King Bowser

King Bowser is a major antagonist and later turned anti-hero in the Super Mario series. He is the main antagonist in Season 1, wanting to take over the Mushroom Kingdom and rule over the island. In seasons 2 and 3, he begins to have a change of heart and ultimately joins the heroes in beating Dimentio and Fawful from taking over the world and the multiverse.

## **Background**

   Bowser, also referred to as the Koopa King or King Bowser, was born into a life of misery and poor taste when both of his parents were killed. Growing up, he was raised by Kamek and built his own castle at age 7 . He was also as a result, heavily spoiled and not well behaved, wanting everything to go his way or no way. It did not take long for him to start creating his own personal army filled with goombas, koopas, and shy guys, among many other enemies. Bowser also never had the luxury of being loved by others, due to this he shows hardly any compassion for others and grew up with the mentality that love is for the weak and vulnerable. He began to grow into a malicious Koopa, hellbent on causing world domination and wanting to have any power he could have to himself and only himself. Once he met Mario, he became an arch-nemesis of the once plumber hero and would go on to take the Mushroom Kingdom hostage until he was overthrown by the Mario bros, learning a bit about the error of his ways despite his continual selfish mentality.

## Appearances

### Debut

Super Mario Bros (1985)

Bowser differs greatly from the rest of the Koopas, who appear mainly as bipedal tortoises. His iconic features include a large, spiked shell, horns, razor-sharp teeth, and a shock of red hair. In addition, while most Koopas appear to be herbivorous and prefer fruits and vegetables as their diet, Bowser, due to his sharp teeth, prefers meat, particularly from victims he hunts down and captures, though he has, on occasion, consumed vegetation, as well. He is physically powerful, can breathe fire, and is said to have skills in black magic, as he teleports off the Bowser's Star Reactor battle place when beaten.

### **Personality Traits**

Bowser is shown to be extremely cunning, selfish, and has a malicious mentality to everyone and thing he does. Up until the season 1 finale, he shows little to no compassion for others except his only son, Bowser Jr. After being beaten time and time again by the Mario bros, it begins to dawn on him that maybe the way he does things and thinks is wrong and thus develops a change of heart over the course of the show, although now without the occasional mean comments here and there. He does eventually become a much more compassionate person by the series finale, even sacrificing to take a hit for Mario.

### **Early Life and Realization**

His father, King Koopa !!! showed no compassion nor empathy for him, leading Bowser to a life where he envied those who got a loving life and loving parents. However, his father was set on conquering the island and the world. Once word of his future plan got around, the island decided to band together and devise a plan to kill him. Thus, all the towns, and villages including the Mushroom Kingdom, assassinated him and his wife much to Bowser's obliviousness as a child. Once Bowser finds out the truth, he becomes furious and plans to take over the Mushroom Kingdom to avenge his father and family of tyrants.

### **Powers and Abilities**

* Has the ability to breathe fire from his own mouth
* Is incredibly strong and possesses more strength than any human
* Has the ability to mutate with that of dark energy, becoming more evil