“I finally found it, and now no one can STOP ME!!”
―Bowser after finding a Starman
Bowser (クッパ, Kuppa, "Koopa"), or King Koopa, is a fictional character, the main antagonist in Nintendo's Mario franchise, and the archenemy of Mario. In Japan, the character bears the title of Daimaō (大魔王, "Great Demon King"). Bowser is the leader of the turtle-like Koopa race. Despite the fact that Bowser has teamed up with Mario in a few games, his ultimate goals are to kidnap Princess Peach, defeat Mario and Luigi to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser's defining traits are his monstrous appearance with dragon-like elements, full-throated roar, fire-breathing abilities, cruel personality, bestial reptilian voice, never-ending conflict with Mario, and unrequited crush for Peach.
Bowser initially appears as Mario's opponent in the 1985 video game Super Mario Bros. Bowser was originally envisioned as a ox as an Ox-King from the Toei Animation film Alakazam the Great, but Nintendo Designer Takashi Tezuka remarked out that the character looked a lot more like a turtle than an ox, and the two collaborated to define Bowser's appearance, leading to the character becoming the leader of the turtle-like Koopas.
After Super Mario Bros., Bowser also began to branch off to different genres. These include role-playing games such as Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi, and sports games such as Mario Kart and Mario Tennis. He has appeared in other Nintendo properties, such as in the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games since Melee. Bowser has also appeared in various animations, including three series produced by DIC Entertainment, and was portrayed by Dennis Hopper in the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film. He was voiced by Jack Black in the upcoming 2022 film adaptation.
Bowser has received a mostly positive reception, with several critics noting that he is one of the most iconic and most recognizable video game villains ever.
He was voiced by Jack Black in the 2023 film, who also voiced Po from DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda franchise, Zeke from 20th Century Studios' 2002 animated film, Ice Age, Lenny from DreamWorks Animation's 2004 film, Shark Tale, starred in Paramount Pictures' 2003 comedy, School of Rock, Sony Pictures' Jumanji sequel trilogy and Nickelodeon's 2006 live-action sports comedy, Nacho Libre. while his grunts and roars are done voiced by Kenny James.
“(maniacally laughs) I finally found it! And now NO ONE CAN STOP ME!!!”
―Bowser finding the Super Star, and his most famous quote.
“Bowser: Not sure if you know who I am, but I'm about to marry a princess and rule the world. (sharpens claws) Luigi: Wow. (chuckles) Yay... Bowser: But there's one problem, Luigi: there's a human traveling with my fiancée. Has a mustache, just like you. Do you know him?”
―Bowser revealing his goal to Luigi while pressing him over information regarding his brother, Mario.
“MARIO! You want this?! You RUINED my wedding! I was FINALLY gonna be happy! Now you will suffer... LIKE ME! You really thought you could stop me?! You worthless, weak little nothing! COME OUT AND FIGHT! Or are you too scared?! (chuckles) Just what I thought.”
―Bowser's raging breakdown as he stops Mario from getting the Super Star, beating him b taunting him under the belief that he's scared of him.
Just like his video game incarnation, Bowser is a large, dragon-like Koopa, which is a race of turtle-like beings. He has large lips with sharp teeth, yellow and green scales, lines on his stomach, and sharp claws. His most recognizable features are his spiked shell, red mane, horns and spiked cuffs, which except for the mane have been prominent features of Bowser in all of his appearances. While his size has varied over the course of the games, Bowser in the movie stands at around twice the height of Mario.
Personality[]
“This guy's a lunatic. A psycho. He will eat you for breakfast. He won't even notice it probably because you're very, very small.”
Bowser is an extremely sadistic and cruel tyrant, who will goes to great measures when it comes to getting what he wants and doesn't hesitate to destroy anyone who gets in his way. He also kidnapped the entire Penguin Kingdom and the Kong Army and made them his prisoners, one after he stole the Super Star from them and the other when he ambushed them on Rainbow Road. He then went as far as attempting to burn all of his prisoners alive (one of them, Lumalee, being a child) in lava for no legitimate reason during his wedding with Peach, saying that he was doing it in "her honor.” He was even oblivious that she was obviously horrified by it. According to the princess herself, Bowser is immensely deranged and psychotic.
