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Professor Gerald Robotnik, one of the greatest scientific minds in the world, and my grandfather.
~ Dr. Eggman introducing his late grandfather to the rest of the gang
It is time to awaken the ultimate life form. Welcome to the world, Shadow the Hedgehog.
~ Gerald finishing the creation of Shadow, Shadow Generations.
All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!
~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's most infamous quote.

Professor Gerald Robotnik is a major character in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. He was a brilliant scientist who once used his great intellect for the good of all humankind. When his late granddaughter Maria Robotnik was stricken with an incurable disease, this motivated him to attempt to create the ultimate life form as a means of saving Maria under the project known as Project Shadow.

Unfortunately, many prototypes of Project Shadow, such as the Biolizard, proved to be failures. Thanks to interference of the project from G.U.N., which also resulted in the death of Maria, Gerald went mad and plotted to destroy humanity after the death of his beloved granddaughter.

He was the grandfather and role-model of Dr. Eggman, who sought to avenge his grandfather's humiliation and demise by becoming a super-villain and conquer the world. In addition, he was one of the co-creators (alongside Black Doom) of Shadow the Hedgehog, who attempted to complete Gerald's revenge on his behalf until he redeemed himself.

In Japanese, he was voiced by the late Chikao Ōtsuka. In English, he was voiced by in Marc Biagi in Sonic Adventure 2 and Mike Pollock (who also voices his grandson) since 2005, as well as Shadow Generations. In the Sonic Cinematic Universe he will be portrayed by Jim Carrey who also voiced his grandson, as well as The Grinch.

Biography[]

Past[]

Long ago, Gerald Robotnik was a heavily respected researcher, considered by many to be one of the greatest scientific minds in the world. At some point in his life, he came to father two sons, who each inherited one of his great talents and passions; one son gained Gerald's skill in robotics, while the other shared his passion for archaeology. Both sons eventually sired children of their own; one had a daughter named Maria, and the other had a son named Ivo. It is heavily implied that Gerald's son who specialized in robotics fathered Ivo, while Maria was the daughter of the archaeologist.

At the personal request of the president, he was offered a position onboard the Space Colony ARK by the United Federation, who wished to create "The Ultimate Life form", a being that could live forever. The military hoped to use the discovery of an "immortality formula" for weapons research, but Gerald refused the offer, believing that they were crossing the moral boundaries of nature. However, upon discovering that Maria was terminally ill, he changed his mind and accepted the position in the hopes that he could use the research to discover a cure for her disease. Both he and Maria then moved onto the ARK, with Maria apparently having no memories of her time on Earth. Due to the ARK stablizing her condition, many of the station's personnel did not believe that Maria was actually sick, much to Gerald's anger. As time went on, his relationship with Maria's side of the family became increasingly strained, as her parents objected to their daughter's presence on the ARK despite Gerald's motivations to save her life.

Many researchers did not believe the creation of the "Ultimate Life form" to be possible and jokingly named it Project Shadow due to its apparently unreachable goal, as well as the level of secrecy the project required. Gerald apparently liked the name, and it stuck.

Early Work[]

Professor Robotnik initially experimented with the Chaos Emeralds and researched the results of applying Chaos Energy to living beings. The experiments proved successful and resulted in the creation of the Chaos Drives, which were then used by the military as a power source for their robots. While studying the emeralds, he also learned about the history of the Knuckles Clan and the destructive water being, Chaos. Fascinated by the legends, he created the Artificial Chaos series and even built the ARK's core like a shrine similar to the one on Angel Island in order to fully harness the power of the emeralds.

Progressing on the next stage of Project Shadow, Gerald began experimenting on lizards, due to their ability to regenerate limbs. The result was the Biolizard prototype. Initially showing all desired traits as it matured, the prototype required a life support system fueled by Chaos Drives in order to survive, and it lacked the strength to even walk, despite the incredible strength in its tail and neck. Possessing the mind of a primitive animal, the Biolizard became more unruly and difficult to control as it continued growing. With no other choice, Gerald had to encapsulate the creature.

