Sonic and Shadow's current relationship status is that of friends, allies and rivals. In the game canons and official medias, the ship between Sonic and Shadow can be seen as semi-official due to the context clues of Sonic liking Shadow and Shadow liking Sonic back hidden within the 'Sonic the Hedgehog' franchise. This can be seen more clearly in the Sonic x Shadow July 2021 Calendar Story where it is implied that they are lovers due to the Japanese story Tanabata that is referenced in the story. It is also implied by Sonic being the "Moon" where Sonic will continue to watch over Shadow forever and that Sonic's favorite moments in his life are when he and Shadow meet like the moon and ARK in the story. In the description of the story when talking about Sonic and Shadow's relationship, it also mentions that their relationship is a special and rare one that goes beyond superficial interactions and is more on a deep emotional level; that they have an intimate relationship. The phrase used to describe their relationship is also used to indicate that Shadow likes Sonic back on a deep emotional level since he allows Sonic to enter his heart at times. It also confirms that Shadow cares about Sonic in a special and emotionally deep way, which is why he goes through the effort to help him and care for him. (This explanation can be seen in the Trivia section on the page: Sonic x Shadow July 2021 Calendar Story or through the bullet point down below.) This official story and description with it confirms that the feelings between the two are mutual since 2021, but they are not completely outward about it, especially due to Shadow's Tsundere personality.
- When explaining the relationship between Sonic and Shadow in the bottom description after the story, the title of the section is called: "A rare relationship that can enter one's heart." (In Japanese: 懐に入って来られる稀有（けう）な関係) The meaning of this phrase in Japanese is to describe a relationship that is rare and special that goes beyond superficial interactions and instead, reaches a deep emotional level between the two parties. In Japanese, the term "懐" (futoko) refers to the heart or inner most feelings of a person. It represents a sense of trust and intimacy. Along with this, the word "懐" can also be used to describe a pocket used when wearing kimonos that holds important valuables such as wallets or other important artifacts. When using this phrase, it can literally mean that someone is entering someone's heart/pocket where important artifacts go. The phrase indicates that someone is entering someone's heart, which can also indicate someone saying that they like a person because they are letting them enter the deepest and more intimate parts of their heart. In this case, it would mean that Sonic is entering Shadow's heart since later in the description while using the same term "懐," it mentions how Sonic is the only one that can say something that enters Shadow's heart. (In Japanese: 実際、シャドウにここまで懐深く入って何かを言えて、それが心に届く（届かないことも多いですが）のは、ソニックくらいではないでしょうか。) This indicates that Shadow likes Sonic in a special and rare way that is on an intimate, trusting and deep emotional level since he at times allows Sonic to enter his heart. It also tells how Shadow sees his relationship with Sonic as rare and special on a deep emotional level that is not superficial and that he cares about him despite his Tsundere personality. This can further be seen in the Sonic Pic image of Shadow looking at the moon (Sonic) with fondness that was released later. [The phrase using this term "懐" is not used in any other description of relationship from the 2021 calendar stories, including his friends.]
Shadow can also be said to like Sonic back in some way due to the hidden context clues in several medias, such as when he is respecting him, saving him, indulging in his wants, and caring about Sonic's well-being overall. They have also been hinted at being lovers since Sonic Adventure 2 where out of the character Chao in the game that are from the Sonic the Hedgehog series, only Sonic and Shadow Chao can breed and mate with each other due to not being immortal. This has both Chao kiss each other before they create a new Chao egg from their mating.
In Sonic Prime, it can be said that they are semi-canon and have mutual feelings for each other because Sonic said that he "heart" (loves) Shadow too when he saved him from getting blasted by missiles. Shadow doesn't deny that he loves Sonic and simply rolls his eyes at him. They also constantly save each other despite being Tsundere about it, but due to this, it shows that they both care for each other. Sonic shows this more by always calling out Shadow's name every time he sees him get hurt. At times he also reaches out for him. Shadow on the other hand risks almost everything to do his best to keep Sonic safe or help him throughout the animation. Shadow also confirms that he has Sonic's back by saying that Sonic is not alone in season 3. Also in season 3, Sonic side hugs Shadow and snuggles into him without Shadow pushing him away and Shadow's face falls into devastation when seeing Sonic hurt/weakened. In the end of the season, Shadow bridal carries Sonic to safety and even tightens his grip on him as they go towards the Green Hills gateway.
