The Elusive Espio: Ninja AND Detective
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- Опубликовано: 11 сен 2024
- #knovemberchaotix #espio #knuckleschaotix
Easily one of the coolest characters of the Sonic universe. Espio is a chameleon, detective, AND ninja...and somehow doesn't have his own game.
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"Espio is short for Espionage"
And suddenly the past 16 years of my life start making sense
I thought it was a latin word for spy combined with the english informal suffix "-o".
It's impressive Rouge (using her super hearing) was able to sense Espio's presence (when he was invisible) in Sonic rivals 2, I guess only espionage can beat espionage.
Yes Rouge has super hearing and Espio has invisibility yet more abilities that the recent games keep forgetting other characters have, I wonder why?
Same here
@@lynxfresh5214 yeah that's cool of Rouge. Hopefully any future writers are actual fans of the series first
@@lynxfresh5214 I thought when you said super hearing you said super healing.
oh hey look, the video isn't invisible anymore
since its an espio video it can turn invisible
Shownen or Shounen?
I knew this joke would pop up somewhere after the Mighty vid lol!
ik m 2 hours late but what u mean
@@literatedog3642 You're reading the comment section of a RUclips video. To understand the joke, you need the context of said RUclips video.
Espio is literally Batman. He's a ninja detective
finally, some goddamn recognition.
@@Excelsior_Espio Ah yes my Sonic the Fighters main
He’s Also Yamcha From Dragon Ball Z Too
@@Excelsior_Espio and he looks g r u m p y.
@@connorprado9810 o-o
“I don’t have any idea what I am doing.” And that’s why this channel is successful. It’s a crime of passion.
I completely agree. I bought into the base concept because i play devils advocate all the time, but i stick around for that goofy passion. It just gives the whole thing so much charm.
damm! so that's why
That is how I'd do it.
"Espio is a ninja detective, he is a man of ACTION" I guess history class has lied to me..
I get the impression Espio has the qualifications to act as leader in Vector's absence, but chooses not to act as a leader when he can avoid it. He comes off to me as the kind of guy who probably prefers acting on his own, but somehow grew close enough to Charmy and Vector to make them a special exception. When acting together with them, he will occasionally chime in to keep them focused on the objective, but otherwise is perfectly content allowing Vector to do whatever he wants.
He's a ninja, being the center of attention isn't really his style.
i love how Archie gave Espio a mother, who is the leader of his clan
My momma a great woman
She's so cool.
She does like nothing, but she's *so cool.*
@@Vivigreeny25 Ah, so she pulled a classic Boba Fett. :P
I really like how Espio is a character who can be used for both serious and comedic situations. Most characters have this ability if we look to the comics, but in the games you really either have serious or lighthearted characters with no in between. Sega sucked both Sonic and Shadow dry of all character aside from their most prominent traits and so now we have constantly serious Shadow and constantly goofy Sonic. But even in the games, Espio has those serious lines about taking situations seriously and whatnot...and then can turn around and destroy enemies by rocking out in a band with the Chaotix and playing badly. I love it.
I love the Chaotix. Way too underutilized.
Fun Fact: the last time Espio was playable in a "main" series game was in Sonic rivals 2 on the PSP and tbh him teaming up with Silver was surprisingly interesting.
Silver is like a brother to me
@@Excelsior_Espio Yeah that makes sense you and Silver went through alot in Sonic Rivals 2. Also you know people ship you with Silver because of Sonic Rivals 2?
@@Help_Im_On_Fire I'm more into Knuckles tbh
@@Excelsior_Espio Okay
*Wait a minute-*
@@Help_Im_On_Fire If you've seen the series, you understand the reference ;)
Dear Apologist: I never knew there was such deep, emotional content in the Sonic series until I found your channel. I'm glad I did. This Sonic stuff was just stuff I read as a kid-I never looked so closely at it. You're one of my most favorite RUclipsrs to listen to this year.
Thanks for existing.