Later, Gerald also came across an ancient robot called a Gizoid and took it to the ARK, where it eventually went on a rampage that destroyed most of the space colony. After failing to destroy it, Gerald decided to reprogram the robot with a "soul" similar to Maria's, so that it could become more than just a weapon.

Creation of Shadow[]

Following his recent failures, Professor Robotnik hit a roadblock in his research. However, he came into contact with Black Doom, the supreme leader of a malevolent alien race known as the Black Arms, which inhabited the Black Comet that passes Earth every fifty years. Sensing Gerald's desperation to complete his research, Black Doom agreed to help him in his next attempt to create the ultimate life form, and in return, Gerald promised Doom that their creation would bring him all the Chaos Emeralds when the comet would arrive again in the next five decades, despite not knowing what the alien lord would want with them.

Using Black Doom's blood, Gerald was able to create a far more advanced being than the Biolizard: an anthropomorphic black hedgehog with red markings (the same colors as the Black Arms), whom the professor named after the project and considered a rousing success. Upon his birth, "Shadow" became like a son to him and a good friend to his granddaughter. He even aided them in containing a crisis where the Artificial Chaos series went on a rampage. Shadow's success, coupled with the news that Maria's parents had sired a second, healthier daughter, reaffirmed Gerald's resolve to cure his grandaughter.

Sometime later, Gerald realized that the reason Black Doom wanted the Chaos Emeralds was so he could use Chaos Control to teleport the Black Comet into Earth's atmosphere in order to release a paralyzing neurotoxin on the planet's inhabitants, thereby allowing the Black Arms to feed off them to gain power. Thus, Professor Robotnik secretly developed the Eclipse Cannon, a super weapon powered by the Chaos Emeralds to be used to destroy the Black Comet the next time it visited Earth. However, he also learned that the government planned to shut down his research for his involvement with the Black Arms, as well as the destructive events caused by the Biolizard and the Gizoid, so he and Maria left a video for Shadow, instructing him to use the cannon to destroy the comet and save the world.

Tragedy, Madness, and Death[]

As Gerald predicted, the government concluded that his experiments were far too dangerous for humanity, and so they sent G.U.N. to the ARK to neutralize them and everyone involved. Gerald managed to survive, but was immediately captured and sent to Prison Island, where he was forced to continue his experiments under their control. The government then used him as a scapegoat, publicly declaring that the ARK had been shut down due to a devastating lab accident he had caused. G.U.N. later managed to retrieve Shadow's capsule, which was ejected from the ARK by Maria just before being shot by a G.U.N. soldier and sent him to Gerald.

What's all that writing on the walls anyway? Did you write that?
~ Amy Rose, wondering if Sonic scribbled calculations on the walls in Gerald's prison cell.

When he discovered Maria's name among the casualties of the raid, Gerald was stricken with grief over how his own research claimed the life of his beloved granddaughter, despite the fact that it was meant to save her. Losing his grip on sanity as well as the will to live, Gerald began to lose control over his own thoughts, with his mind being filled with ideas on how to destroy everything, which terrified him. These thoughts eventually consumed him and he became obsessed with exacting revenge on humanity for betraying him and his family. Scribbling calculations on the walls of his cell, he secretly created a program that would take control of the ARK once all the seven Chaos Emeralds were inserted into the Eclipse Cannon and send it on a collision course with the Earth and destroy the planet. He even altered Shadow's memories to make him believe that Maria's dying wish was a request for revenge, when in fact she wanted him to forgive and protect humanity.

The government feared that Gerald would soon retaliate and had him executed by a firing squad, but allowed the mad scientist to leave one final recording, in which he explained his plan for revenge.

Post-Mortem[]

Though Gerald's name (and perhaps the entire Robotnik name as well) fell into disgrace, his grandson, Ivo Robotnik, looked up to his grandfather as a hero and desired to emulate him by becoming a scientist himself. However, instead of using his genius to benefit humanity as Gerald did, he instead used it to become a super villain and conquer the world; likely out of revenge for the government branding Gerald as a madman. Most of Ivo's plots revolved around gathering the Chaos Emeralds for his purposes, though all of his attempts led to failure thanks to the interference of the fast-traveling hero, Sonic the Hedgehog.

