Vivian

"I'm sorry Sis, but this Mario is the only one who's ever been kind to me..."

- Vivian

Vivian is a major character in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. Vivian originally works as a member of the villainous Shadow Sirens alongside her sisters, Beldam and Marilyn. Later, Vivian defects from the Shadow Sirens and joins Mario as his fifth party member. Although she suffers from an Inferiority Complex, throughout the events of the video game, Vivian's character develops as she learns to respect herself.

In the Japanese version of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Vivian is a male. Because of his effeminate appearance, several characters mistake him for a girl. Since Vivian kisses Mario in one scene, the North American version was censored and Vivian was changed to a female character. The PAL and Australian versions retained this change.

Adventure with Mario
Vivian's first appearance in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is in Chapter 2, when the Shadow Sirens were sent by Grodus to ambush Mario. Grodus gives the three a picture, and they go to Boggly Woods. Vivian found Flurrie's Necklace while going there. However, Beldam loses the picture and blames Vivian for it, taking away a necklace from Vivian. When Mario passes by again, it is discovered that Beldam had the picture all along, but is still angry at Vivian. They then challenge Mario to a fight. In this fight, Vivian is the middle strongest of the party and uses magic. After they are defeated, they run away, leaving behind Flurrie's Necklace. Vivian hesitates and goes back to get it, but ends up leaving.

Later on, at the Creepy Steeple, Mario fights Doopliss, a Duplighost. He steals Mario's body and identity, leaving Mario as a shadow. Meanwhile, Vivian and the Sirens have got an 'infallible' plan. They have a weapon that will surely wipe out Mario: the Superbombomb. However, it is lost, presumably by Beldam. Vivian is sentenced to search for it while Marilyn and Beldam take a nap. When Mario returns to Twilight Town, he finds Vivian searching for the Superbombomb. Mario finds it for Vivian, but it is broken. Vivian then asks Mario his name. Mario is unable to say his name however, and he tells his story to Vivian. Vivian decides to repay his kindness and help him get his name and body back.

When Mario and Vivian finally reach Doopliss' room in Creepy Steeple again, they battle him along with all Mario's old partners, who think Doopliss is Mario. Vivian realizes that the one she was helping was Mario, and for a few turns, will not help Mario in battle. After two turns, Vivian returns because she thinks Mario was nicer to her than any of her siblings. After Doopliss is defeated, Mario's partners ask why Mario would join up with a creep like Vivian, Mario defends her and Vivian joins Mario for good. Throughout her travels, Vivian seems to develop a friendship with one of Mario's other partners, Goombella. At the very end of Mario's adventure, Beldam and Marilyn end their villain activities and promise not to mistreat Vivian again. When Mario is preparing to leave Rougeport Vivian is about to tell Mario that she has a crush on him, but Vivian decides otherwise, and tells Mario that she thinks he and Princess Peach will make a good couple.

Powers and Abilities
Outside of battle, Vivian possesses the same ability Bow has in Paper Mario, but Vivian's works in a more interesting effect, as instead of literally turning invisible, Vivian can pull Mario into their shadow, where they can hide. This allows them to get past objects that move over them, and avoid sight from enemies and their attacks. Vivian possesses the strongest magic of any partner in the game, and is often thought of as the best partner in the game thanks to her fiery powers and the ability to burn enemies.

Gender
In the Japanese version some claim that Vivian is a pretty boy, a bishounen. However, in the Japanese version, Beldam of the "Three Shadows Group" uses the word majotachi, which refers to a group of sorceresses, to refer to them. Words like her, she, and sisters are also used. Unlike most characters that undergo major changes during translation, Vivian maintains their female name in both the English and Japanese versions. Beldam often calls Vivian "Man", but in the English Version, this has been changed to Vivian being called 'Plug-Ugly'. More telling is that the menu information describes Vivian as a male.

A rough translation of the character description of Vivian is, "One of the shadow group, Vivian appears to be a girl but is really a boy." Also in a rough translation of Goombella's Tattle of Vivian, "That's Vivian. Of the shadow group, she's the youngest sister... er, brother."

Trivia

 * Francis in Super Paper Mario has a Vivian plush doll and in Mario's house at the beginning as a painting.
 * Also in Super Paper Mario, Vivian appears as a Catch Card won by winning the Duel of 100 in the Sammer's Kingdom.
 * Vivian's Shadow Siren element is fire, thus making her a pyrokinetic.
 * In the battle with Vivian, when she has low HP, she can use Fiery Jinx. But when Vivian joins Mario's party, she has to be Super Ranked to learn Fiery Jinx.
 * In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Vivian appears as a sticker.

Attacks and Stats
At Initial Rank (-), Vivian has 15 HP. At Super Rank (*), Vivian has 20 HP. At Ultra Rank (**), Vivian has 30 HP. Vivian is one of the most versatile characters in the game.

Catch Card


Card Type: Rare

Card Description: It's Vivian from the last Paper Mario adventure. She was a great friend once she split from her sisters.