#shadsoni

Meanwhile, Sonic and Shadow in almost every medium where they appear:

Games

Sonic X

Boom

Calendar Story

Prime

Joypolis Birthday

Film

Chao Tales

Merchandise

SNS

Canoncity

Characters: Sonic the Hedgehog, Shadow the Hedgehog

Canon Status: Semi-Canon (Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic × Shadow 2021 July Calender Story, Sonic Prime, Joypolis Birthday, Chao Tales)

Canonical Type: Yaoi

Relationship: •Rivalry Friends and Allies with an Intimate Relation (as Mutual Feelings) (Games [since SA2], 2021 July Calender Story, Prime, Joypolis Birthday and their Chao versions)

•One-sided Flirt on Sonic's side (IDW)

•Mutual Flirt (Sonic Racing Crossworlds Japanese

Version)

Other Ship Names: Shadonic, ShaSoni, SoniSha, Shadnic, Sonic x Shadow, Shadow x Sonic

Official Canon Interactions between Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog in the Games and Medias:

Sonic and Shadow’s relationship is that rivalry friends and allies with an intimate relationship (as mutual feelings). In the official games and Japanese medias their actual canonical status can be seen as semi-official (semi-canon) because there are subtext hints for Sonic likes Shadow and Shadow likes back Sonic too, which is concealed in the “Sonic Series”, and it can be seen more evidently on Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calendar Story, which results the emotional deep intimate relationship is going between them since they have a mutual care and trust each other in the games.

Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calendar Story:

In Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calendar Story has subtext of (semi-)canonical elements between Sonikku and Shadow because it was hinted that Sonic and Shadow as being (moon) lovers since this story is inspired by the Tanabata story, the two separated of star lovers Altair and Vega get together on the 7th month of the 7th night just like how Sonic x Shadow Calendar story that the Moon and the ARK meet from time to time and there is a bridge in Mission Street too that the bridge is reflecting from the Tanabata story. (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)

*Another thing is, there are two possible reasons why Sonic being the “Moon” is because his official birthday is on June 23, which is the Cancer week that leads to his planet zodiac sign makes the moon, also his tarot cards lead him the reversed hierophant/moon (28/1, 28/2, 30, 31), and Shadow’s birthplace is in the ARK colony, so this can be said they were being as the Moon and the ARK in this story.*

“Once a year, due to the orbital alignment of the satellites, there is a night when the ARK can be seen directly above the full moon. Mission Street was one of the best places to see it, and the astronomical show of two cold dignified moons floating in a sea of warm city lights was Sonic’s favourite.”

This phrase from calendar story states that Sonic’s favourite moments are meeting with Shadow like the moon and ARK, which states Sonic wants to be with Shadow. It can also be interpreted Sonic had a small attachment moment with him, while they were in Mission Street, he pointed out the ARK to Shadow at first to remind him they had great adventures, then the moon and himself through the moon smirkingly to express the feelings towards him ever since when they fought and helped together to save the world back in the ARK when they were super.

(From Sonic x Shadow Calendar Story’s title description)

In English translation: “A rare kind of relationship where someone is able to get close to your heart”

This story’s description title means that is a soulmate bond and an emotional intimate connection that goes beyond superficial interactions through the heart between two people to build a deep mutual trust, care and affection that becomes deeply important to one’s heart and despite the rareness, meaning that is not constantly happens but they hold a special, precious place in the other person’s inner part. (18, 19, 20)

It can also demonstrate somebody is letting a person to reach their inner intimacy parts through their heart because they like a person.

Another thing is, *懐 (futokoro)* in Japanese means heart/pocket and it can mean a person’s most inner feelings, which represents a sense of trust and intimacy. It also describes when someone wears a kimono, they hold important values such as wallets or other important objects. (4, 15, 16, 17)

So, in this situation with this "懐" word, it would explain that Sonic is reaching Shadow's heart since this story’s description mentions how Sonic is the only one that can say something that reaches Shadow's heart. This calendar story’s part highlights when Shadow gives his chaos emerald to Sonic due to his trust and letting Sonic enter his intimate part, which is a subtle hints.

* On a side note, 懐 (futokoro) is not used in other 2021 calendar stories. * (4)

In English translation: “In fact, Sonic is likely the only one who can get close enough to Shadow to say something that truly reaches his heart (though, of course, often it doesn't).”

This confirms that Shadow has feelings for Sonic in a special and rare way, which is an intimate that is trusting and deep emotional level since there are times that he lets Sonikku to reach his heart.

Because when reaching is one’s heart means they are having developing romantic feelings through the deep emotional connection, which tells that despite Shadow’s Tsundere personality, he sees his relationship with Sonic as rare and special on a deep emotional level that is not superficial or unreal since he cares about Sonic that is stated in this calendar story with subtle hints.

So, this is why there are times Shadow goes through the effort to help and protect Sonic to make sure he is alive and safe, which can be consider one of Shadow’s mission in his life is keeping Sonic safe since Sonikku is a good person, so Shadow cares and concerns his safety deep down just like in Sonic Forces, which highlights Shadow gets worried when Infinite threats Sonikku in Forces.