Unlike his video game counterpart, who even in his most heinous outings, cares for the well-being and lives of his minions, this version of Bowser is an awful leader towards his own troops. He doesn't bother to remember the names of some of the species such as the Spinies, burns one of his henchmen to the point where his flesh melts off, turning him into a Dry Bones in the process, simply because they asked about the possibility of Peach not wanting to marry him, and even has some of them locked in cages with the other prisoners for unknown reasons. He was also unaffected by the Koopa General's supposed death when he sacrificed himself to destroy Donkey Kong's kart, only focusing on the fact that he seemingly eliminated Mario and DK in doing so. In addition, while the original is capable of showing respect for his enemies, Bowser doesn't seem to harbor any such feelings for anyone who oppose him.
A defining trait that Bowser has is his extreme infatuation towards his sworn enemy and rival monarch, Princess Peach. Most of his heinous deeds throughout the film stem from him wanting her hand in marriage. He believed that obtaining a Super Star will win her affection, and even went as far as dedicating a song to her titled "Peaches". However, he is incredibly delusional about his romance with her, as he does not once stop to consider how any of his actions repulse the princess and make her want nothing to do with him, something that even one of his minions points out to him. This, in turn, makes Bowser stoop to even more desperate measures to make sure that Peach is his, such as threatening to destroy her kingdom and even having Kamek torture Toad with his magic right in front of her. Bowser himself admits that he is aware that the princess hates him, but claims that it makes him love her even more.
Despite his feelings, however, he is not above attacking Peach should she push him far enough, as shown once she rebels against him during their forced wedding while declaring that she had no intent toward marrying him. To emphasize his pettiness, Bowser immediately tries to incinerate her on the spot and later sends a Bomber Bill towards her castle to destroy her kingdom purely out of spite. He can also be seen fighting her, Toad and Donkey Kong in Brooklyn when they protect Mario from him. This shows that Bowser's supposed "love" for her is solely possessive and objectifying at worst. But even after being humiliated and imprisoned by Peach, he continues to sing his serenade for her, showing that his desire to have her as his wife hasn't changed despite her making it abundantly clear how much she despises him.
He is also deeply paranoid and insecure, as, despite saying otherwise when Kamek says he shouldn't be worried, he immediately felt threatened by Mario when learning that Peach was training him, feeling that the plumber could be a supposed rival for the princess' affection. The feeling only grows worse when asking his brother, Luigi, if princesses find Mario attractive. When he says that "they do if they have good taste", his immediate response is ripping out a chunk of his mustache and abusively throws Luigi and threatening to kill him just to break Mario's spirit. He even had Luigi’s cage lower than the rest of the prisoners’ during the wedding’s sacrifice scene to make sure that he dies first. Overtime, his dislike of Mario evolves into full-on animosity, as the mere sight of him interacting with Peach after crashing his wedding, especially after he was certain that the plumber had perished in his ambush, was enough to send him over the edge and free himself of the ice Peach froze him in using an Ice Flower. Later, when his castle gets sent to Brooklyn, he wastes no time in brutally attacking Mario over all the trouble he caused him and makes it very clear how personal his interference was despite hardly knowing him.
The closest thing to an exception of his mistreatment (and the closest thing Bowser has to a real friend in general) is Kamek, who he is more open to regarding his insecurities. He also notably expressed shock when Peach knocked Kamek out during the wedding reception. That being said, this doesn't stop Bowser from abusing Kamek when angry, such as when he slams his fingers inside a piano case because he was annoyed by Mario.
