Nintendo Restores Alleged Trans Character's Identity In English Version Of Mario Game
Nintendo Affirms Trans Character in Mario Game: Why Now?
Nintendo has updated the English version of "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" to clarify that Vivian, a supporting character, is transgender. This change reverses the previous English and German versions where her transgender identity was not acknowledged. The original 2004 release in Japan had introduced Vivian as transgender, but translations and character descriptions varied across different regions. The new version for the Nintendo Switch celebrates Vivian's identity, contrasting with earlier versions where she faced bullying and misgendering.
Can you detail the historical introduction of transgender characters in the Super Mario Universe, specifically referring to Birdo's character?
Birdo, a character in the Super Mario Universe, was first introduced as transgender in the Japanese-only game "Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic" in 1987, which later became known as "Super Mario Bros1. 2." In the game, Birdo is depicted as a recurring boss, and the character's transgender identity is hinted at through various descriptions and interactions.
In the North American instruction booklet for "Super Mario Bros. 2," Birdo is described as a character who "thinks he is a girl" and would "rather be called 'Birdetta'." This suggests that Birdo is a transgender character, making her the first transgender character in gaming history. Birdo's validity in her gender identity is acknowledged by the entire gang, as she appears alongside Princess Peach and Princess Daisy in "Women of Racing Organisation" advertisements in Mario Kart 8 and is categorized as a female golfer in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour.
However, there have been instances where transphobic undertones have been present around Birdo's character, such as in "Super Mario Strikers," where a section of the instructions reads: "Birdo is your man… well, or woman." Despite this, Birdo's legacy has paved the way for the introduction of more LGBTQ+ characters in Nintendo franchises such as Metroid, Animal Crossing, and Pokémon.
In recent years, Nintendo has shown a more inclusive approach to LGBTQ+ representation. The company introduced a policy giving employees in same-sex relationships equal standing after a court in Osaka upheld the Japanese ban on same-sex marriage. This willingness to embrace change has contributed to the gaming company's diverse and predominantly accepting community, making games like Animal Crossing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
What specific changes were made to the character Vivian's identity in the new English version of "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door" compared to the original 2004 English and German versions?
In the new English version of "Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door," significant changes were made to the character Vivian's gender identity, reflecting a shift from the original 2004 English and German versions of the game146. Originally, in the English and German localizations, Vivian was portrayed ambiguously and primarily bullied for being "ugly" rather than for her gender identity. The dialogue and characterization avoided direct reference to her being transgender.
In contrast, the revamped English version for the Nintendo Switch explicitly acknowledges Vivian as transgender. She confides in Mario that it took her time to realize she was not a brother to her sisters but their sister, highlighting her true gender identity. This change is intended to restore the original context found in the Japanese version, where Vivian's gender identity was more clearly part of her character's story2. This adjustment in the English remake not only clarifies Vivian's identity as transgender but also tones down the bullying to focus more on her struggle with her sisters' acceptance, making it a point of empathy and character development rather than mockery4.