“Only the moon overlooking the bustling city seemed to be watching over that shadow forever and ever.” (From Sonic x Shadow Calendar Story’s last phrase)

Ever since Sonic saw Shadow almost die, and how he is capable of being strong and equal to Shadow in Sonic Adventure 2, he constantly looks for Shadow or tries to get his attention to make sure that the same thing will not happen again just like how it was states in Sonic x Shadow 2021 July calender story. It also explains why they sometimes rival each other incessantly, so Sonic check on Shadow’s well-being like how Shadow watches over him (in the games like in Sonic Colour DS, Sonic Forces, Team Sonic Racing, and Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calender Story).

Both Sonic and Shadow are aware of the same coin on the two sides. However, Shadow is not ready to close the gap since he still sees himself lower to Sonic, so he gets shy away for not being able to accept this, so Sonic gets disappoints at the end of calender story, but he will continue to watch over Shadow to wait for him until he accepts they are equal and can see on the same stage together as one, which Sonic hints in this story that Shadow is already his equal and a good person too. (4)

This is how this calendar story confirms Sonic and Shadow are liking each other *since the Moon and the ARK are reflecting as the star lovers and Mission Street is reflecting the bridge from Tanabata Story, which is representing Sonikku’s feelings for Shadow and reaching a heart is a metaphor of someone’s strong romantic feelings and deep emotional connection level of an intimacy, which Shadow has for Sonic*. However, it was not completely outward because of Shadow’s Tsundere personality like how he finding the situation absurd and leaves embarrassingly at the end of story (this interprets as Tsundere behaviour).

Sonic Adventure 2:

The intimacy and romantic link between Sonic and Shadow has started back in the ARK in Sonic Adventure 2 because when they transformed super, their hearts connected through their hearts with the chaos emeralds, which means it can only be seen one’s heart.

So, the chaos emeralds let Sonikku to trust him and understand Shadow is not a bad guy, since he decides to help save the world, which is why the chaos emeralds let Shadow to be super to work Sonic together, despite being manipulated by Doctor Eggman at first.

When their hearts connected very deeply, Shadow heard his long lost sister(-like) Maria’s voice, which it can be said Sonic heard her voice like his head slightly turned a bit and waited them until Shadow and Maria’s talk would end. (4)

Conclusion:

ShadSoni/Sonadow has the highest popularity in both Ao3 and Tumblr and it is the most preferable Yaoi pairing in Sonic Community in the recent years. (33, 34)

Trivia:

• Although Sonic x Shadow 2021 Calendar Story was made for July, it was released on June 28 at the end of Pride month in Sonic Channel, so fans are interpreting that this calendar story was related to a bit pride topic, since this story describes the depth intimacy love connection and affection between them, besides having a deep emotionally trust level.

• SEGA and Sonic Team made a game called “Sonic x Shadow Generations” generally “x” is used as shipping but it is also used sometimes as and to name the people’s name. “X” word is also used in 2021 calendar stories, though fans interpret that SEGA could have made a deep message that they want Sonic to be pair with Shadow since they already stated in Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calendar Story with subtext hints.

•At the last scene of Sonic Adventure 2, Sonic says in Japanese: "疲れた... きゅうきょくせいめいたいか? (Tsukureta)" Meaning in English it means “Worn-out (exhausted)…Ultimate Lifeform?”* Sonic asks this sadly when he looks at the world, while he and his friends were in the ARK before getting interrupted. After aside his sorrow, Sonic says before leaving the ARK: "Adiós, Shadow the Hedgehog..." (goodbye in Spanish) (4).

*Shadow was symbolised and appeared as the world in the last scene after defeating the game and “rest easy heroes”. It could be stated that Shadow was very exhausted to Chaos Control back, so he fell down the world at the end, which Sonic was noticed this, so this is why he said to him worn-out looking at the world. However, the last scene on Sonic Adventure 2’s last credits did not translate correctly in English, so the true meaning of the last scene has been lost in translation (4).

*So, by symbolising Shadow as the world in Sonic Adventure 2’s last scene, Shadow’s tarot card number is 8 due to his strengths, weaknesses and abilities, which makes him upright strength and both upright and reversed world on his tarot card. So, this must be the reason why there are times that the owner of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise, the superiors at SEGA Japan had been portraying Sonic as the Moon, the number 5, and the Hierophant (Upside-down), and portraying Shadow as the World, the number 8, and Strength (Upright) in their medias, probably because having placed intricate messages within their medias that portrays their suffering and their dream of wanting Shadonic/Sonadow. (29, 29/1, 29/2, 3/3, 3/4)

• * Another thing is, Sonic’s tarot card’s number is 5 due to his strengths, weaknesses and personality match him, though this tarot card makes him the reversed hierophant, which means he takes as unorthodox path and that also makes him wolf path, since Sonic has been portrayed as the moon in the games and films like Sonic the Hedgehog 2006, Sonic Unleashed and Sonic the hedgehog (2022 film), meaning that he will not form a relationship with someone or a female who everybody tells him that he should. (28, 28/1, 28/2)

• Shadow has been stated being Sonic’s only friend in official Sonic the Hedgehog History Book on page 248, and he also stated being part of Sonic’s friend in the West medias, SEGA’s original Japanese SNS account SEGAOfficial Sonic Team Japan's official website: Sonic Channel. (4, 27, 32)

• On December 25 2025, A Sonic fan named Kamen Rider Lambda made a video about Sonadow and talked about all the analysation that he had on his video.

