The Super Mario Show

The Super Mario Show is an American Animated Adventure Fantasy Comedy television series created and directed by Craig McCracken and Genndy Tartakovsky with  Alex Hirsch writing stories for the show along with  Shigeru Miyamoto and Yoshiaki Koizumi serving as Executive Producers. The Series follows the adventures of 2 Brothers, Mario (Maurice LaMarche) and his twin brother Luigi Mario (Rob Paulsen) who are Plumbers in New Donk City that are unexpectedly sent to the Mushroom Kingdom, a Kingdom with many mysterious friends and foes.

The first part of season 1 premiered worldwide on the 13th of September 2021 with 13 Episodes with the second part airing on December 8th 2021 with an additional 13 Episodes, and the second season was released on October 5, 2022 with 26 Episodes. The third season premiered on the 13th of September 2023 with 26 Episodes, the 4th and final season premiered on March 10th, 2024 with 20 episodes. Craig McCracken announced that the series would finish with its 4th season, stating that this was "100% his choice" and that "the show isn't being cancelled it's being finished" and was simply reaching its natural conclusion. The series ended on October 12th 2024, with the one-hour finale, The Ultimate Show.

The Super Mario Show received critical acclaim, with praise going to the writing, animation, voice acting, characters, humour, and action sequences, particularly strong praise being given to the faithfulness to the series however some criticised it for the tone of the series, calling it “Jarring” for a Mario Show

A Spin-Off series, Based on the Donkey Kong Country Series released in 2024.

Synopsis


The Super Mario Show follows 30-Year Old Twin Brothers, Mario Mario & Luigi Mario, who are Plumbers living in the fictional city of New Donk City (based on New York City), When tasked from their Boss, Foreman Spike, to fix a leak in the sewers, The Bros face an army of Koopas before quickly & unexpectedly being transported to the magical world of the Mushroom Kingdom, a far away rural kingdom in their world, they are quickly enwarpped with the ruler of the Kingdom, Princess Peach and become the royal engineers of the Kingdom, When Bowser, Cruel Ruler of the Koopa Kingdom, plots to take over the world, which involves capturing the Princess and destroying the Mushroom Kingdom, The Bros must rise up and become the unexpected heroes that the world needs, along with teaming up with their new group of friends such as Toad, The Bros & Peach’s best friend who provides comedic relief for the gang and often join them on their Adventures to guide them through the world, Captain Toad, Toad’s Twin brother and a hero in Training who leads the Toad Brigade, Toadette, Captain Toad’s hyper-active Girlfriend and Yoshi, The Bros Pet who comes from Yoshi’s Island.

Most Episodes are based of a existing game/media or are based of a episode trope. The Series in the early seasons doesn't have much of a serialised story apart from some continuity but later Seasons use Serialised stories.

In Season 1, The Show has mostly episodic stories and instead has a bigger focus on the relationship and bond between Mario & Luigi and them exploring the Mushroom kingdom, The Start of Season 2 introduces Fawful & Midbus, Season 2 also includes villains such as Wart, The 8-Bits with recurring appearances of characters introduced in Season 1 such as Wario & Waluigi, Tatanga, King Boo and more, Season 1 and the series Main Villains of a whole are the Koopa Troop, with characters such as Kamek, The Elite Trio and Bowser Jr being main recurring villains of the series with the Koopalings being introduced in the second part of Season 1.

Season 4, the final season, introduced the RPG Villains but mainly Dimentio being the main antagonist of the series with Count Bleck, Mimi, O’Chunks and The Smithy Gang being Main Antagonists for the season. Additionally, Flipside & it’s alternate dimensions becomes the Main location with Geno, Mallow and Merlon along with other characters become extra protagonists.

