Why Rouge the Bat is Important - A Character Analysis of Rouge the Bat (Founder of Team Dark)

#SonicMovie3 #SonictheHedgehog #RougeTheBat
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Rouge the Bat! Sassy seductive Jewel Thief? Or a Diamond quality Team player and friend?
Anybody SICK of the "Sonic the Hedgehog's stupid friends" narrative? Well I am! So I've taken it upon myself to analyze and pay my respects to the good times for these characters, and call out the garbage from the bad times! Games media and series detractors have been attempting to gaslight us for well over a decade now that Sonic's friends have done nothing but hold the series back. With some "journalists" even going as far as trying to say the Sonic Series itself was NEVER good! Total nonsense. So what better way to make my argument than a KZbin series going into insane detail on why and how many supporting Sonic characters are important to the series?!
Miles Tails Prower, Knuckles the Echidna, Amy Rose, Metal Sonic, Gamma, Shadow the Hedgehog, E123 Omega, Silver, Blaze the Cat, Dr Eggman, and the star of this video, Rouge the Bat, were all important characters. Crucial to the series, and the deeper, Shonen style stories fans are desperate to see make a return!
Of course, there are many more than the ones I've just mentioned, and we will get to ALL of them in time! But for now, let's take a trip back to Sonic Adventure 2, and check in on everyone's favorite bag of sassy, Rouge the Bat! With With appearances in Sonic Prime, NO appearance in Sonic Frontiers, and the questions around her starring in Sonic Movie 3? Let's first go back to a place and time where everything was perfect, analyze the good, then the bad and pray to the Sonic Gods that Paramount accurately reference Sonic Adventure 2 in Sonic Movie 3! Rouge is an amazing character if you do more than just scratch the surface, and I really think she needs to appear again in a major way. As the mother of Team Dark, she deserves nothing less!
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Sources:
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Rouge Render in Thumbnail comes from Sonic Channel: sonic.sega.jp/...
Games Covered:
Sonic Adventure 2
Sonic Heroes
Shadow the Hedgehog 2005
Sonic the Hedgehog 2006
Sonic Battle
Sonic Generations
Sonic Forces Episode Shadow

[@AceCardGaming]

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[@Rob-gs8lq]

Interestingly enough, the relationship between Rouge and Knuckles is like that of Ada Wong and Leon Kennedy. Both Ada Wong and Rouge are special agents or spies who infiltrate an evil organization (Umbrella/Dr. Eggman) and later are revealved to be working for a separate entity (Team Dark/The Organization). Furthermore, both Ada and Rouge have similar goals with Ada trying to secure a G-Virus sample and Rouge attempting to find the chaos emeralds for their respective clients. Knuckles on the other hand, saves Rouge for the first time in Sonic Adventure 2; emphasis on 2, just like Leon saves Ada in Resident Evil 2 and both get confrontational with each other regardless of their feelings they have for one another. I must point out that both SA2 and RE2 feature the same exact scene with the exception being that Leon fails to save Ada (a second time) as Ada slips from Leon's grip. It's painfully obvious to see the parallels or similarities between both series characters.

[@Dudewhotypes]

Rouge is way more important when her boobs get larger

[@liamphibia]

Who else misses Team Dark's interactions and dynamics?😭

[@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899]

Me! On the bright side, they brought back together of team dark if you read 61 issue of IDW, they fight together and they protect each other's backs against the man kind evil. Hopefully it continues with future games

[@odnguy]

Me

[@purkle200]

​@@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899IDW Shadow is a moron though...

[@Aidel1011]

Blame the "Sonic's Stupid Friends" crowd and "Sonic is too edgy since Sonic 1. Get rid of his edgy personality" crowd

[@M3T4LBLU3]

Who else misses Team Dark......

[@Richforce1]

I always kind of thought if Rouge had a backstory, it would involve losing both her parents and lifestyle at an early age, taking up thievery just to keep herself fed. Becoming so good theft and seeing a lot of the criminal underworld, her turning into a manipulative jewel thief would have been very understandable.

[@liamphibia]

Huh, I *like* that.

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Huh, i wonder if they would ever go with that Route?

[@purkle200]

Her mom is alive though and her confirmed and canon living relative.

[@johanstenfelt1206]

@@purkle200 oh, really, interesting.

[@kingtiger5040]

So,it's basically furry catwoman?

[@shinsou_simp81]

4:32 "There's undeniably a lot of sexual tension between Rouge and Knuckles. A flirty rivalry. Staring into each other's eyes. Some casual strangling." 😂😂😂

[@AceCardGaming]

Finally! Someone gets my humour!

[@shincore610]

I think Rouge is the only team dark member in IDW written well. Omega is constantly bring written out of the story and is only used for joke lines Shadow is constantly moody and refuses to cooperate with anyone But like Rouge is the only one shown to still care and worry about her teammates whenever they're harmed.

[@Blanktester685]

literally untrue bud but nice bait.

[@ryannathaniel9296]

Agreed. Shadow is done very dirty in IDW

[@jackhumphries1087]

@@ryannathaniel9296yea, though I think that’s mostly down to the mandates, rather than poor writing, it’s pretty easy to tell that Ian Flynn and Evan Stanley WANT to write shadow properly, but sega won’t let them.

[@HenshinFanatic]

@@jackhumphries1087 Curse the name and house of Ken Penders!

[@marchedgie6838]

"Seeing Shadow throw it all away for the person he loved and saving the entire world in the process tore down all those walls and emotional defenses for her" Ok dude, I see what you did there. Very clever. Also, that point that you made about Rouge not telling Shadow about what he did in Sonic Adventure 2 during the events of Sonic Heroes because she had seen him go on that world ending rampage is honestly something I never really thought of before. I always found it frustrating as to why she, Sonic and the others didn't tell him, but not telling him, knowing what he is capable of kind of makes sense. At the same time though, you wonder, how else could they could've gone about telling him (other than the way they did in Shadow's game). Great video btw.

