Tanooki Suit



The Tanooki Suit is a rare item found in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its subsequent remake. The suit grants the same abilities as the Super Leaf with the added ability of turning into a statue. It transforms Mario and Luigi into Tanooki Mario and Tanooki Luigi. Also, if Mario or Luigi run fast enough to fill the Speed Gauge and jump, they can temporary fly. In that way, this item much like the P-Wing.

Trivia

 * Tanooki suits are named after tanukis, Japanese creatures who, according to mythology, can use leaves to shapeshift and cause chaos.
 * Tanookis are also a species found on the Isle Delfino.
 * Miles "Tails" Prower, a Sonic series character who will be playable in the upcoming Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games, was initially going to be one of the aforementioned tanukis, although Sega nixed this idea upon realizing that some may see a tanuki character as a rip-off of the Tanooki Suit and its transformation.
 * Francis, from Super Paper Mario, has a Tanooki Suit that's made out of real Tanooki fur.