You can thank his parents for him existing you can thank him for his channel existing.
@@goldenboybenny7511 Good point. :) But considering what's going on this year, he could easily choose to not exist. That was just my way of saying 'thanks for being here and doing what you do'.
@@StarGaleSky7 It's always been there, but it depends on the era and the staff on hand.
Espio's name is so sneaky that even though it's _obvious_ it's short for espionage people always forget it.
Espio and silver are in the same boat for being underutilized and having so much potential it's too bad since they're two of my favorite sonic characters
Preaciate it
*Cries in SO MANY CHARACTERS DAMNIT*
Same! I loved their team up in Sonic Rivals 2, I just wish we had seen more of their friendship since then.
I LOVE Silver and Espio. So much untapped potential.
The interesting thing about Espio is the implication that Vector, for all his tomfoolery, is implied to be a hair savvier and smarter than him given he's able to figure out the Eggman conspiracy in Sonic Heroes that blindsides Espio completely.
There are little moments where Vector's layman attitude comes out on top of Espio's professionalism and it might for various reasons, but it's clear Vector has something over the ninja to make him a proper leader.
Still a bad-ass though.
I really think Vector is the better detective, and while Espio is also smart and much more focused (in a way that helps ground Vector when it's needed), he's more of the muscle.
@@matti.8465 Which is doubly ironic, since Vector is the power character in Heroes.
Honestly Espio and Mighty are my favorite chaotix members
Same. But I honestly love all of them. Mighty, Ray, Espio, Charmy, Vector and Heavy & Bomb.
Plot twist: the video gets privated because it can turn invisible at will.
:o
“How does my channel have this many subscribers? I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M DOING!!” After that gave me a chuckle and watching a BUNCH of your videos this past week I finally subscribed
"SEGA...use your stupid characters" God I wish they would. Good video, dude. Gonna have to check out the channel more
I think they're still hesitant because of that whole "Sonic's stupid friends" 'criticism' malarkey back in the 2000s...
@@najadamu2724 and now, we're desperate to see them.
SEGA: *Has a princess from another dimmension with fire powers, a telekenetic hegdehog from a post apocaliptic future, a ninja detective whose cool af, team of rogues who use flying surf boards and have loads of lore and a bunch of other interesting and developed characters*
Also SEGA: Oh you guys wanna play as Sonic
@@Vivigreeny25 you see my point.
Or someone else will use similar ideas.
You forgot to add that he's also friends with Silver! (Rivals 2) Both are my favorite Sonic characters, and both are underutilized. I just love that they're friends, it makes a lot of sense, and it also is one of the very few tidbits of characterization both have gotten in a long time.
Okay there is something incredibly heartwarming about the idea of Vector and Espio being Charmy's ultra supportive adoptive parents
I REALLY like the idea of Vector and Espio being Charmy's adoptive fathers.
I disagree. It's more of the lines of older brothers than dads.
@@bigmacsama Yeah I do agree with that that it just makes the most sense since they all act like brothers to each other more than anything else
@@emmanuelharris6445 amen broski
Yeah I don't roll that way broski
@@Excelsior_Espio Amen, Mr. Chameleon sir.
"SEGA, use your stupid characters!" My thoughts exactly
I honestly love espio so much. He's a cool ninja chameleon and I love him.
I love you too
And there we have it folks: All in favor of a Team Chaotix spinoff series with Knuckles, Mighty and Ray as guest stars say AYE!
Knuckles chaotix 2 in 3D sounds like a really good idea I just hope there's no tethering ringing
Aye
Aye :D
Aye
Count me in, man
I would have watched this earlier, but Espio was strangling me so hard I couldn't get to it until now.
Sorry bout that, meant no harm.
He choke knuckles chicken too 🥵
"Ninja AND Detective"
Damn, didn't know Espio was the Batman of the Sonic world
Someone has to be
@@Excelsior_Espio Thank you, based Espio. I feel safer already
If Espio can turn invisible you could hypothesize that he could have appeared in several games and movies. Got a continuity error? Espio was there. Got items appearing or disappearing randomly? Espio was there, too. Is a character sharing off for no real reason? They're just watching for Espio. The possibilities are endless!