[@AceCardGaming]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I wondered how long it would take for someone to notice throw it all away! Turns out, not very long 😅

[@SkippytWalrus]

​@@AceCardGamingI've always thought that rogue was a neat character, especially her relationship with Shadow throughout heroes and 06. I guess the sexy secret agent stuff just didn't distract me from how close a friend she is with team dark. She's great and I wish she, as well as other forgotten about characters in the Sonic series, were given the recognition they deserve.

[@AceCardGaming]

Hopefully soon! Frontiers was a good start.

[@lelouche25]

We can thank her and Amy for Shadow deciding to forgo his violence.

[@ДмитрийПроскурня-в7и]

Rouge in Sonic Adventure 2: I realized that real treasures are not jewelry and emeralds, but friends. Rouge the next day: Where are the jewels? Where are the emeralds?

[@penndragyn3728]

SA2: "The real treasure is the friends we made along the way." After: " *Wait, I didn't mean that literally!* "

[@ixiahj]

I assumed the game devs named her Rouge (despite not being red) is because of Shadow. Shadow and Rouge are make up puns.

[@dragowolf268]

She I knuckles counterpart in game that is why her name is rouge

[@SoranotRoxas]

*Always wanted to know her backstory though.* Never understood why Sega never wanted to explore that in any media form.

[@AceCardGaming]

After 06, Sega’s interest in all of the supporting cast evaporated. It’s only in the last couple of years that things finally seem to be changing for the better. So who knows, maybe it will happen!

[@SoranotRoxas]

@@AceCardGaming I doubt it, but I do like how they're getting less restricted with certain things.

[@joeboosta6309]

When I heard you say " Seeing Shadow throw it all away" I thought you were having that be reference speach, because "Throw it all away," is the name of the theme song that was written for Shadow in Sonic Adventure 2.

[@AceCardGaming]

Correct!

[@mrhalfsaid1389]

I just want the characters to be treated like actual characters rather than mascots along the line of tony the tiger

[@AceCardGaming]

Amen my friend.

[@kingtiger5040]

But the characters(with the possible exception of Shadow) were never written well or at least unique.Silver is basically furry Trunks who mistakenly attacks Sonic because bad guy told him so(Knuckles).Blaze is basically Sonic and Knuckles merged into one character with none of the charm that either have and Rouge is a ridiculously one-dimensional character who basically is a walking example of a heavily overused trope(which thankfully Sonic Heroes toned down).None of the new characters apart from Shadow were unique additions to the franchise.

[@djphat94]

If knuckles gets his own spin-off game id love for Rouge to become a side character/rival for him again. Having Knuckles out on some treasure hunt and finding out Rouge is on the same hunt driving him into a competition with her to reach the treasure first.

[@purkle200]

I'll say it again Rouge is the *REAL* and *TRUE* leader of Team Dark. Shadow was only made leader due to Sonic being leader of Team Sonic and his rivalry with Sonic. Shadow himself unlike Sonic lacks charisma, people skills, and has displayed no traits that a leader would have. Shadow isn't a bad character but he his far from ever being a leader.

[@infiniteoctopaw]

"Even if the world turns against you, know that I'll always be by your side. Remember that..." I love her so much, and she's kept that promise even as Modern Shadow treats her like garbage. For both their sakes, i need Shadow to be nice to her again.

[@absoutezeo2126]

Sometimes it takes superficial appeal to reel 'em in to pay attention to the character depth beneath the surface. Weird that they did it with an anthropomorphic bat, but I can appreciate the hustle. And I mean, she's hot so like-

[@kingtiger5040]

Your last sentence ain't wrong

[@iheartbacon76]

I aint a furry, *but*-

[@AltazinMichael]

Good take

[@viivoid]

5:45 "despite that femme fatale wall she puts up in front of the world she's actually a deeply caring individual" Love her & Emma Frost so much for very similar reasons all around, and i relate so much to them omg - RaSz

[@thespookymage6294]

I've been waiting for this. Rouge is my second favorite character, just behind knuckles, and I am glad that people are realizing she has a real and interesting character other then just bat tits. Love her.

[@legendarymasterchief7620]

Her concept art kinda looks like an emo Amy, huh.

[@justinterry7853]

I just thought of that now I can't unsee it 😂

[@BlackFlash09]

The two of them would make ideal rivals.

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

And now Sonic Prime pretends it's AMy who also brings the team together, when that has absolutely not been a staple of her characterization. But it has been Rouge's.

[@Sydney_Angelyt]

@@sboinkthelegday3892Sonic Heroes

[@LannyLeArtist]

Yeah

[@Nephalem2002]

This doesn’t explain why Rouge won’t let Shadow watch Purple.

[@sonicmiku3009]

I got that reference lol

[@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899]

In sonic prime, Rouge appears to stick on sonic's group it may little bit concerned because it makes sense that sonic x had her screentime itself especially on sonic's group she's in, that's where she had involved with the heroes during serious situation, that's why Team dark felt bit apart, especially dynamic with shadow and Rouge in separate ways on their own, i don't think if that simple enough to make this decision by ian Flynn said that team dark are no longer friends which is absolute lie because sega never had confirm the truth. That's why Rouge is the reason teams up with shadow and Omega in sonic heroes. Way back in sonic Adventure 2, she had no backstory to begin with if i wonder her origin story might be interesting as a character, hopefully something her own game to discover. Hopefully sega and sonic team set team dark to return and give them respect for the franchise 🙏

[@liamphibia]

I'm praying the Sonic Movies will bring the old Team Dark back together again. I miss their interactions so much.

