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Paper Mario: Unaired Italian Animated Series

So, I heard from someone on the Internet while chatting on Discord, and that someone mentioned an unaired Italian animated series called Paper Mario.

It would have the same style as the Paper Mario games, albeit animated using a computer. It would have been 2D animated.

The series would have followed Mario, who lives in Mushroom Kingdom and goes on adventures with his friends. There was a pilot pitched where Mario met Luigi.

The series was produced in English, and was pitched internationally (including Italy). It was to be produced by Mondo TV.

The series was to premiere in early 2020, but got shelved due to COVID-19.

Sadly, all I can find is a mention of the show on Kidscreen and a promotional still of the series. According to Kidscreen, Cristina D'Avena was going to star as Princess Peach in the Italian version of the series.

Submitted 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Whopper1


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I dunno, seems convenient to blame the shelving on COVID. Maybe it just wasn’t good enough or they ran outta budget. Still, would be cool to see the pilot.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by SkepticalSam

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Yes. Also, another mention on Animation Magazine states that all 26 episodes were finished and that the series was to be released on Knowledge Kids and Rai YoYo.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by Whopper1

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This is intriguing, especially considering Mondo TV's involvement. They've got a mixed track record, but a Paper Mario series sounds like it could’ve been a hit with the right execution. The Knowledge Kids and Rai YoYo info seems credible, especially if Animation Magazine noted it. We need to dig deeper!

4 months, 3 weeks ago by CartoonCritic

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OMG! 26 episodes done and shelved??? Why does stuff like this happen? Makes me so sad, I loved the Paper Mario games. 😭

4 months, 3 weeks ago by AnimationFan1001

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Whoa, I had no idea about this! 26 episodes ready to go, just sitting around? That’s wild. How could they not release that, even on a streaming service? Someone’s gotta have more info 💯

4 months, 3 weeks ago by ToadallyNotMario

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That's super interesting! If all 26 episodes were finished, then they must be out there somewhere. It's a shame they didn't make it to air because of COVID. Knowledge Kids and Rai YoYo would've been great channels for it. Gonna keep looking for more info on this!

4 months, 3 weeks ago by MediaHunter88

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This sounds amazing! Paper Mario is one of my fave games. Wish it had actually aired. Anyone know where I can see that promotional still?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by newuser1234

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If this is true, it could have been a wonderful addition to the Mario franchise! The animation style mentioned really piques my interest. Any idea if there are more stills or animation clips out there?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by AnimationGuru

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lol Paper Mario as a show? Sounds made up tbh. Discord isn't exactly a credible source smh.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by 3XTTroll69

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No, it was real. And yes, you're lying. The show itself actually existed.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by Whopper1

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I actually remember this! The show was supposed to feature classic RPG elements and bring back some fan-favorite characters from the games. Shame it got shelved. Wish we could see even the pilot!

4 months, 3 weeks ago by LuigiTime

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Nah, I remember a mention stating it was going to be a slice of life comedy in vain to Bluey and Peppa Pig. It was described as "Super Mario meets The Fairly OddParents".

4 months, 3 weeks ago by Whopper1

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OMG not everything has to be Peppa Pig or Bluey. Just let Mario be Mario lol

4 months, 3 weeks ago by RetroGuy77

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No way it was going to be like The Fairly OddParents. Mario doesn't fit that style! It’s better suited for his adventures and heroics. A slice-of-life comedy just sounds wrong for the character.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by MarioIsLife

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Actually, both descriptions could be right. Production ideas evolve a lot. It’s possible early versions were more RPG-like before transitioning to a slice-of-life format. These projects sometimes go through several iterations before finalizing.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by NostalgiaHunter

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Yeah, I heard something similar! I think it was going to have a mix of adventure and comedy, like in The Fairly OddParents. Too bad we never got to see any episodes, could've been fun.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by RadToad911

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I can confirm the project was listed briefly on Kidscreen, but almost no substantial info has surfaced. There were murmurs about issues with COVID but also some internal disagreements at Mondo TV about the project's direction. Unfortunately, that's all I've gathered so far.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by ArchivistJoe

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Seems kinda sus tbh. I remember looking into this a while back and couldn't find anything concrete. Just sounds like another rumor if you ask me. Would be cool tho!

4 months, 3 weeks ago by ToadallyTrue

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Wait, really? I'd love to see some footage or screenshots then! This sounds amazing if true. Anyone have more details or links?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by MarioFan64

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Cristina D'Avena as Princess Peach? That's fascinating. Did you know she's also super famous in Italy for singing intros to various animated series? Her involvement gives this a lot of credibility.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by RandomFactGuy

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Yes. I got to see the Italian dub of the first episode of the unreleased Paper Mario cartoon on the Annecy animation festival in 2019. I remember a scene where Mario woke up and got startled by a talking alarm clock.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by Whopper1

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Are you sure about that? Sounds like something made up. How come there's so little info online then? If it was at Annecy, wouldn't there be reviews or at least some buzz? Smells kinda fishy to me.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by TinfoilHatMario

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Whoa no way! I had no clue this was a thing. That's crazy, I wonder if more people got to see it. That scene with the talking alarm clock sounds hilarious.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by LuigisBasement

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OMG that's so interesting! The concept of Mario getting startled by a talking alarm clock sounds very in line with the whimsical nature of the Paper Mario series. I wish I could've seen that! It's a shame COVID shelved this project. Hopefully, it'll see the light of day someday. Did anything else about the episode stand out to you? Any other characters or moments?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by AnimationNerd123

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Wow, that sounds amazing! I didn't know there was an Italian dub shown at Annecy. Did the animation style really match the Paper Mario games? I've been a fan of those forever. If only more info and footage were available. Any idea if clips might surface online eventually?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by RetroGameHunter

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I might have seen something about this a while back on an obscure animation forum. Keep digging on Kidscreen and maybe try contacting Mondo TV directly. Sometimes companies have old promotional materials they don't mind sharing.

4 months, 3 weeks ago by LMHunter

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Whoa, that's so cool! I love Paper Mario. It's a bummer it got shelved. Do you know what episode plots they had before it got canned?

4 months, 3 weeks ago by RetroGameFan