There’s no debating thatSuper Mariois one of the most recognizable franchises in the world. In the nearly 40 years since the original game was released,Super Mariohas made its way into nearly all aspects of pop culture.
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FromSuper Mariocameos in The Legend of Zelda,all the way toThe Sopranos, Nintendo’s mascot has appeared in a dizzying amount of major video games, television series, and films, but despite the company’s roots in Japan, fans may still be surprised to learn just how oftenSuper Mariohas managed its way into different anime series.
8Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals: Everyone Enjoys Mariko Kart
While the blend of Nintendo andNarutomay come from a spin-off calledRock Lee & His Ninja Pals, not the original series, it’s still surprising to see the blend of the biggest franchise in gaming with one of the most well-known series in anime. In the episode, Rock Lee and Kiba sit down to play a game ofMario Kartwith Gaara, as a way to build their friendship.
The reference toMario Kartin Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals is about as strange as it gets. During the scene where the cast plays “Mariko Kart,” the television screen is even briefly shown and one of the most infamousMario Kartpower-ups, the Thunderbolt, is used.
7Keroro Gunso: A Portal Into Super Mario World
During an episode of Keroro Gunso, the characters discover a machine that can teleport them inside different video games. As a way to demonstrate the machine’s powers, Saburo and Kururu briefly transport themselves inside the world ofSuper Marioand appear dressed like Mario and Luigi.
While it’s hard to say for sure, the background does look remarkably like theopening level of the originalSuper Mario Bros., considering the layout of the blocks and pipe. As Kururu munches on what appears to be a Poison Mushroom, Bullet Bill flies by behind them.
6Jujutsu Kaisen: Nobara Loves Super Smash Bros. Brawl
BetweenNarutoandJujutsu Kaisen,Super Mariogames are basically canon in shonen anime. In the fifth episode ofJujutsu Kaisen, when they are asked to participate in a tournament, Nobara asks if the tournament will consist of playingSuper Smash Bros., before adding that she is an expert at the Wii version ofSuper Smash Bros., a reference toBrawl.
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Nobara goes on to reference one of the simplest butmost iconic fighting game moves of all time, the downward smash inSuper Smash Bros. and implies that she will edgeguard her opponents relentlessly.
5Dagashi Kashi: A Pack of Super Mario Brand Gum
As Kokonutsu and Hotaru wait in a cold train station, she pulls out a brand ofSuper Mariogum. Much to Kokonutsu’s surprise, the gum package can also be folded into a manga, which they then read together.
This reference goes beyond just Mario himself, as Luigi, Yoshi, Princess Peach, and Bowser are shown as well. Based on the package, the gum is likely tied toSuper Mario Worldrather than older games since the package shows Bowser riding in a Koopa Clown Car, which wasn’t introduced untilSuper Mario World.
4Don’t Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro: Yoshi Hatches
In an episode that would be more at home in one of thegreatest fantasy animes, Naoto imagines himself adventuring through a dream-like landscape. As his party continues to grow, Hayase’s friend Yoshi joins the group. She emerges from an egg much like theSuper Mariocharacter of the same name.
While she quickly doffs the Yoshi-inspired outfit after hatching, the reference toSuper Mariois anything but subtle.
3Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Banzai Bill Bombs Away
In a blink-and-miss-it moment fromGurren Lagann, Cytomander drops a batch of bombs on Dai-Gurren and destroys their anti-air turrets. While it’s comparatively subtle, the bombs are unmistakably designed after the Banzai Bill or Bullet Bill characters from variousSuper Mariogames.
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Oddly enough, there seems to be a more obviousSuper Mariocharacterchoice that would have worked well for this scene; King Bob-omb. Still, it’s a great way to incorporateSuper Marioin a manner that many fans might totally miss.
2The Helpful Fox Senko-San: Super Fluff Bros. Melee
While this episode ofThe Helpful Fox Senko-san’s reference toSuper Mariocomes in the form ofSuper Smash Bros. Melee, it’s positively packed with references to thebest Nintendo games of all time.
During the game of “Super Fluff Bros. Melee,” they play on a stage that looks identical to Dream Land, complete with a similar song. After that, they move on to play parodies ofStar Fox,Splatoon, and evenBreath of the Wild.
1Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School: Lakitu Appears
Danganronpa 3contains one of the more interesting references because the scenes are rendered in blocky, 3D graphics, that are reminiscent of the Nintendo 64. Like other animes, they briefly play a spoof ofSuper Smash Bros., though this depiction shows characters that are very similar to the actualSuper Smash Bros.fighters.
After that, they move on to a parody ofMario Kart 64. At one point, Ibuki loses her cool after being bumped off-stage but is reset by a crude-looking Lakitu in the same manner asMario Kartgames.
