Unagi

Unagi is a species of eel that first appears in Super Mario 64. It is maroon-ish red-violet in color with yellow stripes on its back fin. The mega versions are proven in New Super Mario Bros. to be strong enough to destroy entire clusters of Brick Blocks, and cannot be defeated with anything, even the Star power up.

Unagi (うなぎ) is the Japanese word for freshwater eel, especially the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Note that saltwater eels should be called anago (穴子).

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario 64

In Super Mario 64 and its DS remake, one Unagi, known as Unagi the Eel, lives in Jolly Roger Bay and is the target of the mission Can The Eel Come Out To Play? in which Mario must collect a star hanging on the eel's tail. Unagi can cause Mario to lose three health points if he comes in contact with him.

New Super Mario Bros.

After a long absence, they appear in New Super Mario Bros. as a enemy in underwater levels. They only appear in World 4-3 and World 8-3. In World 8-3, Unagis swim around in a predictable pattern trying to hit Mario or Luigi. Some Unagis also live in small underwater coves, attacking anything in its vicinity. Unagis can be defeated with a Mega Mushroom and a Super Star. There is also a big version called the Mega Unagi.

Mario Kart series

Mario Kart Wii

Several Unagis reappear in Mario Kart Wii, where they can be seen while traveling through the underwater tunnel in Koopa Cape, poking their heads out of various Pipes. Another, perhaps a Mega Unagi, can be seen swimming outside of Chain Chomp Wheel.

Mario Kart 7

They also reappear again in Mario Kart 7, making a cameo in the underwater zones of Daisy Cruiser and Koopa Cape.

Mario Kart Arcade GP DX

In Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, they make a small appearance in the underwater parts of the race track Tropical Coast.

Mario Kart 8

A single Mega Unagi appears in an underwater section of the Mario Kart 8 track Dolphin Shoals, where players race along its body for a short section and can perform Tricks.