The first full trailer for the much-anticipated Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is finally out, offering viewers the first look at Sonic’s return as he gears up to face Shadow, who’s finally revealed to be voiced by Keanu Reeves.
But what the trailer doesn’t tell you is that Shadow pays homage to one of anime’s biggest movies ever made! Yes, we are talking about the 1988 critically acclaimed cyberpunk action film, Akira.
Shadow pulls an “Akira” in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
While facing Sonic in what seems to be the biggest fight fans have been highly anticipating, Shadow takes his bike on the road and slides in the same way Mitsuru Kuwata does in Akira.
That scene took place when Mitsuru chases down answers and tries to get to the bottom of what happened with his friend Kaneda, traveling places with his Red Ducati Diavel.
This isn’t the first time fans have compared Sonic the Hedgehog and Akira. In 2023, a Reddit user, Shorthawk, shared some artworks that acted as a crossover with the 1988 anime film.
In addition, the Sonic franchise referenced other anime series like Dragon Ball many a time. In fact, the history between Sonic the Hedgehog and Dragon Ball Z can be traced back to the 1990s, under the introduction of the Super Saiyan Transformation.
Co-creator Yuji Naka was a huge fan of Dragon Ball, and he created Super Sonic as an homage to Super Saiyan 1.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 character designer, Yasushi Yamaguchi, posted a piece of art paying tribute to the late Akira Toriyama, which is a crossover between Sonic and Dragon Ball.
Seeing Sonic reference anime like Akira and Dragon Ball has increased the anticipation among fans, who are waiting for the upcoming installment of the Sonic and Hedgehog movie franchise.
Sonic fans couldn’t help but hype up Shadow’s badassery
Shadow has long been a fan favorite in the Sonic franchise. An anti-hero who envied Sonic because he was born regular, he is the outcome of Project Shadow, which Prof. Gerald Robotnik created as the “Ultimate Life Form” using Black Doom’s DNA.
While he was originally created to develop a cure for Gerald’s granddaughter, Maria Robotnik, he was captured following his creation and put into stasis by G.U.N. when he was deemed a threat to humanity.
He eventually broke out and joined hands with Dr. Eggman to conquer the Earth. He had committed some inexcusable damage to Sonic and the planet but as his memories came back to him, he thwarted Black Doom’s agenda and saved the world.
Just like Vegeta from Dragon Ball Z, Shadow decided to move on from the past and be Earth’s protector on his own accord. Shadow’s redemption arc is one of series’ iconic developments. And seeing another piece of media referencing Akira, fans can’t wait to see more of the character in Sonic the Hedgehog 3.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3, directed by Jeff Fowler, brings back Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik and stars Keanu Reeves to play Shadow. It is set to hit theatres worldwide on December 20, 2024.
