Shahra (シャーラ Shāra?), also known as the Genie of the Ring (リングの魔神 Ringu no Majin?), is a character that appears in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. She is a special, eager young genie from the world of the Arabian Nights, and a character from the Arabian Nights tale "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp".[2] In Sonic and the Secret Rings, she enlisted the help of Sonic to stop the ambitions of the evil Erazor Djinn when the villain was threatening the welfare of the world of the Arabian Nights and Sonic's universe as a whole.
Appearance[edit | edit source]
-
Shahra appearing before Sonic. -
Sonic and the Secret Rings commemorative artwork. Art by Yui Karasuno.
Shara has a graceful and mystical appearance that suits her role as a genie-like figure. She has tan skin, gray eyes, and long magenta hair, highlighted at the ends with both a ball shape and a half-moon-shaped ponytail standing upright. Her outfit consists of a gold hair cuff and a gold head chain with light blue jewels. A gold lifting eye bolt is attached to a gold ring with a light blue jewel. She also wears gold earrings and a gold necklace, each adorned with matching light blue jewels.
Her lavender sleeveless top has golden circular accents and magenta trim, paired with white shalwar pants. Around her waist is a pink ribbon belt, and her look is completed with a transparent lavender skirt featuring white trim. Shara's arms are adorned with gold armlets and bracelets, while she wears pink sandals with ribbons.
At times, her lower half appears as pink gas or smoke when she is still partially inside her Ring.
Her overall design is meant to reflect the themes of Arabian mythology and the world of Arabian Nights, with a sense of elegance and otherworldliness.
History[edit | edit source]
Past[edit | edit source]
Shahra was once an ordinary human girl, who used to get along with Erazor Djinn from the World of the Arabian Nights. However, before the story of "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp" began, she was magically transformed into a beautiful genie girl bound to a ring, and lived imprisoned inside there for ten thousand years, until Aladdin released her from the ring in the story. At some point Shahra sensed Erazor conquering the Arabian Nights world, causing it to vanish without a trace, and she knew that a blue hedgehog would be her only hope to save this world before he's unleashed into his world.
Sonic and the Secret Rings[edit | edit source]
At the beginning of Sonic and the Secret Rings, Shahra appears out of her Ring to Sonic seeking his aid. She explains that the stories of the Arabian Nights are disappearing as a result of the work of the Erazor Djinn and asks for his help, saying "Only you, the blue hedgehog, can do it." Once he accepts, he becomes her "master" and helps to guide him through the world of the Arabian Nights.
She grants Sonic special abilities and bonuses to aid the hedgehog in his quest. She appears to have a strong relationship with Erazor. She has a habit of calling Sonic "Master" (she's likely used to calling whoever possesses the Ring her master like a genie normally would), even though he prefers her to just call him by his name. While she does have high magic power, she seems to be unable to undo the works of any of the Erazor Djinn's magic, such as the cursed flaming arrow that he embeds in Sonic's chest. It is hinted that she and the Erazor Djinn were once in love or were friends, but when Shahra tells Sonic in the Last Chapter, "I just want to be back with him!" the former seems most likely.
In the end of the story, she is revealed as having a partnership of sorts with Erazor. However, she does not believe this is the "right path" when Sonic wishes for her to "do what [she] truly [thinks] is right!" When Erazor attempts to sacrifice Sonic, she saves him, sacrificing her own life. Rather than passing on though, Shahra's spirit melded with Sonic and aided him in his final confrontation with Erazor.[3] She is later brought back to life with Sonic's first wish on the Erazor Djinn's lamp. After Sonic's last wish (that Erazor spend eternity in his lamp) is granted, Shahra cries, overcome with grief at both her betrayal of Sonic and the loss of Erazor, in an act of compassion, wishes for a mountain of handkerchiefs so that she can cry as long as she needs to, which was a reference to the beginning of the story.
Other game appearances[edit | edit source]
Sonic Rivals 2[edit | edit source]
In Sonic Rivals 2, Shahra appears on a collectible card:
| Image | Card Number | Card | Challenge | Unlocked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
65 | Shahra | Collect 15000 Rings | N/A |
Super Smash Bros. Brawl[edit | edit source]
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Shahra appears as a collectible Sticker:
| Image | Name | Page | ID | Area of Effect | Effect | User | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | PAL | ||||||
.png) |
Shahra (Sonic & the Secret Rings) | 279 | 699 | Leg | Attack +7 | Peach, Zelda | |
Sonic Runners[edit | edit source]
In Sonic Runners, Shahra appears as a S Rare Fly Type Buddy who grants the player a random Color Power after achieving a certain amount of combos.