[@lordpeeps1]

Actually makes sense she’s with sonic’s group in prime. The main plot revolves around a shiny gem thing and that’s kinda her thing

[@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899]

@@lordpeeps1 exactly, Because rouge said that she had been searching for years to paradox prims as a story could get

[@ryannathaniel9296]

@@liamphibia I second this. If Team Dark is received warmly in the movies, we could expect Sega pushing for Team Dark to be back in the games

[@kingtiger5040]

Team Dark are quite possibly one of the worst things to happen to the Sonic franchise.

[@JustAnAverageSonicFan]

I agree with this entire video. Rouge is truly an under-appreciated character in the Sonic franchise. I love her romantic chemistry and playful rivalry with Knuckles and her bond with Shadow. I should also thank Lani Minella, since when it comes to voice acting, Lani truly made Rouge a believable character by giving her the most emotion. Kathleen Delaney’s take is impossible for me to take seriously since she didn’t give Rouge any emotion and due to the more hostile interactions between Knuckles and Rouge in the Dark Era games. On top of that, Shadow and Rouge didn’t really have too much of a believable bond during that era. But still, I wish people would stop calling her a s*xual joke and realize that she’s more than a jewel thief created for s*xual appeal.

[@evergreen_kate]

Just stumbled upon here randomly. I agree with a lot of your points, remarkable video. I feel like Rouge and Shadow’s relationship really shows the humane and vulnerable sides of themselves. I know a lot of people think it’s a platonic/sibling like relationship but I always found their deep understanding and concerns for each other as partners-for-life goals, and suggestively romantic based on their foundation and certain remarks here and there that go in that romantic grey area.

[@SpeedBird6780]

Rouge, Shadow and Omega are all mentioned in the Fast friends Forever campaign, I consider that a good sign.

[@KennKuun]

I couldn't agree more with your analysis of her character here. Especially when you described her as the mouth of Team Dark with Shadow and Omega being her muscle giving her the confidence to push around anyone she wanted. That group dynamic was peak. Team Dark has some of the best group dynamics in the franchise and it needs to come back, especially since it shows that the franchise can tell meaningful stories without Sonic being there. I'd IMMEDIATELY buy a Team Dark spinoff game. I'd say that Heroes and 06 handled her character best, but that's actually a positive side effect of her character development between SA2, Heroes, and 06 being so strong.

[@MysticalBat]

So happy to see a rouge video! She’s one of my to favourite sonic characters. Such an interesting character, cheeky/cunning with her own selfish goals but later cares for the people she see’s as close to her. She’s just not the same to me in the games as she used to be during the adventure/dark era.

[@VongolaXZax]

I definitely do agree on Knux and Rouge having a "flirty rivalry" lol and I always enjoyed it, during the adventure era. I did agree with PJ on the subject of, after that era, Knuckles and Rouge's relationship became somewhat more of, annoy each other and teasing, but without that common treasure hunter respect, they had towards each other. Knux was unreasonably hostile, due to bad character writing. As with her alignment, I've always seen Rouge as Neutral Good, never an Anti-Hero, even though she's manipulative and uses her charm, she never over steps to the point of indangering innocent lives and not caring. While her Archie and idw (comics ) versions are alright, I never really liked them all that much, Prime Rouge reminded me of her Adventure days. And I agree, Shad and her have a good friendship and mutual respect among each other, I see them as the type of friends that always keeps each other in check, if one over steps their boundaries.

[@mayracordero382]

I want to see rouge in sonic movie 3 more then ever and I support your channel!

[@IAmOffended-Dk]

Something sad is that a lot of people sexualize her but rouge is more than that. She’s an interesting and incredible character who has a great personality and is strong. Shes great at getting what she wants to. It’s really sad that people only see her as a tool. Same with other female sonic characters sadly

[@Sanic-T-Hedge]

You can’t blame people for that. Sega knows what their doing, their intention is to make rouge like that, which is why her outfit needs to be toned down in media like prime. Sega gives her the most seductive voice, gives her an “odd” outfit for a spy, and she has a lot of “personality” . It’s not the consumers fault if they see rouge that way

[@IAmOffended-Dk]

@@Sanic-T-HedgeThat is true.

[@Skye2993]

It’s honestly just weird furries, I never found any animal characters like Rouge attractive even when I was younger because ya know their animals, people are honestly weirdo’s for that because she’s an animal like yeah SEGA may make her that way but I honestly don’t think it was for the audience it’s just her character and her little flirty personality for Knuckles or to outwit someone. Anyway I do like Rouge’s character and I like how she’s the brain and leader of Team Dark as she’s the one who started Team Dark in the first place and her fighting styles are pretty good too as seen in SA2 and Sonic Battle.

[@IAmOffended-Dk]

@@Skye2993 Thank you, you’ve explained it better than me, and it’s annoying to look for references when I draw her because of how odd the drawings are, and hearing people make weird jokes out of her over and over and over can get annoying. It’s even weirder since she’s a character in a kid friendly fandom but that’s their choice and if that’s what they do, I can’t stop it.

[@Skye2993]

@@IAmOffended-Dk Yeah especially when the series is for kids that’s too much when people do things like that, NSFW art should be on adult spaces not on public platforms, yeah we can’t stop it but they should be more responsible for where their placing things or making jokes like that.

[@casualgamer3900]

I was right to be hyped this was a very very good video.

[@AceCardGaming]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@PrincessLunafan21]

Very interesting video. I have wondered how she'd be a secret agent since G.U.N. hasn't been mentioned in years, and I think how she is in Prime is really close.

[@rageinducing8368]

Throw it all away line in script With the throw it all away screencap You crushed that

[@STAXONDECK1]

Rouge is bad ass in SA2 and her controls are flawless

[@tombstonepizza2299]

You don't know how long I've been waiting for an analysis on rouge! Thank you so much😭

[@AceCardGaming]

You’re welcome! 🙂

[@Izywik94]

She’s my favorite female sonic character tho I wish Sega could give her a backstory. It’s sad that she and everyone else became nothing more than a Sonic cheerleader throughout the 2010s.

