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{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Original research|date=April 2024}}
{{rewrite|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Bowser
| series = [[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]
| image =
| caption =
| firstgame = ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985)
| creator = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
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{{nihongo|'''Bowser'''|クッパ|Kuppa|"Koopa"}},<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:クッパ|url=http://www.smashbros.com/wii/jp/characters/koopa.html|author=Masahiro Sakurai|author-link=Masahiro Sakurai|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|language=ja|trans-title=Koopa|date=July 3, 2007|access-date=October 18, 2009|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418085533/https://www.smashbros.com/wii/jp/characters/koopa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> also known as '''King Bowser''' or '''King Koopa''', is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]] and the main [[antagonist]] of [[Nintendo]]'s [[Mario (franchise)|''Mario'' franchise]]. In Japan, his title is {{nihongo|[[Mazoku#Maō in fiction|Daimaō]]|大魔王||"Great Demon King"}}.<ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:キャラクター紹介|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nmqj/game/chara/index.html|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|language=ja|trans-title=Character introduction|access-date=October 18, 2009|archive-date=August 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808160503/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n01/n64/software/nus_p_nmqj/game/chara/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He is the [[arch-nemesis]] of the plumber [[Mario]], and the leader of the [[turtle]]-like [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]] race. Bowser's defining traits are his monstrous appearance with dragon-like elements, full-throated roar, fire-breathing abilities, and tyrannical personality. His ultimate goals are to kidnap [[Princess Peach]], make her his [[Queen consort|queen]], and conquer the [[Mushroom Kingdom]], and eventually the world.
Bowser debuted as Mario's opponent in the 1985 video game ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' Designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] had first conceived an [[ox]] based on the Ox-King from the [[Toei Animation]] film ''[[Alakazam the Great]]'', but [[Takashi Tezuka]] remarked that the character looked more like a turtle than an ox, and the two collaborated to refine Bowser's appearance into the leader of the turtle-like Koopas.
After ''Super Mario Bros.'', Bowser branched into different genres including [[role-playing games]] ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'', [[sports games]] ''[[Mario Kart]]'' and ''[[Mario Tennis]]'', and [[fighting game]]s ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''. He appeared in various animations, including three series produced by [[DIC Entertainment]] (all voiced by [[Harvey Atkin]]), and was portrayed by [[Dennis Hopper]] in the 1993 ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' film. He was voiced by [[Jack Black]] in ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023).
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, including being crowned the greatest video game villain of all time by the ''[[Guinness World Records#Gamer's edition|Guinness Book of World Records Gamer's Edition]]''.
==Development==
{{repetition section|date=June 2024}}
Bowser was created by Nintendo designer and producer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. Miyamoto had first envisioned Bowser as an [[ox]], based on the Ox—like King Gruesome from the [[Toei Animation]] film ''[[Alakazam the Great]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ds.kombo.com/article.php?artid=7373|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917090724/http://ds.kombo.com/article.php?artid=7373|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 17, 2010|author=David Oxford|title=Iwata Asks:The Birth of Bowser|publisher=Ds.Kombo|access-date=August 23, 2010}}</ref> However, Nintendo designer [[Takashi Tezuka]] pointed out that the character looked a lot more like a turtle than an ox. Miyamoto and Tezuka then began to redesign his look to reflect a leader of the turtle-like Koopa Troopas. In his final design, Miyamoto commented that he could make Bowser "look cool now".<ref>{{cite web |title=Iwata Asks Volume 8- Flipnote Studios-An Animation Class 4.My First Project: Draw a Rug |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/volume_8_14207.html#top |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525101151/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/systems/volume_8_14207.html#top |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 25, 2012 }}2009-08-11</ref> Bowser was once imagined as an upright Koopa Troopa with spines on his back and fangs, according to the oldest known design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/159838163530/concept-art-of-bowser-for-super-mario-bros-drawn|title=Supper Mario Broth|website=Supper Mario Broth|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011004249/https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/159838163530/concept-art-of-bowser-for-super-mario-bros-drawn|url-status=live}}</ref> During the development of ''Super Mario Bros.'', Miyamoto contemplated commissioning the game's art to a manga artist or illustrator. However, due to a lack of time, he created the game's original box art himself. Bowser is depicted in this artwork in a way that differs from later renditions, with the most noticeable differences being his gray-blue complexion and lack of horns. Miyamoto received inspiration for the character's appearance from an anime film version of the Chinese novel ''[[Journey to the West]]'', which was renamed ''Alakazam the Great'' during the film's Ameri period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/ds/dsi/7/3|title=Iwata Asks|website=iwataasks.nintendo.com|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619204053/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/ds/dsi/7/3|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Yōichi Kotabe]] based Bowser's final design on the [[Chinese softshell turtle]], which he recognized as highly aggressive, reflecting Bowser's short temper.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html|title=Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=December 6, 2018|via=Le Monde|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011004513/https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