Sonic Generations[edit | edit source]
In the Console, PC, and Nintendo 3DS versions of Sonic Generations, Shahra was directly mentioned by Sonic as a genie to be rescued in a magic book.[4]
Personality[edit | edit source]
Shahra is a kind-hearted and friendly person. Shahra acts courteous, loyal, and obedient to whoever her current master is. Shahra is also very formal. However, Shahra was once in love with Erazor Djinn, and desperate to make him love her back. To this end, her love for Erazor led her to perform immoral acts, assisting him in his plan to escape the world of the Arabian Nights and helping to manipulate Sonic into gathering the World Rings for him. However, Sonic showing his kindness caused her to feel very guilty about betraying him, and she came to see that Erazor was a terrible person and sacrificed her own life to save Sonic from being killed by Erazor, showing herself to be very selfless and ultimately a good person.
Powers and abilities[edit | edit source]
As the Genie of the Ring, Shahra possesses magical abilities that allow her to grant the wishes of her master. However, she is restricted to only granting simple wishes, such as making a mountain of handkerchiefs appear, calling forth magical carpets, or taking someone into the world of the Arabian Nights. She is also unable to undo the working of Erazor Djinn's magic, as it is on a completely different level. Shahra is also capable of flight and transforming her body into smoke or a ball of pink light. In her light form, Shahra can fly fast enough to keep up with Sonic.
Relationships[edit | edit source]
Aladdin[edit | edit source]
Since the story of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Aladdin released Shahra and became her first master for which he treated her as a close and good friend with care.
Sonic the Hedgehog[edit | edit source]
When they met for the first time, Shahra asks Sonic the Hedgehog for help, so that he can save her world from the evil Erazor Djinn, Sonic agrees but he can only go in the book on one condition; he has to wear a Ring so that she can grant his wishes. Throughout the game she constantly calls Sonic "Master", but Sonic, with modesty, tells her to call him by his name. Erazor Djinn attempts to cast a curse on Shahra for disobeying him, she is however protected by Sonic, hence resulting in Sonic bearing the curse - a flame on his chest which will cause him to die when it wears out in time. Having her friend to bear the curse, Shahra apologizes for getting Sonic involved, Sonic however promises her that he will keep her smiling in the end of the situation not as her master but as a friend, they both crossed their pinkies together as a symbol of "promise". Shahra however shakily doubts the promise, in fear of the Erazor Djinn.
Shahra also appears to be hiding from Sonic on several occasions and is unable to answer Sonic when he questions about the Erazor Djinn or the seven World Rings.
In the end, she could not keep the promise and forces herself to obey Erazor, Sonic in great shock questions her and commands her to choose what she thinks is truly right, however it causes Shahra to faint. Erazor made his attempt to kill Sonic in the process until Shahra grabbed Sonic causing her to die instead. In the end, after defeating Erazor, Sonic forces Erazor Djinn to grant a wish to bring Shahra back to life. When Sonic goes back to his world, Shahra speaks to herself and thanks Sonic for helping her world.
Erazor Djinn[edit | edit source]
It seems that Shahra and Erazor Djinn have known each other for a long time, though the nature of their relationship was not clearly known, it was heavily implied that they were once lovers in the past and Shahra was desperate to get Erazor to take her back, saying that she only wants to be with him. Sonic was suspicious of their relationship but persisted to keep a strong trust in Shahra by not forcing her to confess the truth. Thinking she had no other choice; she forces herself to break her promise with Sonic and therefore re-unite with the Erazor Djinn after his second offer despite being aware it was a wrong decision. Even though the Erazor Djinn is controlling of Shahra's emotions and would even curse her if she would not obey him, her love for Erazor Djinn sustains and even cries when he was cursed back into the lamp despite his misdeeds.