[@otaforger5375]

The DBZ avatar makes me remember seeing 500 dragon ball ads showing the Vegeta and Goku fight on 4 kids while getting up at 6 am on Sunday to watch SonicX. Loved the video, Rouge is definitely an untapped potential character. IMO Big also falls into this category. Big shares a lot of Sonic's ideology, he's just slower. He loves travelling the world with his friends, and he does anything he can to rescue them. His simplistic way of thinking can often be insightful or thought provoking.

[@blazeneko3384]

I hope the rummers are true, and she comes in the Knuckles series, that way we're introduced to her character, and it can introduce to other characters in the film I have always seen it as GUN hiring Rouge in SA2, and doesn't work for GUN till 06, this is because of the line "don't forget my jewel" and GUN wasn't mentioned in SH

[@wakkaseta8351]

Pretty sure that means she either freelances and wasn't on a job for GUN in Heroes, or they just give her a lot of leeway.

[@blazeneko3384]

​@@wakkaseta8351 that's what I thought, she started as a freelance, but then quit to join GUN, I thought of this because of the ending of SA2, and she isn't known as a thief any more, unless it's for GUN

[@Rishi123456789]

I hate how the anthros are aliens in the live-action movies. In the games (or at least the original Japanese version of the games), Sonic lives on Earth (albeit an alternate version of Earth where humans and anthros live together). 'Mobius' is an American creation. The live-action movies would have been so much better if humans and anthros were living together right from the start.

[@blazeneko3384]

​@@Rishi123456789 if it wasn't for the theme, I would agree, but it needed that as for the games, I love the new idea, I had an idea like that, where humans were more city, and anthros were more villages, and towns were both

[@Rishi123456789]

@@blazeneko3384 According to Sega, humans live mostly on continents while anthros live mostly on islands. That makes sense, seeing as how Sonic comes from South Island (if I remember correctly).

[@Sjono]

8:31 “He’s a 2,700 lbs murder machine” That Rouge can just easily fly around along with Shadow’s added weight?

[@AceCardGaming]

It’s his official weight. I guess Shadow and Rouge be super strong…

[@Sjono]

@@AceCardGaming Shadow is the ultimate lifeform so I can somewhat understand why his ankles aren’t ripped off Rouge on the other hand is canonically the most powerful female character in the entire cast with Cream being second

[@roadbreach]

Rouge is my favorite sonic girl, and seeing this video helped me better understand that she's more than meets the eye.

[@mariaclaragomesdecarvalho4117]

She is my favorite female character of the franchise! I love her!

[@SpeedBoltz]

We need a game with Rouge’s backstory and she is iconic.

[@Aloofasf]

On a side note: i love seeing the animations from sa2 and 06. They move like people in costumes cause of the mocap use and its really charming to me

[@johanstenfelt1206]

Would anyone be interested in a Rouge The Bat Game, where we learn more about her?

[@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899]

The idea of rouge's character is something important to develop, The story where she was young trying to be a jewel theif just like her mother, if her mother wasn't able to make her daughter succeed for jewel theif instead rouge wanted to be a treasure hunter and her mother doesn't like that idea because she thought rouge wants to be a jewel theif and rouge had a right to make that decision by her own, besides stealing the gems if it wasn't her thing, maybe a secret to be told, rouge could easily sassy attitude just to make her mother angry to take her down and rouge had no choice but defeat her mother. That's the story of rouge the bat game

[@johanstenfelt1206]

@@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899 hm, that does sound interesting.

[@Aidel1011]

​@@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899 We should also have a backstory on how Rouge became the President's CIA Agent prior to Sonic Adventure 2 and how she knows Sonic and Knuckles

[@bryanblueblurhedgehog8899]

@@Aidel1011 that'll be going into the lore after the events of rouge the bat game before how SA2 her story started

[@kingtiger5040]

Doubt anyone would give a damn about the game.Keep in mind Sonic games themselves barely reach above 3 million in sales

[@Mike-mf3ed]

This video proves that Rouge has to appear in the third sonic movie…

[@ZetaEntity101]

This was very neat to learn about the Bat woman of thief and beauty 🦇💎

[@mayracordero382]

I love rouge and her beautiful ways of getting jewels and being a agent so I hope that she'll be in sonic movie 3! 🦇💎🥰

[@ドラゴンリュー-f1x]

A love story with Knuckles, Team Dark's bond I can't believe these were ignored until recently. rouge shouldn't be treated as Sonic's random companion like prime She is the leader of Team Dark, and the bond between Shadow and Omega, which is different from family. And above all, I should draw more of the relationship with Knuckles, which is hostile but love. interact with other g.u.n members too

[@RannaRoman]

Thank you for analyzing one of my favorite characters! Rouge is underrated and over-sexualized. Team Dark has the most chemistry out of any group imo. That said, she still works well with Team Sonic at times. She's often referred to as "manipulative' but I think her people skills could be seen in a positive light as well. That's why she's able to bring Shadow and Omega together, am I right? Love this ♥

[@lizardguyNA]

Personally, I think she needs a spin-off of her own. Something like a Metal Gear/Tomb Raider hybrid.

[@GottaGoFast91]

Sa2-I’m gonna stop treasure hunting. Sonic Heroes-IVE FOUND EGGMANS SECRET TREASURE LAYER!!!

[@foxystinks1]

not the throw it all away refrence I LOVE THAT SONG

[@JonyPlayz1]

Interesting video! Honestly at first I always thought that she was annoying but after watching this video, it’s quite true that she really became better from SA2 to 06, what a difference lol. Can’t wait for the Blaze episode 👀

[@espresso_makes_depresso5905]

3:57 "Anyway, my one polygon is waiting for you."

