#i couldnt include the image of mario peach and luigi hugging because i could only use 10 photos but that makes me so happy too auhgh

[freezeyourchill]

I need to appreciate Mario's characterization in Luigi's Mansion 3 for a sec. It's probably the most in character and on brand I've ever seen him and we only even see him at the start and the end so get ready for me to not shut up about it (this is gonna be a long one folks hold onto your hats)

We first see his dynamic with Peach. They're sitting together and clearly he's very talkative and tries to make her laugh! And they're probably busy mutually pining as usual

As always, he's trying his hardest to be a gentleman for her. Not that he ever really knew how to treat the Princess because of his lower-middle class upbringing, but he does his best. After their ride gets a bit rough and her crown almost falls off, he's concerned for her and checks to see if she's alright before they both laugh it off (albeit Mario a little more nervously).

As soon as they arrive, he makes a beeline for the cakes and snacks, which is a nice reference to things like the Super Show and Superstar Saga where he's shown to eat a lot (good for him! Eat up king!! Having to be the world's hero all the time must take a lot of energy!!)

Once they head off to their rooms to sleep, he says nightnight to Luigi which they've definitely done ever since they were little (source trust me on this one i would know). Small interactions like that really showcase how much he has always cared for and loved his little bro!! More on that later

The next time we see him is after Luigi saves him, and this man just FLINGS himself at his brother. He's so happy to see him again!! I've also always loved how Luigi has to bend down a little whenever they hug. Short king!! Mario was probably feeling so many emotions man. Relief, joy, pride in Luigi all in one happy ball. He's so guy

But just like that, he's off again. This really shows one of the most admirable and maybe concerning things about Mario- how quick he is to dust himself off and immediately help others. No matter how scared he might have been in those moments when he was portrait-ified in his room late at night, no matter how tired from relief he might have felt after being saved, he more or less told Luigi that they had to save the Princess in the same breath that he thanked his bro for saving him.

The contrast between the bros here really make them stand out individually. Mario runs ahead leaving Luigi to follow, both because he's anxious to save Peach and also he's a headstrong protective little fool who wants to check that the road ahead is safe for his bro. He hasn't learned his lesson from when he did that in LM1, I guess? And once he sees the coast is clear, he runs back to make sure Luigi is still there. I love how excitable and energetic he is here! The man really can't stay still. Welcome to this week's episode of 'Is it because after saving worlds and running around all the time he feels the need to be constantly doing something otherwise he feels useless or does he have ADHD?' (It's both)

He's also really speedy at getting to the top of building, good LORD. It shows how much he's grown accustomed to platforming, and how capable he's become after all this time! But once Luigi gets the top as well, things get interesting:

He frantically asks Luigi for help. Now that I think about it, has he ever seen someone he cares about trapped inside a painting in the same way that Luigi has? This could well be his first time. And for once, the infallible and 'invincible' hero can't do anything at all about it. He knows Luigi can get her out, but he's still so worried about her. Poor Mario :(

Once she's out, King Boo appears again. This small detail got to me ever since I first saw this cutscene– he puts a hand in front of Peach!! He feels like he always needs to be the one protecting her, even on a subconscious level. He knows he doesn't have the equipment to deal with ghosts, and a simple hand in front of her won't do anything to stop King Boo, but the gesture is instinctive. As if he's trying to say 'Don't worry Princess, I'll handle this!' like always, even when he knows he can't. Always so quick to take on the hero role.

But despite his best intentions, he and the Princess end up trapped again. He probably felt really silly after being freed again, knowing he couldn't do anything to help her this time around... but Luigi had it handled!

And finally, a picture from the credits. The fact that he and Peach were immediately willing to help rebuild the mansion shows both their collaborative and forgiving nature- even though these ghosts had effectively helped in his capture, he was fine with working with them right away. And it all turns out for the best, because the game begins and ends with him and Peach sitting and laughing together. Mommmm they're pining again

TL;DR Mario is energetic, loving, and most of all protective. Whether it's his big bro instincts or wanting to be his love interest's heroic knight, he really can't stop himself from doing everything to protect others. Man I love Mario Mario