In 1990, Princess Peach successfully ran for president as the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, defeating her rival, King Koopa, in a democratic election. A victory documented in the sixth episode of DIC Entertainment The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.raised several questions about Mario’s history, management and lore.
I strongly encourage you, a responsible and civic reader, to watch the episode yourself and learn all the facts. “Prince Toadstool for President” is currently streaming. Prime Minister of Amazon AND YouTube. However, for those who do not have the time or patience, I will fulfill my journalistic duties by answering the most common and urgent questions about this historic feat of democracy.
Is the Mushroom Kingdom a monarchy or a democracy?
Although the kingdom’s leaders have monarchical titles such as Princess Peach (née Princess Toadstool) and King Bowser (née King Koopa), this animated episode shows that the government is led by a president elected through a classic democratic process.
How often do elections take place in the Mushroom Kingdom?
In this episode, Princess Peach – exhausted by Bowser’s coup attempts – challenges him to run against her in the upcoming election, allowing the people of the Mushroom Kingdom to make a unified statement for or against the Koopa program. This would suggest that elections are a predetermined and annual event.
I can’t speak with complete certainty, however, because the speed with which Peach gets Bowser on the ballot and the political convenience of the election timing could mean that Peach will call the election. In this case, Mushroom Kingdom would have choices similar to the UK.
Why does Princess Peach become Princess Toadstool in this cartoon?
Princess Peach was originally named Princess Toadstool in the American localization of the early Mario games. However, the leader of the Mushroom Kingdom in Japan has always identified with Princess Peach. You’ll notice that Bowser goes by the name King Koopa. Koopa was the original name in Japan, though it was later changed to Bowser in American locales.
Image: Nintendo
What do all these names have to do with the election?
Getting your name on the ballot running for president in the US is an extremely hard process that needs to be handled at the state-by-state level, and would be even more complicated if someone changed their name on the ballots in question. Bureaucratic documentation is not circumscribed to the United States and will likely exist in the Mushroom Kingdom as well. If Princess Peach/Toadstool or King Bowser/Koopa ran for elected office again, they would have to settle for one name throughout the entire electoral process.
Is Princess Peach’s presidency official Mario canon?
The Mario canon is notoriously loose, with little in the way of stories connecting the main games, let alone spin-offs and adaptations. Therefore, it is left to fans to define canon as they see fit. So officially no. But is this a reasonable headcanon? Bright!
Final question: Is Super Mario Bros. coincides with actual presidencies and elections in the United States?
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