past. “We have been making new games for 30 years,” he said. “We are always looking ahead.” He also talked about the success of Sonic Racing CrossWorlds, and assured that the game will receive regular updates, including balance tweaks and new characters through collaborations with other franchises.
In related news, Sega recently filed a new trademark in Japan for Shadow the Hedgehog. More details here.
