How old do you think Mario is?

[lbd_nytetrayn]

Yeah, sure, we know that Super Mario Bros. just celebrated its 20th anniversary, but I'm not talking about that. I mean in-character. How old do you perceive Mario as being?

It seems typically, whenever Mario has seen some sort of mainstream presence in the past, he's depicted as being middle-aged. From Captain Lou to Bob Hoskins to that Fred Flintstone voice in the ice show, it's a safe bet to say that Mario is generally not perceived as a spring chicken.

But then, look at the roles he has in games. He's either a naturally active individual, or having the midlife crisis to end them all. Tennis, baseball, soccer, golf, cart-racing, partying, fighting... he's everywhere.

But then, he's Mario. He's Nintendo's mascot. He sorta has to be.

Then, look at his love interest, Princess Peach. I don't think anyone considers her to be pushing past 30.

And then of course, his voice. Granted, there are no doubt some middle-aged, even OLD people who sound somewhat similar to Mario's pitch. But in all likelyhood, I bet Mario isn't meant to be an exception to the rule.

So, what's to say that Mario is middle-aged?

Is it his career?

Mario is known first and foremost as a plumber, though I've heard that has never been quite official official. As in, sure, Nintendo of America flaunts it everywhere, but it's allegedly something that Japan tends to go with, but not really boast, save for maybe some recent exceptions.

When was the last time you saw Mario with a plunger in some piece from Nintendo of Japan, after all?(granted, I might have simply missed it somewhere, and I'm way off there) Or even if he is. Who's to say that he's not a young plumber?

Is it his mustache?

Well, you hardly have to be middle-aged for that. Hell, some people develop a mustache at a relatively young age.

Is it his weight?

I'm sure a number of us are still fairly young but hardly Governator-esque models of physical fitness, you know?

Overall, Mario is probably meant to be relatively ageless. Which works. Like Bugs Bunny or Mickey Mouse, no doubt.

And yet, despite all possible arguments, I bet most people here see him as a middle-aged Italian descent plumber from Brooklyn.

But am I wrong?

Also, have I changed anyone's perception? Probably not. But I am curious to know.

As much as I like Captain Lou and Bob Hoskins' portrayals of Mario(and I said portrayal, not saying the movie was good or anything, but I did like how Mario was written), I might start looking at Mario as being a younger character. Hell, even his actual age at this time may not be so bad, give or take a few years.

LBD "Nytetrayn"

Comments

[shinkuu.livejournal.com]

I never thought about that... I guess the 'stache could make him look older than he is. I always thought he was middle-aged, too, but the argument could be made for 30 orr 35. As for his figure, it could be some strange combination of genetics and diet, since even a relatively healthy one can make you overweight if you don't eat what's right for your personal body's metabolism. Considering all the exercise he gets, though, it sure is a cruel twist of fate. But maybe Peach likes 'em chubby?

[kyouryuu.livejournal.com]

I would say Mario is probably in his thirties, though as you said, he is rather ageless like Mickey Mouse. As for the plumber thing, even if the Japanese don't necessarily see it as canon, there sure are a lot of pipes in Mario's world. The Piranha Plant world in Mario 3 is every plumber's worst nightmare.

[thenekomancer.livejournal.com]

I never thought Mario seemed that old. I mean he still has a full head of hair. And as for his live action protrayals, well... how many youthful, pudgy actors with thick bushy mustaches have you seen around Hollywood? I'd say he's probably in his early to mid 30s.

It probably seems awkward to pitch him under 30 because he doesn't look like he'd act the way most (Western) people under 30 act. We never see Mario chugging down beers with friends or or going on panty raids in the girls' dorm or riding a snow mobile down an desert canyon, or any of the other things Mountain Dew commercials promote young male adults doing.

[igosplashman.livejournal.com]

I also think 30 is a pretty safe bet.
And as for his looks: What do you expect from two guys who's spent a great deal of their lifes in a fantasy world, populated by human-sized mushrooms (and technically, they weren't even born!). Or maybe Mario's problem was having eaten too many mushrooms during his young age, which sorta ruined his natural growth. Luigi seems to be the lesser victim in that case.