[@ThyKosmikTym]

I appreciate you making a Rouge video. However, I really wish you has put some time toward the fact that Rouge is the one who still believes in Shadow when he takes the darkest of dark paths when you play GUN Fortress. But overall this REALLY is a 10/10

[@Godslegotable]

My personal head canon leans more towards shadow and rouge having a romantic relationship down the line. Pushed mainly by the fact that shadow always breaks down her emotional walls and challenges her to change. (No hate to knux and rouge fans that ship is equally valid)

[@marta-mz7sc]

i always love your sonic analyses, especially team dark's & it's members. hearing rouge's theme in 2023 also gives huge nostalgia. thank you for feeding us 🙏 ROUGE BEST CHARACTER !!!!!!!!

[@silveramyknux241]

Rouge, your Satam Sonic is showing! 13:17

[@SilvyPeach]

Great video! 😀I myself have been analyzing Rouge, so this was a great video to check out. I'm just going to drop my opinion on Rouge right here in the comments, of course it's just my opinion. I'm going to respect anyone here who disagrees with me. 👍 Now, I honestly see Rouge as the way you described her. I do believe she started out as that flirty bat who would go behind the scenes and scout for information, so on and so on. I think Shadow did really make her a better person, she realized that she cared for him and Team Dark. Now, I know our Sonic fandom these days is filled to the brim with all sorts of ships, but I honestly do not ship Rouge with anyone. Not Shadow, and most certainly not Knuckles. I know that may sound a little crazy, I get it. It seemed there were so many Rouge scenes in Sonic media with Rouge teasing Knuckles; flirting with him, and making him all flustered. In all honesty as someone who can relate to Knuckles' character in such a big way, I never saw this as the case, hence why I think later on we saw Knuckles just seem to purely hate her. Let me elaborate on that just a bit. Knuckles is what I like to consider an independent guy who has just relied on his own strength his whole life. In "Unknown from M.E.", his theme song, he said independence was his first breath. It's just apart of what makes Knuckles... Knuckles. I do think he got flustered by Rouge because he was never used to anyone complimenting him in such a manner or having anyone care. (Not that Rouge actually cared. I think she was maybe manipulating him a bit as she loves that Master Emerald...) It was something new to him. From what I understand, Knuckles hates getting teased by people and he doesn't like showing any weakness. When Rouge tried to woo him in such a way (or whatever the heck she was trying to do XD), I saw he didn't know how to respond. He only used rage. In his second song version of "Unknown from M.E.", he mentioned Rouge right by Eggman in the song as referred to "an enemy", someone he must stop. I know people will say; "Then why did Knuckles save Rouge and why did he look into her eyes?", but I know deep down... Knuckles has a heart that cares. He doesn't often let people see that side of him. "I'm the one who can set your heart free." (Unknown from M.E.) As soon as he loosens up and breaks free of his toughness and someone like Sonic takes notice of it and teases him, for example; he gets all offended and puts up his invisible wall again, preventing anyone from breaking through. There are SO many moments in Sonic media in which we get to see Knuckles be so caring towards someone or something, and needless to say, it often gets overlooked by tons of Sonic fans. I have no idea why. I've even seen the writers Sega licensed over in the past getting Knuckles' character wrong, most notably, Ken Penders... But we probably shouldn't speak of him right now. Archie comics failed on his character, Sonic Underground messed him up on the edges a little bit, Sonic OVA put him in a torturous state... Now, as much as people say Knuckles wasn't true to his character in Sonic Forces, I must agree that it is true for most of the characters in that game to be untrue (most notably Rouge as said in this video), but I believe that was a great example of Knuckles being optimistic, comfortable, and showing some leadership skills. Him caring about those around him. I must also add on (and I can't hit all of my points because this is already too long as it is), that Rouge was made to be the PERFECT rival to Knuckles. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. Just as Shadow was made to be the perfect rival to Sonic, just as Rouge is the perfect rival to Knuckles. Sega doesn't ever neglect this. Just look at a more recent Sonic game, Team Sonic Racing, and you will see it. Team Dark being well-represented and reliant on each other. On that Team Racing Overdrive short, Rouge starts to be all flirty towards Knuckles but she was hiding a wisp... going to use it against him. He managed to survive, and Rouge ended up with her car busted. Knuckles thought it was so amusing and he even put his fist up in her direction, almost making fun of her. Rouge was so disappointed, and the pain only felt worse when Shadow wouldn't pick her up in his car. That disappointment looked way worse than her disappointment towards "not being able to hit Knuckles with that wisp". She was just trying to make Knuckles end up to where she ended up ending instead. Also, Rouge flirts with Shadow often. She might flirt with Knuckles from time to time, (as I think it's her way she plays around with rivalry and just 'cause she loves that Master Emerald,) however, I see/hear Rouge keeps calling Shadow things like "handsome" and even in TSR... That's... Anyway... Do I think Rouge should be added in a lot more Sonic media than she is already in? She may be an important character, but I don't think she's always necessary. When Sonic Prime added Rouge, she wasn't even teamed up with Shadow, but much rather Sonic's team. Rouge did however only join because of the promise of the Paradox Prism. Her characters in the show were expressed well, but I didn't think that changing her original outfit and getting rid of her flirtation (a main personality trait of hers) AND teaming her up with Knuckles in one shatterverse was enough to make up for the past craziness we've already had leaked into our content with Rouge. I think having Rouge and Knuckles team up is essentially the same as Shadow and Sonic teaming up, only difference is that since Rouge is such a big flirt with the male characters and that she is a female teamed up with a male, that the fandom often ships them and assumes things for them. I've seen some things people have said about Knuckles online that really got me hurting. Knuckles is a great character, and if Sega gives in to the fans, I think we might have another Sonic Forces problem... Just my opinion of course. Feel free to disagree. 👍 I say, Knuckles for independence and he needs his justice.🥊❤‍🔥