Past[]
While the majority of Bowser's life are unclear, it is hinted by Bowser himself that he had stressfully lived a joyless life. He clearly lived in rough conditions while growing up in the harsh environment of the Dark Lands, as it is ritualistic for a royal Koopa wedding to involve the sacrificing of prisoners. It is unknown whether Bowser had originated from a royal bloodline of the Koopa race or if he ascended to power through sheer power and cruelty. As no references are made to any members of his family, it is also likely Kamek raised an orphaned Bowser (like in Yoshi's Island), which would explain why he values Kamek above all his other minions and why he would seek his advice that a father figure would give in courting others. However, this would not make Kamek an exception to the abuse he gives to his army. No mention is made of any possible offspring, implying that Bowser doesn't have any children unlike in the video games, whether biological or adopted.
What is known is that he commanded his fierce army of monsters from a floating volcanic fortress, with Kamek as his royal advisor and second-in-command, and the Koopa General as his field commander. In time, Bowser became infamous throughout his world, possibly by committing various crimes against the other kingdoms. At some point in his life, Bowser encountered Princess Peach, ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom. Charmed by her seductive beauty, courage and high spirit, the Koopa King made it his life goal to make the princess his lawfully wedded bride, no matter the cost. Peach, on the other hand, utterly despises Bowser for all the atrocities he's done and has likely fought with him a few times in the past. In an effort to both defeat and impress Peach, Bowser sought out the Super Star, an incredibly rare power-up that would make anyone literally invincible, and after years of searching, discovered that the inhabitants of the Snow Kingdom were in possession of one.
The Super Mario Bros Movie[]
Obtaining the Super Star[]
“Bowser: My army! Koopas! Goombas! Whatever those things are! After years of searching for the Super Star, it is finally ours! Army: YEAH! Bowser: I am now the most powerful turtle in the world! Army: YEAH! Bowser: Soon, we will arrive at the Mushroom Kingdom! Army: YEAH! Bowser: Where after years of being sworn enemies, I will ask their princess to marry me in a FAIRY TALE WEDDING! Army: YEAH- [music stops] Koopa 1: Yeah... Koopa 2: Did he say marry the princess? Koopa 3: Doesn't she hate you? Bowser: Of course she hates me. But that makes me love her all the more. Her heart-shaped bangs, the way she floats in the breeze, her immovable tiara. And when she sees this star, oh-ho-ho-ho, wedding bells! Koopa 1: But what if she says no? Bowser: (suddenly burns the Koopa into a Dry Bones) Then I will power up with this star and DESTROY THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM! Army: YEAH! [music resumes] Bowser: Prepare yourselves for the best wedding ever! IT'S GONNA ROCK!!!”
―Bowser talking to his army about his plans to marry Peach after they invaded the Penguin Kingdom and stole their star.
"I finally found it, and now no one can stop me!"
In the opening scene, Bowser and his army are shown arriving at the Snow Kingdom where the Koopas are deployed from the airship before Kamek announces the arrival of Bowser. Storming out of the airship towards the Snow Kingdom's gates, Bowser demands that they open the gates or face death. The Penguins respond by actually opening the gates as demanded, and then attempt to fight the Koopas by barraging them with snowballs. However, their size results in the snowballs barely affecting Bowser or his troops. After the Penguin King asks if he will give up, Bowser declines and signals Kamek to use his sorcery to move them aside. Bowser then uses his fire breath to destroy the icy kingdom, and Kamek uses his magic to levitate some debris for him to use as a staircase. Eventually, Bowser activates a Question Mark Block amongst the destroyed castle and reveals the Super Star that he searched for years. Confident that no one will stand a chance against him now, Bowser boasts over his victory.
Following this, he and his army celebrate by listening to heavy metal music and partying. After getting their attention, Bowser reveals his plan; to use the Super Star to force Princess Peach into marrying him. This leaves his minions perplexed, as Peach heavily dislikes him for his cruelty. When one Koopa asks what will happen if she refuses, Bowser responds to this by burning him alive with his fire breath, rendering him as a Dry Bones, before explaining that if Peach does reject him, he will use said star to destroy the kingdom she rules; The Mushroom Kingdom.
