Don-chan
| Don-chan | |
|---|---|
 Don-chan in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX. | |
| Full name | Don Wada |
| Species | Taiko Drum |
| First appearance | Taiko no Tatsujin (2001, Taiko no Tatsujin series) Mario Kart Arcade GP DX (2013, Mario-related media) |
| Latest appearance | Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival (2022, Taiko no Tatsujin series) Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018, cameo, Mario-related media) |
| Latest portrayal | Miki Narahashi (2004-present) |
Don Wada, typically known as Don-chan, or simply Don, is the main character of the Taiko no Tatsujin series, and appears as a default playable character in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX.[1] He has poor speed, average acceleration, and great handling, sharing these statistics with Toad, Bowser Jr., and Lakitu. He also has two downloadable palette swaps in the game that dress him in strawberry and knight costumes, known officially as Strawberry Don-chan and Hero Don-chan respectively. These variants allow him to use the Cake and Shield Special Items respectively. Additionally, Don-chan appears in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as one of the characters that Pac-Man can randomly summon during his Namco Roulette taunt.[2]
Gallery[edit]
Don-chan with Mario and Bowser, after being hit by a Green Shell
Group artwork featuring Don-chan
In the latest version of the game, Don-chan's character select icon can be seen below Mario and Luigi, and to the right of Toad
Don-chan racing in Bon Dance Street with his Standard Kart
Don-chan in the Don Doko Drive
Strawberry Don-chan
Hero Don-chan
Don-chan (bottom center) in Pac-Man's Namco Roulette taunt in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Don-chan along with Kei Kobayashi, Hideki Konno and Mario at Japan Amusement Expo 2013
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | どんちゃん Don-chan |
From「どんどん」(dondon, an onomatopoeia for a drumming or beating sound) and「ちゃん」(-chan, a Japanese affectionate honorific) |
Trivia[edit]
- Preceding Don-chan's appearance in Mario Kart Arcade GP DX, the Mario franchise crossed over with the Taiko no Tatsujin series, as music from Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii appeared in the Taiko no Tatsujin series prior.