The two respect, understand, and care about each other, which is often portrayed through their actions and subtle hints. Constant teasing can also be taken as someone liking another person, which Sonic does to Shadow often.
To learn more about how their relationship is semi-official in the games too, read our other pages explaining this, such as: Sonic and Shadow - The Moon and The World | Observations | The Hidden Truth About SEGA | The Difference Between SEGA Japan and SEGA America/Europe
If mutual feelings is ever said between Sonic and another character other than Shadow, know that it is incorrect information. To know more about this and other relationships between Sonic and other characters, take a look at his character page: Sonic the Hedgehog.
To see the relationships between Shadow and other characters, take a look at his character page: Shadow the Hedgehog.
*Shadic is most often a term used as a fusion of Sonic and Shadow in fan interpretation/content. Though this is the case on how fans use it, technically it can also be used as a shipping name for the two of them like Sonadow since it is a combination of their names but with Shadow's name first.
For proof that Shadow is Sonic's friend, it is heavily implied in many places that Sonic and Shadow are friends. Not only in games, but also in other medias like the Sonic x Shadow July 2021 Calendar Story. There is also a video for beginners to Sonic's franchise by Sonic Team that lists Shadow as one of Sonic's friends. In many of the canon materials, Sonic and Shadow are shown to be on playful terms with each other. Though they rival each other often, they also care for each other and help each other out when needed.
Shadow has also been called one of Sonic's friends through the "Life in Sonic's World" series of pictures. It is stated that the pictures are of Sonic and Sonic's friends, and many of those images include Shadow. In a post from Sonic Team that shows their line of Sonic and Shadow 2024 Birthday Merchandise even has it stated on the clear file with Shadow's picture that these pictures are of Sonic and his friends. This is also seen on their website Sonic Channel. Therefore, even in Japanese, it is stated that Shadow is one of Sonic's friends.
Another place that has in print that Shadow is Sonic's friend is from the 20th Anniversary History Book - The History of Sonic the Hedgehog. In that book, only Sonic is listed as Shadow's friend. No one else is. SEGA Shop Europe has also called Shadow Sonic's friend in advertisem*nts for the Squishmallows. Another SEGA branch that has called Shadow one of Sonic's friends is SEGA Arcade where they have Shadow listed as part of Sonic's friends when talking about the plush toys they make for their arcade machines. Many advertisem*nts promote Shadow as part of Sonic's friends. Because of this, it can be said that Sonic is Shadow's only friend. Others are more like his acquaintances or allies to Shadow, but they're not as close as a friend. Maria is the only slight exception, but for her, she is more like Shadow's family than a friend. There is even official material from Shadow the Hedgehog (2005) that says that Shadow sees Maria as a sister, so she is more like family to him due to treating and seeing her as a sister.
In the Japanese manual for Shadow the Hedgehog 2005, Shadow and Maria's relationship is translated literally as such: "Maria, who had a big brother and little sister like relationship with Shadow, was also sacrificed..." This comes from the sentence: "シャドウとは兄妹のような関係であったマリアも, その犠牲に..." It is literally stated in this sentence that Shadow and Maria had a sibling relationship where Shadow was the big brother while Maria was seen as a little sister, even if they were not blood related. Because of this, Maria is like family to Shadow, which is similar to how Gerald sees Shadow as his son in Shadow the Hedgehog 2005.
The "big brother and little sister relationship" comes from the word "兄妹" in Japanese, which literally translates to: "big brother and little sister." And the part of the sentence saying it is like a big brother and little sister relationship is with the words "のような関係" in Japanese, which translates to: "like relationship." So together, "兄妹のような関係" means, "big brother and little sister like relationship." For the whole sentence being translated word for word click here.