Learning of Mario and Meeting Luigi[]
“Bowser: What is your name? Luigi: Uh... Luigi. Bowser: Not sure if you know who I am, but I'm about to marry a princess and rule the world. (sharpens claws) Luigi: Wow. (chuckles) Yay... Bowser: But there's one problem, Luigi: there's a human traveling with my fiancée. Has a mustache, just like you. Do you know him? Luigi: No. No! Bowser: Ah, tough one, I see. Maybe this will get you to talk. [tugs on a hair on Luigi's mustache] Luigi: Do you think I know every human being with a mustache wearing an identical outfit with a hat with a letter of his first name on it?! Because I don't! Bowser: [plucks a hair from his musctache] Luigi: [screams] Bowser: [grabs Luigi and tugs on mustache] DO YOU KNOW HIM?!! Luigi: Stop! I know him! Yes, I know him! Yeah, he's my brother Mario, and he's the best guy in the world! Bowser: DO PRINCESSES FIND HIM ATTRACTIVE?! Luigi: THEY DO IF THEY HAVE GOOD TASTE!”
―Bowser torturing Luigi as the former tells him about Mario.
Bowser meets Luigi.
Later on, Bowser can be seen playing his piano while passionately singing about Peach before Kamek interrupts him, much to his fury. He lets him know that the princess has been training a "mustachioed human" to stop him. Paranoid that this person could be a supposed suitor for Peach, Bowser invites Kamek to play the piano with him. Once he asks Kamek if he believes that Peach could be interested in the human, to which he says that he has nothing to worry about, an irritated Bowser slams the piano case down on his fingers, much to the wizard's pain. Bowser then storms off while refusing to let Kamek free himself, commenting that "pain is the best teacher".
A group of Shy Guys and a single Snifit would later come to Bowser, bringing him a man in a green shirt with overalls who, as the Snifit announces, ended up in the Darklands. As Kamek holds him in place with his magic, they learn that the man's name is Luigi. Noticing his mustache, Bowser realizes the resemblance he has with the other human Kamek told him about. He then proceeds to tell Luigi that he plans to marry Peach and rule the world, and then asks about his connection with the other human. When Luigi initially refuses to tell him anything, Bowser starts pulling at his mustache hair as means of torturing him for information. Eventually, Luigi cracks and tells the Koopa King that the human is in fact his brother, Mario. Bowser then asks Luigi "DO PRINCESSES FIND HIM (Mario) ATTRACTIVE!", and he exclaims "THEY DO IF THEY HAVE GOOD TASTE!". Having been unintentionally insulted, Bowser furiously tears off a chunk of Luigi's mustache, throws Luigi away, and orders the Shy Guys and the Snifit to take him away, exclaiming that he will make Mario suffer by killing his brother before his eyes. Luigi is then locked in the dungeon with the other prisoners, including the penguins and a Lumalee.
Ambushing the Enemy and Coercing the Princess[]
“Bowser: No, Princess. I stole this star for us. I guess love really makes a guy come out of his shell. (chuckles) (Peach looks weirded out by his phrase) Bowser: (to Kamek) I told you that line wouldn't work! Kamek: (gives him a thumbs-up offscreen; sarcastically) You're doing great!”
―Bowser when proposing to Peach before telling Kamek the phrase he practiced didn't work on her.
Bowser later can be seen practicing his proposal for Peach with Kamek dressed like the latter when the Koopa General informs him that she and Mario have recruited the Kong army and are on their way to ambush him. However, Bowser is only concerned over the fact that Peach was impressed by him. As means of a countermeasure, he ambushes them first while they were driving on Rainbow Road. The attack results in the Koopa General sending Mario and Donkey Kong down into the water below, presumably to their deaths. Meanwhile, the rest of the Kongs such as Cranky Kong are imprisoned and Peach and Toad are forced to retreat back to the Mushroom Kingdom to evacuate the citizens and prepare for Bowser's inevitable arrival.
Bowser and his army soon arrive in the Mushroom Kingdom, where he tries to propose to Peach, asking her if she would like to marry him and take over the world as his bride. Peach harshly rejects him but is forced to change her mind after Kamek starts torturing Toad with his magic at the King's demand. Peach and a weaken Toad are then captured and brought on Bowser's ship.