• On September 20 2021, Shadow’s wallpaper column was released a few months after Sonic x Shadow 2021 July Calendar Story. In this wallpaper column, Shadow looks at the Moon while he was on a mission, when the ARK is very close towards the Moon. The same symbolisation of being Moon and the ARK are getting close is also reflecting to the Sonic x Shadow Calendar Story, which can be interpret Shadow looks at Sonic peacefully and deep care, since Sonikku has been portrayed as the Moon in the games and medias, also he pointed himself to Shadow that Sonic is the moon. (1/2)

Credits and References:

1.The original story comes from Sonic Channel, Sonic Team JP’s official website, to support them and find this story’s original version, you can visit here.👉 https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/special/sidestory/coverstory/20210628_002603/

•https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/special/sidestory/sonicpict/20210930_008510/

2. Some of translation made by Windii Gaylord (Gitlord) to find the translation and support her, you can visit here.👉 https://browniehideout.wordpress.com/2021/06/29/sonic-channel-wallpaper-cover-story-sonic-shadow-july-2021/

3. Some analysations for this Calendar Story found by SonadowWiki, who were the first discovered the intimate relationship between Sonikku and Shadow and 懐 (futokoro) by them, to support them and search more deep info analysation about how Sonic is the moon and Shadow is the world, you can visit here.👉 https://sonadow.miraheze.org/wiki/Sonic_x_Shadow_July_2021_Calendar_Story

•https://sonadow.miraheze.org/wiki/Sonic_and_Shadow%27s_Relationship_Status

•https://sonadow.miraheze.org/wiki/Sonic_and_Shadow_-_The_Moon_and_The_World

•https://www.tumblr.com/sonadowwiki/754395422366302208/sonic-and-shadow-the-moon-and-the-world-part-one

5.https://www.tumblr.com/the--god--of--fuck/6359054190653276/all-dere-types-list?source=share

6.https://lingopie.com/blog/anime-types-of-dere/

7.https://medium.com/@kayadrico/the-appeal-of-the-tsundere-de77f8213ec8

8.https://www.japan-suite.com/blog/2014/7/6/tanabata-story-of-two-star-crossed-lovers?srsltid=AfmBOopHRy34LuPlrWrtmxBA3GHwceH1i95m3uxiuJfhW5DcVZE1R

9. The Story of Tanabata-Read Aloud Book from (Youtube)

10. Tanabata: Japan’s Star-studded Tale of Romance from (Youtube)

11. Tanabata-The Star Festival Kids World Stories Japanese Bedtime Story (YouTube)

12.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanabata

13.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orihime

14.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikoboshi

15.https://romajidesu.com/dictionary/meaning-of-%E6%87%90.html

16.https://www.japandict.com/懐https://www.japandict.com/%E6%87%90

17.https://jisho.org/search/懐https://jisho.org/search/%E6%87%90

18.https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/get+close+to

19.https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/close-to-heart

20. Understanding "Close at Heart": An English Phrase Explained (YouTube)

21.https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/character/sonic.html

22.https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/character/shadow.html

23.https://browniehideout.wordpress.com/characters/sonic/

24.https://browniehideout.wordpress.com/characters/shadow/

25.https://sonadow.miraheze.org/wiki/Sonic_the_Hedgehog

26.https://sonadow.miraheze.org/wiki/Shadow_the_Hedgehog

27.https://archive.org/details/historyofsoniche0000unse/mode/2up

28.https://www.numerology.com/articles/about-numerology/single-digit-number-5-meaning/

•https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/the-hierophant-meaning-major-arcana-tarot-card-meanings

•https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/the-moon-meaning-major-arcana-tarot-card-meanings

29.https://www.numerology.com/articles/about-numerology/single-digit-number-8-meaning/

•https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/strength-meaning-major-arcana-tarot-card-meanings

•https://labyrinthos.co/blogs/tarot-card-meanings-list/the-world-meaning-major-arcana-tarot-card-meanings

30.https://www.pagangrimoire.com/zodiac-sign-ruling-planet-symbols/

31.https://www.almanac.com/12-astrology-zodiac-signs

32.https://sonic.sega.jp/SonicChannel/character/

33.https://www.tumblr.com/lyricthecat-12/821066231692001280/the-biggest-sonic-ships-on-ao3-july-2026

Sonic: [reaches out to help]

Shadow: [switches all groceries to one arm to hold Sonic’s hand]