Nabbit's identity

Nabbit is commonly assumed to be a character wearing a disguise, due to his suit-like design and lack of resemblance to other rabbit characters, like the Broodals. This interpretation begs the question of **Nabbit's true identity** behind the rabbit costume.

Most fan theories additionally claim that Nabbit is an existing character or species, likely because the possibilities are otherwise too broad to discuss.

Although, Nabbit is most commonly called a rabbit. I can't see why not! I mean, look at em'!

## Theories

### Null hypothesis

Nabbit is typically presented as a unique character, and there is evidence to suggest that the bandana is his only disguise.

For example, a Play Nintendo article conjectures that "Nabbit might have buckteeth, but prefers to draw sharp ones on a bandana to look scarier." This would be consistent with his outward appearance, as rabbit characters are often designed with buck teeth.

While Nabbit's eyes may appear to be painted or printed on, he blinks in games such as *Mario Golf: World Tour, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder*

### Bowser Jr.

Nabbit and Bowser Jr. have very similar bandanas and proportions, leading to the theory that Nabbit is Bowser Jr. in disguise.

While their bandanas are evocative of each other, they differ in style within most games where both characters appear. Nabbit's bandana is drawn less scratchily and uses lighter colors. As stated, Nabbit draws the teeth on his bandana, so their differences in artstyle could indicate that the characters are separate.

In *Mario Party 10*, Nabbit only appears outside of the credits when Team Mario lands on a Bowser Block Space that subtracts a Bowser Dice Block. Because Bowser Jr. carries out most similar events in the game, Nabbit could be Bowser Jr. wearing a disguise to act against Bowser. However, he could still be a separate character used to prevent the audience, rather than Bowser, from thinking about Bowser Jr. sabotaging his father.

On the other hand, Bowser Jr. and Nabbit have coexisted in several noteworthy instances. Nabbit can battle Bowser Jr. in *New Super Luigi U* and *New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe*. Bowser Jr. can also recruit Nabbit in *Bowser Jr.'s Journey*.

It is possible that Nabbit was originally meant to be Bowser Jr., but that the intent was lost and contradicted over time.

### A Toad

Nabbit's research base is a purple Toad House on Secret Island. This is confirmed in *Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games*, but was apparent from the start in *New Super Mario Bros. U*, due to the house's color scheme, the silhouettes painted on the ceiling, the bags and power-ups in the background, and the music being an arrangement of the "Catch Nabbit!" fanfare.

Because he lives or works in a Toad House, fans have suggested that Nabbit is himself a Toad, possibly a purple one. *New Super Mario Bros. U* also establishes that Nabbit steals from Toads, so the Toad House may not have originally been his.

### Ravio

Many fans have noted the design similarities between Nabbit and Ravio from *The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds*. Satoru Iwata clarified in a Nintendo Direct that this was a coincidence.

> When this screenshot was posted on Miiverse, some people commented that the character next to Link looks like Nabbit from *New Super Mario Bros. U* and *New Super Luigi U*. He sure does look like Nabbit, doesn't he? Well, unfortunately, he has nothing to do with the *Mario* series. In fact, his name is Ravio; hence the name of his shop. The *Zelda* and *Mario* series are created on the same floor by members of development teams that sit right next to each other, so perhaps they inspired one another unknowingly.
>
>

### Il Piantissimo

The YouTube channel Indigo's Findings video "Nabbit: The Greatest Mystery" suggests that Nabbit is Il Piantissimo. They are both mysterious, eccentric foot racers who (allegedly, in Nabbit's case) wear purplish disguises. They are also associated with Bowser Jr. imagery; after beating *Super Mario Sunshine* without collecting every Shine Sprite, a post-credits image depicts Il Piantissimo finding Bowser Jr.'s Magic Paintbrush.

A point made in response to this theory is that both iterations of Nabbit's voice are far higher than Il Piantissimo's.

### A Rabbid

This is backed up by some of the "Null hypothesis", as Rabbids have Buckteeth, and they're similarly shaped to Nabbit himself. So, we can say this is likely who Nabbit identifies as. Great.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 5 ways Nabbit is the opposite of the Easter Bunny. Play Nintendo. Nintendo.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nabbit: The Greatest Mystery. Indigo's Findings. YouTube. April 11, 2022.
3. ↑ Nintendo Direct 10.1.2013. Nintendo. YouTube. October 1, 2013.