Fight at the Altar[]
“Peach: You really thought I'd marry you? Bowser: (flabbergasted) Kinda?! Peach: I'd never marry a monster! (Peach powers up with a ice flower.) Bowser: (furious) Then we are breaking up RIGHT NOW!”
―Bowser attempting to kill Peach after realizing she took part in the wedding to perform a surprise attack.
At the wedding, Bowser reveals that to Peach that he intends of executing his prisoners in the former's honor, much to her disgust and horror. As Kamek is about announce Peach and Bowser wife and husband, the former punches him away and reveals that she would never marry Bowser. She quickly pulls out an Ice Flower Toad smuggled in her bouquet and transforms into Ice Peach. A furious Bowser calls off the wedding and attempts to incinerate Peach with his fire breath. She quickly jumps out of the way and manages to freeze Bowser, shutting his eyes close before fighting his angry minions. Shortly after Mario and Donkey Kong arrive and help free the prisoners and shoo off the minions, the former is able to reunite with Peach and his brother. Bowser manages to open his eyes and sees Mario and Peach are enjoying each other's company before holding hands. Consumed by rage and jealousy, Bowser burns the ice blocking his head and orders his minions to launch a Bomber Bill to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom. Luckily Mario was able to rush out and stop it by sending it into the warp zone. However following the detonation of said Bomber Bill, the resulting shockwave causes Bowser's castle and everyone in its vicinity to get transported to Brooklyn.
Final Battle at Brooklyn[]
“Mario: Hey! Leave him alone! Bowser: (drops DK) You just don't know when to quit! Mario: Yeah, I've been told that before.”
―Bowser to an injured Mario standing up to him, who prevents him from killing Donkey Kong. Thus proving Bowser wrong that he's not scared of him at all, much to the Koopa's anger as Mario laughs back at his response.
Bowser facing against Mario.
Upon recovering, Bowser spots Mario running for the Super Star. Furious, the Koopa cuts him off before he could touch it and proceeds to punch him into a car before breathing fire at the said car. He proceeds to approach the fleeing Mario while blaming him for ruining his wedding, claiming he was finally gonna be happy and now he is gonna make him suffer just like him through the giant pain of his brutal wrath before throwing a boulder at him. He then picks up and throws Mario into another car, pick up that car, and throws it at Mario. As Mario continues his attempt to escape, Bowser whacks him with his tail and he flies into the Punch-Out Pizzeria, giving him various wounds on his face and causing him to limp, forcing him to fearfully take cover. Bowser proceeds to taunt Mario for thinking he could stop him before taunting him for being too scared to fight. Suddenly, Peach runs up and gives Bowser a heel kick in the face, followed by Donkey Kong hitting the the Koopa down with Toad watching, all three attempting to protect Mario. Bowser, now filled with even more rage, quickly gets up and tackles all three of them, leaving Peach and Toad to get captured by Bowser's Minions while Donkey Kong is pummeled.
Bowser then attempts to kill Donkey Kong by gutting him with his claws before a battered Mario intervenes and stands up to him, proving Bowser wrong about his earlier statement by showing no fear, much to the Koopa's anger as he complains over how he supposedly never gives up no matter what happens. Mario simply laughs in response, commenting how he's "been told that before". Peach then proceeds to use a nearby Koopa shell to knock the Super Star away from Bowser and encourages Mario to use it. Frantic, Bowser attempts to stop the plumber by burning him alive with his fire breath, but Luigi saves Mario at the last second using a manhole to block the flames. Together, the duo make a dash for the Super Star and it initially seems like they weren't able to touch it before being scorched, much to Bowser's satisfaction. It's immediately revealed afterward that they absorbed the star's power to become invincible, as Bowser drops his smile and attempts to give them a giant kick to the face. It has no effect, however, and his cockiness immediately turns into shock right before the two finally punch him back at a far distance away.
Refusing to back down despite the circumstances and his knowledge of the Super Star, Bowser foolishly orders his minions to attack the brothers. However, Mario and Luigi easily take down all of his troops before fighting Bowser himself, who continuously attempts to resist them as they heavily overpower the Koopa, pummeling him back and as Bowser foolishly continues to keep fighting them despite the heavy blows. Mario and Luigi then proceed to throw him into the air, punching him down and violently bashing him in the face through the head of his castle, destroying it and finally defeating Bowser.