As willing as I'd be to play a game where Espio assassinated others, there's good chance that just end up as another Shadow the Hedgehog.
Ninja's aren't assasins at all
@@Next-xm2dh Did you not watch the entire video
@@toxictincan While assassination WAS a task ninja could be assigned they were tasked with reconnaissance and sabotage far more often.
@@TheParanoidLogician God dammit. I am referring to a joke in the video.
@@toxictincan My bad, forgot about that bit.
Him being a detective makes sense as a Ninja's primary job was spying & reconisence, aka information gathering, same as a detective.
I love the idea of a chaotix game were they are detectives and the different characters abilities unlock more clues
There was one story I thought was memorable for Espio in the Archie comic, Robotink managed to kidnap and robotizice the chameleons living on Angel Island. Espio has this heart breaking fight with his best friend, who was also a spy working with a certain skunk, and seemingly was forced to kill him while a girl who seemed to like Espio is broken about their friend and what happened to her village. Course later both seem to be fine an cameo appearances in later stories and the girl is also a ninja now (and apparently the leader of the clan was supposed to be Espio's mom but we never got that far) so yeah it got weird later but this was big for the lizard.
I love how he said the Espio is the same as Michael Jackson " Not the creepy way" Hahahaha
michael Jackson?!
Jordon, son.
Guys I don't understand anything.
Not really a fan of that joke.
@@mechajay3358 the joke sucks because everyone shoukd know it's completely b.s
I think Rivals 2 at least deserves credit on the story department, Espio and Silver is a character pairing I never thought I would see and it was really good in my opinion!
Even then, I feel Espio works better as part of the Chaotix, they all complement each other. Vector is the brain, Espio is the muscle and Charmy is the heart. (tho Espio and Vector switch sometimes)
I personally believe that each member of the Chaotix came to the island for personal reasons and that’s how they all met (similar to how they came together in the Archie comics). As they grew closer together as friends Espio became fond of the crew and invited them to join him in his detective work and create a new agency. Mighty and Knuckles denied however, bc of Knuckles’ responsibility for the Master Emerald, and Mighty bc he had to go back where he was from and protect the people he cared about. This left the Vector, Charmy, and Espio as the new Chaotix crew (though they still work with Mighty and Knuckles occasionally), and after a while Vector kinda took over as the face of the company with his more loud and outgoing personality, as where Espio prefers to just take a step back, get his work done and solve the case.
I think it makes sense that Espio isn't in charge despite being the more focused and responsible one. Just because you're the best at your job doesn't mean you want to be in charge of everyone else, and as a ninja, Espio fits the henchman role. I also feel like making Vector the boss kinda throws the alligator a bone. He's not a better detective than Espio, but he retains worth in the team as the manager.
Especially enjoyed the Giant Lizards scene, underrated clip
I understand Sega not making games for the other Chaotix, because coming up with movesets that aren't just clones of other characters, but Espio is another matter entirely.
Sonic spinoff games don’t even have to be the same genre as the mainline games. I’d totally play a Chaotix detective game. If Pokémon can make a detective spinoff game why not Sega?
@@selkrasouza6262 Good point, I would play the hell out of that.
Honestly, his most standout unique ability in a platformer when he's actually playable is his ability to stick to surfaces like walls and ceilings. Even if you don't take into account his invisibility, those are completely different types of play.
Maybe make a game on Team Chaotix
@@skibot9974 I mean, I would, but I'm not a game company with the kind of resources Sega does. Nor am I independently wealthy and willing to spend time, money, and effort to make something I cannot legally make anything from.
(I really respect people who make quality fan games, by the way. Those people are great.)