Friends/allies[edit | edit source]
- Aladdin (first master)
- Ali Baba
- King Shahryar
- King Solomon
- Sinbad the Sailor
- Sonic the Hedgehog (second master)
Enemies[edit | edit source]
- Erazor Djinn (killer)
Quotes[edit | edit source]
- "My name is Shahra... the spirit of the ring. Have you ever read the Arabian Nights? They are thrilling tales told by a nobleman's daughter named Shahrazad to the selfish King Shahryar. The stories that the nobleman's daughter told were so enthralling that King Shahryar requested for her to tell him more stories, and the tales continued for many nights... Accordingly, This why the "Arabian Nights" is also called the "Stories of One Thousand and One Nights". The Arabian Nights is full of tales of magic and adventure. For example, "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves", "The Adventures of Sinbad" and "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp". I am the fairy of the magic ring from "Aladdin and the Magic Lamp". In the world we reside in now, inside the book of "Arabian Nights", something terrible is happening. A powerfully-magical malevolent spirit is trying to harvest the characters and cause the world of the "Arabian Nights" book to vanish... If that happens, not only will you not be able to read the "Arabian Nights" anymore, but the malevolent spirit with that power will also try to erase the real world that you reside in... That is why I have come to the "Legendary Blue Hedgehog" for assistance. I believe that he will surely save our world... And I want him to stop the malevolent spirit from running wild. Blue Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog. A supersonic hero who has had various adventures all over the world. He’s a little bit sassy, always has something cool to say but there’s hot flames blazing in that heart.I was a little concerned that he fell asleep whilst reading the book but I am positive that he can oppose the hazardous adventures of “Arabian Nights”. Moreover, the most recently-added words to the book...are “The Legendary Blue Hedgehog”. That must refer to him."
- —Shahra's narration in the Sonic and the Secret Rings Japanese manual’s prologue.
- "Do not be alarmed, I am Shahra, the Genie of the Ring."
- —Shahra introducing herself to Sonic, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "What!? You've got to be kidding me! It's the best told story of the Arabian Nights...or at least the second best."
- —Shahra when Sonic tells her he's never read Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "That's easy. You are my master, having called forth the Genie of the Ring. As such, I am able to grant your wishes. Simple wishes, at any rate. Bringing you into the world of the Arabian Nights is within my power."
- —Shahra choosing Sonic as her master whose wishes must be granted by her, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "My apologies, o Master. But now, the contract has been sealed. As master of the ring, I am now bound to protect you."
- —Shahra's voice from inside Her ring, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "Here we go! Into the world of the Arabian Nights!"
- —Shahra before taking Sonic to her world, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "I'm very sorry. He seems to have mistaken you for someone else."
- —Shahra to Ali Baba when Sonic mistook him for Tails, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "Sonic, can't you swim?"
- —Shahra teasing Sonic about not being able to swim, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "Did I change my destiny? Did I keep our promise?"
- —Shahra, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "I'm so sorry, master. I... cannot grant..."
- —Shahra's dying words, Sonic and the Secret Rings
- "And so, the legendary blue hedgehog, having saved the world of the Arabian Nights ran endlessly, until he found his way back into his own world. Along the way, he had many adventures. But those are stories... for another time. Thank you, Sonic the Hedgehog, the legendary Hedgehog."
- —Shahra's last words, biding Sonic goodbye, Sonic and the Secret Rings
Theme Songs[edit | edit source]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- Shahra's name suggests she is based on the One Thousand and One Nights character, Scheherazade.
- Shahra's way of appearing as a ball of light in the stages is very similar to Tikal did in Sonic Adventure.
- In Sonic Rivals 2, one of the collectable cards showing Shahra is referred to as "Shanhra", which is likely a typo.
- Shahra's appearance seems to have passed on to Merlina the Wizard from Sonic and the Black Knight. While they are both Sonic's friends, Sonic had to battle Merlina as the final boss when Sonic never fought Shahra at all (Sonic trying to talk Shahra out of giving Erazor Djinn the World Rings wasn't an actual "fight", more like a psychological struggle).
- Shahra is currently the only Sonic Storybook Series character who has appeared in Sonic's world (Merlina was able to bring Sonic into her story with a spell).
- In the original story of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, the evil sorcerer who tricked Aladdin gives him a ring with a genie in it. This may be where the idea for Shahra came from.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Sonic Runners
- ↑ Sonic and the Secret Rings (Wii) Japanese instruction booklet.
- ↑ Hodgson, David (20 July 2007). "World 7: Night Palace". Sonic and the Secret Rings. Prima Games. p. 290. ISBN 978-0761555117.
- ↑ Sonic Team (4 November 2011). Sonic Generations. PlayStation 3. Sega. Area/Level. White Space. "Sonic: No stranger than rescuing genies in magic books, or saving aliens in an interstellar amusement park. I'm more concerned about finding our friends."
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
.png){kind=link}
_Model.png){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.JPG){kind=link}
.PNG){kind=link}