Humiliation and Imprisonment[]
“Bowser: Peaches! (chuckles nervously) Uh, Listen, this is not the way I pictured it, but give me one more chance. Peach: Ew! No. Bowser: NO, NO, NO-(Peach force-feeds him Mini Mushroom and he shrinks) Hey! HEY! THAT IS NOT COOL!”
―Bowser's defeat as he's fed a Mini Mushroom.noiconnoicon
Bowser's defeat, as he remains shrunken and locked in a cage in Peach's dungeon, while being belittled by a Toad Guard.
Too injured to continue fighting or even move, Bowser could only beg Peach to give him one more chance, which she justifiably refuses and forcibly makes him eat a Mini Mushroom to shrink him small, allowing Toad to put him in a jar as he screams "That is NOT cool!" and later a bird cage inside of Peach's castle as punishment for his crimes and villainy. Meanwhile, Mario jokingly claims that he got her the pet turtle he promised her while back on Rainbow Road. He is shown grumbling as the citizens cheer on Mario's team for stopping Bowser and for saving the day.
In the post-credits scene, Bowser is singing his song “Peaches” again in his cage after being imprisoned, lamenting how Mario, Luigi and Donkey Kong ruined his plans and how his army was useless against them, but promises to keep going with his goal to make Peach his. However, Bowser is interrupted by a Toad guard who tells him to be quiet and calls him a "little guy", similar to what Bowser called Mario earlier. He begins ranting, only for the Toad to shut the door on him mid-sentence and leave him in complete darkness, much to Bowser's irritation.
It's currently likely that Bowser will return in the sequel and to his normal size, break out of jail and take his revenge on Peach, the Kongs, the Toads and the Super Mario Bros.
Immense Strength: Bowser is extremely strong, being able to pick up an entire human with just one hand, lift heavy objects like cars with ease and kick or stomp with immense force. He is so strong that he was able to overpower and almost kill Donkey Kong, who is the champion of the Jungle Kingdom.
Immense Durability: Bowser's hide is durable enough to withstand severe beatings from Mario and Luigi while they were empowered by the Star nor did he suffer any serious injuries after being literally crushed against his own fortress, as they kept beating him until he started to actually slow down from too much heavy injury and in the end he is finally unable to get up.
Immense Stamina: Bowser is tough enough to continue the final confrontation unhindered despite having been frozen in ice not too long before, then going wild in Brooklyn, engaging in a fierce fight against Peach and Donkey Kong and taking blow after blow from Mario and Luigi empowered by the Star while still remaining conscious after his defeat, though unable to get up.
Fire Breath: Bowser's signature power is his immensely powerful fire breath. His flames are hot enough to melt an entire ice castle with one continuous blast and is able to keep his flames going for over a minute without stopping to catch his breath.
Claws: Bowser has sharp claws that he could use to slash his enemies with lethal force. he attempted to use his claws to finish off a beaten Donkey Kong.
Tail: Bowser could use his own tail as a blunt weapon, which he used against Mario during his relentless rage-fueled attack on the plumber.
Intelligence: Bowser is shown to be intelligent and a great tactician. He is also a skilled leader as he is the king of the Koopa Kingdom.
Intimidation: Bowser is feared and infamous all throughout the various kingdoms. He becomes especially scary whenever he is angered.
Piano Skills: Bowser is a fairly skilled pianist as shown twice in the movie.
Singing Skills: Bowser is also a pretty decent singer as also shown twice in the movie where he sang the song "Peaches".
Weaknesses[]
Delusion: Despite his intellect, he's ultimately very foolish to believe Peach would ever be with him no matter how many times she tries to get that through his head and blindly believes Mario purposely tried to win her heart from him when he clearly had no intention of doing so in the first place as his only goals were to save Luigi and stop Bowser. In addition, Bowser keeps his focus on Mario while he wasn't the only one trying to stop him as his friends were the main threat to him as well, and when Mario and Luigi became invincible by the Super Star, Bowser refused to admit defeat and kept on the attack, only to be beaten up until he's finally too injured to continue fighting, thus getting defeated in the end.