[@TheTimon64]

Rock on rouge thanks for this wonderful analysis of her character did her justice😊

[@inktea256]

I hope we see Rouge pop up in the 3rd Sonic movie, even if she doesn’t have a prominent role. At first, they could just have her as a shadowy silhouette in the corner, observing the aftermath of Shadow’s mass vandalism, and she is shown in slightly clearer detail another time or two. Then, she reveals herself to him, and she becomes the first one to make a genuine connection with him since Maria. And yes, I want to see Rouge and Knuckles banter. It would be HILARIOUS with this Knuckles’s simple-minded personality. “Your wily charms are no match for my steel-trap brain, bat-woman. An echidna warrior does not give into temptation so easily.” “Oh, that’s a shame. Both of us so lonely, and here you don’t even want to be friends. Well, I suppose you’ll need to find someone else to repopulate your tribe. To face extinction must be terrifyingly bleak.” “E-EXTINCTION???? Bat-woman, perhaps if you can show me your true strength as a warrior, a pact can be ma-Why are you laughing? This is a serious matter!” “Honey, if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I don’t take ANYTHING seriously. Toodles.” “Hm. . . . Sonic, how does one win the heart of a female?” “(Blank stare) Uuuhhhhh . . . Oh, Dooooonuuuuut Loooord! We’ve got a Code Bird intermingled with a Situation Bee!”

[@passerby1156]

i heard rumors there where gonna make her human in sonic 3 movie... no... they better keep her as her original design. really love her and shadow friendship together.

[@penprp]

Rouge, understandably, reminds me of Catwoman and Fujiko Mine-- two other characters in the sexy, flirty female thief archetype. All three are intelligent, independent women with their own agendas who nevertheless have strong standards and ethics... even if their ethical codes aren't always hugely standard.

[@Rishi123456789]

I think that Rouge was at her best in Sonic Adventure 2, just like I think Shadow was at his best in Sonic Adventure 2. Also, I love how Rouge as a character was the first truly 'mature' female character in the Sonic games. I think Sega chose to create Rouge as a way of representing the fact that the original fans of Sonic who grew up with the Sonic franchise back in the 90s (like me) had grown up (or at least grown older) and decided to make the Sonic franchise somewhat more mature for that reason starting with Sonic Adventure 2. I'm also old enough to remember reading on the internet rumours about a new character who would be introduced in Sonic Adventure 2 called 'Nails'. I think Nails is a pretty cool name and it even rhymes with the name 'Tails'. But I prefer the name 'Rouge' to the name 'Nails' though, because we don't need yet ANOTHER Sonic character named after a body part (like Knuckles and Tails - and yes, I know Tails is just his nickname and that his real name is Miles Prower, but he's still almost always called 'Tails'). Also, I prefer shipping Rouge with Knuckles instead of Shadow because I think of Shadow and Rouge as being more like siblings than romantic partners, with Rouge always having Shadow's back. Also, Sonic himself actually has one major thing in common with Rouge and that is their love of freedom. Both Sonic and Rouge have a strong love for freedom. In fact, Rouge's theme song in Sonic Adventure 2 is even called 'Fly In The Freedom'. Also, I hope that Rouge appears in the third Sonic movie.

[@Mew4U]

Shes awesome. Underrated character.

[@AnnStyle]

Luv this video. And plz oh lord we need a team dark show or game. And have more knuxouge moments (no offence to the other ships).

[@AceCardGaming]

Glad you enjoyed it! A Team Dark game with similar mechanics to Sonic Heroes would be awesome. Though, I have a serious soft spot for that game…

[@toonman5099]

To be fair on Rouge's backstory, I don't think Rouge was meant to be a G.U.N. agent at the start, at least it doesn't make any logical sense when you really think about it. Granted, the whole idea of G.U.N. simply being a branch of the government in the context of SA2 also doesn't make sense as pointed out by Charriii5 in his "Everything Wrong With" video, where he points out that if G.U.N. was simply the government's military branch, why in the world would they need to send in an agent for the President? If G.U.N. is indeed part of the government, he should have immediate access to all of their top secret data, no questions asked. So to me in this context as far as my line of thinking, it only makes sense that, prior to the end of Shadow '05 (via the unlocked mission that shows Team Dark's initiation mission)/the start of '06, G.U.N. would be a PMC (like we see in the Metal Gear games like Outer Heaven) that the Government hired after the Perfect Chaos event with Rouge being an agent hired by the government to infiltrate G.U.N. since they aren't a direct branch of the main government. So while the events aren't changed all that much, I feel like the context in this situation is important to note for the future. Also for the "giving up that line of work", I thought it was meant to be in relation to the whole spy aspect, granted even if that was the case, like the treasure hunting, she goes right back to it at the end of Shadow '05. XD Although I think that's in relation to sticking close to Shadow and keeping an eye on him. But yeah, I think she might have been talking about Shadow, granted it could be both considering they both had an affect on her personality and motivations a little bit. Granted, I'm also one that's more in the Shadouge camp (Team Dark in general being a found family, Shadow as the dad, Rouge as mom (wrote that down before you called her "Mamma Dark" for the start of the Heroes segment XD), and Omega as their kid they have to keep on a leash lol) rather than the Knucouge camp considering the latter is kind of one sided in a more "Classic RE Leon and Ada" dynamic where she just likes getting a rise out of Knuckles and uses him for what she wants more often than not. Also yeah, her reasoning for not telling Shadow in Heroes to me comes off as a similar dynamic to Cloud and Tifa in FF7 as to why she doesn't tell Cloud who he is or trying to contradict his story for so long, she's afraid he'll leave but also trying to figure out the truth since there are things that don't add up in her mind about the situation. Also Sonic Battle, I've come to not rely on that game for accuracy since it screwed the pooch on ALL it's story beats aside from Emerl's dynamic with Cream, that legit is the ONLY thing that's salvageable with the least amount of revision, like the only thing I'd change there would be to have Cream be Emerl's friend at the start of the game and have the two of them grow a closer bond than Sonic and Emerl in the og game. I also agree the Forces dynamic was bad with poor line, although I DO like that they at least added the "do it to it" line. I will relish any amount of Freedom Fighter love/references that I can until/unless we actually get them to be canon to the games. Also while I'm reminded of it, I'd suggest looking at NovaZoneTV's video where he gives some suggestions for the Era renaming, otherwise a fantastic character analysis. ^u^