Revenge from the Past[]

Approximately 50 years after the tragedy aboard the ARK, Ivo Robotnik, now rechristened as "Dr. Eggman" by his mortal foe, somehow learned about Project Shadow and how the government sealed it away out of fear. Curious to see what his grandfather created, Eggman stormed Prison Island, where he found and awakened Shadow the Hedgehog from his cold slumber. At first Eggman was shocked to see that his grandfather's crowing creation was a hedgehog like his nemesis, but was then impressed when Shadow ruthlessly defeated a powerful G.U.N. mech. Still reprogrammed by Gerald to seek revenge on humanity, Shadow instructed Eggman to meet him on the Space Colony ARK, where he introduced Gerald's descendant to the Eclipse Cannon, which Eggman planned to use to conquer the world. Their plot was joined by Rouge the Bat, a master jewel-thief who was also a government agent sent to spy on the evil doctor. When Sonic was arrested by G.U.N. for Shadow's crimes, he was taken to Prison Island and locked in the same cell that Gerald once was. This cell had many scribbles on its walls about Gerald's reprogramming of the ARK, which were noticed by Amy Rose when she broke Sonic out of prison.

Upon Eggman inserting the last Chaos Emerald into the Eclipse Cannon, Gerald's program finally activated, taking control of the ARK and hiding the Emeralds deep within it. Gerald's final recording was also broadcasted around the world, explaining his plan for revenge to all its inhabitants. However, Gerald's plan was opposed by Sonic, Eggman and Rouge, as well as Tails the Fox and Knuckles the Echidna, by using the Master Emerald to negate the power of the Chaos Emeralds. Upon finally remembering what Maria truly wanted for humanity, Shadow also helped by fighting off the Biolizard, which was programmed to guard the Emeralds. When the Biolizard attempted to finish what Professor Gerald started by attaching itself to the ARK, Sonic and Shadow fought it off in their super forms, and then used Chaos Control to place the ARK back into orbit, thus foiling Gerald's revenge completely.

Black Arms' Return[]

When the Black Comet returned to Earth 50 years after its last visit, the Black Arms launched a full-scale invasion of Earth. At the beginning of said invasion, Black Doom contacts Shadow, who currently had no memories of his past, to fulfill Gerald's end of their bargain by collecting the Chaos Emeralds for him. Desiring the answers to his origins, Shadow decides to obey Doom for the time being. During his hunt for the Emeralds, Shadow was hounded by G.U.N. under orders by the Commander, who holds both Shadow and the professor responsible for the deaths of Maria and everyone else aboard the ARK because of their ties with the evil aliens ravaging the planet. Gerald's grandson, Eggman, also joined the war with his own army, where he attempted to convince Shadow that he was a mechanical replica of himself Eggman had created.

When Black Doom finally acquired the Chaos Emeralds and initiated his plan to devour the Earth's populace, Shadow attempts to stop him, but was prevented by Doom's mind control. However, thanks to the meddling of Team Chaotix, he and the rest of the world see the recording of Gerald explaining the true purpose of the Eclipse Cannon and his desire for Shadow to defeat the Black Arms, which gave him the strength to resist Black Doom's control. After Super Shadow defeats Devil Doom and uses the Eclipse Cannon to destroy the Black Comet, both the Commander and the President admit that they were wrong about Professor Gerald and show regret for everything they did to him. They decide to honor his memory by working toward a better future for humanity, thus posthumously redeeming Gerald for his previous actions and ensuring that he will be remembered as the noble scientist he once was instead of the madman he became.

Other Media[]

Prof. Gerald Robotnik also makes an appearance as the true antagonist in the Shadow Saga of the animated TV series Sonic X. His story is very similar to the story in Sonic Adventure 2, but with some differences. Some differences include; being unclear if Gerald Robotnik came in contact with Black Doom to create Shadow the Hedgehog.

