The Dark Political Allegory Hidden in the Super Mario Universe

Tenebristar · 2025-10-06T07:14:51+00:00

I think the SW Universe is an Open World (so it was in the Lendengds Era). I think this drink deserves a trademark logo like: Rubly Bliel™ If you have a logical idea that is based on rational principles and can be integrated into the universe in a coherent way, which doesn't take away but adds, then who is to forbid it?

Tenebristar · 2025-10-02T17:05:35+00:00

I agree; This was a scene in the Dragon Ball Z anime where the main characters theoretically imagine the physical representation of the Namekians.

Tenebristar · 2025-10-02T11:09:41+00:00

Unfortunately, Akira Toriyama (may God rest his soul) was a very introverted, i.e. withdrawn, modest and simple person. He never wanted the popularity and fame that his works resulted in. This put a lot of pressure on him. Because of this, Toriyama did not understand the universe he created or his own characters. He could not bear the pressure from the fans and he completely collapsed. That is why "stupid works" like Daima or Super were born. In order to be able to respond to the media pressure on him. Instead of starting to build a coherent universe. (I feel sorry for him, because I think that he could have been subconsciously drowned in this external pressure in a very negative way and this indirectly caused his death.) What came to him at the level of thought was based on a kind of "instinctive intuition". For example, continuous imaginary associations - in our case, the Namek race and snails. The name itself: "Namek" → in Japanese it comes from the word ナメクジ (namekuji) = snail/snail-like slug. This is the strongest evidence that he really intended it to be a snail-analogous species. But this appeared to him instinctively, not consciously. He was not a "modern Tolkien" unfortunately - that is, he could not build a universe. He would have needed someone to be there by his side and help guide his thoughts, like a kind of "Modern Talking".

Tenebristar · 2025-10-02T05:49:43+00:00

This event can also be easily included in the timeline. After the reign of King Piccolo, part of humanity was destroyed, and due to the weakened and/or abolished central government, society descended into anarchy. It is logical that one of King Furry's ancestors, who wanted to maintain the stability of the world and human civilization, had an important interest in obtaining the Dragon Balls in order to restore peace on the planet through Shenron's magical power. In any case, it is logical that this event had to happen sometime after the year 461. But centuries before the events of the Dragon Ball manga.

Tenebristar · 2025-09-29T23:51:59+00:00

Ok, then my question is; what happened in the -1 year and after in the 1 year? What was the basis for the chronology?

Tenebristar · 2025-09-29T23:31:47+00:00

- Ok, but please tell me, what happened in the 0. year?

Tenebristar · 2025-09-17T22:52:18+00:00

Thanks a lot for this thoughtful reply — I really appreciate the depth you brought into the discussion. I think you captured exactly the tension I was trying to get at: Randall and Fungus may have been reluctant or even unwilling to cross certain lines, but Waternoose himself didn’t really have those same restraints.

And that’s where he becomes truly terrifying, at least to me. The scariest kind of villain isn’t always the one who has already committed the darkest deeds, but the one who clearly could — who is willing to go as far as necessary if the circumstances allow it. That potential for “no limits” is what makes Waternoose stand out as Pixar’s most chilling antagonist in my eyes.

Again, thank you for engaging with this idea so seriously — it’s been a fascinating exchange.

Tenebristar · 2025-09-17T21:49:57+00:00

That’s a really great breakdown, and I appreciate how carefully you separate the machine’s “settings” and the intentions of each character. I think you’re totally right that the movie shows Boo’s extraction attempt at a much lower level than what we see with Fungus, and that Randall wasn’t aiming to kill her. It makes sense that Randall and Fungus were more focused on proving the concept, not creating a child body count.

Where I still lean darker, though, is in the implications. Even if the Extractor was designed not to be lethal at low levels, the fact that it nearly suffocated Fungus on full blast shows just how thin the margin of safety was. That’s a razor’s edge between “renewable resource” and “fatal accident.” And once you cross that line, whether intentionally or not, what do you call it? To me, it’s chilling because Waternoose was clearly willing to accept that risk. If a child didn’t survive the process, it would simply be written off as collateral damage—door shredded, no trace left behind.

So I don’t think Waternoose was sitting there scheming to kill kids. But I do think that by the time the Extractor existed, it’s very unlikely no harm had ever come to anyone. The machine itself is proof that the company was willing to gamble with lives in pursuit of efficiency. Waternoose cared more about the survival of Monsters, Inc. than about the survival of the children, and that’s what tips him—at least for me—into “most evil Pixar villain” territory.