Setting


The Super Mario Show takes place in an unspecified time in the 2010s and in a fictionalised version of the Earth, with most episodes taking place in the Mushroom Kingdom, a rural, mysterious location filled with many Mushrooms and Toads (anthropomorphic Mushrooms) Season 3 takes place in various galaxies based on Super Mario Galaxy while Season 4 primarily takes place in Flipside an interdimensional town/hub lead and created by Merlon, other notable locations include in the series include:


 * New Donk City: A large city filled with skyscrapers and buildings inhabited by New Donkers (including Mario & Luigi) and ruled by Mayor Pauline. The city's design is largely inspired by real world big cities, most notably New York City
 * The Koopa Kingdom/Darklands: An extremely volcanic Kingdom ruled by Bowser, with areas being wastelands filled volcanos, lava rivers, and largely untouched by sunlight.
 * Tostarena: A large desert which has a Mexican/Western Town inside out along with Ancient Pyramids surrounding the area, the place is mostly inhabited by Tostarenans, skeletal beings that dress in traditional Mexican-style clothing, including sombreros and ponchos, and often play such instruments as maracas and guitars.
 * Steam Gardens: A large forest/jungle area containing several iron structures. This area is also surrounded by large mountains, as well as a geodesic dome. Steam Gardenersinhabit the area, which are created by a group of scientists so the area can still thrive and flourish, in spite of many people ruining the Forest.
 * Lake Lamode: A large lake area with an underwater plaza area populated by Mermen and Mermaids. The underwater Water Plaza is protected by a glass dome with the rocks are shaped like a drape and the light shaped like a lace, following the motif of the wedding dress. The aquatic plants of the kingdom are designed to follow the motif of the sequin. Lake Lamode is renowned for its fashion designers and clothes, such as the prized Lochlady Dress. The fashion design theme is embraced by the environment of the area as well. The layered rock walls that surround the lake resemble frills, which is also the motif of the columns and entablatures of the buildings
 * Cloud Kingdom: A mysterious realm in the sky made up entirely of clouds inhabited by Giants. Its most notable city is the Nimbus Arena, which serves as an coliseum that people from other Kingdoms fight in.
 * Mount Volbono: A  metropolis of food surrounded by strange pink lava, its a colourful and vibrant palace that is famous for its cuisine, with dishes simmered over the volcano, and chock-full of the local produce that grows to enormous size thanks to the volcanic climate. The highlight of Mount Volbono's year is the Cooking Carnival set in the Old Town, where visitors from all over the world come to sample the famous Stupendous Stew. While cooking on a volcano is of course a grand spectacle, the dish itself has a surprisingly delicate flavor, described most frequently in reviews as a "melty deliciousity."
 * Donkey Kong Island: A lush Island mostly dominated by Jungles and is ruled by the Kongs with many exotic and unique creatures living there.
 * Yoshi’s Island: A Big Island that Yoshis live in, It contains a mountain, a forest, a massive dome shaped cave, and also an underground valley.
 * Isle Delfino: A tropical paradise island and vacation resort inhabited by Piantas, Nokis, Yoshis, Sunflower Kids, and Raccoons.
 * Sarasaland: A Large Kingdom made of four areas: the oceanic Muda, the Easter Island-based Easton, the ancient Egyptian-styled Birabuto, and the ancient China-based Chai. The Kingdom is ruled by Princess Daisy
 * Beanbean Kingdom: A monarch neighbor kingdom of the Mushroom Kingdom and is ruled by Queen Bean and her son, Prince Peasley.  The predominant indigenous species are the Beanish who homeland it is, although there are other species such as the Hoohooligans who live on Hoohoo Mountain and the Yoshi’s who immigrated from Dinosaur Land to the Mushroom Kingdom and Isle Delfino, then later immigrate to Beanbean Kingdom.
 * Pilo Kingdom/Subcon: A remote Island inhabitanted by Pi'illo, Brocks and the "Hooski", Subcon is linked to an interdimensional dream pocket dimension called "Subspace" in which Mario and crew can travel there via Luigi dreams, this is where Wart, Antasma and the 8 Bits have been banished to.

