The fan-favorite character has always had a compelling story arc in the original Japanese version. Initially, Vivian was one of Mario’s adversaries, teaming up with her sisters, Marilyn and Beldam, to thwart the hero. However, constant bullying from her sisters drove Vivian to switch sides and join Mario’s party.
Beloved Vivian was always transgender in the original Japanese version, but the English localization for the 2004 version omitted and changed this detailThe remake is also more affirming of Vivian’s character and has changed some sexist taunts. Additionally, in a brief but poignant conversation with Mario, the character tells him: “‘Truth is, it took me a while to realize I was their sister… not their brother. Now their usual bullying feels heavier.
Though it was disappointing that the 2004 English version did not portray her as transgender, fans welcomed the remake’s restoration of Vivian’s gender identity about two decades later. The character’s gender identity, which should have always been in the 2004 English version, was welcomed by fans in the new remakeI’m so glad that more and more kids in the LGBTQ get to have the supportive parents I never had“Oh my goodness gracious. this is not an edit. we won. we won so hard,” one social media user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“One little bit of good news in today’s bleak games and games media landscape,” said another comment, while a third wrote, “Vivian paper mario being officially trans makes me really happy, good for her.”“Vivian having her trans identity restored honestly makes her being the one to help Mario finding his name again is so f—ing good.”is about vivian being trans especially in a series as big as f—ing mario sh-t makes me happy man,” another said.