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shamanicshaymin) wrote2005-11-02 11:07 pm
shamanicshaymin) wrote2005-11-02 11:07 pm
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From Umbra-Rockchick's reply on this journal entry left by NetRaptor.
That's the most sensible thing regarding the Sonic fandom i've heard in a long time. Usually, mention Shadow to a Sonic fan and you'll get one of two standard respnses: OMG SHADOW ROXORSone!oneone, or a sneer of contempt. It's what I call the Bon Jovi effect: There are the fans who like the character because he's popular (the 'newbies'/ pop people) , the fans who refuse to have anything to do with him because he's popular (the 'die-hards'/alternative scene) and the people who like or dislike the character because of WHO he is. Unfortunately, the latter are few and far between.
What I'm trying to say is, it's great to hear someone talking sense around here, and even better to see Shadow being discussed *as a character* rather than the usual, "I hate him because he's too popular/is a Sonic ripoff/is jumpng on the 'dark' bandwagon" or "I like him because he's cool/is angsty"
Thank you! :D
And may I say "Thank you" to Umbra-Rockchick?
'Cause seriously. I know ten billion fangirls and fanboys that would crawl aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall over me 'cause I like Shadow, and ten billion others who would immediately snub me out for the same reason. Well guess what: Shadow the Hedgehog is my favorite character. Neither rabid fanbase OR elitist is going to change that. I've played both "Sonic Adventure"s. I've played the Classic*Sonic games. I've read scans of the comics. I've seen a few episodes from both SatAM and AoStH. Overall, I'm more well-read on the "Sonic" series than I was a year ago: Shadow is still my favorite. I'm not liking him because he's popular. I'm not liking him because I'm trying to fit in with a crowd I pretty much despise. I don't dislike him to make myself a rebel. I don't dislike him to make myself feel intelligent. I'm not liking him because he's OMG SO HAWT AND COOL AND ANGSTY!!1 I don't dislike him because OMG HE'S A CHEAP IMITATION OF SONIC AND PROMOTES THE DARK/GOTH/EMO STEREOTYPE!!1
I like Shadow because he's Shadow. You know, character? Personality? From Day 1, Shadow always struck me as interesting--back at the time when all I knew of "Sonic" was eight AoStH episodes and two Game Gear games, he was different from what I've seen before. And he definitely didn't come off as a rip-off to me--he was different, and well, awesome. In his own special way. I played through both the Hero and Dark sides, and you look at the uppity tone of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, and compare that to the, well... darker (no pun intended) elements from Shadow, Eggman and Rouge. Sonic looks into the present and doesn't look behind him--Shadow is haunted by memories of his past, but carries on his mission nonetheless. In ways, Sonic and Shadow do have a few things in common: they're confident, somewhat proud (though Shadow moreso) and stubborn (Sonic here), and well... they're human. Sonic obviously has his faults and can be somewhat of a jerk--but he lives for the freedom of others and is willing to put his life on the line for his friends when they're in trouble. Shadow can be friggin' apathetic--but it shown he had a heart, even when he tried to blow up the planet. He's that committed to Maria Robotnik. And when Amy snapped him out of it and remembered his real promise, well... he definitely went sentimental. But one moment of angst, and he's off his feet again: he's made a bunch of mistakes, and now he was gonna rush on to Biolizard and make things right again.
Shadow knew there was no hope for him. He knew he was going to die. But he ran in there anyway--it's exactly what he said in "Supporting Me": I never lose my confidence. Even in "Throw it All Away", with all the apathy and misery "destined" for him, he just kept going:
Head straight for your goal by any means
There is a door that you've never opened
There is a window with a view you have never seen
Get there
No matter how long it takes...
There was that scene in the game where he and Rouge were speaking. Near the end, she blurts out, "You know, even your memories might not be real!" "What I have is what I am--I'm still Shadow the Hedgehog. Whether my memories are real or not, I have Maria's promise to keep." Just like that. Think about it: would you rather be a shell or have false memories? Whether they happened or not, memories make up who you are: if you have nothing, no identity, no past, then who are you? You might as well don't exist. The fact that Shadow may or may not know Maria, but wanted to fufill her wish all the same: that touched me. It seriously did. I've felt nothing but respect for Shadow since that scene, and I was rooting my heart out for the guy when he approached between Sonic and Knuckles before Biolizard. Just... talk about a true friend.
And he'd been harboring Maria's promise all these 50 years, and he finally did it: were he to stay dead at that moment, he would've been able to rest in peace and be able to see his friend again.
But it looks like his mission isn't done yet... *DADADADA*
Maria Robotnik was sick and didn't have a chance to experience life on Earth. It was both of them alone, watching the blue planet--she would've wanted Shadow to be happy. She would've wanted him to enjoy life instead of hate it--she would've wanted him to be free. And that he'd be able to spend his time peacefully on the Earth, and get to meet friends and overall... just live life. Until the time would come when he'd get to see her again, too?
Who else could teach Shadow that? To live for today, the moment... revel in life and freedom. Become independent, but know people to rely on and care for. To live and learn. And well... love.
Sonic the Hedgehog.
And a certain Black-and-Red Faker will never be bored. XDDD;;;
Alas, my opinions are unpopular and will likely lead me to be shot and full of holes quicker before November 15th (Aka Judgement Day) comes out. XDD;;;
The Turtles - Happy Together: Who remembers that "Super Smash Bros." commercial? Meeee! Meeeeeeeee~! YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!
