There's no debating that Super Mario is one of the most recognizable franchises in the world. In the nearly 40 years since the original game was released, Super Mario has made its way into nearly all aspects of pop culture.
From Super Mario cameos in The Legend of Zelda, all the way to The 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 often Super Mario has managed its way into different anime series.
8 Rock Lee & His Ninja Pals: Everyone Enjoys Mariko Kart
While the blend of Nintendo and Naruto may come from a spin-off called Rock 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 of Mario Kart with Gaara, as a way to build their friendship.
The reference to Mario Kart in 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 infamous Mario Kart power-ups, the Thunderbolt, is used.
7 Keroro 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 of Super Mario and appear dressed like Mario and Luigi.
While it's hard to say for sure, the background does look remarkably like the opening level of the original Super 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.
6 Jujutsu Kaisen: Nobara Loves Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Between Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen, Super Mario games are basically canon in shonen anime. In the fifth episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, when they are asked to participate in a tournament, Nobara asks if the tournament will consist of playing Super Smash Bros., before adding that she is an expert at the Wii version of Super Smash Bros., a reference to Brawl.
Nobara goes on to reference one of the simplest but most iconic fighting game moves of all time, the downward smash in Super Smash Bros. and implies that she will edgeguard her opponents relentlessly.
5 Dagashi Kashi: A Pack of Super Mario Brand Gum
As Kokonutsu and Hotaru wait in a cold train station, she pulls out a brand of Super Mario gum. 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 to Super Mario World rather than older games since the package shows Bowser riding in a Koopa Clown Car, which wasn't introduced until Super Mario World.
4 Don't Toy With Me, Miss Nagatoro: Yoshi Hatches
In an episode that would be more at home in one of the greatest 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 the Super Mario character of the same name.
While she quickly doffs the Yoshi-inspired outfit after hatching, the reference to Super Mario is anything but subtle.
3 Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann: Banzai Bill Bombs Away
In a blink-and-miss-it moment from Gurren 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 various Super Mario games.
Oddly enough, there seems to be a more obvious Super Mario character choice that would have worked well for this scene; King Bob-omb. Still, it's a great way to incorporate Super Mario in a manner that many fans might totally miss.
2 The Helpful Fox Senko-San: Super Fluff Bros. Melee
While this episode of The Helpful Fox Senko-san's reference to Super Mario comes in the form of Super Smash Bros. Melee, it's positively packed with references to the best 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 of Star Fox, Splatoon, and even Breath of the Wild.
1 Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope's Peak High School: Lakitu Appears
Danganronpa 3 contains 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 of Super Smash Bros., though this depiction shows characters that are very similar to the actual Super Smash Bros. fighters.
After that, they move on to a parody of Mario 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 as Mario Kart games.