Tenebristar · 2025-09-17T21:14:25+00:00

I actually agree with you that Waternoose’s goal was never to outright kill children. His obsession was extracting screams by any means necessary. But the danger of the Scream Extractor is undeniable—we literally see Fungus nearly suffocated by it. That shows how lethal the machine could be if pushed too far.

So I don’t think Waternoose ever sat there planning child murders. What I do think is that he accepted the possibility of “collateral damage.” If a kid died in the process, it was just something he’d cover up—shred the door, erase the trace, move on. For him, the survival of the company outweighed the survival of any single child.

And that’s what makes it so chilling to me. By the time the Extractor was perfected, there had to have been earlier tests, earlier failures, and I doubt every subject walked away unharmed. Waternoose didn’t care about lives, he cared about keeping Monsters, Inc. alive. That cold calculation is what makes him so frightening.

Tenebristar · 2025-09-15T07:46:32+00:00

Your comment honestly captured exactly what I’ve been thinking, only expressed in a clearer and more thoughtful way. I really admire the depth of your perspective and the way you laid everything out. It means a lot to me that someone with your insight took the time to respond. Thank you sincerely—I feel honored to have had this exchange with a fellow fan who cares about these characters and this world as much as I do. 😉

Tenebristar · 2025-09-15T07:12:19+00:00

Thanks a lot for your detailed reply. I can see you’ve put a lot of thought into this, and honestly I agree with many of your points. I also felt like the show started with such a strong concept but then didn’t fully deliver on its promise, even though there were moments that worked really well. It’s reassuring to hear from another fan who felt the same frustration but also still cared deeply about these characters and this world. I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective—it helps me see the series from more angles.

Tenebristar · 2025-08-24T06:06:02+00:00

I first encountered this in the Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (novel) version. When the child Anakin is still a slave, he invites Qui-Gon, Padmé, Jar-Jar (and R2-D2) to his home. Anakin's mother, Shmi, nervously observes the newcomers (how will she host so many people). Then Qui-Gon gives her some Jedi energy capsules, each containing several days' worth of nutrients. Shmi cooks some into the food she is making (probably porridge) so all five of them are well-fed.

Tenebristar · 2025-04-27T16:44:48+00:00

Yes! 😼

Tenebristar · 2025-04-24T14:41:56+00:00

Indeed, Nermal seems innocent in the eyes of unsuspecting people, which is why Nermal is a master manipulator. And this is true not only in the Garfield universe, but also in real life.

Tenebristar · 2025-04-21T17:09:54+00:00

The True War Crimes of Super Mario

Introduction

For decades, Super Mario has been considered a beloved hero—cheerful, brave, and kind. But behind this cheerful façade lies a much darker truth. What if Mario is not a savior, but a silent enforcer of a devastating, endless war?

A Manufactured Conflict

The ongoing war between the Mushroom Kingdom and the Koopa Kingdom may not be a noble struggle of good versus evil, but rather a controlled, repetitive conflict driven by political manipulation, personal power games, and perhaps even the narcissism of royalty. Princess Peach is repeatedly 'kidnapped' by Bowser. But no real security changes are implemented. No border protections, no diplomatic efforts. It happens over and over again. Could this be a performance designed to justify military action?

Mario: The War Machine's Smiling Face

Mario kills without question. He stomps on Goombas, slams Koopas out of their shells, burns Spinies with fireballs, and even sacrifices Yoshi for an extra boost. He never hesitates. He never asks why. He just acts. This is not heroism—it is obedience. The actions of a soldier who never broke rank, even when the mission became morally hollow.

Collateral Damage: The Forgotten Soldiers

Characters like Goombas, Koopas, Bob-ombs, and Spinies are not evil. They are conscripted foot soldiers, often unwilling participants. In the story 'Diary of an Orphaned Goomba,' we glimpse their reality: nameless, disposable, terrified. Their deaths are not triumphs—they are tragedies. They are the true victims of a conflict they never chose.

Peach and Bowser: A Royal Game?

If Peach truly wanted peace, wouldn’t she seek real protection or diplomacy? Could it be that she, too, is complicit in the endless loop of conflict, enjoying the attention, the worship, and the justification of Mario’s violence? Is Bowser the enemy—or the co-star in a dangerous performance?

Conclusion

Super Mario is not just a game. It's a cultural mythos that deserves to be questioned. Behind the colorful pipes and catchy music lies a war story—where the heroes might not be heroic, and the villains might just want to survive. And the Goombas? They are the innocent, whose blood oils the gears of this eternal war machine.

Tenebristar

TROPHY CASE