The Untold Secret: Unearthing the Hidden Mario Anime Phenomenon

Mario is definitely having a fantastic year! Apart from having the highest-grossing movie, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, there are also other exciting games featuring the plumber that will be released soon. Nintendo and Illumination have openly expressed their excitement about bringing Mario to the big screen for the first time in animation form. However, it should be noted that this claim is not entirely true. In all fairness, they may not be aware of the first animated Mario movie, which has largely been forgotten over time. Fortunately, dedicated fans and historians have uncovered the truth and are sharing the fascinating history of this early Mario film.

What is the Mario Anime

Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! is a Japanese animated film that is based on the immensely popular video game franchise, Super Mario Bros. Released in 1986 and produced by Tōei Animation, it shares its release date with another anime titled Running Boy: Star Soldier's Secret, which is also based on a video game and may be discussed in a future article.

Diverging from the traditional platforming gameplay of the video game, the movie presents a one-of-a-kind and whimsical storyline. Throughout their journey, Mario and Luigi come across a multitude of challenges, adversaries, and comrades. Their unwavering bravery and resolute determination shine brightly amidst their trials and tribulations.

What is the Mario Anime About?

Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! follows the thrilling adventure of Mario and Luigi, the beloved plumber brothers, as they embark on a quest to save Princess Peach from the clutches of the evil King Koopa, also known as Bowser. The journey begins when Mario and Luigi receive a distress call from Princess Peach, who has been kidnapped and taken to King Koopa's castle. Determined to rescue her, the brothers venture through the colorful and enchanting Mushroom Kingdom.

Throughout their journey, they face various challenges and obstacles. They navigate treacherous landscapes, encounter dangerous foes, and befriend new companions, such as the mischievous mushroom Kinoko and the talking dog Pochi. With their bravery and quick thinking, the brothers overcome each hurdle in their path. As they approach King Koopa's castle, they uncover his wicked intentions. King Koopa plans to marry Princess Peach and seize control of the Mushroom Kingdom. Mario and Luigi must summon their courage and utilize their unique abilities to outsmart King Koopa and free Princess Peach from his clutches.

What is the History of the Production of the Movie?

Produced by Tōei Animation and released in Japan in 1986, this animated film was made seven years before the global release of the live-action movie. The production of the movie coincided with the rapid growth in popularity of the Super Mario Bros. franchise, both in Japan and internationally.

As a tie-in to the immensely popular Super Mario Bros. franchise, the film was created in response to the success of the original Super Mario Bros. video game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985. Nintendo, the company behind the Mario franchise, partnered with Tōei Animation to bring the animated adaptation to life.

What is the Legacy of the Film?

: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! differs significantly from the Super Mario Bros. video game in terms of plot and characters. However, it introduces a unique storyline, especially with the character Prince Haru, who becomes Princess Peach's love interest. The animation style and storytelling deviate from the traditional game format, resulting in a distinct visual aesthetic. Even Luigi's costume differs in color from the games. Although the film did not receive much recognition outside of Japan, it stands as one of the earliest attempts to leverage the popularity of the Super Mario Bros. franchise, offering fans an animated adventure starring their beloved characters.

Despite being the initial true adaptation of the Mario character, the film remains largely unfamiliar to the majority of fans. Although it has garnered a following among Japanese children who grew up with it, the movie never reached audiences outside the country and lacks a DVD or BluRay version. While dedicated Nintendo enthusiasts have managed to locate and restore the original 16mm prints of the film in 4K quality, this restoration was conducted without any authorization or involvement from Nintendo, who have seldom acknowledged the movie to this day.

It is challenging to determine if there was any interest in bringing the film to America (or if it was even possible in the first place). DiC Entertainment created their own animated Mario cartoon called the Super Mario Bros. Super Show for America, while the live-action film received widespread criticism. This year, Nintendo and Illumination achieved great success with The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and both companies intend to continue collaborating.

As a result, the chances of Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach! receiving a new official release in any country in the future are quite low. It seems that both Nintendo and Toei have moved on. Hopefully, fans will keep the film in the public eye so that future Mario enthusiasts have the opportunity to witness this unique piece of video game history.