[@naniyotaka]

Except in SA2 it was the President who requested Gerald to research immortality (Project Shadow) and the project was shut down by GUN, probably by the President’s request so GUN and the government is working together and GUN could be a branch of the government but that doesn’t mean that the government knows about every detail that happens at GUN. Just search for this on Google: The Truth of 50 Years Ago

[@rynobehnke8289]

On the Agent point. If I recall correctly was Rouge according to an Japan exclusive strategy guide working for the President in Sonic X as repayment for her past thefts after she was caught which is why the same happened in Sonic X as it often adapted this weird unspoken background details.

[@toonman5099]

@@rynobehnke8289 Right, whether that actually was the case or not, I'm not sure. But my main point is: The main reason they sought her out was due to G.U.N. not being under direct control of the President, hence why she was hired. The bit of repaying her being a thief was just the deal they made. Plus I wouldn't go off Sonic X all too much since it changed details here and there in the 3 game adaption arcs it did (SA1, SA2, and Battle, granted the 3rd one's story was SUPER scuffed from the get-go and honestly X's version makes a LOT more narrative sense, at least as far as being cohesive and respectful of the actual lore and characters).

[@Scroteydada]

Great example of a character made as a counterpart to someone else but not getting lost in their shadow. Knuckles is reclusive and doesn't understand the broader world around him. Rouge is so outgoing she's playing different teams, and is a spy - the epitome of the "high tech" world that Knuckles was overwhelmed by in 3K. She's as cartoonishly self-interested as Knuckles is cartoonishly deferential to a tribe he has never met. Also the surface level espionage vs smashy smashy I guess. If she comes back in a big way she needs to be paired up with knuckles again somehow.

[@mylife-23]

Rouge was someone's sapphic awakening lol

[@MatthewJamesKalasky]

3:40 She sure does. She's a lot smarter than she gets credit for.

[@VongolaXZax]

Yes , my man putting some respect on my girl's name. Subbed!

[@AceCardGaming]

Thanks, welcome to the channel!

[@SorenAlba54]

I see what you’re saying, Ace and I agree with it, except the part about seeing Team Dark for the last time since I saw plenty of that in the IDW comics, especially in that Metal Virus Saga. Rouge was like Catwoman. Like Selina, there was more to her than just being a quick-witted thief that batters everyone around like rubber balls. The moment she formed the team, she has turned over a new leaf. Instead of looking out for herself, Rouge now fights for others alongside Shadow and Omega in the front or sidelines. Looking from this, I now see that she brought them the one thing that both guys had lost before meeting her: a purpose. Without her, Omega would still be Eggman’s lackey who has to put up with his BS and Shadow could’ve lost himself entirely from his identity crisis after Sonic Heroes. Like you, I prefer the actress who voiced her in Sonic X and 06 because that defined her as a character who became a faithful friend in the end. With Ian Flynn becoming the official writer for the main games of the franchise, there’s no doubt that he’ll do Rouge the Bat justice like he did for everyone else so far. Believe that.

[@casualgamer3900]

Woo hyped.

[@celerygreenhouse]

6:08 no one can break you nobody can tear you

[@ryszakowy]

we got sonic the cool kid shadow the edgelord and rouge the awakening they all were important and then deviant art came...

[@mayracordero382]

I love rouge the bat and she's incredible with her skills and love of gems so this is the best video about rouge acecardgaming!

[@AceCardGaming]

Thank you Mayra, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@VongolaXZax]

I have read your description, nothing short of truth about the characters. ✊🏾👌🏾💯😆

[@AceCardGaming]

You might be the only one! 😅

[@OilReserved]

Rouge and Knuckles as characters bounce off eachother very well. Basically what im saying is that I love their dynamics.

[@cui8789]

I don't think I see a lot of Rouge analysis videos (which probably has to do with her reputation as furry fanservice). Anyway, good job. I'd like to a Team Dark spinoff game if Sega ever decides to do spinoffs again. Also, I think you could do something with exploring Rouge and Amy's dynamic given their similarities and differences.

[@turboyabo864]

mama rouge stucked with me lot more

[@halfmoon106]

I like Rouge having no backstory, it makes her a mystery character.

[@DocWolph]

IDW has some grasp of these characters. They just need to do more with Team Dark.

[@LannyLeArtist]

With there was more normal videos about rouge, whenever i search rouge the bat on yt i see content farm and fake evolution videos

[@FriendlyNeighborhoodGeek99]

Love her so much! Espically her character in prime, I've always shipped her and shadow lol great video 🤙

[@KnucklesTheEchidna.]

The faster Bat Girl knows her role and keeps her hands off of my emerald the better my opinion of her gets. 🤨

[@TheBlur182]

Great video, as always.

[@AceCardGaming]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@megashadow1390]

How the heck did you interpret her last line about thinking about 'something better than jewels', she was thinking about as Knuckles?!💀 My brother in Christ, she was looking down at and holding Shadow's ring while she said that! 😂 Sonic Heroes basically confirms that

[@AceCardGaming]

Because she likes Knuckles? It’s not all that complicated. She was shocked to find Shadow alive in Heroes, so she wasn’t planning on ever seeing him again. I also did say she could be thinking about Shadow. Considering you’re the only one questioning it, I’m guessing I’m not the only one who figured it could be Knuckles too.