That's the most sensible thing regarding the Sonic fandom i've heard in a long time. Usually, mention Shadow to a Sonic fan and you'll get one of two standard respnses: OMG SHADOW ROXORSone!oneone, or a sneer of contempt. It's what I call the Bon Jovi effect: There are the fans who like the character because he's popular (the 'newbies'/ pop people) , the fans who refuse to have anything to do with him because he's popular (the 'die-hards'/alternative scene) and the people who like or dislike the character because of WHO he is. Unfortunately, the latter are few and far between.
What I'm trying to say is, it's great to hear someone talking sense around here, and even better to see Shadow being discussed *as a character* rather than the usual, "I hate him because he's too popular/is a Sonic ripoff/is jumpng on the 'dark' bandwagon" or "I like him because he's cool/is angsty"
Thank you! :D
And may I say "Thank you" to Umbra-Rockchick?
'Cause seriously. I know ten billion fangirls and fanboys that would crawl aaaaaaaaaaaaaaall over me 'cause I like Shadow, and ten billion others who would immediately snub me out for the same reason. Well guess what: Shadow the Hedgehog is my favorite character. Neither rabid fanbase OR elitist is going to change that. I've played both "Sonic Adventure"s. I've played the Classic*Sonic games. I've read scans of the comics. I've seen a few episodes from both SatAM and AoStH. Overall, I'm more well-read on the "Sonic" series than I was a year ago: Shadow is still my favorite. I'm not liking him because he's popular. I'm not liking him because I'm trying to fit in with a crowd I pretty much despise. I don't dislike him to make myself a rebel. I don't dislike him to make myself feel intelligent. I'm not liking him because he's OMG SO HAWT AND COOL AND ANGSTY!!1 I don't dislike him because OMG HE'S A CHEAP IMITATION OF SONIC AND PROMOTES THE DARK/GOTH/EMO STEREOTYPE!!1
I like Shadow because he's Shadow. You know, character? Personality? From Day 1, Shadow always struck me as interesting--back at the time when all I knew of "Sonic" was eight AoStH episodes and two Game Gear games, he was different from what I've seen before. And he definitely didn't come off as a rip-off to me--he was different, and well, awesome. In his own special way. I played through both the Hero and Dark sides, and you look at the uppity tone of Sonic, Tails and Knuckles, and compare that to the, well... darker (no pun intended) elements from Shadow, Eggman and Rouge. Sonic looks into the present and doesn't look behind him--Shadow is haunted by memories of his past, but carries on his mission nonetheless. In ways, Sonic and Shadow do have a few things in common: they're confident, somewhat proud (though Shadow moreso) and stubborn (Sonic here), and well... they're human. Sonic obviously has his faults and can be somewhat of a jerk--but he lives for the freedom of others and is willing to put his life on the line for his friends when they're in trouble. Shadow can be friggin' apathetic--but it shown he had a heart, even when he tried to blow up the planet. He's that committed to Maria Robotnik. And when Amy snapped him out of it and remembered his real promise, well... he definitely went sentimental. But one moment of angst, and he's off his feet again: he's made a bunch of mistakes, and now he was gonna rush on to Biolizard and make things right again.
Shadow knew there was no hope for him. He knew he was going to die. But he ran in there anyway--it's exactly what he said in "Supporting Me": I never lose my confidence. Even in "Throw it All Away", with all the apathy and misery "destined" for him, he just kept going:
Head straight for your goal by any means
There is a door that you've never opened
There is a window with a view you have never seen
Get there
No matter how long it takes...
There was that scene in the game where he and Rouge were speaking. Near the end, she blurts out, "You know, even your memories might not be real!" "What I have is what I am--I'm still Shadow the Hedgehog. Whether my memories are real or not, I have Maria's promise to keep." Just like that. Think about it: would you rather be a shell or have false memories? Whether they happened or not, memories make up who you are: if you have nothing, no identity, no past, then who are you? You might as well don't exist. The fact that Shadow may or may not know Maria, but wanted to fufill her wish all the same: that touched me. It seriously did. I've felt nothing but respect for Shadow since that scene, and I was rooting my heart out for the guy when he approached between Sonic and Knuckles before Biolizard. Just... talk about a true friend.
And he'd been harboring Maria's promise all these 50 years, and he finally did it: were he to stay dead at that moment, he would've been able to rest in peace and be able to see his friend again.
But it looks like his mission isn't done yet... *DADADADA*
Maria Robotnik was sick and didn't have a chance to experience life on Earth. It was both of them alone, watching the blue planet--she would've wanted Shadow to be happy. She would've wanted him to enjoy life instead of hate it--she would've wanted him to be free. And that he'd be able to spend his time peacefully on the Earth, and get to meet friends and overall... just live life. Until the time would come when he'd get to see her again, too?
Who else could teach Shadow that? To live for today, the moment... revel in life and freedom. Become independent, but know people to rely on and care for. To live and learn. And well... love.
Sonic the Hedgehog.
And a certain Black-and-Red Faker will never be bored. XDDD;;;
Alas, my opinions are unpopular and will likely lead me to be shot and full of holes quicker before November 15th (Aka Judgement Day) comes out. XDD;;;
The Turtles - Happy Together: Who remembers that "Super Smash Bros." commercial? Meeee! Meeeeeeeee~! YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH~!