When you said "sega yous your characters" it makes me thank sega will yous feel the rabbit to bad it will never happen
Seriously, pretty much everyone here appreciates all the work that goes into these videos, especially since we now know you're doing them back to back. When December rolls around be sure to take a long break.
Id love for sega to explore espios origins on how he became a ninja in the main canon.
While I still personally like vector the best, this video has really shown me how unique and cool espio is, and shown me that the reason he's the most popular of the chaotix isn't because of something stupid or cliche like "edginess". He is a legitimately cool character and seeing more of him in action would be awesome!
You had the chance to name this the "Espiosode" and you missed it.
This isn't Heavy and Bomb. Where is the Heavy and Bomb video?
Unless he can script,record and edit in 2 days he most likely won’t make one
@@totodile4271 I know I'm mostly joking.
He should do a video on *************
Honestly I’m hoping for it but maybe there won’t be
HAH
Are we not gonna talk about his humble relationship he grew with Silver in Rivals 2
Also he left Eggman Nega to die in another dimension
Thanks for the hard work for these videos. I've loved every single one of them, especially the one where you brought Charmy to justice.
Okay now after watching this video a few things to note about why espio doesn't run the chaotix detective agency. I feel like the main reason espio doesn't do it because as a shinobi he has a strong sense of honor and justice meaning he works for free constantly and can be very hostile towards enemies going to far as to want to execute them on the spot instead of take them in and put them in prison ya know like an actual real ninja would do and that just doesn't fly in the sonic universe tho he is far more collected he is an awful leader cause he's so quiet and isn't good with being on a team unless being given orders by a leader which ironically enough endows him with that honor he searches for
While Vector is far more collected under pressure and can lead very well he's very loud and ready to go and as seen in the sonic universe comic he is a very very good detective and can even lie his way outta situations with ease which is something espio can do since he isn't a talker he is a man who likes to throw down and I think that's the best fit for a character like espio because if the IDW comics taught us anything it's that yeah espio may keep his mouth shut but when he speaks it slices through you like a sharp cold knife espio speaks powerful words whether that is a good thing or a bad thing. Now let's recap
Espio: is quiet, can't lead very well because of it, is a man if string actions, has a very strong sense of justice meaning he'll rather execute the enemy instead of detain the enemy, and he works for honor instead of for payment which puts him in a financial bind which u couple argue so does sonic but espio can't do nearly as much as sonic in terms of being a world wide hero sonic is literally known worldwide and wherever he lays his hat is his home (if you get the reference) but Espio seems behind the times and isn't known world wide and working for honor isn't gonna give you a place to live and sleeping outside is shameful for a ninja you have honor to uphold (I've said honor a lot) so instead of doing his own thing he is basically letting Vector be his leader so he can be the action guy and still preserve everything he stands for even if it is a very dated mindset in the world of sonic
That's one thing I love about the classic Sonic designs, they look like 20's Disney Characters who are 90s kids.
*SPOILERS FOR THE IDW METAL VIRUS SAGA :*
In the IDW books before Espio snaps at Sonic 2 things happened. Charmy got the metal virus and then Vector got it from Charmy. Now the thing that makes Vector getting it different was it even more emotional than when Charmy got it. I remember as the doors were closing Vector said "Hey Espio, your the lead detective now.." and Espio dropped to his knees and he had tears in his eyes. That was literally the only time Espio actually got emotional. He didn't actually cry but dang. I don't think I was the only one that cried when reading that.
I just feel like those were some powerful moments for Espio in the IDW comics that you missed in the video.
Hope you all stay safe! ♥️
Let the poor lizard cry ffs-
@@Vivigreeny25 Yeah SEGA should had let him cry but then again, he is pretty serious most of the time. I feel like his ninja training had him train to not show mental weakness.. but what do I know?
(before watching more than 2 minutes...)
This is really fortunate. I'm writing a fanfic, and I just got to the part where the main character has to take hero lessons from Espio.
1:40-1:47 Yet Vector wants to smash Vanilla the Rabbit.