[@megashadow1390]

@@AceCardGaming lol i mean, sure back then she flirted with knuckles for sure and yeah they had some moments, but that whole scene had the entire background focus on Shadow, EVERYONE was thinking of him. The fact that she replied with that to Knuckles of all people and the way she said it (sad) while looking at the ring - sorry fam but its too hard to see that meaning she was thinking about knuckles at that moment.. and why would she? He was RIGHT THERE 😂 its more like 99% about Shadow and 1% Knuckles in that scene 😂

[@AceCardGaming]

Tails and Eggman didn’t speak about Shadow. They spoke about what was important to them. Sorry fam, ain’t as cut and dry as you try to make it out. Rouge and Knuckles were into each other. So it’s totally logical she could be talking about him. You can feel free to disagree though. I won’t try and make you feel bad about it by laughing at you.

[@megashadow1390]

@@AceCardGaming lmao bro you made it very clear you ship them, but come on...bringing tails and eggman into this to try to justify it is the funniest reach I've heard 😂 Shadow just died as far as everyone knows, even though they didn't talk about it directly doesn't mean he wasn't in everyone's mind even if they weren't talking about him directly. This ain't even about Rouge liking Shadow over Knuckles, this just about this scene and her being super moved and saddened by his sacrifice like even you said. But you tell yourself whatever you need to tell yourself bro, you obviously have your heart on it, i can totally understand the copium since Sonic Team did Knuckles and Rouge dirty in pretty much the rest of the games after SA2.

[@AceCardGaming]

I think you’ve misunderstand the importance of this for me. Or any ship in a Sonic game. It’s literally the least important thing in the series for me. I also didn’t bring up Tails and Eggman. You said EVERYONE was thinking of Shadow. I highlighted how the things discussed by Eggman and Tails were super specific to them and left no room at all for Shadow. I think Rouge WAS super moved by Shadow’s sacrifice, and that she could well have been talking about Shadow. But I also think it’s very plausible that his sacrifice put life into perspective for her, and that she was contemplating whether or not she had a future with Knuckles. Something Sonic Team obviously immediately dropped in the next game. But Heroes wasn’t even a twinkle in the dev’s eyes then and has no bearing at all on how SA2 ended. Shadow was arguably not even planned to return at that stage. Again. I think you’re projecting how important you find this topic onto me, because all my thoughts on it are right there in the video. I wasn’t oblivious to your take on it, I literally mentioned it in the video. I explained my two thoughts on it and that’s really all there is to it. You’re under no obligation to agree with me.

[@tu4764]

I think you put more thought into the story than Sonic Team ever did.

[@BardockSkywalker]

Actually, Rouge working for GUN in SA2 is a misconception. She works for GUN in the games *after* SA2, starting it at either ShTH or 06, but not SA2. She's actually a *goverment* spy in SA2 & in SA2, the goverment & GUN were 2 completely separate things. But because of the game's poor localization, a lot of people think Rouge works for GUN in SA2 when in reality, she doesn't.

[@DSmith3279]

I don't get what's wrong with Rouge saying, "Let's do it to it!" in Forces. If anything, it's just a cool little reference to Sonic SatAM and the Archie Sonic Comics. Nothing more nothing less.

[@AceCardGaming]

You shouldn’t really just have a random character use another characters quote when it doesn’t match how they normally speak. Just have Sonic say it lol.

[@gabrielrivera8059]

Yeah Man I Was Talking About But Princess Daisy Is Not An Anti-Heroine, But Rouge The Bat Was An Anti-Heroine And There Are No Anti-Heroine Characters In Mario Franchise Such As Birdo And Captain Syrup, Even Luigi Was Counterpart To Tails, Not Shadow. And Wario Was Counterpart To Shadow But Both They Are Anti-Heroic Counterparts And Rivals Of Mario And Sonic.

[@Polygon3r]

Unlike Team Sonic, Team Dark Helps Each Other From Disaster Lol

[@Roge_1]

We need another shadow based game (not sxsg unless it is going to be what I think would work for. The team dark game) where the whole world turns on shadow except rouge and she has to remind omega later on or soemrhing

[@KEEPTALKIN8215]

Hmmmm i womder if rouge has any backstory in like archie or something.

[@610Hobbies]

I think Team Dark's relationship is a lot tighter than Sonic/Tails/Knuckles/Amy etc ever was, Sonic a lot of the time doesn't stay with his friends because he hates remaining in one place, Knuckles has his duty as a guardian, and Tails, well, Tails is probably the only one who values their friendship (wow, I wonder how it would be if Tails was ever in Team Dark?), I guess Amy too, but most of the time she's just enjoying the ride.

[@JackRabbit20]

I love sonic x depiction of rouge

[@denniseeMR]

13:19 THAT IS NOT MAMA ROUGE....

[@GianfrancoLaRotta]

Cute!! 0:06

[@justinterry7853]

If you would do Rouge, I can already feel you would have more character analysis videos you will do and I'm all up for it 💪🏽🫡

[@mayracordero382]

I hope there'll be more character analysis videos acecardgaming!

[@mizuki7121]

and I'm also going to touch on the topic of ian and bublee, I mean, he gets information about all the sonic events and we have to talk about the relationship of team dark or the supposed relationship of shadow or rouge, the guy says that shadow doesn't like getting together with omega and rouge aha yes in the hero game itself and the recent games the relationship is explained seriously I have to swallow all this or also on the subject of shadow and rouge's relationship and apparently people got angry because rouge has eyes towards knuckles but they are rivals, another thing is that she is 18 and knuckles is 16, it is unfortunate to include references to ships in an editorial such as idw

[@59rlmccormack]

This video is a beauty, man.

[@AceCardGaming]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Itz_Kwame]

The modless pc version of SA2 is pissing me off