Dorayaki
King Bowser
First of all, the 2023 story obviously made much better sense because Mario and Peach had enough time to develop a friendship in the first half of the film, unlike the 1986 one where the two technically don't know each other well. I mean even if Peach still dates Haru today, at least the 2023 story gave a better reason why Mario wants to save Peach.
But in the realworld view, the 1986 story was no doubt a giant bomb to audience who expected the contrary version of the story, due to there was no much canon information from Nintendo and Miyamoto, if I remember correctly. I feel like Miyamoto could had done a better job to avoid fandom metldown no matter what he wanted for the canon.
I assume Pauline was still a potential love interest for Mario in early setting if that is the whole reason why Miyamoto didn't acknowledge Mario-Peach pairing too firmly, however both she and Haru didn't star in later games or media in early SMB era, notably the Super Mario Show from 1989. Arguably, the later real action film in 1993 yet again made Mario date someone beside Peach.
As for today, Mario pratically wins over Haru because he is both the protagonist and a videogame character that would eventaully longlive with Peach. But if the 1986 story was entirely its own enclosed canon, I still feel bad for the 1986 Mario who never got a chance to properly know Peach just like the 2023 Mario. I know the 1986 Mario didn't want to break Peach's heart, but in realworld view, I think he actually lost to the boundary of story, not Haru as a love rival.
I'd honestly say Haru also did alot of impressive job in the 1986 story to prove his love for Peach, and would not lose to Mario easily if they do start a romance rivalry. It feels like Haru would had got much better reception if he was born in modern gaming and has his own perepective in storytelling, just like Marth and Alm from Fire Emblem series.
Do you think the 1986 story could had done better? If later Mario games and stories do continue the 1986 canon, do you think Mario will eventually change Peach's mind and win her heart?
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