Quotes[]
“OPEN THE GATES... or die!”
―Bowser's first line of dialogue, threatening the Penguin Kingdom.
“Penguin King: That is but a taste of our fury! Do you yield? Bowser: (chuckles) I do not.”
―Bowser to the Penguin King, before easily defeating his army.
“Kamek: Sire! Bowser: (growls in frustration) What? Kamek: A report from our intelligence. A mustachioed human has arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom. Bowser: (huffs in anger) Kamek: (stumbles in fear) The princess has been training him. They are up to something, sire! Bowser: (calms down) Sit. Jam with me. (Bowser and Kamek play the underground theme on piano) Bowser: This, uh... human. Where did he come from? Kamek: We... aren't sure. Bowser: Does the princess... like him? Kamek: (gasps) Sire! Look in the mirror! You have nothing to worry about. Bowser: I know that. I'm not threatened. (slams cover down on Kamek's fingers) Kamek: (screams in pain) Bowser: FIND OUT WHO HE IS AND WHAT THEY'RE PLANNING!! (slams fist on piano) Kamek: (painfully) I'm on it, sire! May I lift the cover? Bowser: Not yet. Pain is the best teacher!”
―Bowser speaking with Kamek after being informed about Mario.
“Leave him to me.”
―Bowser upon seeing Luigi.
“Get him out of my sight! We'll see how tough this "Mario" is, when he watches me KILL HIS BROTHER!”
―Bowser threatening to kill Luigi to spite Mario after interrogating the former.
“Princess Peach, here we are. I guess love really makes a guy come out of his shell. Let's rule the world together, forever. Will you marry me?”
―Bowser practicing his proposal for Peach to Kamek.
“So like Peach was super impressed?”
―Bowser to the Koopa General.
“Goodbye, Mario.”
―Bowser after Mario and Donkey Kong were sent falling from Rainbow Road and the Kong Army are taken afterwards.
“Princess Peach. Brave as ever.”
―Bowser before asking Peach to marry him.
“Bowser: Peaches, with this star, we will be invincible. We can rule the world together, forever. Will you marry me? Peach: Marry you? Are you insane?! I would never marry you! Bowser: ...Maybe you should reconsider.”
―Bowser before he has Toad tortured to force Peach to marry him.
“You have my word.”
―Bowser to Peach after she accepts his proposal when Toad was tortured.
“Ha ha! Time for a wedding!”
―Bowser, as she and Toad were taken into Bowser's airship after forcing her to accept his proposal.
“LAUNCH THE BOMBER BILL AND DESTROY THE MUSHROOM KINGDOM!!!”
―Bowser sending a Bomber Bill to destroy the Mushroom Kingdom after the heroes crash his wedding; his most infamous quote.
“No! THAT'S MINE!!”
―Bowser after Peach knocks the Super Star away from him so Mario can use it.
“RIP THEM TO PIECES!!”
―Bowser recklessly commanding his army to destroy the Mario Bros. after they absorb the Super Star.
“Toad Guard: Hey, quiet in there! Lights out, little guy! (taps cage) Bowser: HEY! YOU CAN'T TREAT ME LIKE THIS! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?! I AM BOW- (door slams shuts) Bowser: (sighs)”
―Bowser's final words as he is left locked in a bird cage dungeon of Peach's castle as the Toad guard calls him little.
Peaches lyrics[]
“This one is for my one and only true love... Princess Peach.
♪Peach, you're so cool.♪ ♪And with my star, we're gonna rule.♪ ♪Peach, understand!♪ ♪I'm gonna love you ‘til the very end!♪
♪Mario, Luigi, and-a Donkey Kong too♪ ♪A thousand troops of Koopas couldn't keep me from you.♪ ♪Princess Peach, at the end of the line,♪ ♪I'll make you mine! Oh~♪
― Bowser singing “Peaches”, and pronouncing his love for Princess Peach.noiconnoicon
[[File:Bowser30.ogg|noicon|300p]
Trivia[]
Jack Black attended the premiere of The Super Mario Bros. Movie dressed as Bowser.
