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 Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic serving as writers 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 15 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 with particular strong praise being given to the faithfulness to the game series.

Multiple Spin-Off series involving Wario & Waluigi and a Series Based on the Donkey Kong Country Series we're released in 2024.

Synopsis


The Super Mario Show follows Twin Brothers, Mario Mario & Luigi Mario, who are Plumbers living in the fictional city of New Donk City (based on New York City) who work for their Boss, Foreman Spike. When they get a Job 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, with recurring appearances of characters introduced in Season 1 such as Wario & Waluigi, Tatanga, King Boo and more, while the Season’s Main Villains 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 2
Season 2 follows Mario & Luigi as their efforts for saving the Mushroom Kingdom and eventually the world are widely recognised. The series begins with the Brothers going on an Adventure in the neigbouring Bean Bean Kingdom to renew a Peace Treaty along with Princess Peach to Queen Bean, where they quickly must stop a neo political conspiracy ran by the sister's ruler of the land named Cackeletta, co lead by her Protégé Fawful after the steal Peach's voice. After they stop Cackletta's plot, Mario & Luigi continue to protect the Mushroom Kingdom from danger while balancing being the Royal Enginners of the Kingdom where they must face off old foes and new more sinister villains such as Princess Shroob, Fawful, Midbus, Wart and the 8 Bits.

The Start of Season 2 introduces Cackeltta Fawful & Midbus. Season 2 also includes villains such as Wart, The 8-Bits The Shroobs/Princess Shroob

Season 3
Season 3 follows Mario & his friends going on Adventures in Space after Bowser declares that he will rule the Universe and make it from his own likeness, from there Mario teams up with a Space Princess and kind ruler of the Lumas, Rosalina, to find Power Stars and stop Bowser and his new allies from ruling the Galaxy. Meanwhile the Toad Brigade explore the Galaxy to find Princess Peach, Power Stars and allies to band against Bowser.

Season 4
The 4th and final Season follows Mario and his friends moving to Flipside (an inter dimensional Town) after the Mushroom Kingdom is destoryed and taken over by Count Bleck and his army. While Mario end up in Flipside, Luigi, Daisy and the Toads manage to get captured by Count Bleck Army and get turned evil and Peach and Bowser get married forcefully by Count Bleck to create the Chaos Heart, a Vessel of unlimited dark power, which they use to create a void that will suck all worlds. Mario must team up with these new strange allies such as Merlon (a omnibelvent wise wizard), Mallow (a Young nerdy sentient cloud who thinks he's a frog), Tippi (a young girl who Merlon found dying and turned into a Butterfly) and Geno (a stotic, old wooden warrior) to find the mystical 7 Crystal Stars to fix the void and save Mario's friends to stop Count Bleck and his allies, the Smithy Gang, Dimentio, Mimi, O’Chunks to rule all the dimensions.

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 called Planet Nin, 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 inter-dimensional 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, mostly 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 play such instruments as maracas and guitars.
 * Shiveria: An Icy Tundra based on Canada, Russia and Scandinavia that is shaped like a Giant Snowflake being mostly inhabited by Shiverans, Penguins and Sentient Snowman
 * 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. 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.
 * Cloud Kingdom: A mysterious realm in the sky made up entirely of clouds inhabited by Giants and other creatures. It’s 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.
 * 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 childish, cocky, arrogant or short/simple minded 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 absolutely determined to fulfil his goal what ever it may be. 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 despite being quick to give up. He is also smarter than Mario and is an amatuer inventor, always assessing the situation instead of going head-on as Mario would.
 * Princess Peach (Voiced by Grey Delisle): The Young, spirited, intelligent, determined but 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 Dana Snyder): An Optimistic resident of the Mushroom Kingdom who is Peach’s Childhood friend and Assistant, helping her (and later The Bros & Toadette) at all costs despite the situations being tough, he serves as the show's main 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. 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 by the end of Season 4. 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 Brian Blessed): 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, anxious 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, Lubbas Best Friend and Pauline’s Girlfriend
 * 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 Scott Menville): 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 and eventually the Galaxy 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 in Season 1-2, Alex Hirsch in Season 3-4) 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 Scott Menville): 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, Fawaful - Dee Bradley Baker
 * Cranky Kong - J.K Simmons
 * Lubba - Phil Lamar
 * Professor E. Gadd - Alan Tudyk
 * King K. Rool, Boom Boom - Kevin Michael Richardson
 * King Bob-omb, Sir Grodus - Maurice LaMarche
 * Tatanga - Richard Steven Horvitz
 * Nabbit - Alex Hirsch
 * Queen Bean - Natasha Rothwell
 * Prince Peasley - James Arnold Taylor
 * Cackletta - Wendie Malick
 * Princess Shroob - Maya Rudolph
 * Stanley’s Wife, Pom Pom - Grey Griffen
 * 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
 * Merlon - David Bradley
 * Tippi - Alison Brie
 * Count Bleck, Exor - 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.