Bowser's original working name was "Boss Creeper" ({{lang|ja|ボス クリーパー}} ''Bosu Kurīpā''), after the Shellcreepers, the predecessors to the Koopa race, from ''[[Mario Bros]].''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thrillingtalesofoldvideogames.com/blog/bowser-vs-king-koopa|title=Bowser Vs. Koopa|website=Thrilling Tales of Old Video Games|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref> Miyamoto then named him {{lang|ja|[[wikt:大|大]]
It is currently unconfirmed how the character received the English language name "Bowser", or who gave him this name, although there are multiple competing theories. Matthew Byrd of ''[[Den of Geek]]'' noted that one theory comes from "Bowser" being a popular name for pets at the time, while another suggests that Miyamoto himself chose the name because both "Bowser" and ''Bibinba'' start with B. Another theory still relates to the origins of the surname "[[Bowser (surname)|Bowser]]", derived from a [[Norman language|Norman]] greeting meaning "good sir", and that it may be used ironically for the character given his diabolical nature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bowser-real-name-origins-history-explained/|title=Super Mario: The Strange Origins of Bowser's Real Name|website=[[Den of Geek]]|access-date=July 25, 2024}}</ref>
▲Bowser was once imagined as an upright Koopa Troopa with spines on his back and fangs, according to the oldest known design.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/159838163530/concept-art-of-bowser-for-super-mario-bros-drawn|title=Supper Mario Broth|website=Supper Mario Broth|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011004249/https://www.suppermariobroth.com/post/159838163530/concept-art-of-bowser-for-super-mario-bros-drawn|url-status=live}}</ref> During the development of ''Super Mario Bros.'', Miyamoto contemplated commissioning the game's art to a manga artist or illustrator. However, due to a lack of time, he created the game's original box art himself. Bowser is depicted in this artwork in a way that differs from later renditions, with the most noticeable differences being his gray-blue complexion and lack of horns. Miyamoto received inspiration for the character's appearance from an anime film version of the Chinese novel ''[[Journey to the West]]'', which was renamed ''Alakazam the Great'' during the film's Ameri period.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/ds/dsi/7/3|title=Iwata Asks|website=iwataasks.nintendo.com|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=June 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619204053/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/ds/dsi/7/3|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Yōichi Kotabe]] based Bowser's final design on the [[Chinese softshell turtle]], which he recognized as highly aggressive, reflecting Bowser's short temper.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html|title=Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo|newspaper=Le Monde.fr|date=December 6, 2018|via=Le Monde|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011004513/https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Within early comics and potentially in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series, Bowser
==Characteristics==
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}}
Bowser debuted in the video game ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''.<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros|title=IGN Presents: The History of Super Mario Bros.
===Other ''Mario'' games===
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[[Dennis Hopper]] portrayed King Koopa in the 1993 live-action film [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'']]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Noel |date=December 12, 2008 |title=Random Roles: Dennis Hopper |url=https://www.avclub.com/articles/random-roles-dennis-hopper,2549/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016075047/http://www.avclub.com/articles/random-roles-dennis-hopper,2549/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |website=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[The Onion]]}}</ref> In the film, Koopa is the usurper ruler of Dinohattan, a city in a [[Parallel universes in fiction|parallel universe]] in which humans evolved directly from dinosaurs. He abducts [[Princess Daisy]] but is eventually defeated by Mario and Luigi. This incarnation is almost entirely human in appearance, with blonde hair he gels in a crown-like shape, and he frequently wears a black business suit and necktie. However, after brief exposure to his own evolution-reversing technology by the Mario Bros., he starts occasionally possessing some reptilian traits. The climax of the film sees Koopa devolve into an enormous green [[Tyrannosaurus|''Tyrannosaurus rex'']] to battle the Mario Bros., who further devolve him into primordial ooze.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smbmovie.com/SMBArchive/specials/interviews/2_JeffGoodwin_3-30-09.html|title=Super Mario Bros. The Movie Archive|publisher=Smbmovie.com|date=March 30, 2009|access-date=August 10, 2010|archive-date=March 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100310101125/http://www.smbmovie.com/SMBArchive/specials/interviews/2_JeffGoodwin_3-30-09.