For a short while now, Sonic the Hedgehog followers have recognized that 2024 is the 12 months of the blue blur’s angsty rival, Shadow the Hedgehog. He’s getting his personal story within the Sonic Generations remaster, he’s starring within the third live-action film premiering in December, and he’s even getting his personal IHOP pancake order. However now, in any case these options, Sega has formally dubbed 2024 Fearless: Yr of Shadow. Sorry, Swifties. Fearless is ours, now.
Sega made the announcement by a brief video depicting a younger lady who just lately moved to a brand new place drawing sketches about lacking her outdated associates and worrying about becoming in with the children in her new neighborhood. She then begins drawing Shadow, who throws down some information about being your self, figuring out you’re sufficient, and being fearless within the face of latest challenges. Then she does some sick methods on her bike and impresses all the brand new youngsters. It’s healthful and nonetheless punk rock sufficient to really feel in step with Shadow’s character. He’s broody and shit, however he is also all about self-acceptance and being your self within the face of adversity. So yeah, I’m consuming that shit up.
That is half of a bigger fan celebration marketing campaign to pay tribute to Shadow with occasions over the course of 2024. A few of these are already laid out on the official Sonic web site, together with some recognized happenings like Sonic X Shadow Generations and the Lego figurine of Shadow on his bike. However Sega can also be internet hosting Fearless occasions on cell video games Sonic Forces and Sonic Sprint to unlock Shadow variant characters, together with Tremendous Shadow, Vampire Shadow, Sir Lancelot, and Dragon Hunter Lancelot. The Sonic Symphony live performance will now be performing songs from Shadow’s video games and ranges, and the Sonic Pace Cafe in Chino Hills, California, will characteristic Shadow merchandise and photograph ops, in addition to Shadow-themed objects on its menu.
On prime of all this, Sega is bringing a customized, Shadow-themed bike on tour, beginning with an look at MotoGP Crimson Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, from April 12 to 14. Carry it to New York, Sega. I received’t journey that demise entice, however I’ll sit on it for a photograph op.
All of this makes me want I might be in a number of locations without delay as a result of I need to be a part of all of the Shadow celebrations. But it surely additionally makes me glad to see Shadow get his due after the Sonic franchise bastardized him in recent times to be nothing however an edgelord background character as a substitute of a playable pillar like he was within the early 2000s. Perhaps it’s time for a essential reevaluation of his god-awful 2005 recreation. It had concepts, dammit!