Heroes

 * Mario (Voiced by Maurice LaMarche): The Unexpected Hero of the Mushroom Kingdom and the main protagonist. He can be little cocky, arrogant or selfish but is mostly a Kind, optimistic, outgoing, adventurous, courageous plumber who will do the right thing whenever it is possible and stand up for his friends whenever they’re in danger, even though he isn’t the strongest thinker out there. He also has an unhealthy obsession with food, especially spaghetti.
 * Luigi (Voiced by Rob Paulsen): The Younger Twin Brother of Mario, He is very cowardly and not very heroic at all but will try to always follow his brother and always try his best. He is also smarter than Mario and an amatuer inventor, always assessing the situation instead of going head-on as Mario would.
 * Princess Peach (Voiced by Grey Delisle): The Young, spirited and naivè princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. She Gets kidnapped by Bowser & his minions for his evil schemes but will do all her best to protect her kingdom. She also possesses a short temper which can lead to her becoming uncontrollably mad.
 * Toad (Voiced by Jack McBrayer): Peach’s Childhood friend and Assistant, helping her at all costs and serves as the show's comic relief.
 * Captain Toad (Voiced by Travis Willingham): The prideful yet timid leader of the Toad Brigade and is national guard for the Mushroom kingdom.
 * Toadette (Voiced by Kristen Schaal): The ex-girlfriend of Captain Toad and is the love interest and later girlfriend of Toad, she is caring and friendly but overall annoying and overbearing at points, she tones this down throughout the series
 * Yoshi (Voiced by Dee Bradley Baker): Mario’s pet friend, his ancestors, the original Yoshi’s lived in Yoshi Island, the only place where Yoshi’s live in. They helped Baby Mario and Baby Luigi a long time ago, since then he has always wanted to be as Heroic and adventurous as them. Later on in the series, he becomes the Chief of Yoshi’s Island like his father was.
 * Daisy (Voiced by Brenda Song): The Princess of Sarasaland but her kingdom was temporarily taken over by Tatanga. She is the girlfriend and later wife to Luigi. She also loves going on adventures and playing sports with her friends, but can get a bit overly competitive sometimes.
 * Buckenberry and Ala-Gold (Voiced by Ben Schwartz & Bobby Moynihan): 2 Best Friends and eventually Lovers who are Toad’s Best Friends and roommates and later become members of the Toad Brigade
 * Toadsworth (Voiced by Joe Hanna): The Overprotective Guardian of Princess Peach and Royal advisor to the Mushroom kingdom. He is also Toad’s and Captain Toad’s Grandfather.
 * Rosalina (Voiced by Kari Wahlgren): The Queen of the Stars and is a wise, mature, motherly and kind yet somewhat nerdy and naivè woman, who has made protecting the cosmos her mission in life, though as a cost she is introverted and quiet kept. She is also a loving mother figure to the Lumas and Lubbas Best Friend
 * Geno (Voiced by Kelsey Grammer): A Stotic Warrior from the Forest Maze created by Merlon the Wizard who would only be awakened when the Smithy Gang Attacks
 * Mallow (Voiced by Justin Roiland): An energetic Cloud (who thinks he’s a Frog) who lives in Flipside with his adoptive father Merlon, wanting to be a Hero which leads him to annoying the residents there.

Villains

 * Bowser (Voiced by John DiMaggio): The Ruler of the Koopa Kingdom, wishing to take over the Mushroom Kingdom & The World one day while perusing the love of Princess Peach. He is evil, sinister and dangerous threat but is somewhat cowardly and dumb, however he loves His children and kingdom and will do anything to protect it just like Princess Peach and occasionally shows a soft and heroic side.
 * Bowser Jr (Voiced by Nancy Cartwright): The Young Heir to the throne of the Koopa kingdom, nice and polite around his dad but mean and cruel to everyone else
 * Kamek (Voiced by Tom Kenny) The evil adviser for Bowser, Back when Bowser was a Baby he wanted to use the power stars to rule the world and overthrow the Bowser Line but failed and now is reduced to serving his every command but still controls him to do his bidding
 * The Elite Trio: 3 High Ranking Field operatives for Bowser, Corporal Paraplonk (Voiced by Will Forte) being the leader and obsessed with getting a promotion at all costs, Private Goomp (Voiced by Justin Roiland) being cowardly & dumb but is the military expert and finally Sergeant Guy (Voiced by Patton Oswalt) is the magic expert and smartest of the trio. Together they pull jobs throughout the series for Bowser & Kamek.
 * King Boo (Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson): The Ruthless King of the Undead and the archnemesis of Luigi and Professor E.gadd
 * Petey Piranha (Voiced by Jim Cummings): A carefree Piranha Plant who doesn't like it when People disturb his sleep
 * Wario & Waluigi (Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson & Billy West): The 2 evil cousins of Mario and Luigi who live in New Donk City, even though they are evil, they only want the spotlight of being heroes, just for the money & fame though. Wario is a polar opposite of Mario and embodies his worse qualities, he’s arrogant, selfish, greedy and filthy, while Waluigi is impulsive, a “ladies man” (though comes across as creepy) and “fearless” but is even more scared than Luigi.