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Bowser is one of the gaming villains attending a "Bad-Anon" support group in the 2012 animated film ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/wreck-it-ralph-footage-from-d23-features-8-bit-action-plenty-of-cameos-26349.html |title=Wreck-It Ralph Footage From D23 Features 8-Bit Action, Plenty Of Cameos |website=CinemaBlend.com |date=August 21, 2011 |access-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-date=December 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121229164020/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/wreck-it-ralph-footage-from-d23-features-8-bit-action-plenty-of-cameos-26349.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The writers had early on envisioned the Bad-anon meeting with Bowser as a major character within the scene; according to film director [[Rich Moore]], Nintendo was very positive towards this use, stating in Moore's own words, "If there is a group that is dedicated to helping the bad guy characters in video games then Bowser must be in that group!"<ref name="game informer interview">{{cite magazine | url = http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/02/11/wreck-it-ralph-39-s-director-answers-our-questions.aspx | title = Wreck-It Ralph's Director Answers Our Questions | first = Kyle | last = Hillard | date = February 11, 2013 | access-date = February 11, 2013 | magazine = [[Game Informer]] | archive-date = April 6, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230406175318/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2013/02/11/wreck-it-ralph-39-s-director-answers-our-questions.aspx | url-status =
Bowser was voiced by [[Jack Black]] in
He appeared in ''[[Nintendo gamebooks]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesasylum.com/2013/10/22/nintendo-adventure-books-probably-not-due-a-revival/|title=Nintendo Adventure Books: probably not due a revival|first1=Jake Jake has been here since the|last1=beginning|first2=With Hundreds of|last2=Reviews|first3=countless other guff to his name These|last3=days|first4=Not so|last4=Consistent|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011035451/https://www.gamesasylum.com/2013/10/22/nintendo-adventure-books-probably-not-due-a-revival/|url-status=live}}</ref> Bowser appears as the primary antagonist in Nintendo Power's comic series ''[[Super Mario Adventures]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.superluigibros.com/mario-v-wario-comic-issue-2|title=Super Luigi Bros – Mario vs. Wario Comic Issue. 2 from Nintendo Power Magazine Vol. 56|website=www.superluigibros.com|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011035439/http://www.superluigibros.com/mario-v-wario-comic-issue-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Bowser reappears in the Mario comics of Valiant Comics' ''[[Nintendo Comics System]]'' as the principal antagonist of the Mushroom Kingdom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/comic-video-game-crossover-history/|title=Drawn together: The love affair between comics and games|first=Ars|last=Staff|date=December 24, 2018|website=Ars Technica|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011054318/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/12/comic-video-game-crossover-history/|url-status=live}}</ref>
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Some ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' fans joked that Mario supposedly shouts, "So long, gay Bowser!" when throwing him a great distance. In April 2019, [[Charles Martinet]], Mario's voice actor, [[Tweet (social media)|tweeted]] that Mario says, "So long, King-a Bowser!".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-19-mario-doesnt-shout-gay-bowser-in-super-mario-3d-all-stars-mario-64|title=So long, "gay Bowser" – fans lament the loss of Mario 64's most famous line in Super Mario 3D All-Stars|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=September 19, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011042721/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-19-mario-doesnt-shout-gay-bowser-in-super-mario-3d-all-stars-mario-64|url-status=live}}</ref> In the Japanese [[Rumble Pak]]-compatible version, as well as ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 3D All-Stars]]'', Mario instead says "buh-bye!",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-64-s-weird-gay-bowser-line-isn-t-in-super-m-1845106761|title=Super Mario 64's Weird 'Gay Bowser' Line Isn't In Super Mario 3D All-Stars|website=Kotaku|date=September 18, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=October 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011042802/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-64-s-weird-gay-bowser-line-isn-t-in-super-m-1845106761|url-status=live}}</ref> which Nintendo later confirmed in a tweet.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/18/21445859/super-mario-64-nintendo-switch-3d-all-stars-gay-bowser-bye-charles-martinet|title=Internet pours one out for Super Mario 64's 'Gay Bowser,' who is dead now|first=Patricia|last=Hernandez|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=September 18, 2020|access-date=October 11, 2021|archive-date=March 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326004504/https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/18/21445859/super-mario-64-nintendo-switch-3d-all-stars-gay-bowser-bye-charles-martinet|url-status=live}}</ref>
In the 2018 short comic "The Super Crown's some spicy new Mario lore" on [[DeviantArt]] and [[Twitter]], Bowser uses a Super Crown to transform into a monstrously sinister female resembling Peach, which fans named [[Bowsette]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kent|first=Emma|date=September 24, 2018|title=Nintendo fans are splicing Bowser with Peach and now Bowsette is trending|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-09-24-bowsette-is-trending-on-twitter|access-date=December 12, 2020|website=Eurogamer|language=en|archive-date=September 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180924191149/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-09-24-bowsette-is-trending-on-twitter|url-status=live}}</ref> The character subsequently went viral.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qz.com/1505674/the-wildest-internet-phenomenon-of-2018-was-bowsette/|title=The wildest internet phenomenon of 2018 was Bowsette|
==References==
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