He may be _overlooked_ in some aspects, but he's unquestionably cool. And much like other characters of his type
it takes a while for him to _show his true colors_ and depth. But he's loved all the same.
Also, I can't believe I never noticed the "I spy" connection to his name as a native Spanish speaker, or maybe just forgot
Was I the only one to know Espio's name was Spanish?
I'm glad you touched on the spy mission retcon from Archie's Sonic; best moment for Espio in that continuity
WOOOAAAH 2 VIDS IN A ROW OKAY I SEE U MAN I'm guessing it's because the month is almost over but either way it's greatly appreciated keep on grinding dude
He's got a cute relationship with Nicole at least.
It'd be nice if we got an Espio game that utilized his Iron Dominion backstory lol
I remember playing a rivals game in spanish,and Espio said "Yo te espio" Which means "Im spying you"
I love the Archie Iron Dominion arc for what it did with Espio's character. Giving him a proper background, his own motivations and secrets, family and friends and relationships that had nothing to do with the other Chaotix...
And the aftermath was great too. How his little stint on the enemy side changed his relationship with the rest of the team, how he and Nicole found comfort in each other's company because they both went through similar things, how it left so many future possibilities open for his character... I loved that for him.
I was so sad when it was all erased in the Genesis Wave.
Espio deserved better than that.
Well, if i'm not wrong, the writer of that story is Ian Flynn, who now works for IDW. Hopefully he'll take this story again and use it in a future idw issue
@@costyhetalia He can't. Sega has really strict mandates these days that he has to follow, that's why the Reboot happened in the first place.
One of the many main directives is that the comics are no longer allowed to invent a family background for canon characters.
@@TimeturnerJ
Oh that's too bad... i only knew that they couldn't give a love interest to canon characters
How do you even manage all this sweet content...
Nick, you're killing it, dude. Your content comes from the heart, that's why it's successful.
Espio used to be my favorite Chaotix member when I was younger, probably due to his more serious attitude
-but now it's Vector cause funny.-
My fave Archie Espio moment had to be him bringing up embarrassing secrets he knew about the Freedom Fighters to prove his stealth skills (he saw Tails' early adventure as "Captain Super Foxman" and knows where Sally's *royal birthmark* is).
Espio has been my favorite character for ages, he is so cool!
Ninja detectives are actually long established character archetype in Japan based on how former ninja work as law inforcement after having been trusted scouts and bodyguards during wartime.
Petition to make “toot toot Ninja warriors” the outro
You mentioned underutilized characters a couple of times. Have you done a video on Rouge yet? I think she's one of my favorite characters, alongside Tails, Vector, Amy, and Sonic. But Tails, Amy, and Sonic of course get a lot more focus.
In the meantime, I'm gonna head back to the Charmy video so I can subscribe because it was the one that alerted me to your channel's in depth takes.
NINJA POWER!!!
Honestly, the most I know about Espio is from Sonic X and I watched that a long time ago. It's how I got into sonic, really. The IDW comics are fantastic too. The art is wonderful and it has a surprisingly dark tone.
Omg, the skillshare was so perfect, I actually started skipping the ad before I realised and had to rewind.
Only SEGA can underuse a fricking Ninja Detecive Chamellon I suppose
Does anyone else think that the game Shadow the Hedgehog would've fit better if Espio was the main character? Hear me out for a second.
Replace the guns with Ninja stars and other things of that nature, replace the aliens with a ninja clan, maybe make the story about him adjusting to normal life after being a ninja for most of it, and boom, an Espio game. You could even make this the story of how he became a detective. Maybe the president asks him to figure out what these ninjas are doing, the ninjas try to convince Espio that they know who he is, and Knuckles is there trying to say "What if pick no one and just went to save the world." That'd be a great side game. Imagine if somebody mods that into Shadow the Hedgehog.
Man dude, your work and consistent scheduling is incredible! Thank you for the wonderful Chaotix videos! I really mean it!👍⭐️
was not expecting this video so sooon, great surprise!