Prof. Robotnik is a character featured in the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics.

Relationships[]

Allies[]

Enemies[]

Quotes[]

Sonic Adventure 2[]

Gerald: This is a death sentence for every human being on Earth. If my calculations are correct, the Space Colony ARK will impact the Earth in 27 minutes and 53 seconds. All of you will be destroyed, along with your beloved planet Earth. I plan to give you a taste of my revenge once all the seven Chaos Emeralds are collected. Once I initiate this program, it cannot be disabled. All of you ungrateful humans, who took everything away from me, will feel my loss and despair!
GUN Soldier: Is there anything else you wanna say?
Gerald: No.
GUN Soldier: READY!
~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's last recorded message to the world before his execution.
Rouge: I don't quite know what happened or what went wrong. Was it a mistake to create the ultimate life form? I thought it would be something that could benefit mankind. But then the military soldiers landed on the colony that day. They were sent to destroy the research project I had been working on. My colleagues at the research facility, my granddaughter Maria. I hope you are all safe.
Gerald: The Colony was closed down. Probably to keep the prototype from falling into the wrong hands. The ARK was shut down under the premise that there had been an accident. I found Maria's name among those who died when the ARK was shut down. She meant everything to me and I couldn't bear the thought that she died because of my research. I lost everything. I had nothing else to live for. I went insane. All I could think about was to avenge her...Somehow, someway. I got scared as I no longer was able to control my thoughts. All I could think about was that I wanted it all to end. Based on my original projections, I was able to complete my project, Shadow. I designed its mind to be perfect, pure. I will leave everything to him. If you wish, release and awaken it, to the world!
Rouge: If you wish to fill the world with destruction...
~ Rouge reading Professor Gerald Robotnik's diary.

Shadow the Hedgehog[]

Gerald: Shadow, my son. If you're listening to this, then the worst has happened. You need to know the truth. The government plans to shutdown this research facility. The government plans to cease all of my research and imprison all who know about you. I made a terrible mistake, Shadow. It's all my fault, making contact with that comet. Now, listen very carefully. In 50 years, the Black Comet will return. They plan to harness its powers to destroy this planet. The only way to stop them was to develop a way to use the very power they intended to use against them. It's up to you, and only you can stop them! I developed the Eclipse Cannon. It's the only weapon that can destroy that Black Comet. Shadow, you are the only hope to save mankind as we know it. The future of this planet depends on... you.
Maria: Don't worry, grandfather. Shadow and I will protect this planet. Right, Shadow?
~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's recorded message to Shadow instructing him to destroy the Black Arms and save humanity.
Shadow, it is I. I hear that my Research Experiments have escaped and are running loose. The positive and negative electrode connectors must have been reversed. Guess I must be getting old. At any rate, would you drop by my room? I'll be waiting for you.
~ Gerald to Shadow in Expert Mode.

Sonic X[]

The countdown marking my final revenge has begun! In a few minutes, you will be destroyed! Space Colony ARK will hurtle through the atmosphere and crash into this planet with devastating force! You have no time to prevent this disaster and absolutely no hope of survival! Your rulers took my granddaughter Maria from me! So I'm destroying everything you care about! Now you'll feel what I felt when I lost Maria! ...You will see. You will see. YOU WILL SEE!!!
~ Professor Gerald Robotnik's final recording in Sonic X. (Note: the final lines are meant to omit Gerald's death by gun firing in the original version)

