Funny as hell, and true in some situations
You know that makes so much sense.
Sega was just too desperate for mkaing the games more mature.
However, I have to say Shadow wasn't really emo to begin with, and he never cut himself (even though it was there for humor).
I mean look at it this way:
Sure, Shadow was hurt badly by having his best friend gunned down in front of him, but that's only natural. I bet he took it far better than you would.
Once freed, he didn't go sit in a corner and sob and grab his collection of razor blades to do some self-mutiliation. No. He started laying waste to the world's most powerful military as he got his hands on the ultimate power in the universe so that he annihilate the world in one massive orgy of destruction and revenge. That's not whiny. It's scary, evil, and totally freakin' insane, but it sure as hell isn't whiny. You sure wouldn't be insulting the guy if you met him. Particularly if you have a hint of self-preservation instincts.
Once he got rid of the whole insanity thing and *sigh* relearned his past, he still wasn't whiny.
But still, it was funny and made a lot of sense in some situations. Shadow was just butchered by Sonic Team, but all in all I still think he is a good character. The video game was not his fault, it was Sonic Team's fault, as Shadow has no control over what to do seeing as Sonic Team makes the decisions.
Anyway, I hope you finish this. It was getting to the good part to.