Production
After the release of The 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 Fogel and John Mulaney attached to voice Mario & Luigi respectively. However it 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. On March 10th 2021, a press release was revealed that unveiled that The Super Mario Show would premier on Netflix with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Titans_Go! Teen Titans Go!] creators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic serving as Screenwriters while Craig McCracken and Genndy Tartakovsky served as Series directors. Charles Martient who voices Mario and Luigi in the Mario games, responded to a tweet on Twitter that he wouldn't be reprising the role in the Netflix series and would be recasted for undisclosed reasons.

McCracken and Tartakovsky wanted the series to be seen as the “definitive adaption” in terms of both tone and how to adapt the series games into Episodes in a similar vein to Batman The Animated Series or the 2012 incarnation of the Ninja Turtles.

Jelenic and Horvath while writing on the show wanted their work on the series to be the opposite of the "irreverent" Teen Titans Go!, aiming to develop a faithful adaptation of the games, which they both felt had not been done before, as well as something "more emotional" than Teen Titans Go!. "When people probably first heard our names attached to the series, they expected we'd do the Teen Titans Go! treatment to Mario," said Jelenic. "But every project we come to, we make new choices depending on who the audience is and what we're going for." Horvath asserted that Nintendo involved themselves with every aspect of the production, "from story to visual development to the animation.”

They also wanted to reflect how gamers win in the games by not giving up in spite of making mistakes, turning that into a character trait for the show’s portrayal of Mario. The duo decided to refrain from Peach being captured as a major plot point for most episodes saying it was “too straightforward” and instead drew inspiration from Super Mario 3D World and its portrayal of Peach as a playable character.

Animation wise, the shows took heavy cues and inspiration from the official 2D Mario art, the Super Mario Adventures Comics and the official Artwork for the Mario & Luigi Series as they were seen as the most expression form of Mario Media. Originally, the series was planned to use CGI akin to most 3D Mario renders and games, but was ultimately cut due to budgetary and creative concerns.

Release
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. The second season was released on October 5, 2022 with 13 Episodes with an additional 13 Episodes releasing on December 21st 2022. The third season premiered on the 13th of September 2023 with 13 Episodes with an additional 13 Episodes releasing on the 15th of December. The 4th and final season premiered on March 10th, 2024 with 15 episodes.

Marketing
The TV show was announced in Nintendo’s E3 Presentation with a Teaser. The Teaser started with a shot of the Mushroom Kingdom in the Sunrise, It then shifts to Mario & Luigi from the behind exiting out of a Pipe. Mario then climbs up to the surface and sees the Mushroom Kingdom saying his iconic line Let’sa Go!, said by a much deeper voice from the original line, Ending the teaser with a Fall 2021 release date. Many people speculated that this teaser was a new Mario Game, but it was clarified it wasn’t a new Mario game and was said to be “a new way to see Mario & Friends” confirming it was a show/multi media product of some kind. Nintendo also inferred that more info of the TV Show would come out very soon.

In August, Concept Art Leaked of the show, leaking the name as “The Super Mario Show”. 6 Concept Art Pieces were shown, the first one being Yoshi’s Island, showing Mario & Luigi, the second one being a shot of Airships in the sky, the 3rd one being a shot of the market place of the mushroom kingdom, the 4th being a shot of Bob-omb Battlefield, the 5th being a shot of Bowser’s Castle and the final one being a character sheet of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Captain Toad & Bowser. Many people praised the fact that it was taking cues from the official 2D Mario Art. Along with the concept art also leaked a pitch styled as a premise for the show.

'“The Super Mario Show follows Mario, a charming, Heroic yet chubby and sometimes cocky Plumber who learns to be a True Hero in time, it also follows Luigi, Mario’s Younger yet more timid Brother. Together they’ll travel across the weird yet wonderful Mushroom Kingdom and will come across a few new allies including Princess Peach, the Young, Spirited yet touchy ruler of this land who secretly has a crush on the plucky plumber. Yoshi, their pet Best Friend who wants to follow in their father's footsteps. Toad, Peach’s best friend who provides levity in a tough situation, Captain Toad, The Arrogant leader of the Toad Brigade who is the brother of Toad, Toadette, the hyperactive girlfriend of Captain Toad and Toadsworth, Peach’s overprotective adoptive father. Meanwhile in another castle lives an evil Turtle (or Koopa), Bowser, a strong yet childish King ,who tries to come up with schemes to rule the Mushroom Kingdom and marry Princess Peach. Along with more wackier and unforgettable friends and foes, The Super Mario Show will be a remarkable series mixed with high-octane action sequences and laugh out loud comedy, this series will serve as tribute to lovely Red & Blue Plumber”'

In the middle August, a cast reveal and trailer dropped on Nintendo’s social media, revealing the Voice talents of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Toadette, Captain Toad, Toadsworth, Yoshi, Wario, Waluigi, Bowser & Bowser Jr and stated more will come, also officially revealing the name as The Super Mario Show. The Trailer showed off a few of the episodes in inaudible scenes and slated that the the series would release on the 13th of September.