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • In the photograph of him and Maria in Sonic Adventure 2, he was skinnier than his grandson. However, in the photograph of him and Maria in Shadow the Hedgehog, he is shown to be much bigger.
    • Also, his glasses on the photograph in Sonic Adventure 2 are smaller, but in Shadow the Hedgehog, they are bigger and take up nearly twice the space.
  • There seems to be a continuity error involving Gerald. G.U.N. raided the ARK to either kill or imprison everyone on board. They somehow captured Shadow on Earth, but on the day of the raid, Gerald is imprisoned and stripped of all use of money and technology. This makes it impossible for him to reprogram the ARK to fall to Earth, reprogram Shadow's brain to think he has to destroy the world or produce a 50-year-old video of his own execution. It's also unknown why G.U.N. did not decide to destroy the ARK or Shadow after learning that they were reprogrammed by Gerald to destroy the Earth, or how they could mistake Shadow for Sonic after the former was released by Eggman.
    • It is most likely that during his stay on Prison Island, he was ordered to reprogram Shadow to be loyal to the government. But instead, he altered Shadow's memories to make him desire revenge and secretly stored the revenge program on his person, which he uploaded onto the ARK once he returned to it 50 years later. It is also likely that the reason that G.U.N. didn't dispose of Shadow or the ARK was because they knew about upcoming Black Arms invasion and that they both were necessary to stop them. However, the information was kept secret for such a long time that a majority of the organization forgot all about them, which is why they easily believed that Sonic had turned rogue.
  • In the official game guide for 2006's Sonic the Hedgehog: Official Game Guide, Gerald's name was mistakenly written as "Gerard".
  • When closely examining Gerald's picture in Shadow the Hedgehog, his eyewear has swirls, which is a typical Japanese trope to indicate one's glasses were thick.
  • After Gerald sorrowful rant, he was asked if he had any further words, to which he replies "no" before a squad is signaled. This is meant to imply that Gerald was sentenced to death via firing squad.
  • According to Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood, Gerald had written a book on the Fourth Great Civilization called "Fourth Great Civilization".
  • According to Eggman, the appearance of the virtual Eggman sprite used in his virtual world scheme was based off of his grandfather's appearance at a younger age, meaning that Gerald's initial hair color was brown much like his grandson's before aging.
  • Professor Gerald Robotnik's diary entry and ultimately, his motivations, in the anime show Sonic X, were different in comparison to the games. When he was escorted to the Union Army Prison, he wondered who could possibly believe that someone arrested him. He also implies in his rants in his diary that he was the creator of the "pseudo-perpetual mobile Chaos Drives." He also wonders if his arrest had anything to do with a conspiracy by GUN to take control of the Eclipse Cannon and Artificial Chaos, and mentions that Project Shadow is the only thing in his mind, and that he won't stand for such immorality. The diary omits any references to Maria's death or the fact that her death drove him insane. It also contained two cases of swearing in the diary ("Oh, hell" when he discovers that he was going to be locked up in the Union Army Prison and "for Christ's sake" when expressing his distaste at being locked up and citing his being the father of the pseudo-perpetual mobile Chaos Drives), a rarity at the time.
  • Even though Professor Robotnik himself is an Overlander in the Archie Comics continuity, he has five fingers.
  • He was named Gerald Robotnik in Sonic the Hedgehog #171 to coincide with the Sega game canon. This went against the previously established canon that the name "Robotnik" was created by Julian Kintobor upon launching his military coup. Writer Ian Flynn argued that Julian took on the last name "Robotnik" from his grandfather Gerald and thus the last name already existed, as Gerald was his maternal grandfather in this continuity and would not have had the last name Kintobor. The Sonic Free Comic Book Day 2009 confirmed Gerald's full name is Gerald Robotnik.
  • One of the Egg Memos in Sonic Frontiers reveals that apart from Gerald, Eggman has also felt some degree of connection with Maria as well, though he didn't know her quite as well. When he was very young, Eggman wasn't given much attention by his other family members, as a result of all of the attention being set on Maria despite being dead for a long time, likely serving as an explanation for some of his egocentric behaviors, compounded with his inspiration from his grandfather.
  • Gerald Robotnik could be viewed as a dark parallel of Shadow, since both were greatly affected by Maria's death and sought to avenge her by destroying humanity. However, Shadow eventually realized that destroying humanity wasn't what Maria wanted, while Gerald never came to that realization and eventually died with his misanthropic beliefs. Thus, Gerald Robotnik serves as an example of what Shadow would have become if he hadn't realized that destroying humanity wasn't what Maria wanted.

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