Koopalings
Bowser's adopted kids and Bowser Jr's siblings, working together they can cause a lot of mischief which is rare because they barely work together without any problems


 * Larry Koopa (Voiced by Greg Cipes): The 2nd Youngest of the Koopalings, a Person who cares a lot about his hair and is somewhat childish
 * Roy Koopa (Voiced by Roger Craig Smith): A “Cool” Koopa who tries to act cool and as a bully but is cowardly and makes other people do his work
 * Wendy O. Koopa (Voiced by Stephanie Sheh): A Koopa who takes a lot of pride in her looks (even though she doesn’t look it), but isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty to help her “incompetent brothers”
 * Iggy Koopa (Voiced by Rob Paulsen): A Unhinged, Crazy, and Mad Doctorish Koopa who is the Lab Assistant to Ludwig von Koopa
 * Lemmy Koopa (Voiced by Jessica DiCicco): A Unruly immature yet fun loving Child being the youngest of the Koopalings
 * Morton Koopa Jr (Voiced by Matt Chapman): A Gluttonous and Dim-witted Koopa who’s the best friend of Lemmy
 * Ludwig von Koopa (Voiced by Liam O’Brien): The Oldest and most sinister of the Koopalings and the second in command when Bowser Jr. grows up.

Misc

 * Pauline - Linda Cardellini
 * Foreman Spike - Clancy Brown
 * Toadbert - Tom Kenny
 * Donkey Kong - Frank Welker
 * Diddy Kong - Dee Bradley Baker
 * Lubba - Phil Lamar
 * Professor E. Gadd - Alan Tudyk
 * Cranky Kong - J.K Simmons
 * King K. Rool - Kevin Michael Richardson
 * King Bob-omb, Sir Grodus - Maurice LaMarche
 * Tatanga - Richard Steven Horvitz
 * Nabbit - Alex Hirsch
 * Queen Bean Bean - Megan Cavanagh
 * Prince Peasley - James Arnold Taylor
 * Cackletta - Wendie Malick
 * Princess Shroob - Maya Rudolph
 * Stanley’s Wife - Grey Griffen
 * Fawful - Dee Bradley Baker
 * Midbus, Wart - Fred Tatasciore
 * Lord Crump - Patrick Warburton
 * RawkHawk - Roger Craig Smith
 * Mighty Plumber - Travis Willingham
 * Funky Kong - Greg Eagles
 * Captain Syrup - Kari Wahlgren
 * Mcballyho - Andy Daly
 * Mack - Justin Roiland
 * Tippi - Alison Brie
 * Count Bleck, Exor, Merlon - Mark Hamill
 * Dimentio - Stuart Scott Bullock
 * O'Chunks - David Tennant
 * Mimi - Hynden Walch
 * Smithy - Ron Pearlman
 * Yaridovich - Steve Blum
 * Bowyer - Jess Harnell

Episodes
Most episodes are 22 minutes long, some having 11 minute segments. The show creators wanted to have their own spin on things yet still wants it to Respect the series. Specials are Episodes with a seasonal link or are episodes that have something do to with something big.

Development
After the release of Super Mario Bros Movie, reports emerged that a New Mario TV Series based on the film would be released, production of the project went underway in 2019 with Dan Fowler and John Mulaney attached to voice Mario & Luigi respectively. However was cancelled despite being officially announced after the release of the movie. Despite this however, Nintendo wanted a new Mario TV Series to strengthen the brand and sales for the IP. Hearing this, Alex Hirsch (screenwriter for the first film and director of the The Second film) pitched an idea for a Mario TV Series to Netflix, which they liked and pitched to Nintendo. Nintendo, liking the work Hirsch did for the Movie, greenlit the idea.