The first sonic game I ever played was sonic forces and my knowledge on sonic up to that point was sonic is a blue hedgehog so when I first saw espio I thought he was a purple rhino with a long tail because I didn't know chameleons had horns. It took me several months to realize he was a chameleon
Also, Pre-Boot Espio had a friendship with the A.I. NICOLE.
So the video was ready all along just that it was hidden from our sight
Ya know...if you stop and think about it for a minute...Espio would be a great character to use as a basis for a custom alternate costume for the ninja character in Mark of the Ninja (which - side note - would be a solid foundation to build an Espio game off of).
You have excellent presentation and planning Nick. Even good enough for a second listen on a number of occasions. Thanks for these.
Archie Espio looks so weird a lot of the time, because his horn is usually drawn higher up on his head, instead of it being where his nose should be.
I can’t believe this entire video was just GameApologist saying “Espio is cool” over and over for 11 minutes and 40 seconds.
This series has been incredible
HE DIDN'T COVERED BOMB AND HEAVY YET!
Wow, had no idea Gamecation was doing terribly view count wise. I quite enjoyed the Salem one. But then again, I'll watch anything you put out because I love your personality and editing style.
Good job your almost done with all the chaotix.
Just heavy and bomb left for the characters.
I wish i found your channel sooner this is great content.
Funny on how Ninja and detective kinda go hand in hand with each other. The skills definitely do crossover better than it does with being a DJ. Give Sonic a break though. Choosing to spare Metal Sonic and give him a second chance was the morally right decision. Sonic is not responsible for what Metal Sonic decides to do.
You called Espio and Vector Charmy's dads and I can't stop thinking about it.
So chameleons can't grip to flat surfaces.
But what about NINJA chameleons?
Chris from sonic X when?
It’s just gonna be a 5 min video of him burning a Chris plush.
*NO*
@@rodrigomorales563 FUCK YEAH!
He's killer on the banjo too
Actually that's not a banjo, dude. That's actually called a shamisen, a traditional japanese three-string musical instrument.
@@bigmacsama yeah I wasn't entirely sure it was a shamisen cause I've been calling it a banjo as a kid and keep forgetting the name of the Japanese instrument
Espio was my favorite member of the chaotix but, a religious croc sounds way cooler than a ninja
Finally the video showed himself it would be a great
ESPIODE
Espio is short for espionage
IT ALL MAKES SENSE
(*Illuminati theme plays*)
I hope sometime, maybe in an Adventure remake, they make a game with a Stealth gameplay style. Primarily for Rouge since.. she's a spy, but the player could also use Espio instead who would have a similar moveset. I think this would fit both characters well and would be really cool to see Espio play an important role. but I dunno
I guess you could say it’s it’s the espiosode
This might be the worst pun I've seen in my life.
Which is why it's the BEST.
I can embarrassingly confirm that I thought esipo was rhino for a while
Listen, none of us have any idea what we’re doing. We’re sonic fans. Live and let be, my guy.
"The Elusive Espio"
Yes. He was elusive
The most underrated of the Chaotix
If you think about it Sonic Heroes could be considered a spiritual sequel to Knuckles Chaotix.
We control a team of characters, using their special abilities.. Older forgotten characters being used, and Metal Sonic being the primary antigonist.
Door into Summer is so fucking rad, thanks for playing it in this video
Espio always came off in Heroes as if he was role-playing as a ninja and just happened to also be really good at it because of how over-the top his commitment to the attitude was.
Unfortunately he doesn't give off that same energy in any of the games he's been in since.
3:03 right when he said that there appeared some purple...... Let's say chameleon...
P E R F E C T T I M I N G
I had no idea Espio was in Sonic X until this video.
You have done the impossible
It’s a joke btw
I always use to think Espio was the leader of the chaotix because he was the speed hero in sonic heroes, cause every other team had their leader be the speed hero also
Fun fact: he was voiced by Dan green in various media. He is best known as the voice of Atem from Yugioh