Bowser's eyes glow red whenever he is infuriated.
The scene in which Mario and Luigi throw Bowser up into the air by grabbing his tail is a reference to his defeat in Super Mario 64, in which Mario grabs Bowser by the tail and throws him onto a bomb before he's launched back into the arena defeated.
Him being shrunken when Peach force fed him a blue mushroom is a reference to his defeat in Super Mario Galaxy 2. Him then being imprisoned inside of a jar by Toad is a reference to him being stuck in a jar during the end credits of Super Mario 3D World.
In a twist of irony, Bowser attempting to kill Mario to get him away from Peach only ended up deepening their bond. Furthermore, Mario doesn't (intentionally) try to woo Peach and she simply likes him for the nice person that he is, while Bowser is very upfront about his obsession with her and she is repulsed by it and his horrific actions.
His wedding tuxedo is based off the same outfit he wore in Super Mario Odyssey.
Funnily enough, Bowser's goal in that game was to marry Peach as well, even though he's had a crush on her since Paper Mario.
Jack Black, released a live-action performance version of his Bowser's Peaches Song released on the Lyrical Lemonade Youtube Channel
Bowser's song, "Peaches", has become somewhat of an Internet meme in the Mario fanbase, as him singing peaches sounds like he's saying "b-tches" when heard repeatedly.
Bowser acts as a foil to the following characters:
Mario: Both are motivated by love in their respective goals; For Mario it's rescuing Luigi, whereas for Bowser it's Peach's hand in marriage. Both of them also have feelings for the princess. However, Mario was initially more focused on saving Luigi than he was winning her heart, only growing feelings for her as they got to know each other more. Additionally, he treats Peach as a person and not an object. Meanwhile, Bowser views her as nothing more than a trophy to be possessed and doesn't care about what she wants, as he genuinely thought that Peach would like hundreds of people being ritualistically sacrificed for their wedding despite that obviously not being the case.
Peach: Both are rulers of their kingdom and are both (possibly) orphans. While Peach is a kind monarch and wants to protect her subjects, Bowser has no problems abusing his minions and is a cruel tyrant. If Peach had grew up to be cruel to her Toads and became a tyrant, she would've ended up like Bowser.
Donkey Kong: Both are large anthropomorphic animals who think so highly of themselves and get involved in conflict with Mario. Both also want the approval of someone else; Peach in Bowser's case, and Cranky Kong in DK's case. While Bowser insists on Peach loving him despite his multiple atrocities which leads to her rejecting him, Donkey Kong recognizes and eventually overcomes his flaws, which wins his father's approval. Additionally, Bowser's conflict with Mario is violently antagonistic, whereas DK's conflict with Mario is more akin to that of friendly teasing.
Despite being Mario's archenemy, Bowser doesn't directly interact with him until the climax of the film where he tries to kill him in Brooklyn. However, he does spend a majority of the movie being heavily wary of him impressing Peach and hating him for it.
Bowser is the second Illumination animated movie villain to be overly sensitive and have extreme anger issues, following Jimmy Crystal from Sing 2.
Ironically, both had their fate seen with them being imprisoned in some form, with Crystal being apprehended and Bowser being detained in a jar.
Bowser is known to have several voice lines removed that were in the TV Spots and trailers, such as him saying, "I'm so stoked right now."
Additionally in the teaser trailer when he obtains the Super Star, Bowser says "I've finally found it. Now who's gonna stop me?!". In the movie, however, it was changed to "and now no one can stop me!".
Mushroom Kingdom • Peach's Castle • Obstacle Course • Jungle Kingdom • Great Ring of Kong • Rainbow Road • Bowser's Castle • Dark Lands • Snow Kingdom • Brooklyn • Mario and Luigi's Apartment • Brooklyn Couple's House • Castle Burger • Punch-Out Pizzeria • Mario and Luigi's House • Toad Town
